OFO – Next Generation

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  • Bird of the Year – Voting (closed)

    Voting is now closed.

  • Statement on Safety

    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.

  • Bird of the Year – Artwork Contest (closed)

    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.

    • Deadline: closed for 2025
    • Voting: OFO members will have a week to vote on their favourite logo. To ensure fair voting, the artwork will be anonymous.
    • Winner: Earns the most votes. The Redbubble shop will display the winning logo on various merchandise (hats, shirts, water bottles, etc.)
    • In January, all submissions will be featured on the OFO website for a month with the artists’ names. So, even if you don’t win, your art will still have a chance to be shown.  

    Submission rules:  

    • Send submissions to art@ofo.ca. You will be asked to sign a release form so that your art can be displayed and used on OFO merchandise.
    • Works must be original.
    • No photographs or AI-generated art.
    • Include “OFO” and the year in your artwork.
    • Scanned art from paper must be at least 300 dpi or higher if the piece is smaller than
      8″ x 10”.  
    • Pencil/light sketching is not accepted, as it will not show up well (digital art, traditional art (ink, paints, etc. are fine).
    • Backgrounds are discouraged.  
    • Artwork should show well at different sizes and on different mediums (shirts, hats, water bottles, mouse pads, etc.).
    • Most importantly, have fun!!  

  • OFO Call Notes – October

    Welcome to Call Notes, OFO’s news and events for OFO members and the birding community.

    In this issue

    Announcements and News

    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. 

    • Artists will have until October 26th to submit their work, which is around four weeks from now.
    • After all the submissions are received, OFO members will have a week to vote on them, much like we did to choose the Bird of The Year. To ensure fair voting, the artwork won’t have the artists’ names shown at this time. 
    • Once a winner has been decided on, their design will be uploaded to Redbubble through the OFO account and anyone can go on there and purchase these items in time for the holiday season (hats, shirts, water bottles, etc.). 
    • In January, all submissions will be featured on the OFO website for a month with the artists’ names attached. So, even if you don’t win, your art will still have a chance to be shown.  

    Curious about submission rules?  

    • No photographs or AI generated art 
    • If you are scanning your art from paper, have it at least 300dpi.  Higher if the piece is smaller than 8×10” physically.   
    • Digital art, traditional art (ink, paints, etc.) are accepted, however, we will not accept pencil/light sketching, as it will not show up well. 
    • Keep in mind that your art could be used on shirts, hats, or small items like water bottles or mouse pads. Something that will show up well at different sizes is ideal. 
    • Backgrounds are discouraged, but including some is fine.  
    • Please include “OFO” and “2024” on your artwork. How you choose to do this though is up to you. 
    • Submissions can be sent to art@ofo.ca. Once received, we will send you a release form so that we can display and use your art. 
    • Most importantly, have fun!!  

    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.

    Upcoming OFO Member Meetings

    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

    Call for Volunteers

    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

    Comments? Questions?

    We welcome your comments and feedback! Please contact us at: ofo@ofo.ca.

    Good birding,

    The OFO Team

  • 2023 Certificates

    Aaron Hywarren, nominated by Quinten Wiegersma

    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.

    Phyllis and Bob Cacciotti, nominated by Quinten Wiegersma

    For graciously hosting birders to view the Manitoulin Island Lewis’s Woodpecker in January 2023.

    Tony Barrett, nominated by Dave Milsom

    For welcoming birders to his home to see the Boreal Chickadee in Peterborough, ON winter 2023.

    Roxane Filion, nominated by Angie Williams

    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.

    Amy Brunning, Quinten Wiegersma, Angela Skevington, Emma Gignac, nominated by Gis Segler

    For volunteering countless hours at OFO’s 2022 Alan Wormington Memorial Camp.

    Jeff Chambers, nominated by Marcie Jacklin

    For providing exceptional tram service during Point Pelee National Park’s Spring Birding Festival in May 2023.

    Sandra Marquez, Kathy Jones, Leona Mattice, Joanne Brathwaite, Nancy Raymond and Andres Jimenez, nominated by Jack Alvo

    For designing and creating the Enabled Birding Map to make birding more accessible for people with various disabilities.

    Tyne Bonebakker, nominated by Richard Pope

    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.

    Karalee Patel and Ebrahim Patel, nominated by Glenn Coady

    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.

    Gary Elliott, Angela Rushton and Brock Rochus, nominated by Glenn Coady

    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.

  • OFO Birding Buddies

    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.

