by Karina Hunter

George Holborn explains the basic tools for amateur ornithologists.

Birdwatching is the fastest growing recreational activity in North America so it is not surprising that OMNR wildlife biologist George Holborn has been receiving a great response to his recent presentations of Song Birds of Northwestern Ontario at Provincial Parks across the North Shore.

I had the opportunity to enjoy Holborn’s presentation at White Lake Provincial Park
last Friday where he was speaking after having presented at Sleeping Giant, Quetico, Killarney and Samuel des Champlain provincial parks. Holborn, who works out of the Old Tree Nursery in Thunder Bay through the MNR’s Science and Information branch, brought with him a slide show which he presented to the campers and amateur ornithologists who gathered at the amphitheatre on the huge outdoor screen. Each bird was

A male, white throated sparrow comes to answer calls from the speaker he is perced on.

first introduced by its call, giving attentive campers the opportunity to guess at which species they were hearing before displaying its photo as well as a map of North America illustrating its particular seasonal territory and migratory patterns. During the presentation, birds could be heard replying to the recorded calls of the slide show and one, identified as a male white throated swallow, even came to land on one the speakers tweeting away to his newly found electronic friend.

Holborn also collaborated with research scientist, Rob Rempel to create PointCount,a program which can be used in the field or when listening to songbird recordings to facilitate the entry of songbird identification data.

Groups can invite George Holbourn to speak and give his presentation of Songbirds of Northwestern Ontario by contacting him at the Old Tree Nursery in Thunder Bay @ (807) 939-3134.  For more information on guest speakers or wildlife presentations happening at Provincial Parks this summer visit www.ontarioparks.com. 

Submitted to The Echo and the Chronicle Journal 07.30.09