Birding in Algonquin was limited during the Christmas week and so there is relatively little new information to report. RUFFED GROUSE (one), and WILD TURKEY (five) continued at the Visitor Centre feeders all week, but the COMMON GRACKLE that had been there daily since November 12 was last observed on Dec 23 and the first-year female HOARY REDPOLL was last at the feeders on Dec 21.
Boreal Residents: SPRUCE GROUSE: one was seen along Spruce Bog Boardwalk on Dec 20. BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER: no reports; look for it at Spruce Bog Boardwalk and north of the winter gate on Opeongo Road. BOREAL CHICKADEE: one was observed on Spruce Bog Boardwalk on Dec 22. CANADA JAY: regular at the Spruce Bog Boardwalk suet feeders, along Opeongo Road from the winter gate northward, and along the Logging Museum trail. Winter Finches: EVENING GROSBEAK: daily counts at the Visitor Centre feeders ranged from one to six. PINE GROSBEAK: from eight to 15 were noted daily at the Visitor Centre and a few were observed along the highway. COMMON REDPOLL: up to 14 were at the Visitor Centre feeders early in the week. PINE SISKIN: reports were of five (Dec 20) and one (Dec 22) at the Visitor Centre. AMERICAN GOLDFINCH: a few seen each day at the Visitor Centre, with a report of 25 on Dec 22. 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, bookstore and restaurant at km 43 will be OPEN daily from Dec 27 to Jan 6 (9 am to 5 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 Ron Tozer, Algonquin Park Naturalist (retired), Dwight, ON. _______________________________________________ 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
