Dear Ontbirders,
The February issue of OFO News will be mailed to current 2003 members this
week. Here are the highlights of this 16 page issue, which includes eight
illustrations, six photos and one map.
Page 1. Loggerhead Shrikes 2002, Cameron Ranch Update, Carden Bluebirds.
Pages 2 - 3. Favourite Birding Hotspots - Minising Swamp: Dave Milsom
describes the best birding times and locations to see birds in this huge
wetland west of Barrie. Map by Andrew Jano.
Pages 4 - 5. Atlas Results After Two Years: Mike Cadman outlines some
species that are expanding/increasing and some that are
contracting/declining. Photo by Sam Barone.
Page 6. I Can't Believe I ate the Whole Thing: Wolfgang Luft describes how
a Solitary Sandpiper ate a very large tadpole, which would be analogous to
a human swallowing a grapefruit in one bite.
Page 6. Weaver Loggerhead Shrikes: Ron Pittaway tells of a shrike using
barbed wire to hold twine to shred off strands for the lining of its nest.
Page 6. Notes From The OBRC: Peter Burke reports on recent activities of
the rarities committee, including the names of retiring and newly elected
members.
Page 7. A Summer with Merlins: Mary Anne Miller describes the activities of
nesting Merlins at her cottage in Haliburton County. Sketch of Merlins by
the writer.
Pages 8 -10. Hold Hotlines - Cancel Subscriptions - Back in 7 Weeks: Andrew
Keaveney, University of Guelph student, tells about his atlassing
adventures last summer in northern Ontario. Group photo of 13 young atlassers.
Page 10. Always Have a Back-up Plan: In the depths of winter and few birds,
young birder Ian Shanahan remembers the joys of seeing common spring birds.
Illustrated with a Ruby-throated Hummingbird by the writer.
Page 11. Should We Feed Birds? Why Not? Steve Elliot of Wild Birds
Unlimited discusses how to clean feeders to prevent diseases. He also
suggests feeder designs and seed choices. Photo of an easy to clean
squirrel proof feeder.
Pages 12 - 14. Ontario Forest Bird Monitoring Program: Mike Cadman examines
some population trends among forest birds over the project's first 15 years
from 1987 through 2001. Two illustrations by Brenda Carter.
Page 14. Stranded Loons and Grebes: Annie and Erwin Meissner tell the story
of loons and grebes that were stranded by ice close to Manitoulin Island.
They were later eaten by Bald Eagles.
Page 15. Early Fledged Mourning Dove: Ron and Mary Tasker show two photos
of a newly fledged juvenile Mourning Dove in Toronto on 28 March 2002.
Page 15. Future OFO Field Trips: A list of the 12 upcoming field trips
including dates, leaders, meeting places and expected birds.
Page 16. OFO Awards: A list of people who received OFO Certificates of
Appreciation in 2002.
It was fun putting this issue together, but we couldn't have done it
without the writers, artists, photographers and map maker. We hope you
enjoy OFO News.
Editors: Jean Iron and Ron Pittaway
Jean Iron
President
Ontario Field Ornithologists
9 Lichen Place
Toronto ON M3A 1X3
416-445-9297
e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
www.ofo.ca
Jean Iron <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
