The February issue of OFO News, newsletter of the Ontario Field Ornithologists, will be mailed today, Friday 29 February, to members who have paid for 2008. Here are the highlights of this 16 page colour issue: ARTICLES 1. Waxwings and Winter Finches: Chris Earley reports from the University of Guelph Arboretum, relating Ron Pittaway's winter finch forecast to the birds found on campus this winter. 2. A Tribute to Jean Iron and Ron Pittaway, OFO News Editors 1994 - 2007: Ron Tozer gives an account of the extraordinary body of work that Ron and Jean amassed both as editors of, and contributors to the OFO News, making it so much more than a newsletter. He expresses the gratitude of OFO members and indeed that of the entire Ontario birding community. 3. The Endangered Species Act, 2007: Rob Maciver outlines this new provincial legislation and
how it will aid in the protection of Ontario's endangered birds and species at risk. He compares it with the original Endangered Species Act as well as federal legislation and a listing of the species that have been assessed by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. 4. The 2008 OFO Annual Convention: This preliminary notice introduces the OFO Annual Convention Committee, slated keynote speaker, recipient of the 2008 Distinguished Ornithologist Award and a few of the functions planned for 4 and 5 October 2008 in Hamilton. 5. 2007, A Remarkable Year for Northern Saw-whet Owl Migration: Dave Okines recounts the history of the fall migration program at Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory up to and including the successful 2007 season. 6. Samsung YP-K5 4GB MP3 Player: Bob Stamp assesses this miniature birding tool in airplanes, in the field, at home and abroad. 7. Book Reviews: Ross D. James critically listens to and reviews Bird Songs from Around the World 2007 by Les Beletsky. Geoff Carpentier appraises the latest installment of Handbook of the Birds of the World, that being Volume 12: Picathartes to Tits and Chickadees 2007 as Edited by Josep del Hoyo, Andrew Elliott and David Christie. 8. Juvenile Caspian Terns from Presqu'ile Provincial Park observed at Hamlin Beach State Park, New York: Chip Weseloh has hopes of gaining insight into the post-breeding dispersal of juvenile Caspian Terns around Lake Ontario with help from birders from both sides of the lake. 9. The Deserted Cabin on Duck Island: Jean Johnson takes us on an excursion into Georgian Bay. NOTES 1. A Message from the OFO President: John Black introduces himself and challenges OFO members to expose more young people to birding. 2. Carden Alvar Point Counts: Register with Don Barnett to help with the fourth annual bird point counts of the Carden Alvar project. 3. OBRC Notes: Margaret Bain, Chair, reports on recent activities of the rarities committee. The OBRC requests observers who submit photos also to provide written details, which greatly enhance the value of records. 4. Report Colour-banded Colonial Waterbirds to Chip Weseloh. 5. Baillie Birdathon: Record results for 2007 and OFO Celebrity Birders are unveiled. 6. Birds of Hamilton and Surrounding Areas: the limited second edition is now available. 7. Upcoming OFO Field Trips are listed. 8. Ontario Winter Bird List: Mark Cranford and Todd Pepper have added Ontario winter bird sightings to a web-based Canada-wide compilation. ENCLOSURES 1. Ontario Bird Checklist 2008: Please note that a free copy of the newly revised 2008 checklist is enclosed with this mailing. 2. OFO's Celebrity Birders 2008: Pete and Rob Read, and Ian and Gavin Platt, two father/son teams are OFO's Celebrity Birders in this year's Baillie Birdathon. A pledge form is enclosed with this issue. OFO Membership is $25 yearly in Canada and the United States. Members receive three issues of OFO News and three issues of the journal, Ontario Birds. If you are interested in becoming an OFO member, please email Eleanor Beagan, Membership Secretary, [EMAIL PROTECTED] This is our first issue as the new editors of OFO News. We thank the contributing authors and photographers for their great range of work as well as Judie Shore for her impeccable layout and design, Members of the OFO Board of Directors and committees for their strong support and Jean Iron and Ron Pittaway for their generous assistance. We wish the retiring editors many hours of fruitful field ornithology. OFO News EditorsOntario Field Ornithologists Jim Heslop: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 76 Parker Ave. Ancaster ON L9G 1A7 905-648-5770 Seabrooke Leckie: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dave Moore: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Christine Vance: [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.ofo.ca _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org 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
