Though it was slower bird wise than it apparently was on the east end of The Islands Bob Tyler, Jenny Bull and I did find some nice birds and following are some of them.
Great Egret, 2 Green Herons, 7 Trumpeter Swans including a family of 6, Wood Ducks, 5 Turkey Vultures in a tree and on the Trout Pond beach, 2 Cooper’s Hawks overhead, Red-tailed Hawk, Killdeer, Spotted Sandpiper, Caspian and Common Terns, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, an adult Red-headed Woodpecker (south of the tennis courts), Northern Flickers, Least Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbirds, 3 Ravens, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Veery, Swainson’s, Grey Cheeked and Hermit Thrushes, many Gray Catbirds, Brown Thrasher, Warbling Vireos, Northern Parula, Nashville, Yellow, Chestnut-sided, Magnolia, Black-throated Blue, Yellow-rumped and Blackburnian Warblers and a nice male Hooded Warbler (north side of the Trout Pond), Scarlet Tanager, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Field Sparrow, Lincoln’s Sparrow and lots of Baltimore Orioles. Note:- Another male Hooded Warbler as well as a Blue-winged Warbler were both found on Algonquin Island by others, also we were told that Wood Thrushes were common at the east end of The Islands. ========================================================================== Spring Ferry and Islands Information. Masked wearing is mandatory on the ferries and should be kept on in the city side dock area. Note:- There is a washroom at the city side of the docks but the washrooms on the ferries are closed due to Corvid. Most washrooms through-out The Islands are now open. There are no washrooms or fountains on Algonquin Island and no washrooms on Snake Island. Some water fountains on The Islands are not open yet. The Riviera Café just east of the bridge onto Algonquin Island (west of the ferry dock) is open for take out only. The Island Café straight out from the ferry dock is also open for take out only. Be aware that the Frisbie player numbers on Ward's Island are increasing with this warmer weather so be alert in the course area. Another Note:- The Island ferry schedules - All ferries are now operating - You can obtain ferry schedules, prices, restrictions, etc. at - https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/parks-gardens-beaches/toronto-island-park/all-ferry-schedules/ Also be aware that the island school (the school itself is closed) has a day care centre operating during the week, so please do not approach too close when the children are out and about around the school. If anyone is interested I have revised my Toronto Island Site and Bird Guide and it can be found on the OFO Website (ofo.ca) under Ontario Hotspots. Scroll down to The Toronto Islands by Norm Murr or TORONTO ISLANDS BIRDING - ROUTE and SITES - January 1, 2011 - Norm Murr (ofo.ca) There is also a unofficial Checklist of Birds of The Islands at that site. This is a Spring and Fall Guide but may be useful in Summer and Winter as I bird most of those same areas at that time, mostly in the Winter. 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 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.
