BOREAL SPECIES: Spruce Grouse: One along Opeongo Road (October 24).
Black-backed Woodpecker: Singles on Spruce Bog Boardwalk (October 21), near Visitor Centre parking lot (October 22) and on Bat Lake Trail (October 23) Gray Jay: most frequently reported on Wolf Howl Pond/West Rose Lake section of Mizzy Lake Trail, and along Opeongo Road. Boreal Chickadee: Three at Dizzy Lake Bog on Mizzy Lake Trail (October 21); and three near Wolf Howl Pond (October 26). FIRST OF FALL: Northern Shrike: One around Visitor Centre feeders (October 22). FINCHES: Purple Finch: a few are being seen at Visitor Centre feeders and flying over. Red Crossbill: One over Visitor Centre (October 22). Pine Siskin: two at Visitor Centre feeder (October 28). American Goldfinch: about 10 at Visitor Centre feeder (October 28). Evening Grosbeak: occasional birds at the Visitor Centre, and single birds flying over elsewhere. NOTEWORTHY SIGHTINGS: Rough-legged Hawk: one (light morph) over Visitor Centre (October 27). Sandhill Crane: flocks of 14 and 21 over Lostwater Lake in the Park's southern panhandle (October 18). These are just the second and third fall records ever for this species here. Spring and breeding season sightings have been regular for the last 20 years, but surprisingly not autumn observations. Bohemian Waxwing: 25 flying over Visitor Centre (October 25). Northern Cardinal: male at Visitor Centre feeder (October 28). Very rare in Algonquin, typically from late October to late November. We would appreciate receiving your bird observations for 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 daily from 9 am to 5 pm during October, and 9 am to 4 pm on weekends from November 6 to December 19. Algonquin Park birding updates and information are available at: www.algonquinpark.on.ca _______________________________________________ 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/
