Arowhon Chef at the Royal Winter Fair, Toronto, ON

Arowhon Pines head chef, David Cooke, answers questions following his cooking demonstration at The Royal Winter Fair in Toronto.

Chef Cooke prepared a Pork Wellington in a pastry topped with wild blueberry sauce which members of the audience sampled and enjoyed.

Thank you to our local farm supplier in the Ottawa Valley - http://www.porkofyore.com/.

AROWHON PINES...the perfect holiday gift

We've had a number of calls from "the kids" (in their 30's, 40's & 50's)

buying gift certificates for their parents this holiday season. 
They've bought a dinner, a weekend stay and even a dreamy week for two! 

We can send you a lovely Arowhon Pines card that you can personalize and put under the tree.

No malls!  No lineups! And a gift that they will love - guaranteed!

Closing Up Fall 2011

Happy End of Movember!  We made a donation to the Algonquin Park "Moose-tache" volonteer team for this very good cause. Gentlemen, you all look mmmmmarvelous!

Arowhon Pines closed just over a month ago.  On our last night, the staff celebrated with a wonderful Thanksgiving feast and party!   

Our staff is an active one.  The Newfoundland contingent - Lily, Sue and Edwin headed back to Englee to live their winter lives by the sea.  They will occasionally email us a photo of the icebergs they can see out their windows.  Two other couples left Arowhon and on the same day, headed to Florida on a "road trip" for some "R and R".  One of our Irishmen in the dining room with the attractive German waitress travelled together to Chicago and New York City !!?  Some others went west to work and ski - or rather, ski and work.  One of our cooks landed a job in a fine Montreal restaurant.  Just today, Peter and Nora sent an email greeting from Lima, Peru - they are on a 4 month trip around South America.    Au revoir to them all, happy winter and see you next spring!

Our carpentry and maintenance crew are still hard at work completing our long list of renovations before the snow sets in.  Our work includes new bathrooms for Forestedge, Cedarview, Lakeview, Moosewood, Hilltop Left, Westview, and Bridgewood 22, 23, 24 & 29!  There will also be new carpet for the cabins "up the hill" and large new decks for Lakeview and Cedarview.  We're very excited!

Happy Birthday Helen!

Yesterday, September 17th, Helen celebrated her 80th birthday!  Many of her friends made the trek to surprise her - Doreen, Jeanine, Lucille from Ireland, John and Maureen, The Nymans, Mona, Olive and Alfred, David, Joy and her mom, and Frank - plus some longtime guests!  After a pontoon boat ride of the gorgeous lakes around Arowhon, we had a fantastic time around the piano with Jack Hutton.  We tapped our toes to the ragtime music, sang Broadway hits and danced!  Afterwards, we all enjoyed a lovely dinner!  All in all a fabulous time!  Here are some photos to share with you:

Around the Piano!

  

Frank, the Last Guide

A Perfect Morning to Celebrate!

From All the Staff with Love

Mr Gamblin with a hug!

The Birthday Girl!

The Welcoming Committee - Daisy and Dexter

Doreen and Lucille

Helen and Ben

Jeanine!

Jack!

Wedding August 2011

Our time at Arowhon was precious and everyone that we encountered went out of their way to assist us in making our celebration particularly memorable.  Should anyone else enquire, we would also not hesitate to recommend Heather Douglas as a photographer and Tom Brown as a celebrant. They were both marvelous.
Please can you thank all the staff at Arowhon Pines for contributing to making our wedding the terrific affair that it was.
Warm regards,
(A Happy Couple)

Film North

Film North, Huntsville International Film Festival

Thursday, Sept 22^nd – Saturday, Sept 24^th

Did you know that Huntsville sports its own International Film Festival called FILM NORTH, featuring comedies, documentaries, dramas and romances from around the world and Canada.

Some of the films that caught our eye:

Play Again
DOCUMENTARY – DIRECTOR: TONJE SCHEI – USA – 80:00 min
At a time when children spend more time in the virtual world than the natural world, Play Again unplugs a group of media savvy teens and takes them on their first wilderness adventure, documenting the wonder that comes from time spent in nature and inspiring action for a sustainable future. 

