The Park was transformed into a beautiful winter landscape this week, with lots of snow on the ground. Only the larger lakes remain open.
A Short-eared Owl being chased by a raven was photographed at the Old Airfield on December 4. Our previous latest fall date for this very rare migrant owl in Algonquin was November 6. Twenty Bohemian Waxwings perched briefly in trees near the Visitor Centre feeders on December 3. These waxwings appear to be attracted to the sounds of birds at the feeders but then quickly move on when there is nothing there for them to eat. BOREAL SPECIALTIES Spruce Grouse: There was a report from the Mizzy Lake Trail rail bed (currently accessible via Arowhon Road). Black-backed Woodpecker: Check all black spruce areas. Gray Jay: Regular at Mizzy Lake Trail rail bed, Spruce Bog Boardwalk and on Opeongo Road (gated at Cameron Lake Road junction). Boreal Chickadee: The best bet still seems to be the Mizzy Lake Trail rail bed, where the species was reported this week. WINTER FINCHES Pine Grosbeak: Seven were observed eating ash keys on Opeongo Road on December 3. Purple Finch: One or two appeared irregularly at the Visitor Centre feeders. Red Crossbill: Occasional small flocks continued to be seen this week. White-winged Crossbill: Twenty-five were observed in black spruce areas along the Mizzy Lake Trail rail bed on December 3. Common Redpoll: No reports in the Highway 60 Corridor, despite the sighting of large numbers last week on the Park's East Side. Pine Siskin: No reports. American Goldfinch: Up to a dozen came to the Visitor Centre feeders. Evening Grosbeak: Numbers peaked at 64 birds at the Visitor Centre feeders, providing excellent opportunities to see and photograph these large and colourful finches. 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). In winter, the Visitor Centre exhibits and restaurant at km 43 are open on weekends from 9 am to 5 pm. There is access 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 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 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
