Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO)

OFO Rare Bird Ambassador Sign Up

Start
01 Jan 2000
End
31 Dec 2030
Location
Ontario
Registered
42 registrants

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About OFO Rare Bird Ambassadors

OFO’s Rare Bird Ambassador plan is about empowering Ontario birders with the tools and resources needed so that they can coordinate with property owners to ensure the best outcomes for all parties.

The goal is to promote positive relations between landowners, birders, and photographers, ultimately resulting in happy people and happy birds. Birders can still decide if they want to share sightings or not; we just hope that this makes the decision easier and spreads out the workload related to managing rare bird observations.

You don’t have to belong to OFO to participate.

Being a Rare Bird Ambassador

As a Rare Bird Ambassador, you are making yourself available to be called into action should a rare bird turn up in your area. The goal is to have enough Ambassadors to cover all areas of the province assuming that not everyone will be available when needed.

Rare Bird Ambassadors will make contact with hosts of rare birds, help present possible viewing scenarios to them, and/or coordinate the viewing – sometimes by themselves and sometimes by recruiting other local birders and bird photographers to act as Ambassadors to help with crowd control or other site-specific duties where needed.

Another aspect of being a Rare Bird Ambassador is to communicate information about rare birds, when appropriate, to other Rare Bird Ambassadors or to the Ambassador panel if you are not able to attempt arranging access.

With the role comes responsibility. Finding out about a rare bird that isn’t public knowledge is a privilege, and Rare Bird Ambassadors are expected not to use the information they gain for personal viewing by themselves or their friends, unless it is in order to assess site logistics.

Please keep a bird’s presence confidential unless/until the landowner approves of a viewing plan.

As well, as a representative of the birding community you are expected to adhere at all times to OFO’s Code of Conduct and the Rare Bird Ambassadors Code of Conduct below.

Rare Bird Ambassador Code of Conduct

As a representative of the birding community you are expected to adhere at all times to OFO’s Code of Conduct.

All information is to be kept strictly confidential.

Do not use this as an opportunity to allow special access for your friends to see the bird.

Respect the process and the work of other ambassadors.

If you agree to help, you will have to drop everything and move quickly as birds don’t always stay for long.

The Ambassador panel can help you find alternates so that you don’t have to be on the hook for too long.

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Public Event: Pride Month Birding Walk: Tommy Thompson Park, Toronto

When
27 Jun 2026
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location
Tommy Thompson Park, Toronto
Spaces left
12
Registered
18 registrants

Register

Saturday, June 27

Leaders: May Matchim (they/she), John Nishikawa (he/him)

Trip Details: Meet 8:00 a.m. at the front gate of Tommy Thompson Park (a.k.a. the Leslie Street Spit). We are returning with another exciting Pride Month collaboration between Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) and the Toronto Ornithological Club (TOC). On the Pride Birding Walk, we will search for the breeding birds of the park with a full morning of walking. The walk runs until 12:00 p.m.

Who Should Come? While this walk is a celebration of the LGBTQ2S+ community, all are welcome. You do not need to be a member of OFO or TOC. Creating a respectful, welcoming and accessible environment is our first priority. We encourage newer birders and first-timers to come along; all skill levels are welcome. Registration: Please go to the OFO events page to register. Registration is limited to 30 participants.

Type of Trip: Walking roads and trails to find the breeding birds of Tommy Thompson Park.

Location and Directions: Tommy Thompson Park (43°39'08.2"N 79°19'22.5"W) is located at the south end of Leslie Street in east end Toronto. With access from Unwin Avenue just west of Leslie Street, the park's parking lot at the entrance is free. There is also street parking along the Unwin Avenue roadside.

Public Transportation: The TTC's southbound #83 Jones bus will take you to the intersection of Commissioners Street and Leslie Street, which is a 500-metre walk from the park entrance. The #83 bus leaves from the Donlands subway station on the Danforth Line.

