OFO – Next Generation

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  • Ross James

    Ross James was Associate Curator of Ornithology at the Royal Ontario Museum before retiring in 1997. He continues to make significant contributions to the scientific study of birds and bird conservation in Ontario.

    Ross is the author of numerous scientific and popular publications, including the Annotated Checklist of the Birds of Ontario (1991), which is the authoritative guide to the status of birds in Ontario. He co-authored with George Peck two volumes in 1983 and 1987 of the Breeding Birds of Ontario: Nidiology and Distribution. His fieldwork took him all over Ontario and to the United States and Central America.

    Ross’s expertise is sought by federal and provincial committees dealing with threatened and endangered birds and their habitats.

    Ross is a great resource to the Ontario Field Ornithologists. He regularly contributes articles to Ontario Birds and OFO News and is a principal referee of articles submitted to Ontario Birds. He is a charter member of the Ontario Bird Records Committee, having also served several years as Secretary. An authority on vireos, Ross authored the Yellow-throated Vireo account and co-authored the Blue-headed Vireo account in the Birds of North America series.

      

    Ross James (left) receiving the Distinguished Ornithologist Award from presenter George Peck (right) and OFO President Jean Iron at the Annual Convention in Burlington on 17 October 1998.

  • 1998 Certificates

    Jack & Dawn Christilaw, Kilbride

    Varied Thrush

    Magnus & Isobel Huber, Harmony

    Spotted Towhee.

    John Carley

    For his Efforts to Protect the Leslie Street Spit in Toronto.

    Harry Kerr, Toronto

    Keeping the Phone Lines Open to Inform Birders about Rare Birds.

    Michael King, Toronto

    For His Maps and Illustrations in OFO News and Ontario Birds.

    Stephen Mangotich & CoSteel Recycling

    Being the Primary Donor of NPHW Tower at Beamer Conservation Area and Managing the Project.

    Wendy Fox Canada Trust, Friends of the Environment Foundation, Grimsby

    For a Significant Financial Donation to the NPHW Tower at Beamer Conservation Area.

    Gord Harry, Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority

    Allowing the Tower on Conservation Property, Arranging Permits and the Installation of Footings.

    Lionel Schipper

    Arranging the Donation of the NPHW Tower at Beamer Conservation Area.

    Peter Koening, System Administrator Hamilton/Wentworth Community Net (HWCN)

    Setting up the Majordomo Software for e-mail Lists. Otnbirds was the First for HWCN.

    Kit Darling, Hamilton/Wentworth Community Net (HWCN)

    Establishing an e-mail List Capability for Ontbirds.

    John Chalmers, St. Lawrence Seaway Authority

    Allowing Birders on Seaway Property at Port Weller East.

    Albert Vanderliek, Bismark

    Welcoming Birders to Watch Birds at the Large Pond on His Property.

  • Earl Godfrey

    Earl Godfrey, dean of Canadian ornithologists, was the first recipient of OFO’s Distinguished Ornithologist Award in 1997.

    In his early years, Earl studied under Robie Tufts in his home province of Nova Scotia and then with noted taxonomist Harry Oberholser in the United States. In 1947, he became Curator of Ornithology at the National Museum of Canada, later becoming Chief of the Division of Vertebrate Zoology.

    Earl headed surveys across Canada that led to numerous National Museum publications. He published over 200 works during a career of more than 60 years, including papers on geographic variation, nomenclature, distribution, behaviour, plumages and molts. He served as ornithological editor for the Canadian Field-Naturalist. His classic book The Birds of Canada, published 1966 and updated in 1986, sold over 250,000 copies.

    Earl’s enthusiastic encouragement of others, in particular young birders who visited him at the museum, played a large role in launching the careers of many natural science specialists throughout Canada. Earl retired in 1977 and remained active as Curator Emeritus. He was a valuable resource to the editors of Ontario Birds and OFO News. Earl passed away in Ottawa at the age of 92 on 8 June 2002.

      

    Earl Godfrey was unable to attend the award ceremony at the OFO Annual Convention in Burlington on 18 October 1997. Bruce Di Labio presented the Distinguished Ornithologist Award to Earl (right) at his home in Ottawa on 20 October 1997. Photo: Dan Brunton

  • 1997 Certificates

    Presqu’ile Provincial Park

    Managing the Habitat for Shorebirds by Creating a Natural Beach.

    The Town Of Blenheim

    Providing Access to the Blenheim Sewage Lagoons.

    Larry & Linda Budreau

    10 Years of Welcome to OFO Birding Tours at Oak Grove Camp near Rainy River.

    Region of Durham Works Department

    Providing Birders with Access to the Nonquon Sewage Lagoons, Port Perry.

    Colin & Heide Isaacs

    Maintaining a Raptor Preserve in Fisherville.

    The Friends of Misery Bay

    Hosting the OFO Field Trip 18 April 1997.

    Gore Bay-Manitoulin Island Airport

    Preserving Habitat for Sharp-tailed Grouse and Allowing Birders Access to their Property.

    Gordon Bonham, Leamington

    Glossy Ibis May 1997.

  • 1996 Certificates

    Howard Doellel, Lac Dore

    Ivory Gull, 12 November 1995.

    Norma & Victor Mowat, Selkirk

    Least Tern, 5 December 1995.

    Lorraine & Bill Hatch, Hanover

    Harris’s Sparrow, November 1995-January 1996.

    Howard Nussey, Big ‘O’ Incorporated Comber Division

    Providing Access to Comber Woods and Lagoons.

    Rose Petersen & Ian Smith, Ancaster

    Hoary Redpoll, January 1996.

    Joan & Frank Xuereb, Stoney Creek

    Varied Thrush, January 1996.

    Alex Scott, Stella, Amherst Island

    Access to Owl Woods, January-February 1996.

    Chris Davies & Tom Harvey, Unimin Canada Limited

    Assistance in Search of eagles Petroglyphs Area.

    Kathy Vowinckle, Demoretsville

    Providing Breeding Habitat for Henslow’s Sparrow, June-July 1996.

    Terry Sprague, Demoretsville

    Assistance to Birders looking for Henslow’s Sparrow, June-July 1996.

    Ursula & Manfred Kolster, Hamilton

    Spotted Towhee, December 1995-April 1996.

  • 1995 Certificates

    Daniel Johnstone, Area Supervisor, Niagara Region Environmental Services, Port Weller Pollution Control Plant

    for Ross’s Gull, February 1995.

    Sharri & Jerry Wright, Pat & Herb Martin, Leamington

    for hosting Bewick’s Wren in May 1994.

    John Haggeman, St. Clair Nature Wildlife Reserve

    for hosting Vermillion Flycatcher, November 1994.

    Barbara Horth & Eugene Kideres, Thunder Bay

    for hosting Gray-crowned Rosy Finch, January 9 1995.

    Helen & Murray Sutherland, Queensville

    for hosting Varied Thrush, January 1995.

    Bill Hutch, Hutch’s Restaurant, Van Wagner’s Beach

    for warmth and protection on Jaeger days.

  • 1994 Certificates

    First Award presented to: Jean & Eric Niskanen

    for hosting the Band-tailed Pigeon in September 1994.

    John Chapman, Arkona

    for hosting Brambling in January 1994.

    Sherrie & Glenn Neiman, Koshlong Lake

    for hosting Black-chinned Hummingbird 3 July 1994.

    Ian & Margaret Ferguson, Picton

    for hosting Say’s Phoebe, November 1994.

    Officer in charge and Staff CGR 100 Canadian Coast Guard, Port Weller

    who allowed birders out to see the Ancient Murrelet, November 1994.