[Ontbirds]Eared Grebe at leslie Street Spit in Toronto

[Norman Murr]

Good afternoon folks.

 Today Ian Cannell and I found an Eared Grebe beside Pipit Point on the Leslie Street Spit. It was constantly diving in the bay beside Pipit Point.
 We also observed a N. Flicker and N. Shrike as we walked along and we found an even number of 20 Cottontail Rabbits almost under foot. We were actually surrounded by 12 of them at one time and feared for our lives :>)).
 Snow is up to 10-12 inches deep in some areas and in others you walk in mud.

Directions:-
      LESLIE STREET SPIT (TOMMY THOMPSON PARK) IN TORONTO
To get to "The Spit" from Queen and Yonge Streets. Take the Queen Street Car #501 east to Leslie St. and walk south (about 2 km) or as far as you can go on Leslie St. at Unwin Ave. and you will see the gate and signage. You may also catch the Jones Bus #83 at the Donlands Subway Station or transfer to it at Queen St. and Jones Ave. and take it to Leslie St. And Commissioner St. (on Saturday only). By automobile you may drive to Lakeshore Blvd and Leslie St. then south to The Spit.
Pipit Point is the extreme left hand (southwest) point. When walking out towards the lighthouse you will come to a road going off to the left (at the Quonset hut or tin shed). Follow this road along the outer arm as far as it goes and at the T junction where the paved road goes off to the right continue straight onto the dirt road and you will end up on Pipit Point

You can park either on Leslie St. or Unwin Ave. You may also park in the parking lot inside the main gate after 9 am. Be sure to observe the parking lot closing time as if you are not out by then your auto will be locked in until the following day. — THE PARKING LOT AND ALL GATES WILL BE LOCKED AT 4:30 pm and there is no Van in the winter.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOTE:- The official hours for The Spit are 9 am to 4:30 pm (weekends and holidays only of course) but the unofficial hours are sunup to sundown. To date no one has questioned any birder, jogger, cyclist, etc. about the use of The Spit from sunup to sundown.

The spit is only open on the weekends and on holidays, at other times you will not be able to access the area. This area is extensive, 7 km to the tip, but be prepared to walk more than that. The Spit is only open on the weekends and holidays because they are still building it.


Norm Murr
Richmond Hill, ON

"Sils mordent, mords les"