Algonquin Park Birding Report

Algonquin Park Birding Reports provide visitors with species observed in recent days within Algonquin Park. Reports are compiled by Ron Tozer. We would greatly appreciate your Algonquin Park bird sightings. Please contact us with your recent sightings.

More About the Birds of Algonquin Park

Birds of Algonquin Park authored by retired Algonquin Park Naturalist Ron Tozer presents detailed accounts of all 278 birds known to have occurred in Algonquin Park. The book includes information on migration timing, nesting habits and behaviour of the 144 breeding species, winter occurrence, historical records and population trends. The influence of climate warming on the arrival and departure time of migrants, and the declining numbers of many species are discussed. This 480-page masterpiece filled with illustrations and images is available for purchase online or at any of The Friends of Algonquin Park stores.

Viewing Algonquin Park's wild birds in person is always the best experience. But for those who can't visit today, The Friends of Algonquin Park is offering live streaming views of the feeders at the Algonquin Park Visitor Centre. Wildlife monitoring activities are expected to be in operation for the winter months, but warmer weather conditions may end operations sooner.

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February 27, 2022

Image: Male Pine Grosbeak in Algonquin Park. Photo by Michael Runtz.

If you intended to come to Algonquin Park to see the nine winter finch species that are being reported regularly, you should do so soon. Numbers have slowly decreased during February as birds dispersed and some species will be harder to find as March progresses. There are already a few signs of “pre-spring” here, despite 46 cm of snow on the ground. Researchers have located three Canada Jay nests under construction, with the first on February 20, 2022.

Winter Finches

Evening Grosbeak: up to about 25 are now daily at the Visitor Centre, with twice that many occasionally. A few continue to be seen 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: the best place to see them is at the Visitor Centre where numbers vary from about 10 to 25 each day. They usually feed on fallen sunflower seeds below the feeders.

Purple Finch: up to 10 are seen daily at the Visitor Centre.

Common Redpoll: 20 to 30 are regular at the Visitor Centre. Flocks are being seen elsewhere as well, often feeding on alder seeds.

Hoary Redpoll: singles with Common Redpolls at the Visitor Centre have been observed and photographed on several days during the last two weeks. Other locations have included one at Spruce Bog Boardwalk (February 20) and single birds in three different flocks of Common Redpolls along Barron Canyon Road on the Park’s East Side (February 21).

Red Crossbill: most sightings now are of five or fewer birds and often involve hearing them calling in flight. However, some larger numbers are still being seen, including 35 at Tea Lake Dam Picnic Ground (February 26).

White-winged Crossbill: still widespread but typical sightings are now up to 30 at any one location, considerably lower numbers than in January. A flock of at least 200 near the Algonquin Art Centre (February 25) was exceptional. Some males have occasionally been heard giving partial songs during February, but confirmation of successful nesting is lacking. The White Spruce cone crop may not have been adequate to support breeding.

Pine Siskin: numbers were greater this month than in January. They are seen daily at the Visitor Centre with a maximum of 80 reported there, although half that number is usual.

American Goldfinch: numbers appear to be lower now than in January. Up to 15 are seen regularly at the Visitor Centre.

Boreal Species

Spruce Grouse: one was found along Opeongo Road (February 22) and a male was observed at Spruce Bog Boardwalk (February 21 and 26).

Black-backed Woodpecker: observed several times on the Algonquin Logging Museum, and along Spruce Bog Boardwalk, where there were two near the kettle bog (February 21).

Canada Jay: seen regularly at Spruce Bog Boardwalk; Opeongo Road at the parking lot near the winter gate and north of the gate near the bridge; plus at the Algonquin Logging Museum and parking lot. Researchers have located three Canada Jay nests under construction, with the first on February 20, 2022.

Boreal Chickadee: still no records since January 3.

Birds coming to the Visitor Centre can be viewed on the Algonquin Park Wild Bird Cam.

Submit Your Bird Sightings

Please send us any bird sightings you've had in the Park, even of common birds, as they assist us in documenting Algonquin Park's bird life.

