Spruce Grouse: no reports this week. Spruce Bog Boardwalk near the register box is the best place to search right now.
Black-backed Woodpecker: a female was photographed along Spruce Bog Boardwalk on Jan 15. Canada Jay: observed at Mizzy Lake Trail, Mew Lake Campground, Opeongo Road, Spruce Bog Boardwalk and Logging Museum Trail. Boreal Chickadee: no reports. Evening Grosbeak: up to nine seen daily at the Visitor Centre, most reliably in the morning. Purple Finch: seen regularly along Highway 60 and at the Visitor Centre feeders. Common Redpoll: no reports. Red Crossbill: a few reported along Highway 60, on Mizzy Lake Trail (11 on Jan 16) and at the Visitor Centre. White-winged Crossbill: small numbers at Mew Lake Campground, Opeongo Road, Spruce Bog Boardwalk, Mizzy Lake Trail (16 on Jan 16), the Visitor Centre and along Highway 60 (25 on Jan 15). Observations along the highway are more frequent in the morning. Pine Siskin: observed regularly at various locations, including: Mizzy Lake Trail (75 on Jan 16), along Highway 60 and at the Visitor Centre. American Goldfinch: a few seen regularly 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 (3) and Red-winged Blackbird (male present since Jan 8). An American (Pine) Marten is coming to eat black sunflower seeds on the ground below the Visitor Centre feeders each morning, but often does not stay long. Arowhon Road and Rock Lake Road gates are closed for the winter. Opeongo Road will not be plowed this winter, but birders can park in the lot at Highway 60 and walk the road from there. 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
