Two or three Ruffed Grouse were feeding regularly under the Visitor Centre feeders this week.
Wild Turkeys were noted along Highway 60 west of Lookout Trail and at Opeongo Road, apparently coping with the recent cold and deep snow. A Bald Eagle flew over the Visitor Centre on January 12. Twelve Snow Buntings on the Visitor Centre parking lot the same day were typical of high winter numbers in our contiguous forest habitat. BOREAL SPECIALTIES: Spruce Grouse: No reports. Try Spruce Bog Boardwalk and Opeongo Road. Gray Jay: Regular along Opeongo Road, at Spruce Bog Boardwalk, near the East Gate, and in Mew Lake Campground. Boreal Chickadee: No reports. Try Spruce Bog Boardwalk and Opeongo Road. Black-backed Woodpecker: A male and a female were at Tea Lake Dam on January 15. WINTER FINCHES: Purple Finch: Up to 25 are regular at the Visitor Centre, and others were seen along Highway 60. Red Crossbill: One was on the highway at Track and Tower Trail (km 24) on January 12. White-winged Crossbill: Four were observed at Spruce Bog Boardwalk today. American Goldfinch: Up to 25 are regular at the Visitor Centre, and others were seen along Highway 60. Evening Grosbeak: Up to 45 were regular at the Visitor Centre feeders 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. 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
