With spring upon us, several local species have already started their breeding behaviour.  Migrants are arriving daily and staking out territory before nesting. Observing and reporting this activity to the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas provides essential information for Canadian researchers, scientists, government officials and conservation professionals that will help guide environmental policies and conservation strategies across Ontario for years to come. The Atlas is conducted every 20 years and is five years in duration.  Participation in this once in a generation community ..read more

Ottawa Region Meet and Greet An informal Meet and Greet for the Ottawa Region of the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas from 0830 to 1000 at the Shirleys Bay Boat Launch on Sunday 23 April. Come find out about the Atlas and meet fellow participants who would be happy to share their experiences as a part of this premier community science activity. Participation is straight-forward and as easy as simply noting the presence of a bird. Your observations will provide essential information for Canadian researchers, scientists, government officials and conservation professionals that will help guide enviro ..read more

The latest issue of The Canadian Field-Naturalist (CFN) will soon arrive in the physical mailboxes of those with subscriptions for the printed copy. The CFN is the official journal and publication of record for the Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club. The current issue is already posted online. The 108 pages are full of exciting discoveries on Canada’s historical and current biodiversity ranging from birds to wolves to earthworms. These include manuscripts on fern fossils and wood tur tle pre-fossils and a couple more on the use of aerial drones (the latest trend) documenting Polar Bear raids ..read more

The 104th Ottawa-Gatineau CBC was held December 18, 2022. Temperatures ranged from minus 7.5 to minus 1.5 degrees Celsius, with variable skies throughout the day. 153 field observers plus 28 feeder watchers found 77 species and a record high 50,851 individual birds. Highlights included 3 Northern Shovelers (only the fifth record), a Harlequin Duck, 2 Horned Grebes and a Red-necked Grebe, the sixth record for American Coot, 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, a Red-bellied Woodpecker and 2 American Three-toed Woodpeckers. A record high was set for Cooper’s Hawk (19). Record highs were tied for Merlin ..read more

Update: We are now keeping a waiting list. All rooms are currently reserved, but there is a possibility that a few more will open up. OFNC Point Pelee Excursion – May 10-14, 2023 The Events Committee is pleased to offer the Point Pelee Excursion to registered OFNC members in 2023! This page will be kept updated with any new information as it becomes available. The trip will run from Wednesday, May 10th to Sunday, May 14th (5 days/4 nights), and will include two full days in Point Pelee National Park, and a day at Rondeau Provincial Park. While this trip is primarily focused on birding, Point P ..read more

The Ottawa-Gatineau Christmas Bird Count (CBC) took place on December 18 but there are plenty of opportunities to participate in other nearby counts.  Check out Christmas Bird Count Calendar 2022-23 The Kemptville area is preparing for its second Christmas Bird Count on December 29 and could use more participants.  If you are interested, please contact Vanessa Skelton at kvillecbc@gmail.com ..read more

The Ottawa-Gatineau Christmas Bird Count will be held on December 18,2022.  If you wish to participate, contact Bernie Ladouceur at vbladouceur[at]rogers.com or 613-829-2473 for Ottawa or Daniel Toussaint at danieltoussaint[at]videotron.ca for Gatineau. For other nearby Christmas Counts check out Christmas Bird Count Calendar 2022-23 There are plenty of opportunities to participate in nearby Quebec Counts too.  The Club des ornithologues de l’Outaouais lists them at  COO Calendar of Events Birders of all skill levels are welcome to participate in any or all of these events ..read more

by Robert Courteau, president of the Ottawa Mycological Society It was a glorious sunny day on Saturday, September 24th when members of the Ottawa Mycological Society and of the Ottawa Field Naturalists’ Club came together at MacSkimming Outdoor Education Centre to contribute observations to the Great North American FungiQuest. MacSkimming Outdoor Education Centre, just outside of Cumberland, is a closed-to-the-public property of 425 acres, dedicated to the education of elementary and high school students. Once or twice a year, they hold an Open Trails Day, where they open the property to the ..read more

Are you all set for fall birding and adding to your year list?  Here’s the guide you need. How to find 250 Bird Species in the OFNC Study Area ..read more

THE OTTAWA FIELD-NATURALISTS’ CLUB (OFNC) IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT IT WILL SUBSIDIZE ($800) ONE OTTAWA-GATINEAU AREA YOUTH TO ATTEND THE Allan Wormington Memorial Camp for Teen Birders and Naturalists. To apply to attend this camp please email Bob Cermak at birds@ofnc.ca before June 10th, provide your name and age, the name and email address of your parent(s) or guardian(s), and the reason(s) you are interested in attending this camp. One youth will be selected. About the Camp This year’s OFO’s Alan Wormington Memorial Camp for teen birders and naturalists will take place ..read more