VICTORIA DAY AT SAM SMITH

On Victoria Day, third bay looked like the French Riviera!  It is wonderful to see the park so well used by families as the community and the City get to hear more about it.
But ..... it is surely time that the City Parks Department started opening the Power House washrooms, especially on weekends and holidays.  It is not rocket science to figure out what "facilities' are being used right now!

SPRING WILDFLOWERS

GREBES OBSERVED NEST-BUILDING TODAY

In this morning's mist, the two Red-necked Grebes were observed diving under one of the nesting platforms for weeds and arranging the material on the nesting platform. 

Things are looking very good for this year.

IT'S WHIMBREL TIME AGAIN!

At 5.30 a.m. this morning, members of the Toronto Ornithological Club (TOC) were at their post in Sam Smith for the annual “Whimbrel Watch” project. In the photograph are Jean Irons, Wayne Renaud and Don Barnett.  (Jean Irons' "famous" photo of whimbrels flying past Toronto adorns the front cover of the City's book "Birds of Toronto" which has been available free of charge at Toronto libraries).  The T.O.C. coordinates observers and observation points to estimate the number of birds passing through the greater Toronto area during the period of peak passage.  The most important point is in Sam Smith at the tip of the outer, eastern headland.  Observers will be there all this week counting the groups of birds as they pass over.   

Everyone is welcome to come down and take part in the observation and learn about this fascinating bird.   

To date this year, about 700 have passed through from a group of about 6 000 that has wintered in the coastal marshes of Virginia.  There, they have gorged on fiddler crabs using their specially adapted curved bills to extricate them from their hiding holes in the sandy shores.  This year, 6 have been fitted with transmitters to monitor their non-stop migration from Virginia to their breeding grounds in the James Bay lowlands, a trip of 11 000 km in just about 24 hours.  There is a receiver on the roof of the Lakeshore Yacht Club in the park to pick up signals.  Go to this website to learn more about this tracking system used last year.  Observers in Virginia tell the TOC how many set off at dusk from there and observers here in Toronto know how many to expect 10 hours later at dawn here.  Most of the birds leaving Virginia are recorded passing through Toronto.  At the Sam Smith Spring Bird Festival this coming Saturday (May 29th), Toronto Region Conservation Authority will have a display to explain this interesting work.

Check out this website to monitor their progress (Note how the whimbrel named "Hope" joined the western group last year in the McKenzie Delta in the Yukon and later rejoined the eastern group)

Better still, come and join the observers.

MAY 28 - HABITAT ENHANCEMENT - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

One of the areas in the park that has become over time a magnet for migrating songbirds is the dogwood thicket located east of the oval.  The Toronto Ornithological Society, after a recent visit to the park in order to make recommendations for improving bird habitat, suggested that it would be a good idea to expand this area by planting further to the east.  (Other recommendations include replacing ground cover and shrubs in the tree plantation north of the Power House and around the “bowl”).  FOSS has long been an advocate for these types of habitat enhancement. 

Natural environment specialists at City Parks have been able to secure funding for a volunteer planting event in this area. 

The G20 organizing committee is donating money to the City of Toronto for tree planting, and they requested a site for a community planting event.  One of the sites proposed to them was Sam Smith Park and our park has been selected. 

The planting will take place on Friday, May 28^th from 10 a.m. to 12 noon and about 40 volunteers are needed.  Volunteers must wear close-toed shoes.

Please make an effort to support this. The press will be there and it, along with the Spring Bird Festival the next day, will offer a great opportunity to promote Sam Smith as the nature park that it truly is.

Please e-mail FOSS if you are able to come.

FIRST EVER SAM SMITH SPRING BIRD FESTIVAL - SATURDAY, MAY 29TH

CHECKING OUT THE NEW HOME - HOPEFULLY!

Red Necked Grebe on one of the Conservation Authority's TRCA's experimental nesting platforms in marina.

SAM SMITH BIRD MIGRATION

Wayne Renaud, a local birder, posted this report from Sam Smith last Saturday. It indicates the variety of birds that pass through this birding hotspot during migration.


