Yesterday Alfred Adamo, Bob Tyler, Jenny Bull and I birded Ward’s and Algonquin Islands on a beautiful but windy day and following are some of the birds we found.
Great Egret, Turkey Vulture, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk, Northern Goshawk, Broad-winged Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Great Black-backed Gull, Belted Kingfisher, Olive-sided, Yellow-bellied, and Least Flycatchers, Eastern Wood Pewee, Eastern Phoebe, Red-breasted and White-breasted Nuthatches, House Wren, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Veery, Swainson’s Thrush, Gray Catbird, Warbling, Philadelphia and Red-eyed Vireos, 20 Warbler species – Tennessee, Nashville, Northern Parula, Yellow, Chestnut-sided, Nashville, Cape-May, Black-throated Blue, Yellow-rumped, Bay-breasted, Black-throated Green, Blackburnian, Blackpoll, Cerulean (thanks Alfred), Black-and-white, Redstart, Mourning (thanks Alfred and Bob), Common Yellowthroat, Wilson’s and Canada, Rose-breasted Grosbeak and House Finch. We also saw 150+ Green Darners and 50+ Monarch Butterflies. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TAKE NOTE – TOMORROW, SATURDAY THERE IS A FRISBEE GOLF TOURNEMENT BETWEEN THE ISLAND FIRE STATION AND CENTRE ISLAND -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- During the last couple of days, before yesterday Bob Tyler had 2 Yellow-throated Vireos one day, then another Yellow-throated Vireo on Algonquin Island the next day and I found a male Blue-winged Warbler just east of the Fire Station on Tuesday. ========================================================================== Summer 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 throughout The Islands are open. 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 open for take-out and the back patio is also open. The Island Café straight out from the ferry dock is also open for take-out only, but there lots of seats in front. Be aware that there is a Frisbee Course on Ward's Island, west of the Island Fire Station so be alert when in the course area. Another Note:- The Island ferry schedules - All ferries are 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/ FYI - The first boats to Hanlan’s Point are 6:30 am, 7:00 am and 7:30 am (8:00 am on the weekend) and the first boats to Ward’s Island are 6:30 am, 7:30 am and 8:15 am. Also, be aware that the island school (the school itself is closed) has a daycare centre operating during the week, so please do not approach too close when the children are out and about around the school. There is also a daycare centre on Algonquin Island so do not approach too close there as well. 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 an unofficial Checklist of Birds of The Islands at that site. This is a Summer Guide but may be useful in Spring, Fall and Winter as I bird most of those same areas during those times 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.
