A Hoary Redpoll at the Visitor Centre feeders and Pine Grosbeaks on the highway were highlights this week (see below).
The female Mallard at the Park Lake outlet was still present on December 30, despite the onset of temperatures well below freezing. THE VISITOR CENTRE WILL BE OPEN DAILY UNTIL JANUARY 4, from 9 am to 5 pm. . BOREAL SPECIALTIES: Spruce Grouse: One was seen on Spruce Bog Boardwalk on December 26. Black-backed Woodpecker: One was observed on Spruce Bog Boardwalk on December 28, and there was one on Track and Tower Trail on December 30. Gray Jay: Seen at the Visitor Centre, Spruce Bog Boardwalk and Opeongo Road again this week. Boreal Chickadee: Look and listen for them at the suet feeder near the register box on Spruce Bog Boardwalk. Two or three were around the feeder regularly this week. Also, two were observed along the rail bed section of the Mizzy Lake Trail on December 29. WINTER FINCHES: Pine Grosbeak: There were three on December 29 and four on December 30 on the highway between km 8 and 10. These are the first reported here since November. Common Redpoll: Thirty at the Visitor Centre on December 27 was the highest count there this winter, and perhaps suggestive of increasing numbers of this species in the Park. Hoary Redpoll: One showed up at the Visitor Centre feeders on December 30 and was photographed there on the 31st and today. 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). 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 - 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
