Great opportunities to see, enjoy and photograph winter birds continued in the Park this week.
Ruffed Grouse were seen regularly along the Visitor Centre driveway, and the female Wild Turkey is still coming daily to the parking lot feeder there. A Northern Shrike, perhaps the bird at Lookout Trail last week, was seen at the Big Pines Trail parking lot on January 29 and near the Visitor Centre feeders on February 1. BOREAL SPECIALTIES Spruce Grouse: One was observed in the black spruce along northern Opeongo Road on the 27th. One or two were regularly found near the start of Spruce Bog Boardwalk until the 29th, before disappearing back into the woodwork in typical Spruce Grouse fashion later in the week. Black-backed Woodpecker: A male was heard tapping, seen and photographed back of the MOLOK refuse containers site in Mew Lake Campground on the 28th and 29th. Another male was near the locked gate on Opeongo Road on the 30th. Gray Jay: They continue to be regular at Spruce Bog Boardwalk, Opeongo Road near the locked gate and at the Logging Museum parking lot. Boreal Chickadee: One provided great views, and a life bird for some, all this week on Spruce Bog Boardwalk. It was seen at the entrance where people are leaving bird seed on the railing and along the trail to the area of the suet feeder at the register box. One of these chickadees was also found at Mew Lake Campground where it was reported feeding in spruce with White-winged Crossbills on the 29th. WINTER FINCHES Pine Grosbeak: Several were still coming for green ash keys at Lookout Trail parking lot this week, and were best viewed from the vehicle since they tended to fly when people got out to look at them. One or two were also reported from Spruce Bog Boardwalk and Mew Lake on single days. Purple Finch: Two were reported getting grit on the highway near Lake of Two Rivers on the 31st. This species continues to be very scarce here this winter. Red Crossbill: Reports were of one to three birds at various locations along Highway 60 and Opeongo Road, the same as last week. White-winged Crossbill: Most observations were of ten or fewer individuals. A total of 60 was reported from Opeongo Road on the 28th. They were seen regularly at Mew Lake Campground and Spruce Bog Boardwalk this week. Common Redpoll: This finch is present but in low numbers. Up to seven were noted along Spruce Bog Boardwalk on the 28th and 29th, and five were reported along the highway between Mew Lake and the Visitor Centre on the 31st. Pine Siskin: One was observed at the Visitor Centre on the 29th, but the species has been seen very infrequently this winter. A sighting of 60 with ten American Goldfinches getting grit on the highway near Lake of Two Rivers on February 1 was therefore unusual. American Goldfinch: Numbers at the Visitor Centre feeders ranged from about 70 to 150 each day. They are also being seen on the road across the Park, and at Spruce Bog Boardwalk and near the Opeongo Road locked gate. Evening Grosbeak: Up to 140 were reported at the Visitor Centre feeders each day this week, and small groups are still coming for bird seed left at Spruce Bog Boardwalk and near the locked gate on Opeongo Road. 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 limited facilities, including 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
