Conditions and birds present are similar to those reported for early January. A summary of reported sightings this week follows:
Spruce Grouse: no reports this week; try Spruce Bog Boardwalk and Opeongo Road. Wild Turkey: two still visiting feeders at campsites in Mew Lake Campground. Black-backed Woodpecker: two along the Summer HQ/WRS road opposite Mew Lake Campground (road accessible on foot only). Gray Jay - Opeongo Road, and Spruce Bog Boardwalk parking lot. Boreal Chickadee: One noted 700 m north of culvert (beyond locked gate) on Opeongo Road on January 20. American Tree Sparrow and Dark-eyed Junco: single birds at Visitor Centre feeders. Pine Grosbeak: 25 at Visitor Centre feeders. Red Crossbill: no recent reports. White-winged Crossbill: common along Highway 60 and on trails. Common Redpoll: small flocks along Highway 60, and heard calling in flight. Pine Siskin: 15 at Visitor Centre feeders, and along Highway 60. American Goldfinch: 6 at Visitor Centre feeders. Evening Grosbeak: 2 at Visitor Centre feeders. Note: Arowhon Road is closed to public travel this winter as log hauling is underway. Please report your Algonquin sightings to me (including date, number and location) for our park records. Thanks. Good birding. Ron Tozer Algonquin Park Naturalist (retired) Dwight, Ontario Directions: Algonquin 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 the East Gate (km 56). Get your park permit and the park tabloid (with a map of birding locations mentioned here) at the gates. The Visitor Centre at km 43 has recent bird sightings and information. The centre is open on weekends during the winter, from 10 am to 4 pm. Access to watch the birds during the week is possible by entering at the service entrance and contacting the staff. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
