Welcome to the OFO website. If it's Ontario birds that you are interested in, then you've come to the right place. While you're here you can see Photo Galleries of recent sightings, find out about Upcoming Field Trips, view the official Ontario Checklist, read our Code of Ethics, Become a Member, and much more. Enjoy the experience.
Southern Ontario has some of the finest fall hawkwatching sites in North America. Northwest winds are best, pushing hawks to the shorelines of Lakes Ontario and Erie as they fly southwest to exit Ontario south of Windsor. Lake Ontario sites are Cranberry Marsh in Whitby, Rosetta McClain Gardens on the Scarborough Bluffs, and Toronto's High Park. Lake Erie sites are Port Burwell Provincial Park, Hawk Cliff near Port Stanley, and Holiday Beach Conservation Area near Amherstburg. See the Fall Hawk Watching Guide in the Articles and Reports section here.
Recent Photos
There are new photos of Clay-colored Sparrow and Black-backed Woodpecker in the current gallery.
There are new photos of Dunlin, Hudsonian Godwit and Black-backed Woodpecker in the checklist gallery.
Recent Trips
There are recent trips reports for Presqu'ile Provincial Park, Ottawa (all day to 5 pm), Colonel Sam Smith Park and Western Lake Ontario, Moosonee (5-day trip) and Toronto Islands on the current trip reports page.
Next Field Trips
October 21 (Saturday) Ottawa River with Tony Beck
October 22 (Sunday) Grand Bend, Pinery PP, Kettle Point with Donald Pye
October 22 (Sunday) Point Pelee National Park with Ellen Smout
October 29 (Sunday) Hawk Cliff and Area, South-west of London with Dave Brown
Gull Weekend in Niagara
OFO Gull Weekend on the Niagara River 2-3 December, 2017 Workshop on Saturday and Field Trip on Sunday
Workshop Saturday 2 December, 4:30 – 6:00 PM LaMarsh Room, Niagara Falls Public Library on Victoria Avenue, Niagara Falls, Ontario. Free parking off Buckley Avenue (1 block east of Victoria Avenue via Morrison Street). Located five minutes from the Hampton Inn Riverside at the Whirlpool Bridge, Niagara Falls, Ontario.
Gull ID Quiz with Mark Peck Turn up your gull identification skills with this informative, challenging and fun quiz. Everyone Welcome, Pre-registration Required: Please register on the OFO website www.ofo.ca so that we know how many will attend. No charge for this event.
OFO Gull Field Trip Sunday 3 December, 9:00 AM. Meet leaders Josh Vandermeulen, Marcie Jacklin and Jeremy Bensette at the Sir Adam Beck Lookout on the Niagara Parkway.
Staying over? A group hotel rate for the OFO Gull Weekend has been arranged at the Ramada by the River, 4367 River Road at the Whirlpool Bridge, Niagara Falls, Ontario. 905-358-5555. Say that you are with the OFO Birding Group to request the special rate of $55 / night which is available only until November 9th. Book early to avoid disappointment, as the rooms go fast.
Rates: Thursday night, November 30 to Sunday night, December 3: 60$ each night
For more information about the hotel, please contact Claire Nelson: mcnelson@rogers.com
New York State Ornithological Association Convention
Niagara Falls, NY - November 10-12
A rare event for southern Ontario Birders, the Ornithological Society is hosting this year's NYSOA conference and meeting just accross the border. Similar to OFO's convention, they have field trips, speakers and vendor displays.
We don't normally advertise other organization's events but this event is rarely so close to home.
Check out the Buffalo Ornithological Society website for more info or read the press release.
Calling Young Birders!
OFO Young Birders for ages 9 - 19
OFO runs field trips and workshops across the province for young birders aged 9 -19. The only prerequisites are enthusiasm and curiosity about birds. These trips are a great way to meet other young birders who share your interests as well as to learn more about birds and where to find them.
Please email Lynne Freeman at lynnef.to@gmail.com to get on the Young Birders email list.
Check out the 2017 trips!
Ontario Field Ornithologists © 1984. All photographs on the site © the photographer.