Toronto Area Past Field Trips

Toronto Lakeshore and Toronto IslandsTop

6 December 2009 Toronto Lakeshore

Leader: Dave Milsom.

21 participants attended the OFO outing today.

Only 45 species were recorded on our visit to Humber Bay, Colonel Sam Smith and Marie‐Curtis parks.

The wind was very strong off the lake so few birds were visible in the waves and on land.

Highlights were: Large flocks of Greater Scaup and Redhead at Humber Bay Park West; 20 + male Green‐winged Teal on Mimico Creek; 2 Red‐necked Grebes; all 3 Mergansers; only 1 Great Black‐backed Gull; a female Belted Kingfisher on Etobicoke Creek (at Marie‐Curtis park); 2 Brown Creepers; 6 Golden‐crowned Kinglets; 3 Northern Mockingbirds; 1 Snow Bunting (Humber Bay); Song, American Tree, White‐throated and White‐crowned sparrows.

5 September 2009 Toronto Islands

Leader: Ian Cannell.

Thirty‐five enthusiastic birders enjoyed a sunny day on the islands and had plenty of birds to enjoy, as well as the afternoon spectacular air‐show from the CNE.

Here is the complete list of the species encountered:

15 Warbler species: Common Yellowthroat, Tennessee, Chestnut‐sided, Nashville, Magnolia, Blackburnian, Bay‐breasted, Blackpoll, Black‐and‐white, Wilson's, Canada, Black‐throated Blue, Black‐throated green, American Redstart, Ovenbird.

Flycatchers: Least, and Great‐crested Flycatchers, Phoebe, Eastern Wood‐Pewee, and Eastern Kingbird.

Great Egret, Osprey, Sharp‐shinned Hawks (21), Merlin, American Kestrel, Belted Belted Kingfisher, Philadelphia, Warbling and Red‐eyed Vireos, Black‐capped Black‐capped Chickadee, Cedar Waxwing, Swainson's Thrush, American Robin, American Goldfinch, Baltimore Oriole, Carolina Wren.

Scarlet Tanager, Ruby‐throated Hummingbird, Blue Jay, Northern Cardinal, Common Grackle, Mourning Dove, European Starling, American Crow, Gray Catbird.

Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Red‐breasted Nuthatch, Blue‐gray Gnatcatcher, Black‐crowned Night‐Heron, Great Blue Heron, Rock Pigeon, House Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Canvasback, Mallard, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Double‐crested Cormorant, Caspian Tern, Ring‐billed Gull and Herring Gull.

The surprise bird of the day was a cockatiel flying above us on Ward's Island and early arrivals at the ferry docks were entertained by a mink.

My thanks to all the participants, who made the day so pleasant and particular thanks to Norm Murr, who helped us all find and decipher those “confusing fall warblers”.

30 August 2008 Toronto Islands

Leader: Ian Cannell.

Forty‐three enthusiastic birders enjoyed a sunny day on the islands today and had plenty of birds to enjoy. Here is the complete list of the 71 species (+ “Traill’s“ Flycatchers) seen:

20 Warbler species: Yellow, Common Yellowthroat, Tennessee, Chestnut‐sided, Nashville, Magnolia, Blackburnian, Bay‐breasted, Blackpoll, Black‐and‐white, Connecticut, Wilson’s, Canada, N. Parula, Cape May, Black‐throated Blue, Yellow‐rumped, Black‐throated green, American Redstart, Ovenbird. Flycatchers: Olive‐sided (3), Yellow‐bellied, Willow/Alder, Least, and Great‐crested Flycatchers, Eastern Wood‐Pewee and Eastern Kingbird. Cooper’s Hawk, Sharp‐shinned Hawks, Belted Kingfishers, Warbling, and Red‐eyed Vireos, Black‐capped Chickadees, Cedar Waxwings, Swainson’s Thrush, American Robins, American Goldfinch, Baltimore Orioles, Northern Mockingbird, Ruby‐throated Hummingbirds, Blue Jays, Northern Cardinals, Mourning Doves, European Starlings, American Crow, Gray Catbird. Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Red‐breasted Nuthatch, Blue‐gray Gnatcatcher, Brown‐headed Cowbird, Purple Martin, Tree, Barn, Cliff and Northern Rough‐winged Swallows, Chimney Swift, Black‐crowned Night‐Heron, Great Blue Heron, Common Nighthawk, Rock Pigeon, House Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Mallard, Long‐tailed Duck, Red‐breasted Mergansers, Canada Geese, Mute Swans, Double‐crested Cormorants, Spotted Sandpiper, Ring‐billed Gull and Herring Gull.

