June 14 2026
Leaders: Mark Calhoun from Into the Wild, and Colleen Reilly from The Pipits
Limestone Islands Provincial Park
9am departure from Snug Harbour, Carling, Ontario. 138 Snug Harbour Road. Returning around 4pm.
Cost $275.00 per person
You must choose one of the two dates offered: June 13 or June 14. Only 9 participants per trip.
Back by popular demand. In 2026 we will be visiting the nesting colonies of the Limestone Islands Provincial Park on two days.
We have once again chartered a boat from Georgian Bay Tours and we will cruise through the beautiful Georgian Bay 30 000 Islands. This is the world's largest freshwater Archipelago.
The Limestone Islands are the furthest west into Georgian Bay in the 30 000 Islands. Essentially there are two main Islands that make up the Limestone Islands. The North Island has a very large colony of Common Terns. We will remain on board the boat as we cruise by close to shore to avoid disturbing this colony. However, we will have great views of the thousands of Common Terns nesting here. We will get a very close view of an active Bald Eagle nest on the North Island. This island will also give us great views of northbound migrating shorebirds.
The South Island we will have the opportunity walk on the Island. We can expect great views of nesting colonies of Caspian Tern, American Herring Gull, Ring Billed Gull, Black Crowned Night Heron and other species. We can walk on this island with minimal disturbance. The South Island also has great opportunities for viewing migrating shorebirds.
We will also stop on Big McCoy Island which has washrooms in the form of Thunder Boxes. On Big McCoy we will have lunch as well. Big McCoy is the largest Island in the McCoy Island chain.
It should be noted that Limestone Islands Provincial Park does not permit access during the breeding season. We have special permission from the Park Superintendent. It should also be noted our time on the Island we will not do anything to disturb the nesting colonies. We will conduct ourselves with the highest birding etiquette.
This will be a full day out on Georgian Bay. During the day we can expect to encounter many other species such as Common Loon, Double Crested Cormorant, Turkey Vulture, Red Breasted Merganser.....and others.
Cost per person for a one day outing to Limestone Islands is 275.00 per person. Payment can be made via e transfer to markcalhoun@live.ca
This is a joint outing between members of OFO, The Pipits and Into the Wild with Mark Calhoun.
Departure
We will be on board a chartered boat and will cruise the 30 000 Islands, the world's largest fresh water archipelago. The Limestone Islands are 20km out into Georgian Bay and are the very farthest westerly Islands in the archipelago. During our boat ride we will travel through the McCoys and Mink Island chains as well.
The Limestone Islands Provincial Park has two large islands which host large breeding colonies of the following species: over 1000 nests of Common Tern which represents 2.5 per cent of the North American population, 300 Caspian Tern nests. 16 000 nests of Ring Billed Gull which is 2 per cent of their global population. As well, other nesting birds include American Herring Gull, Double Crested Cormorant and Great Blue Heron.
For more information please contact Mark Calhoun at
289 338 9741 or
Intothewildwithmarkcalhoun@gmail.com
Type of trip: Breeding birds, Spring migrants, photography.
What to bring: Bring a packed lunch.
Location and Directions: see above.
Public Transportation: n/a
Duration: see above
Approximate Distance: 40 kms by boat
Land Acknowledgement : The District of Parry Sound wishes to acknowledge that we work on and enjoy the lands that have been inhabited by Indigenous peoples from the beginning. Indigenous families know these lands as the hunting grounds, medicine areas, and gathering places. The District of Parry Sound is home of the Anishinaabeg/Anishinaabek – Ojibway, Odawa and Potawatomi peoples, and the territory of the Wasauksing, Shawanaga, Magnetawan, Dokis and Henvey Inlet First Nations and is under the Robinson-Huron Treaty. As we are all treaty people, it is important to learn about the lands we stand on and the people who live here.
About OFO Field Trips
OFO trips are for OFO members and one guest only unless they are public trips.
OFO strives to create an inclusive, comfortable and enjoyable experience for all. Trip leaders are volunteers who generously offer their time to share their knowledge and passion for birds with others. Most OFO trips are suitable for beginner birders. Please let the trip leaders know if you are new to birding when you arrive.
Code of Conduct and Code of Birding Ethics: Participants are expected to review OFO’s Code of Conduct and Code of Birding Ethics before the trip.
Cancellation Policy: Space is limited so please cancel your registration if you cannot attend. If you need to cancel your registration on an outing, please go to the Events Registration page at https://ofo25.wildapricot.org/events. If you are registered for an event, you will see "Already registered" on the left side of the brief outing summary. Click on this, and you will see a button you can click to CANCEL REGISTRATION.
Transportation: All participants are responsible for their own transportation to and from the field trip. Public transit information, if available, is included in the trip description.
What to Bring: Dress appropriately for the weather and wear sturdy, closed toe footwear. Bring ID and health card, water, a packed lunch for longer trips, and money for park entrance and ferry fees. Depending on the season, sunscreen, insect repellant and a topical insect bite treatment such as Afterbite or Benadryl are recommended.
Loaner Binoculars: Email fieldtrips@ofo.caif you require loaner binoculars. We will do our best to provide a pair.
Leaving Early: Trip leaders understand that not everyone will be able to stay for the duration of the trip. If you must leave early, please inform the trip leaders before you go.
Rest Stops and Lunch Breaks: Trip leaders will include rest stops and lunch breaks but if you require additional rest stops, please inform the trip leaders, so they can accommodate your request.
