This week brought us our first persisting snow of the fall. There were fewer birders reporting but several winter finches were still being seen.
WINTER FINCHES: Purple Finch: Small numbers continued to be observed, including at the Visitor Centre. Common Redpoll: Reported again this week, but in low numbers. Pine Siskin: Seen regularly, including some larger flocks. American Goldfinch: One or two observed. Most appear to have left. Evening Grosbeak: Still a few coming to the Visitor Centre feeders on most mornings. BOREAL SPECIALTIES: Spruce Grouse: No reports. Try Opeongo Road and the Wolf Howl Pond area of Mizzy Lake Trail. Black-backed Woodpecker: No reports. Try Opeongo Road and the Wolf Howl Pond area of Mizzy Lake Trail. Gray Jay: Seen daily along the Mizzy Lake Trail rail bed, at Spruce Bog Boardwalk, and along the black spruce section of Opeongo Road. Boreal Chickadee: The best place to look and listen for them continues to be the Mizzy Lake Trail rail bed. 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). The Visitor Centre exhibits and restaurant at km 43 on Highway 60 are open on weekends from 9 am to 5 pm. There is access with limited services on weekdays from 9 am to 4 pm. Your park permit and Information Guide (with a map of birding locations mentioned here) are available at the East Gate, West Gate and Visitor Centre. _______________________________________________ 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 Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide
