Huntsville/Algonquin Park

BC · **on:** December 16, 2009, 10:25:58 PM

Can anyone recommend a local birder/guide who offers daytrips in the Huntsville/Algonquin Park area?
Thanks

Scott · **Reply #1 on:** January 31, 2010, 12:56:43 AM

I've met Mike birding at Hall's Road in Ajax and he's a great guy. Here is his web site.

http://www.algonquinparkphototours.com/

BC · **Reply #2 on:** February 01, 2010, 10:02:59 AM

Thanks for the response. I did contact him. I'm sure he's an excellent guide but the rate he quoted was twice what I paid a guide in Florida for a day of birding.

Tyler · **Reply #3 on:** February 01, 2010, 11:20:53 AM

BC

you do not need a guide for Algonquin in the winter. between Ron Tozer's excellent weekly ontbirds email and the weekly visits to the park by many knowledgable birders, location of most target species can readily be found.

What species in particular are you looking for. I may be able to help and give you a few almost sure thing locations for some and probable areas for others.

Example Black-backed woodpecker Hwy 60 at Km 8 and Opeongo road in the black spruce bog north of gate are 2 good areas that turn up this species most trips for me. Will be looking there this saturday.

Fire away and hopefully myself or others can give you good locations where they regularly are found.

Cheers
Tyler

BC · **Reply #4 on:** February 01, 2010, 06:18:55 PM

Thanks for the tips. Actually, my initial post was from December 16 and I've been and returned. I agree with Tyler about winter birding in Algonquin and, usually, no need for a guide. The problem was I was up there without a car for a few days so I explored Birdpals and guides in the area.

Tyler · **Reply #5 on:** February 07, 2010, 12:15:19 AM

Just back from the bird desert aka Algonquin Park winter 2009-2010.

Away from feeders places and areas where people put seed, the birds were absent. With the almost complete absence of a cone and berry crop this year most birds left.

highlight
6 Gray jays all at usual locations aka Opeongo road at the gate, visitor center and mew lake campground.
Winter Finches located were only the American Goldfinches at the visitor center and in whitney

A Pine Marten put on a show at the visitor center for the photographers there.

Also a road kill moose has been put in the Sunday Creek Bog below the visitor center late this week and should be bringing in the wolves/eagles/ravens/fishers/foxes etc. over the next week. The park has a scope set up in the visitor center on the moose carcass so visitors can scan for who is coming in for a meal.

road conditions.
the opeongo road past the gate has been plowed regularly this winter so snowshoes are not required to get the the Spruce grouse area.
the KM 8 turnoff has not been plowed lately and parking on the limited shoulder is currently not recommended
Arowhon road is nicely plowed and graded, However this is not for the public, it is for the large amount of Logging trucks using it this winter. And public using it unauthorized can get in trouble.