There were plenty of birders and photographers this week, and the number of bird observations increased accordingly. Thanks very much to all who kindly sent in reports of their birds.
The Visitor Centre feeders had a Northern Shrike (February 19) and 2 Evening Grosbeaks (February 20), and all week there were over 100 Common Redpolls, 1 or 2 Hoary Redpolls, at least 2 Pine Siskins, and 2 American Goldfinches. An American Marten was frequent. Reports from Opeongo Road included: 3 Black-backed Woodpeckers (February 24), Gray Jays, and 2 or 3 White-winged Crossbills (February 23 and 24), Spruce Bog Boardwalk featured a Ruffed Grouse, 1 or 2 Spruce Grouse near the entrance, Gray Jays, 2 or 3 Boreal Chickadees continuing to come fairly regularly to the suet feeder, a Brown Creeper at the suet, and 2 Red Crossbills (February 24). One or two American Martens were often seen as well. Wolf Howl Pond reports noted: Ruffed Grouse, 3 Black-backed Woodpeckers (February 20), and Gray Jays. A group from Ottawa birding the Barron Canyon Road on the Park's East Side on February 19 provided an infrequently available indication of the birds there this winter. Their sightings included: a Spruce Grouse near Lake Travers, a Black-backed Woodpecker on the Barron Canyon Trail, an adult male Pine Grosbeak at km 50 on the road, 37 Common Redpolls in three flocks, and a Hoary Redpoll with Commons at km 55. East of the Park in Whitney, there was a female Common Goldeneye in the river near the Highway 60 bridge (February 19) and a small flock of Evening Grosbeaks at the Ottawa St. & Second Ave. location (February 20). Good birding this week. Please let us know what you see so we can enter your sightings in 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 and restaurant are open weekends from 10 am to 4 pm. During the week, birders may be able to enter the centre by the service entrance (far right as you face the building) to view the feeders. Contact staff for permission. 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
