Summary of reported sightings this week: Spruce Grouse: no reports; try Spruce Bog Boardwalk and Opeongo Road. You will need snowshoes.
Wild Turkey: one still around Mew Lake Campground until at least February 1. No sign of the two others seen with it earlier; they have likely perished. Black-backed Woodpecker: female at locked gate on Opeongo Road on February 1. One on utility pole at km 43 on February 3. Gray Jay: two on Opeongo Road at locked gate. Blue Jay: 43 counted at Visitor Centre feeder on February 1. Boreal Chickadee: try Opeongo Road north of the Costello Creek culvert. American Tree Sparrow: 1 at Visitor Centre feeder; rare or absent here in winters with this much snow. Pine Grosbeak: 25 at Visitor Centre feeders. Red Crossbill: likely still present in small numbers. White-winged Crossbill: seen along Highway 60 and on trails. Common Redpoll: small flocks along Highway 60, and heard calling in flight. Pine Siskin: 30 to 40 at Visitor Centre feeders, and along Highway 60. American Goldfinch: a few at Visitor Centre feeders. Evening Grosbeak: 5 to 30 at Visitor Centre feeders. Mammal Notes: Eastern Wolves: three (two of which had radio collars) were seen irregularly on Lake of Two Rivers on January 31 to February 2, attracted to a the remains of a deer that had been hit on the highway and placed on the lakeshore. The carcass is largely consumed now, and the wolves likely hunting elsewhere. Pine Marten: one seen getting food from bird feeders at campsites in Mew Lake Campground on January 31. One coming to the feeders at the Visitor Centre very irregularly and unpredictably. 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/
