The last open water along Highway 60 is freezing. Lake of Two Rivers is now ice-covered, and Smoke Lake nearly so, after last night's cold temperatures. Water birds are gone until spring.
A Wild Turkey was seen along Highway 60 near Canisbay Campground road on December 14. An adult Bald Eagle was near the Visitor Centre on December 15. A single Bohemian Waxwing was at the Visitor Centre on December 14. The White-throated Sparrow lingering at the Visitor Centre feeders persisted through today. Winter finches this week: -Pine Grosbeak: one or two occasionally at the Visitor Centre, and a very few along the highway. -Pine Siskin: one or two with goldfinches at the Visitor Centre feeders, irregularly. -American Goldfinch: up to 70 at the Visitor Centre feeders by today. -Evening Grosbeak: two at the Visitor Centre on December 16. Boreal Species Info: -Spruce Grouse: Check Spruce Bog Boardwalk and Opeongo Road. -Gray Jay: Reliable locations are Spruce Bog Boardwalk and Opeongo Road. Three are coming to the Visitor Centre suet feeders daily. -Boreal Chickadee: At least two near Post 5 on Spruce Bog Boardwalk on December 16. Black-backed Woodpecker: Check black spruce bog areas, including Opeongo Road. Mammals: -Pine Marten: two continue to be fairly regular at the Visitor Centre. -A Fisher showed up at the Visitor Centre feeders today. Remains to be seen how frequent its visits will become. As always, we would appreciate receiving your observations for our Visitor Centre records. 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 near 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, feeders, and information. The centre is open weekends only until December 20, from 10 am to 4 pm. Access to the building through the service entrance to observe the feeders is usually possible on weekdays. Hot and cold drinks and snacks are available in the restaurant this winter on weekends, but not full meal service. _______________________________________________ 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/