A Common Buckeye Butterfly pleased the lepidopterists among us.

Many thanks to all the participants, who made the day so pleasant and particular thanks to Norm Murr, Dave Milsom, Hugh Currie and the other expert birders who helped us all decipher those “confusing fall warblers“.

Reported by Ian Cannell

7 December 2008 Toronto Lakeshore

Leader: Dave Milsom.

13 hardy birders attended the OFO Outing today to Humber Bay Park, Colonel Sam Smith Park and Marie Curtis Park.

45 species were found, despite strong north‐west winds keeping birds low down for most of the day.

Best finds were 2 Yellow‐rumped Warblers foraging along the lake edge at Humber Bay Park East, a male Green‐winged Teal, 5 American Coots, 7 American Wigeon and at least 25 Redhead Ducks. We later heard that a male Harlequin Duck had showed up after we left, and that there was a Pied‐billed Grebe at Grenadier Pond in High Pk.

On Mimico Creek at the bridge over Lakeshore Blvd. were one Killdeer and a Great Blue Heron.

At Col. Sam Smith Park an adult Northern Shrike fed on a Meadow Vole which it had skewered onto a Hawthorn tree. An American Kestrel appeared to be eating a sparrow before it flew off with its meal. In the bay was a Red‐necked Grebe.

At Marie Curtis Park a mixed flock included 2 Brown Creepers, both Red‐breasted and White‐breasted Nuthatches, Downy Woodpecker and several Northern Cardinals. We “dipped” on the Yellow Warbler found yesterday but did see an adult and an immature Bald Eagle, a Cooper’s Hawk, a Song Sparrow and a Golden‐crowned Kinglet.

Reported by Dave Milsom

9 December 2007 Toronto Lakeshore

Leader: Dave Milsom.

Today's OFO outing attracted 32 members and friends, who enjoyed a very good day of winter birding. A total of 56 species included the following highlights: At Humber Bay Park (foot of Park Lawn at Lakeshore) a Killdeer, Northern Shrike, Northern Mockingbirds, White-winged Scoter, female Black Scoter, Ruddy Duck, Horned Grebe, an American Coot and 3 Common Loons were seen.

At Colonel Sam Smith Park (foot of Kipling Ave.) were American Kestrel, American Pipit, 4 Red-necked Grebes, Winter Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglets, and 8 Snow Buntings. At the north end of Grenadier Pond (Ellis Ave.) at High Park, Chris Escott discovered a Virginia Rail in the cattails. Also seen here were 3 Swamp Sparrows and a Great Blue Heron.

Reported by Dave Milsom.

10 December 2006 Toronto Waterfront

Today’s OFO outing was attended by 31 participants on a beautiful sunny day, visiting Humber Bay Park East and West, Sunnyside, High Park and Kingsmill Park. Our 48 species included some interesting birds. At Humber Bay Park we saw Yellow‐rumped Warbler, Northern Shrike, Cooper’s Hawk, Belted Kingfisher, Ruddy Duck, Common, Red‐breasted and Hooded Mergansers, American Coot, Red‐necked Grebe, and White‐winged Scoter; and at High Park we saw Carolina Wren, a red morph Eastern Screech‐Owl, Red‐bellied Woodpecker, Brown Creeper, Red‐winged Blackbird, and White‐throated Sparrow. Missed were Harlequin Duck, which was seen yesterday at the mouth of the Humber River, and Orange‐crowned Warbler seen yesterday at Kingsmill Park.

