Birders enjoyed the ongoing good variety and numbers of winter finches this week. Purple Finch, Red Crossbill, White-winged Crossbill and Pine Siskin were reported in song. Canada Jay researchers had found 12 nests under construction by today. Spruce Grouse continued to feed and roost in spruce and balsam near the entrance of Spruce Bog Boardwalk. Research has shown that Spruce Grouse return to feed and roost in conifers that have needles with a measurably higher nutrient content.
Boreal Species Spruce Grouse: seen again all week near the first short boardwalk at the Spruce Bog Boardwalk entrance. Black-backed Woodpecker: noted at Spruce Bog Boardwalk, the Logging Museum, Leaf Lake Ski Trail and Opeongo Road near the winter gate. Vocal imitations of Barred Owl calls can reveal the presence of these woodpeckers when they call in response. Canada Jay: continued to be seen regularly at Spruce Bog Boardwalk, Opeongo Road, Leaf Lake Ski Trail and the Logging Museum. Boreal Chickadee: no reports since late December. Winter Finches Evening Grosbeak: up to 20 daily at the Visitor Centre feeders. PINE GROSBEAK: two reported on Mar 1 at the Wildlife Research Station (closed to public travel) indicated that a few may be around. Purple Finch: continue to be seen along Highway 60 and at the Visitor Centre. Red Crossbill: seen regularly along the highway and at the Visitor Centre. White-winged Crossbill: reported in somewhat higher numbers than last week along the highway. Pine Siskin: small groups seen regularly along Highway 60 and a few daily at the Visitor Centre. American Goldfinch: observed frequently along the highway and up to 16 at the Visitor Centre. Additional birds seen regularly at the Visitor Centre included: Wild Turkey (5), Ruffed Grouse (1), American Tree Sparrow (6), Dark-eyed Junco (5) and Red-winged Blackbird (first year male present since Jan 8). The Friends of Algonquin Park is 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 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
