The apparent movement of winter finches through Algonquin Park that has been observed during this late fall/early winter may have largely ended. Numbers and species reported are fairly consistent now. However, the arrival of more finches later this winter is still possible, especially if food sources to the north diminish.
Boreal Residents: SPRUCE GROUSE: a female was seen between posts 2 and 3 on the Bat Lake Trail (Jan 8); Spruce Bog Boardwalk (especially from the entrance to the long boardwalk across the Sunday Creek Bog) is still the best place to search for this species. BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER: one was found along Spruce Bog Boardwalk (Jan 7). BOREAL CHICKADEE: from one to three birds were seen and heard at Spruce Bog Boardwalk this week; and singles were 200 metres north of the winter gate on Opeongo Road (Jan 6), along Bat Lake Trail (Jan 8), and heard calling in response to “pishing” near the feeders off the Visitor Centre deck (Jan 8). CANADA JAY: regular at Mew Lake Campground, the Spruce Bog Boardwalk suet feeder, the Visitor Centre suet feeder, along Opeongo Road from the winter gate northward, and along the Logging Museum trail. Winter Finches: EVENING GROSBEAK: seven were counted at the Visitor Centre feeders early in the week but there was only one over the last four days. PINE GROSBEAK: from ten to 35 were noted daily at the Visitor Centre; and others continued to be observed along the highway. COMMON REDPOLL: observations of five or fewer birds occurred at the Visitor Centre feeders, Spruce Bog Boardwalk and Opeongo Road. RED CROSSBILL: three were noted flying over the parking lot near the winter gate on Opeongo Road (Jan 5). PINE SISKIN: a single bird was at Spruce Bog Boardwalk (Jan 7). AMERICAN GOLDFINCH: five continued to be seen each day at the Visitor Centre. 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. The Visitor Centre is also open 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 above) at the East Gate, West Gate or Visitor Centre. Locations are also described at: www.algonquinpark.on.ca Ron Tozer, Algonquin Park Naturalist (retired), Dwight, ON. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