Birders reporting records through eBird are encouraged to share their lists with the Algonquin Park Bird Records account (APPbirds).

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February 10, 2022

Image: Male Evening Grosbeak in Algonquin Park. Photo by Ken Morrison.

Noteworthy

• Golden Eagle: Adult over Mew Lake Campground (February 7)

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. Birds coming to the Algonquin Park Visitor Centre can be viewed on the Algonquin Park Wild Bird Cam.

• Evening Grosbeak: up to about 35 are now daily at the Visitor Centre; and a few are being observed at other locations, 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 Highway 60; a few are fairly regular at the Visitor Centre.
• Purple Finch: a few (10 or less) reported daily at the Visitor Centre.
• 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 off the viewing deck (February 9).
• Hoary Redpoll: one along Highway 60 (February 5) and one photographed at the Visitor Centre (February 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.
• American Goldfinch: still present but in low numbers.
  
  

Boreal Species

• Spruce Grouse: try Spruce Bog Boardwalk, especially along the first short boardwalk and on side trails near the trail register box.
• Black-backed Woodpecker: still regular on the Algonquin Logging Museum Trail and along Opeongo Road north of the gate.
• Canada Jay: seen regularly at Spruce Bog Boardwalk, Opeongo Road north, and the Algonquin 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 (January 3).
  

Submit Your Bird Sightings

Please send us any bird sightings you've had in the Park, even of common birds, as they assist us in documenting Algonquin Park's bird life.

Birders reporting records through eBird are encouraged to share their lists with the Algonquin Park Bird Records account (APPbirds).

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Algonquin Park Christmas Bird Count - January 3, 2022

Image: Canada Jay in Algonquin Park. Only 12 Canada Jays were observed on the Algonquin Park Christmas Bird Count this year. This is the lowest number for this species in the 48 years of the count. See below for more details.

Sixty-three dispersed observers undertook the 48th Algonquin Park Christmas Bird Count on January 3, 2022, following COVID-19 prevention best practices. Weather conditions were very good for seeing birds. Temperatures ranged from -27°C to -8°C. The wind reached 7 km/h. Maximum snow on the ground was just 4 centimetres, making walking easy. All lakes were ice-covered but the Madawaska River was partially open.

Overall Results

• Number of Observers: 63
• Total Species: 30 (average is 27)
• Total Individuals: 4,203 (average is 4,579)
• Birds per Party Hour: 30 (average is 25)

Unusual Species for the Count

• Merlin: 1
  • The Merlin had been seen at the Airfield, irregularly, since fall. On count day, it flew from the north side of the Airfield before dawn, then flew back to the Airfield a few minutes later with a small bird in its talons and landed in one of the dead pines to pluck its prey before eating it. Merlin is rare here in winter, with occurrences coinciding with high finch numbers. This is just the second time on the CBC for Merlin .
    
• Sharp-shinned Hawk: CW1 (count week observation)
  • The Sharp-shinned Hawk is present in Algonquin Park as a rarity in winters with lots of finches. The count week bird was hunting near the Visitor Centre on January 1 and still around on January 9, 2022.
    

Low Counts

• Common Raven: 37
  • The Common Raven count of 37 individuals was the lowest in the 48 years of the Algonquin Park Christmas Bird Count.
• Boreal Chickadee: 2
  • Only 2 observed about 4 km in on the Blackfox Lake portage from the Trailer Sanitation Station. This number ties the previous lowest counts in 2019 and 2020. The highest number of Boreal Chickadees on this count was 105 in 1980, indicative of the dramatic decline of this species.
• Canada Jay: 12
  • Only 12 observed. This is the lowest number for this species in the 48 years of the count. Boreal Chickadee and Canada Jay are disappearing from the Highway 60 Corridor of Algonquin Park, and probably the rest of the Park. The cause for both is likely climate change.

