Yesterday Bob Tyler and I birded from Ward’s Island to Gibraltar Point and following are some of the birds we found.
Many Mute Swans, Trumpeter Swans, Great Blue Heron, 23 Gadwall, Redhead Ducks, 9 Ring-necked Ducks, 150+ Greater Scaup, 200+ Common Goldeneye, Buffleheads, Red-breasted and Common Mergansers, 29 White-winged Scoters, Cooper’s Hawk, 8 Red-tailed Hawks, 12 Downy Woodpeckers, both Nuthatches, 2 Hermit Thrushes, many Robins, 1 Catbird, Tree Sparrows, 19 Song Sparrows, many Red-winged Blackbirds and Common Grackles and 6 House Finches. An American Pipit was found yesterday by an Island resident and a Rusty Blackbird was found by the same Island resident on Tuesday. I the last few days Bob, Jenny Bull and several Island residents reported approx. 500 Tundra Swans in small to large flocks overhead, Wood Ducks, Hooded Mergansers, the continuing Mockingbird and Red-bellied Woodpecker, Canvasbacks, 10 Brown Creepers, a Killdeer, an adult Golden Eagle overhead and a few Cowbirds and Golden-crowned Kinglets have shown up. We also found 3 Mink and a Beaver yesterday. The Beaver was in a new area and it looked like it may be setting up house. Good to see a continuaring increase in resident awareness of the birds and more residents carrying binoculars and asking questions and telling us what they have seen or asking us what we had seen. It can only get better over there from now on as Spring approaches. =========================================================================== Winter Ferry and Islands Information. Masked wearing is mandatory on the ferry. Note:- There is a washroom at the city side of the docks but the washroom on the ferry is closed due to Corvid and there is a washroom on Ward's Island straight out from the ferry dock at the corner of Lakeshore Ave. and Fifth St. There is also a washroom at the Island Fire Station west of the ferry dock and another one on Centre Island just west of the bridge. There are no washrooms or fountains on Algonquin Island and no washrooms on Snake Island. The Riviera Café just east of the bridge onto Algonquin Island (west of the ferry dock) is closed until next Spring. The Island Café straight out from the ferry dock is closed until further notice. Be aware that the Frisbie player numbers on Ward's Island are increasing with this warmer weather and lack of snow on the ground so be alert in the course area. Note:- There are no washrooms on Gibraltar Point. The only washrooms open on Hanlan's is at the docks and at the Island Fire Station. You can obtain water at all washrooms All water fountains are turned off until next Spring. Another Note:- The Island ferry schedule - Be aware that there is only one ferry operating from now until next Spring (mid April) and that is to Ward's Island. The first boats are at 6:30, 7:30 and 8:30 am Monday to Saturday and 8:00 and 9:00 am on Sunday. And no matter how far you walk you will have to walk back to the Ward's Island ferry :>(( A bike would be a good idea if you have one. You can obtain ferry schedules, prices, restrictions, etc. at - https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/parks-gardens-beaches/toronto-island-park/all-ferry-schedules/ Also be aware that the island school is now open and at recess there are many children out on in the school area, so please do not approach too close. Norm Murr Richmond Hill, ON -- Ontbirds and Birdnews are moderated email Listservs provided by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) as a service to all birders in Ontario. Birdnews is reserved for announcements, location summaries, first of year reports, etc. To post a message on Birdnews, send an email to: [email protected]. If you have any questions or concerns, contact the Birdnews Moderators by email at [email protected]. Please review posting rules and guidelines at http://ofo.ca/site/content/listserv-guidelines During the COVID-19 pandemic, all Ontario birders should be taking extra precautions and following local, provincial, and federal regulations regarding physical distancing and non-essential travel. To find out more about OFO, please visit our website at ofo.ca or Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists.