Led and reported by Dave Milsom.

Durham Region and
Lake Ontario MarshesTop

16 August 2009 Durham Region and Lake Ontario Marshes

Leaders: Rayfield Pye, John Stirrat.

Twenty one participants met at the parking lot at Lynde Shores Conservation Area at 7:30 a.m. and walked through the Lynde Shores woodlot and traveled down to Cranberry Marsh. With no north winds to spur the birds south, we saw few species on the way there–warblers were limited to Black‐and‐white, Canada and Magnolia; flycatchers to Willow, Pewee and Eastern Kingbird; sparrows to Song and Savannah; other passerines were Baltimore Oriole and many Cedar Waxwings and American Goldfinches. Some of us were sure we had an American Bittern fly by.

The only shorebirds seen were Greater Yellowlegs on a very small mudflat area in the marsh but we did get to see a variety of Herons–Great Blue, Green, and Black‐crowned Night‐Herons. Waterbirds consisted of Mute and Trumpeter Swans, American Coot, Common Moorhen, Pied‐billed Grebe, Green and Blue‐winged Teal, Black, Wood, and Mallard ducks. A Caspian Tern and a Belted Kingfisher patrolled the marsh. The highlight for some was a short look at a Least Bittern peeking through the cattails on the far side of the marsh.

We next went to a small woodlot and beach at the foot of Gordon Street in Whitby where we had Osprey, Philadelphia Vireo, Blue‐gray Gnatcatcher, Hairy Woodpecker and Spotted Sandpiper.

We stopped for a quick bite at the local Tims and then went to Darlington Park where we added Northern Mockingbird, Northern Flicker and finished with a juvenile Bald Eagle.

With the birds dwindling and the heat rising, we decided the eagle was an appropriate finish.

All in all, we had 73 species for the day ‐‐ despite the heat and, for the second consecutive year, having virtually no shorebird habitat.

John Stirrat

17 August 2008 Durham Region & Lake Ontario Marshes

Leaders: Rayfield Pye, John Stirrat.

Thirty‐four participants met at the parking lot at Lynde Shores Conservation Area at 7:30 a.m. and walked through the Lynde Shores woodlot and traveled down to Cranberry Marsh. We saw a few warblers on the way there – American Redstart, Yellow, Tennessee, Magnolia, Nashville, and Black‐and‐white. We saw a few shorebirds on a very small mudflat area – Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Short‐billed Dowitcher, Semipalmated Plover, and Killdeer. At Second Marsh, we had Black, Caspian and Common Terns, Bonaparte’s, Ring‐billed and Herring Gulls, American Coot, Common Moorhen, Green, Great Blue and Black‐crowned Night‐Herons.

We stopped for lunch on the Darlington Nuclear Station property but there was nothing of note in the small wetlands and finished at the Samuel Wilmot Wetlands south of Newcastle where we found our last shorebird – a Spotted Sandpiper, and the best bird of the day – an Olive‐sided Flycatcher. All in all, we had 77 species for the day (despite having virtually no shorebird habitat) plus 13 butterfly species and 7 dragonfly/damselfly species.

Reported by John Stirrat.

19 August 2007 Durham Region & Lake Ontario Marshes

Leader: Rayfield Pye.

Participants ‐ 22 (one visitor from Arizona). Highlights: all of the wetlands had shorebird habitat. At Cranberry Marsh we had a Willet, 2 Short‐billed Dowitchers, and 2 Black‐bellied Plovers. At Pumphouse Marsh we saw a Merlin being chased by a flock of peeps. We observed 4 migrating and 2 local Osprey. At Whitby Mental Centre we observed 3 Red‐headed Woodpeckers. In total we had 87 species (including 13 shorebirds).

Reported by Rayfield Pye.