All Species Observed on the Algonquin Park Christmas Bird Count

• CW= observed during Count Week

• Ruffed Grouse 63
• Spruce Grouse 3
• Grouse species 1
• Wild Turkey 5
• Bald Eagle CW1
• Sharp-shinned Hawk CW1
• Barred Owl 1
• Downy Woodpecker 36
• Hairy Woodpecker 30
• Black-backed Woodpecker 8
• Pileated Woodpecker 17
• Woodpecker species 5
• Merlin 1
• Canada Jay 12
• Blue Jay 330
• Common Raven 37
• Black-capped Chickadee 619
• Boreal Chickadee 2
• Red-breasted Nuthatch 267
• White-breasted Nuthatch 15
• Brown Creeper 10
• Golden-crowned Kinglet 11
• Evening Grosbeak 68
• Pine Grosbeak 48
• Purple Finch 5
• Common Redpoll 596
• Hoary Redpoll 1
• Red Crossbill 97
• White-winged Crossbill 1,540
• Pine Siskin 162
• American Goldfinch 166
• Finch species 33
• Snow Bunting 2
• American Tree Sparrow 9
• Dark-eyed Junco 3

• Total Species: 30 (average is 27)
• Total Individuals: 4,203 (average is 4,525)
• Birds/Party Hour: 30
• Observers: 63

• Hours driving: 16.2
• Hours walking: 124.2
• Hours owling: 2
• Driving: 229 kilometres
• Walking: 186.5 kilometres
• Owling: 26 kilometres

Thanks to all the participants and those who helped organize and undertake the count this year. ~ Ron Tozer, Algonquin Park CBC Compiler

Submit Your Bird Sightings

Please send us any bird sightings you've had in the Park, even of common birds, as they assist us in documenting Algonquin Park's bird life.

Birders reporting records through eBird are encouraged to share their lists with the Algonquin Park Bird Records account (APPbirds).

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January 2, 2022

Image: Hoary Redpoll in Algonquin Park. Photo by Michael Runtz

Birds coming to the Algonquin Park Visitor Centre can be viewed on the Algonquin Park Wild Bird Cam Live Stream. Winter gates are now closed. Snow depth remains at about 5 cm, making walking easier than usual.

Rare-In-Winter Species

Rare-in-winter species present here when small bird prey is abundant:

• Sharp-shinned Hawk: around Visitor Centre feeders (January 1)
• Merlin: at Old Airfield (last reported December 29).

Winter Finches

• Evening Grosbeak: up to about 70 are now daily at the Visitor Centre feeders; a few are being observed elsewhere as well.
  
• Pine Grosbeak: observed regularly in small numbers, often on and near Highway 60; a few fairly regularly at the Visitor Centre.
  
• Purple Finch: a few reported occasionally.
  
• Common Redpoll: continues to be seen daily, sometimes in large flocks (up to 200 birds).
  
• Hoary Redpoll: one photographed in a large Common Redpoll flock along Opeongo Road (December 27)
• Red Crossbill: frequently observed but in low numbers.
• White-winged Crossbill: being seen widely in good numbers.
  
• Pine Siskin: occasionally observed, usually in small numbers.
  
• American Goldfinch: frequent in low numbers.

Boreal Species

• Spruce Grouse: Bat Lake Trail return trail fairly near Highway 60 (December 30); near start of Spruce Bog Boardwalk regularly; east side of Opeongo Road in Black Spruce just north of winter gate (three on December 23).
  
• Black-backed Woodpecker: Bat Lake Trail, Spruce Bog Boardwalk, fairly regular at Algonquin Logging Museum Trail and parking lot.
  
• Canada Jay: Spruce Bog Boardwalk, Opeongo Road at second bridge (accessed by walking from winter gate); Algonquin Logging Museum Trail and parking lot.
  
• Boreal Chickadee: no reports.
  

Submit Your Bird Sightings

Please send us any bird sightings you've had in the Park, even of common birds, as they assist us in documenting Algonquin Park's bird life.

Birders reporting records through eBird are encouraged to share their lists with the Algonquin Park Bird Records account (APPbirds).

