Boreal Species Spruce Grouse: one was photographed at Spruce Bog Boardwalk on Jan 19 and 24, the latter near the start of the trail.
Black-backed Woodpecker: a female was along Opeongo Road on Jan 23. Canada Jay: reported at Bat Lake Trail, Spruce Bog Boardwalk, Opeongo Road and Logging Museum Trail. Boreal Chickadee: no reports again. Winter Finches Evening Grosbeak: up to 25 seen daily at the Visitor Centre feeders, mostly in the morning. Purple Finch: good numbers along Highway 60 and up to 50 at the Visitor Centre feeders (mostly brown-plumaged females/first year males). Red Crossbill: widespread in low numbers. Seen regularly at various locations along the highway, and at the Visitor Centre where recordings of three on Jan 22 were classified as Type 10 by Matt Young (Cornell). White-winged Crossbill: widespread in low numbers, with several in song and likely breeding. Reported this week at Bat Lake Trail, Old Airfield, Opeongo Road, Spruce Bog Boardwalk, Trailer Sanitation Station, Cache Lake and the Visitor Centre, where 12 were present on Jan 23 and photographed at close range from the Viewing Deck. Pine Siskin: widespread in small numbers but some larger flocks. Regular at the Visitor Centre, with 35 on Jan 19. American Goldfinch: widespread in low numbers along Highway 60, and at the Visitor Centre. Additional birds at the Visitor Centre feeders included: Wild Turkey (7), American Tree Sparrow (6), Dark-eyed Junco (4) and Red-winged Blackbird (first year male present since Jan 8; about fourth Algonquin Park winter record). 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 showing 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
