Good evening Today I did the long walk to Hanlans Point on The Islands (no Hanlans or Centre ferry until April 15, 2011) before I migrate to my wintering grounds (The Spit) and though a tiring walk it was well worth it.
Approx. 90% of the birds seen were on Hanlans and Gibralter Points with many, many of them migrating west. Following are some of the 57 species of bird species seen:- Common Loon, Great Blue and Black-crowned night-Herons, Wood Ducks, N. Shovelers, Long-tailed Ducks, Buffleheads, Hooded and Red-breasted Mergansers, Northern Harriers, Sharp-shined and Red-tailed hawks, Northern Goshawks, Merlins, Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, 1 Juvenile Pomarine Jaeger flying westerly past just off the Hanlans Point beach, Belted Kingfishers, Eastern Phoebes, many Black-capped Chickadees, Winter Wren, Sedge Wren (beside the Snug Harbour bridge), both Kinglets, 170+ Eastern Bluebirds, Hermit Thrushes, 1500+ American Robins, Gray Catbird, 60+ American Pipits, 350+ Cedar Waxwings, 250+ Yellow-rumped Warblers, 30+ A. Tree Sparrows, Fox Sparrows, 10,000+ Red-winged Blackbirds, 300+ Common Grackles, Rusty Blackbirds, 40+ purple and 200+ House Finches. Directions:- TORONTO ISLANDS - WINTER SCHEDULE 1. 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 at 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). Some just north of the docks at Bay and Front Streets. There is a fee for using the island ferries ($6.50 adult / $4.00 for seniors and students) and to find out the sailing times you can phone (416) 392-8193. There are only 3 washrooms open on the islands ( opposite the Wards dock, Centre Island and beside the Hanlans dock ) as well as the city side at the ferry docks and you can pick up a schedule at the docks or check on line. The 1st boat to Wards Island (my preferred starting point) is 6:35 am and the 2nd is 7:00 am Monday to Friday. The 1st is at 6:35 am, the 2nd boat is at 7:00 am and the 3rd is at 7:30 am and then every ½ hour on Saturday, Sunday and Holidays. THERE ARE NO BOATS TO CENTRE ISLAND OR HANLANS POINT IN THE WINTER If arriving in early am ( before 7:30 ) you must obtain your ticket from a machine just outside 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 machines do not make change but will accept credit cards ( BE SURE TO FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY ). But - There is a change machine ($5, $10 and $20 dollar bills) there if you want to chance it ( NOT WORKING AT THIS TIME ). There is coffee shop ( Treat’s Café ) across from the ferry docks in the building on the northwest corner ( opens before 6:30 am on week days but only opens at 9 am on the Saturdays that it doesn’t rain ). You may also purchase do-nuts, etc. here. A new Second Cup Coffee Shop has opened in the southeast area of Bay St. and Lakeshore Blvd and opens at 7 am 7 days per week. Also just a little east on Queen’s Quay ( less than a block ) there is the "Kitchen Table" and they are open at 6 am - 7 days per week. Besides coffee you may also buy food and beverages at the Kitchen Table if you forget a lunch. There are no concession stands open on The Islands but if you are birding from or on Ward’s the soft drink machine beside the fire station sells Pepsi, juice, iced tea, et. The drinking fountains through out are turned off until Spring.. Washrooms are also located at the fire station. For a detailed ferry schedule check the following web site or see below. http://www.toronto.ca/parks/island/springschedule.htm PS There is a map of the Islands at each of the Island side ferry docks and the City side. Another PS If you have access to PDF then I can send an Island map if you contact me in private. Norm Murr _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
