Snow cover is minimal, and the big lakes are mostly ice-free, in Algonquin Park at present.
The Algonquin Park Wild Bird Cam Live Stream is now broadcasting for the winter months, allowing you to see the birds and mammals attracted to the Visitor Centre feeders all day. The live video feed can be found at https://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/virtual/webcam/wild_bird_cam.php As expected with the abundant tree seed crops, this is a good year here for winter finches. -Evening Grosbeak: seen daily at the Visitor Centre feeders where up to 115 have been reported. Also observed where people have put out seed at Spruce Bog Boardwalk and Opeongo Road parking lot near the closed winter gate. -Pine Grosbeak: a few observed but not reported daily. -Purple Finch: widespread in low numbers, including fairly regularly at the Visitor Centre feeders. -Common Redpoll: reported regularly in small numbers along the Highway 60 Corridor and at the feeders, plus calling flyovers heard. -HOARY REDPOLL: female photographed with Common Redpolls just north of the winter gate on Opeongo Road, Dec 13, and one with Common Redpolls and Pine Siskins along highway shoulder on Dec 14. -Red Crossbill: calling flyovers frequently heard, and some larger flocks on ground getting grit such as 67 on the Visitor Centre parking lot, Dec 16. A few males have started singing prior to the winter breeding period. -White-winged Crossbill: observed regularly, but in lesser numbers than Red Crossbills. Singing males were reported at Spruce Bog Boardwalk and Opeongo Road on Dec 16. -Pine Siskin: this is the most abundant finch so far this winter. It is often noted in flocks attracted to the highway pavement for sand and salt. For example, flocks totaling 650 birds were reported along the highway, Dec 14. -American Goldfinch: regular, but in much smaller numbers than siskins. Other species of interest: Northern Goshawk, one, along Opeongo Road, Dec 16; Spruce Grouse, four at Spruce Bog Boardwalk, Dec 14; Black-backed Woodpecker, one, Logging Museum Trail, Dec 14, and one, Opeongo Road, Dec 16; Canada Jay, seen fairly regularly at Spruce Bog Boardwalk and north of the winter gate on Opeongo Road; and American Crows (rarely present here in winter) were reported at Mew Lake Campground, Old Airfield, Spruce Bog Boardwalk, and near the Logging Museum. PLEASE DRIVE SLOWER AND SOUND YOUR HORN TO SAVE BIRDS FROM BEING HIT BY VEHICLES. The Visitor Centre (at km 43) is open daily from 9 am to 4 pm until December 22, open daily from 9 am to 5 pm on December 23, CLOSED December 24 to 26, and open daily from 9 am to 5 pm on December 27 to 31. Ron Tozer Algonquin Park Bird Records Compiler (volunteer) -- 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.
