Of all the lakes along Highway 60, only Smoke Lake has any open water now. At least one Northern Shrike has appeared almost daily this week at the Visitor Centre feeders. Two sightings of Northern Goshawk suggest that many stayed north, likely feeding on the large Ruffed Grouse population.
The following summary outlines observations received during the last week for birds often sought by visiting birders here. FINCHES: Pine Grosbeak: Up to 30 daily at the Visitor Centre feeder. A few seen elsewhere. Common Redpoll: A few, irregularly, at Visitor Centre feeder. No other finch species reported. RESIDENT BOREAL SPECIES: Spruce Grouse: Try Spruce Bog Boardwalk and Opeongo Road (which may not be plowed, and is gated at Cameron Lake Road junction). Black-backed Woodpecker: No reports. Gray Jay: Try Spruce Bog Boardwalk and Opeongo Road. Boreal Chickadee: No reports. OTHER SIGHTINGS OF NOTE: Great Gray Owl: One perched on the telephone cable at km 1.5 on Highway 60 at 8 a.m. on December 3, was not observed later that morning, or since. 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
