Yesterday, Oct. 1 and last Wednesday Sept. 29 Bob Tyler, Jenny Bull, Owen Moorhouse and I birded Ward’s and Algonquin Islands and following are some of the birds we found, but pickings were scarce.
Great Blue Heron, Green Heron, seen on the 30th down there, Trumpeter Swan, Black Duck, Hooded Merganser, seen by Jenny and Marilyn Murphy only, Turkey Vulture, Northern Harrier, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, a very early migrant Rough-legged Hawk, Merlin, Belted Kingfisher, Red-bellied Woodpecker, seen by Jenny and Marilyn Murphy only, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers, Northern Flicker, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Eastern Phoebe, 350+ Blue Jays, White-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, House and Winter Wren, Golden and Ruby-crowned Kinglet (many more of these to come), Veery, Gray-cheeked, Swainson’s and Hermit Thrush, Gray Catbird, Blue-headed and Red-eyed Vireo, Tennessee, Nashville, Chestnut-sided, Black-throated Blue, Palm, Wilson’s and Blackpoll Warbler, Northern Parula, American Redstart, Ovenbird, lots of Yellow-rumped Warblers (many more of these to come), Scarlet Tanager, White-throated and White Crowned Sparrows, Dark-eyed Junco (many more of these to come) , a few Red-winged Blackbirds and Common Grackles and a nice Rusty Blackbird. We also found a Mink, a Beaver, a Raccoon and a surprise and life animal down there for me, a River Otter. ....................................................................................................................................................................... Important Note:- As of September 14th there is no ferry to or from Hanlan’s Point. No reason was given as usual. It is a long walk from Centre Island from Ward’s Island and back and is not for the older birders like me and those with disabilities but if you have a bike or are up to it, then Hanlan’s is your best bet, good luck if you go to Hanlan’s. There is a slight and I do mean a slight chance that they will run the Hanlan’s boat again in the next couple of weeks. If you do decide to bike or walk to Hanlan’s then some of the birds to look for are listed below. Good Luck if you do go. The Hanlan’s Point areas have been over the years the best place for birding at this time of year through to late October for Sparrows including Nelson’s, Grasshopper, Henslow’s (uncommon), Swamp, Lincoln’s, Clay-colored and Fox as well as Marsh, Sedge and Winter Wrens, Sapsucker, Bluebird, Orange-crowned Warbler and Rusty Blackbird, plus, plus, and check the lake off Gibraltar Point later in October for Loons, including Red-throated, Bonaparte’s Gull, all 3 Scoters (November to March better for those birds and the Loons), and if your lucky you may spot a Jaeger flying past. Because of the good view of the sky south of the airport fence, you may be lucky on the right day during October to spot many Raptors overhead as they head west, many of them move over The Islands from east to west until they reach the lake off the west side of Gibraltar and Hanlan’s Points and then turn north over Hanlan’s before again heading west as they arrive over the airfield area. =============================================================================================== Fall Ferry and Islands Information Masked wearing is mandatory on the ferries and should be kept on in the city side dock area as well. Note:- There is a washroom at the city side of the docks but the washrooms on the ferries are closed due to Corvid. Most washrooms throughout The Islands are open. There are no washrooms or fountains on Algonquin Island and no washrooms on Snake Island and the fountain is turned off. The Riviera Café just east of the bridge onto Algonquin Island (west of the ferry dock) is open for take-out and the back patio is also open. The Island Café straight out from the ferry dock is also open for take-out only, but there are lots of seats in front. The Mermaid Café has been open lately on Hanlan’s Point, just south of the tennis courts and may be open until the end of the month, maybe, but could also be closed for the season now. Be aware that there is a Frisbee Course on Ward's Island, west of the Island Fire Station so be alert when in the course area. Another Note:- The Island ferry schedules - All ferries are operating - You can obtain ferry schedules, prices, restrictions, etc. at - https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/parks-gardens-beaches/toronto-island-park/all-ferry-schedules/ FYI - The first boat to Hanlan’s Point is 6:30 am, the next ones are at 7:00 am and 7:30 am during the week and the first one is at 8:00 am Saturday, Sunday and Holiday and the first boat to Ward’s Island is at 6:30 am, the next ones are at 7:30 am and 8:15 am. All Ward’s times are Monday to Sunday and Holidays. Also, be aware that the island school has a daycare centre operating during the week, so please do not approach too close when the children are out and about around the school. There is also a daycare centre on Algonquin Island so do not approach too close there as well. If anyone is interested I have revised my Toronto Island Site and Bird Guide and it can be found on the OFO Website (http://www.ofo.ca/ofo-docs/Toronto_Islands_Birding_and_Site_Guide.pdf) There is also an unofficial Checklist of Birds of The Islands at that site. This is a Summer Guide but may be useful in Spring, Fall and Winter as I bird most of those same areas during those times 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]. 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