I birded the park and adjacent Humber College Campus from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm for a big part of day.  The 'bowl area' was the big ticket item today, but other areas surprisingly had much more warbler activity in the afternoon.  There seemed to be a complete turnover of warblers in the 'bowl area' between 9:00 and 10:00 am when the wind picked up and it clouded over then cooled off and brightened up.  Overall the winds were quite light all day. 
The highlight was a male Blue-winged Warbler off the north end of Bowl in a Horse Chestnut Tree just behind the brick house near Lakeshore.  The warblers today were dominated by four species: Yellow-rumped, Chestnut-sided, Black-throated Green and Palm Warblers.  These are the total numbers for each species (lowest to highest).  Wilson's Warbler:1; Canada Warbler: 1; Mourning Warbler: 1; Pine Warbler: 1; Blue-winged Warbler: 1; Common Yellowthroat: 3; Tennessee Warbler: 3: Nashville Warbler: 3; Cape May Warbler: 6; Blackburnian Warbler: 13; Magnolia Warbler: 13; Yellow Warbler: 15; Northern Parula: 16; Black-throated Blue Warbler: 20; Black-and-white Warbler: 24; American Redstart; 31; Palm Warbler: 41; Black-throated Green Warbler: 45; Chestnut-sided Warbler; 65; Yellow-rumped Warbler: 86.  About 80% of Magnolia and American Redstarts were males suggesting that at least with these species, there are a lot more to arrive in next week for so.  The other common warblers were about equally mixed.  Other notable finds today were 2 Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, a Grey-check Thrush, 3 Scarlet Tanagers, an Eastern Bluebird and a Spotted Sandpiper nest with four eggs.

Birds shown are the Scarlet Tanager and the Blue-Winged Warbler

COYOTE IN PARK

"I spent the weekend out in the country looking for wildlife, didn't see much of anything.  I come home to Sam Smith and this morning I met our new neighbour.

It was a bit too close for my comfort but didn't seem too worried about me.  It worked it's way around the pond, the geese grouped together to make a protective cover for the goslings, and kept up the warnings the whole time the coyote was on the island of the pond.  I think it was eating goose eggs and it did get something else, but I couldn't figure out what that was.  Probably best that I don't know."

Photos and observations from Heather Jack 

The coyote has been observed a number of times galloping along Lake Shore Drive east from the park.

Images of Spring in Sam Smith Park (courtesy of Snap'n Click)

SAM SMITH GREBES

This week, the Toronto Region Conservation Authority placed two redesigned Red Necked Grebe nesting platforms in the bay near the old burnt-out observation deck.  The platforms are constructed in a different way from each other - one has a ledge around it with a mesh floor and the other has a simple wooden surface.  Both float lower in the water than last year's design and are supported on styrofoam.  We understand that there is very little literature on this subject to use as a reference and we applaud the TRCA for being on the cutting edge of this kind of research.  Red Necked Grebes nest on floating vegetation, in most cases on the reed piles made by muskrats that float free with the spring melt.  There has been a serious decline in muskrat populations, so, fewer natural nesting opportunities for the grebes.  But, the Sam Smith grebes are tenacious and as determined as the TRCA to eventually make Sam Smith their nursery!
Please forward any observations and photographs of events around the nesting platforms to Terry Smith.  The TRCA biologists will use them in their research.  If you want to learn more, come to the Sam Smith Bird Festival on May 29th to talk to them directly.
One of the platforms has moved from its original position.  The swans were checking them out for nesting possibilities and may have dislodged it.  Hopefully, they'll come to understand the size limitations!  Thanks to George Raikou for the photo.
Birders and photographers were delighted by our very rare visitor last week.  An elegant, swan-like Western Grebe dropped in to the bay for two days and mixed it up with the Red Necks.  It was finally scared off by an unsuspecting kayaker who got a little too close.  Thanks to Henry Fulott for that photograph.

