February 25 (Saturday) Fisherville Area, Haldimand-Norfolk County
Leader: Dave Milsom. Meet at 9:00 a.m. in the parking lot of the high school at the north end of Cayuga on County
Road 54. Hawks, owls, Snow Buntings, Lapland Longspurs, sparrows.
March 10 (Saturday ) Long Point Area
Leaders: George Pond, Barry Jones, Jim Heslop, Bob Stamp. Meet at 9:00 a.m. at main parking lot of St. Williams
Forestry Station on County Road 24 west of the intersection with County Road 16. Waterfowl, swans, Sandhill Cranes,
early spring migrants.
April 1 (Sunday) Spring Waterfowl Migration East of Ottawa
Leader: Bob Cermak. Meet 7.30 a.m. along Petrie Island Causeway n. of intersection of Highway #17 & Trim Road
(Orleans). Waterfowl (6 species of Geese possible); Sandhill Cranes, early spring migrants.
April 14 -15 (Saturday-Sunday) Gore Bay, Manitoulin Island -- Pre-Registration required
Leader: Dave Milsom . Sharp-tailed Grouse lek. Trip limited to 15 participants. You must register by March
1st. OFO members receive priority. Accommodation at Gordon’s Lodge in Gore Bay is advised . No ferry service in
April so drive via Sudbury .
April 21 (Saturday) Algonquin Provincial Park
Leader: Ron Tozer. Meet 9:00 a.m. at the West Gate of the Park. Entrance fee. Spruce Grouse, Black-backed Woodpecker,
Gray Jay, Boreal Chickadee.
April 28 (Saturday) Minesing Swamp
Leader: Dave Milsom. Meet 8:30 a.m. at Tim Hortons in Angus on Simcoe County Road 90 west of Barrie. Marsh
birds, early spring migrants, shorebirds, waterfowl.
April 29 (Sunday) Rondeau Provincial Park
Leaders: Maris Apse, Donald Pye. Meet 8:00 a.m. at the Park Visitor Centre. Park entrance fee. Spring migrants.
May 5 (Saturday) Durham Lakeshore
Leader: Geoff Carpentier. Meet 8:00 a.m. at the Ajax Go Station. Exit 401 at Westney Road, go south through
first traffic light., turn right at next driveway on the west side of Westney into the south Go Transit Parking
Lot. Go to the southeast corner of the lot. Visits to Thickson’s Woods, Ghost Woods, Duffin’s Creek, Second Marsh,
Cranberry Marsh. Early spring migrants, dragonflies, butterflies. Bring lunch.
May 19 Toronto Islands
Leader: Jay Peterson .From Harbourfront in Toronto, catch 7.30 a.m. ferry to Ward’s Island. You will need $6.50
in coins ($4.00 Snrs. and students). Spring migrants.
May 26 (Saturday) Leslie Street Spit, Toronto
Leader: John Carley. Meet 8:00 a.m. at the base of the Spit (Tommy Thompson Park) parking lot near the
intersection of Leslie Street & Unwin Ave. Late migrants, breeding birds & butterflies.
May 26 (Saturday) Napanee area, & Amherst Island
Leaders: Kurt Hennige, Gary Ure. Meet 6:30 a.m. in Tim Horton’s in Napanee. Morning - breeding birds north
of Napanee: Golden-winged & Prairie Warblers, Yellow-throated Vireo, Black-billed & Yellow-billed Cuckoos.
Afternoon - Amherst Island (ferry fee) for shorebirds, ducks, etc.
May 27 (Sunday) Ottawa [until Noon]
Leader: Bernie Ladouceur. Meet 6.30 a.m. near the s.e. corner of the Lincoln Field’s Shopping Centre parking
lot, off Richmond Road. We will explore the Carp Ridge (an outcrop of the Canadian Shield west of Ottawa) for
Golden-winged Warbler, Eastern Towhee, Field Sparrow, other warblers, cuckoos, thrushes, and more. We will also
visit Britannia Point to look for Arctic Tern, smaller gulls and late migrating waterfowl. We may also visit an
active pond or sewage lagoon in Ottawa’s west end.
