Temperatures moderated, several days had periods of wet snow and rain, and birders and their reports were scarce in Algonquin this week. The Visitor Centre feeders attracted EVENING GROSBEAK (about a dozen or fewer each day, but 27 on Nov 29), PINE GROSBEAK (two to five each day), COMMON REDPOLL (one on most days) and AMERICAN GOLDFINCH (one or two on a couple of days). A few PINE GROSBEAKS were seen along Highway 60 regularly as well. Other birds at the feeders this week included RUFFED GROUSE (one) WILD TURKEY (three), CANADA JAY (one), DARK-EYED JUNCO (one until Nov 27) AND COMMON GRACKLE (one). At this time last year, about 20 BLUE JAYS were coming to the feeders; so far this year there is one (reflecting the massive exodus of this species out of southern Ontario last fall in response to pending lower food availability).
A COMMON MERGANSER found dead on Highway 60 near West Smith Lake on Nov 22 may have mistaken the wet pavement for open water. SNOW BUNTINGS (two on Nov 27 and one on Nov 28) along the highway at Smoke Creek were typical of the occasional appearance of small numbers here in winter. As last week, there was no new information about Spruce Grouse, Black-backed Woodpecker and Boreal Chickadee. Try Spruce Bog Boardwalk and Opeongo Road, north of the locked winter gate for those species and Canada Jay. 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
