Here is a summary of reported sightings this week: Sharp-shinned Hawk: one at Spruce Bog Boardwalk on January 25. Rare here in winter; usually a big finch year when present, like this one.
Spruce Grouse: no reports; try Spruce Bog Boardwalk and Opeongo Road. You will need snowshoes. Black-backed Woodpecker: no reports. Gray Jay: Opeongo Road, and Spruce Bog Boardwalk parking lot. Boreal Chickadee: in black spruce along Opeongo Road north of the Costello Creek culvert on January 25. Bohemian Waxwing: one attracted to the birds at the Visitor Centre feeders on January 28. Several reported at mountain-ash in Whitney recently. Big flocks still being seen in Huntsville. Pine Grosbeak: 25 at Visitor Centre feeders. Red Crossbill: a few noted irregularly in trees around the Visitor Centre. White-winged Crossbill: common along Highway 60 and on trails. Common Redpoll: small flocks along Highway 60, and heard calling in flight. Pine Siskin: 20 at Visitor Centre feeders, and along Highway 60. American Goldfinch: a few at Visitor Centre feeders. Evening Grosbeak: 30 at Visitor Centre feeders on January 28, the most this winter to date. Note: Arowhon Road is closed to public travel this winter as log hauling is underway. Please report your Algonquin sightings to me (including date, number and location) for our park records. Thanks. 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). Get your park permit and the park tabloid (with a map of birding locations mentioned here) at the gates. The Visitor Centre at km 43 has recent bird sightings and information. The centre is open on weekends during the winter, from 10 am to 4 pm. Access to watch the birds during the week is possible by entering at the service entrance and contacting the staff. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