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December 23, 2021

Birds coming to the Algonquin Park Visitor Centre feeders can be viewed on the Algonquin Park Wild Bird Cam Live Stream. All lakes along Highway 60 are covered by ice now and there are currently about 3 cm of snow on the ground.

Male Evening Grosbeak in Algonquin Park. Image courtesy of Jim Richards.

Winter Finches

• Evening Grosbeak: large numbers (up to 120), reminiscent of the 1970s era, daily at the Visitor Centre feeders.
  
• Pine Grosbeak: observed regularly in small numbers, often on and near Highway 60 after road maintenance following snowfall.
  
• Purple Finch: last reported in late November.
  
• Common Redpoll: continues to be seen regularly, sometimes in larger flocks.
  
• Red Crossbill: frequently observed but in smaller numbers than White-winged.
  
• White-winged Crossbill: being seen daily, often in larger numbers.
  
• Pine Siskin: occasionally observed, usually in small numbers.
  
• American Goldfinch: frequent in low numbers.
  

Boreal Species

• Spruce Grouse: west side of Opeongo Road in Black Spruce just north of winter gate; Wolf Howl Pond/West Rose Lake railbed (accessed by Mizzy Lake Trail from Highway 60)
  
• Black-backed Woodpecker: Spruce Bog Boardwalk
  
• Canada Jay: Spruce Bog Boardwalk; Opeongo Road at second bridge (accessed by walking from winter gate)
  
• Boreal Chickadee: no reports

Submit Your Bird Sightings

Please send us any bird sightings you've had in the Park, even of common birds, as they assist us in documenting Algonquin Park's bird life.

Birders reporting records through eBird are encouraged to share their lists with the Algonquin Park Bird Records account (APPbirds).

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November 28, 2021

Image: Red Crossbill in Algonquin Park. Image courtesy of Lev Frid.

Small lakes and ponds are ice-covered. Little snow cover yet.

• Bohemian Waxwing: small numbers observed on nine days between October 27 and November 22. Highest number was flock of 35+ on November 7.

Winter Finches

• Evening Grosbeak: a few seen regularly.
  
• Pine Grosbeak: observations of one to six birds on five days between October 24 and November 27.
  
• Purple Finch: occasional sightings, usually of single birds.
  
• Common Redpoll: being seen daily, often in larger flocks.
  
• Hoary Redpoll: one seen well in a flock of Common Redpolls at Brent on Cedar Lake on November 23
  
• Red Crossbill: frequently observed but in smaller numbers than White-winged. Only confirmed breeding evidence to date: adults feeding young, Track and Tower Trail entrance, on October 23.
  
• White-winged Crossbill: being seen daily, often in larger flocks. No confirmation of breeding activity reported yet.
  
• Pine Siskin: frequently observed, usually in small numbers.
  
• American Goldfinch: frequently observed in small numbers.
  

Boreal Species

• Spruce Grouse: Spruce Bog Boardwalk, Mizzy Lake Trail
  
• Black-backed Woodpecker: Mizzy Lake Trail, Spruce Bog Boardwalk, Algonquin Logging Museum Trail
  
• Canada Jay: Spruce Bog Boardwalk, Opeongo Road at second bridge (accessed by walking from winter gate)
  
• Boreal Chickadee: continues very rare. Singles reported at Spruce Bog Boardwalk (October 14 and November 13), Trailer Sanitation (October 28) and an apparently wandering bird at Achray on Grand Lake (November 8).

Submit Your Bird Sightings

Please send us any bird sightings you've had in the Park, even of common birds, as they assist us in documenting Algonquin Park's bird life.

Birders reporting records through eBird are encouraged to share their lists with the Algonquin Park Bird Records account (APPbirds).

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Related Information

• Report a Bird Sighting
• Birds of Algonquin Park by Ron Tozer
• Introduction to Winter Finches
• Birds of Algonquin Provincial Park by Dan Strickland
• Checklist and Seasonal Status of the Birds of Algonquin Provincial Park
• Winter in Algonquin Park
• Operating Hours and Events