254 participants enjoyed the Ontario Field Ornithologists convention from Friday to Sunday, September 14-16. Field trip areas included Presqu'ile Provincial Park, Port Hope-Cobourg, Prince Edward County, Northumberland Forest, Brighton Constructed Wetland, Brighton Provincial Wildlife Area, and Oshawa Second Marsh.

The final tally of species reported for the three-day weekend event (September 14-16) was 178. This is a new high for the OFO Convention, exceeding the previous high total of 177 at Long Point in 2010.

Among the many interesting birds reported were: Lesser Black-backed Gull (Presqu'ile), Forster's Tern (Second Marsh), Black Tern (Second Marsh), Short-eared Owl (Presqu'ile), Red-headed Woodpecker (Presqu'ile), Eastern Kingbird (Second Marsh), Prairie Warbler (Northumberland Forest), Dickcissel (Presqu'ile), and Evening Grosbeak (Second Marsh).

On behalf of all participants, I would like to thank the organizers, speakers and field trip leaders for their tremendous efforts to make this such a great convention.

Ron Tozer
OFO Convention Checklist Compiler
Dwight, Ontario

Presqu'ile Provincial Park Cobourg and Prince Edward County, 14‐16 September 2012

The 2012 OFO Annual Convention will be held in Presqu'ile Provincial Park and Prince Edward County on the weekend of 14‐16 September 2012. Celebrate OFO's 30th anniversary and join us for an exciting long weekend of birding in one of Ontario’s most diverse birding areas with some of Ontario’s top birders. See migrating songbirds, waterfowl, and shorebirds. Meet old friends and make new birding acquaintances. We hope to see you there!

This year's convention has an expanded program: Friday hikes, Friday evening seminars and socializing at the Best Western Inn at Cobourg, actvities for young birders, a Big Sit and a workshop on Digiscoping for those who want to hone their photography skills.

Our guest speaker on Saturday evening will be Michael Runtz. Mike's presentation is entitled Why We Bird - The Truth Behind our Addiction to Birds. We all enjoy birds for a variety of reasons and do so at a variety of levels of intensity. This will be a highly visual exploration of the world of birds and those very odd people who enjoy them so very much.

More Info or Questions? Please e-mail Lynne Freeman at lynnef.to@gmail.com or phone 416-463-9540.

Please note that the 2013 convention will be in Pt. Pelee from 27 September through 29 September. See you there!