Last evening around 7 p.m. there were two Bobolinks just north of the main marshy pond in Woodbine Park in the east end of Toronto. Also present was a Black-crowned Night Heron; a Great Egret can sometimes be found there but was not present last evening. This is a small park/pond just north of Ashbridges Bay and I was surprised to see them there. I also saw one just inside the entrance to the base of the Leslie Street Spit on Thursday morning. The Spit baselands was full of warblers on Wednesday and Thursday with up to 18-20 species but was much quieter Friday afternoon from 5:30 to 7:00. The Blue-Gray Gnatcatchers are nesting again in the wet dogwood area of the west part of the Spit. The west part of the baselands of the spit are very wet from the rains and you will need boots. Gnats are also present in great abundance. There were 1-2 Eastern Meadowlarks present in the east part of the baselands from Wednesday through Friday.
Directions: Woodbine Park is ironically on the south-east die of Coxwell Avenue just north of Lakeshore Blvd. To reach it drive east along the Lakeshore Blvd. and turn north on Coxwell Avenue. There is a small area where a few cars can park on the road and then walk into the park. Just south of this park is Ashbridges Bay which can also have some waterfowl and warblers in the park, but it will likely be quiet this weekend because of all the boat and people traffic. The Leslie Street Spit, or Tommy Thompson Park, can be found at the very foot of Leslie Street in Toronto. Drive south from Lakeshore Blvd to the very end and park during the week along Leslie Street just north of the Park. On the weekend you can park in a small lot just inside the park but please note the gates are locked promptly at 6 p.m. and you can get locked in. You can walk in the park afterhours but if you plan to do so park outside. On the weekends, there is a van that picks up and drops off visitors at points along the spit to cut down on the walking. The van is free. Park officially opens at 9 a.m. and closes at 6 p.m. on weekends and long weekends only. Some birders will walk in and bird on the base of the spit, staying off of the roadway, during the week as well, but please note that during the week the Spit is used by many trucks to bring in and dump clean landfill so if you use the park during the week use at your own risk. Happy birding. Theresa Dobko [EMAIL PROTECTED]