Lovers in a Dangerous Time
DRAMA/ROMANCE – DIRECTOR: MAY CHARTERS – CANADA – 94:00 min
This romantic 'Canadian' tale centers around two former childhood friends; Todd, a small town could-have-been, and Allison, an overly nostalgic children’s book illustrator, who are reunited at their ten year high school reunion and embark on a childish yet romantic adventure recapturing the life they use to live. 

Mind The Gap
ROMANTIC COMEDY/DRAMA – DIRECTOR: SHAUN MJUMDER – CANADA – 07:16 min 
When a sexy beautiful young woman sits next to a sweet elderly man on a train, the ride is anything but boring.

Genius Within: The Inner Life of Glenn Gould
DOCUMENTARY – DIRECTOR: MICHELE HOZER & PETER RAYMONT – CANADA – 106:00 min 
Intimately revealing the man behind the myth, the film casts a fresh light on the mysterious pianist whose ideas were as controversial, and his private life as passionate, as his music. 

La Mina
DOCUMENTARY – DIRECTOR: PAUL PLETT – CANADA – 15:26 min
75 percent of all mining companies in the world are based in Canada. Some 1,200 Canadian mining companies operate in 100 countries around the world. This film takes a look at how people in Guatemala and Honduras feel about Canadian mining in their communities. 

For more information, pricing and schedules, visit www.filmnorth.net.

An Algonquin Park Wedding

Congratulations Eva and Josh

August 1st, 2011, Arowhon Pines, Algonquin Park 

SEPTEMBER

Early September is one of our favourite times in the Park. The days are still warm for canoeing & swimming - and cool enough to light a fire. And...no bugs! Visit and enjoy this quieter time at Arowhon, especially mid-week. 

Summer turns to fall in the blink of an eye.  We've already seen very cool night time temperatures.  Many guests wait for the cool autumn to visit because of the spectacular show of fall colour from mid-September to mid-October. Fall midweek is usually quieter then weekends.
Arowhon Pines provides guests with a vehicle permit for all Park day use - access to all hiking trails, the Visitor's Centre, Logging Museum and Art Gallery.  You can order a packed lunch for the day and picnic along the Highway 60 Corridor or on one of the trails.  The best Park trails to see fall colour are:  Hardwood Lookout, Track & Tower, Centennial Ridges, Lookout and Booth's Rock (my favourite!).  You will be impressed with the Arowhon Road as you drive in!

There is a good chance of seeing a bull Moose in the fall with its antlers fully grown and ready for the rutting season.  You might hear howling wolves at night.

Please visit the Park website for fall foliage updates:  http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/.

                                                                  ***************
Arowhon Pines Room and Meal Rates decrease 10% in the fall - $242.00 per person per night including three meals starting September 5th.  No single supplements!



 

Thank you to Martha and Bill Cason for these photos from their Arowhon Pines staff in the fall of 2010.

 

FOX SCREAM

Thank you to Mr & Mrs Ginsler who did some research on the noise that they heard a few weeks ago in the middle of the night at Arowhon Pines.  All the guests at the resort heard it again the other night, loud and clear!

Mrs Ginsler passed along a UTUBE video which captures the sound. Very eerie.  It seems like it is either a fox in distress or a male fox mating call.

Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cPg7_nyoBc&feature=related
(the video quality it not great, but the sound is perfect)

Thanks again Mrs Ginsler!  See you next year!

Please Support Our Local Farmers!

Please Support Our Local Farmers:

Brooklands Farm

www.brooklandsfarm.ca

Sprucedale Meats

705 685-7747

Grenville farms

705 689-6431

Pork of yore

www.porkofyore.com

Edible Fungi

705 789-5850

Milford Bay Trout Farm

705 764-1797

Kawartha dairy

www.kawarthadairy.com

The Farmers’ Daughter

http://www.fresheverything.ca/

Muskoka Coffee Roastery

www.muskokaroastery.com

Algonquin Honey

705 636-1883

Four Seasons Greens (sprout growers)

705 385-2987

******

Thank you to Savour Muskoka for their support:  http://www.savourmuskoka.ca/

100 Mile Challenge Barbecue Notes and Menu

Arowhon Pines

1st Annual Civic Holiday Monday

"100 mile challenge" Barbecue

All food is produced within 100 miles of the resort.

