Algonquin Park today... Gray Jays, Black Backed Woodpecker

[Rob'in'To]

We left early this morning for Algonquin Park and stayed there until nearly sundown.  An amazing time!  Seeing and playing with the Gray Jays was a first as well as seeing a Black Backed Woodpecker.  










The Black Backed Woodpecker was around for a good 5 minutes or so...  but difficult to photograph.  Another first for us to see though.






The Black Capped Chickadees were quite hand friendly as well.  We also heard Boreal Chickadees high in the pines above us.

[Brian Bailey]

Those Gray Jays must be well studied birds:  4 leg bands!

BB

[Rob'in'To]

I recon so.  I guess I should look into if/where I should report them.  Curious what all the colors mean.

[Pat Hodgson]

The multiple colour bands are just a code to be able to identify the individual bird without catching it to read the code on a single metal band.  These birds are residents and well-studied, so I don't think making a report is likely to be helpful in this case.

[Rob'in'To]

Ok.  Thanks Pat.  I just wasn't sure if they were around Algonquin all the time or flew elsewhere and the researchers wanted to know.

I reported a Trumpeter Swan early in the year that I saw in Port Credit.  Someone called me and told me how it was caught in August 2009 in Burlington and tagged.  Then reports of it up in Midland in October.  Then in Oakville and Port Credit in January/February 2010.  Interesting to learn this.

[JW Mills]

Nice pics Rob, looks like you had a great day!

[ravynne40]

Great shots and sounds like it was a great experience. The jays are real cute

[Rob'in'To]

It was an amazing day.  A real treat since it was our first experience with Gray Jays.  We are planning to return there in January for an over-night and hope for just as much fun and maybe see those Boreal Chickadees near Mizzy Lake Trail.  They were right above us, taunting us I tell ya!