The 16 page October 2007 issue of OFO News is in the mail. Here are
the highlights:
ARTICLES
1. OFO 25th Anniversary Celebrations 1982 - 2007: This issue features
several pages of colour photos of OFO's inaugural meeting in 1982 and
the 25th Anniversary Celebration at Point Pelee on 13/14 October 2007.
2. The OFO Checklist: Michel Gosselin of the Canadian Museum of
Nature uses the Ontario Bird Checklist to provide insights into bird
systematics. This is an important ornithology lesson that will
benefit both novice and expert birders.
3. Marbled Godwits On The Go: Ken Abraham of the Ministry of Natural
Resources describes a cooperative study with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife
Service/U.S. Geological Survey of tracking Marbled Godwits that breed
in James Bay. Godwits are fitted with satellite or radio transmitters
and colour bands. Tissue samples are taken for genetic and stable
isotope analyses to answer questions about site and habitat use,
dispersal, migration and wintering areas. Map shows the fall
migration route taken by one Marbled Godwit from Akimiski Island.
4. Eastern Loggerhead Shrike Update: Jessica Steiner and Elaine
Williams of Wildlife Preservation Canada report the breeding success
of Loggerhead Shrikes in 2007. They also discuss the captive breeding
program. They end with a concern that federal funding for the shrike
recovery program is being severely cutback. Photo of two juvenile
Loggerhead Shrikes on the Carden Alvar by Larry Kirtley.
5. Changes to AOU Checklist of North American Birds in 2007: Jim
Rising, Canadian member of the Committee of Classification and
Nomenclature, explains the changes affecting birds in Ontario that
were announced in the 48th Supplement to the AOU Check-list published
in the Auk.
6. OBRC Notes: Margaret Bain, Chair, reports on recent activities of
the rarities committee. The big news is that birders can now count
Trumpeter Swans seen in Ontario in 2007, but sightings before 2007
are not countable. The OBRC requests observers who submit photos also
to provide written details, which greatly enhance the value of records.
7. The Land Between and the Carden Alvar: Ron Pittaway discusses the
narrow contact zone where Paleozoic alvars meet Precambrian granite
barrens along the southern edge of the Canadian Shield. This zone is
called The Land Between. It is ecologically diverse and rich in birds.
NOTES
1. Gulls At Niagara: A full page etching by Elizabeth Turner of gulls
at Niagara Falls to set the mood for the OFO Gull Trip on Sunday 2
December 2007.
2. Paparazzi Birders: Ron Pittaway and Jean Iron ask if you are a
paparazzo (singular) birder. The name Paparazzi birders has come into
recent use describing those who stress birds by pursuing them too closely.
3. Carden Bluebirds: Herb Furniss reports that his bluebird boxes
along Wylie Road on "the Carden Alvar in 2007 had their best breeding
success in his 21 years".
4. Earthworms Threaten Forest Birds: Ron Pittaway reports that
introduced earthworms threaten woodland birds because they eat the
duff layer, which stores and slowly releases nutrients in healthy
forests. When the duff layer disappears exposing bare ground, rain
leaches away nutrients and woodlands become drier and less productive
for birds and other plants and animals.
5. Juvenal, Juvenile and Immature: These often confusing terms are defined.
6. Morph or Phase: Jean Iron and Ron Pittaway explain why birders
should use the correct term morph instead of the outdated "phase".
7. OFO Certificates of Appreciation: John Black, coordinator, lists
the recipients of certificates in 2007 for their outstanding
contributions to birds and the birding community.
8. OFO 25th Anniversary - Letters of Congratulations: A list of the
letters congratulating OFO from the Governor General, Prime Minister,
federal and provincial ministries, birding organizations and others.
ENCLOSURES
Two inserts with this issue. (1) List of 2008 field trips. (2)
Membership renewal form and return envelope for 2008. Please renew
promptly and include updates such as a new email address. Eleanor
Beagan, Membership Secretary, encourages you to renew now using the
enclosed envelope to ease her busy workload as Christmas approaches.
This is our final issue as editors of OFO News. We thank the many
authors, artists, photographers and map makers who supported us for
14 years and 42 issues. We wish the new editors continued success.
Jean Iron and Ron Pittaway
OFO News Editors 1994 - 2007
Ontario Field Ornithologists
9 Lichen Place
Toronto ON M3A 1X3
416-445-9297
<http://www.ofo.ca/>www.ofo.ca
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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