Ontario Field Ornithologists

4:00 - 6:00: Registration, displays and cash bar6:00 - 7:30: Dinner and raffle Master of Ceremonies: Ron TozerOpening statement and checklist tallyOFO Annual General MeetingCertificates of AppreciationDistinguished Ornithologist Award to Margaret Bain

Keynote Speaker: Jeff Skevington Birding by MoleculesJeff is a Research Scientist andthe Head of Diptera (flies) at theCanadian National Collection ofInsects in Ottawa. He uses bothmolecular and morphologicaldata in pursuit of better speciesconcepts and robust phylogen -etic hypotheses.

Saturday Evening BanquetSheraton Hamilton Hotel, 116 King St W, Hamilton FULL DAY (or morning if

you need to leave early)

7:30 to 3:30 West End of Lake Ontario(WELO) IBAShorebirds, waterfowl, migrantpasserines, jaegers, and more.Meet at Lakeland Centre, 180 Van Wagners Beach Road. Free parking.

7:30 to 3:30 Birding Hamilton 101A whirlwind tour of a broad mix of Hamilton birding hotspots.Meet at Hutch’s, 280 Van Wag -ners Beach Road. Free parking.

MORNING

7:30 to 11:30 Young Birders – Dundas IBAA birding tour of the Dundas IBA for young birders. Meet atUrquhart Butterfly Garden, 135 King St E, Dundas.

7:30 to 11:30 Birding OakvilleA morning tour of the migrationhotspots of Oakville. Meet atSouth Shell Park, 3376 LakeshoreRoad W, Oakville.

7:30 to 11:30 Dundas ValleyConservation AreaBirding hikes through this 3,000acre glacial valley that holds anarray of rare wildlife in a lush Carolinian Forest. Meet at theDundas Valley Trail Centre at 650 Governors Road, Dundas. Fee for entrance.

7:30 to 11:30 Windermere Basin A morning at one of the hottest of the Hamilton birding hotspots,250+ species over the last fewyears. Scope recommended!Meet at parking lot, 447 EastportDrive. Free parking.

AFTERNOON

1:00 to 3:30 Lake WatchIf the winds are good we’ll bewatching for jaegers. If condi-tions are less favourable, we’llvisit other locations along thelake. Meet at Lakeland Centre,180 Van Wagners Beach Road.Free parking.

1:00 to 3:30 Hendrie ValleyMeet at Cherry Hill Gate in Hendrie Park just across fromthe RBG Headquarters. 680Plains Road W, Burlington.

Sunday, September 29–Field Trips

Guidelines for FieldTrip ParticipantsPlease arrive 15 minutes before departure and bring a packedlunch for the full day trips. Tripleaders are knowledgeable, mostlylocal birders. Car pooling from themeeting place is encouraged. Note that the field trip schedulemay be adjusted. Please confirmthe field trip agenda atwww.ofo.ca,events, convention,prior to the convention.

OFO ConventionRegistration 2019Register online at www.ofo.ca,events, convention. If you are unable to register online contact Brian Gibbon at bwgibbon@gmail.com or 705-791-3103.

Online registration is availableMay 30 to September 21 inclusive. Registration is for OFO members,their guests, and young birdersonly. Field trips are for conventionregistrants only, please.

Where to StayReserve early for OFO group rates!Hotel: A block of rooms at grouprates have been reserved for OFO at the Sheraton Hamilton Hotel,116 King St West, Hamilton. 905-529-5515 www.sheratonhamilton.com

Unfortunately there is no compli-mentary breakfast. Please men-tion OFO when making yourreservation. Room rates start at$149 + tax. Parking is $12.50 pernight. Rooms will be difficult tofind after this group rate expires on August 27th.

Trailer and Tent camping:Fifty Point Conservation Area andCampground, 1479 Baseline Road,Winona, 905-525-2187 fiftypt@conservationhamilton.ca

7:30 to 11:30 Dundas IBA Photography WorkshopImprove your photography skillswhile birding in the Dundas IBA.Meet at the Urquhart Butterfly Garden, 135 King St E, Dundas. Free parking. (Space limited.)

AFTERNOON

1:00 to 3:30Birding Tech Workshop Field workshop that will coverbasic photography, audio record-ing, mobile apps, with a focus onidentification and good documen-tation. Meet at Binbrook Conser-vation Area, Tyneside Roadparking lot. Free parking.

1:00 to 3:30 Grimsby WetlandsExplore this newly restored nat-ural space at the site of a formersewage lagoon. Shorebirds, waterfowl, and other migrants.624 Winston Rd, Grimsby, freeparking a short walk away at theintersection of Oakes and Winston Road.

1:00 to 3:30 Butterflies and Birds More things with wings! Meet atPaletta Park, 4280 LakeshoreRoad, Burlington.

