The following summary outlines observations made during the last week for birds often sought by visiting birders here.
FINCHES: Pine Grosbeak: About 35 daily at the Visitor Centre feeder, with a large number of adult males. Common Redpoll: Up to five at the Visitor Centre feeder, regularly. No other finch species were reported. The continued lack of other finches here is due to an almost total absence of tree seed crops this winter. RESIDENT BOREAL SPECIES: Spruce Grouse: The only report involved one in the Sunday Creek Bog, south of Highway 60, on December 29. Black-backed Woodpecker: Pair along the north end of Opeongo Road (at the curve beyond the straight stretch through the black spruce) on December 30. Gray Jay: Regular near the gate on Opeongo Road, Spruce Bog Boardwalk, and in Mew Lake Campground. Boreal Chickadee: Three were in the spruce trees bordering the Madawaska River north of Mew Lake Woodyard on December 29. Another was seen near Post 8 on Spruce Bog Boardwalk on December 30. NOTEWORTHY SPECIES: American Three-toed Woodpecker: A female was photographed between Posts 9 and 10 on Spruce Bog Boardwalk on December 30. This may be the same bird that was photographed there on November 25. 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. 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
