The theme here this week was snow. We have gone from late fall to early winter with a vengeance (20 to 30 cm of the white stuff, although some melting and compaction have occurred). Small lakes and ponds are ice-covered but large lakes are still open.
BOREAL SPECIES: Spruce Grouse, Black-backed Woodpecker and Boreal Chickadee: no reports. Gray Jay: regular on Opeongo Road, at the Visitor Centre suet, and Spruce Bog Boardwalk. FINCHES: Pine Grosbeak: four on Highway 60 east of Mew Lake Campground (November 28). Common Redpoll: one at the Visitor Centre feeders (November 29 and December 1). Pine Siskin: up to 20 at the Visitor Centre feeders this week. American Goldfinch: 5 at the Visitor Centre feeders (December 2), but not present most days this week. Evening Grosbeak: 6 at the Visitor Centre feeders (November 25); not reported since. OTHER SIGHTINGS: Ring-necked Duck: male on Hangar Bay of Smoke Lake (December 1); the second latest date ever for this species here. Wild Turkey: observations along Highway 60 of two near Canisbay (November 30) and one near Canoe Lake (December 1). American Robin: one in Mew Lake Campground (November 27). European Starling: two (November 30 and December 1) and one (December 2) at the Visitor Centre feeders; late for Algonquin. Pine Marten and Fisher: one or two of each coming to Visitor Centre feeders, irregularly. 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, after checking 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/