13 August 2006 Durham Region and Lake Ontario Marshes

Fifteen birders met at 7:30 a.m.. Sixty‐eight species were found. The highlight was the pair of Red‐headed Woodpeckers at the Whitby Mental Health Centre. There were small flocks of migrating warblers, vireos, and flycatchers at several locations. Our largest flock of Eastern Kingbirds was about 15. There were five Great Egrets at Cranberry Marsh along with the usual assortment of waterfowl. With the lack of habitat, there were only a few shorebirds there. We finished the day at the new conservation area in Bowmanville at Westside Marsh. Here Osprey, Black‐crowned Night‐Heron, and Green Heron were very cooperative.

Reported and led by Rayfield Pye.

14 August 2005 Durham Region and Lake Ontario Marshes

Leader: Rayfield Pye.

Eighteen individuals met at Lynde Shores parking lot at 7:30, with overcast skies and forecast of showers. We lucked out with only a couple of showers. It was an excellent day for fall birding.

The first stop was the rejuvenated Oshawa Second Marsh. From the open area beside Lake Ontario we had excellent views of families of Ruddy Ducks, Common Moorhen, American Coots, and Wood Ducks. There were lots of Green Herons and Black-crowned Night-Herons and a single Least Bittern. Our best warbler flock of the day was in the low willows next to the marsh. There were lots of migrating Eastern Kingbirds and other flycatchers.

Next we made several stops in the Whitby Harbour area. Wilson's Snipe Solitary Sandpiper, and Pectoral Sandpiper at the bridge were the best birds.

After lunch we visited Corner Marsh in Ajax. Highlights were a group of Hooded Mergansers, Common Terns, and a family of Baltimore Orioles.

There was nothing new at Hydro Marsh but the shorebirds were close enough that everyone was able to get a good look at them.

We ended the day with over 75 species of birds and only 1 butterfly (Monarch).

Reported by Rayfield Pye

15 August 2004 Durham Region and Lake Ontario Marshes

Leader: Rayfield Pye.

Thirty-five participants met at the parking lot at Lynde Shores Conservation Area at 7:30 AM. On the walk down to Cranberry Marsh the best birds were a Cooper's Hawk, a Broad-winged Hawk, and large numbers of Eastern Kingbirds. At Cranberry Marsh, a Great Egret, an American Coot, and Ruddy Ducks were the highlights. At Oshawa Second Marsh, we especially enjoyed a Green Heron, Wood Duck, and a Cooper's Hawk, which challenged an American Crow. At Whitby Harbour, we were able to study four species of Gulls sitting on the breakwall.

After lunch we stopped at the pool beside the Sobey's warehouse where we saw Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Yellowlegs and Semipalmated Plover and a family of American Kestrels. On the grounds of the Whitby Mental Health Centre, the resident adult and juvenile Red-headed Woodpecker put on a display. We then walked westward to the mouth of Lynde Creek where we spied Northern Mockingbirds and our only warbler flocks of the day.

17 August Durham Region and Lake Ontario Marshes 2003

Leader: Rayfield Pye.

Between the Ajax waterfront trail and Sobey's pool in Whitby, some highlights were: Hydro Marsh--four swallow species, one Osprey and Baltimore Oriole; along the Ajax waterfront trail--Black-billed Cuckoo, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, White-breasted Nuthatch, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Warbling Vireos; Cranberry south marsh--two immature Soras, Virginia Rail, Marsh Wren, Solitary Sandpiper; Cranberry Marsh east side--Northern Harrier, Cooper's Hawk, Ruddy Ducks, American Coots, Common Yellowthroat, two Ospreys (one with fish) and at Sobey's pool-four Greater Yellowlegs, Semipalmated Plovers, Semipalmated Sandpipers, American Kestrel.

Reported by Doug Lockrey

18 August 2002 Lake Ontario Coastal Wetlands - Durham Region

Leader: Rayfield Pye.

About 16 OFO members met at the Pickering GO station at 7:30 AM.

Frenchman's Bay: (Pickering) Water levels were high with very little shorebird habitat. Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Yellowlegs and a few Least Sandpipers were seen. There were a few Caspian Terns and Common Terns. A Great Crested Flycatcher was one of the few migrant songbirds seen all day.