The 100 mile challenge is based on the food blog and book "The 100 mile diet" by James MacKinnon and Alisa Smith, and it has become a series on Food network Canada. The challenge is to create a menu or diet using only product from within 100 miles of your location.  the idea is to raise awareness that locally produced food is not only environmentally friendlier, but delicious as well!  Muskoka agriculture and forest products have sustained people in this area for a thousand years—we are all excited to continue that tradition.

The Menu:

Beverages:  Cedar Iced Tea, Rhubarb-ade (a hit!) and mint julip.

 

Muskoka summer salads:  New Potato & Radish, Broccoli with Mushroom,

Tomato & mixed herbs, Roasted beets with tarragon, Cucumber with dill, Coleslaw.

 

From the grill:

Chicken Skewers with Yoghurt

Baby back ribs

Marinated flank steak

Lamb & mint shish kebab

Hamburgers and sausages

Lake Huron Pickerel

Pulled shoulder of Berkshire pork

Grilled trout

Marinated & grilled vegetables

Vegetable Burgers

 

All herbs and spices are from our garden.

Desserts: Summer fruit, Butter tarts, Fudge, Squares & Berry tarts

all sweetened with honey, maple syrup or stevia from our garden

Housemade ice creams: Lavender, Plum & Raspberry Ripple

*****

The 100 mile challenge allows for some cheating. Here are our cheats: 
*  tomatoes & some other fruits come from Bradford, Ontario, outside our limit. These fruits aren’t quite ripe yet in Muskoka due to a very wet spring.
*  flour used in the desserts and the ice cream cones were milled in Ontario but not within 100 miles
*  Muskoka coffee roastery in Huntsville roasted the beans, which came from 100% Rainforest alliance certified farms in central and south America.
*  salt, white sugar and sweet n low for coffee, tea

Civic Holiday Barbecue! A Wonderful Afternoon Enjoyed by All!

What a fabulous day!

To us it felt like a lovely afternoon garden party with family and friends

rather then a busy barbecue for 160 people!

Thank you to each and every guest who attended, new and old,

and our local farmers who came out to participate.

For all of those who missed out, we're already thinking of new ideas - how about

a food, music and art fair in Algonquin Park!

See you next year!

Photos by Donna Cooke

100 MILE CHALLENGE BARBECUE ON MONDAY AUGUST 1ST

Christmas in July

Sometimes the staff need to unwind a little too!

Ever year we celebrate Christmas in July, always with a special summer guest appearance by Santa (this year, Mrs Claus as well!)!    Staff have a couple of weeks to craft homemade presents for their "secret" Santa.   This year the presents were awesome!

It's a staff tradition every year!All photos by Donna Cooke.

After Breakfast Swim

This morning the temperature outside on our (new) dock was 24 degrees - the water temperature felt about the same! 

Here's Helen taking a dip while Dexter keeps an eye. 

Thank you to our yoga group - Jeff, Amber, Kendra, Sheila, Fred and Susan and to all the guests and staff who joined in the classes. We will post some photos soon!

Happy Canada Day!

Canada Day 2011.

The weather is gorgeous.  We all swam in the lake to cool off.  Most guests took off with a picnic lunch and went canoeing for the day.  We saw a moose and 2 baby calves. 

That is the Arowhon Pines idea of Canada Day.

*************

To top it off, Intelligent Travel of National Geographic Magazine ranked Algonquin Park #2 of the Top Ten Things to Do in Ontario on Canada Day.  We did get a small plug.

2.Algonquin Provincial Park



Algonquin Provincial Park is a sublime, sprawling 7,800 square miles of lakes and forests that’s home to a quintessentially Canadian ecosystem of bears, brook trout, moose, and wolves. The park, founded in 1893, begs exploration by foot or via 1,000 miles of canoe trails that wander through an area of natural transition between northern Ontario’s coniferous forests and southern woodlands of maple, birch, and beech. Camping is de rigueur here in a land of dark night skies and crackling fires. But those who prefer to be pampered a bit can check into Arowhon Pines and enjoy a lakeshore resort located within the boundaries of the park

Wolf Den Expeditions - June Newsletter

Summer is finally here, the kids are almost done school and its time to start thinking about summer vacation yahoooo!!!