UPCOMING STORMWATER PUBLIC MEETING

A Toronto Water staff person will attend Lakeshore Planning Council's meeting on May 13 to provide an overview of the options that are under consideration for the Etobicoke Stormwater Management Project and answer any additional questions.
This project is likely to have a significant impact on Sam Smith Park.  Use this blog's search box above to see previous posts on this issue.
Lakeshore Planning Council meets at LAMP, 185 Fifth Street. (Near Islington and Lakeshore) at 7.00 p.m.

MAY 29TH - SAM SMITH BIRD FESTIVAL

Remember to mark May 29th in your calendar for the Spring Bird Festival being held in Colonel Samuel Smith Park.  There will be a variety of events, displays and activities from 9.00 a.m. until noon.
These include:

• 1 hour guided bird walks on the hour starting at 8.00 a.m.
• Bird Box Building
• Live animal displays
• Whimbrel watch
• Children's activities
• Nature photography
• Grebe nesting platform display

It is hoped that this will be the first of what will become an annual event.  Participating groups and organizations include the City of Toronto, the Toronto Region Conservation Authority, CCFEW, FOSS, Toronto Field Naturalists and Birds and Beans Cafe.

More details to follow.

THURSDAY - CCFEW ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Karen will be discussing, amongst other things, the monitoring of the whimbrel migration and the nesting platforms for the red-necked grebes.  Both projects are in Sam Smith Park.

SATURDAY'S CLEAN-UP AND BIRD BOX BUILDING

It was a wet, blustery day on Saturday for the Annual Sam Smith Clean-up organized by Alan Roy, but that didn’t stop the hardy from coming out to do their part - FOSS and CCFEW members, Police College Rovers, Laurel Broten (MPP Etobicoke - Lakeshore), reps from Michael Ignatieff’s and Councillor Grimes’ offices, local families, birders, dog walkers and, of course, the indomitable Alan Roy in his waders hauling out the big stuff from North Creek.  The park is now spotless.  The job was a little easier this year, probably due to the new high-capacity litter bins that were installed last year and the work done during the week by city staff, local schools and Earth Day volunteers.

Friends of Sam Smith Park set up a tent this year and invited families to build tree swallow nesting boxes using kits supplied by the Toronto Region Conservation Authority.  There are now approximately twenty-three boxes set up in the park, mostly all claimed, due to FOSS’s efforts.  As these have become a big draw for park visitors, there will be another opportunity to build a box at the upcoming Bird Festival on May 29^th.  Look for the FOSS table.

The photographs show Daniel and his dad, Liam, Abhelin and their dad and Laurel Broten and her son Ryan working on boxes. Jennifer, an Ignatieff staffer, made one on behalf of her boss too!

SAM SMITH - DISCUSSION TOPIC AT UPCOMING PLANNING CONFERENCE

Lakeshore Planning Council is hosting a community planning conference on Saturday, May 1st.  One of the discussion groups will directly focus on neighbourhood parks.  It is important that a strong defense for creating, preserving and enhancing natural areas in our parks be made by those in the community who consider it important.  As we know, allocation of public park space is a hot topic when it comes to determining that fine balance between recreation and nature.  For more information and to register, call 416 252 9701 ext 795 or go to www.lakeshoreforum.ca

CLEAN-UP DAY - SUNDAY, APRIL 25TH

TREE SWALLOW BOXES

Over the weekend, FOSS members cleaned out, repaired and re-installed tree swallow nesting boxes while early arrivals swooped overhead ready to claim their new homes.  Many have been destroyed by vandals and need to be completely replaced.  This is currently in progress.  Some new boxes made by FOSS members, based on a plan previously posted on this blog, have already been wired to some posts.
Everyone is invited to take on the construction of a box as a family project.  They need to be installed correctly - contact Terry Smith for help with that.
The Toronto Region Conservation Authority will provide some nest box kits for the upcoming Clean-up day (April 25^th) and the Bird Festival (May 29^th).  If you and your family want to assemble and install a box at one of those events, look for the FOSS table.

