Sorry for the long-winded message but I felt this information needed to be put out there. Please read carefully to the end!
The OFO Conference has come quickly! We are all looking forward to scouring the Hamilton area for birds, a great speaker and most of all the social event. Over the past week I have done some research into some of the sites for field trips and have received the numbers from our organizers on what seems to be popular. The biggest concern we have is the Dundas Marsh trip. We have been given some access to the Willows Trail at the Dundas Marsh for the weekend by the RBG. However, there is some important information you should know. 1. Rubber boots are mandatory, depending on rain amounts this week even rubber boots may fail. 2. This is a difficult trail if the leaders decide to do it with logs and deadfall to get over and under along the trail. There is also a good deal of poison ivy on the trail. 3. The marsh itself is very high and wet and tromping through it is difficult walking. A rain suit is recommended. The leaders will decide later in the week what is the best strategy. There is also some habitat behind Dundas Arena but the trail out to where the White-faced Ibis was last year is inaccessible. Rubber boots are also recommended behind the arena. The number of participants on the afternoon trip on Saturday is staggering and too many for even two leaders. We also have a time constraint in the afternoon as the banquet starts late afternoon and a trip out to the marsh would be approximately 2.5 to 3 hours. Based on these factors and the reality that this field trip is not for everyone here are some suggestions: 1. I have put on an extra field trip in the afternoon. Tom Crooks and Frank Morley have graciously agreed to do another Shell Park/Paletta excursion from 1 - 3:30 p.m.. This is a great place for migrants all day and given that its supposed to rain most of the week, birds will be moving again on the weekend. Meeting place is Shell Park at 1:00 p.m.. For directions see the OFO website. 2. The number of participants for the Saturday morning and Sunday morning Dundas Marsh trips are presently 13 and 20. We could probably take up to 30-35 on each of these as there are two leaders each for these excursions. At present there are 70 signed up for the afternoon. Morning is best for some of these birds so you may want to consider a switch. If you are interested in the marsh, please email me at [EMAIL PROTECTED] and I can advise you of whether there is space available. 3. The VanWagners Beach trip is basically split in two. If you wish to join this trip at 1:00 p.m. I will have Brandon reconvene at the Lakeland Community Centre again at this time. Afternoon provides better viewing conditions at the beach and if east winds do not favour us, there is access to VanWagners Ponds, Confederation Park and Windermere Basin. 4. Tom Thomas will be doing a Hawkwatch at Woodland Cemetery at 1:00 p.m. This is good on Northwest winds and passerine migrants do congregate here. The Valley Inn/Hendrie Valley is not that far away. We will still be running the Dundas Marsh trip in the afternoon on Saturday. You can email me with any questions or concerns. I just wanted everyone to know what's out there and suggest some alternatives for people. The leaders have been great in accommodating large numbers for this conference and I thank them for accommodating birders and for putting up with me. Hamilton is a great place to bird. Hopefully we can turn up a great bird for all to see this weekend although last years Wheatear is going to be tough to beat. We could however use one of those Wheatears here, we're not fussy! Thanks Cheryl Edgecombe [EMAIL PROTECTED] _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected] For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
