algonquin birds....

[gary yankech]

just a few birds up north in Algonquin park

Pine Grosbeak by Yankech gary, on Flickr

Pine Grosbeak by Yankech gary, on Flickr

Common Redpoll by Yankech gary, on Flickr

Pine Grosbeak by Yankech gary, on Flickr

Hairy Woodpecker by Yankech gary, on Flickr

Red-breasted Nuthatch by Yankech gary, on Flickr

Gray Jay by Yankech gary, on Flickr

[Shortsighted]

Seems like an eruption year for Pine Grosbeak but I guess you still need to head north to
get consistent sightings and shots like these. The Grosbeak on the isolated perch with the
snow falling is classic. Some PG sightings have been reported here in the east GTA both in
the Rouge and in northern Whitby but I've never found one. Have not been to Algonquin
in decades. Can't even remember much from those distant days and it was certainly long
before I was looking for birds. Thanks for posting your injection of colour for this episode
of winter.

[gary yankech]

Seems like an eruption year for Pine Grosbeak but I guess you still need to head north to
get consistent sightings and shots like these. The Grosbeak on the isolated perch with the
snow falling is classic. Some PG sightings have been reported here in the east GTA both in
the Rouge and in northern Whitby but I've never found one. Have not been to Algonquin
in decades. Can't even remember much from those distant days and it was certainly long
before I was looking for birds. Thanks for posting your injection of colour for this episode
of winter.

The best place to spot winter birds in the park is at the feeders below the deck of the visitor centre. You have to navigate around the side of the building and down below to a rope off section under the deck. This year, the walkway was piled high with snow, navigating down was tricky but the reward was great views of the birds at eye level. Another great place is the Spruce Bog trail. You don't need to do the whole trail, the first section just before the boardwalk has the feeders, this is where I saw the Pine Marten and other good winter birds. Every year in Algonquin is different, three years ago it was Evening Grosbeaks, last year featured many Crossbills, this year, Pine Grosbeaks. What will next year bring?

[Dinusaur]

Wonderful set of photos Gary and you are spot on about finding winter finches by the feeders. Last year I saw my first Black-backed woodpecker on the way to the visitor center; however, multiple visits produced no Boreal Chickadee there; however, saw one recently in Darlington Provincial Park closer to home. Another bird missing from my list yet seen by many, is a Spruce Grouse - hopefully this year.

[gary yankech]

Wonderful set of photos Gary and you are spot on about finding winter finches by the feeders. Last year I saw my first Black-backed woodpecker on the way to the visitor center; however, multiple visits produced no Boreal Chickadee there; however, saw one recently in Darlington Provincial Park closer to home. Another bird missing from my list yet seen by many, is a Spruce Grouse - hopefully this year.

Yes, I have yet to see the Spruce Grouse and the Black-backed Woodpecker, but I have seen the Boreal....in Newfoundland. Would be nice to see it in Ontario. I live fairly close to Darlington, is it still there?

[Dinusaur]

.....I have seen the Boreal....in Newfoundland. Would be nice to see it in Ontario. I live fairly close to Darlington, is it still there?

Last eBird report was from Feb 2nd - it has been in that location for more than a month, I think it may still hang out there. It stays close to the paved path by the western entrance.

[gary yankech]

.....I have seen the Boreal....in Newfoundland. Would be nice to see it in Ontario. I live fairly close to Darlington, is it still there?

Last eBird report was from Feb 2nd - it has been in that location for more than a month, I think it may still hang out there. It stays close to the paved path by the western entrance.

thanks!

[Axeman]

Another set of great pix...

Just a little ID correction....that's a Canada Jay that you captured....not a Gray Jay..... lol....in fact....I believe the Gray Jay has been extirpated north of the 49th since or about July 2018.