Reports this week included: Spruce Grouse: One along Spruce Bog Boardwalk on January 9.
Black-backed Woodpecker: One along Spruce Bog Boardwalk on January 9. Another was 300 m north of the bridge on Opeongo Road on January 12. Gray Jay: present at Visitor Centre feeder, Opeongo Road at the gate and at the bridge, and Spruce Bog Boardwalk. Boreal Chickadee: three along Spruce Bog Boardwalk on January 9. White-throated Sparrow: one still at the Visitor Centre feeder. Pine Grosbeak: female last seen at the Visitor Centre feeder on January 11. Pine Siskin: last seen at Visitor Centre feeders with goldfinches on January 11. American Goldfinch: Numbers at Visitor Centre feeders still growing, with 100 plus on January 12. Mammals: Two martens continue to come to the Visitor Centre feeders, but with no predictable timing. They eat suet and black sunflower seed. Moose are being observed regularly along Highway 60, especially near dawn and dusk. Some bulls have not shed their antlers yet. We would appreciate receiving your bird observations for our Visitor Centre records. Ron Tozer Algonquin Park Naturalist (retired) Dwight, ON 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 near 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, feeders, and information. The centre is open to the public on weekends only from 10 am to 4 pm until January 31. Birder access to the building through the service entrance to observe the feeders is usually possible on weekdays. Hot and cold drinks and snacks are available in the restaurant this winter on weekends, but not full meal service. Algonquin Park birding updates and information are available at: www.algonquinpark.on.ca _______________________________________________ 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/
