Today Ed O’Conner, Margaret Liubavicius, Ian Cannell and I travelled over to the Toronto Islands and though it was a rather slow day except for the many Yellow-rumped Warblers we worked for the 76 species we did find.
Following are some of the birds we found down there. Horned Grebes, Northern Shoveler, Canvasback, White-winged Scoter, Hooded Mergansers, Turkey Vultures, Northern Harriers, Northern Goshawk, Spotted Sandpiper, Common Terns, Chimney Swifts, Eastern Kingbirds, White-eyed Vireo, Swainson’s and Hermit Thrushes, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrashers, both Nuthatches, Winter and House Wrens, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Pine Siskins, Purple Finches, Northern Parula, Yellow Warblers, Black-throated Green Warbler, Pine Warbler, Prairie Warbler ( a nice female found by Ian Cannell), Palm Warblers, Black-and-white Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Field Sparrows, Eastern Towhee, and Rose-breasted Grosbeak. A nice variety of birds and worth the walk in the sun ( hah just kidding about the sun ). Norm Murr Richmond Hill, Ontario Directions: TORONTO ISLANDS - SPRING SCHEDULE DIRECTIONS TO THE TORONTO ISLAND FERRY DOCKS If you are on the subway southbound get off at the TTC’s Union Subway 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 TTC’s Union Subway Station on the TTC you may transfer to the #6 or the #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. Go passengers arriving by train or bus must pay a fare to use the TTC bus or streetcar. For those that need the fix if you have the time before heading down to the docks there are many coffee shops and fast food outlets in the Go Station when you get off of the subway at the Union Subway Station and they will be open as early as you can arrive there. When running there is a street car (#509 Harbourfront) that goes from inside the TTC’s Union Subway Station to Queen’s Quay (no transfer required). For those who choose to head down to the docks on Sunday before the Subway opens at 9 a.m. you can catch the #97B Yonge St. Blue Night bus (Steeles Ave. To Queens Quay). This bus will let you off right across the street on Bay St. only steps from the ferry docks entrance. You may also want to visit the TTC web page http://www.ttc.ca/ for trip planning assistance. 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 or so west of the ferry docks. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TORONTO ISLAND - FERRY FARES AND DAILY SCHEDULES There are washrooms and drinking fountains ( some not open yet ) on the islands as well as the city side at the ferry docks and you can pick up a schedule at the docks. Washrooms are also located at the fire station and are always open and very clean. The 1st boat to Ward’s Island (my preferred starting point) is 6:35 a.m. and the 2nd is 7:00 a.m. Monday to Friday. The 1st is at 6:35 a.m. and the 2nd boat is at 7:15 a.m. on Saturday and Holidays. ( Note:- On Sundays the first ferry to Ward’s is at 7:45 a.m. ) The 1st boat to Hanlan’s Point is 8:00 a.m. and the 2nd boat is at 8:30 a.m. Monday to Friday. The 1st is at 8:15 a.m. and the 2nd boat is at 9:15 a.m. on Saturday, Sunday and Holidays. If arriving in early a.m. ( 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 machines do not make change. ( BE SURE TO FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY ). As of the start of the Spring schedule (April 15th) you will run into construction at the entrance to the ferry docks. Follow the arrows to either the ticket booth or the ticket machines. Construction of new ticket booths and entrance is now in progress and should be completed before the Summer season starts. There is coffee shop ( Treat’s Café ) across from the ferry docks in the building on the northwest corner ( opens before 6:30 a.m. on week days but only opens at 9 a.m. on the Saturdays that’s if it doesn’t rain ). You may also purchase do-nuts, etc. here. A new Second Cup Coffee Shop has opened in the southeast area of Bay St. and Lakeshore Blvd and opens at 7 a.m. 7 days per week. Also just a little east on Queen’s Quay ( less than a block ) there is the “Kitchen Table” and they are open at 6 a.m. - 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 (usually from the Easter weekend to the Labour Day weekend) are very expensive i.e. Soft Drinks $3.25+, Lemonade $3.25+. And Water $3.00. 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 (after 7:30 a.m.) and in the schedule containers that also usually contain a map of the islands. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
