Patti Campsall
Executive director
Summer has just begun, but we are already seeing signs of fall for the birds. During our Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship (MAPS) program, some adults are beginning their flight feather moult in preparation for migration. While we’ve only caught a few fledglings so far, we hear them begging and see parents stuffing their bills with insects as these young birds get ready for their first migration. With fall already in the air, the Lesser Slave Lake Bird Observatory (LSLBO) starts up fall migration monitoring on July 12th.
With the season already half over, we wanted to introduce you to our amazing team this summer. For some of them, it is their first time in Slave Lake so we asked everyone what they are enjoying most about their summer.
Robyn, our bander in charge leads our monitoring programs with her incredible birding expertise and ability to share her love for birds with visitors and staff alike. Best thing about summer for Robyn is getting out into the field and enjoying whatever surprise is in the next netlane check. Best of all, you get to spend your summer birding!
Braidi, our educator, delivers education programs for the Boreal Centre for Bird Conservation and the Lesser Slave Forest Education Society. A local resident and botany lover, her favourite part about summer in Slave Lake is enjoying the incredible array of plants that you can discover in Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park (LSLPP). She also loves insects and even had a pet bronze jumping spider named Alder!
Bronwyn, our assistant bander, must love summers in Slave Lake as she returned for another season! Her spring highlight was having net 13 up on the shoreline and the extra excitement that it provided the few times they caught something in it. But her real summer highlight are the staff movie nights.
Luke, our interpreter, arrived after finishing his education degree in Ontario. An avid birder and videographer, his favourite thing about summer so far is how many opportunities for adventure the area provides. We have also learned that Luke is a paleontology fanatic who is fascinated by deep time and loves learning about the extinct creatures which used to inhabit our planet.
Ashley is the smiling face that greets you at the Boreal Centre this summer. She has loved experiencing our amazing small-town community spirit especially during special events such as the Songbird Festival and Slave Lake Canada Day festival. Our residents are willing to help out anytime from the set up to take down. And finally, Field Assistant Andy is an avid birder and photographer who have been enjoying the wonderful birding in LSLPP this summer. New to Alberta, he has enjoyed small town life where you can get everything you need within walking distance! Want to meet some of these great people? Then check out our Public Bird Observatory Tours taking place every Wed. and Sat. from 9 – 11 a.m. until the end of September.
