Hello Ontbirders,Despite a rainy forecast there were twenty nine stalwart birders ready for a long walk on the islands today. The weather turned out nice with no rain and an afternoon of sun with comfortable temperatures around 25C. A strong wind mostly out of the east kept birds out of sight and even though most of us had trouble finding birds on this day we still managed to tally 59 species. A couple of small pockets of warblers on Ward's and one on Hanlan's gave us most of our Warblers. We had 13 species of warblers with one Common Yellowthroat, Cape May, Blackburnian, one Blackpoll, Bay-Breasted, Black-Throated Green, Yellow-Rumped, several Magnolia, Chestnut-Sided, Nashville, American Redstart, Black& White and Wilson's. A few other notable birds, a few Red-Eyed Vireos along with Warbling and two Philadelphia. Quite a few birders on Ward's got a look at Yellow-Bellied Flycatchers while we were trying to keep moving from stinging ants. Eastern Wood Pewees and one Least Flycatcher . We had two Swainson's Thrush. Caspian Tern. Great looks at a Great Egret on Algonquin and a couple of accommodating Great Blue Herons. We had one flyover Black-Crowned Night Heron. Two or three Baltimore Orioles. House Wren and we noted both Nuthatches. We had at least two Red-Breasted which have been scarce on the islands this fall. We had one Osprey near Hanlan's and one flyover. Five Sharp-Shinned Hawks as well. Swallows have pretty much moved on but there were still a few Tree and a couple of Barn. Chimney Swifts and a few Blue-Grey Gnatcatchers. Sparrows were scarce with just House and Song. A nice day with good company and I was happy that most of the group continued right to the end at Hanlan's where we finished up at 3:15. Even when there are not many birds around one can make the most of a Sunday of birding. :)happy trails,Jay PetersonToronto ============================================================================================================================================================== DIRECTIONS TO THE TORONTO ISLAND FERRY DOCKS
TORONTO ISLANDS - SUMMER SCHEDULE Note:- Fare :- Adults $7.00 - Seniors / Students $4.50 If you are on the subway southbound get off at the TTC's Union Subway Station, walk south on Bay Street (on the east side of the station) for about 1 km to the ferry docks at the foot of Bay Street at Queen's Quay and you are there. The entrance to the ferry docks (well signed) is on the west side of the Westin Harbour Castle Hotel. To get to the Toronto Islands from the TTC's Union Subway Station on the TTC you may transfer to the #6 or the #6A Bay St. TTC bus on Bay Street just outside of the east entrance to the GO Station. ----------------Note:- This bus stop is temporarily moved to the northwest side of Front St. They both go down Bay Street to Queen's Quay. Go passengers arriving by train or bus must pay a fare to use the TTC bus or streetcar. When running there is a street car (#509 Harbourfront) that goes from inside the TTC's Union Subway Station to Queen's Quay (no transfer from the subway required). --------------------Note:- This streetcar is not running for the foreseeable future due to construction on Queens Quay. For those who choose to head down to the docks on Sunday before the Subway opens at 9 a.m. you can catch the #97B Yonge St. Blue Night bus (Steeles Ave. to Queens Quay). This bus will let you off right across the street on Bay St.only steps from the ferry docks entrance. For ferry schedules - check - http://www.toronto.ca/parks/island/ferry-schedule.htm You may also want to visit the TTC web page http://www.ttc.ca/ for trip planning assistance. If in an auto on the Gardener Expressway or on Lakeshore Blvd, then exit at Bay Street and drive south to Queen's Quay, there are very few parking lots nearby (all for a fee). One of these parking lots is located just a block north on of the ferry docks on Bay St. ============================================================================= NOTE :- If you want to learn more about birding on the Toronto Islands you can access Norm Murr's Toronto Islands Birding And Site Guide on the OFO web site at:- http://www.ofo.ca/webapp/site/page/view/articles.torontoislands _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup
