This year's Fall OFO outing to the Toronto Islands will take place next SATURDAY, Sept 1.
This is just a friendly reminder regarding the outing and what to expect and bring with you next weekend. Traditionally, the fall outing has been pretty good for a good cross-section of migrant warblers, some flycatchers and other passerines. In the past few years some good birds like Connecticut Warbler, Olive-Sided Flycatchers and even some surprises like an escapee Cockatiel have been found. You never know what you'll see out there. My good friends Ian Cannell, who previously led this outing, and Norm Murr will both be there to find us even more great birds. It should be a fun day. We will catch the 7:30 am ferry to Ward's Island. I recommend being there 30 minutes early (if possible) just in case there is a queue for the ticket machines. The ferry ride takes only about 10 minutes. The ferry prices are $7.00 (in coins) for an adult and $4:50 for seniors andstudents. All fares are return fares. You will need these amounts in CHANGE, to obtain your ticket from a machine,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 reliable place to get change. We will bird around Ward's Island and then gradually make our way over to Hanlan's Point, from where we will take the ferry back to Toronto.This could take all day, if the birding is good, but anybody who wishes to leave at any time during the day can take return ferries from Ward's, Centre Island or Hanlan's Point. For a detailed ferry schedule check the following web site.(The summer schedule will still be in effect). http://www.toronto.ca/parks/island/ferry-schedule.htm In addition you can take an opportunity to read Norm's thorough guide to the islands at http://www.ofo.ca/reportsandarticles/torontoislands.php Hope to see you next week! Jay Peterson, Trip Leader for this outing. Directions:The Toronto Ferry Docks are located at the foot of Bay Street in Toronto. Bay Street is on the east side of Union Station and from there it takes Only about 10 minutes to walk south on Bay to the ferry docks. The entrance to the ferry docks is on the south side of Queen's Quay, justwest of the Westin Harbour Castle Hotel. Parking ($15, I believe) is available 1 block north of the docks on the westside of Bay, at Lakeshore. or, 1 block west of Bay, on the north side of Queens Quay. or, 1 block east of Bay, on the south side of Queen's Quay, opposite theToronto Star building and adjacent to Captain John's Restaurant. There are washrooms on the islands as well as at the city side at the ferrydocks. There are water fountains throughout, should you want to refill your waterbottles. The Kitchen Table store opens at 6am and sells coffee and food. It islocated across from the ferry docks, on the north side of Queen's Quay,about 100 metres east of Bay. Food and beverages on The Islands are very expensive, e.g. soft drinks $3.00and up, so I recommend that you bring beverages and food adequate forthe time that you expect to stay on the Islands. After a couple of hours birding Ward's Island, we will take a short break atthe picnic tables beside the Fire Station.Washrooms are available here. If you have any questions, you can reach me my cell 416-303-8819 or, of course, via email at [email protected] Jay Peterson, Trip Leader for this outing. _______________________________________________ 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/
