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Algonquin Birding Tours

From seeing Canada Jays and adorable Pine Martens to Spruce Grouse and Algonquin Winter Finches, every trip to Algonquin Provincial Park, Canada is different.

The constant? Each of the visits we’ve had since we began in 2021 is full of enthusiastic birders and gorgeous nature.

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Algonquin Trip Highlights

algonquin 2024: trip recap

Led by Naturalist Tom Kerr and Buffalo Audubon Board President Mike Radomski, 16 travelers braved single-digit temperatures and deep snow to see the special winter birds of Algonquin Park. Home to Winter Finches, Canada Jays, and other Boreal Species, Algonquin is a true winter wonderland!

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Algonquin 2025: e-bird trip report

In 2025, we had our coldest trip yet, with temperatures dropping to -22°F (-30°C)!  That didn’t stop us as we visited our most reliable spots like Mew Lake, The Spruce Bog Boardwalk, The Logging Museum Trail, and Opeongo Road. While we were able to see species we did not see last year, some of the most common species from last trip were absent from the park this time.  

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Algonquin Photo Gallery

Our trip participants are not only passionate about birding and nature, but photography, as well.
Feel free to browse our photo gallery from past trips.

Canada Jay – One of the most charismatic and beloved birds of Algonquin Park, Canada Jays learned centuries ago that humans are a source of food. Also known as Whisky Jacks or Gray Jays, these opportunistic scavengers and thieves will “steal” food out of your hand or off your picnic table.
Canada Jay – Photo by Charlene Schneckenberger
Canada Jay – 2025
Canada Jay – 2025
Canada Jays in the park are banded as part of an ongoing study of their breeding success.  Each Canada Jay is banded with a unique combination of colors making them easy to identify by sight.  
Canada Jay – 2024
Algonquin Winter Finches – The collective name for the nomadic finches of northern forests, the numbers of Winter Finches that make it far enough south to Algonquin varies from year to year.
Algonquin Winter Finches – 2025
Algonquin Winter Finches – 2025
Algonquin Winter Finches – 2025
Male Evening Grosbeak – Photo by Bill Massaro
Male Red Crossbill – Photo by Bill Massaro
Pine Siskin – Photo by Tom Kerr
The Adorable Pine Marten – Believe it or not, birds were not the only thing on our list to find! Martens are members of the Weasel family. Pine Martens are especially good climbers, spending most of their time in the trees. Don’t be fooled by that sweet face, Pine Martens are skilled predators that will eat anything they can find to survive the winter. Photo by Bill Massaro

Pine Marten – Photo by Bill Massaro
Pine Marten – Photo by Charlene Schneckenberger

Pine Marten – Photo by Bill Massaro
Pine Marten – Photo by Melissa Maldovan
Black-backed Woodpecker – For only the second time on one of our Algonquin Trips, we found a Black-backed Woodpecker!  These boreal specialists uncommon in the park but have been seen regularly at the Spruce Bog Boardwalk this winter.  We were able to find it by listening for its faint drumming just off the boardwalk trail.  
Black-backed Woodpecker – 2025
Black-backed Woodpecker – 2025
Spruce Grouse – The highlight of our 2025 trip was finding this Spruce Grouse at the Spruce Bog Boardwalk early on Monday morning at -22°F. Spruce Grouse are very well camouflaged and retreat further into the dense forest as the day goes on, so getting to the boardwalk early was important. We have seen 5 Spruce Grouse in total over our 5 trips, and 4 of them have been in the same tree we saw this one. It stayed in the same tree for over an hour and was still there when we left.
Spruce Grouse – 2025
Spruce Grouse – 2025
We didn’t see a Moose, but the moose crossing signs were fun! – Photo by Tom Kerr
Looking below the observation deck for a shy Ruffed Grouse – Photo by Charlene Schneckenberger
Cheers to friends, birds, and fun in the cold! – Photo by Mike Radomski
Hiking the Spruce Bog Boardwalk – Photo by Mike Radomski
Algonquin Trip – 2024
Algonquin Trip – 2025
Algonquin Trip – 2025
Algonquin Trip – 2025

Did Someone Say, “Free Birding”?

Become a member and save! Enjoy select birding programming for free, along with free parking and other benefits with a buffalo audubon membership.
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