Mild weather continued this week. Best birding in the Highway 60 Corridor was at the Wolf Howl Pond area, the Old Airfield Marsh, the Visitor Centre feeders, and Opeongo Road and Access Point. BOREAL SPECIES: Spruce Grouse: try Spruce Bog Boardwalk.
Black-backed Woodpecker: one on Opeongo Road just north of the bridge (November 12). Gray Jay: regular on Opeongo Road, at the Visitor Centre suet, and Spruce Bog Boardwalk. Boreal Chickadee: try Wolf Howl Pond on Mizzy Lake Trail (via Arowhon Road) and in black spruce along northern section of Opeongo Road. FINCHES: Pine Grosbeak: a few single birds reported again this week. Four at the Visitor Centre (November 13). Purple Finch: one still coming to the Visitor Centre feeders (November 16). White-winged Crossbill: several observers reported a few flying over. A flock of 21 was at Eu Lake on the Western Uplands Backpacking Trail (November 14) Red Crossbill: a few singles continue to fly over. Two over West Smith Lake (November 13). Common Redpoll: a few flying over again this week. No redpolls at feeders to date. Pine Siskin: one at the Visitor Centre. American Goldfinch: a dozen at the Visitor Centre feeders and a few reported flying over elsewhere. Evening Grosbeak: up to 12 daily at the Visitor Centre feeders this week. Four at Lake of Two Rivers (November 13). OTHER SIGHTINGS: Bald Eagle: adult perched in dead tree at Long Lake (November 16). Ring-billed Gull: still two adults at Opeongo Access Point (November 16). Getting late for Algonquin. Northern Shrike: one near the Visitor Centre feeders (November 13). Bohemian Waxwing: one or two flying over. One at Lake of Two Rivers and eight at Opeongo Access Point (November 13). MAMMALS: River Otter: a group of four was still regular at the Opeongo Access Point this week. Pine Marten: one is visiting the Visitor Centre feeders daily, but at irregular times. 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 9 am to 4 pm on weekends only until December 19. Birders visiting during the week may be able to enter via the service entrance (right end of building) to view the feeders; you must check in with staff first. 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/
