Spruce Grouse: one at the start of Spruce Bog Boardwalk on Dec 21. Northern Goshawk: adult photographed at Head Creek Marsh (Old Railway Bike Trail) on Dec 22. Black-backed Woodpecker: noted at Hardwood Lookout Trail (Dec 23), Spruce Bog Boardwalk (Dec 23 and 24), Canada Jay: observed at Head Creek Marsh, Opeongo Road, Spruce Bog Boardwalk, and Logging Museum Boreal Chickadee: two pairs at Head Creek Marsh on Dec 22. Finches continued to be reported in low numbers but good variety. Evening Grosbeak: up to eight continue to be seen fairly regularly at the Visitor Centre. Purple Finch: seen regularly along the highway, Opeongo Road and at Visitor Centre. Red Crossbill: seen fairly regularly at the Visitor Centre and Arowhon Road, White-winged Crossbill: small numbers at Spruce Bog Boardwalk, Visitor Centre, Opeongo Road and Head Creek Marsh. Pine Siskin: seen regularly at Visitor Centre and along the highway. American Goldfinch: seen regularly along the highway and at the Visitor Centre. The Visitor Centre is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm on December 27 to January 5. 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). In winter, the Visitor Centre exhibits, bookstore and restaurant at km 43 are open on weekends from 9 am to 5 pm. The Visitor Centre is also open with limited services on weekdays from 9 am to 4 pm. Get your park permit and Information Guide (with a map of birding locations mentioned above) at the East Gate, West Gate or Visitor Centre. Locations are also described at: www.algonquinpark.on.ca Ron Tozer, Algonquin Park Naturalist (retired), Dwight, ON.