Snow depth remains about 15 centimetres or less, but some colder temperatures occurred this week.
Observations from December 30 mentioned below were on the Algonquin Christmas Bird Count. Notable sightings this week: Bald Eagle: Adult near a road-killed deer at km 8.5 (Tea Lake area) on Highway 60 on December 29. Golden Eagle: One near a road-killed deer at km 8.5 on Highway 60 on December 29. Northern Shrike: four reported on December 30. One was along Opeongo Road on December 31. BOREAL SPECIES: Spruce Grouse: Observed at Wolf Howl Pond today. Black-backed Woodpecker: Nine reported on December 30. Observed at Wolf Howl Pond today. Watch for it where there are dead conifers with bark recently removed. Gray Jay: Seen regularly along Opeongo Road, at Spruce Bog Boardwalk, and at the Visitor Centre. Boreal Chickadee: Observed at Wolf Howl Pond today. Try Spruce Bog Boardwalk around the suet feeder near the trail register box. FINCHES: Pine Grosbeak: Three were getting grit in the Visitor Centre parking lot on January 3 and it was reported at Wolf Howl Pond today. Purple Finch: A few are present. Just 26 tallied on December 30. Red Crossbill: Scarce. Only 36 noted on December 30. A road- killed female was picked up on December 31 at km 3. White-winged Crossbill: Fairly good numbers. Many of the 792 counted on December 30 were heard calling in flight. Common Redpoll: Observed regularly, usually as flocks calling in flight. There were 567 counted on December 30. Not coming to the Visitor Centre feeders yet. Forty reported at Minnesing Ski Trail today. Hoary Redpoll: One was noted with Common Redpolls in the Rock Lake area on December 30. One was with Common Redpolls at Minnesing Ski Trail today. Redpoll flocks should be checked carefully for this species. Pine Siskin: Good numbers, with 836 reported on December 30. Not coming to the Visitor Centre feeders yet. American Goldfinch: A count of 219 on December 30. Frequently in mixed flocks with Pine Siskins. Not coming to the Visitor Centre feeders yet. Evening Grosbeak: up to 80 are regularly at the Visitor Centre feeders. Not reported anywhere else on December 30 CBC. VISITOR CENTRE WILL BE OPEN DAILY UNTIL JANUARY 8, FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM. For more information see Algonquin Park events calendar at: http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/involved/calendar/ We would appreciate receiving your bird observations for 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. Locations are also described at: www.algonquinpark.on.ca The Visitor Centre at km 43 has recent bird sightings, feeders and information. The Visitor Centre restaurant is not open this winter but visitors are welcome to bring a packed lunch and use the seating area. Hot and cold beverages, and light snacks are available to purchase, as well as the use of a microwave. _______________________________________________ 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/