  • Norfolk County Big Day

    By: Rowan Keunen ▪ Liam Thorne ▪ Piper Smith ▪ Max Segler

    On May 21, the four of us met up at Coppen’s Tract, where we spent a short evening sleeping in our cars at the roadside.

    Our alarms were set for 1:50 a.m. so that we could get an early start looking for owls and other nocturnally active birds in the vicinity. After driving around the area for a couple of hours, we were able to pick up a few Barred and Eastern Screech Owls, Eastern Whip-poor-wills, American Woodcocks, as well as multiple unexpected passerine species that happened to be singing. We soon called it quits looking for Great-horned Owl, and then stopped at both Hahn Marsh and Big Creek, where we picked up most of our targeted marsh birds before dawn.

    By 6 o’clock, we found ourselves at the Long Point “New” Provincial Park where we hoped to tick off most of the regular spring migrant passerines. Unfortunately, the park turned out to be fairly dead for migrants, and we finished our list around 8:30 am with 70 species.

    With this in mind, we decided that we would just have to target as many of the semi-reliable breeders as we could. On our way to Backus Woods, we made a brief stop at Hastings Drive for any gulls and shorebirds that might be present, where we ended up finding a nice White-eyed Vireo. At Backus, we were able to turn up many of the breeders that we had hoped for, such as Hooded and Prothonotary Warblers.

    As noon drew near, we decided to stop at some roadside fields to turn up grassland birds that would be more difficult to find in the heat of the afternoon. Along W Quarter Line, we were successfully able to add Grasshopper, Clay-coloured, and Vesper Sparrows to our day list. After this, we drove around to a few more forested locations in the Long Point area, where we were able to pick up Louisiana Waterthrush. At this point we were all feeling pretty tired, but with the help of some food and energy drinks we pushed on to Turkey Point. Here we were unsuccessful with Little Gull, however we did accidentally flush a very random Yellow-billed Cuckoo from the long grass in the beach area!

    We spent the remainder of the afternoon around the Birds Canada HQ, the Long Point Causeway, and Hastings Drive, where we added lots of waterfowl and shorebirds to our day list. Among these were both Horned and Red-necked Grebes, decent numbers of Ruddy Duck and Lesser Scaup, and a few shorebirds such as Ruddy Turnstones.

    As we were nearing the end of the day, we looked at our trip report and set out to try and fill some easy “gaps.” At sunset we drove to Old Cut and sat in some comfy chairs while we watched our last bird species of the day, a Common Nighthawk, hunting insects over the banding station.

    We finished the day with 143 species, not a bad count considering how poor the provincial park had been for new migrant passerines. Overall it was an enjoyable day, and we were very excited to be involved in raising money for the OFO camp of 2023!


    eBird Trip Report Link: https://ebird.org/tripreport/132627

  • Cheat Sheets for Birding I.D.

    After taking a 101 Birding course in 2019 with Anthony Kaduck, newbie bird nerd Jenny Newton initially had difficulty identifying small birds because she just didn’t know the differences between sparrows, warblers and others.

    So she decided to create a Perch Bird Cheat Sheet for Ontario birds sorted by colour and size. It worked for her!! Today, there are 17 cheat sheets of Ontario birds (e.g. ducks, owls) all with photos sourced from Macaulay Library available for both learning and as a refresher.

    Just follow this link to download them.

  • 2023 Convention: Where To Stay

    Where to Stay

    Note: Group Rates are now Closed!

    Local area accommodations may be found at the following locations. 

    Quality Inn, Peterborough: 

    Complimentary Hot Breakfast starting at 7AM-10AM

    1074 Lansdown Street West, Peterborough, ON K9J1A9

    T: 705-748-6801

    Comfort Inn, Peterborough: 

    Complimentary Hot Breakfast starting at 7AM-10AM

    1209 Lansdowne Street West, Peterborough, ON K9J 7M2

    T: 705-740-7000

    Super 8, Peterborough:

    Complimentary Hot Breakfast starting at 7AM-10AM

    1257 Lansdowne Street West, Peterborough, ON K9J 7M2

    T: 705-243-0220

    Trailer & Tent Camping

    Beavermead Campground

    2011 Ashburnham Dr, Peterborough ON K9L 1P8

    T: 705-742-9712, 1-855-742-9712

    E: beavermead@otonabeeconservation.com       

  • 2023 Convention Evening Programs

    Save the date!

    September 22nd – 24th, 2023

    Update – Registration is now closed!

    – Should you have a question contact: Sue Suess (ssuess@rogers.com)

    OFO Convention – Peterborough

    OFO Convention Northeast Edition – Timmins