The Opeongo Road is being plowed again as far as the winter gate to aid in long-term Canada Jay research in Algonquin Park. Snowplowing is made possible through the support of the University of Guelph and The Friends of Algonquin Park. If you use this road, please consider supporting Canada Jay research by making a tax-deductible donation to The Friends of Algonquin Park at http://foap.convio.net/donate
The Friends of Algonquin Park is now offering live streaming views of the feeders at the Visitor Centre daily, during both the day and night. Wildlife monitoring activities are expected to continue at the feeders until March 31, but warmer weather conditions may end operations sooner. Tune in to see what is active: http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/virtual/webcam/wild_bird_cam.php As part of the Winter in the Wild Festival in Algonquin Park on Saturday, February 15, naturalist-guided Winter Bird Walks will occur at Spruce Bog Boardwalk in the morning (10 to 11:30 am) and afternoon (2:30 to 4 pm), free with your Daily Vehicle or Camping Permit. See the following for details and other events: http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/news/winter_in_the_wild.php Boreal Species Spruce Grouse: continued to be seen fairly regularly at Spruce Bog Boardwalk, usually between the start of the trail and the long boardwalk. Black-backed Woodpecker: one was seen near the Logging Museum parking lot on Feb 7 and 8, and another was at Spruce Bog Boardwalk on Feb 12. Canada Jay: reported regularly at Spruce Bog Boardwalk, and also seen at Mew Lake Campground and the Logging Museum Trail. Boreal Chickadee: still no reports received. Winter Finches Evening Grosbeak: from 12 to 26 daily at the Visitor Centre feeders, mostly in the morning. PINE GROSBEAK: one was reported at an unspecified location along Highway 60 on Feb 7. Purple Finch: widespread in low numbers, but there were 39 counted at the Visitor Centre and along its entrance road on Feb 10. Red Crossbill: widespread observations of small numbers. White-winged Crossbill: widespread in low numbers; seventeen counted along the Visitor Centre entrance road on Feb 8, Pine Siskin: widespread along Highway 60 and regular at the Visitor Centre, with up to 18 reported there this week. American Goldfinch: widespread in low numbers along Highway 60, but up to 40 at the Visitor Centre on Feb 10. Additional birds seen regularly at the Visitor Centre feeders included: Wild Turkey (6), Ruffed Grouse (1), American Tree Sparrow (7), Dark-eyed Junco (6) and Red-winged Blackbird (first year male present since Jan 8). 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
