The most unusual bird reported this week was an American Crow at the parking lot near the winter gate on Opeongo Road on January 27. It was a classic day (above freezing temperature) and location (a place where people put out bird food) for a rare winter crow sighting here. The crow probably moved into the Park from a nearby wintering area in response to the milder conditions and likely departed when cold returned. Crows are almost never present in Algonquin during winter.
Tomorrow (February 2) will be the winter’s second Bird Feeder Friday when feeders at the Algonquin Park Visitor Centre are broadcast live on the internet from 9 am to 4 pm. Multiple views allow you to watch for common bird and mammal species (perhaps a marten, but not a groundhog or its shadow!). This live video feed is brought to you by The Friends of Algonquin Park. A special thanks to Wild Birds Unlimited Toronto for providing bird feeders and seed for the Visitor Centre. To see the broadcast, tune in to: http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/virtual/webcam/feeder_friday.php Here are some locations where birders observed the listed species during the past week: -Spruce Grouse: one was along Opeongo Road beyond the north bridge on January 25. -Ruffed Grouse: continue to be seen along the Visitor Centre driveway and under the feeders below the viewing deck. -Wild Turkey: up to nine are still coming daily to the Visitor Centre parking lot feeder, and two continue in Mew Lake Campground. -Black-backed Woodpecker: a female was seen at Spruce Bog Boardwalk today. -Gray Jay: look at Opeongo Road, Spruce Bog Boardwalk and the Logging Museum. The wind of the last two days has made them hard to find. -Boreal Chickadee: one was observed near the boardwalk over the creek on the return trail of Bat Lake Trail on January 26. Winter finches remain widespread. -Pine Grosbeak: very scarce; a singing male was noted near Mew Lake Campground on January 24. -Purple Finch: regular at the Visitor Centre feeders and frequently observed along the highway. -Red Crossbill: small flocks reported regularly along the highway, especially in early morning. -White-winged Crossbill: reported regularly along the highway, at the Visitor Centre, and along Spruce Bog Boardwalk and Opeongo Road. -Common Redpoll: no reports received this week. -Pine Siskin: flocks regularly seen on the highway. -American Goldfinch: still common. -Evening Grosbeak: from 20 to 40 come to the Visitor Centre feeders daily. 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). The Visitor Centre exhibits and restaurant at km 43 are open on weekends from 9 am to 5 pm; and are also open with limited services through the week from 9 am to 4 pm. Get your park permit and Information Guide (with a map of birding locations mentioned above) at the East Gate, West Gate or Visitor Centre. Locations are also described at: www.algonquinpark.on.ca _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - 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 Visit the OFO Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists
