Good evening all. I ventured down to the Islands again today and a good move that was. As I arrived at the ferry docks I could hear Warbler chips outside the ferry terminal and this is always a good sign and it was again today. I was fortunate to go on a day that a mini fallout occurred.
It was a beautiful day for a not part (any more) of the rat race birder. I feel for all you other birders, (yea) and again I had the Islands to myself as far as other birders are concerned. I started behind the houses on the southeast end of Wards Island as usual. It was a busy day trying to see the birds in the heavy foliage but I did find a few birds and the following are some of the high lights. Great Egret - 1, Northern Goshawk -1 (adult) 1st surprise, Merlin - 1 (adult) 2nd surprise, Chimney Swifts in large numbers, 8 Flycatcher species including Olive-sided Flycatcher - 2, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher - 4, Great Crested Flycatcher - 13, Carolina Wren - 3, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - 10, 100's of Barn and Tree Swallows, 18 Warbler species including Yellow Warbler - 7, Chestnut-sided Warbler - 13, Magnolia Warbler - 16, Yellow-rumped Warbler - 21, Pine warbler - 1 male, Bay-breasted Warbler - 6, Blackpoll Warbler - 5, Black-and-white Warbler - 6, American Redstart - 23, Wilson's Warbler - 22, Canada Warbler - 17 and Baltimore Oriole - 26. I also found some Swainson's and Hermit Thrushes, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, and Rose-breasted Grosbeaks. For those that keep track of such things I also observed about 150 Monarch Butterflies in the Wildlife Sanctuary and about 200 more along the beach side of Hanlans Point. Also observed were about 50 green Darners over the south end of the Island Airport. Directions TORONTO ISLANDS To get to the Toronto Islands from Queen and Yonge Streets on the TTC. If your on the subway southbound stay on it and get off at Union Station, walk south about 1 km to the ferry docks at the foot of Bay Street and Queens Quay and you are there. If in an auto on the Gardener Expressway or on Lakeshore Blvd, then exit at Bay Street and drive south to Queens Quay, there are lots of parking lots nearby (fee). There is a fee for using the island ferries ($6.50 adult / $3.50 for seniors)(yes they raised the adult price AGAIN) and to find out the sailing times you can phone (416) 392-8193 and there are washrooms on the islands as well as the city side at the ferry docks. The 1st boat to Wards Island (my preferred starting point) is 6:35 am and the 2nd is 7:00 am Monday to Friday, Saturday 6:35 am, then 7:15 am and the 1st is at 8:00 am on Sunday. You can pick up a schedule at the docks or check on line. If arriving before 7 am you must obtain your ticket from a machine just inside the gate so be sure to have $1.00 and $2.00 and/or 25 cent coins before you arrive at the docks as there is no place to get change and the machine does not make change. Norm Murr Richmond Hill, ON [EMAIL PROTECTED]
