Dear OFO Members,
The latest OFO News is at the printer. This 16 page issue will be mailed
only to current members in two weeks. To renew your OFO membership or to
join for 2004, please contact Membership Secretary, Eleanor Beagan. E-mail:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Highlights of the February issue are:
1. Diamond Birds in the Rough - Ron Pittaway describes the major
developments coming to James Bay and the Hudson Bay Lowland because of a
proposed diamond mine south of Polar Bear Provincial Park.
2. Greater Snow Geese in Eastern Ontario - Brian Morin writes about the now
annual spring migration of 1000s of white morph Greater Snow Geese, a
relative newcomer to the province. Includes a drawing by Brenda Carter.
3. A Young Birder and Photographer - Brandon Holden, 16, tells his story
being an avid birder who also loves photography. Photos of a Peregrine
Falcon and a Common Loon by Brandon.
4. Great Crested Flycatcher Nest - George and Jean Fairfield document the
nest building, incubation, feeding young, and fledging of Great Crested
Flycatchers in Toronto. Includes photo of a Great Crested.
5. Do Some Survive? - Ron Tozer discusses a banded young Gray Jay in
Algonquin Park that recovered after being hit by a car.
6. Loggerhead Shrikes Find New Home - Pete Read tells about the release
program and new breeding facilities for the Eastern Loggerhead Shrike.
Photo by Jean Iron.
7. OBRC Notes - Bob Curry gives an update on the activities of the Ontario
Bird Records Committee.
8. Atlas going well, but we need you more than ever! - Mike Cadman
discusses the decline in grassland birds. The atlas is looking for birders
to take on specific tasks, such as doing point counts and finding elusive
species. Includes a map and a table. Illustration of an Upland Sandpiper by
Brenda Carter.
9. On the Prowl for Owls - Nicole Kopysh gives the results of three field
seasons atlassing owls. Nicole tells how you can get involved in owling to
record breeding evidence and relative abundance. Illustration of a Barred
Owl by Brenda Carter.
10. Cooper's Hawk Attacks Pheasant - Randy Horvath describes a juvenile
Cooper's that narrowly missed catching a female Ring-necked Pheasant.
11. Turkey Condor - Ron Pittaway proposes changing the Turkey Vulture's
name to Turkey Condor.
12. The Great North American Birding Trivia Game - Hugh Currie reviews this
new board game for birders.
13. Glossy Ibis Strays - Potential Victim of Botulism - Randy Horvath saw a
Glossy Ibis eating mudpuppies, which is Ontario's largest amphibian and a
major carrier of botulism.
14. Birds At Risk - Ron Pittaway gives the latest COSEWIC designations of
birds in Ontario.
15. Cat-eyed Skimmers Update - Ron Pittaway adds information to his note in
the last OFO News about skimmers, which are the only birds whose pupils
narrow to vertical slits in bright light.
16. Future OFO Field Trips - Don Barnett, Field Trips Coordinator, outlines
12 upcoming field trips to hotspots such as Long Point (two trips),
Manitoulin Island, Tiny Marsh, Minesing Swamp, Rondeau, Prince Edward
Point, Opinicon Road and Amherst Island, Leslie Street Spit, Carden Alvar,
Breeding Bird Atlas Trip to northern Algonquin, and Bruce Peninsula.
17. Annoucements of the 2004 OFO Annual Convention and Banquet, and two new
publications by OFO members.
18. New Checklist - This mailing includes a complimentary updated Ontario
Bird Checklist 2004. Two illustrations by Ron Scovell.
We thank all contributors and hope that you enjoy this issue.
Jean Iron / Ron Pittaway
Editors, OFO News
Jean Iron
President, Ontario Field Ornithologists
9 Lichen place
Toronto ON M3A 1X3
416-445-9297
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Jean Iron <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Visit http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdsguide.htm for information on leaving
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