Did you know that four species of swallow breed in or around the park?  Aside from the cavity-nesting tree swallows, barn swallows nest under the observation deck over the pond, rough-winged swallows nest in small outlet pipes along the sea wall along the south side of the marina and cliff swallows build mud nests under the overhang of the Filtration Plant's southernmost building.

LEGS (LAKESHORE ENVIRONMENTAL GARDENERS) PRESENTS ....

PUSSY WILLOWS

Here is a follow-up to a recent post about the collection of pussywillows from the park.  People were seen gathering large quantities about a week ago.  When questioned by a member of Friends of Sam Smith Park and other concerned park users, a variety of misleading responses were given.  The matter was reported and investigated.  As a result, there were warnings given and letters written by the Bylaw Officer who will lay charges if this is repeated.
To report incidents, call Officer Bellamy at 416 392 0018

SNOWY OWL

Richard Dubiel took this photograph of the owl over the weekend on its usual daytime roosting spot. A crew of workmen were on their way down to the docks as he was shooting. You can see the owl in the bottom RH corner facing the men.

SNOWY OWL BACK IN THE PARK

Saturday March 27th - photographed by Heather Jack

ILLEGAL REMOVAL OF PUSSYWILLOWS FROM PARK

We've been hearing recent reports of quite a few people breaking off and removing large quantities of pussywillow branches in Sam Smith.  This is against city bylaws (Toronto Municipal Code - Parks 608 - 7 B .." no person shall in a park break, injure, deface, destroy, move or remove the whole or any part of a flower, plant material, fungus, tree or other vegetation ...").

This is currently being investigated by the City.

  

The odd branch taken by a family may be probably no big deal, but these folks, we understand, are taking them to sell.  On the Lakeshore they sell for about $7 for three or so branches, so it's a lucrative activity.  Besides, the broken shrubs are upsetting for people to see and they should stay for all to enjoy.

If you witness and wish to report such activity, call Jorge Ture, Sam Smith Park Manager, at 416 394 8559 or e-mail him.

MAY 29TH BIRD FESTIVAL - SAM SMITH

On May 29/10  the City of Toronto is holding a "Bird Festival" at Col. Sam. Smith Park.

This is just what we need to showcase all the wonderful wildlife we have in the park. The City is organizing some activities for the children  i.e scavenger hunt, exhibits etc.. CCFEW will be leading bird walks. FOSS was thinking of some events that we could offer on that day - one idea was a wildlife photography workshop.  Is there anyone who would be interested in leading the event?

Do you know any musicians who would like to play during the day.

If you would like to share ideas and /or like to volunteer, please let us know

Details to follow

 Just a reminder the "Clean up day" for Sam Smith Park is April 25/10.

CALL FOR NATURALIZATION AT ROTARY PARK COMMUNITY MEETING

At the Rotary Park public charrette last Saturday, there was strong support for daylighting the mouth of Jackson Creek as well as increased naturalization.  Both were key features in the designs worked up by all three tables.

The design process is being lead by Netami Stuart from City of Toronto - Parks, Forestry and Recreation
She has a copy of CCFEW's  "Towards the Ecological Restoration of South Etobicoke", and she introduced the concept of daylighting the creek in her opening presentation.  This document can be read online.

It is becoming increasingly obvious that families, residents and park users want our parks, all parks, no matter how small, to have plenty of natural areas set aside for critters so that our kids as well as adults do not lose that essential contact in this grey, concrete world we all live live in.  Our children need a place to try catching a frog, to marvel at a darting dragonfly or to watch red winged blackbirds building a nest in the impossibly swaying reeds.

Richard Louv's "Last Child in the Woods" introduces the term "nature deficit disorder" as a contributing factor in things like childhood anxiety, depression and obesity - a thought provoking read.

We must protect what we have and insist on more!

NEW DIRECTION FOR PARKS?

I went to an interesting Parks and Environment Committee meeting at City Hall on Wednesday hosted by Councillor Paula Fletcher, the Chair. They had invited experts from the arts, community and academic communities as well as the TRCA to discuss ideas and opportunities for a new park vision.  The City is initiating a citywide, multi-year Parks Plan to guide decision-making for our system of public parkland.

