A road-killed moose has been placed in the Sunday Creek Bog again this year. It can be seen from the Visitor Centre viewing deck, especially with the telescope provided there. The carcass had not attracted the expected birds and mammals by today, but that may change soon.
The female Wild Turkey continued to be reported irregularly at the Visitor Centre parking lot feeder. A juvenile Bald Eagle over Spruce Bog Boardwalk on January 7th and an adult near the Visitor Centre on the 11th were both photographed. Wolf kills are an important food source for wintering eagles in Algonquin. Twelve Bohemian Waxwings were observed at Track and Tower Trail on the 7th. BOREAL SPECIALTIES Spruce Grouse: A male was photographed past the long boardwalk near the kettle bog section of Spruce Bog Boardwalk on the 7th. Black-backed Woodpecker: Look for this woodpecker on conifers with bark removed. Listen for the relatively quiet tapping as they scale off bark to feed on wood-boring beetle larvae. Check black spruce, balsam and tamarack on Spruce Bog Boardwalk and Opeongo Road north of the locked gate. Gray Jay: They continue to be regular at Spruce Bog Boardwalk and Opeongo Road near the locked gate. Boreal Chickadee: No reports this week. Look for them and listen for their distinctive calls along Spruce Bog Boardwalk and Opeongo Road north of the locked gate. WINTER FINCHES Pine Grosbeak: Some were still being seen feeding on green ash seeds near Mew Lake Campground entrance this week. Others were noted on the highway at various locations. Red Crossbill: Sightings occurred on Peck Lake Trail, Lookout Trail and Spruce Bog Boardwalk. Small numbers were regularly reported getting sand and/or salt on the highway also. White-winged Crossbill: It was reported from Spruce Bog Boardwalk on three days this week, and others were observed on the highway. Common Redpoll: Twelve were noted on Bat Lake Trail on the 5th. Pine Siskin: A single bird was observed regularly with goldfinches at the Visitor Centre feeders. Watch for them on the highway. A flock of 40 on the road was photographed near Peck Lake Trail on the 7th. American Goldfinch: As many as 40 were regular at the Visitor Centre feeders this week. Evening Grosbeak: Up to 150 are still coming daily, especially in early morning, to the Visitor Centre feeders. Small numbers are also being attracted to sunflower seed left by visitors at Spruce Bog Boardwalk and near the Opeongo Road 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 Visitor Centre exhibits, bookstore and restaurant at km 43 are open on weekends from 9 am to 5 pm in winter. The Visitor Centre is also open on weekdays from 9 am to 4 pm, with self-serve hot and cold beverages plus snacks available in the restaurant. 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 (OFO) - 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 Visit the OFO Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists
