Northern OFO Convention 2025 : Sept. 19-21
Join OFO members and guests for three days of birding, celebration and enjoyment at Hilliardton Marsh Research and Education Centre and surrounding birding destinations.
The Hilliardton Marsh is a provincially significant wildlife area located near Temiskaming Shores in Northeastern Ontario, about 6.5 hours drive north of Toronto. While it boasts 1800 acres of beautiful birding habitat and trails, Hilliardton is most famous as a bird banding station. Convention participants may choose from a variety of trips in the Temiskaming Shores region, including spending some time at the banding station.
Birding trips are open to the public at no cost, with the exception of trips that involve bird banding; you must be a paid registrant to take part in those trips.
New this year is a Saturday afternoon Workshop - Sketching as an identification tool. Check it out!!
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. Most trips are open to the public, no registration required. *Trips that involve bird banding are open to paid registrants only.
**If you are not a member of OFO, you may not be able to register online. If that happens, please email membership@ofo.ca.
Important Information for Visitors
● Accommodations: there is plenty of lodging, as well as restaurants and shopping in Temiskaming Shores about 20 minutes away from Hilliardton.
● Other Amenities: you should fill your car’s gas tank before leaving town. Bring a packed lunch. There are no places to buy gas or food in Hilliardton. Supper is included in your registration.
● 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.
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!
For further Field Trip information:
After a fun day of birding, registrants are invited to gather at the Hilliardton Marsh Visitor Centre, which will be open at 5:30 pm for beverages and socializing. Dinner will be held as this location as well and is being catered. We will have a table set up for people to sell/give away used books and optics. Supper will be served at 6, followed by the evening program to be live streamed from the main convention in Sarnia.
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 on OFO's website under Events/Convention.
Questions? Email convention@ofo.ca
