Last week's snow cover has nearly all melted and the larger lakes remain free of ice, as the unusually mild conditions for this date continue.
A single Bohemian Waxwing on the 26th at Lake Travers (on the Park's East Side) was the latest of a very small number seen here since late October. WINTER FINCHES: Pine Grosbeak: One was heard along Barron Canyon Road (on the Park's East Side) on the 26th, and two were along the Old Railway Bike Trail between the Old Airfield and Head Creek Marsh on the 2nd. Purple Finch: Low numbers continue to be observed. Red Crossbill: A few were noted at Lake Travers on the 26th, and two were seen along the Old Railway Bike Trail between the Old Airfield and Head Creek Marsh on the 2nd. Common Redpoll: Numerous small flocks were noted along the Barron Canyon Road from the Sand Lake Gate to Lake Travers on the 26th. Some were in large Pine Siskin flocks observed along the Old Railway Bike Trail between the Old Airfield and Head Creek Marsh on the 2nd. Pine Siskin: Small and large flocks are being seen regularly on the Park's East Side and along Highway 60. Evening Grosbeak: There are still a few coming to the Visitor Centre feeders fairly regularly, including two on the 2nd. 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 along the Mizzy Lake Trail rail bed, at Spruce Bog Boardwalk, and along the black spruce section of Opeongo Road. Boreal Chickadee: A good place to look and listen for them continues to be the Mizzy Lake Trail rail bed. Fifteen in total were observed along the Old Railway Bike Trail between the Old Airfield and Head Creek Marsh on the 2nd. 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 Park's "East Side" is accessible via Barron Canyon Road from the Pembroke area. 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
