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!
August 9 2026 (Sunday) Durham lakefront
Leader: Geoff Carpentier.
Twenty-five OFO members and guests joined leader Geoff Carpentier as we explored a few of the many waterfront destinations in Durham Region. Starting early at 7:30 we met on Hall's Road and ventured southbound to Cranberry Marsh where we enjoyed several species of birds, Green Heron, Great Egrets and Least Bitterns. overhead a few shorebirds tested our skill at flying bird ID. We then ventured to Whitby harbour where a couple of locally rare Purple Martins put on a show with an adult Bald Eagle in the background. Then we headed west to Corner Marsh in Ajax - although the birding was a bit slow we did see an incredible four Least Bitterns among myriad other birds. Finally we birded a wetland at the foot of Liverpool Road in Pickering, where close encounters with nesting Common Terns put a nice touch to the day. All in all we saw 62 species. The Trip Report from ebird can be viewed at this link.
OFO Durham Lakefront - eBird Trip Report
