Tomorrow, January 20, will be the first of three Bird Feeder Fridays this winter. Others will occur on February 10 and 24. The Visitor Centre webcam will be aimed at the bird feeders from 8 am to sunset.
Watch at: http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/virtual/webcam/feeder_friday.php Yesterday, the Sunday Creek Bog moose carcass attracted two wolves near dawn and later a Bald Eagle (briefly). The female Wild Turkey continued to come to the Visitor Centre parking lot feeder. BOREAL SPECIALTIES Spruce Grouse: The banded male and another male were photographed in a large spruce at the first short section of boardwalk on Spruce Bog Boardwalk on the 15th. This confirmed that the Spruce Grouse taken at the trail by a Northern Goshawk on January 1 was not the banded individual that is now likely entering its tenth year. Black-backed Woodpecker: Two were observed along Spruce Bog Boardwalk on the 14th. 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 posed for photos at point blank range near the register box and suet feeder of Spruce Bog Boardwalk and a probable second individual was seen near the trail parking lot on most days this week. WINTER FINCHES Pine Grosbeak: A few were noted along Highway 60, including at km 28 and km 36. Pine Grosbeaks had apparently eaten all the green ash seeds at Mew Lake Campground entrance by the 15th. Purple Finch: Single birds at km 28.5 on the 13th and photographed at the Western Uplands Backpacking Trail entrance on the 14th were the first of this species reported since December 18. Red Crossbill: Seen in small numbers on the highway. Other locations were Opeongo Road, Spruce Bog Boardwalk, and in flight at the Visitor Centre. White-winged Crossbill: Seen in small numbers on the highway. In mostly small groups, it was also found on Opeongo Road, Spruce Bog Boardwalk and Bat Lake Trail. Common Redpoll: Two or three were regular at the Visitor Centre feeders on most days this week. Pine Siskin: From one to six were observed at the Visitor Centre feeders all week. A flock of 24 was seen on the highway near km 43 and 15 were at Spruce Bog Boardwalk on the 15th. American Goldfinch: About 50 to 80 were regular at the Visitor Centre feeders this week. Other flocks were at Opeongo Road, Spruce Bog Boardwalk and the West Gate. Evening Grosbeak: Up to 150 are still coming daily, especially in early morning, to the Visitor Centre feeders. Small numbers continue to be attracted to sunflower seed left by visitors at Spruce Bog Boardwalk and near the Opeongo Road locked gate as well. 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 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 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
