Tried for the Harris Sparrow, it did not show from 8-9am this morning. Only black-capped chickadees and 3 common Raven. Went from there to Algonquin. Nothing special to report, but for those interested in Algonquin reports. Hike from Arrowhon road & abandoned railway through to west rose lake yielded little bird life. 3 hairy woodpeckers got my hopes up for black-backed, but no such luck. Several black spruce show evidence of work...so perhaps just bad timing or loud snowshoes. One tree looked like Pileated was working on it recently. Trail was in good condition with compacted snow making for pleasant walking. Once i got back to the road, 7 friendly Gray Jays greeted me along with two ravens who flew over and then perched out of sight. Over at the Spruce Bog Trail, i picked up 2 more Gray Jays, 2 Blue Jays, 1 red-breasted nuthatch, and abundant black-capped chickadees. No Grouse or Boreal Chickadees. I did not do the full trail. Visitor Centre was closed, so i did not get to look at the feeders out back...but a solitary Gray Jay greeted me out front. Two more flyover Common Raven. Opeongo Road was quiet overall. More black-capped chickadees, and a single Ruffed Grouse at high alert in a tree just after the bridge. Casually checked Utility Poles along the remainder of the Hwy 60 corridor without success. Happy Birding, Peeter Musta Kitchener, ON _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
