Birding with a Purpose

Mike Burrell has been a regular volunteer at Long Point Bird Observatory since he was fifteen. He worked as a naturalist for many summers in Algonquin Park and has recently returned to Long Point to run the Old Cut field station.

Listless Birders

Born in Arnprior, Ontario and a birder since the age of five, Michael Runtz worked for many years as an interpretive naturalist in Algonquin Provincial and Point Pelee National parks. Michael has conducted numerous biological surveys across Ontario, captained winning teams in major birding competitions, hosted an international television series Wild by Nature, written more than 1,000 newspaper and magazine natural history articles, and published 10 best-selling natural history books, which showcase his award-winning photography. A frequent keynote speaker at major events and a regular guest on radio and television, Michael was the only Canadian featured on the TVO/NHK Japan's Superteachers series, profiled alongside luminaries such as Jane Goodall and Nelson Mandela. Michael's conservation and educational efforts have attracted numerous awards, including a Federation of Ontario Naturalists' Service Award, The Friends of Algonquin Park Directors Award, the Canadian Council of University Biology Chairs Distinguished Public Education Award, and the Carleton University Lifetime Achievement Award. Michael currently teaches at Carleton University in Ottawa, where his Natural History and Ornithology courses have attracted more than 40,000 students to date.

Originally from the UK, Mark has been birding for almost 40 years. With a long back-story involving 11 years in Thailand, 2 each in Egypt and Nepal, and a brief return to the UK, Mark only arrived in Canada at the tail-end of 2012. Despite that, he has made a name for himself in the birding circles of Kingston where he also serves on the board of Kingston Field Naturalists. To keep him straight, during his free time, Mark works at Murphys Point Provincial Park as their Senior Naturalist.