2026 OFO Northern Convention
October 2 – 4, 2026
North Bay, ON
NOTE: Registration Deadline is September 20, 2026, or earlier when the respective venue reaches capacity. Early registration is encouraged.
We look forward to welcoming you as we 🌿 Grow • 📚 Learn • 🤝 Share together this October!
Convention Details
Evening activities include Friday night’s Birds and Beers- doors open at 5PM at the West Ferris Legion, 30 Legion Rd., R.R. #5, North Bay, for beverages and socializing, with dinner to follow. The remainder of the program will be lived streamed from Leamington, with a short presentation of Essex Field Naturalist Club, Certificates of Appreciation and the famous Bird Quiz hosted by Sarah Rupert!
Saturday evening program will include dinner and the Annual General Meeting. Celebrate our 2026 Distinguished Ornithologists, John Black and Kayo Roy! John and Kayo follow in the footsteps of many outstanding recipients of this award. Stay tuned for updates on a “Meet and Greet” with John and Kayo.
We are also very pleased to announce our Keynote Speaker Amar Ayyash, author of “The Gull Guide: North America”. Amar will be sharing his extensive knowledge on Gulls. Check out the website: Anything Larus
The North Bay area offers many wonderful birding areas such as Laurier Woods, Cache Bay and Verner Lagoons. North Bay is located about 3.5 hours drive north of Toronto and about 4 hours west of Ottawa.
Convention participants may choose from a variety of trips in the North Bay area.
Birding trips are open to the public at no cost.
Where possible we have noted the GPS coordinates for each trip. ebird is a great resource as well for locations.
Please Note: Members and non-members are welcome to register for trips and the evening programs. Daytime trips are open to the public, no registration necessary.
**If you are not a member of OFO, you may not be able to register online. If that happens, please email membership@ofo.ca.
Registering for the Convention: If you need help with the registration page, please email membership@ofo.ca. You must be a paid registrant to attend the evening programs and suppers.
Code of Conduct and Code of Birding Ethics: Participants are expected to review OFO’s Code of Conduct and Code of Ethics before the trip.
Need information?
For details on where to stay, the venues, and activities, please view the convention details below.
Questions? Email convention@ofo.ca
Important Information for Visitors
● Accommodations: The Best Western North Bay Hotel & Conference Centre is offering OFO members a 15% discount since we are hosting our event at the West Ferris Legion, Branch 599 located at 30 Legion Rd., R.R. #5, North Bay, ON P1B 8Z4.
● Other Amenities: there are several campgrounds in the area; please contact the campground directly for reservations.
● Other Safety Information: check the weather forecast and dress accordingly. Cell service may be inconsistent. There could be bears around; if you have bear spray, please bring it along.
Evening Programs
Times are approximate and subject to change. Both evenings to be live-streamed from the Convention in Leamington.
Friday, October 2
West Ferris Legion, 30 Legion Rd., R.R. #5, North Bay, ON
| 5:00 p.m. | Meeting & Greet Books/optics swap |
|---|---|
| 6:00 p.m. | Dinner |
| 7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. | Live streamed program, including the famous Bird Quiz |
Saturday, October 3
West Ferris Legion, 30 Legion Rd., R.R. #5, North Bay, ON
| 4:00 p.m. | Registration, vendor display, Bucket Raffle |
|---|---|
| 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. | Family style meal |
| 7:00 p.m. | Opening remarks Annual Meeting Distinguished Ornithologists – John Black and Kayo Roy Keynote Speaker – Amar Ayyash |
Field Trips
Click here to view the field trip schedules.
*Trips that involve bird banding are open to paid registrants only.
Convention participants may choose from a variety of trips in the North Bay area.
Birding trips are open to the public at no cost. However, you must be a paid participant to attend the Banding & Birding at Garry Waldram’s place in Rutherglen.
There will also be a Saturday afternoon Sketching Workshop at the Conservation Headquarters. Check it out!!
Where possible we have noted the GPS coordinates for each trip. eBird is a great resource as well for locations.
Please arrive 15 minutes before departure and bring a packed lunch for the full day trips.
Trip leaders are knowledgeable and mostly local birders. Car pooling from the meeting place is encouraged. Note that the field trip scheduled may be adjusted.
At this time of year, you can expect to see migrating songbirds, waterfowl, shorebirds, and abundant raptors. Many people consider October to be the best birding month of all!
Where to Stay
Reserve your rooms early for OFO group rates!
Best Western North Bay Hotel & Conference Centre
700 Lakeshore Dr, North Bay, ON
(705) 474-5800
- 15% discount
- NOTE: Please quote “Ontario Field Ornithologists” when booking
Other Amenities
There are several campgrounds in the area. Please contact the campground directly for reservations.
Sponsor
The OFO Convention is generously sponsored by:
