Good evening birders. It has Been a long but nice day to be out birding.
Besides finding 2 of the subject birds a number of new arrivals have put in an appearance on The Islands. Black-crowned night-Herons put in their first appearance as did Canvasbacks, Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawks, Northern Goshawk, American Woodcock, Long-eared Owl, Y-b Sapsucker, N. Flickers, 12 E.Phoebes, Hermit Thrushes, 18 Brown Creepers, 10 Winter Wrens (most in full song), Tree Swallows, Fox and Savannah Sparrows and E. Meadowlarks. As well as the above there were large numbers of Song Sparrows, Juncos, and Golden-crowned Kinglets and Black-capped Chickadee continue to migrate through in numbers and the resident Carolina Wrens are now also in full song (I heard 3 of them) and of course the Starlings are singing as well. It can only get better. Norm Murr Richmond Hill, ON Directions TORONTO ISLANDS To get to the Toronto Islands from Queen and Yonge Streets on the TTC. If your on the subway southbound stay on it and get off at Union Station, walk south about 1 km to the ferry docks at the foot of Bay Street and Queens Quay and you are there. If in an auto on the Gardener Expressway or on Lakeshore Blvd, then exit at Bay Street and drive south to Queens Quay, there are lots of parking lots nearby (fee). There is a fee for using the island ferries ($6.00 adult / $3.50 for seniors & students) and to find out the sailing times you can phone (416) 392-8193 and there are washrooms on the islands as well as the city side at the ferry docks or you can pick up a schedule at the docks or check on line, and a map of the Islands is at the entrance gate and inside the gate in the waiting area.. The 1st boat to Wards Island (my preferred starting point) is 6:35 am and the 2nd is 7:00 am Monday to Friday, Saturday 6:35 am, then 7:15 am and the 1st is at 8:00 am on Sunday. The 1st boat to Hanlans Point is 8:00 am Monday to Friday and the 1st is at 8:15 am on Saturday & Sunday. If arriving in early am 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. (There is a change machine there if you want to chance it). --------------------------------------------------------------------- "Eliminate annoying spam! My mailbox is protected by iHateSpam, the #1-rated spam buster." http://www.ihatespam.net