The discussion was all about neighbourhood empowerment and calls for local grassroots organizations to be embraced instead of merely tolerated or ignored.  It was suggested by many of the speakers that the City tends to regard parks as “private property” and that the management model currently employed is too rule-driven, permit dependent, too standardized and excessively governed by concerns over liability and CSA standards and renders these public spaces virtually inaccessible.  The committee was told that community groups should not be treated as supplicants but as partners and that the City needs to give up its “guardian mentality” so that citizen energy can be engaged.  One speaker went so far as to say, “Public energy in Toronto is sucked into a black hole of nothingness – it should be allowed to flower!” 

Adam Vaughn spoke to an idea that’s been kicking around the parks Committee for a while – the idea of each park having a PIA, a Parks Improvement Association, made up of local community groups, residents and stakeholders.  This sounds a lot like the Public Advisory Board recommended in the Sam Smith Master Plan from the nineties.  Calls from the community for this to be implemented have been ignored so far by the City’s political representative.   

Hopefully, the tide is turning.

Posted by Terry Smith

Cooper's Hawks have returned to their original nest site!

The Cooper's Hawks have returned to Building 29, the most southwest building at Humber College, facing south.

The hawks used to nest there, but the area has been under construction for some time.  Last year the pair nested in a fir tree west of the playing oval, and the year before, they were in a nearby willow tree.

The hawk watching should be much easier this year.

Many thanks to George Raikou for the photo.

LOCAL BLOGGER ON PARK'S BIRDS

Follow this link to read an amusing encounter with the park's visiting Snowy Owl - photographs too.

TWO IMPORTANT DATES FOR YOUR CALENDAR

Sunday, April 25th        PARK CLEAN-UP DAY
Saturday, May 29th      SAM SMITH PARK BIRD FESTIVAL
Details to follow

ROTARY PARK COMMUNITY DESIGN CHARRETTE

One of the issues around stormwater management in Sam Smith Park is the possibility of daylighting Jackson Creek, a buried creek that flows into and under the large swale near the Gatehouse.  Uncovering the creek and allowing it to create a pond or wetland in the swale  could provide a more naturalized solution that would enhance wildlife habitat and be a tremendous asset for our nature park.  The buried Jackson Creek eventually flows into Rotary Park where it enters the lake.  If this outflow were to be daylighted as part of the new design for this park, it would be an interesting natural feature there too.  Please attend this community charrette and share your views.

ETOBICOKE GUARDIAN ARTICLE ON OFF-LEASH DOG PARK IN SAM SMITH

Dogs will soon run free in an area of Colonel Samuel Smith Park. City parks staff were expected this week to install off-leash signage in the 0.6-hectare run of open field to the east of the RL Clark Water Treatment Plant.
Once the signs are in, the off-leash park is officially open.
Dog owners Joanne Tobler and Maria Doyle proposed the off-leash area last summer to city parks officials.
"It has been too cold. My dogs won't wear their boots," Tobler said, as she explained she had not been recently to the leash-free area of Sam Smith Park where she often walks her four dogs - a pug, pug-Shih Tzu cross, a Jack Russell-Corgi cross and a black Lab.
Last week, city council approved 29 new off-leash dog parks. The dog parks join the city's 33 existing off-leash parks.
The review of dog parks comes more than two years after council adopted the People, Dogs and Parks Off-leash Policy to deal with the growing conflict between dog owners and other park users.
At a public consultation meeting in December, approximately 65 people, most dog owners, overwhelmingly supported south Etobicoke's two proposed off-leash parks - in Sam Smith Park, and a second 0.7-hectare area on the southwest arm of Humber Bay Park West.
It was the largest turnout ever for a leash-free area proposal suitability assessed by the city, said Carol Cormier, city manager of parks, standards and innovation.
Fencing emerged as dog owners' primary concern with both off-leash parks.
Currently, a fence exists at the water plant site, Cormier said.
City staff will review the off-leash park's fencing situation in spring to determine whether additional fencing is required, Cormier said.
The Humber Bay Park West off-leash park is set to open in spring.
At issue in that dog park is a fence. Toronto and Region Conservation Authority wants it fenced, citing the danger of strong lake currents in the area. Dog owners largely don't want a fence.
Etobicoke's only other off-leash park remains open, but is threatened.
The dog park in Don Russell Memorial Park is a proposed site for the installation of an $800,000 FIFA artificial turf soccer field donated by Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment to adjacent Lakeshore Collegiate.
Benches and garbage cans will be installed in both dog parks. City bylaw enforcement officers will regularly monitor both off-leash areas.
City policy prohibits pit bulls, female dogs in heat and non-neutered males from off-leash areas.
Last year, three applications for off-leash designation in Etobicoke were denied, citing proximity to wetlands and conflicting existing park uses at King's Mill Park (north of Bloor Street West), Michael Power Park and Grand Avenue Park.