1:00 to 3:30 Hendrie ValleyMeet at Cherry Hill Gate in Hen drie Park just across from theRBG Headquarters. 680 PlainsRoad W, Burlington.

1:00 to 3:30 South Shore of Cootes ParadiseMeet at the Princess Point Parkparking lot at the end of Long-wood Road North, Hamilton. Fee for parking.

1:00 to 3:30 Lake WatchIf the winds are good we’ll bewatching for jaegers. If conditionsare less favourable, we’ll visitother locations along the lake.Meet at Lakeland Centre, 180 Van Wagners Beach Road. Free parking.

Note that the field trip schedule may be adjusted. Please confirm the field trip agenda at www.ofo.ca prior to the convention.

Design and production: Judie ShorePrinting: DTP Inc.,Concord, Ontario

Gadwalls. Photo: Ken Newcombe

Sandhill CranePhoto: Ken Newcombe

Photo by Angela Skevington

Please check the OFO website to register, for maps of field trip meeting locations, or for more information about meals. www.ofo.ca

FULL DAY

7:30 to 3:30 West End of LakeOntario (WELO) IBAShorebirds, waterfowl, migrantpasserines, jaegers, and more.Meet at Lakeland Centre, 180 VanWagners Beach Road. Free parking.

7:30 to 3:30 Dundas Valley Conservation AreaBirding hikes through this 3000acre glacial valley that holds anarray of rare wildlife in a lush Carolinian Forest. Meet at DundasValley Trail Centre at 650 Gover-nors Road, Dundas. Entrance fee.

7:30 to 3:30 Cootes-to-Escarpment EcoParkTour of birding hotspots in this recently established park system.Meet at Princess Point Park park-ing lot at the end of Longwood Road N. Locations may have parking or entrance fees.

7:30 to 3:30 Birding Hamilton 101A whirlwind tour of a broad mix ofHamilton birding hotspots. Meetat Hutch’s, 280 Van WagnersBeach Road. Free parking.

7:30 to 2:30 Young Birders Day Trip A birding tour of Hamilton foryoung birders. Meet at Fifty PointCA, 1479 Baseline Rd. Pizza lunch.

MORNING

7:30 to 11:30 Bird Banding Station at Ruthven NHSParticipate in bird banding atRuthven Park. Great event for birders of any age or ability toenjoy seeing these migrant song-birds up close. 243 Hwy 54,Cayuga. Free parking.

7:30 to 11:30 Birding the Valley Inn Birding the Grindstone Creek delta marshes and Carroll's Bayfor marsh birds, shorebirds, rap-tors, and songbird. The past 10years of Septembers have yielded120+ species. Accessible path foranyone with mobility challenges.Meet at parking lot, parking lim-ited, carpool encouraged. 1163Spring Garden Road, Burlington.

7:30 to 11:30 Windermere Basin A morning at one of the hottestHamilton birding hotspots, 250+species over the last few years.Scope recommended! Meet at the parking lot, 447 Eastport Drive. Free parking.

8:30 to 11:30 Canoe Birding through Cootes ParadiseA guided tour of marsh birds inCootes Paradise. (Canoe rental required, pre-registrationrequired, space limited.) Visit hamiltonnature.org/ofo for pre-registration.

7:30 to 11:30 Dundas BirdingA hike along the Spencer Creektrail, looping back to the newCanal Park. Meet at Urquhart Butterfly Garden, 135 King St E,Dundas. Free parking.

7:30 to 3:30 Birding Hotspots of HamiltonA morning whirlwind tour of abroad mix of Hamilton birdinghotspots. Meet at Hutch’s, 280 Van Wagners Beach Road. Free parking.

Saturday, September 28 –Field Trips

DISPLAYS AND DOOR PRIZES: Tables are available for displays of bird related products or services. Those whowould like a table are asked to make a $15 donation or provide a door prize to be given at the convention. Contact Jeremy Hatt at hattjeremy@hotmail.com

FULL DAY

7:30 to 3:30 West End of Lake Ontario(WELO) IBAShorebirds, waterfowl, migrantpasserines, jaegers, and more.Meet at Lakeland Centre, 180 Van Wagners Beach Road.Free parking.

7:30 to 3:30 Cootes-to-Escarpment EcoParkTour of birding hotspots in this recently established park system.Meet at Princess Point Park parkinglot at the end of Longwood Rd N.Locations may have parking or entrance fees.

7:30 to 3:30 Dundas Valley Conservation AreaBirding hikes through this 3,000acre glacial valley that holds anarray of rare wildlife in a lush Car-olinian Forest. Meet at the DundasValley Trail Centre at 650 Gover-nors Rd, Dundas. Fee for entrance.

7:30 to 3:30 Birding Hamilton 101A whirlwind tour of a broad mix ofHamilton birding hotspots. Meet atHutch’s, 280 Van Wagners BeachRoad. Free parking.