Hydro Marsh: (Pickering) We saw 30 shorebirds of four species, a couple of Black-Crowned Night-Herons and a few Great Blue Herons. A Green Heron flew by.

Corner Marsh: (Ajax) No shorebird habitat. A couple of Greater Black-backed Gulls were on the beach and a couple of Trumpeter swans (tag # 431) among the Mallards. We saw two Green Herons as well.

Cranberry Marsh - east side: (Whitby) Highlights among the waterfowl included, American Coot- 40+, Wood Duck - 15+, Ruddy Duck - several families, and a Pied-billed Grebe.There was a single Sharp-shinned Hawk migrating westward. We watched a juvenile Red-tailed Hawk and a juvenile Northern Harrier in a aerial battle that lasted for a couple of minutes.

Second Marsh: (Oshawa) Great Egret - at least 2, Mute Swan - 30+, lots of Common Terns and Caspian Terns. Darlington Nuclear Station- Wetland: (Clairington) The highlight here was a single Pied-billed Grebe. A Green Heron flew by.

Butterflies: Common Sulphur, Orange Sulphur, Pearl Crescent, Ringlet, Cabbage White, and Eastern Tailed Blue were common. Monarch numbers are starting to increase and there were a couple of Black Swallowtails and a Red Admiral.

Reported by Rayfield Pye

26 August 2001 Durham Region and Lake Ontario Marshes

Led by Rayfield Pye.

The OFO field trip to the lakeshore marshes in Durham Region was attended by fifteen partcipants. Hydro Marsh and Corner Marsh were very good, while Cranberry Marsh and Thickson's Woods were quiet.

At Hydro Park we studied an immature Common Moorhen. We also had a fine flock of seven species of warblers near the parking lot, including Canada Warbler. Everyone had excellent views of seven species of shorebirds in the marsh.

At Corner Marsh, the views were truly excellent with the warblers and vireos at eye level along the bridge. Magnolia and Wilson's were most common.

The number one highlight of the day was the Green Heron that put on a fishing show at Hydro Marsh.

Day totals: 68 species of birds and 6 species of butterflies.

Leslie Street SpitTop

24 May 2009 Leslie Street Spit, Toronto

Leader: John Carley.

Today, 44 OFO members, guests, and future members, walked the Spit and Baselands (Toronto’s Urban Wilderness) on the annual OFO Outing. A total of 85 species were seen; along with 6 butterfly species.

A highlight was two large flocks of Whimbrel: the first flock, seen at approx 10 am, was distant; the second flock at noon (of 140 to 175 birds ... numbers vary according to observers of a wheeling flock) was well‐observed as it wheeled and turned over the Eastern Endikement. Other highlights included two Black‐billed Cuckoos (one in the Baselands wet woods; the other at Embayment D); 16 species of warblers (most in the wet woods) including Mourning and Canada. Blackpolls were seen and heard in most wooded areas. Least, Willow, Alder, and Yellow‐bellied Flycatchers were observed in the wet woods.

Many thanks to all those who participated. To those who didn’t: come next year, to see how wonderful a day on The Spit can be.

1 January 2009 Leslie Street Spit, Toronto

Leader: Dave Milsom.

34 birders attended today’s trip to Leslie Street Spit and nearby Ashbridge's Bay Park. It was a beautiful sunny day with no wind. 43 bird species were tallied. Best finds were 4 Great Horned Owls (including 1 Arctic subspecies), 70 + Common Redpolls feeding on birch and alder seeds, Northern Shrike, all 3 Mergansers, White‐winged Scoters, Red‐necked Grebe, Northern Mockingbird, Golden‐crowned Kinglet and Northern Flicker.

We saw six Gull species: Ring‐billed, Herring, Greater and Lesser Black‐backed, and at Ashbridge's Bay 3 Iceland (Kumlein's) and a 2nd‐year Glaucous. Others on the Spit found White‐crowned Sparrow and Great Blue Heron.

