October 24 2026 (Saturday) Nephton Ridge
Leader: Dave Milsom, Cathy Douglas, Brian Wales.
A beautiful sunny, warm Saturday greeted our group of 25 birders who had registered as OFO or Peterborough Field Naturalist members for this annual Fall fieldtrip. As usual, Covia Limited provided a bus to take all our group up the ridge for the day. Thanks again to Brett Jeffs and Kale for their assistance and knowledge of the site. Many were hoping for the repeat of 6 Golden Eagles as seen on our trip last Fall, but the weather was too warm and lacking in wind to provide the conditions necessary for a major flight. Despite that, we did find at least 3 Bald Eagles, a Red-shouldered Hawk, 3 Red-tailed Hawks, Coopers Hawk, 2 Turkey Vultures and 17 Common Ravens throughout the day.Other good finds were Northern Shrike, several Pine Siskin flocks, 25 Purple Finch, 13 Snow Bunting, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, and 2 Ruffed Grouse. Some of the best birding occurred in the afternoon session when we scoped Kasshabog Lake and found several duck species including Surf and White-winged Scoters. Our daily total of species was 36. Many thanks to Don Sutherland for maintaining and sharing the Ebird list and for his expertise. Cathy successfully conducted her traditional morning walk which produced several species and Brian as usual was of great assistance to many including myself.
Dave Milsom
October 11 2026 (Sunday) Sandbanks
Leader: Kale Worman, Jax Nasimok.
On October 11th, Kale Worman and Jax Nasimok led a group of 8 OFO members on a trip to Sandbanks Provincial Park and Point Petre. We first met at the park entrance and were treated to a flyover of a Tundra Swan and a Cooper's Hawk while we waited for all of the group to arrive. We then moved over to the Dunes Trail. Some of the highlights along this 2.7km trail were a drumming Ruffed Grouse, 2 Sharp-shinned Hawks and a Northern Harrier flying over, a Merlin perched in a tall snag, many Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned Kinglets, both Nuthatches, a very skulky Winter Wren, Field Sparrows and an Eastern Towhee, among others. We also had excellent views of a mother and fawn deer that came very close to us! Along the beach we found some closer fly-by White-winged Scoters and some Bonaparte's Gulls resting on the beach. Additionally, Jax spotted a Jaeger species flying very far out; unfortunately, it was too far to identify. We then checked the West Point trail, but did not have much there, so we quickly moved on to the Outlet Beach, where we enjoyed lunch. After this, we made our way towards Point Petre; however, on the way we ran into a very lively section of road that treated us to great views of 15 Eastern Bluebirds and Eastern Phoebes, as well as a good selection of other species. Our next stop was a trail before Point Petre, where we found more of the same common species, and 2 late-migrating Black-and-White Warblers. Our last stop for the day was Point Petre a little past 2 pm. There was not much there; however, those who were still around were treated to a distant view of a Red-throated Loon and Common Loon.
The day was fairly quiet overall; however, we still managed to find some special species. Thanks to everyone who joined us on this day!
October 10 2026 (Saturday) Ottawa Fall Fieldtrip
Leader: Jeff Skevington, Michelle Martin.
Michelle Martin and Jeff Skevington co-lead a group of 20 OFO members on this Thanksgiving Day outing. The date corresponded with the Global Big Day. We spent the most time at Mud Lake where we recorded 50 species of birds. Warbler diversity and overall numbers were quite low but we were pleased to see a few nice birds along the river near the Filtration Plant - 2 separate White-winged Scoters flew upriver, 5 Red-necked Grebes were in a tight flock and drifted slowly downriver, and an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull was perched on the rocks. Our second stop at Andrew Hayden Park was almost passerine-free. Three Semipalmated Plovers were nice to see. We then stopped at Shirley's Bay and had some distant raptors migrating along with a few waterbirds. Constance Bay was our last stop with a look at the Constance Creek mouth for Nelson's Sparrows turning up one bird that flushed but did not provide good views. We finished at Jeff Skevington's house and the feeders were quiet. The weather for the day was spectacular with light NNE winds and beautiful fall colours. A lot of birds appeared to have left the region overnight resulting in low overall numbers and diversity. Jeff Skevington
October 10 2026 (Saturday) Rondeau
Leader: Peter Sproule.
OFO Trip Report for Rondeau, Erieau and Blenheim
October 10 2026
Leader: Peter Sproule
Five participants signed up for this walk on the Thanksgiving long weekend where we visited several spots within Rondeau Provincial Park, the Keith McLean Conservation Lands, the Marsh Trail and the Pier in Erieau, and a final stop at the Blenheim Sewage Lagoons (with permit in pocket).
