RFI - Places to bird while visiting Thornhill & Scarboro

fernw · **on:** April 23, 2007, 07:42:09 AM

I will be in Toronto for a short visit this weekend (Friday - Sunday) to visit my parents who are in a nursing home in Scarborough (Sheppard and Kennedy Rd area) and staying in Thornhill. I won't have a lot of free time but would love to get in a little birding while there if possible or en route. I'm driving up from New Hampshire, taking the 401 from Cornwall to Toronto (although I could go through Buffalo/Niagara Falls and come in from the west if there are more hot spots out that way)

Any suggestions as to where I might stop en route or go while in Toronto and what to look for at this time of year would be appreciated.

Thanks so much for any help.

Fern Woodruff

oniedz · **Reply #1 on:** April 23, 2007, 08:06:41 AM

Try the pond on Reesor's Road. It is on Reesor's Road just north of the 407. Not too far from Sheppard and Kennedy and usually has some good waterfowl and shorebirds.

Kin Lau · **Reply #2 on:** April 23, 2007, 08:52:03 AM

Unfortunately, you'll be about a month too late for the Snow Geese flyby over Cornwall.

On your way in, there's the "Oshawa Second Marsh" in the east end of Oshawa, Cranberrry Marsh at Whitby.

In Scarborough, going straight down on Brimley Ave will take you to the Scarborough Bluffs.

I'll add more later.

GStuart · **Reply #3 on:** April 23, 2007, 12:30:46 PM

Presqu'ile in Brighton. Thickson's Woods in Whitby.

fernw · **Reply #4 on:** April 23, 2007, 08:58:36 PM

Thanks so much for your responses. I'm looking forward to my trip even more.

Are the places mentioned easy to find? Would there be signs from the 401 or can I get specific directions from a web site?

Fern

GStuart · **Reply #5 on:** April 24, 2007, 12:47:21 AM

Second marsh

Presqu'ile

Thickson's woods

Cranberry marsh

oniedz · **Reply #6 on:** April 24, 2007, 07:41:42 AM

Shouldn't be too hard - most of them will come up in an internet search with directions, except for Reesor Pond, which I already gave you directions to.

Also, if you have the time over the weekend, a walk in Tommy Thompson Park - the Leslie Spit - should be great. It is a long spit of land sticking out into Lake Ontario located in the middle of the City of Toronto. Just look on a map for Leslie Street and follow it down to the water.

thouc · **Reply #7 on:** April 25, 2007, 11:00:43 AM

If you are very short on time while in Thornhill I recommend a stop at Oakbank Pond, located on Centre Street a few stop-signs west of Yonge. Not as excellent as the other places mentioned, but could yield some nice waterfowl and passerines and can be covered in 10-15 minutes.

Regards,
Thomas