Reported by Dave Milsom

25 May 2008 Leslie Street Spit, Toronto

Leader: John Carley.

We had a great day! A group that started out at 40 participants (+ or ‐) tallied 93 species on the Leslie Street Spit (aka Tommy Thompson Park). Notable among the 18 warbler species (most seen in the Baselands wet woods) were an obliging Mourning Warbler and large numbers of Magnolia Warblers and American Redstarts. An American Bittern was well‐viewed in reeds at the triangle pond. A Philadelphia Vireo was seen by all in the wet woods, and compared with nearby Warbling Vireos. Throughout our walk we were able to compare Least and Willow Flycatchers, later being able to add Yellow‐bellied Flycatcher to the comparison.

Join us on next year’s walk; at anytime, enjoy and appreciate the Leslie Street Spit, an urban wilderness in the heart of Toronto.

Reported by John Carley.

27 May 2007 Leslie Street Spit, Toronto

Leader: John Carley.

Approximately 21 participants ventured out on the OFO Leslie Street Spit birdwalk. Those present each received a copy of the new, hot‐off‐the‐press Third Edition of the Bird Checklist for Tommy Thompson Park/Leslie Street Spit. This list, now incorporating seasonal abundance codes, was produced and edited by a volunteer committee of three, with the assistance of TRCA staff. The list was published by the TRCA.

Under uniformly grey skies, 14 degree temperature, and low winds, 15 birders went the whole 11 kilometres, and were rewarded with a trip list of 68 species, including 15 warbler species. The trip started at 8 am, and ended at 4 pm, 2 minutes before the skies opened.

Highlights included great looks at a female Prairie Warbler, fleeting looks at a female Connecticut Warbler (both seen in the copse just north of goldfish pond), and great looks at a Whimbrel which flew around the lighthouse. The baselands woods produced 13 species of warblers, including a number of Blackpoll Warblers and two Canada Warblers. Numerous Willow and Least Flycatchers were spotted, and one Yellow‐Bellied Sapsucker was seen.

Reported by John Carley.

28 May 2006 Leslie Street Spit, Toronto

The OFO walk today at the Leslie Street Spit in Toronto saw 35 people walk through the wet woods and out onto the Spit in misty foggy weather that gradually changed to sunshine by 2 pm.

A total of 70 species was seen, including 13 warbler species. Highlights included a Blue‐gray Gnatcatcher on a nest, a Warbling Vireo finishing its nest construction, 2 Philadelphia Vireos (one on sailing club road, the other out near goldfish pond), many Willow Flycatchers, an Olive‐sided Flycatcher (near Triangle Pond), and a pair of Orchard Orioles (a female carrying nest material, with a first‐year male) (near Embayment D). Warbler highlights included a singing Northern Parula (wet woods), 2 Blackpolls (one at D lookout, the other near goldfish pond), and 2 female Mourning Warblers (one just north of D lookout; the other on the trail towards the bridge.)

Reported by John Carley.

29 May 2005 Leslie Street Spit, Toronto

Leader: John Carley.

More than 40 participants joined together to tally 71. Highlights included 12 species of warbler, most notably a male Mourning Warbler, all seen in the "wet" woods at the Base lands (not too wet right now); a Red Knot in basic plumage seen at the Cell One shorebird habitat (the habitat was otherwise quite unproductive); and male and female Canvasback at the triangle pond (female was on a nest). Willow Flycatchers were on territory throughout the park and an early American Goldfinch nesting was observed in the "wet" woods.

Note that the current Lake Ontario Park planning exercise puts the Baselands, including the "wet" woods, in great jeopardy, as development and a Parks Canada "discovery centre" are being seriously considered (to the extent that soil studies have been conducted!).

The Spit is Metro Toronto's best birding spot, and is located at the foot of Leslie Street where it meets Unwin Avenue. The Baselands border Unwin Avenue; the Cell One habitat is South on the Spit peninsula, and the triangle pond is further south again, south of the bailey bridge. The Spit is currently open on weekends and holidays only, with no admission charge.

