Alessandra Kite’s rendition of a flying male Bobolink gained the most votes from members, making it our first Bird of the Year logo! You can purchase it on a variety of items at the OFO Redbubble store –
https://www.redbubble.com/people/OFOmerch/shop
Here are the other submissions.
Welcome to Call Notes, OFO’s news and events for OFO members and the birding community.
In this issue
Save the Dates for the 2024 OFO Convention
The 2024 OFO Convention and OFO Convention Northern Edition will be taking place on September 27, 28, and 29, 2024, in Leamington and New Liskeard. More details will be posted online in the upcoming weeks.
Keep Your Membership Up to Date
Happy new year everyone!
Members are reminded that most renewals are due in January. Please keep your membership up to date so you can continue to participate in all the events and outings throughout the new year!
To renew your membership, log into the OFO webstite, click on “view profile” and then click the “renew” button if your membership expires in January 2024.
December issue of Ontario Birds is now available online
The August issue of Ontario Birds is now available to members on the OFO website, under Publications.This issue includes feature articles on piping plovers, common terns, a vocally-ambiguous waterthrush, and 2023’s Distinguished Ornithologist, Bruce Di Labio.
OFO Bird of the Year merch store now live
We recently announced the winner of the OFO Bird of the Year logo vote.
Alessandra Kite’s flying Bobolink design gained the most votes from the membership, with honourable mentions to Andrea Kingsley and Olivia Maillet.
The design is now available on Redbubble under the OFO Merch page, and you can purchase it on a variety of paraphernalia.
Follow this link to go to the OFO store. More details about the artists and the Bird of the Year program will be coming out in the next issue of OFO News.
Have a good holiday season!
Link: OFOmerch.redbubble.com
2024 Convention
The 2024 OFO Conventions are taking place in Leamington and New Liskeard in September and we need your help! We are currently looking for a couple of volunteers to join our planning team to help with planning, organizing vendor/display tables and securing donations for the silent auction.
If you are interested in volunteering, please contact volunteer@ofo.ca
Ontario Birds seeking co-editor
Ontario Birds is looking for another co-editor. If you have editing skills, are a keen birder/ornithologist and have an interest in working as part of a 2-3 person team in producing three issues of Ontario Birds annually, please send your thoughts to Chip Weseloh (chip.weseloh@yahoo.com)
Understanding the Language of the Forest by Kristi Dranginis (Online)
Did you know that a particular call of a bird can tell you that a deer is sneaking away from you, that a cougar is nearby or that another person is approaching you on the trail, giving you advance notice and the time you’d need to respond?
Kristi Dranginis, founder of Bird Mentor and author of Identify Any Bird Anywhere, will help you learn the skills of instinctive birding and teach you how to interpret what the language of the forest looks and sounds like.
Register here, or join the Zoom meeting on Wednesday, 3 Jan 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM Eastern Time. Please note that the meeting on January 3rd will not be recorded.
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84871008513
OFO Trip Leader Meeting on Best Practices with Jeff Skevington
Attendance at this event (or watching the recorded Youtube video of the event) is required for all trip leaders and anyone who is thinking about leading trips for OFO. The more who attend in person the better though, as we will do some brainstorming about what has worked well and and what pitfalls to avoid to ensure that guided trips are fun for everyone. A recent medical emergency on a hike has also led us to reassess how we can improve our response and communication.
This is a critical discussion and important for all trip leaders. Don’t worry, you don’t have to take courses or anything. We all just have to be on the same page with respect to communication of emergencies or inappropriate behaviour witnessed on hikes.
Our EDI committee has discussed the latter extensively and has provided some ideas that we can discuss that will help to make our events more accessible and fun for all. 18 Jan 2024, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: TBD
Register here.
Owl Banding at Hilliardton Marsh with Bruce Murphy
Whoo whoo who loves owls? Bruce Murphy, from the Hilliardton Marsh Research and Education Centre, will be giving a presentation about the facility’s owl banding program.
7 Feb 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Register here.
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84871008513
Coming up:
6 March 2024 – Stories from Young Birders Camp, with some of the youth from OFO’s summer camp.
3 April 2024 – What’s New With Canada Jays, with Dr. Ryan Norris
All are Zoom meetings taking place at 7 pm E.T.
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84871008513
For more details, see the Events section of the OFO website.
Upcoming Trips and Events for OFO Members
OFO field trips are for OFO members and a guest. Please register on the ofo.ca website under Upcoming Trips and Webinars.
