Fresh Pileated Woodpecker excavations in trees near the West Gate indicate considerable activity recently. This woodpecker is common in the hardwood forest from there east to Lake of Two Rivers but not always easy to locate. Searching near the West Gate is likely to be productive.
Boreal Chickadees continue to be seen with some regularity near the entrance of Spruce Bog Boardwalk (km 42.5 on Highway 60). They are feeding on the black sunflower seeds provided in the parking lot and also coming to the suet on a tree to the left of the trail just before the register box. We saw a fine photograph of one splitting open a sunflower seed there this week. Boreal Chickadees in Algonquin Park are rarely attracted to sunflower seed but the scarcity of tree seeds this winter may be influencing their behaviour. Another place to look for Boreal Chickadees is the Visitor Centre. Some in the black spruce below the viewing deck were heard calling on February 1. Indicative of changing numbers of Common Redpolls were the more than 25 that replaced last week's four individuals at the Visitor Centre feeders. Redpolls are probably continuing to move in their search for a better seed crop. Good birding this week. Please let us know what you see so we can enter your sightings in our Visitor Centre records. Ron Tozer Algonquin Park Naturalist (retired) Dwight, ON 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 and restaurant are open weekends from 10 am to 4 pm. During the week, birders may be able to enter the centre by the service entrance (far right as you face the building) to view the feeders. Contact staff for permission. Algonquin Park birding updates and information are available at: www.algonquinpark.on.ca _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