MORNING

8:30 to 11:30 Canoe Birding through Cootes Paradise A guided tour of marsh birds inCootes Paradise. (Canoe rental required, pre-registration required,space limited.) Visit hamiltonnature.org/ofo for pre-registration.

7:30 to 11:30 McMaster Forest Birding and Research Tour A birding tour of the conservation,restoration, and study effortsthrough both the Hamilton Nat -uralists’ and McMaster University.Diverse habitat with 160 speciesobserved in the last five years.Meet at Lower Lions Club Road,100m west of the Wilson St intersection. Free parking.

8:00 to 11:30 Saltfleet BirdingBirding in the open country ofSaltfleet township. Meet at theVinemount Meadows Nature Sanctuary at the tracks, 10th Road,Stoney Creek. Carpooling stronglyencouraged.

7:30 to 11:30 Dundas IBA Photography WorkshopImprove your photography skillswhile birding in the Dundas IBA.Meet at Urquhart Butterfly Garden,135 King St E, Dundas. Free park-ing. (Space limited.)

7:30 to 11:30 Birding Waterfalls: SpencerGorge Conservation AreaSee why Hamilton is the City ofWaterfalls, while birding. Meet atTews Falls parking lot, 590 HarvestRoad, Dundas. Fee for parking.

AFTERNOON

1:00 to 3:30 Beverly Swamp Birds and Butterflies More things with wings! Meet atBeverly Swamp Conservation Area(Safari Rd entrance), 1535 SafariRoad, Cambridge. Free parking.

Friday Evening Birds and BeersSheraton Hamilton Hotel, 116 King St W, Hamilton

The program is open to all but pre-registration is required for the dinner buffet.

5:00 - 6:30: Registration, displays and cash bar6:30 - 7:30:�Buffet (pre-registration required)

7:30 - 9:00: Master of Ceremonies: Richard Pope

Presentations:Hamilton’s Birds of the Year, 2000 – 2018. The birds, the finders and the stories: Bob Curry

Birding Challenge Quiz: Sarah RupertSarah Rupert (Photo courtesy of ERCA)Bob Curry (Photo by Glenda Slessor)

1:00 to 3:30 Birding the Valley Inn Come bird the Grindstone Creekdelta marshes and Carroll's Bay formarsh birds, shorebirds, raptors,and songbirds — the past 10 yearsof Septembers have yielded 120+species. Accessible path for anyonewith mobility challenges. Meet atparking lot, limited parking. 1163Spring Garden Road, Burlington.

1:00 to 3:30 Birding Waterfalls: SpencerGorge Conservation AreaSee why Hamilton is the City ofWaterfalls, while birding. Meet atTews Falls parking lot, 590 HarvestRoad, Dundas. Fee for parking.

1:00 to 3:30 RBG ArboretumMeet at the main parking circle atthe arboretum. 16 Old GuelphRoad. Fee for entrance.

1:00 to 3:30 Dundas Valley Conservation AreaBirding hikes through this 3,000acre glacial valley that holds anarray of rare wildlife in a lush Car-olinian Forest. Meet at the DundasValley Trail Centre at 650 GovernorsRoad, Dundas. Fee for entrance.

1:00 to 3:30 Lake WatchIf the winds are good we’ll bewatching for jaegers. If conditionsare less favourable, we’ll visit otherlocations along the lake. Meet atLakeland Centre, 180 Van WagnersBeach Road. Free parking.

Since 1853, with the arrival from Scotland of Thomas McIlwraith, Hamilton and its naturalists have made major contributions to bird studies in Ontario.

McIlwraith was a founding member of the American Ornithologists’ Union and, in 1886, published Birds of Ontario(302 species). The Hamilton Natur alists’ Club (HNC) began in1919 as the Hamilton Bird Protection Society; it later becamethe Hamilton Nature Club and then (to avoid confusion withnudist clubs!) the Hamilton Naturalists’ Club.

The HNC is much more than a bird club; it was instru -mental in having Dundas Marsh (Cootes Paradise) declared a game sanctuary (1927). Since then the HNC has been aleader in conservation, having purchased or received as donations nine properties that are now sanctuaries.

We have lost much to urban sprawl and pollution butHamilton, at the Head-of-the-Lake, remains a magnet forbirds, including rarities.

Hamilton Naturalists’ Club

1919-2019Celebrating a century of protecting nature

Don't miss OFO's annualconvention this September

as we explore Hamilton incelebration of the 100th anniversary ofthe Hamilton Naturalists’ Club.

Cootes Paradise. Photo: Sandy Bell

Friday, September 27–Field Trips

Wood Duck. Photo: Ken Newcombe

Black-billed Cuckoo.Photo: Rob Porter

Hamilton,OntarioSeptember 27-29, 2019

OFOAnnual Convention

ONTARIO FIELD ORNITHOLOGISTS

Indigo Bunting.Photo: Rob Porter