Went with the Peel Biridng Club to the Toronto Islands today and the highlight was a late Yellow-billed Cuckoo posing for us near the Hanlon's Point Ferry Terminal, just south along the bay side. Also seen was a Black-bellied Plover, 2 American Pipits, Sanderlings, 14 species of warblers including Northern parula, Bay-breasted, Blackpoll. 3 types of vireos (red-eyed,philadelphia and warbling).
The birds were very skittish as hundreds of accipters were moving through the treetops ,mostly Sharp-shinned but some Cooper's as well. 1000's of blue jays were migrating too all over the island. Also in hawks migrating were a Merlin, few American Kestrels and Northern Harriers and a couple Turkey Vultures. We just went from Hanlon's Point to Center Island.
Have a photo of the Yellow-billed Cuckoo at http://www.flickr.com/photos/andrew-don/
Here are the detailed directions as posted before by Norm Muir
Directions:-
TORONTO ISLANDS (Wards Island to Hanlans Point - without side trips is 5 km) - Now on the Fall Schedule.
To get to the Toronto Islands from Queen and Yonge Streets on the TTC. If your on the subway southbound stay on it and get off at Union Station, walk south about 1 km to the ferry docks at the foot of Bay Street at Queens Quay and you are there. If in an auto on the Gardener Expressway or on Lakeshore Blvd, then exit at Bay Street and drive south to Queens Quay, there are lots of parking lots nearby (fee).
There is a fee for using the island ferries ($6.00 adult / $3.50 for seniors and students) and to find out the sailing times you can phone (416) 392-8193. There are washrooms on the islands as well as the city side at the ferry docks and you can pick up a schedule at the docks or check on line.
The 1st boat to Wards Island (my preferred starting point) is 6:35 am and the 2nd is 7:00 am Monday to Friday.
The 1st is at 6:35 am and the 2nd boat is at 7:15 am on Saturday, Sunday and Holidays.
The 1st boat to Hanlans Point is 8:00 am and the 2nd boat is at 8:30 am Monday to Friday.
The 1st is at 8:15 am and the 2nd boat is at 9:15 am on Saturday, Sunday and Holidays.
If arriving in early am you must obtain your ticket from a machine just inside the gate so be sure to have $1.00 and $2.00 and/or 25 cent coins before you arrive at the docks as there is no place to get change and the machine does not make change. (There is a change machine (up to a $10 bill) there if you want to chance it).
There are coffee shops across from the ferry docks in the building on the northwest corner and they are open early. food and beverages on The Islands when open are very expensive i.e. soft drinks $3.00. If you are birding from Wards the soft drink machine beside the fire station sells juice, iced tea, etc. for $1.00.and $1.25.
For a detailed ferry schedule check the following web site.
http://www.toronto.ca/parks/island/springschedule.htm
PS
There is a map of the Islands at each of the Island side ferry docks and the City side.