TTC Accessible Shorebirds

[Matthew Strimas-Mackey]

While in Pelee a couple weekends ago I took the plunge and bought myself a scope. I'm looking to try it out on some shorebirds in the near future. What are the top spots, if any, in Toronto to see shorebirds at this time of year? The only caveat is that I don't have a car so it has to be TTC accessible.

Any other good scoping spots (ducks, etc.) would also be welcome.

Thanks,

Matt

[Andreas Jonsson]

Hi Matthew,

you're in the same boat as me. Would love to have an accessible shore-bird location nearby. Unfortunately there is nothing great around at TTC distance that I am aware of. I've gone to Cranberry Marsh in Pickering with TTC/GO in the past, but it is a bit of a hike.

I've had some luck getting a few shorebirds at the Beaches and on Hanlan's beach on Toronto Island early in the morning before the dog walkers come around (and scare away these nervous birds). But both places are a hit and miss.

http://outdoorontario.net/birds/phpBB/v ... php?t=1187

I've asked the same question some time ago, and I think Sewage lagoons is the way to go, but you need a car.

http://outdoorontario.net/birds/phpBB/v ... php?t=2579

[BIGFRANK]

Hi there...this week there should start being sightings of Whimbrel. The best spot to see them is Colonel Sam Smith Park in Etobicoke at the bottom of Lakeshore and Kipling. They do a count and a significant percentage of the Hudsons Bay population of Whimbrel go past. Watch Ont Birds for sightings of them. May 24 weekend is often the peak. While at it last year,we saw Semi-palmated Plover and Sandpiper,Dunlin and Least Sandpipers. Worth a shot..and usually good warblers in "the Bowl" there too.

[Matthew Strimas-Mackey]

@Andreas: That's too bad. It would be cool to get some carpooling going. I'm sure there are people of the forum who go on birding day trips with mostly empty cars.

@BIGFRANK: I've been to Col. Sam for warblers and it was great. I'll give it a try for shorebirds. Thanks.

[Brian Bailey]

I would agree that there's really no good shorebird locations in the Toronto.  Sam Smith Park can produce some surprises in addition to the Whimbrel.  Some good things show up along the shoreline and in the pond, but it's far from reliable.

A TTC accessible location that's worth checking is the mouth of Mimico Creek.  That's the creek that separates Humber Bay Parks East and West.  There are some extensive mudflats there that can sometimes attract a variety of shorebirds.  I haven't been there in a few weeks so I'm not sure how the combination of low lake levels and the newly constructed embayment area has affected the available shorebird habitat.

BB

[Andreas Jonsson]

Another option is Rattray Marsh. There has been some shorebirds there recently. And it's only 30 minutes or so with the GO-train (Clarkson GO station), or a hefty 30 km bike ride from downtown Toronto (or 20 km from the TTC Kipling station). I'm thinking about going.

[Andreas Jonsson]

So, both Matt and I tried it. Rattray Marsh is great. Lots of shorebirds and for me a shorter bike ride (discounting the Go train trip) than going to Leslie street spit! :-) I will definitely go again.

[Andreas Jonsson]

So, with a bicycle and the GO train I guess a few more shorebird locations are available. I'd like to try the Second marsh area next.

How about Hamilton? Trains are frequent every day of the week, so I don't see why not. Are there any good mudflats around there? In the harbor area? Or is Dundas Marsh the place to go?

Any other place that is GO train accessible that you could think of?

Any advice is much appreciated. Thanks.

[Misty01]

if you want; I work nights usually and I'm about 10 min from rattray marsh... if you wanted to start at rattray I could meet you there; then since I live in hamilton we could take lakeshore and hit lasalle, liftbridge, windamere basin, peir 4 and then I could drop you off at the main go in hamilton before I head home. It would have to be on a friday though as I finish the work weeks friday morning. Though I will be on day shift for this week and the following; PM me and let me know.
Crystal

[Andreas Jonsson]

For the records I'm gonna keep posting the various shorebird location that I visit by bike and public transit. Let me know if you want further details.

In June, Matt and I eventually went to Oshawa Second Marsh, although we were a bit late for the peak of the shorebird migration at the time.

More recently I made more hefty trip, biking from Bradford GO station to Newmarket via Beeton Sod Farms and Schomberg Sewage Lagoons. That's roughly 66 km and took an entire day including plenty of stops along the way. See my reports here and here.

Next I would like to try Frenchman's Bay.

[Moira]

Andreas - Frenchman's Bay will be a heck of a lot easier bike ride from the Pickering GO Station than your last trip.  I note they are seeing a lot along Bayly (never gone in thru there).  There is a viewing platform  - boots required!

[Andreas Jonsson]

Yes, getting to Frenchman's Bay for some excellent shore birding (see report) was a breeze. Don't even need a bicycle actually. One could easily walk about 1 km from Pickering GO station to the NW corner of the bay, where the mudflats are. See ONTBIRDS report for directions.

[Bingoye]

Yes, getting to Frenchman's Bay for some excellent shore birding (see report) was a breeze. Don't even need a bicycle actually. One could easily walk about 1 km from Pickering GO station to the NW corner of the bay, where the mudflats are. See ONTBIRDS report for directions.

I will go to Frenchman's Bay, Pickering Go Station tomorrow. Not sure if I could see some birds there.
Anyway, thanks for your post.

[Reuven_M]

Don't know if its good for ducks, but I can pretty much guarantee you won't see any shorebirds this time of year!

[Bingoye]

Don't know if its good for ducks, but I can pretty much guarantee you won't see any shorebirds this time of year!

Really? I have to change my plan! Anyway, thanks for your information.