Yesterday Bob Tyler, Jenny Bull, Owen Moorhouse and I birded Ward’s and Algonquin Islands and though there were not as many birds as Alfred Adamo and I found on Hanlan’s Point last Saturday we did come up with a few worth mentioning and a few expected ones.
3 Great Blue Herons, Sharp-shined and Copper’s Hawk, Spotted Sandpiper, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Olive-sided, Least, Willow and Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Easter Wood-Pewee, Eastern Kingbird, White-breasted Nuthatch, House and Winter Wren, Swainson’s Thrush, Gray Catbird, Cedar Waxwing, Warbling, Philadelphia and Red-eyed Vireo, Orang-crowned, Nashville, Magnolia, Cape-May, black-throated Blue, Yellow-rumped, Black-throated Green, Blackburnian, Pine, Bay-breasted, Blackpoll, Black and White and Wilson’s Warbler, American Redstart, Scarlet Tanager and Baltimore Oriole and again 1 Grackle but 2 Red-winged Blackbirds, soon there will be thousands of these two species streaming through. The nesting ones are all gone, except for those three. Note:- The Fall ferry schedule starts on September 14th and Porter Airlines starts within a week as does the racket from the take offs and landings and the number of visitors has fallen off drastically after labour Day as usual. ========================================================================== 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.
