Posted with the prior agreement of the ONTBIRDS Coordinator: This note is an appeal to all ONTBIRDS subscribers not already members of OFO to join now, and a reminder that the OFO Annual Convention will happen in Ottawa on September 30th - October 1st, so register now if you haven't already, and don't miss out on all the fun! MEMBERSHIP Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) is the premiere birding organization in Ontario. We have more than 1,000 members living in all parts of our Province. However, the listserv that has transmitted this note to you, which is sponsored by OFO, has almost 2,000 subscribers. That means many of you are not currently members. At a mere $25/year an individual membership in OFO is an amazing deal! Consider the benefits: - three volumes of Ontario Birds each year ... great journal articles, very readable, amazing photos, the annual OBRC report, and much more - three volumes of OFO News each year ... more interesting articles on bird ID, birding sites, events, and other Ontario birding news - more than 15 field trips each year to many of the best birding locations in the Province, led by highly experienced local birders - the Annual Convention, this year in Ottawa, next year at Point Pelee - membership in the organization that sponsors ONTBIRDS, operates the excellent OFO website, and offers OFO merchandise for sale I could go on, but the bottom line here is that OFO is a not-for-profit organization that strives to enhance the birding experience for all of our members. If you are not already a member, please go right now to our website ( www.ofo.ca ), follow the links to "Membership" and subscribe today. Membership dues help to fund all of our activities, including ONTBIRDS, and becoming a member is an easy way for you to give something back to OFO. ANNUAL CONVENTION To our members, and to anyone else interested in attending, this year's Annual Convention will be in Ottawa on the weekend of September 30 - October 1. It will feature: - two days of field trips in the Ottawa area, led by some of Ottawa's premiere birders (please note, field trips are for registered attendees only) ... check the feature article in the June issue of OFO News for a primer on what Ottawa has to offer in terms of exciting Fall birding - a banquet Saturday evening that will include the presentation of the OFO Distinguished Ornithologist Award to Ken Abraham, guest speaker Guy Morrison on the topic "Hemispheric travellers: shorebirds and their lifestyles", displays and door prizes (again, please note that advance registration is required) - the chance to meet with several of Canada's best known ornithologists, and share some good times with top birders and many other OFO members All this costs only $45, but space is limited so register now while there's still time. To register, go to our website ( www.ofo.ca ) and follow the link to "OFO Annual Convention and Banquet ...". See you there! Christopher Escott OFO President -- Christopher J. Escott 1 Shouldice Court, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M2L 2S3 Home phone: 416.444.8055 Cellular 416.788.8055