Reported by John Carley

30 May 2004 Leslie Street Spit, Toronto

Leader: John Carley.

We (36 of us) met at 8 a.m. at the base of the Spit (Tommy Thompson Park) parking lot near the intersection of Leslie Street and Unwin Avenue. We had 61 species total for the day, which was clear, sunny, and warm. Highlights included: Great Egret on nest (peninsula c), 12 Semipalmated Plover, Killdeer, including one on nest, numerous Spotted Sandpipers, one Whimbrel, Black-billed Cuckoo, Cedar Waxings, including 1 carrying nesting material at the goldfish pond), Wilson's Warbler (male), Canada Warbler (female).

Reported by John Carley

25 May 2003 Leslie Street Spit, Toronto

Leader: John Carley.

Twenty-eight observers took part in the OFO scheduled walk to Leslie St. Spit and Tommy Thomson Park. Birding was excellent, with a cumulative total of 87 species seen. The wet woods of the Baselands continue to be Toronto's #1 migrant trap... found there were 19 of our 20 warbler species, 4 vireo species, and a great number of other passerines. Highlights included male and female Mourning Warblers, a Blue-winged Warbler, a Clay-colored Sparrow, an extremely late Fox Sparrow, and Willow Flycatchers. Elsewhere on the Spit, approx 30 Whimbrel were seen flying by in the fog, a Surf Scoter associating with a Black Duck and a Greater Scaup was seen in Cell 3, and a Northern Mockingbird and Wood Thrush were noted at peninsula B.

Given the development plans for our waterfront, great vigilance will be required of the birding community to not only protect these Spit Baselands, but to make a clear case to the powers-that-be of their ecological value.

Reported by John Carley

26 May 2002 Leslie Street Spit, Toronto

Leader: John Carley.

Twenty observers participated in the OFO walk at the Leslie Street Spit (also known as Tommy Thompson Park).

A group total of 77 species were observed. Highlights were 9 Whimbrel, hundreds of Dunlin, 3 Canvasback, 11 species of warblers including male and female Northern Parula warblers. Noticeable by their absence were raptors: none were noted.

The Leslie Street Spit is open on weekends only. Proceed to the base of Leslie Street (at Unwin Avenue), park, and walk south. No private automobiles are allowed, and no dogs are allowed.

Reported by John Carley

2 June 2001 Leslie Street Spit

Led by John Carley.

Fifteen participants tallied a trip total of 58 species. Notable were an American Black Duck with seven ducklings at Embayment D, four male Canvasbacks at the new pond south of the Bailey bridge, at least five Willow Flycatchers singing at various points on the base lands as well as the peninsula, a Long-tailed Duck near the tip of the Spit, a Philadelphia Vireo plus two other vireo species, and six species of warblers in the wet woods southwest of the parking lot at the base.

The Leslie Street Spit, Canada's premier public urban wilderness, is open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays only, with no admission charge. From Toronto's Lakeshore, take Leslie Street south as far as possible. The parking lot is at the terminus, adjacent to Unwin Avenue.

8 October 2000.Leslie Street Spit, Toronto

Led by Norm Murr.

The day started off well with an adult Peregrine Falcon passing low overhead, and a Great Crested Flycatcher and two Gray Catbirds at the gate as I waited for the outing participants to arrive. Fifteen of us then started off at 8 a.m. to walk through the west side of the base. As we moved along hundreds of blackbirds were migrating overhead. Song, Swamp, White-crowned and White-throated Sparrows made themselves known here and all along the Spit. The first of 21 Eastern Phoebes, 37 Hermit Thrushes, many Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned Kinglets, and three Dark-eyed Juncos were well seen.

