AMERICAN THREE-TOED WOODPECKER PINE GROSBEAK HOARY REDPOLL The bird of the week was a male American Three-toed Woodpecker. See below.
Winter finch diversity and numbers remain very low. Common Redpolls may still be on the move as briefly higher numbers at the Visitor Centre feeders declined this week. However, yesterday and today, a second Hoary Redpoll joined the long-visiting female at the feeders. One or two Ruffed Grouse continue to be regular near the Visitor Centre feeders, especially in early morning and late afternoon. The female Mallard, now dubbed "Cold Duck" after surviving temperatures below minus 30 degrees C on one night this week, continued at the Park Lake outlet. For over a month this duck has remained in or near a patch of rapidly flowing water both day and night. Somehow it has found enough to eat and avoided predation. There are just four known previous winter occurrences of Mallard in Algonquin Park, but none this far into January. BOREAL SPECIALTIES: Spruce Grouse: Seven were reported in the area of the register box and suet feeder on Spruce Bog Boardwalk on January 14. American Three-toed Woodpecker: A male was reported along Opeongo Road on January 14. Black-backed Woodpecker: Try Spruce Bog Boardwalk and Opeongo Road. One was heard on Spruce Bog Boardwalk on January 10. Gray Jay: Still being seen at the Visitor Centre, Spruce Bog Boardwalk, Opeongo Road and Mew Lake Campground. Boreal Chickadee: Three were observed on Spruce Bog Boardwalk on January 10, and one was at the suet feeder there on January 14. WINTER FINCHES: Pine Grosbeak: Three were seen along Opeongo Road on January 10. Common Redpoll: From two to eight were at the Visitor Centre feeders each day this week. Hoary Redpoll: The female continued to come to the Visitor Centre feeders, and there was a second bird there also on January 14 and 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). 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. 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 _______________________________________________ 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
