Good morning Yesterday Ian Cannell and I spent leisurely day birding the Toronto Islands during another beautiful day and some of the birds that appeared for the first time this season on Tuesday have noticeable increased including Sapsuckers, Red-breasted Nuthatches, Creepers, Both Kinglets, Swainson's Thrushes, and White-throated Sparrows. New this season were Yellow-billed Cuckoo, House and Winter Wrens, and Gray-cheeked Thrushes.
Following are some of the birds we did find down there as we strolled along on islands devoid of any other birders :- Black-crowned night-Heron, Sharp-shinned Hawks, Merlin, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, R-T Hummingbirds, Belted Kingfishers, Sapsuckers, Hairy Woodpeckers, 51 Flickers, 12 E. Wood-Pewees, Yellow-bellied, Least and Great Crested Flycatchers, 11 Red-breasted Nuthatches, Brown Creepers, House and Winter Wrens, both Kinglets, Gray-cheeked Thrushes, 26 Swainson's Thrushes, Brown Thrashers, Philadelphia and Red-eyed Vireos, 20 Warbler species including Orange-crowned Warbler, 5 N. Parulas, Cape-May, Blackburnian, Pine, Palm, Bay-breasted, Blackpoll, Wilson's and Canada as well as Ovenbirds, Scarlet Tanagers, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and 58 White-throated Sparrows. Although there are few Waterfowl, no Shorebirds and only 2 species of Sparrows so far we did see 70 species of birds. The Hanlans Island beaches are still being used by sun bathers so until it cools down Shorebirds are not to be expected there and be aware that there are still naked men trolling along the trails in the sand dunes on Hanlans. Good luck IF anyone heads down there. Directions:- TORONTO ISLANDS ( Ward’s Island to Hanlan’s Point - without side trips is 5 km ) Now on the Fall Schedule. If you are on the subway southbound stay on it and get off at Union Station, walk south on Bay Street ( on the east side of the station ) for about 1 km to the ferry docks at the foot of Bay Street at Queen’s Quay and you are there. The entrance to the ferry docks ( well signed ) is on the west side of the Westin Harbour Castle Hotel. To get to the Toronto Islands from the Union GO Station on the TTC. You may transfer to either the # 6 or #6A Bay St. TTC bus on Bay Street just outside of the east entrance to the GO Station. They both go down Bay Street to Queen’s Quay. When running there is a street car ( #509 Harbourfront ) that goes from the Union Station to Queen’s Quay ( no transfer required ). For those that choose to head down to the docks on Sunday before the Subway opens you can catch the #320 Yonge St. Blue Night bus. This bus will let you off right across the street from the ferry docks entrance. This bus is the night time 97B Yonge St. bus. If in an auto on the Gardener Expressway or on Lakeshore Blvd, then exit at Bay Street and drive south to Queen’s Quay, there are lots of parking lots nearby (fee). These parking lots are located just a block north of the ferry docks with more a block east of the ferry docks.There is a fee for using the island ferries ( $6.50 adult / $4.00 for seniors and students ( all fares are return ) and to find out the sailing times you can phone (416) 392-8193 or check the following web site http://www.toronto.ca/parks/island/fallschedule.htm There are washrooms and drinking fountains on the islands as well as the city side at the ferry docks and you can pick up a schedule at the docks.The 1st boat to Ward’s Island (my preferred starting point) is 6:35 am and the 2nd is 7:00 am Monday to Friday. The 1st is at 6:35 am and the 2nd boat is at 7:15 am on Saturday and Holidays. ( Note:- On Sundays the first ferry to Ward’s is at 7:45 am )The 1st boat to Hanlan’s Point is 8:00 am and the 2nd boat is at 8:30 am Monday to Friday.The 1st is at 8:15 am and the 2nd boat is at 9:15 am on Saturday, Sunday and Holidays. If arriving in early am ( before 7:30 ) you must obtain your ticket from a machine just inside the gate so be sure to have $1.00 and $2.00 and / or 25 cent coins before you arrive at the docks as there is no place to get change and the machine does not make change. But - There is a change machine ($5, $10 and $20 dollar bills) there if you want to chance it. There is coffee shop ( Treat’s Café ) across from the ferry docks in the building on the northwest corner ( opens before 6:30 am on week days but only opens at 9 am on the Saturdays that it doesn’t rain ). You may also purchase do-nuts, etc. here. Also just a little east on Queen’s Quay ( less than a block ) there is the "Kitchen Table" and they are open at 6 am - 7 days per week. Besides coffee you may also buy food and beverages at the Kitchen Table if you forget a lunch. Food and beverages on The Islands when open are very expensive i.e. soft drinks e.g. $3.00 plus. If you are birding from or on Ward’s the soft drink machine beside the fire station sells Coke-Cola, juice, iced tea, etc. for $1.25 and up and there are drinking fountains through out. Washrooms are also located at the fire station.PS - There is a map of the Islands at each of the Island side ferry docks and the City side and a small brochure is now available at the ticket booth and in the schedule containers that also contains a map of the islands. Norm Murr Richmond Hill, ON "Sils mordent, mords les" _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected] For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
