Lots of birders and lots of birds for them to see this week, with more pleasant temperatures as well. BOREAL SPECIALTIES Spruce Grouse: Observers were seeing a total of two (and sometimes three) from near the parking lot to the suet feeder on Spruce Bog Boardwalk on the weekend. Black-backed Woodpecker: Try Spruce Bog Boardwalk and the black spruce sections of Opeongo Road. A female was at the parking lot near the locked gate on Opeongo Road today. Gray Jay: They continue to be regular at Spruce Bog Boardwalk, Opeongo Road near the locked gate and at the Logging Museum parking lot. Boreal Chickadee: One or two were noted at Spruce Bog Boardwalk near the suet feeder and one was along Opeongo Road north of the locked gate. An individual at Spruce Bog today was located by its vocalizing. WINTER FINCHES Pine Grosbeak: One was observed along Opeongo Road on January 20. About eight feeding on green ash keys at Lookout Trail entrance were seen by many on the 22nd and 23rd. A dozen there this afternoon attracted a Northern Shrike. Purple Finch: One was at the Visitor Centre on the 21st. Red Crossbill: Small groups were seen at several locations along the highway and on Opeongo Road. White-winged Crossbill: Opeongo Road and Spruce Bog Boardwalk produced small numbers of this crossbill all week. Some were at Bat Lake Trail as well. Common Redpoll: One was seen and photographed at the Visitor Centre feeders all week. A few of these redpolls were along Opeongo Road on the 21st. Pine Siskin: One to three were observed at the Visitor Centre feeders regularly. American Goldfinch: About 40 to 75 were at the Visitor Centre feeders this week. Evening Grosbeak: Daily numbers reported at the Visitor Centre feeders ranged from 65 to 150 this week. A few continue to be attracted to sunflower seed left by visitors at Spruce Bog Boardwalk and near the Opeongo Road locked gate also. Birders reporting records through eBird are encouraged to share their lists with the Algonquin Park Bird Records account (APPbirds). Good Birding! Ron Tozer Algonquin Park Naturalist (retired) Dwight, ON 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). The Visitor Centre exhibits, bookstore and restaurant at km 43 are open on weekends from 9 am to 5 pm in winter. The Visitor Centre is also open on weekdays from 9 am to 4 pm, with self-serve hot and cold beverages plus snacks available in the restaurant. Get your park permit and Information Guide (with a map of birding locations mentioned here) at the East Gate or the West Gate. Locations are also described at: www.algonquinpark.on.ca