Winter Finches: good diversity with nine species plus an additional subspecies reported to date in February. Most species continue to be seen regularly but the numbers are lower than a month ago. Evening Grosbeak: up to about 35 are now daily at the Visitor Centre feeders; and a few are being observed at other locations where people leave sunflower seed, such as Spruce Bog Boardwalk entrance and Opeongo Road parking lot near the winter gate.. Pine Grosbeak: observed in small numbers, often on and near the highway; a few are fairly regular at the Visitor Centre feeders. Purple Finch: a few (10 or less) reported daily at the Visitor Centre feeders. Common Redpoll: continues to be seen daily, with larger recent flocks of about 35. GREATER COMMON REDPOLL (rostrata): an adult male was photographed at the Visitor Centre feeders off the viewing deck (Feb 9). HOARY REDPOLL: one along Highway 60 (Feb 5) and one photographed at the Visitor Centre feeder (Feb 9). Red Crossbill: lower numbers, with sightings often involving single flyovers or small flocks. White-winged Crossbill: reported more frequently than Reds but usually in smaller flocks now (10 or less) per location. Pine Siskin: typically, 10 or fewer per observation; a few are regular at the Visitor Centre feeders. American Goldfinch: still present but in low numbers.
Boreal Species: Spruce Grouse: try Spuce Bog Boardwalk, especially along the first short boardwalk and on side trails near the trail register box. Black-backed Woodpecker: still regular on the Logging Museum Trail and along Opeongo Road north of the gate. Canada Jay: seen regularly at Spruce Bog Boardwalk, Opeongo Road north, and the Logging Museum trail and parking lot. Boreal Chickadee: there have been no reports of this declining species since two were observed about 4 km in on the Blackfox Lake portage (Jan 3). Noteworthy: adult Golden Eagle over Mew Lake (Feb 7). Birds coming to the Visitor Centre (km 43) feeders can be viewed on the Algonquin Park Wild Bird Cam Live Stream: https://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/virtual/webcam/wild_bird_cam.php 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. The Visitor Centre exhibits and bookstore/nature shop at km 43 are OPEN on weekends and holidays (9 am to 5 pm).), and with limited services on weekdays (9 am to 4 pm). -- 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 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.