May 27 (Sunday) Carden Alvar
Leader: Jean Iron . Meet 9:00 a.m. in Kirkfield at parking lot of Lady Mackenzie School on the right of
Kirkfield Road 6, about 0.5 km north of Kawartha Road 48. Trip consists of some driving, as well as comfortable
walking. Loggerhead Shrike, Sedge Wren, Upland Sandpiper, Grasshopper & Vesper Sparrows & other grassland species.
June 3 (Sunday) Skunk’s Misery, Rondeau & Blenheim Lagoons
Leaders: Rob Read, Gavin Platt. Meet 7.30 a.m. at Newbury Hospital (Four Counties Health Services) pkg. lot
just n.e. of Newbury on 5th Line/Concession Drive. Waliking/driving tour. Some trails may be wet, muddy. Be
prepared for mosquitoes! Cerulean, Hooded warblers, Acadian Flyc., BW Hawk, Pileated Woodpecker & more on
territory in one of the largest remnants of Carolinian forest in Ontario. Butterflies too. Trip ends early afternoon.
June 9 (Saturday) Long Point Area
Leader: Jody Alair. Meet at Bird Studies Canada headquarters at 6:30 a.m. (located on Front Road on the west
side of Port Rowan, east of Highway 59). Bring rubber boots and be prepared for mosquitoes. We will spend the
morning searching for birds through some of the largest examples of Carolinian forest in Canada. Targets will
include Acadian Flycatcher, Prothonotary, Hooded and Cerulean warblers, Louisiana Waterthrush, Yellow-throated
Vireo and others. Time permitting we may also visit the extensive wetlands of Big Creek Marsh.
June 10 (Sunday) Sault Ste Marie and area
Leader: Kirk Zufelt. Meet at 5:00 a.m. at the parking lot of the Visitor's Centre to the west of Exit 394 (last
exit before bridge going to Canada or first exit after crossing to U.S. from Canada). It is about 45 minutes to
Connecticut Warbler spot where we will start day. Other boreal birds- Olive-sided & Yellow-bellied Flycatcher,
possibly Spruce Grouse and Black-backed Woodpecker, Lincoln's Sparrow. Hopefully Sharp-tailed Grouse (sometimes
can see a few on lek still), Piping Plover (breeding last couple of years), Kirtland's Warbler (maybe).Le Conte's
Sparrow, Clay-colored Sparrow should be seen well.Lots of bugs in Connecticut Warbler spot and participants might
get wet feet.
June 16 (Saturday) & June 17 (Sunday) Bruce Peninsula
Leaders: Cindy Cartwright, Alfred Raab. On Saturday meet 7:00 a.m. at Tim Hortons in Hepworth, about 12.5 km
south of Wiarton on Hwy. 6 and on Sunday, meet 7:00 a.m. at Tobermory Airport parking lot, west of Hwy. 6 on Warner
Bay Road. Park entrance fees. ***Arrange accommodations early!*** Bruce birds include Brewer’s Blackbird,
Common Raven, Virginia Rail, Clay-colored Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow, Sandhill Crane, Upland Sandpiper, breeding
warblers, possibly Dickcissel. Also, wildflowers & ferns.
June 23 (Saturday) Happy Valley, King Township
Leader: John Schmefelske. Meet at entrance to conservation area at 7:30 a.m. From Highway 400, take King Road
exit, go west until reaching Concession 7. Turn right (north) to Sideroad 17. Go right (east) and follow until end.
Acadian Flycatcher, warblers, thrushes, hawks including Red-shouldered, wrens, Eastern Bluebird. P.M.:grassland
species near Bolton. Hike along Duffy’s Lane in Palgrave.