After the meet-and-greet at the Rondeau Visitor Centre parking lot, 12 Pine Siskins and 4 Turkey Vultures passed overhead before we walked to the entrance of the Tulip Tree Trail adjacent to the Visitor Centre. An Eastern Wood-Pewee, 5 Golden-crowned Kinglets, 2 Northern House Wrens, 6 Hermit Thrush and 2 White-throated Sparrows were observed during the circular walk around this trail, with 16 Red-winged Blackbirds observed upon the exit. The group walked out to the Beach Access, again adjacent to the Visitor Centre, to scan the beach for gulls, shorebirds and whatever els might have been lurking ? 122 RBGU, 12 AHGU and 20 Double-crested Cormorants were seen on the beach and on the water. The walk back to the parking lot utilized the boardwalk over the dune area where Black-capped Chickadees, House Sparrows, Chipping Sparrows, White-throated Sparrows were seen, along with a Swamp Sparrow and Northern Cardinal.
The next stop within Rondeau was the eastern side of South Point Trail, not as birdy as expected but there were a few highlights ? an Eastern Towhee greeted us upon arrival and exit. There was a Blue-headed Vireo observed along with Ruby-crowned Kinglets, and a Hermit Thrush was seen and heard along the path. Blackpoll Warblers, with their yellow ?feet? were also seen along the path in the brush, and 3 Peregrine Falcons were observed several times soaring bak and forth along the peninsula.
Our next stop upon exiting Rondeau was the Keith McLean Conservation Lands, where an immature Purple Gallinule was observed the week before this walk. Alas, no gallinule, but Northern Shovelers, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Redhead. Ring-necked Duck, an American Coot were observed in the pond. An Osprey was seen perched in a dead tree partaking in a recently caught meal. The walk around the exterior of the lands produced a Great Blue Herom, a Belted Kingfisher, a few Marsh Wrens heard calling along with a Savannah Sparrow and Swamp Sparrows.
We visited the Erieau Pier, after a stop at a specialty coffee shop, to check for shorebirds and gulls. Scope views of the shore of the island north of the pier produced 3 Great Black-backed Gulls, 50 RBGU, 60 AHGU and a couple of Mourning Doves. The Erieau Marsh Trail was more productive ? Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, American Wigeon, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Ring-necked Duck and many Lesser Scaup were identified by scope view in the bay. Several Bonaparte?s Gulls did a fly over of the Marsh Trail as well
The final stop on this outing was the Blenheim Sewage Lagoons. Upon entry, we were greeted by Ruddy Ducks and Hooded Mergansers, along with Killdeer, Lesser Yellowlegs and Greater Yellowlegs. Advancing further into the facility, the group observed more of both species of Yellowlegs, Dunlin and a late Long-billed Dowitcher, and approximately 20 American Pipits.
eBird checklists:https://ebird.org/checklist/S400969117 https://ebird.org/checklist/S400837224 https://ebird.org/checklist/S400970034 https://ebird.org/checklist/S400955434 https://ebird.org/checklist/S400981943 https://ebird.org/checklist/S401001306 https://ebird.org/checklist/S401043430
September 26 2026 (Saturday) Downsview
Leader: Jack Alvo.
On a perfect September afternoon, ten people with varying degrees of mobility and birding experience met with the outing leaders. Our slow, casual walk yielded some 13 species of birds. At the pond a Great Blue Heron and Double-crested Cormorant were nice to see. In the forest, there were several migrating immature Yellow-rumped Warblers, and we ended off with a small flock of White-breasted Sparrows. Heard but not seen were Hairy Woodpecker and American Robin. The group also enjoyed a few minutes for socializing both before and after the walk.
This was the 3rd annual fall outing at Downsview, co-led by volunteers from Downsview Park, Toronto Ornithological Club (TOC) and OFO. We are contemplating a spring-time outing next time, likely in April, when there is more birdsong (and less foliage!).
September 6 2026 (Sunday) Hamilton
Leader: Barry Coombs, Rob Porter.
Fourteen keen birders joined co-leaders Barry Coombs and Rob Porter at Hutch's on a sunny and breezy morning. A Merlin perched overhead and kept an eye on us as we outlined our plan for the day. After our chat, we walked east from Hutch's and took the path to the footbridge and Globe Park. Following that, we returned to the beach strip and explored a bit of Confederation Park West. A lunch break was enjoyed at Hutch's.
Our next stop was Woodland Cemetery in Aldershot. A few of our participants had to leave us at that point but the rest of us birded the area carefully. It was very quiet, however, and few migrants were encountered. A stroll down to the Valley Inn was productive and we found our fourth heron/egret species of the day; Green Heron.
Overall, we recorded 55 species, which included 8 species of warbler. Thanks go to all participants for contributing to a pleasant outing!
