This report covers the last two weeks (Dec 25 to Jan 7) and includes resident boreal species plus winter finches. The Visitor Centre is closed until further notice.
SPRUCE GROUSE – one was noted at Spruce Bog Boardwalk on Jan 2 and 3. BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER – observed along Spruce Bog Boardwalk (Dec 31 and Jan 2), along the Highland Backpacking Trail between Highway 60 and the Madawaska River (Jan 2), and in the Pog Lake area (Jan 2). CANADA JAY – reported at Mew Lake Campground, south side of the Old Airfield, Beaver Pond Trail, Spruce Bog Boardwalk, Opeongo Road at and north of the winter gate, and along the Logging Museum trail. BOREAL CHICKADEE – one reported from the conifers along the south side of the Old Airfield (Jan 1 to 3) and one observed along the Blackfox Lake portage which starts at the Trailer Sanitation Station (Jan 2). PINE GROSBEAK – small numbers were noted along Highway 60 (especially in the morning) and along the trails. COMMON REDPOLL – only a few reported now. RED CROSSBILL – reports of a few from Spruce Bog Boardwalk and Mew Lake Campground. WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL – observations of 1 or 2 at Spruce Bog Boardwalk, Opeongo Road north of the winter gate, and the north side of the Old Airfield. 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 showing locations mentioned above) at the East Gate or West Gate. Locations are also described at: www.algonquinpark.on.ca Ron Tozer, Algonquin Park Naturalist (retired), Dwight, ON -- Ontbirds and Birdnews are moderated email Listservs provided by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) as a service to all birders in Ontario. Birdnews is reserved for announcements, location summaries, first of year reports, etc. To post a message on Birdnews, send an email to: [email protected]. If you have any questions or concerns, contact the Birdnews Moderators by email at [email protected]. Please review posting rules and guidelines at http://ofo.ca/site/content/listserv-guidelines To edit your membership settings visit the Birdnews setup page at: http://ontbirds.ca/mailman/listinfo/birdnews_ontbirds.ca. During the COVID-19 pandemic, all Ontario birders should be taking extra precautions and following local, provincial, and federal regulations regarding physical distancing and non-essential travel. To find out more about OFO, please visit our website at ofo.ca or Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists.
