Contrary to expectations, the female Mallard continued to be seen at a small patch of open water at the Park Lake outlet all week. Despite being a "sitting duck", she has survived!
A couple of Ruffed Grouse are coming regularly for seed under the Visitor Centre feeders. BOREAL SPECIALTIES: Spruce Grouse: Try Spruce Bog Boardwalk and Opeongo Road. Black-backed Woodpecker: A female was 20 metres north of the Spruce Bog Boardwalk parking lot on December 13. Gray Jay: Seen at the Visitor Centre, Spruce Bog Boardwalk and Opeongo Road again this week. Boreal Chickadee: Four were observed around the suet feeder near the register box on Spruce Bog Boardwalk on December 14. WINTER FINCHES: Common Redpoll: Present in small numbers. From zero to 12 were reported at the Visitor Centre feeders on days this week. Evening Grosbeak: One was at the Visitor Centre feeders on December 15. 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. THE VISITOR CENTRE WILL BE CLOSED FROM DECEMBER 24 TO 26 BUT OPEN DAILY FROM DECEMBER 27 TO JANUARY 4. 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
