There was much melting of the shallow snow cover this week. Large lakes are open. Winter listers should find a good variety of winter finches in Algonquin now. The winter gate on Opeongo Road is closed.
Snowy Owl: one was photographed flying southwest near dusk, high over the Old Airfield, on November 25. Northern Shrike: single birds were on Opeongo Road (November 25) and at the Old Airfield (November 28 and 29). Recent locations for observations of the boreal specialties are as follows: -Spruce Grouse: Spruce Bog Boardwalk -Black-backed Woodpecker: Old Airfield border -Gray Jay: Opeongo Road, Spruce Bog Boardwalk, Mizzy Lake Trail rail bed section -Boreal Chickadee: No reports. This species is inconspicuous now, with few vocalizations. Winter finch sightings are increasing now due to sanding/salting operations on Highway 60 and the Visitor Centre feeders. -Pine Grosbeak: Scarce. Two were at the Old Airfield on November 25. -Purple Finch: Regular in low numbers, including at the Visitor Centre. -Red Crossbill: Reported regularly. Look for birds on the highway and at the Visitor Centre. -White-winged Crossbill: Regular but in low numbers. -Common Redpoll: No reports since late October. -Pine Siskin: Seen regularly, including some large flocks on the highway. -American Goldfinch: Also seen regularly, including some large flocks. -Evening Grosbeak: Up to 20 have been at the Visitor Centre feeders, but irregularly. 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, bookstore and restaurant at km 43 are open on weekends from 9 am to 5 pm in winter. The Visitor Centre is also open on weekdays from 9 am to 4 pm with limited services, including self-serve hot and cold beverages plus snacks available in the restaurant. 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 _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - 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 Visit the OFO Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists
