There is relatively little change in the birding situation compared with last week, but mild temperatures and rain have greatly reduced the snow cover that we had. BOREAL SPECIALTIES Spruce Grouse: No reports. Try the Mizzy Lake Trail rail bed (currently accessible via Arowhon Road). Black-backed Woodpecker: Reported at the old Sims Pit section of Arowhon Road and at the rail bed chain gate nearby. Gray Jay: Regular at Mizzy Lake Trail rail bed, Spruce Bog Boardwalk and on Opeongo Road (gated at Cameron Lake Road junction). Boreal Chickadee: No reports. Likely due to fewer observers now and possibly less vocal chickadees. Try the same areas as for Gray Jays. WINTER FINCHES Finch numbers remain low but species diversity is not bad for a poor cone crop year. Pine Grosbeak: One report of six at Costello Picnic Area on Opeongo Road. So there are a few around. Purple Finch: One at the Visitor Centre feeders was last seen on November 27. Red Crossbill: Fairly regular sightings of small groups on the highway pavement and shoulder, with a couple of larger flocks of 25-30 birds. White-winged Crossbill: Small groups of this crossbill continue to be seen. A flock of 35 photographed on the 27th at Spruce Bog Boardwalk were at black spruce cones. COMMON REDPOLL: The first report here this fall involved an estimated 200 birds noted by an experienced observer in the Lake Travers area of the Park's East Side (accessible from the Pembroke area) between dawn and dusk on the 26th. Birders should be looking and listening for redpolls along Highway 60. Pine Siskin: No reports. American Goldfinch: The Visitor Centre feeders continue to attract about 20 each day, and others are along the highway. Evening Grosbeak: Up to 50 individuals are now coming daily to the Visitor Centre feeders. 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). In winter, the Visitor Centre exhibits and restaurant at km 43 are open on weekends from 9 am to 5 pm. There is access 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 here) at the East Gate or the West Gate. Locations are also described at: www.algonquinpark.on.ca