4 minute read. |
By Kyle Cameron, Ontario Projects Biologist at Birds Canada and Matthew Fuirst, Research Ecologist and Observatory Manager
The Class of 2025
Long Point Bird Observatory (LPBO) and Birds Canada are proud to celebrate another successful summer of the Doug Tarry Young Ornithologists’ Workshops (YOW)!
This year’s participants (affectionately known as “YOWs”) were: Sam Bechard (Wallaceburg, ON), Rohan Brar (Scarborough, ON), Chloe Chow (Markham, ON), Eric Fabian Orozco Contreras (Montreal, QC), Graham DeWitt (Goochland, VA), Niko Dmytriw (Canmore, AB), Naomi Fota (North Vancouver, BC), Samuel Phaneuf (Sault Ste. Marie, ON), Amelia Preston (Victoria, BC), Olivia Afre Segui (Ancaster, ON), Sasha Smith (Kitchener, ON), and Kalum Srochenski (Prince George, BC).
Throughout the week, the YOWs were thrust into the life of a field biologist waking up before sunrise to conduct research and monitoring at LPBO’s Old Cut Research Station. Under the tutelage of Birds Canada professionals and staff, they spent most mornings learning how to accurately collect and record migration monitoring data, including all the intricacies of bird banding and standardized visual observations. The afternoons were filled with various activities including preparing museum specimens, sampling moths, searching for unique animals and plants across Norfolk County, releasing turtle hatchlings in the marsh, a forest exploration tea tasting with Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation elder Mark Sault, and a trip to the incomparable Tip of Long Point.
“I really enjoyed the LPBO YOW because I got to meet other youth who shared my passion and interest in birds. It was super cool to band many species that I’ve never banded!” – Kalum Srochenski, 2025 YOW
YOW participants birding at the Tip of Long Point.
Support Youth in Bird Research and Conservation
Youth engagement, education, and training are essential in our efforts to conserve Canada’s birds and the habitats they rely on. This workshop is supported in part by the Doug Tarry Natural History Fund and gracious supporters of Long Point Bird Observatory. If you’d like to show your support for the Young Ornithologists’ Workshop, you can do so with a donation to LPBO or contact Birds Canada to discuss giving options.
A very special thank-you to the Tarry Family, the Hodgson Family Foundation, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, Ontario Eastern Bluebird Society, and private donors for their support of the program. Our appreciation also goes out to all our guest activity leaders, including Mary Gartshore, Lauren Nightingale, Kari Gunson, Cynthia Brink, Lauren Weeks, Victoria Pepe, Matthew Timpf, and Mark Sault, and to LPBO volunteers, including Samuel Perfect, Makayla King, and Courtney Shaw. Vortex Canada is LPBO’s official optics partner, supporting our youth engagement programs.
YOW participant, Sasha Smith conducting radio telemetry for Wood Thrush.
Thank you to Vortex Canada, LPBO’s official Optics partner who outfitted the YOWs with quality binoculars and spotting scopes, swag, and helped to support costs of travel and accommodation.
More about the Young Ornithologists’ Workshop
The workshop was named in honour of the late Doug Tarry, who had the generosity and foresight to help LPBO establish a fund that supports youth education to this day.
The workshop aims to foster the passion and knowledge of promising youth from across Canada through an intensive week of hands-on ornithological, science, and naturalist-oriented programming at LPBO. Previous participants are eligible to return to LPBO in the year following their workshop as Young Ornithologist Interns. The internship builds upon the fundamentals learned during the workshop, providing more advanced instruction and involvement in other aspects of the observatory’s research program. The workshop began as youth excursions in the late 70s, and developed into the workshop format that has been offered annually since 1991.
YOW participant, Olivia Afre Segui releasing a turtle hatchling in Turkey Point marsh.
Over 200+ youth have been through the program so far. The alumni include some of Canada’s best and brightest scientists, ornithologists, and naturalists, and numerous Birds Canada staff. Check out the next issue of BirdWatch Canada for a glimpse at where some of our past YOWs are now!
For information on applying, visit birdscanada.org/discover-birds/training-and-workshops in early 2026 and follow Long Point Bird Observatory on social media.
