Even colder temperatures this week produced the polar vortex version of the “Groundhog Day” movie (1993) here with respect to bird reports: little change!
Boreal resident sightings included two SPRUCE GROUSE at Spruce Bog Boardwalk on Jan 26. That location and Opeongo Road north of the winter gate are still the best places to look for Black-backed Woodpecker and Boreal Chickadee, and CANADA JAYS are regular at those locations. The female EVENING GROSBEAK continued daily visits to the Visitor Centre feeders. From 12 to 19 PINE GROSBEAKS were there each day. The COMMON REDPOLL (rostrata) and the HOARY REDPOLL (exilipes) first observed last week were seen at the feeders throughout this week as well. Up to five AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES were there daily also. 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 are open on weekends from 9 am to 5 pm. The Visitor Centre is also open with limited services on weekdays 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 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
