Today I only birded Ward’s and Algonquin Islands. Most birds that I found were to be expected at this time of year.
Among the birds found were 7 Fox Sparrows which are just about on time, 3 D-C Cormorants which are early for The Islands as were the 3 N. Flickers that were also found. Eastern Bluebirds were found Saturday and a large flock passed through since then according to some Island residents I talked to. Good Birding. =========================== Note 1:- In my last posts to Ontbirds I included Note 2 (below). Saturday I was talking to the ticket seller and he informed me that the fare increase was turned down and the rate did not change on Feb. 20th. The rates are STILL $6.50 and $4.00. Note 2:- As of February 20, 2012 the price for taking the ferry to the Toronto Islands will increase to $7.00 per adult and $4.50 per Senior and Student. - All fares are return. Note 3:- If you want to learn more about birding on the Toronto Islands you can access my Toronto Islands Birding And Site Guide on the OFO web site at http://www.ofo.ca/reportsandarticles/torontoislands.php Directions:- TORONTO ISLANDS - WINTER 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. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THERE ARE NO BOATS TO CENTRE ISLAND PER USUAL OR HANLANS POINT (This is new this year 2010) IN THE WINTER 1. If arriving in early am ( before 7:30 ) you must obtain your ticket from a machine just inside the gates 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. There are no concession stands open on The Islands. The drinking fountains through out are turned off until Spring. Washrooms are also located at the fire station and on the north side of Centre Island just west of the gardens. TORONTO ISLAND - FERRY FARES AND DAILY SCHEDULES There is a fee for using the island ferries ( $6.50 adult / $4.00 for seniors and students ( all fares are return ) and to find out the sailing times you can phone (416) 392-8193 or check the following web site http://www.toronto.ca/parks/island/fallschedule.htm Notes: There is a map of the Islands at each of the Island side ferry docks and the City side ferry dock. The Ward’s Island washrooms are now open. The ticket booths have been replaced at this time so a ticket machine has been moved inside the terminal. Norm Murr 303-48 Laverock Ave. Richmond Hill, Ontario L4C 4J5 _______________________________________________ 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/
