Even though it is not officially winter yet, winter-like conditions prevail
in the Park now. The deepest parts of Smoke Lake remain ice-free but all
other lakes along the Highway 60 Corridor are covered with thin ice. About
20 cm of snow today enhanced the winter scenery.
A female Mallard photographed at a patch of open water at the outlet of Park
Lake on December 9 will soon depart, but the one or two Wild Turkeys
occasionally seen along Highway 60 this week will attempt to over-winter,
mostly without food provided by people. A Ruffed Grouse is regular at the
Visitor Centre feeders early and late in the day. The first Hoary Redpoll of
the winter in Algonquin was seen on December 2 (see below for details).
BOREAL SPECIALTIES:
Spruce Grouse: Try Spruce Bog Boardwalk and Opeongo Road.
Black-backed Woodpecker: Try Spruce Bog Boardwalk and Opeongo Road.
One was seen at Opeongo Lake on December 10.
Gray Jay: Present at the Visitor Centre, Spruce Bog Boardwalk and Opeongo
Road again this week.
Boreal Chickadee: One was observed at Spruce Bog Boardwalk on December 6 and
7. This species may be starting to visit the suet feeder near the register
box on this trail.
WINTER FINCHES:
Common Redpoll: From one to six were observed each day at the Visitor Centre
feeders this week.
Hoary Redpoll: One with a Common Redpoll was seen foraging on the ground at
the Opeonco Access Point on December 2.
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 exhibits and restaurant at km 43 are open on weekends
from 9 am to 5 pm. There is access with limited services on weekdays from 9
am to 4 pm.
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
Posting guidelines can be found at
http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide
