Gray Jay

The thermometer read six degrees below zero Fahrenheit.  Within five minutes of stepping outside I had lost all feeling in my face.  We were three hours north of Toronto in the middle of nowhere in the middle of February.  We had arrived at Algonquin Provincial Park with high expectations and would not be disappointed.  Algonquin is thus far my favorite winter birding destination.  The species are incredible and the scenery might be even more impressive.

Snow covered the northern coniferous forest landscape, which was filled with winter birds.  Common Redpolls littered the feeders at the visitor centers, White-winged Crossbills fed on pine cones at the upper reaches of the spruces, Evening Grosbeaks visited the feeders in and around the park, a Boreal Chickadee was a regular visitor to the suet feeder at the spruce bog, Gray Jays resting on nearby evergreens swooped down to feed on peanuts out of our hands, and a Ruffed Grouse on the side of the road showed us why it was named “ruffed.”  On one of the trails we were even lucky enough to find a wolf track.  The list of incredible birds and mammals in this park both in winter and in summer is simply amazing.  There is no place I have been in North America that I can say is wilder than Algonquin Provincial Park.  It is quite a trek to get up there, but when you do it is an unforgettable adventure.  We went up with a purpose…to see North America’s winter specialty birds and were utterly blown away by this park’s beauty.  I feel every birder should experience birding Ontario in winter, and Algonquin should without a doubt be placed on the itinerary.  It is the epitome of a birding winter wonderland.

* For more about birding in North America see Places to Bird: Part 1, Places to Bird: Part 2 and Places to Bird: Part 3.