Yesterday, January 8, Bob Tyler, Jenny Bull and I birded the Toronto Islands
from Ward’s Island to the Island School and into the front part of the
Sanctuary and following are some of birds we found.
- 1 Double-crested Cormorant – off Snake Island on the Yacht Club Pier just to
the west.
- 3 Trumpeter Swans and many Mute Swans
- Black Duck, American Wigeon, 500 to 600 Redhead Ducks, 250+ Greater Scaup, 8
White-winged Scoters, 75+ Common Goldeneye, all 3 Merganser species, Cooper’s
and Red-tailed Hawk, American Coot, Red-bellied, Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers,
Raven, 60+ Chickadees (see note at end of this list), both Nuthatches, Hermit
Thrush, 24 Robins, Tree and White-throated Sparrows and a male Brown-headed
Cowbird.
- Northern Mockingbird – we didn’t see it but it is still there, moving between
Algonquin Island and across the lagoon in the areas around the Island Fire
Station.
- Note :- Black-capped Chickadee – Apparently the Island School is now stocking
the feeder in the first part of the Sanctuary and though we didn’t see any
birds except Chickadees we were greeted by about 40+ of these little guys that
swarmed us with some landing on our hats, arms and swirling around us. Quite a
sight to see 15 to 20 of these little birds flying straight towards you. With
the school closed until later this month probably no one is refilling the
feeder so we were probably greeted hoping we were bringing food.
- There is also a feeder on the north side of the Island School where we found
more Chickadees of coarse, as well as Tree and White-throated Sparrows.
- Wednesday or Thursday an Otter was spotted in the lagoon off the north side
of Island School.
Winter Ferry and Islands Information.
Masked wearing is mandatory on the ferry.
Note:- There is a washroom at the city side of the docks but the washroom on
the ferry is closed due to Corvid and there is a washroom on Ward's Island
straight out from the ferry dock at the corner of Lakeshore Ave. and Fifth St.
There is also a washroom at the Island Fire Station west of the ferry dock and
another one on Centre Island just west of the bridge.
There are no washrooms or fountains on Algonquin Island and no washrooms on
Snake Island.
The Riviera Café just east of the bridge onto Algonquin Island (west of the
ferry dock) is closed until next Spring.
The Island Café straight out from the ferry dock is closed until further notice.
Be aware that there are still some Frisbie players on Ward's Island so be
alert in the course area.
Note:- There are no washrooms on Gibraltar Point.
The only washrooms open on Hanlan's is at the docks.
You can obtain water at all washrooms
All water fountains are turned off until next Spring.
Another Note:- The Island ferry schedule - Be aware that there is only one
ferry operating from now until next Spring and that is to Ward's Island. The
first boats are at 6:30, 7:30 and 8:30 am Monday to Saturday and 8:00 and 9:00
am on Sunday.
And no matter how far you walk you will have to walk back to the Ward's Island
ferry :>(( A bike would be a good idea if you have one.
You can obtain ferry schedules, prices, restrictions, etc. at -
https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/parks-gardens-beaches/toronto-island-park/all-ferry-schedules/
Norm Murr
Richmond Hill, ON
--
Ontbirds and Birdnews are moderated email Listservs provided by the Ontario
Field Ornithologists (OFO) as a service to all birders in Ontario.
Birdnews is reserved for announcements, location summaries, first of year
reports, etc. To post a message on Birdnews, send an email to:
[email protected].
If you have any questions or concerns, contact the Birdnews Moderators by email
at [email protected]. Please review posting rules and guidelines at
http://ofo.ca/site/content/listserv-guidelines
To edit your membership settings visit the Birdnews setup page at:
http://ontbirds.ca/mailman/listinfo/birdnews_ontbirds.ca.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, all Ontario birders should be taking extra
precautions and following local, provincial, and federal regulations regarding
physical distancing and non-essential travel.
To find out more about OFO, please visit our website at ofo.ca or Facebook page
at https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists.
