The in-person convention is back after a 2-year hiatus!

Join OFO members and guests for three days of birding, celebration and enjoyment in Point Pelee National Park and surrounding birding destinations.

At this time of year you can expect to see migrating songbirds, waterfowl, shorebirds, and abundant raptors. Many people consider September to be the best birding month of all!

Evening activities include Friday night's Birds and Beers -- a casual dinner followed by a short presentation of local interest, and the famous Bird Quiz hosted by Sarah Rupert.

The Saturday Banquet and AGM is the heart of the convention. A sit down meal is followed by the roundup, the OFO Annual General Meeting, presentation of the Distinguished Ornithologist Award and Certificates of Appreciation, and the Keynote Speech. This year's Keynote Speaker is Merilyn Simonds, authour of Woman, Watching, a biography of Louise de Kiriline Lawrence, an early citizen scientists who retreated in midlife to a log cabin in the bush to study songbirds.

Both evening events take place at the Portuguese Club, located at 217 Talbot St., West in Leamington, Ontario. The club has ample parking and is wheelchair accessible. Evening events are preceded by vendor exhibits, and a chance to vie for one of the fabulous door prizes. A cash bar will be available at each event.

Please note:

• COVID Precautions: Safety is our first concern. We will follow provincial and regional guidance with regard to Covid safety and adjust the convention as required.

Registration

Please register online by selecting the Registration link at the right. If you prefer to pay by cheque, send this registration form with cheque attached to Brian Gibbon, 3269 Dobson Rd, Springwater, ON L9X 1T6.

Registration is available from July 1 to September 15, 2022 inclusive. Registration is for OFO members, a guest, and young birders (to age 20) only. Young birders do not need to be OFO members. Please note that all information is required.

Questions? Email convention@ofo.ca

Convention Field Trips

Friday September 23rd All Day 

St Clair NWR and Vicinity.  Leader: Pete Read. Meet 9:00 am at St Clair NWR headquarters at #5633 Balmoral Line off Town Line Road. Stay right at Balmoral Line to reach parking area. 

Ojibway Nature Centre and Essex Sewage Lagoons. Leader: Paul Pratt. Meet 9:00 am in main parking lot at Ojibway Centre in Windsor.  

Big Creek, Holiday Beach Conservation Area. Leader: Alessandra Wilcox, Kiah Jasper. Meet 9:00 am at Holiday Beach Conservation Area main gate. 

Pelee Marsh by Kayak or Canoe. Leader: Jeremy Bensette. Meet 9:00 am  at the Marsh Boardwalk car park in Point Pelee National Park. Photographic opportunities out on Pelee Marsh. Bring own canoe or kayak or rent at the Marsh Rental Centre. Maximum 15 boats. Separate registration on OFO website is required.

Wheatley area, Hillman Marsh, Onion Fields,  Kopegaron Woods. Leader: Dave Milsom. Meet 9:00 am at parking area for Kopegaron Woods, off #34, west of Wheatley.

Friday September 23rd Morning Only 

Birding at the Tip of Point Pelee National Park. Leader: Jeff Skevington. Meet 7:00 am at Point Pelee National Park Visitor’s Centre Tram.

West Beach Trail. Leader: Tim Arthur. Meet 8:00am at Point Pelee National Park Visitor Centre. 

Friday September 23rd Afternoon Only 

Birding Point Pelee National Park Tilden’s Woods. Leader: Tim Arthur. Meet at Point Pelee National Park Visitor Centre at 1:30 pm. 

Birding Onion Fields and Hillman Marsh. Leader: Jeff Skevington. Meet in Roma Club parking area in Leamington at 1:30 pm. 

Saturday September 24th All Day

Essex Sewage Lagoons to Mettawas Beach. Leader: Paul Pratt. Meet 8:30 am at parking lot of Essex Sewage Lagoons, located in Essex near the intersection of Hwy 3 and Victoria Ave.

St Clair NWR and vicinity. Leader: Quinten Wiegersma. Meet 8:30 am at NWR headquarters at # 5633 Balmoral Line off Town Line Road. 

Ojibway Nature Centre and Essex Sewage Lagoons. Leader: Jennifer Nantais. Meet 8:30 am in main parking lot at Ojibway Centre in Windsor. 

Kayak/canoe trip on Pelee Marsh. Leaders: Kory Renaud, Jeremy Bensette. Meet 8:30 am at Marsh Boardwalk parking area in Point Pelee National Park. Bring own canoe/kayak or rent at the Marsh Rental Centre. Maximum 15 boats. Separate registration on OFO website is required.

Point Pelee National Park tip and trails. Leader: Pete Read. Meet  at Point Pelee National Park Visitor’s Centre at 7:00 am for first tram. 

Kopegaron Woods, Wheatley area, Two Creeks. Leader:  Jeremy Hatt. Meet at Kopegaron Woods parking area at 8.30 am off #34 west of Wheatley. 

Point Pelee National Park trails. Leaders:  Sarah Lamond, Liam Thorne. Meet 8:00 am at Point Pelee National Park Visitor’s Centre. 

Sunday, September 25th All Day 

Rondeau Provincial Park and Blenheim Lagoons. Leader: Tim Arthur. Meet at Rondeau Park gates at 8.30 am. 

Erieau Area. Leader: Dave Milsom. Meet at Erieau Harbour at 8.30 am.  

Point Pelee National Park Tip & Trails. Leader: Alessandra Wilcox. Meet at Point Pelee National Park Visitor’s Centre at 7:00 am for first tram. 

Point Pelee National Park Trails. Leader: Kate Derbyshire. Meet at Point Pelee National Park Visitor’s Centre at 8:00 am. 

Onion Fields, Hillman Marsh, Wheatley. Leader: Pete Read. Meet 7:30 am at Roma Club parking lot. 

Young Birders 

Saturday Sept. 24th: Point Pelee and area. Leader: Mike Burrell. Meet 7:00 am at Park Point Pelee National Park Visitor’s Centre. Day ends at 3 pm. 

Sunday Sept. 25th: Birding Point Pelee Tip and Trails. Leader: Mike Burrell. Meet 7:00 am at Tip. Day ends at 2:00 pm.