Leslie Street Spit - Christmas Week

[Dan]

Hello,

I am a transplanted Torontonian, now living in Hong Kong.  I will be visiting Toronto over Christmas and am wondering if the Leslie Street Spit will be open to the public during Christmas week, between Christmas Day and New Year's Day.  Does anyone know?

Thanks,
Dan

[Pat Hodgson]

You are definitely in the clear for Dec 30 and 31.
This http://www.trca.on.ca/parks_and_culture/locations/tommy_thompson/ says it is closed on 12/25,26 and 1/1.    Dec 27-29 is unclear, this is not technically weekend or holiday but dumping may not be open that day.  You might want to call the number given to find out.  I am not officially suggesting you violate these rules, but as a practical reality I don't think that you will run into any trouble out there on any day when it is not open for dumping.  Just exercise caution and bring twice as much clothing as you think you'll need.

[Anonymous]

Based on the last 20 years or so you should have no problem accessing The Spit from Dec.23rd to Jan. 1st inclusive. Be aware that the parking lot will most likely not be open during that week and maybe the weekends as well but you may park on Leslie St. and on Unwin Ave. across from the entrance gate. There are a limited number of parking spaces so be aware of that.

[mhlstr]

Hello,

I was wondering of Tommy Thompson Park is good for spotting birds at this time of year?  I'm new to this whole thing.  I've been looking for something new to take pictures of, and have been trying to get some birds recently.

I was also wondering if it was acceptable to use bird seed to lure birds, or keep them in the same spot for pictures.  I know from a photogtaphy point of view, some people don't like that.  I wanted to make sure it was ok with the birds (now that sounds odd, I hope I got the point across )

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks.

[Pat Hodgson]

The spit is good for waterfowl throughout the winter.  Other birds are fairly scarce.  Owls are sometimes there but most people do not report them as the birds have been harassed in the past.

Regarding the use of seed as an attractant for photography - there is certainly no blanket prohibition against such a practice, however like anything it needs to be done in moderation.  Do you see the "Birding Ethics" link in the upper left of this page?  Read that carefully and decide for yourself whether your activities are within the spirit of those guidelines.  You might have more success simply visiting an already-established feeding station, such as on Hall's Road in Whitby, than by establishing a new location.

[mhlstr]

Thanks for the reply.  I read the Ethics page, and what I was thinking (just some small seeds off the side of a path) doesn't seem bad.  I think I'll go find this Hell's Road insted though.  Sounds like it could be more like what I'm looking for.

Thanks.

[Dan]

Thanks for all the replies.  The trip from Hong Kong all the way to the Spit went off fine and I had a nice day out there today.  Saw 3 owls and only 3 other people - an excellent ratio.  Thanks to Andrew for the tips.

Dan

[Andrew Don]

Thought that was you glad you liked the owls ,is a nice day when you get more owls than people.
Check my msg in the other topic later for photos of the owls.