As noted last week, the Visitor Centre viewing deck and adjacent feeders are closed down while construction work continues in that area of the building. The Evening Grosbeak flock readily switched to a feeder in the Visitor Centre parking lot, allowing observers close-up views from their vehicles.
A Wild Turkey at km 23 on the 15th was only the third report of the species here this winter, in a year of moderate snow depth and temperatures when higher survival might be expected. Pileated Woodpeckers are common in Algonquin Park, but often difficult to locate on any given day. One observer found five on the 16th: three near the West Gate and two on the Mizzy Lake Trail rail bed. Drumming by some of them helped in locating the birds. BOREAL SPECIALTIES Spruce Grouse: No reports this week. Try Spruce Bog Boardwalk, the black spruce habitat bordering Opeongo Road north of the locked gate, and the Mizzy Lake Trail rail bed near Wolf Howl Pond and West Rose Lake. Black-backed Woodpecker: One was seen on the Track and Tower Trail on the 14th. Vocal imitations of Barred Owl calls attracted one west of Wolf Howl Pond, another at West Rose Lake, and one about 100 metres south of Highway 60 opposite Spruce Bog Boardwalk on the 16th. Gray Jays: They were seen regularly at Spruce Bog Boardwalk, on Opeongo Road and along the Mizzy Lake Trail rail bed. Boreal Chickadee: One was seen along the Track and Tower Trail on the 13th and 14th. From one to seven were observed each day from the 14th to the 16th along the Mizzy Lake Trail rail bed. WINTER FINCHES: Pine Grosbeak: More observers resulted in more reports. Up to seven were seen regularly this week along the Mizzy Lake Trail rail bed. One was at km 35 and six were in Mew Lake Campground on the 12th. Purple Finch: Small numbers continued to be observed at: Mizzy Lake Trail rail bed, Spruce Bog Boardwalk, and the Visitor Centre. White-winged Crossbill: Four were at the Visitor Centre and two were along the Mizzy Lake Trail rail bed on the 15th. Common Redpoll: A few were reported by several birders, but there were also some larger numbers observed such as the several finch flocks containing a total of about 100 redpolls along the Mizzy Lake Trail bed on the 15th. Pine Siskin: This species continues to be the most numerous and widely observed small finch here. Several mixed flocks along the Mizzy Lake Trail bed on the 15th contained a total of 150 siskins. Evening Grosbeak: About 50 to 60 are now utilizing the newly-established feeder in the Visitor Centre parking lot, which will remain operational while construction work continues on the building. A few were also reported from Leaf Lake Ski Trail, Opeongo Road near the locked gate, along the Mizzy Lake Trail bed and at Spruce Bog Boardwalk (where there were 25 on the 17th). Birders reporting records through eBird are encouraged to share their lists with the Algonquin Park Bird Records account (APPbirds). 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 on Highway 60 are open on weekends from 9 am to 5 pm. There is access to the exhibits and limited services (including light snacks, coffee and other drinks) on weekdays from 9 am to 4 pm. Your park permit and Information Guide (with a map of birding locations mentioned here) are available at the East Gate, West Gate and Visitor Centre. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - 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
