Good Day Eh. Yesterday May 30th Ian Cannell and I went down to The Islands for one last outing there until the fall and we were certainly glad we did and happy with the birds we found.
One thing we did notice was the big push of Flycatchers, Vireos, especially Red-eyed and some Warblers especially Wilson’s and despite the warm, humid weather (when will it end ?) we found a nice variety of birds including 8 Flycatcher species and 14 Warbler species. Following are some of the birds seen down there:- Lesser Black-backed Gull (adult on Ward’s beach), Canvasbacks, Black-billed Cuckoos, Olive-sided, Yellow-bellied (11), Alder, Willow (7), Least (26) and Great-crested Flycatchers, E. Wood-Pewee (8), Gnatcatchers, Grey-cheeked and Swainson’s Thrushes, many Catbirds, Brown Thrashers, Blue-headed, Philadelphia, Warbling and Red-eyed (81) Vireos, N. Parula, Blackpoll, Hooded, Wilson’s (31) and Canada Warblers, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Lincoln’s Sparrow, Orchard Orioles and many Baltimore Orioles. Probably still worth a trip down there at least until the weekend before most of the migrants move on. Norm Murr Richmond Hill, On DIRECTIONS:- TORONTO ISLANDS - SUMMER SCHEDULE DIRECTIONS TO THE TORONTO ISLAND FERRY DOCKS If you are on the subway southbound get off at the TTC’s Union Subway Station, walk south on Bay Street (on the east side of the station) for about 1 km to the ferry docks at the foot of Bay Street at Queen’s Quay and you are there. The entrance to the ferry docks (well signed) is on the west side of the Westin Harbour Castle Hotel. To get to the Toronto Islands from the TTC’s Union Subway Station on the TTC you may transfer to the #6 or the #6A Bay St. TTC bus on Bay Street just outside of the east entrance to the GO Station. They both go down Bay Street to Queen’s Quay. Go passengers arriving by train or bus must pay a fare to use the TTC bus or streetcar. When running there is a street car (#509 Harbourfront) that goes from inside the TTC’s Union Subway Station to Queen’s Quay (no transfer required). For those who choose to head down to the docks on Sunday before the Subway opens you can catch the #97B Yonge St. Blue Night bus (Steeles Ave. To Queens Quay). This bus will let you off right across the street on Bay St. only steps from the ferry docks entrance. You may also want to visit the TTC web page http://www.ttc.ca/ for trip planning assistance. If in an auto on the Gardener Expressway or on Lakeshore Blvd, then exit at Bay Street and drive south to Queen’s Quay, there are lots of parking lots nearby (fee). These parking lots are located just a block north of the ferry docks with more a block or so west of the ferry docks. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TORONTO ISLAND - FERRY FARES AND DAILY SCHEDULES Web Site - http There are washrooms and drinking fountains on the islands as well as the city side at the ferry docks and you can pick up a schedule at the docks. The 1st boat to Ward’s 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 and the 2nd boat is at 7:00 am on Saturday and Holidays. ( Note:- On Sundays the first ferry to Ward’s is at 8:00 am ) The 1st boat to Hanlan’s Point is 9:00 am and the 2nd boat is at 9:30 am Monday to Friday. The 1st is at 8:00 am and the 2nd boat is at 8:45 am on Saturday, Sunday and Holidays. 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. ( BE SURE TO FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY ). 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. Food and beverages on The Islands when open are very expensive i.e. soft drinks $3.25 plus. There are drinking fountains and washrooms through out. There is now a small café on Ward’s Island and is open daily. It is straight out from the ferry dock about 200 yards and hard to miss PS - There is a map of the Islands at each of the Island side ferry docks and the City side and a small brochure is now available at the ticket booth and in the schedule containers that also contains a map of the islands. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