If you are into yoga and love being in the outdoors, then our Algonquin Yoga Retreat at Arowhon Pines Resort is just for you. Though time is running out for registration. So hop on board!! The registration deadline is June 30!! click here for more

We also have another fantastic line up of canoe and sea kayaking trips for this season. New for this year is our Girls Weekend packages for both canoeing and kayaking. These trips are just for the girls. So leave the men behind and kick up your heels!! We are also offering great trip packages for Fathers and Sons for great canoeing and kayaking experience. What better way to correct than to paddle through Algonquin park with your son/dad and hang out around the campfire together.

If you would like to add a bit of luxury and fine dining to your Algonquin experience. Come and check out our deluxe Algonquin canoe trip packages. We are partnered with a fabulous resort in Algonquin park, Arowhon Pines Resort. They are right on the shores of Joe lake with a fantastic view. Their food is to die for, especially their desserts. So if you would like to spend your first and last night of your Algonquin canoe trip in the lap of luxury sign up quick, dates are going fast!

Have you always wanted to go on an interior camping trip, but just don't know where to start or feel that your skills are not quite up to the task? The Canoe Tripping Level 1-2 is a great place to kick off your interior camping career. The course focuses on building your camping skills, navigation, food packing, wilderness cooking, route planning, and how to do it all safely. By the end of the course you will come away having more confidence in your abilities, new skill sets, and an ORCKA Basic Canoeing Level 1-3 certification. Check it out!!

We are also offering a Paddle Canada Sea Kayaking Level 1 course July 16 - 17 located at the Harbour Front in Toronto. If you would like to expand on your kayaking skills and continue building your confidence for paddling out on open water register today!!

For further details on all of our trip packages and course, check out our website at: http://www.wolfdenexpeditions.ca/

Attention all Artists! More Details TONY BIANCO ART WORKSHOP

Tony Bianco, Artist (www.tonybiancoart.com)

AND

Arowhon Pines Resort, Algonquin Park (www.arowhonpines.ca)

AND

Algonquin Art Centre, Algonquin Park (www.algonquinartcentre.com)

Present:

A Day and Evening with Artist Tony Bianco

Wednesday, July 27

and

Thursday, August 25

Participants will spend a day and evening with artist Tony Bianco and a night at Arowhon Pines Resort in Algonquin Park.

Itinerary:
Meet after breakfast at Arowhon Pines (10 AM)
Art class with Tony in the Morning on Location in Algonquin Park
Lunch at Arowhon Pines
Art Class with Tony in the afternoon on location. Guests hike or canoe there, or pontoon boat.
Dinner at Arowhon Pines
Tony to critique students’ work after dinner
OVERNIGHT at Arowhon Pines
Breakfast the next day
Enjoy the recreational facilities at Arowhon.

Cost: $ 540.00 All inclusive – accommodation for one night, three consecutive meals, use of all recreational facilities, art workshop, instructor, supplies and all taxes and service charges. Minimum 5 maximum of 12 participants. Should we exceed twelve, we will choose another date for a second group.

Look for information on an Advanced Art Class with Tony Bianco September 25 – 27, 2011.

Beaver Drops in for Lunch!

A 1966 Dehavilland Turbo Beaver unexpectedly dropped in at lunchtime much to the delight of guests and staff.   Don't get any ideas!  These were MNR people, and they are the only ones permitted to land on our lakes.

The Turbo Beaver is the quentessential Canadian bush plane mostly used for cargo and passenger hauling and crop dusting.  The Beaver (all Dehavilland planes are named after animals, this one in particular named after the hard working beaver) was designed for flight in rugged and remote areas that are accesssible only by canoe or foot.

You will notice this particular plane docked at the Smoke Lake Hangar before turning onto the Arowhon Road.  It's a vital part of the emergency response system in Algonquin Park. 

SPRING in the KITCHEN

We love our perennial herb gardens! We especially love them in the spring when we pull off their blankets of hay (put down last fall to protect them from the harsh Algonquin winter) and can see tender, tasty new shoots popping up! There are chives, lavender for homemade ice cream, sorrel for soup, rhubarb, garlic and mint!

Next week we’ll be planting edible flowers for our salads - nasturtiums, marigolds, violets, pansies, violas and dahlias. Look for them by the old canoes near the kitchen.