August 12 (Sunday) Durham Region & Lake Ontario Marshes
Leaders: Rayfield Pye, John Stirrat. Meet 7:30 a.m. at Lynde Shores Conservation Area parking lot on Victoria
Street in Whitby. Exit Hwy. 401 at Brock Street (Exit 410). Turn left (south) onto Brock Street. Turn right (west)
onto Victoria. Go 2.5 km to Lynde Shores on the south side. Visits to Cranberry Marsh, Oshawa Second Marsh, Corner
Marsh & Frenchman’s Bay. Early Fall migrant warblers, vireos, flycatchers, shorebirds, & butterflies.
August 19 (Sunday) Rock Point Provincial Park & Eastern Lake Erie Shore
Leader: John Black, Dan Salisbury. Meet 8:00 a.m. at entrance to Rock Point Provincial Park, near entry kiosk.
Park entrance fee. Directions: From the west on Hwy. 3, go into Dunnville. Where Hwy. 3 curves left, continue
straight on Main Street, staying along the river. On reaching the bridge that crosses the river, do not cross the
bridge but continue straight onto County Road 3 eastbound. Go via Stromness, turning right onto Rymer Road., about
8 km from the bridge in Dunnville. Take first left onto Downy Road. At next intersection, go right. Park entrance
is on your left. From the east on Hwy. 3, drive into Dunnville, turn left onto Inman Road. Go right onto onto Mumby
Road. Follow this to County Road 3, then turn left. Follow directions from bridge in Dunnville above. Shorebirds,
waterbirds, early fall migrants.
August 26 (Sunday) Palgrave, Tottenham Sod Farms, Schomberg Lagoons
Leader: Dave Milsom. Meet 8:00 a.m. at Patterson Sideroad and Hwy. 50 in the village of Palgrave. Fall
migrants - warblers, flycatchers, shorebirds. Possible plovers, Buff-breasted Sandpipers, Baird’s Sandpipers.
September 1 (Saturday) Toronto Islands
Leader: Jay Peterson. From Harbourfront in Toronto, catch 7.30 a.m. ferry to Ward’s Island. You will need
$6.50 in coins ($4.00 snrs. and students). Early Fall migrants.
September 8 (Saturday) Ottawa (all day to 5 pm)
Leader: Jeff Skevington. Meet 7:30 a.m. along Cassels Road, outside the gate to the Britannia Filtration Plant.
Experience the diversity of Ottawa’s avifauna during the peak of Fall migration. Expect to see warblers, sparrows,
waterfowl, shorebirds, gulls and others. Study the subtle differences between similar species as we explore the
Ottawa River from different vantage points. We start at Britannia, and move slowly west, visiting some of Eastern
Ontario’s best migratory staging areas. Bring a lunch.
September 8 (Saturday) Lake Huron Shoreline.
Leaders: Cindy Cartwright, Maris Apse. Meet at Oliphant Fen 7:30 a.m. on Lake Huron shoreline. Bird at various
points along the lake south to Kettle Point. Shorebirds and other Fall migrants. Bring lunch, snacks, waterproof footwear.
September 9 (Sunday) Presqu’ile Provincial Park
Leaders: Don and Ian Shanahan. Meet 8:00 a.m. at the Lighthouse parking lot. Park entrance fee. Fall migrants,
shorebirds, hawks.
September 23 (Sunday) Point Pelee National Park
Leader: Brian Hobbs. Meet 8:00 a.m. at the Visitor Centre in the Park. Park entrance fee. Birding around the
Visitor Centre, at the Tip, and in the surrounding area including the onion fields. Fall migrants, raptors,
seabirds, shorebirds, Monarch butterflies.
October 6 (Saturday) Hamilton, Burlington & Vicinity
Leader: Tom Thomas . Meet 8:00 a.m. in Hutch’s Restaurant parking lot at Van Wagners Beach on Lake Ontario in
Hamilton. From Niagara on QEW, exit at Centennial Parkway, go left onto North Service Road and follow to Van
Wagners Beach Road to the restaurant. From Toronto on QEW, exit at Woodward Avenue, turn right at lights, then
right at next lights, go under bridge, turn right onto Van Wagners Beach Road to the restaurant. Jaegers, gulls,
shorebirds, fall migrants.