Duration: 8:00 a.m.— 12:00 p.m. Rest stops, if needed.

Approximate distance: Five kilometres of walking, depending on the birding conditions.

Terrain: Forest patches, brush, open lands, constructed ponds and the edges of Lake Ontario.

Gradient: Mostly flat, with small hills in wooded areas and the possibility of some flooding on trails; close-toed shoes or hiking boots recommended.;

Trail Surfaces: Mostly paved, with some dirt forest trails.

Biting Insects: European Red Ants and mosquitoes are common at this time of the year. This year visitors have encountered ticks, usually Dog Ticks, when walking off path. Dog Ticks do not carry Lyme Disease but the presence of Black-legged Ticks (also known as Deer Ticks), that do carry Lyme Disease cannot be ruled out.

Accessibility: We may leave the paved path to explore wooded trails; the walk can be modified on the day of in accordance with any mobility needs. A drinking water station is located near our meeting point.

Washrooms: There are multiple portable toilets along the route and a wheelchair accessible washroom at the entrance to the park.

Location and Directions: Tommy Thompson Park (43°39'08.2"N 79°19'22.5"W) is located at the south end of Leslie Street in east end Toronto. With access from Unwin Avenue just west of Leslie Street, the park's parking lot at the entrance is free. There is also free parking along the Unwin Avenue roadside.

Public Transportation: The TTC's southbond #83 Jones bus will take you to the intersection of Commissioners Street and Leslie Street, which is a 500-metre walk from the park entrance. The #83 bus leaves from the Donlands subway station on the Danforth Line.

Approximate distance: five kilometres of walking, depending on the birding conditions.

Terrain: Forest patches, brush, open lands, constructed ponds and the edges of Lake Ontario.

Gradient: Mostly flat, with small hills in wooded areas and the possibility of some flooding on trails; close-toed shoes or rubber boots recommended.

Trail Surfaces: Mostly paved, with some dirt forest trails.

Accessibility: We may leave the paved path to explore wooded trails; the walk can be modified on the day of in accordance with any mobility needs. A drinking water station is located near our meeting point.

Washrooms: There are multiple portable toilets along the route and a wheelchair accessible washroom at the entrance to the park.

About OFO Field 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.

Safety and First Aid: Trip leaders are volunteers. They are not trained in first aid and cannot provide medical help in the case of an accident or administer medication. When driving, please follow the rules of the road. Exercise caution when parking on the side of the road and getting out of your car.

Accessibility: OFO aims to provide accessible birding trips which are welcoming and enjoyable for all. If you have any questions about the trip, or require accommodations, please contact the trip leaders in advance by emailing fieldtrips@ofo.ca. Please allow a few days for a response.

If you have any questions or concerns, email fieldtrips@ofo.ca.

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Public Event: Disability Pride Month Bird Outing: Rosetta McClain Gardens,Toronto

When
04 Jul 2026
9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Location
Rosetta McClain Gardens, Toronto
Spaces left
10
Registered
11 registrants

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Disability Pride Bird Outing at Rosetta McClain Gardens, Toronto-Saturday July 4 2026

Led by Jack Alvo, John Nishikawa, Rose Petrich.

Date: Saturday July 4th. Begins at 9.30am, ends around 11:30am.

Accessibility: For detailed accessibility information on this location, please

visit Rosetta McClain Accessibility Details.docx

Distance: Over 2 hours, approximately 1.5 km on a flat, paved loop with

occasional interlocking bricks.

Bathrooms: Accessible (AODA-compliant) washrooms are available near

the parking lot.

Type of outing: This trip is designed to be accessible & inclusive to those

who experience accessibility challenges, either due to a disability or other

health concerns. While all are encouraged and welcome to attend, this

year’s event is best catered to people with mobility concerns. Accessibility

features have been provided in detail to help you decide if you’d like to/are

able to attend. This event is appropriate for nature enthusiasts across all

experience levels.