In addition to our own gardens, our local farmers provide us with sprouts, fiddleheads, wild leeks, garlic, asparagus, strawberries and more!

Asparagus – the fresher and thicker they are, the sweeter they will taste. Steam for just a couple of minutes – al dente – and toss with a little butter and lemon juice. Enjoy!

Attention All Painters!

For Beginners and Serious Art Students! 

The Algonquin Art Centre and Artist Tony Bianco (http://www.tonybiancoart.com/) will be hosting two

"on location" overnight painting workshops at Arowhon Pines on

July 27th, 2011 and August 25th, 2011.

A more comprehensive three eday, two night art class will be held September 25 - 27, 2011.

Please contact us for details.

A Rare Wolf Sighting

We keep telling you - spring is the best time of year for wildlife viewing in the Park.

Last week the Eddy family from Buffalo, NY visited Arowhon Pines and Algonquin Park.  They tallied up an impressive checklist of animal sightings including a number of moose along Hwy 60.

By far, the biggest feather in their cap was their sighting of a lone, large Eastern Grey Wolf!  They spotted the wolf (we assume a male based on his size) around KM 50 just east of the Visitors Centre.  Truly incredible was that the wolf was very accommodating - letting Mr Eddy take this amazing photograph.

Thank you Eddy family and congratulations!  We look forward to seeing you next spring!

Speaking of wildlife, here are some other sightings:

The popular Ruby Throated Hummingbirds are here and it seems present in larger numbers than in recent summers. As long as our feeders are full of sweet sugar water, they'll continue to entertain us with their acrobatics!

Also the Snapping Turtles are making their way out of the water in search of food and nesting sites.  If you are travelling our way, please slow down - we've seen a half dozen on our road alone.

We hope you can visit!

THE BEST MOTHER-DAUGHTER VACATIONS

FOX News had a wee little blurb about Arowhon Pines. 

Their article published April 25, 2011 was entitled:  "The Best Mother-Daughter Vacations" and it said:

Look to our northern neighbour (Ontario in this case) for an off-beat adventure especially if mother and daughter are outdoorsy types.  Arowhon Pines offers "Girls Week" canoe trips but also long weekend yoga retreats".

For the full article, click here: 
http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2011/04/25/best-mother-daughter-vacations/#content

For more information about GIRLS WEEK CANOE TRIP AND AROWHON PINES STAY, visit http://www.arowhonpines.ca/ (News and Events tab) OR http://www.wolfdenexpeditions.ca/.  Package Dates are July 14 - 17, Aug 4 - 7, Aug 18 – 21.  Custom canoe packages/Arowhon Pines stay are also available.


Thank you to Maria Lisella from Fox News.

Maple Syrup - and our Homemade Granola Recipe

Maple Syrup
Every March, Arowhon Pines places an order for 100 Litres of Muskoka maple syrup. It comes from Brooklands Farm on Buttter & Egg Road outside of Bracebridge (http://www.brooklandsfarm.ca/). Farmers Katya & John Riley keep us updated as to how the maple syrup season is progressing. Did you know that there are different grades depending on when it is harvested? There is lighter syrup at the beginning of the season, amber at the height, and dark at the end. We use amber because we both cook with it and serve it on its own. Keep an eye when buying maple syrup at a grocery store – there are "light" or grade "B" labels - these will have a diluted flavor. The best is to go to the farm and get your maple syrup direct from the producer!

Enjoy maple syrup in our HOMEMADE GRANOLA.

Arowhon Pines Homemade Granola

Keeps well refrigerated in an airtight container for 2-3 months.

YIELD: 10 cups

DRY MIX:

6 c organic rolled oats

1 c bran

1 c sunflower seeds

1 c wheat germ

1/2 c unsweetened coconut

1/2 c sesame seeds

WET MIX:

1/4 c maple syrup

3/4 c canola oil

1/2 tsp salt

1 TB vanilla

GARNISH:

2 oz walnuts (or other nuts of your choice), roughly chopped

1 oz raisins (washed & dried)

1 oz currants (washed & dried)

AHEAD OF TIME:

All dried fruit comes sprayed with a preservative. It's most important to always run it under cold water, agitating the fruit until water runs clear, usually several times. Drain and place on towel. Roll up for awhile, preferably the day before. Unroll to finish the drying process, pat dry. PS The taste is worth the effort!

