The most notable bird this week was an adult Golden Eagle observed in flight near Smoke Creek Bridge on Highway 60, January 20.
Here are some locations where birders observed the listed species during the past week: -Spruce Grouse: two were at Spruce Bog Boardwalk and a male was along Opeongo Road north of the winter gate, on January 20. -Ruffed Grouse: continue to be seen along the Visitor Centre driveway and under the feeders below the viewing deck. -Wild Turkey: up to nine are still coming daily to the Visitor Centre parking lot feeder, and two continue in Mew Lake Campground. -Black-backed Woodpecker: a female was seen at Spruce Bog Boardwalk on January 21. -Gray Jay: Opeongo Road, Spruce Bog Boardwalk and the Logging Museum are the best places to see them. -Boreal Chickadee: no reports. Winter finches remain widespread. -Pine Grosbeak: two were in the Visitor Centre parking lot on January 21, and two were along Opeongo Road, January 24. -Purple Finch: regular in low numbers, but 46 were counted at the Visitor Centre on January 21. -Red Crossbill: small numbers regular; a few continue to be seen daily off the Visitor Centre viewing deck, with “courtship feeding” observed there on January 21. -White-winged Crossbill: reported regularly at the Visitor Centre and Spruce Bog Boardwalk. -Common Redpoll: Opeongo Road produced 12 on January 20 and five the next day. -Pine Siskin: widespread, with a total of 300 in several flocks along Highway 60 on January 21. -American Goldfinch: good numbers; an estimated 150 along the highway and about 55 at the Visitor Centre feeders on January 21. -Evening Grosbeak: from 20 to 40 continue to come to the Visitor Centre feeders daily. 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 are open on weekends from 9 am to 5 pm, and are also open with limited services through the week from 9 am to 4 pm. Get your park permit and Information Guide (with a map of birding locations mentioned above) at the East Gate, West Gate or Visitor Centre. 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