Number of attendees: Limited to 15 people (plus 3 leaders)r. Participants may also bring

one additional person for support.

Description:

Please join us to celebrate Disability Pride month while relaxing and

enjoying the lovely nature in Rosetta McClain Gardens. Birds Canada

describes Rosetta McClain as “a fully accessible park featuring braille

signage, paved roads, and many benches. It is a haven for bird and

butterfly watchers. A park with spectacular views of Lake Ontario ideal to sit

and let the birds come to you”.

We will meet at 9:30 by the parking lot next to the facility building in Rosetta

McClain Gardens. After, we will continue along a (mostly paved) loop trail

for approximately 1.5 km. Please note, part of this trail is on interlocking

bricks, which may be bumpy for people using a wheeled mobility device.

This slow-paced birding experience will allow participants with varying

degrees of mobility to savour these beautiful gardens. The trip leaders will

help identify bird calls and songs, as we stop along the many benches to

listen and enjoy. Newer birders will learn identification tips and

experienced birders will enjoy learning about bird behaviour. Participants

are welcome to stay stationary or turn back at any time.

This is a joint event sponsored by Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO),and the

Toronto Ornithological Club (TOC). It is open to all; you don’t have to be a member of these groups to celebrate with us.

This trip is a part of OFO’s and TOC’s vision to extend guided birding

opportunities to each and everyone, including people who have disabilities.

Outing is free with registration.

Targets: Various songbirds, hummingbirds, woodpeckers, eagles, hawks,

in addition to butterflies, bees, dragonflies, foxes, etc.

What to bring: Remember to dress and pack appropriately for the

conditions, including a sunhat, sunscreen, and bottled water. If you have

them, we encourage bringing binoculars/a camera. Snacks are suggested.

Directions and location:

Car: Rosetta McClain Gardens are located on Glen Everest Road in

Scarborough, just east of the intersection of Kingston Road and Birchmount

Road. There is a free parking lot with a number of accessible parking

spaces.

Public Transportation (TTC): From Victoria Park station- take the 12C bus

east for approximately 15 minutes. Bus will stop 160 meters away from the

entrance to the gardens. From Warden station- take the 69A bus south for approximately 10 minutes. Bus will stop 800 meters away from the entrance.

Additional information: This is a dog-free park (service animals are

permitted). There is no access to the lake from the park. Please feel free to

contact diversity@ofo.ca with any additional questions you may have

about this event, or how we can make it more accessible for you.

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Thickson's Point, Whitby Harbour and Cranberry Marsh

When
11 Jul 2026
8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Location
Thickson's Point, Whitby
Spaces left
13
Registered
20 registrants

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Saturday, July 11 2026

Leaders: Dave Milsom, Cathy Douglas, Brian Wales, Leo Weiskittel

Meet 8:00 a.m. in car park adjacent to walking trail to Thickson's Point, situated at 2650 Thickson's Road, South. Follow tarmac trail (wheelchair accessible) to Thickson's Point. Leaders will search for resident birds and early migrants. There will be a late-morning break to visit restaurant for coffee and washrooms. Then visit Whitby Harbour and Cranberry Marsh. Trip ends at 3 pm.

Type of trip: Breeding birds, early Fall migrants, photography.

Location and Directions: see above.

Public Transportation: n/a

Duration: Rest stops and coffee/lunch breaks will occur throughout the day.

Approximate Distance: Walking: 3 kms. Driving : 8 kms.

Terrain: mostly flat but good footwear required.

Gradient: Flat.

Trail Surfaces: paved/grass. Walking involved.

Accessibility: wet conditions possible.

Washrooms: at Tim Horton's and other locations.

Land Acknowledgement for Durham:

We respectfully acknowledge that we are on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation. This territory is covered by the Upper Canada Treaties. We offer our gratitude to our First Nations for their care for, and teachings about, our earth and our relations. May we continue to honour those teachings.