This week Bob Tyler, Jenny Bull, Owen Moorhouse and I birded from Ward’s Island to Gibraltar Point and below are some of our finds.
Pied-billed and Horned Grebes, D-c Cormorants, Great Blue Herons, Tundra, Mute and Trumpeter Swans, Wood, Black and Ring-necked Ducks, Northern Shovelers, American Widgeons, Gadwall, both Scaup, White-winged Scoters, many American Goldeneye and Bufflehead, all 3 Mergansers, Sharp-shined, Cooper’s and Red-tailed Hawks, Merlin, Killdeer, many Downy Woodpeckers (19 on the 25th), Northern Flicker, Eastern Phoebe, Common Raven, many Black-capped Chickadees (146 on March 22nd), Red-breasted and White-breasted Nuthatches, Carolina and Winter Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglets, Hermit Thrushes, many Robins, lots of Northern Cardinals ( 45 on March 22nd), A. Tree Sparrows, Song Sparrows everywhere (84 on March 25th), Swamp Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Dark-eyed Juncos, a ton of Red-winged Blackbirds and Common Grackles, Brown-headed Cowbirds and House Finches. Today Bob and Jenny added American Kestrel, Northern Mockingbird and 2 Gray Catbirds. Map Turtle, Garter Snake, Mink and Muskrats. Also seen during our visits and by Bob and Jenny – Mourning Cloak and Compton Tortoiseshell Butterflies. If anyone is interested I have revised my Toronto Island Site and Bird Guide and it can be found at TORONTO ISLANDS BIRDING - ROUTE and SITES - January 1, 2011 - Norm Murr (ofo.ca) This is a Spring and Fall Guide but may be useful in Summer and Winter as I bird most of those same areas at that time, mostly in the Winter. =========================================================================== 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. -- 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.
