Two or three Ruffed Grouse continue to provide great photographic and viewing opportunities daily as they eat seed below the feeders at the Visitor Centre.
A Bald Eagle calling in flight alerted birders to its presence over Spruce Bog Boardwalk on January 27. A few Bald Eagles and Golden Eagles regularly spend the winter in Algonquin Park, but they are observed infrequently. These eagles feed mainly on wolf kills here. A Boreal Owl was found dead on the front porch of a home near Oxtongue Lake (Highway 60 west of Algonquin Park) on January 13, likely a window kill. The specimen will be preserved. I mention it here since this species has been extremely rare in southern Ontario this winter. BOREAL SPECIALTIES: Spruce Grouse: Try Spruce Bog Boardwalk and Opeongo Road. Gray Jay: Regular along Opeongo Road, at Spruce Bog Boardwalk, near the East Gate, and in Mew Lake Campground. Boreal Chickadee: On January 27, one along Opeongo Road and two at Spruce Bog Boardwalk were first detected by their calls and were with Black-capped Chickadees. Black-backed Woodpecker: No reports. WINTER FINCHES: Purple Finch: Three to eight are still coming to the Visitor Centre feeders, and small flocks were occasionally observed along Highway 60. Red Crossbill: Observations on Highway 60 were of four at Spruce Bog Boardwalk and six between Opeongo Road and the East Gate on January 27. White-winged Crossbill: Seven were noted along Opeongo Road on January 27, and one was calling in flight at Spruce Bog Boardwalk on January 28. Two were at Spruce Bog today. American Goldfinch: One or two are regular at the Visitor Centre, and a few were seen along Highway 60. Evening Grosbeak: About 20 to 35 were regular at the Visitor Centre feeders this week, especially in the morning. There were 60 there early on January 27. Birders reporting records through eBird are encouraged to share their lists with the Algonquin Park Bird Records account (APPbirds). Good Birding! Ron Tozer Algonquin Park Naturalist (retired) Dwight, ON DIRECTIONS: Algonquin Provincial 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 Information Guide (with a map of birding locations mentioned here) at the East Gate or the West Gate. Locations are also described at: www.algonquinpark.on.ca The Visitor Centre and restaurant at km 43 are open on weekends from 9 am to 5 pm during winter. The Visitor Centre has recent bird sightings and information. It is usually possible to access the building on weekdays in winter from 9 am to 4 pm. Visitors are welcome to bring a packed lunch and use the restaurant seating area on weekdays. Hot and cold beverages, and light snacks are available to purchase then, as well as the use of a microwave. For more information see the Algonquin Park events calendar at: http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/involved/calendar/ _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup
