2026 OFO Convention
Join OFO members and guests for three days of birding, celebration and enjoyment in Point Pelee National Park and surrounding birding destinations.
At this time of year you can expect to see migrating songbirds, waterfowl, shorebirds, and abundant raptors. Many people consider September and October to be the best birding months of all!
Evening activities include Friday night's Birds and Beers- registration 5PM - 6PM- a casual dinner starting at 6PM, followed by a short presentation of Essex Field Naturalist Club, Certificates of Appreciation and the famous Bird Quiz hosted by Sarah Rupert!
Join us on Saturday evening for the Raffle followed by a sit-down Banquet and the Annual Meeting. Celebrate our 2026 Distinguished Ornithologists, John Black and Kayo Roy! John and Kayo follows in the footsteps of many outstanding recipients of this award. Stay tuned for updates on a "Meet and Greet" with John and Kayo. Registration from 4PM to 6PM, Dinner at 6PM
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
NOTE: Registration Deadline is September 20, 2026, or earlier once we reach our capacity of 300.
Both evening events take place at the Roma Club, 19 Seacliff Dr., East., Leamington, Ontario. The club has ample parking and is wheelchair accessible. Evening events are preceded by vendor exhibits, and a chance to vie for one of the fabulous door prizes. A cash bar will be available at each event.
Where to Stay: group rates are available at local hotels and other venues in the area. The information can be accessed for both locations using this link: OFO - Accommodation Convention
For more Field Trip information please click the link below:
Friday October 2nd - All Day
St Clair NWR and Vicinity. Leader: Pete Read. Meet 9:00AM at St Clair NWR headquarters at #5633 Balmoral Line off Town Line Road. Stay right at Balmoral Line to reach parking area.
Objibway Nature Centre more information to follow
Holiday Beach Leader: Paul Pratt
Kayak/canoe trip on Pelee Marsh. Leaders: TBA. Meet 8:30 am at Marsh Boardwalk parking area in Point Pelee National Park. Bring own canoe/kayak or rent at the Marsh Rental Centre. Maximum 15 boats. Separate registration on OFO website is required.
Kopegaron Woods, Wheatley area, Onion Fields, Hillman Marsh. Leader: Peter Sproule. Meet 8:30AM at Hillman Marsh CA parking lot (1826 Mersea Rd 2)
Onion Fields, Hillman Marsh, Wheatley. Leader: Dave Milsom. Meet 7:30 am at Roma Club parking lot. End time flexible based on location activity.
Friday October 2nd - Morning
Tip of Point Pelee National Park. Leader: TBA Meet 7:00 am at Point Pelee National Park Visitor’s Centre Tram.
West Beach Trail. Leader: TBA Meet 8:00am at Point Pelee National Park Visitor Centre.
Friday October 2nd - Afternoon
Tilden's Woods - more information to follow
Saturday October 3rd - All Day
Harrow Sewage Lagoons to Amherst Point on the Detroit River. Leader: TBA. Meet 8:30 am at entrance to Harrow Sewage Lagoons, Concession Road 3, just north of Harrow.
Objibway Nature Centre more information to follow
Holiday Beach Leader: Paul Pratt
Kayak/canoe trip on Pelee Marsh. Leaders: TBA. Meet 8:30 am at Marsh Boardwalk parking area in Point Pelee National Park. Bring own canoe/kayak or rent at the Marsh Rental Centre. Maximum 15 boats. Separate registration on OFO website is required.
Onion Fields, Hillman Marsh, Wheatley. Leader: Dave Milsom. Meet 7:30 am at Roma Club parking lot. End time flexible based on location activity.
Saturday October 3rd - Morning
Gull Workshop 9AM - 12PM Leader Amar Ayyash
Tip of Point Pelee National Park. Leader: TBA Meet 7:00 am at Point Pelee National Park Visitor’s Centre Tram.
West Beach Trail. Leader: TBA Meet 8:00am at Point Pelee National Park Visitor Centre.
Kopegaron Woods, Wheatley area, Onion Fields, Hillman Marsh. Leader: Peter Sproule. Meet 8:30AM at Hillman Marsh CA parking lot (1826 Mersea Rd 2)
Saturday October 3rd - Afternoon
Caldwell First Nation Hike 12:30PM - 3PM Leader: Carrie Ann Peters
Tilden's Woods 1PM - 3PM
North-West Beach 1PM - 3PM
Sunday, October 4th - All Day
Rondeau Provincial Park and Blenheim Lagoons. Leaders: TBA Meet 8:30AM at Rondeau Park gates.
Erieau Area. Leaders: Leaders: TBA. Meet at Erieau Harbour at 8.30 am.
Onion Fields, Hillman Marsh, Wheatley. Leader: Dave Milsom. Meet 7:30 am at Roma Club parking lot. End time flexible based on location activity.
North-West Beach Leader: TBA 1PM-3PM
Sunday, October 4th - Morning
Point Pelee National Park Tip. Leader: TBA. Meet at 8:30AM Point Pelee National Park Visitor’s Centre for tram.
West Beach Trail. Leader: TBA Meet 8:00am at Point Pelee National Park Visitor Centre.
Tilden's Woods 8AM -12PM
First Nations Hike 9AM - 12PM Leader: Carrie Ann Peters
Young Birders
Saturday October 3rd - All Day
Point Pelee and area. Leader: Mike Burrell et al. Meet 7:30AM at Park Point Pelee National Park Visitor’s Centre. Day ends at 3 pm.
Sunday October 4th - All Day
Birding Point Pelee Tip and Trails. Leader: Mike Burrell et al. Meet 7:30 am at Tip. Day ends at 12:00 pm.
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!
Banquet Location:
Roma Club of Leamington
19 Seacliff Dr., E. Leamington, ON N8H 2L3
Evening activities include Friday night's Birds and Beers -- a casual buffet dinner followed by Certificates of Appreciation, a short presentation of local interest, and the famous Bird Quiz.
The Saturday Banquet and AGM is the heart of the convention. A sit down meal is followed by the roundup with Mike Burrell, the OFO Annual General Meeting with Mark Peck, presentation of the Distinguished Ornithologist Award - John Black and Kayo Roy and the Keynote Speaker, Amar Ayyash.
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?
If you are unable to register online, please contact
Sue Suess E: ssuess@rogers.com or M: 519-852-3409
Dan Suess E: dansuess@rogers.com or M: 519-860-7895
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