Spaces are still available for some trips. If the trip is full, please register for the waitlist as spots often become free before the trip.
Peterborough Area: 1 Jan 2024 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM, parking lot of Peterborough’s zoo on Water Street.
Toronto Winter Birds, Tommy Thompson Park: 6 Jan 2024 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM, Leslie street and Unwin avenue
Winter Birds of the Detroit River, Windsor: 7 Jan 2024 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Lakeview Park Marina in Windsor
Haldiman and Norfolk Counties: 24 Feb 2024 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, parking lot of Cayuga Secondary School, Haldiman County
Amherst Island: 25 Feb 2024 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Amherst Island ferry dock
Comments? Questions?
We welcome your comments and feedback! Please contact us at: ofo@ofo.ca.
Good birding,
The OFO Team
Welcome to Call Notes, OFO’s news and events for OFO members and the birding community.
In this issue
Keep Your Membership Up to Date
Members are reminded that most renewals are due in January. Keep an eye on your e-mail inbox over the next several weeks, so you don’t get behind!
Emergency Contact
We are now asking for members to share emergency contact information with us, in case of an emergency during an OFO trip or event. This is in response to an actual emergency that took place at the OFO Convention a few months ago. All ended well, but the process would have been much smoother if the organizers had quick access to one member’s emergency contact information.
You will be prompted to add an emergency contact and their phone number when you renew your membership for 2024. If you do not need to renew this year, you are strongly urged to login and add it to your profile.
Support the Birds-Safe Windows Act, 2023
FLAP needs the support of the birding community. Please ask your MPP to support the Bird-Safe Windows Act, 2023 to incorporate bird-safe design into the Ontario Building Code.
Take two minutes to fill out this form, then personalize your email and send it.
Link: https://forms.gle/rKxmJQfvZtB9xJdv5
OFO News needs your Moments & Milestones for the February Issue
We are still accepting OFO members’ Moments & Milestones for our February issue.
Finally catch up with that elusive bird you have always wanted to see? Reach a milestone on your life list? Welcome an unexpected visitor at your feeder?
New and experienced birders who are members of OFO, please share your special bird moments and milestones, obtained locally, provincially or globally.
E-mail your Moments & Milestones, not to exceed 200 words, to ofonews@ofo.ca. Submissions will be published in OFO News in the order received, subject to light editing and space limitations.
We can’t wait to read your stories!
Niagara Gull Weekend Reminder
As a reminder, the Niagara Gull weekend begins tomorrow.
Saturday December 2 2023:
Explore the Welland Canal, Saturday morning 9:30AM – noon. Bob Highcock from the Peninsula Field Naturalists will be leading a field trip along the Welland Canal. This is a local hotspot which is noted for late migrants and waterbirds.
Space is limited, so registration is required on the OFO Niagara Gull Weekend: Explore Welland Canal
From 1:30 – 3:30, learn about gulls with Justin Peter, who will demystify this challenging group of birds. Location: The Niagara Parks Commission School of Horticulture, located 2565 Niagara River Pkwy, Niagara Falls, ON L2E 2S7
Watch the legendary fly-by: From 3:45 – 5:30, gather along the Niagara River to observe the legendary fly-by, when thousands of gulls fly to their night resting places on Lake Erie. This awesome spectacle is a great chance to spot a rarity and hone your gull ID skills.
Sunday December 3 2023: Gull Field Trips
On Sunday morning, join one of two gull field trips led by knowledgeable leaders.
Justin Peter, Max Segler and Sarah and Bill Lamond will lead a tour of hotspots along the Niagara River, Session 1 (Niagara River Gull Watch)
Gis Segler, Josh Vandermeulen and Marcie Jacklin will be leading from Dufferin Islands: Session 2 (Dufferin Islands)
We are currently looking for a Lead Editor for OFO News to lead a team of volunteer editors to plan and to produce OFO News three times per year as well as liaise with the graphic designer who prepares the final documentation for publication.
We are looking for a team player who is organized and able to adhere to deadlines. The following skills/experience would be an asset to this position: experience editing a magazine, newsletter or journal, professional journalism, project coordination or management.
The time commitment would be 1-2 hours per week on average and up to 6 hours per week in the two weeks leading up to publication (3 times per year).
If you are interested and feel that you may be a good fit for this position, please contact Lynne Freeman at lynnef.to@gmail.com
Upcoming OFO Member Meetings
Making Audio Recordings of Birds by Rob Porter (Online)
Rob Porter, the creator of the hugely popular Songbirding podcast series, shares some of his expertise with OFO members. If you’ve ever used sound recordings to study birds, or wished to make your own recordings, you won’t want to miss this presentation!
Register here, or join the Zoom Meeting on Wednesday, 06 Dec 2023, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM Eastern Time
Or, click the Zoom link on the night of the event.
Understanding the Language of the Forest by Kristi Dranginis (Online)
Did you know that a particular call of a bird can tell you that a deer is sneaking away from you, that a cougar is nearby or that another person is approaching you on the trail, giving you advance notice and the time you’d need to respond?
Kristi Dranginis, founder of Bird Mentor and author of Identify Any Bird Anywhere, will help you learn the skills of instinctive birding and teach you how to interpret what the language of the forest looks and sounds like.
Register here, or join the Zoom meeting on Wednesday, 3 Jan 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM Eastern Time
OFO Trip Leader Meeting on Best Practices with Jeff Skevington
Attendance at this event (or watching the recorded Youtube video of the event) is required for all trip leaders and anyone who is thinking about leading trips for OFO. The more who attend in person the better though, as we will do some brainstorming about what has worked well and what pitfalls we have found when leading that should be fun and helpful for everyone. A recent medical emergency on a hike has also led us to reassess how we can improve our response and communication.
This is a critical discussion and important for all trip leaders. Don’t worry, you don’t have to take courses or anything. We all just have to be on the same page with respect to communication of emergencies or inappropriate behaviour witnessed on hikes.
Our EDI committee has discussed the latter extensively and has provided some ideas that we can discuss that will help to make our events more accessible and fun for all. 18 Jan 2024, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: TBD
Upcoming Trips and Events for OFO Members
OFO field trips are for OFO members and a guest. Please register on the ofo.ca website under Upcoming Trips and Webinars.
Spaces are still available for some trips. If the trip is full, please register for the waitlist as spots often become free before the trip.
Niagara Gull Weekend: Explore Welland Canal (Saturday Morning): 2 Dec 2023 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM, yellow gate at the end of Seaway Haulage Rd., Port Weller East, St. Catharines, Ontario
Niagara River Gull Watch: 3 Dec 2023 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM, Queen’s Royal Park (Gazebo) 45 Front Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake
Niagara River Gull Watch (Session 2): 3 Dec 2023 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM, Dufferin Island
Colonel Sam Smith Park: 10 Dec 2023 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Colonel Sam Smith parking lot
Colonel Sam Smith Park: 16 Dec 2023 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Colonel Sam Smith parking lot
Trips in January 2024
Leaders for 2024 trips are being confirmed and trips will be opened for registration then. We will send out e-mails to members when trips are opened up.
In the meantime, we are always looking for more trip leaders. Many of our trips now have more than one leader, so if you would like to team up to lead a trip please let us know. Trips can be short excursions or longer events. Trip leaders do not need to be expert birders. If you have a favourite spot for birding and want to share it with others, please get in touch by e-mailing fieldtrips@ofo.ca.
Peterborough Area: 1 Jan 2024 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM, parking lot of Peterborough’s zoo on Water Street.
Tommy Thompson Park: 6 Jan 2024 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM, Leslie street and Unwin avenue
Winter Birds of the Detroit River, Windsor: 7 Jan 2024 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Lakeview Park Marina in Windsor
OFO Trip Leader Meeting on Best Practices: 18 Jan 2024 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM, TBD
Comments? Questions?
We welcome your comments and feedback! Please contact us at: ofo@ofo.ca.
Good birding,
The OFO Team
Welcome to Call Notes, OFO’s news and events for OFO members and the birding community.
In this issue
Bird of the Year – Voting begins!
It’s finally time to choose the logo for the OFO Bird of the Year!
We were thrilled to see the number of artistic renditions of the Bobolink that were submitted by talented birder-artists from across Ontario.
All submissions are available to see and vote on by following the link below:
https://forms.gle/hX1HHkj6DPuk84D68
Artist names will be kept anonymous for now, this will make for more fair voting so that you chose your favourite art and not a name you know.
Please vote soon! Voting will be open until November 8th, so cast your vote before then.
The submission that receives the most votes will be crowned the winner of the OFO 2024 Bird of the Year logo.
In January, all the submissions including artists’ names will be posted on the OFO website. A large selection of items carrying the logo, from clothing to mugs, will be available for purchase on Redbubble.
Winter Finch Forecast 2023
Tyler Hoar’s Annual Winter Finch Forecast is available on the Finch Research Network site under the News/Blog section. The forecast predicts the winter movements south of the boreal forest for eight finches and three irruptive species tracked along with them.1
The forecast contains a wealth of information. As well as predicted movements, the forecast summarizes cone crops, regional variation in movement, and preferred feeder food.
Tyler took over the Winter Finch Forecast from Ron Pittaway in 2020. Ron originated the forecast, using observations of cone and other food sources supplied by his many collaborators to predict which species would be moving south in search of food over the coming winter. Upon Ron’s passing, Tyler wrote a moving tribute, “A Passing of a Legend,” which can be read on the Finch Network site, or which can be found under older posts under News/Blog.1Finch species tracked are: Pine Grosbeak, Purple Finch, Red Crossbill, White-winged Crossbill, Common Redpoll, Hoary Redpoll, Pine Siskin and Evening Grosbeak. Irruptive species tracked are: Blue Jay, Red-breasted Nuthatch and Bohemian Waxwing.
OFO News October issue now available:
The October issue of OFO News is at the printer and is now available on OFO’s website under Publications at: http://www.ofo.ca/library/list/key/on.
This issue contains a wonderful article about mergansers by Raspberry Yow-Fairs, a young birder from Toronto, as well as articles about different styles of birding, fall rarities, and more.
OFO News needs your Moments & Milestones for the February Issue
We hope you enjoy reading OFO member’s Moments & Milestones in the October issue of OFO News. We want to hear from you for our February issue.
Finally catch up with that elusive bird you have always wanted to see? Reach a milestone on your life list? Welcome an unexpected visitor at your feeder?
New and experienced birders who are members of OFO, please share your special bird moments and milestones, obtained locally, provincially or globally, with OFO.
E-mail your Moments & Milestones, not to exceed 200 words, to ofonews@ofo.ca. Submissions will be published in OFO News in the order received, subject to light editing and space limitations.
The deadline for the February issue is 22 November 2023. We can’t wait to read your stories!
OFO Statement on Safety in the Ontario Birding Community
Last week, in response to recent reports and the surrounding discussion about sexual and gender-based harassment and assaults occurring within the birding community, OFO issued a Statement on Safety in the Ontario Birding Community. In case you missed it, click here.
OFO relies on our volunteers who dedicate their time to provide the many benefits and services that our members receive. We are looking for new volunteers to join our team.
If you are interested in volunteering for OFO, please contact Susan at volunteer@ofo.ca to discuss how we can best put your skills to use.
More Gulls, Gulls, Gulls: The Niagara Gull Weekend Dec 2/3, 2023!
Mark your calendars for the weekend of December 2nd and 3rd!
SaturdayDecember 2 2023: Explore Welland Canal
Explore the Welland Canal, Saturday morning 9:30AM – noon; Bob Highcock from the Peninsula Field Naturalists will be leading a field trip along the Welland Canal. This is a local hotspot which is noted for late migrants and waterbirds. Space is limited – registration is required on the OFO Niagara Gull Weekend: Explore Welland Canal
Learn about Gulls with Justin Peter
From 1:30 – 3:30, learn about gulls with Justin Peter who will demystify this challenging group of birds.
Location: The Niagara Parks Commission School of Horticulture, located 2565 Niagara River Pkwy, Niagara Falls, ON L2E 2S7
Watch the legendary fly-by
From 3:45 – 5:30, gather along the Niagara River to observe the legendary fly-by, when thousands of gulls fly to their night resting places on Lake Erie. This awesome spectacle is a great chance to spot a rarity and hone your gull ID skills.
Sunday December 3 2023: Gull Field Trips
On Sunday morning, join one of two gull field trips led by knowledgeable leaders. Marcie Jacklin and Max Sigler will lead a tour of hotspots along the Niagara River, Session 1 (Niagara River Gull Watch)
Gis Sigler will be leading from Dufferin Islands: Session 2 (Dufferin Islands);
Where to Stay
River Rapids Inn will have a group rate Friday Dec 1/Saturday Dec 2 night at $149 (averaged) per night for rooms with 2 Queen beds ONLY, plus a service fee of $5.00, a city tax fee of $2.00 and HST. The $20.00 parking fee will be waived (if the pricing isn’t exact on the billing it will average out to $149/night).
If you are booking 3 nights (pre/post Dec 1st or 2nd) with 2 Queen beds, the rate will be $129/night (averaged) plus a service fee of $5.00, city tax of $2.00 plus HST (if the pricing isn’t exact on the billing it will average out to $129 as long as you stay 3 nights)
They are located at 4029 River Road, Niagara Falls, ON L2E 3E5
Birding in Rainy River (Online – Tonight!)
Please join us as OFO member and trip leader Colleen Reilly shares stories and photographs from the 2023 birding expedition to the Rainy River area in Northwestern Ontario, home to some of the trickiest birds to find in Ontario, such as black-billed magpie and yellow-headed blackbird.
View the information here and join tonight (Wednesday, November 1st at 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM)
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84871008513 Making Audio Recordings of Birds (Online)
Rob Porter, the creator of the hugely popular Songbirding podcast series, shares some of his expertise with OFO members. If you’ve ever used sound recordings to study birds, or wished to make your own recordings, you won’t want to miss this presentation!
Register here, or join the Zoom Meeting on Wednesday, 06 Dec 2023, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM Eastern Time
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84871008513
Other Upcoming Members Meetings
Looking ahead, the next Members Meeting will be January 3.
Kristi Dranginis will be giving an online Zoom presentation about instinctive birding and interpreting the language of the forest. Register here.
Upcoming Trips and Events for OFO Members
OFO field trips are for OFO members and a guest. Please register on the ofo.ca website under Upcoming Trips and Webinars.
Spaces are still available for some trips. If the trip is full, please register for the waitlist as spots often become free before the trip.
Colonel Sam Smith Park: 12 Nov 2023 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM, south parking lot at foot of Colonel Sam Smith Blvd, approximately 850 metres south of Lakeshore BlvdWilliam Loane Memorial Waterfowl Outing:26 Nov 2023 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM, at Sunnyside, on the western Toronto lakeshore at the Sir Casimir Gzowski monument
Niagara Gull Weekend: Explore Welland Canal (Saturday Morning): 2 Dec 2023 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM, yellow gate at the end of Seaway Haulage Rd., Port Weller East, St. Catharines, Ontario
Niagara River Gull Watch: 3 Dec 2023 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM, Queen’s Royal Park (Gazebo) 45 Front Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake
Niagara River Gull Watch (Session 2): 3 Dec 2023 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM, Dufferin Island
Colonel Sam Smith Park: 10 Dec 2023 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Colonel Sam Smith parking lot
Colonel Sam Smith Park: 16 Dec 2023 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Colonel Sam Smith parking lot
Comments? Questions?
We welcome your comments and feedback! Please contact us at: ofo@ofo.ca.
Good birding,
The OFO Team
OFO is committed to fostering a safe and welcoming organization that is free of discrimination and harassment.
OFO’s 2023 statement on safety in the Ontario birding community can be found on the EDI webpage.
Submit your artwork displaying the Bird of the Year as the OFO logo for the chance to have it featured as the logo for a year, a $500 prize and publicized in OFO News and on the website.
Submission rules:
Welcome to Call Notes, OFO’s news and events for OFO members and the birding community.
In this issue
Bird of the Year – Call for Artists
We are excited to announce the 2024 OFO Bird of The Year, the Bobolink! This bird was voted on by all members attending the convention on the weekend, narrowly beating out Upland Sandpiper by 20 votes. One of the most sought-after grassland species in the province, and also a very charismatic species with an interesting life history and beautiful plumage, the Bobolink will be a great emblem for our organization next year.
Now, we are putting out a call for Bobolink artwork from our members! If you would like a chance to see your art featured as a logo for a year, plus receive a $500 prize and have your work publicized in OFO News, then please submit your work! Below, you can find out how this will work.
Curious about submission rules?
OFO Peterborough Convention – Thank You to Volunteers
The 2023 OFO Convention in Peterborough was a great success due to the dedication of an amazing team of volunteers.
