Good afternoon
Where did all the birds go ? Today was quiet compared to yesterday with only 65 species found including only 10 Warbler species but 8 Sparrow species were found.
I met up and birded with Ruth Calman and we went on to prove that The Islands are never a total loss even on slow days.Below are a few of the birds found.
8 Canvasbacks in the Trout Pond, 4 Semipalmated Sandpipers up close beside the pier on Centre Island, 2 Belted Kingfishers in display flight, 16 Warbling Vireos, Veerys, Catbirds and Thrashers, Carolina and Winter Wrens, 12 Gnatcatchers, 6 Cliff Swallows, 2 Blue-winged Warblers that at times when they sang it was in stereo, Lincoln's Sparrow, 1 late Dark-eyed Junco, singing Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and Baltimore Orioles.
The Warbling Vireos and American Goldfinches have increased and almost anywhere you go on the Islands they are within singing distance.
Also seen was an uncommon (for The Islands) young Trumpeter Swan # 949 swimming on the lake off Wards Island.
Norm Murr
Richmond Hill, ON
DIRECTIONS
TORONTO ISLANDS (Wards Island to Hanlans Point - without side trips is 5 km)
To get to the Toronto Islands from Queen and Yonge Streets on the TTC. If your on the subway
southbound stay on it and get off at Union Station, walk south about 1 km to the ferry docks at the
foot of Bay Street at Queens Quay and you are there. If in an auto on the Gardener Expressway
or on Lakeshore Blvd, then exit at Bay Street and drive south to Queens Quay, there are lots of
parking lots nearby (fee).
There is a fee for using the island ferries ($6.00 adult / $3.50 for seniors & students) and to find out the sailing times you can phone (416) 392-8193. There are washrooms on the islands as well as the city side at the ferry docks and you can pick up a schedule at the docks or check on line.
The 1st boat to Wards Island (my preferred starting point) is 6:35 am and the 2nd is 7:00 am Monday
to Friday.
The 1st is at 6:35 am and the 2nd boat is at 7:15 am on Saturday, Sunday and Holidays.
The 1st boat to Hanlans Point is 8:00 am and the 2nd boat is at 8:30 am Monday to Friday.
The 1st is at 8:15 am and the 2nd boat is at 9:15 am on Saturday, Sunday and Holidays.
If arriving in early am you must obtain your ticket from a machine just inside the gate so be sure to have $1.00 and $2.00 and/or 25 cent coins before you arrive at the docks as there is no place to get change and the machine does not make change. (There is a change machine there if you want to chance it).
There are coffee shops across from the ferry docks in the building on the northwest corner and they are open early. food and beverages on The Islands when open are very expensive i.e. soft drink $3.00 plus.
For a detailed ferry schedule check the following web site.
For a detailed ferry schedule check the following web site.
http://www.toronto.ca/parks/island/springschedule.htm PS
There is a map of the Islands at each of the Island side ferry docks and the City side.
Another PS
If you have access to PDF then I can send an Island map if you contact me in private.
