There is a Purple Sandpiper at the Leslie Street Spit that has been at this location for three days including today (8 December). It has been on a TO whats app but not on OntBirds. Although not a great rarity, this species seems less common in Ontario than in former years and I am sure there are many birders who would like to see this bird especially as it is very confiding and you can get within 10 feet of it.
The catch is that it is one hell of a walk (4.5km) from the parking lot at the base of the spit to the NW corner of peninsula B where it has been hanging out just beyond the makeshift blind there. It works the rubble rocks past all the ground nests of cormorants. Late this afternoon it was near a washed-up tree stump. I have copied a map of the spit below. Two others catches; 1) it is in Toronto and 2) the signs say the spit is closed on weekdays until after 4:00 p.m. I'm not sure if this is a hard and fast rule. Perhaps. You would have to really hoof it to get to the bird from the base of the spit from 4:00 p.m. As I guide, you walk over the floating bridge (lift bridge on map) and then pass a porta-potty after about 200m. From here it is about another 800m until you come to the side trail (on right -where there are two large rocks highlighting the trail. ) that takes you out to Peninsula B right where the bird was. Take Lakeshore Blvd. to Leslie St., turn south and continue to the gate. Cars are not allowed on the Spit but parking is available at the gate. https://www.google.ca/search?q=tommy+thompson+park+trail+map&sxsrf=ACYBGNQ4nM5OBW0knQP06H-KaxAhQEf2OA:1575856359854&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=x73bKpfBjCMGdM%253A%252CS5a_2ylATJ-QkM%252C_&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kQh6jRF5fAz5yuPAnpW9lxFV37itA&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi07660uqfmAhVDmuAKHbhJBm8Q9QEwBnoECAcQEg#imgrc=EKIZsNZTupZk1M:&vet=1 Bill _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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 Visit the OFO Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists
