Good evening. For those that are still looking for some Winter Birds in the Toronto area there are a few nice ones on The Islands that Margaret and I found.
- Hermit Thrush – 2 just west of the fire station on Wards Island - both Purple and House Finches on Algonquin Island - N. Goshawk on Algonquin Island - Brown-headed Cowbirds on Algonquin Island - White-throated Sparrows – Wards Island and The Sanctuary - White-winged Scoters flying past over the lake - Yesterday there was a Bald Eagle at the ferry dock and one resident spotted a flock of Bohemian Waxwings along the boardwalk on Wards Island. - Lots of Cedar Waxwings on Wards Island as well as a few Robins and in the Sanctuary we saw fresh (this mornings) Turkey Tracks so it is still worth a try for these rare (for Toronto) birds. It will take patience to hopefully see them in the thick brush over there. A little aside – If any of you do go over there and do visit The Sanctuary maybe you could take a few handfuls of seeds for the feeder back there as it is out of seed and with the Island School closed till after Jan 1st the birds will have no seeds at all. It is a scary thing to be mobbed by angry Chickadees looking for food. I know I was fearful when they landed on my head and scolded me. Directions:- TORONTO ISLANDS - WINTER SCHEDULE 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). Some just north of the docks at Bay and Front Streets. 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, the 2nd boat is at 7:00 am and the 3rd is at 7:30 am and then every ½ hour on Saturday, Sunday and Holidays. THERE ARE NO BOATS TO CENTRE ISLAND PER USUAL OR HANLANS POINT (This is new this year) IN THE WINTER If arriving in early am ( before 7:30 ) you must obtain your ticket from a machine just outside 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 but will accept credit cards ( BE SURE TO FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY ). But - There is a change machine ($5, $10 and $20 dollar bills) there if you want to chance it ( NOT WORKING AT THIS TIME ). 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. A new Second Cup Coffee Shop has opened in the southeast area of Bay St. and Lakeshore Blvd and opens at 7 am 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 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 Pepsi, juice, iced tea, et. The drinking fountains through out are turned off until Spring.. Washrooms are also located at the fire station and on the north side of Centre Island just west of the gardens. For a detailed ferry schedule check the following web site or see below. http://www.toronto.ca/parks/island/springschedule.htm _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
