Summary of reported sightings this week: Spruce Grouse: Male and female near the start of Spruce Bog Boardwalk on February 11.
Wild Turkey: Two in the Two Rivers and Mew Lake areas this week. Only one had been seen since January 19, but apparently two had survived. Black-backed Woodpecker: no reports. Gray Jay: two on Opeongo Road at locked gate, and 4 farther up the road. Boreal Chickadee: try Opeongo Road north of the Costello Creek culvert. One reported on Peck Lake Trail, February 7-8. American Tree Sparrow: 2 at Visitor Centre feeder; rare or absent here in winters with this much snow. Pine Grosbeak: 25 at Visitor Centre feeders; 15+ at West Gate feeder; and along highway. Red Crossbill: likely still present in small numbers. White-winged Crossbill: seen at several locations along Highway 60 and on trails. Common Redpoll: small flocks along Highway 60, and heard calling in flight. Pine Siskin: 30 at Visitor Centre feeders, and along Highway 60. American Goldfinch: a few at Visitor Centre feeders. Evening Grosbeak: 10+ at Visitor Centre feeders. Notes: Opeongo Road is plowed all the way to the lake, so walking beyond the locked gate is easier now. 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 from 10 am to 5 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/
