The good news for birders here this week was that the rain on December 23 has resulted in compaction of the deep snow and some formation of a crust. This has made getting around on snowshoes much better.
The Visitor Centre (km 43) will be open daily on December 27 to 30, from 10 am to 4 pm. The following summary outlines observations made during the last week for birds often sought by visiting birders here. IT IS UNCHANGED FROM LAST WEEK. FINCHES: Pine Grosbeak: About 20-50 daily at the Visitor Centre feeder, with a large number of adult males. Common Redpoll: About five at the Visitor Centre feeder, regularly. No other finch species reported. RESIDENT BOREAL SPECIES: Spruce Grouse: Try Spruce Bog Boardwalk and Opeongo Road (which is plowed to the gate at Cameron Lake Road junction). Black-backed Woodpecker: No reports. Gray Jay: Try Spruce Bog Boardwalk and Opeongo Road. Boreal Chickadee: No reports. BIRDERS: Please let us know the date, number and location of birds you observe when you visit Algonquin Park. This information is stored in the Algonquin Visitor Centre database, and will help us to assist other birders here. Should anyone plan to visit the East Side of Algonquin, please note that the Barron Canyon Road will not be plowed from December 21 to January 2. Good birding. Ron Tozer Algonquin Park Naturalist (retired) Dwight, Ontario Directions: Algonquin 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 the East Gate (km 56). Permits and information are available daily at both gates throughout the winter, including the Algonquin Information Guide showing locations discussed here. The Visitor Centre (km 43) is open on weekends (10 to 4) through the winter. Recent bird sightings and information, plus feeders, can be found there. Birders visiting during the week are welcome to contact staff for birding information via the service entrance (right end of the building as you face it from the parking lot). _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected] For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
