This week featured milder temperatures and lots of birders. Spruce Grouse were observed and photographed daily and there were apparently increasing numbers of some winter finches.
Unusual at this Time in Algonquin Hooded Merganser: a pair photographed on the Oxtongue River at Western Uplands Backpacking Trail entrance (km 3) on Feb 1 were likely wintering birds on the mostly open river as migrants usually arrive in March. American Crow: two at Mew Lake Campground on Feb 4 had probably moved into Algonquin from a nearby wintering area. Boreal Species Spruce Grouse: seen every day at Spruce Bog Boardwalk, often feeding among thick foliage high in spruce and balsam trees near the first short boardwalk at the start of the trail as last week. Black-backed Woodpecker: observed at Spruce Bog Boardwalk on Feb 1 and along the Logging Museum Trail on Feb 3 and 4. Canada Jay: reported regularly at Spruce Bog Boardwalk, Opeongo Road and Logging Museum Trail. Boreal Chickadee: no reports since late December. Winter Finches Evening Grosbeak: up to 20 daily at the Visitor Centre feeders, mostly in the morning. Purple Finch: up to 20 at the Visitor Centre feeders every day and good numbers seen regularly along Highway 60. COMMON REDPOLL: perhaps indicative of redpolls moving southward and becoming more numerous during the remainder of this winter, five were at the Visitor Centre on Jan 31 and three were noted near the East Gate on Feb 4. Red Crossbill: continue to be widespread, usually seen in small numbers but several reports of larger totals this week. Audio recordings on Feb 4 were confirmed as the small-billed, Western Hemlock, Type 3 by Matt Young (Cornell) White-winged Crossbill: widespread in low numbers, but either increasing or becoming more conspicuous. Several at Spruce Bog Boardwalk on Feb 4 were noted in song and carrying nest material. Now is the winter breeding period (January to March) described by Benkman as associated with large white spruce cone crops. Pine Siskin: widespread along the Highway 60 Corridor and regular at the Visitor Centre, with a high number of 65 reported there this week. American Goldfinch: widespread in low numbers along Highway 60, but up to 40 at the Visitor Centre feeders. Additional birds seen daily at the Visitor Centre feeders included: Ruffed Grouse (1), American Tree Sparrow (5), Dark-eyed Junco (6) and Red-winged Blackbird (first year male present since Jan 8). 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 showing 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 [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
