OFO Young Birder events are open to all birders 18 and under. You do not need to be an OFO member or live in Ontario to attend. We have a great line-up of events this year!
February 1 (Saturday) – Winter Bird Behaviour Workshop at the Guelph Arboretum Leader: Chris Earley. Workshop runs from 9:30 to 12:30 followed by lunch and optional afternoon birding until 3:30 with Lynne Freeman. Meet 9:30 at the J.C. Taylor Nature Centre, The Arboretum, University of Guelph. Learn about behavior of birds in winter and their survival strategies. Age 11 – 18. Maximum 20 participants. Register
April 3 (Friday Evening) – April 5 (Sunday) Canada Jay and Winter Birding Weekend at Algonquin Park Leader: Canada Jay Researcher Matthew Fuirst. The famous Canada Jay weekend is back! Spend a weekend at Algonquin Park exploring winter birds and learning about Canada Jay breeding behaviour on territory. Basic accommodation at the Wildlife Research Station at KM 33 off Highway 69 across from the Mew Lake campground. Food will be self-catered. Meet Friday evening or Saturday morning. Canada Jay birding begins at 10:00 am Saturday morning with departure after lunch on Sunday. Maximum 15 participants. Cost is $80 pp / night. Register
April 25 (Saturday) – Sparrow and Warbler ID Workshop Leader: Dan Chronowic. Spend a day at the Camp Kawartha Environment Centre learning advanced ID and song recognition for the sparrows and warblers migrating to Ontario. The workshop will include birding in the field. Meet at 8:00 am at the Camp Kawartha Environment Centre at 2505 Pioneer Rd, Peterborough. Workshop ends at 12:00 with optional birding in the afternoon. Bring your lunch and birding gear. Maximum 20 participants. Register
May 9 (Saturday) – May 10 (Sunday) Big Weekend at Point Pelee The second weekend in May is typically the birdiest time at Point Pelee National Park in Leamington. This year, young birders who are in the area can share their tallies, stories and best birds at the Young Birders Roundup at the park on Sunday, May 10, from 12 – 1:30. OFO will provide lunch and lead the roundup get together. Register
June 13 (Saturday) – Birding in the Summer Tommy Thompson Park, Toronto Leader: Lynne Freeman. Meet 7:30 am at entrance of Tommy Thompson Park at the foot of Leslie St in Toronto. Birding during breeding season is challenging but worth the effort. Join Lynne Freeman on a hike through the park and learn the protocols you will need to participate in the 3rd Breeding Bird Atlas starting in 2021. Trip ends at 12:00. Register
August 15 (Saturday) – 22 (Saturday) – Alan Wormington Memorial Camp for Young Birders Leaders: Jeff and Angela Skevington, Ian Shanahan, Lynne Freeman. This week-long overnight camp provides teen campers with an immersive nature experience. Campers will go birding every day, will do mothing, wolf howls, canoeing and herping. For teens aged 13 – 18. Cost $950. Maximum 14 participants. Register
September 25 (Friday) OFO Convention in Peterborough, September 25 – 27th Join young birders from across the province at the annual OFO Convention, this year in Peterborough. Experts lead young birders field trips on Saturday and Sunday.
November 7 (Saturday) – Young Birders Choice Location TBD by a young birder’s poll. Register
Any Questions? Email: youngbirders@ofo.ca