Summary of reported sightings this week: Wild Turkey: still two birds in Two Rivers area this week.
Spruce Grouse: Spruce Bog Boardwalk near register box, and Opeongo Road near and north of locked gate. Bald Eagle: one off Visitor Centre viewing deck on March 8. Black-backed Woodpecker: one along Opeongo Road well north of locked gate. Gray Jay: Opeongo Road, and Spruce Bog. Boreal Chickadee: Spruce Bog parking lot, and Opeongo Road north of Costello Creek culvert. Becoming vocal, and hence more conspicuous. American Robin: one at Visitor Centre on March 7 was early for a year like this. Red-winged Blackbird: male at Visitor Centre on March 13. Pine Grosbeak: last 2 reported were at the Visitor Centre feeder on March 11. Some milder weather has sent them north. Red Crossbill: a few on Opeongo Road, and at Visitor Centre parking lot. White-winged Crossbill: very small numbers being reported. Common Redpoll: 50+ at Visitor Centre feeders, and 30+ at West Gate. Hoary Redpoll: 1 at Visitor Centre feeder. Pine Siskin: a few still around. Evening Grosbeak: 10+ at Visitor Centre feeders. Notes: Moose carcass off Visitor Centre viewing deck has been reduced to bare bones and is no longer attracting birds or mammals. Pine Marten: 1 at Spruce Bog, 1 at gate on Opeongo Road, and up to four irregularly at Visitor Centre feeders. Arowhon Road is closed to public travel this winter as log hauling is underway. Please report your Algonquin sightings to me (including date, number and location) for our park records. 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). 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 and information. The centre is open on weekends from 10 am to 5 pm. This week the centre is open daily for spring break. When closed to the public, access to watch the birds is possible by entering at the service entrance and contacting the staff. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
