Today Peter McParland, Gunnar Bessel, Bill Smith and I birded Ward’s and Algonquin Islands and on a beautiful day we found 59 species that included resident, breeding and migrant birds.
Among the migrants were 7 flycatcher species including Olive-sided, 6 Yellow-bellied, 12 Least and 40 Eastern Kingbirds.We also found 11 warbler species including Chestnut-sided, Blackburnian, Bay-breasted, and Canada. Other migrants included Red-eyed and Philadelphia Vireos, all 6 swallow species, many Chimney Swifts and 8 Great Blue Herons. Among the breeding birds seen were Carolina Wren, House Wren, many Baltimore Orioles, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Gray Catbirds and Great Egret (actually breeds on the Leslie St. Spit). Saturday and Sunday looks good (so far) for migration with forecast of northerly winds but with the past record of more than 12 hours forecast this could change by then. NOTE :- 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 Another Note:- Fare :- Adults $7.00 - Seniors / Students $4.50 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. 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/