SNOWY OWL IN PARK - PHOTOS BY GEORGE RAIKOU

OFF LEASH MEETING MINUTES

Follow this link for the full minutes from the December 7th meeting at the Assembly Hall where the City's presented its plans to set up off-leash dog walking areas in Sam Smith and Humber Bay West.

JOIN THE ETOBICOKE-MIMICO WATERSHED COALITION

Toronto and Region Conservation (TRCA) is looking for committed individuals to become new members for the Etobicoke-Mimico Watershed Coalition.

This action-oriented committee will consist of a diverse group of individuals of all ages and backgrounds who come together with the common purpose to protect, regenerate and celebrate their watershed. The committee will have representation from the following groups within the Etobicoke and Mimico Creeks Watersheds:
Residents;
Community groups;
Other public agencies;
Businesses;
City of Toronto Community Councils;
All levels of government; and
TRCA.

As a member, you will:
Assist with the implementation of the Watershed Plans for the watersheds;
Work with communities to deliver watershed management programs;
Help build capacity for watershed management and sustainable communities;
Share your knowledge, experience and skills; and
Attend educational sessions.

For details and to download an application form, please visit: http://www.trca.on.ca/watershed-champions.

Please note that to become a member of the Coalition you should have geographical representation within the Etobicoke and Mimico Creeks watersheds and or Lake Ontario drainage area.
Not sure if you qualify? The above link provides a map where you can zoom in to your resident/work area and see the exact watershed you are located in within the TRCA region.  

We encourage you to consider applying to Etobicoke-Mimico Watershed Coalition and/or forward this message to others who may be interested. Please note that applications are being accepted until Monday, January 25th.  

Should you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me with the information provided below.
Alexandra Papaiconomou | Administrative Assistant, Etobicoke-Mimico

Toronto and Region Conservation
70 Canuck Avenue, Toronto ON M3K 2C5
Phone: 416-661-6600 x 5569
Fax: 416-667-6278
Email: apapaiconomou@trca.on.ca
www.trca.on.ca

REBAR WINTER ART - PHOTOS FROM GEORGE RAIKOU

SAM SMITH OWLS

Here's a great shot recently taken by Brian Keaveney of an Eastern Screech Owl roosting during the daytime in a coniferous tree in the park.  Look out for them at this time of the year.  They remain motionless and are hard to spot. 
The Snowy Owl and Screech Owl are not our only owl visitors.  Barred, Short-eared, Long-eared and Northern Saw-whet have also been observed hunting or roosting at Sam Smith.

TORONTO FIELD NATURALISTS BIRD WALK IN PARK

Sat, Jan. 23 at 10:00 a..m. • COLONEL SAMUEL SMITH PARK – Birds

Leader: Anne Powell. Meet at the southwest corner of Lake Shore Blvd. W. and Kipling Ave. Bring binoculars. Morning only.

RESIDENT PARK KESTREL

Superb shot by Richard Dubiel of the kestrel that is seen daily in the park hunting or watching from the top of a tree on the spit.

WINTER BIRDING AT SAM SMITH