Tommy Thompson park
Outdoor Ontario

Tommy Thompson park

Jaedon · 3 · 3367

Jaedon

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I am heading out there saturday morning to see what I can see.  This will be my first visit to the spit in a few years and the first visit without a fishing rod in hand.  Are there any areas that I should pay particular attention to during my visit?  I plan on being there at dawn so any help would be appreciated to make my predawn bike ride a little more focused on where i am heading to.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Jaedon »


Jaedon

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wow 27 views and no opinions yet.  must be a record.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Jaedon »


Dr. John

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I guess I'm replying after your walk, but maybe this can help for next time.

Just after you enter the park, you will pass a display stand on the right. There will be a path that then comes off the paved road going right. Follow that towards the woods in the distance. There'll often be ducks and other birds along the way. The woods themselves include a lot of songbirds during migration. Continue going vaguely westwards to a more open area, which often has birds too, and then head back east along the paved road. This will lead to an open field area, which often has a variety of sparrows. Follow a path branching east off the road as the road turns south. You will head towards a park gate with several buildings. There's usually lots of swallows here. Then you have a choice: there are paths on either side of the main road. The left one offers views of waterfowl in the lake and a few other surprises along the way. The right offers waterfowl in the marina and then in a bay. There's frequently birds in the trees and brush along this path. This right path eventually heads west, sort of following the shoreline. More warblers and other songbirds are along this section. You will then cross a road with a big pile of logs. The path continues along the shore through some trees, where there are usually more songbirds. You will then emerge at a viewing area of a small bay. There is a tern nesting platform moored there (common and Caspian terns are often here). The bay itself usually contains ducks, swans, mergansers, as well as carp and muskrats. Head back to the main road and you will see a series of ponds on the left, which have more waterfowl. Follow the main road until a road turns off on the right. This will head to the bird banding station and a whole other set of woods to explore. Or you can follow the woods closer to the main road - we've seen owls in this section, along with swamp sparrows and other stuff. Eventually you'll come out to a floating bridge, where there are more waterfowl.

That gets you about halfway out - takes us usually many hours just to cover this, so we've never gone much farther.

-John
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Dr. John »