Thank you to the following: Mike Burrell for spearheading the keynote speaker Stu Mackenzie from Birds Canada; Dan Chronowic for wrangling up all the Certificates of Appreciation; Ben Fekete of BJF Music for the audio-visual support and for making our live streaming to the Northeastern Convention a success; Kiah Jasper for introducing and leading the “Bird of the Year” project; Marcie Jacklin for her wonderful video introducing the Distinguished Ornithologist recipient, Bruce Di Labio; Dave Milsom for what I’m sure were endless hours putting together all the trips and finding the volunteer trip leaders; Susan Nagy for such an amazingly successful Silent Auction and for raising the bar for future conventions; Colleen Reilly for helping out wherever and whenever she could; Sarah Rupert for her insight, thoughtfulness, and social media management, as well as for setting up all the table agendas, the Bird Quiz (which everyone had great fun with), the Bird of the Year ballots, and the Bird of the Year image; Jeff Skevington for his ongoing support; Dan Suess for his logistical wizardry at arranging the AV and catering needs and everything in between; Angie Williams for putting together the Northeastern Edition of the convention, and for being able to pivot when things seemed to go off the rails; a special thank you to Barbara Bowman for her wonderful photos. Barbara was so good at blending in with the surroundings that I’m sure people didn’t realize she was our photographer!
Thank you to Doug McRae for introducing Bruce Di Labio, and for sticking to the time frame!
A special shoutout to the catering team at Fresh Urban Plate, Mark Brunet and Lisa McGhie and their staff, for ensuring the food and beverages were fresh and out on time!
Thank you to Chip Weseloh and his team for the work they put into the selection of the 2024 Distinguished Ornithologist.
OFO Northern Edition Convention – Thank You to Volunteers
The OFO Convention Northern Edition would like to thank all the participants, and especially the volunteers, who helped make the convention a success. In fact, it was such a success that the Convention even made the news!
Thank you to the following:
Christa Rigney for researching venues in Timmins and stepping in as needed; Roxane Filion for organizing the trips, picking up the door prizes and giveaways, contacting the media, and handling so many other details that made the Northeastern Edition happen; Ken Williams for graciously handling most of the behind-the-scenes tasks over the weekend; Andrew Davis, Rhonda Donley, Roxane Filion, Mark Joron, Pierre Noel for leading our trips.
We’d also like to thank the City of Timmins, the Mattagami Region Conservation Authority, and Andre Filion for donating items for our welcome packages and door prizes; the Fishbowl Restaurant and the Conseil Scolaire Catholique de District de Grandes Rivieres for the use of their meeting rooms; The Fishbowl and Pick of the Crop Grocery for preparing our meals, which were always on time and delicious!
And a huge thank you to the OFO Board and especially Sue Suess for making our wonderful OFO Convention accessible to birders in the Northeastern corner of our province!
Did you miss the AGM?
In case you missed OFO’s 2023 Convention and AGM, here are some highlights:
Please complete a short survey on the Convention and OFO’s on-going activities:
As we plan for next year’s Annual Convention, and to help us understand how well OFO is serving its members and the birding community throughout the year, we ask that you please complete this survey: https://forms.gle/yvX7FQkmFGH5BsUb6.
The first part of the survey is for all members as it pertains to all OFO activities. The second part is for those who attended the Annual Convention.
The entire survey should take approximately 10 minutes to complete. We thank you in advance.
The Challenge of Eco-Friendly Birding: Brett Forsyth
If you love birds, chances are you love the natural world in which they live. For many of us, that creates a moral dilemma: how big a “footprint” are we willing to make in our quest for the next checkmark on our list?
In 2022, Brett Forsyth set out to see how many birds he could find using only self-powered travel. Join us as Brett shares some of his stories and reflections on his Big Green Birding Year.
Join Zoom Meeting on Wednesday, October 4 at 7 pm EST.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84871008513
Virtual Meet-Ups for Queer and Trans Birders
In the coming months, OFO is planning on launching a series of regular virtual meet-ups for Queer and Trans birders over Zoom. These meetings will provide a space to create community and discuss the barriers we experience. We’re hoping that these will eventually lead to in-person events, particularly during Pride Month.
The first meeting will take place on October 25th at 7:00pm.
Please contact Maxwell Matchim (they/them) at diversity@ofo.ca for more information.
Other Upcoming Members Meetings
Looking ahead, the next Members Meeting will be Nov. 1. Colleen Reilly will be giving a presentation about birding in the Rainy River area.
Upcoming Trips and Events for OFO Members
OFO field trips are for OFO members and a guest. Please register on the ofo.ca website under Upcoming Trips and Webinars.
Spaces are still available for some trips. If the trip is full, please register for the waitlist as spots often become free before the trip.
