Leslie str. spit

[banear]

hi- I have never been to the spit but am planning to go this sunday with a friend.  The website states that the park is not open until 9 am but we were wanting to start earlier.  Could someone tell me if you can park on the street and enter the park on foot earlier than 9 or is the gate such that it prevents pedestrian traffic as well as vehicles?
Any other info. to make our outing a sucess will be greatly appreciated!
Brenda

[adonbirder]

Park at the bottom of Leslie street and walk in, the parking lot not open till 9am but the park is open by dawn or so, noone will bother you on a saturday or sunday. I have been there many times 7am or earlier
Try the base of the spit, when you enter the park look for a big wood sign, there is a trail going off the right that will lead to a nice woodlot, can be some good late migrants in there, after there swing back to the road and go onto the spit, any of the peninsulas are good for birds and at the lookout by a little red bridge will be able to see the comorants and egrets nesting.
Too bad not going on the saturday ,this saturday the 29th there is a field trip at the Leslie Spit being put on by the OFO (Ontario Field Orinitholigists) ,is the largest birding group in Ontario, will be some expert help at that trip

[Matthew Strimas-Mackey]

I second adonbirder's suggestion of going on Saturday if you can. The OFO trip would be a great way to get a feel for the spit, especially if you haven't been before.

OFO: http://www.ofo.ca/fieldtrips/tripsupcoming.php

[Matthew Strimas-Mackey]

By the way, make sure you wear long pants and closed toe shoes if you're planning on exploring the woods at the base. The area is infested with red ants and they bite like crazy.

[banear]

thanks so much for all the info.  Unfortuatley Saturday is booked with non-birding activities, but I will check the website for other outings.
Brenda