Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) upcoming events

2026 OFO Convention: Oct 2, 3, 4 Point Pelee and Surrounding Region (27 May 2026)

Wed, 27 May 2026 11:00:00 GMT

2026 OFO Convention October 2 to 4, 2026

Grow • Learn • Share

Join birders and nature enthusiasts from across Ontario for the 2026 Ontario Field Ornithologists Convention, taking Place Oct 2 to 4, 2026, in two host communities – Leamington and North Bay.

For the first time in North Bay, the convention offers the opportunity to attend from either location while sharing many of the same highlights through live connections between the two venues. Choose the location that’s most convenient for you and enjoy a welcoming weekend of birding, learning, and connecting with others who share a passion for birds and nature.

Whether you’re new to birding, an experience birder, a nature photographer, or simply enjoy spending time outdoors, you’ll find something to inspire you!

Every convention registration includes opportunities to:

Grow

Explore outstanding local birding destinations on guided field trips led by knowledgeable and experienced local birders. Discover new birds, habitats, and conservation stories while enjoying the company of fellow participants.

Learn

Be inspired by keynote speaker Amar Ayyash, author of The Gull Guide: North America, along with presentations, workshops, and discussions led by experienced birders, naturalists, and conservationists.

Meet fellow birders from across Ontario, celebrate the Annual General Meeting, recognize the 2026 Distinguished Ornithologists, and enjoy the unique experience of one convention shared between two communities through live evening programs.

Both convention venues offer guided birding hikes on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday along with Friday and Saturday evening programs that connect participants in both communities.

Leamington Convention:

Roma Club of Leamington, 19 Seacliff Dr., East, Leamington, ON N8H 2L3

Experience world-renowned fall migration at Point Pelee National Park and the exceptional birding destinations in Essex County.

NOTE: Registration Deadline is September 20, 2026, or earlier when the respective venue reaches capacity. Early registration definitely is encouraged.

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

We look forward to welcoming you as we Grow • Learn • Share

together this October!

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 follow 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

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.

For more Field Trip information please click the link below:

2026 Field Trip Brochure

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

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: Jeff Skevington 7:00 am at Point Pelee National Park Visitor’s Centre Tram.

West Beach Trail. Leader: Cameron Chevalier Meet 8:00am at Point Pelee National Park Visitor Centre.

Friday October 2nd - Afternoon

Tilden's Woods - 1PM - 3PM Leader: Jeremy Hatt

Saturday October 3rd - All Day

Objibway Nature Centre more information to follow

Holiday Beach Leader: TBA

Kayak/canoe trip on Pelee Marsh. Freighter Canoe Tour, 9:30 - 11:00AM. Join us as we cruise among the cattails with an interpreter in our 10-person canoe. Discover a side of Point Pelee few have experienced.

Separate registration on OFO Website is required. Only 10 persons per trip. Cost: $15.00 per person. Those with own canoe or kayak may follow main canoe free of charge.

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

Big Sit: Kate Derbyshire and Jeremy Hatt will lead a Big Sit for the convention, LGBTQ+ event at the Delauier Homestead Trail parking lot from 8AM - 12PM on Saturday October 3. People can drop in at any time. This is also a public event (those not signed up to the Convention can also join). The focus will be on migrating hawks and songbirds and will be a joint event w/the Windsor Feminist Bird Club (of which Kate is the President).

Gull Workshop 9AM - 12PM Leader Amar Ayyash

Tip of Point Pelee National Park. Leader: Jeff Skevington Meet 7:00 am at Point Pelee National Park Visitor’s Centre Tram.

West Beach Trail. Leader: Jeremy Bensette 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 Leader: Mark Peck

North-West Beach 1PM - 3PM Leader: Ellen Horak

Sunday, October 4th - All Day

Rondeau Provincial Park and Blenheim Lagoons. Leaders: Pete Read Meet 8:30AM at Rondeau Park gates.

Erieau Area. Leaders: Leaders: Ellen Horak. 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: Jeff Skevington. Meet at 8:30AM Point Pelee National Park Visitor’s Centre for tram.

West Beach Trail. Leader: Jeremy Bensette Meet 8:00am at Point Pelee National Park Visitor Centre.

Tilden's Woods 8AM -12PM Leader: Mark Peck

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.

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

2026 OFO Northern Convention: Oct 2, 3, 4 North Bay, Ontario (15 Jun 2026)

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 12:00:00 GMT

2026 OFO Convention October 2-4 2026

Grow • Learn • Share

Join birders and nature enthusiasts from across Ontario for the 2026 Ontario Field Ornithologists Convention, taking Place Oct 2 to 4, 2026, in two host communities – Leamington and North Bay.

Whether you’re new to birding, an experience birder, a nature photographer, or simply enjoy spending time outdoors, you’ll find something to inspire you!

Every convention registration includes opportunities to:

Grow

Learn

Both convention venues offer guided birding hikes on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday along with Friday and Saturday evening programs that connect participants in both communities.

North Bay Convention

Discover the diverse forests, wetlands, and waterways of the Near North while participating in a convention connected live with Leamington.

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!

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 live-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.

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.

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!

For further Field Trip information:

***Please note: the attachment below is not available yet. Trips are listed on the next page of the registration form. Details regarding location, etc. will be posted closer to the event.

2026 OFO Convention Activities - North Bay

After a fun day of birding, registrants are invited to gather at the West Ferris Legion, 30 Legion Rd., R.R. #5, North Bay, which will be open at 5:00 pm for beverages and socializing. Dinner will be held at this location as well and is being catered by the Legion Ladies' Auxiliary. 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 Leamington.

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