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