Good evening Today I did a long and tiring stroll on the spit and as well as the multitude of other birds seen I found an adult Lark Sparrow on Pipit Point in the morning. This bird was well seen and did not flush and fly off but went back to ground and I suspect kept on feeding as I really didn't disturb this bird too much. It was with Song, White-crowned and White-throated Sparrows.
Also in this area was a late Lincoln's Sparrow and in other places among the 9 Sparrow species were 7 Fox Sparrows. Also seen was a juvenile Merlin, and a good number of N. Shovelers, A. Wigeons and Hooded Mergansers. There are lots of "winter" birds appearing now including 100's of Snow Buntings, many A. Pipits, 100's of Bufflehead and 1000's of Long-tailed Ducks. Directions: LESLIE STREET SPIT (TOMMY THOMPSON PARK) IN TORONTO To get to "The Spit" from Queen & Yonge Sts. Take the Queen Street Car #501 east to Leslie St. and walk south (about 2 km) or as far as you can go on Leslie St. at Unwin Ave. and you will see the gate and signage. You may also catch the Jones Bus #83 at the Donlands Subway Station or transfer to it at Queen St. and Jones Ave. and take it to Leslie St. And Commissioner St. (on Saturday only). By automobile you may drive to Lakeshore Blvd and Leslie St. then south to The Spit. If before 9 am you can park either on Leslie St. or Unwin Ave., after 9 am the parking lot inside the gate is open, be sure to note the closing time as your car will be locked in at that time. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Pipit Point is the extreme left hand (southwest) point. When walking out towards the lighthouse you will come to a road going off to the left (at the Quonset hut or tin shed). Follow this road along the outer arm as far as it goes and at the T junction where the paved road goes off to the right continue straight onto the dirt road and you will end up on Pipit Point. NOTE:- The spit is only open on the weekends and on holidays, at other times you will not be able to access the area. This area is extensive, 7 km to the tip, but be prepared to walk more than that.. The "SPIT" is only open on the weekend as they are still building it. --------------------------------------------------------------------- "Eliminate annoying spam! My mailbox is protected by iHateSpam, the #1-rated spam buster." http://www.ihatespam.net