October 21 (Sunday) Durham Waterfront
Leader: Geoff Carpentier . Meet 8 am at Lyndeshores Conservation Area parking lot on Victoria Street, Whitby.
Exit Highway 401 at Brock Street (Exit 410).Turn left (south) onto Brock Street. Turn right (west) onto Victoria.
Go about 2.5 km to Lynde Shores on south side. Visits to Cranberry Marsh Hawkwatch, Oshawa Second Marsh, Corner
Marsh and Frenchman’s Bay, depending on conditions and water levels. Late fall migrants, raptors, shorebirds and ducks.
October 27 (Saturday) Ottawa River
Leader: Tony Beck. Birding from 1 p.m. to dusk along the Ottawa River. Meet 1 p.m. at Andrew Haydon Park, east
parking lot (Ottawa Beach). Possible ducks, geese, shorebirds, gulls. Near sunset, 1000’s of birds fly into Lac des
Chenes to roost. Rarities possible such as Lesser Black-backed Gull, Snow Geese, Red Phalarope, Greater White-fronted
Geese, Cackling Geese.
October 28 (Sunday) Grand Bend, Pinery PP, Kettle Point &/or Point Edward (if strong north winds).
Leader: Maris Apse. Meet at 8:30 a.m. at GB Sobey's parking lot on north side of Huron County Rd. 81, east of
traffic lights at Hwy 21. From Hwy 402 take exit 81 Centre Road and proceed north on Middlesex County 81 via Parkhill,
after jogging left at Middlesex County Rd.7. Continue on Middlesex, then Huron County Rd. 81 to Grand Bend (+/- 3 hrs.
from Toronto). Late fall/ early winter migrants, waterfowl, gulls, jaegers, eagles and resident titmice.
November 3 (Saturday) Hawk Cliff & Area, South-west of London
Leaders: Pete Read, Ian Platt. Meet 9:30 a.m. at Hawk Cliff. From Hwy. 401 Exit 177, take Hwy. 4 south through
western St. Thomas until it becomes Sunset Drive. Continue about 8 km to Union. Go east on County Road 27, Sparta
Line Road. Go east one road (about 3 km ) to County Road 22 (Fairview Road). Head south. The 2nd road south is County
Road 24 (Dexter Line) and you will meet a stop sign. Looking south, you will see the sign for Hawk Cliff. Go south
on the dirt road to the lake. Park along road allowance. Raptors, waterfowl, gulls and late migrants, especially
Golden Eagle.
November 11 (Sunday) Cobourg Harbour, Presqu’ile Provincial Park.
Leader: Ian Shanahan. Meet Cobourg Harbour parking area at 8.30 am. Rare gulls, loons, grebes and shorebirds
possible. Then drive to Presqu’ile Prov. Pk. for late migrants, including Purple Sandpipers.
December 2 (Sunday) Niagara River Gull Watch
Leaders: Jean Iron, Ron Tozer . Meet 9:00 a.m. at Sir Adam Beck Generating Station overlook on Niagara River Parkway
south of Queenston-Lewiston Bridge to USA. From QEW take Hwy 405 towards USA and exit at Stanley Avenue. YOU MUST EXIT
HWY 405 AT STANLEY AVENUE. Turn left, crossing over Hwy 405, then immediately right onto Portage Road which parallels
Hwy 405 for 3 km. At Brock Monument traffic circle take first right exit, Niagara Parkway, signed "The Falls".
Follow for 1.8 km to Sir Adam Beck overlook on left.
December 16 (Sunday) Toronto Lakeshore
Leader: Dave Milsom. Meet 9:00 a.m. at Humber Bay Park East parking lot. Off the QEW, coming from the west, take
the exit to Park Lawn. Go south. Cross Lakeshore Road, then turn right to the parking area. Off the QEW, coming from
the east, exit at Lakeshore Road. Turn right onto Lakeshore Road, then left at the lights into Humber Bay Park East.
Winter species: ducks, gulls, waterbirds, finches, raptors.