Amherst Island: 1 Oct 2023 7:50 AM – 3:00 PM, carpool lot south of 401 at exit 593 (Camden East Road)
St. Joseph’s Island: 7 Oct 2023 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM, St Joseph Island site gate, Sault Ste Marie
Rondeau, Erieau, Blenheim Lagoons: 7 Oct 2023 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Rondeau Park Visitor Center
Barrie: 7 Oct 2023 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM, City of Barrie Transient Marina at Bayfield and Simcoe Streets
Hilliardton Marsh: 14 Oct 2023 – 15 Oct 2023 8:00 AM –3:00 PM both days, Hilliardton Marsh banding station
Nephton Mine:21 Oct 2023 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM, Nephton mine entrance
Sandbanks and Point Petre: 22 Oct 2023 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM, Sandbanks park entrance
Lake Huron Fall Birding: 22 Oct 2023 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM, Grand Bend Sobey’s parking lot on north side of Huron County Rd. 81
Hawk Cliff and Area: 22 Oct 2023 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM, Hawk Cliff, South-West of London
Niagara Hotspots including Eastern Lake Erie Shoreline: 28 Oct 2023 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Grimsby Wetlands, Biggar Lagoons
Fall Birding on the Bruce: 28 Oct 2023 – 29 Oct 2023 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM both days, parking area for the Spirit Rock Outpost and Lodge on Highway #6 at the north end of Wiarton
Cobourg Harbour to Presqu’ile: 29 Oct 2023 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM, Cobourg Harbour west parking area
Colonel Sam Smith Park: 12 Nov 2023 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM, south parking lot at foot of Colonel Sam Smith Blvd, aproximately 850 metres south of Lakeshore Blvd
Barrie: 18 Nov 2023 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM, City of Barrie Transient Marina at Bayfield and Simcoe Streets
William Loane Memorial Waterfowl Outing: 26 Nov 2023 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM, at Sunnyside, on the western Toronto lakeshore at the Sir Casimir Stanislaus Gzowski monument
Ontario Birds is looking for another co- editor. If you have editing skills, are a keen birder/ornithologist and have an interest in working as part of a 2-3 person team in producing three issues of Ontario Birds annually, please send your thoughts to Chip Weseloh:
Comments? Questions?
We welcome your comments and feedback! Please contact us at: ofo@ofo.ca.
Good birding,
The OFO Team
For his dedication to the OFO Ambassador Program in regards to the Manitoulin Island Lewis’s Woodpecker for the viewing date of January 17, 2023.
For graciously hosting birders to view the Manitoulin Island Lewis’s Woodpecker in January 2023.
For welcoming birders to his home to see the Boreal Chickadee in Peterborough, ON winter 2023.
For leading trips, patiently sharing her birding expertise, mentoring newer birders, being a regional coordinator for the Breeding Bird Atlas, working collaboratively to bring an OFO Convention to Northern Ontario.
For volunteering countless hours at OFO’s 2022 Alan Wormington Memorial Camp.
For providing exceptional tram service during Point Pelee National Park’s Spring Birding Festival in May 2023.
For designing and creating the Enabled Birding Map to make birding more accessible for people with various disabilities.
For donating his 156 acre property to the Northumberland Land Trust in 2018, now known as the Bonebakker Nature Reserve, and for allowing access to atlas the property. Also for collaborating with fellow landowners to secure access to their properties for additional atlassing purposes.
For welcoming birders to their Oakville, ON backyard to permit optimal viewing of the female Rufous Hummingbird during the period of November 5, 2021 – January 3, 2022.
For the City of Toronto Parks, Forest and Recreation staffers who went out of their way to coordinate and provide all-day protection from vehicles, birders, photographers, dog walkers and the general public to benefit the survival of a migrant Yellow Rail at Ashbridge’s Bay Park in Toronto, ON on May 11, 2022.
We are excited to introduce OFO Birding Buddies! Do you ever travel to parts of the province that you are not familiar with and wish that you could talk to local birders to get their advice on how to bird the area? Or even better, find someone local to go birding with? OFO Birding Buddies will provide you with contact info for OFO members across Ontario who are willing to provide you with that advice or take you out birding. When you join or renew your OFO membership this year, you’ll have the option being a part of OFO Birding Buddies by providing your general location, contact info, and a short description of the assistance you’re able to provide for other OFO members that are visiting your area.
Login here to find your OFO Birding Buddies, update your profile, donate, and register for field trips.