METHOD:

- Combine dry ingredients together in large bowl.

- Combine wet ingredients in small saucepan, heat slightly and whisk thoroughly.

- Mix wet into dry and combine well.

- Spread thinly on cookie sheets.

- Bake 30 minutes at 250 deg F, (or 220 deg F in a convection oven), remove from oven, stir, and add nuts and fruit.

- Return to oven and bake 10 minutes longer or until golden.

- Takes 40 minutes, including stirring & checking every 10 minutes.

- Let cool and store in airtight containers. Serve with fresh yoghurt, fruit, and maple syrup!

Enjoy!

Discover Spring in Algonquin Park. See a Moose!

The chance encounter with a moose is real

and one of the best parts of being inside Algonquin Park.

Spring is when they are most visible. Some guests report 15 to 20 sightings per day! Moose are attracted to the slightly salty water in ditches, a result of winter highway sanding and salting. Simply drive along the Hwy 60 corridor or down our road and you will see them. At this time of year, you might have the lake or a trail to yourself!

Here are some wildlife viewing tips, tried and tested on how and when to see a moose and other wildlife.

Regular guests will tell you – get up early! Edward will prepare you a thermos of fresh coffee, then make your way by foot down one of our trails, or quietly canoe through the narrows to Lost Joe Lake. By the time the rest of the resort is awake, you will have seen an abundance of wildlife and witnessed a beautiful sunrise!

Stop. Look up and around. Put away your Arowhon cookie bag. Stop checking to see if your cell phone works.

Relax and be still. Concentrate on low-lying, wet areas like ponds, bogs or beaver meadows. Wildlife prefers these areas, and often you will get an open vista or break in the forest for great viewing.

When on a canoe, hug the shoreline to see more wildlife.

Keep a safe distance away when viewing any wildlife. Bring binoculars, especially for bird watching.

Let other guests know what you saw by writing it on our chalkboard on the verandah.

Summer Long Weekend Yoga Retreats.

For 2011:


Experience energizing yoga sessions on the main dock each morning as the mist rises off the lake. Enjoy a yoga class on a guided canoe or hiking trip during the day and wrap it up with a gentle evening session. Guests are welcome to join classes & participate in guided canoe and hiking day trips.

CANADA DAY LONG WEEKEND RETREAT - Celebrate Canada’s birthday by experiencing yoga within some of Canada’s pristine wildnerness. There are morning, afternoon and evening Yin yoga classes. Also available is a reflexology treatment (extra cost) to melt away all your stress. July 1 – 4,
$ 1555 per person all inclusive.

CIVIC HOLIDAY LONG WEEKEND RETREAT – This weekend you will have the opportunity to choose from an Ashtanga, Sivananda or Yin workshop led by professional instructors. There is the opportunity to experience a fantastic massage at the end of the day (extra cost). July 29 – August 1.
$ 1555 per person all inclusive.

LABOUR DAY – Take advantage of the last long weekend of the summer and enjoy a relaxing vacation with yoga classes within the wilds of Algonquin Park. September 1 – 4, 2011.

CUSTOM YOGA RETREATS can be put together with 4 friends or more.

Visit http://www.wolfdenexpeditions.com/ for more information and sign up.

Arowhon Algonquin Canoe Adventure.

FOR 2011!

Add a true Canadian experience to your stay at Arowhon Pines – a canoe trip (adventure, wilderness and wildlife!) with overnight camping in Algonquin Park, leaving from our docks. May - October.

CHARMING GUIDES will take care of everything – park permits, all food, sleeping & cooking equipment. Deluxe two night resort stay and 2 night/3 days adventure canoe trip packages, available from May to October.

GIRLS WEEK. Add some luxury to your wilderness experience and join us on our deluxe Algonquin trip package. Spend the first night at Arowhon Pines Resort, enjoying the food, activities & hospitality. Your first morning loosen up with a gentle yoga class on the dock overlooking Joe Lake to prepare you for the day. After breakfast, meet your guide and prepare to embark on your two night/3 day wilderness adventure. At the end of the trip you will return to Arowhon Pines for a hot shower, wondrous meals, and a reflexology treatment with Kendra Platt. Package Dates: July 14 - 17, Aug 4 - 7, Aug 18 – 21.

