All small lakes and ponds are frozen now, and there is nearly 30 cm of snow (and counting!) in most areas of the Park. The bigger lakes are open, so a few ducks may still be lingering, although there were no reports this week.
The winter gate is now closed on Opeongo Road, and the road is irregularly plowed. The following summary outlines observations received during the last week for birds often sought by visiting birders here. FINCHES: Pine Grosbeak: Up to 30 regularly at the Visitor Centre feeder. A few seen elsewhere. Purple Finch: No reports. Red Crossbill: No reports. White-winged Crossbill: No reports. Common Redpoll: Up to 20 regularly at the Visitor Centre feeder. A few observed elsewhere. Pine Siskin: Four at the Visitor Centre (November 29). American Goldfinch: No reports. Evening Grosbeak: No reports. (Correction of last week's update: this species was last seen at the Visitor Centre on November 18.) REGULAR BOREAL SPECIES: Spruce Grouse: Try Spruce Bog Boardwalk and Opeongo Road. Black-backed Woodpecker: four seen from the chain across the old railway to West Rose Lake (November 26). Gray Jay: reported along Opeongo Road, at Visitor Centre, and at Wolf Howl Pond area. Boreal Chickadee: reported on Arowhon Road (3.8 km from Highway 60), and along old railway near chain gate, Wolf Howl Pond and West Rose Lake (November 26). OTHER SIGHTINGS OF NOTE: Sharp-shinned Hawk: young female stalking birds at the Visitor Centre feeder on November 23. Late for this species in Algonquin. American Three-toed Woodpecker: a female was photographed (sent to me) on Spruce Bog Boardwalk on November 25. If walking backwards on the trail, the location was described as about 325 m before reaching the open bog. It was not found by others later, but may be still in the area. This bird may be the forerunner of a possible "echo flight" of this boreal forest woodpecker, following last winter's major irruption. BIRDERS: Please let us know the date, number and location of birds you observe when you visit Algonquin Park. This information is stored in the Algonquin Visitor Centre database, and will help us to assist other birders here. Thanks. Good birding. Ron Tozer Algonquin Park Naturalist (retired) Dwight, Ontario 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 the East Gate (km 56). Permits and information are available daily at both gates throughout the winter, including the Algonquin Information Guide showing locations discussed here. The Visitor Centre (km 43) is open on weekends (10 to 4) through the winter. Recent bird sightings and information, plus feeders, can be found there. Birders visiting during the week are welcome to contact staff for birding information via the service entrance (right end of the building as you face it from the parking lot). _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected] For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
