Single Common Loons this week on Smoke Lake, Lake Opeongo, Lake Travers (Park's East Side) and flying near Park Lake were late. A Belted Kingfisher at Lake of Two Rivers on the 6th was also notably late for Algonquin. These occurrences reflect the continuing abnormally warm temperatures and open lakes and rivers. There is no snow either, which made the all-white Snowshoe Hare I saw today rather conspicuous.
Numerous Ruffed Grouse being seen along Highway 60 and on trails are indicative of good production and survival of young this year. The gate on Opeongo Road is now closed for the winter. Birders are encouraged to walk the black spruce section north of the gate for boreal species and finches. Ongoing work to replace the siding on the Visitor Centre is causing only occasional disruption of birds coming to the feeders. WINTER FINCHES: Pine Grosbeak: Singles were at Spruce Bog Boardwalk and Mew Lake Campground, and there were two along Opeongo Road, on the 6th. Purple Finch: A few were observed at various Highway 60 locations. Red Crossbill: A few, often singles calling in flight, were noted along the Highway 60 Corridor this week. Some were observed at the lookout on the Barron Canyon Trail on the Park's East Side on the 5th. White-winged Crossbill: A large flock of 50 was reported on Opeongo Road on the 5th. Common Redpoll: This species is being seen regularly now, usually in small flocks but occasionally in larger groups such as the 31 near Wolf Howl Pond on the 8th. Pine Siskin: Small and larger flocks continue to be seen along Highway 60. American Goldfinch: Numbers have dwindled but five were observed at the East Gate on the 5th. Evening Grosbeak: Three were at the Visitor Centre on the 6th, and there was one there and another along Opeongo Road on the 7th. Forty were reported in Whitney, on Highway 60 east of the Park, on the 7th. BOREAL SPECIALTIES: Spruce Grouse: A male and a female were observed on Spruce Bog Boardwalk on the 5th, and a male was photographed near that trail's register box on the 6th. A female and a displaying male were along Opeongo Road north of the locked gate on the 7th. Black-backed Woodpecker: A male was first heard tapping as it flaked off bark in search of wood-boring beetle larvae and was later photographed on the east side of the Mizzy Lake Trail rail bed just north of Wolf Howl Pond on the 8th. Gray Jay: Seen along the Mizzy Lake Trail rail bed, on Spruce Bog Boardwalk, and along the black spruce section of Opeongo Road. Boreal Chickadee: Look and listen for them along the Mizzy Lake Trail rail bed and Opeongo Road north of the locked gate. 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 Park's "East Side" is accessible via Barron Canyon Road from the Pembroke area. The Visitor Centre exhibits and restaurant at km 43 on Highway 60 are open on weekends from 9 am to 5 pm. There is access with limited services on weekdays from 9 am to 4 pm. Your park permit and Information Guide (with a map of birding locations mentioned here) are available at the East Gate, West Gate and Visitor Centre. _______________________________________________ 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