FATHER AND SON ESCAPE. Three day father and son canoe trip package and two night stay at Arowhon Pines Resort.

Please visit http://www.wolfdenexpeditions.com/ for more information and dates.

Algonquin Park Birding Report: 17 February 2011

Here is a copy of the:  Algonquin Park Birding Report: 17 February 2011

The Spruce Bog Suet Feeder effect (like the Patagonia Picnic Table effect before many of you were born!) resulted in more observations this week.

Many people had great looks and photo opportunities as up to 3 or 4 Boreal Chickadees came fairly regularly to the suet at Spruce Bog Boardwalk. To see a short video clip of one of these chickadees feeding on a black sunflower seed visit: http://www.youtube.com/user/FOAPAlgonquinPark

Ruffed Grouse: One was in the Spruce Bog Boardwalk parking lot today.

A male Spruce Grouse was often reported near the suet feeder at Spruce Bog

Boardwalk this week. Two males displayed near two females there today, likely inspired by the mild temperatures.

There was a Wild Turkey along Highway 60 near Lake of Two Rivers on February 14, showing once again that turkeys can survive an Algonquin winter largely un-aided by people in range never occupied by the species historically.

Those who have experienced enough winter by now may be heartened to learn that some Gray Jays started building nests this week. People were seeing Gray Jays regularly at Spruce Bog Boardwalk and Opeongo Road.

Pine Grosbeak: One was flying over near the Old Airfield today.

Red Crossbill: Six were reported at Spruce Bog Boardwalk on February 11 and a single flew over Opeongo Road at Cameron Lake Road on February 12. Two were heard calling north of km 3 on Highway 60 today.

White-winged Crossbill: A small flock was heard over Spruce Bog Boardwalk today.

Common Redpoll: At least 50 are coming daily to the Visitor Centre feeders now.

Hoary Redpoll: One (and perhaps two) were briefly at the Visitor Centre feeders on February 12. A single was with 40 Common Redpolls coming to seed provided on Opeongo Road north of the bridge today.

American Goldfinch: One was with the Common Redpolls at the Visitor Centre feeders today. This species has not been seen there recently.

Evening Grosbeak: A flock of 20-30 landed briefly in the trees near the suet feeder at Spruce Bog Boardwalk on February 13.

American Marten: Two or three have been coming to the suet feeder at Spruce Bog Boardwalk fairly regularly. One was getting sunflower seed on Opeongo Road on February 13.

River Otter: One was along Costello Creek on Opeongo Road on February 13.

Good birding this week. Please let us know what you see so we can enter your sightings in our Visitor Centre records.

Ron Tozer
Algonquin Park Naturalist (retired)
Dwight, ON

Directions:
Algonquin Park is three hours north of Toronto, via Highways 400, 11 and 60. Follow the signs, which start in Toronto on Highway 400.

From Ottawa, take Highway 17 to Renfrew, then follow Highway 60 to the park.

Kilometre markers along Highway 60 in the Park go from the West Gate (km 0) to near the East Gate (km 56). Get your park permit and the park tabloid (with a map of birding locations mentioned here) at the gates.

The Visitor Centre at km 43 has recent bird sightings, feeders, and information. The centre and restaurant are open weekends from 10 am to 4 pm. During the week, birders may be able to enter the centre by the service entrance (far right as you face the building) to view the feeders. Contact staff for permission.

Algonquin Park birding updates and information are available at: http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/

Arowhon Pines at the OUTDOOR ADVENTURE SHOW

Please visit Arowhon Pines' booth at the

OUTDOOR ADVENTURE SHOW

February 25 - 27

at the International Centre

6900 Airport Road, Toronto

It is Canada's largest showcase of adventure travel experiences (from weekend getaways to African safaris)as well as lots of outdoor gear - canoes, kayaks, hiking and cycling equipment & more.  There's a rock climbing wall to try out and a canoe/kayak whitewater pool!

We have some complimentary passes in our office as well as some 2 for 1 Admission passes - contact us and we can pop one in the mail for you!

We hope to see you there!

http://www.outdooradventureshow.ca/