Good evening. Today what is probably the last day I will be birding the Toronto Islands this year Ian Cannell and I still did quite well down there. We again only birded Hanlans Point and for the first trip since Sept. 28th we did not find a N. Sharp-tailed Sparrow so they may be gone for this year but we did come up with a few nice birds as we strolled along.
Migrating Sharp-shinned, Cooper's and Red-tailed Hawks, a fly past Peregrine Falcon, E. Phoebes, Horned Lark, Winter and Carolina Wrens, 75+ Golden-crowned Kinglets, 25+ Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 20+ Hermit Thrushes, A. Pipits, White-eyed and Blue-headed Vireos, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Chipping Sparrows, 10 Field Sparrows, Fox Sparrow, many White-throated Sparrows, White-crowned Sparrows, 75+ Dark-eyed Juncos, 6 E. Meadowlarks, and Purple Finches. A large part of the birds that I report from The Islands are thanks to Ian Cannell, Margaret Liubavicius, and Peter McParland, Thanks Guys and put away your Island schedules until next year and I do hope to see you down there in the Spring Peter. Directions:- (Wards Island to Hanlans Point - without side trips is 5 km) 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 at 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 ($6.50 adult / $4.00 for seniors and students) and to find out the sailing times you can phone (416) 392-8193. There are only 3 washrooms open on the islands ( opposite the Wards dock, Centre Island and beside the Hanlans dock ) as well as the city side at the ferry docks and you can pick up a schedule at the docks or check on line. The 1st boat to Wards 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, Sunday and Holidays. The 1st boat to Hanlans Point is 9:00 am - Monday to Friday only. There are no boats to Centre Island in the Winter or to Hanlans on the weekend. Note:- If you start at Wards Island then be aware that the only ferries from Hanlans Point are at 9:15 am, 11:15 am, 1:15 pm and the last one at 3:45 pm. If you miss this one you will have to walk all the way back to the Wards Island ferry dock. 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). 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. There are no concession stands open on The Islands but 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. For a detailed ferry schedule check the following web site or see below. http://www.toronto.ca/parks/island/springschedule.htm PS There is a map of the Islands at each of the Island side ferry docks and the City side. Another PS If you have access to PDF then I can send an Island map if you contact me in private. 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 ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org 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
