Toronto Islands

[Reuven_M]

Birded the Toronto Islands today from 8:30 to 3:15, starting at Hanlan's Point.
Highlights:
1 Canvasback
1 Glaucous Gull
1 Iceland Gull
4 Common Tern
4 Caspian Tern
1 Spotted Sandpiper
1 Blue-headed Vireo
6 Blue-grey Gnatcatcher
7 Brown Thrasher
1 Black-and-white Warbler
3 Yellow Warbler
3 Pine Warbler
3 Palm Warbler
2 Eastern Towhee

Full checklist: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13902892

[warbler]

So that's where all the warblers were.  Did not see even one at the spit today.  No kinglets either.  Did you see kinglets?

[Reuven_M]

Yes, about 40 each of ruby-crowned kinglet and yellow-rumped warbler. With these small arboreal songbirds voice helps a ton - every one of the warblers besides yellow-rumped I found by hearing them sing or call.

[Trillian Flummox]

Thanks for the post Reuven. I was trying to decide between the Island or Sam's for tomorrow. The Island it is!

-kris  

p.s.  Is it better to start at Wards or Hanlan's Point??  I notice Norm Murr's guide suggests Wards, but you started at the other end.

[Trillian Flummox]

Enjoyed a decent day on the Island today. Since the only ferry running at 6:30 am was the Centre Island ferry, I had to walk from there over to Hanlan's, then all the way back across to Ward's!  Only two warbler species for me - Palm & dozens of Myrtle, but I did manage 2 LIFERS!  The first was an Eastern Whip-poor-will on the West side of Snake Island. It flew up from very low in some bushes right in front of me when I accidentally flushed it - got a very good look at its curved tail with those bright white patches. Too late in the morning to hear it singing, but very cool to actually see it!  My second lifer of the day was a lovely little Carolina Wren singing its heart out just a few feet away from me at eye level. I've heard them before but never actually seen one. I also enjoyed seeing my first-of-year Blue-grey Gnatcatchers, Common Terns and a Purple Martin.

-kris

[cosmo3667]

Always nice to see lifers