It was a cold day when Rick and I started out from the Ottawa area to see what
was around in Algonquin Park. The car thermometer got down to -25C on the way
there. On Hwy 60 between Whitney and the park entrance we picked up large
flocks of Purple Finches on the road, up to 35 in a flock. Also on the road
were flocks of Goldfinches totally over 100. Gray Jays sat on tree tops both
before the park and within the park before the visitor center. At the visitor
center by the feeders we found 20+ Evening Grosbeaks , 15+ Blue Jays and one
lonely Snow Bunting tucked against the building wall. Spruce Bog was devoid
of all birds in the cold and constant snow squalls which harassed us all day.
On Opeongo road we got 2 Boreal Chickadees just 50m from the entrance off of
60 and further down close to the ferry terminal were several Red-breasted
Nuthatches, 3 Golden-crowned Kinglets and another flock of Purple Finches.
Overhead on Opeongo flew a Pileated Woodpecker with a second just ou
tside the park on the way home.
It was a tough but enjoyable day partly inspired by our fellow birding buddies
Kevin and Bruce who were there a few days earlier.
Directions:
Hwy 60 runs the width of Algonquin and can be reached from Hwy 17 north from
Ottawa. Our birding concentrated on roadside Hwy 60 between Whitney and the
Park entrance as well as the Visitor Centre, Spruce Bog trail and Opeongo Road
all in the eastern end of the park.
cheers
Iain
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