After passing through the second gate onto the causeway we started running into warblers such as Yellow-rumped, Nashville, Black-throated Green and Palm, more Phoebes, Swainson's Thrush, Brown Creeper and 4 Eastern Meadowlarks together, one of which posed at the top of a bush. As usual I took the group off-road at the point (X) just before the 1st bay and here we saw three Blue-headed Vireos and a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. At the 1st bay and just beyond were a large number of Mute Swans, 12 Great Black-backed Gulls, American Wigeon along with their attendant American Coots and a female Northern Pintail. As we walked down the road onto peninsula D on the road we spotted 1 Swainson's Thrush and 5 Hermit Thrushes. A first observation for all of us was a Hermit Thrush eating an approx. 8” (20 centimetres) long Brown Snake. I don't know if the thrush killed this snake, but I do know that the boaters' automobiles and the conservation area van kill a number along this and the paved road. Also along the road we saw a Brown Thrasher and great views of 5 Rusty Blackbirds and 3 more Brown Creepers.

Carrying on to peninsula C for our noon break, a good number of Monarch Butterflies were seen as they warmed up and took flight. In the bays to our left were 200+ Lesser Scaup, 30+ Redheads, and Green-winged Teal, Bufflehead, Northern Pintail, Gadwall, Mallard and Black Ducks. On the lake off the outer arm a sharp-eyed birder spotted a male White-winged Scoter in the waves. We continued on to penninsula B to check the woods and the "Sparrow Field" where we were not disappointed with the sparrows. In the “Sparrow Field” we flushed 100+ sparrows at our feet including Song, Swamp, White-crowned, White-throated and the bird of the day, a first winter Clay-colored Sparrow that sat up on a dead branch for a good 2 minutes for all to see. Here in the bay were more American Wigeon.

We returned via the outer arm observing the waterfowl mentioned above as well as enjoying the beautiful day. We arrived back at the start of the Spit at 2:45 p.m. We saw a total of 58 species including the following hawks as we walked the Spit: 13 Sharp-shinned Hawks, two Red-tailed Hawks, two Cooper's Hawks and 11 American Kestrels.

To end the day as I passed the Tim Horton's on the way to a streetcar, I saw a very low flying Turkey Vulture eyeing the patrons as they came out with their Tim Bits!

Reported by Norm Mur

26 August 2000 Leslie Street Spit, Toronto

Led by Norm Murr

Norm Murr reports: Time 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Number of participants - 22, Number of Species - 54

The outing started for me at 7:00 a.m. As I stood near the gate, I observed 42 Chimney Swifts flying west and 6 Bobolinks landed near me before moving on west. At 8 o'clock we set off through the west side of the base with no birds sighted and continued onto the causeway where there was a pair of Black Ducks. On the peninsula just before the 1st bay an Ovenbird and Swainson's Thrush were seen by some. The 1st bay and Peninsula D continued the no bird trend except for another Black Duck. The walk along the road to the bridge produced Northern Harrier, Belted Kingfisher and Great Blue Heron. At the bridge, a Green Heron was on the large Beaver lodge. On the base of Peninsula C we found our only 3 other warblers: a Magnolia, a Black-and-white and a male Wilson's. In the bay beside C were 10 Hooded Mergansers. Continuing towards Peninsula B we found a Least Flycatcher, an Eastern Wood-Pewee and at least 6 Eastern Kingbirds as well as 2 Red-eyed Vireos.

On Peninsula B we stopped for lunch under the eyes of about 100 to 200 Double-crested Cormorants. While here we were entertained by the interaction of a Sharp-shinned Hawk and a Peregrine Falcon as they passed over low towards the west.

After lunch we headed towards the outer arm to look over the lake and the 4 inner bays. Not much to observe as we went along, but we did see 2 more Northern Harriers and in the bays we found 4 Lesser Scaups, 2 Greater Scaups, 6 Canvasbacks, 2 Common Goldeneyes and 1 Bufflehead. We all, still 22 people, then headed for home. The day ended the way it started with not many birds, but we did see another Northern Harrier and American Kestrel on the base and causeway.

Other birds seen: Black-crowned Night-Heron, Great Black-backed Gull, Caspian Tern (30+), Common Loon, 1 Black-capped Chickadee (unusual at this time of year), and American Pipit.