For anyone planning on a Toronto island bird outing be aware that there are not a huge number of migrants there yet except for Robins, Red-winged Blackbirds, Grackles and Cowbirds.
Over the last 10 days I have visited the Islands 3 times and was joined on a couple of the trips by Margaret Liubavicius and between us we came up with some nice arrivals and transient birds. 7 White Fronted Geese, 162 Tundra Swans, 9 Black Scoters as well as White-winged Scoters, 11 other species of waterfowl, Hermit Thrush, 12 Song and 1 White-throated Sparrow, 4 Carolina Wrens, 3 of them yesterday, Coopers’ Hawk each day (resident), N. Mockingbird, E. Bluebird, as well as the usual Brn Creepers, Wht-breasted Nuthatches and lots of Cardinals and Downy Woodpeckers. It may be a slow start to migration but an interesting mix and it can only pick up from here on. Keep one eye on the sky, one on and over the lake and the other one on where you are stepping. DIRECTIONS TO THE TORONTO ISLAND FERRY DOCKS TORONTO ISLANDS - WINTER SCHEDULE - ONLY THE FERRY TO WARD’S OPERATES IN THE WINTER Note:- Fare :- Adults $7.50 - Seniors / Students $4.75 If you are on the subway southbound get off at the TTC’s Union Subway Station, head south on Bay Street (on the east side of the station) for a short walk of 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. 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. 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 (you can pick one up at the ferry dock) - check - http://www.toronto.ca/parks/island/ferry-schedule.htm Remember – Until April 21st there is only the one ferry operating so no matter how far you feel like walking, you will have to walk that far again to return to the Ward’s ferry. Norm Murr Richmond Hill Ontario, Canada You can't see birds if you don't go out but sit and wait for others to find them. _______________________________________________ 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 Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide
