Hi All, Norm Murr and I spent the day searching, as best we could, for Am. Three-toed Woodpeckers, to no avail! We found most of the regulars today, except Spruce Grouse, tried hard at Spruce Bog, across Hwy 60 from Spruce Bog and Opeongo Rd.
Black-backed Woodpecker - 1 female in the area of Black Spruce on Opeongo Rd (km45?), drive up Opeongo and park at the winter gate, go past the winter gate and beyond where Costello Creek runs under the road, almost at the North end of the spruces on the right side, about 100m south of where the road curves a little to the right (about a 1km walk?), the road has been plowed for the first time I remember. Gray Jays - 2 at winter gate on Opeongo, 2 at Spruce Bog Tr. Parking lot, 2 in Black Spruce area along Opeongo Rd. Boreal Chickadee - 1 heard and well seen in the same Black Spruce area along Opeongo Rd. I know that Ian Cannell & Jim Fairchild had 3 in this area as well as another 3 near the winter gate. Red Crossbill - PLENTY! All along Hwy 60 in early morning, picking up grit and salt - various spots (beep your horn & slow down!), also at Spruce Bog Tr. Parking lot and along Opeongo Rd. (nice male singing here). White-winged Crossbill - even more than Red Crossbills, display flights & songs by males in many places. Evening Grosbeak - at least 50 at Visitor Centre feeders, also some over and near Spruce Bog trail & parking lot. Pine Siskins - everywhere, picking up grit along Hwy 60 and at almost every place we stopped! Purple Finch - various spots where other finches were picking up grit on Hwy, also West Gate. Common Raven - several along Hwy 60 and on Opeongo Rd. Pileated Woodpecker - 1 calling loudly near same area on Opeongo Rd. as Black-backed, Boreal Chickadee, etc. Am Goldfinch - 2 on Hwy 60 near West Gate, only ones of the day. Ruffed Grouse - 1 on Hwy 60 west of park, 3 along Opeongo Rd. Good birding, Frank Pinilla Richmond Hill, ON DIRECTIONS: Algonquin Provincial Park is found in Central Ontario, from the Toronto area, take Hwy 400 and then Hwy 11 north to Huntsville (approx. 2hrs), exit at Hwy 60 and head east about 45km to the park's West Gate - daily fee of $12 or a yearly pass required.
