With the Christmas Bird Count season keeping many birders busy, the only reports received here this week were of birds at the Visitor Centre feeders. Winter finches remain low in numbers and limited to two or three species in southern Ontario, including Algonquin Park, as reflected in CBC reports to date.
BOREAL SPECIALTIES: Spruce Grouse: Try Spruce Bog Boardwalk. Gray Jay: Regular along Opeongo Road and at Spruce Bog Boardwalk. Boreal Chickadee: Try the black spruce section along Opeongo Road. Black-backed Woodpecker: Try Opeongo Road. WINTER FINCHES: Purple Finch: Regular at the Visitor Centre in numbers up to 26. American Goldfinch: A few are regular at the Visitor Centre and along Highway 60. Evening Grosbeak: Up to about 25 were regular at the Visitor Centre this week.. Birders reporting records through eBird are encouraged to share their lists with the Algonquin Park Bird Records account (APPbirds). Good Birding! Ron Tozer Algonquin Park Naturalist (retired) Dwight, ON DIRECTIONS: Algonquin Provincial 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 Information Guide (with a map of birding locations mentioned here) at the East Gate or the West Gate. Locations are also described at: www.algonquinpark.on.ca The Visitor Centre and restaurant at km 43 are open on weekends from 9 am to 5 pm during winter. However, the Visitor Centre will be CLOSED on December 21 and 22, but OPEN daily from December 27 to January 5. The Visitor Centre has recent bird sightings and information. It is usually possible to access the building on weekdays in winter from 9 am to 4 pm. Visitors are welcome to bring a packed lunch and use the restaurant seating area on weekdays. Hot and cold beverages, and light snacks are available to purchase then, as well as the use of a microwave. For more information see the Algonquin Park events calendar at: http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/involved/calendar/ _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup
