Thunder Cape Bird Observatory
2002 Annual Report

Another full season of migration monitoring was completed at the Thunder Cape Bird Observatory in 2002. This year the Warden's duties were split between John Woodcock in the spring, and Jody Allair in the fall. As usual, the spring period covered the period May 1 through early June, and the fall period ran for the months of August, September and October. The Wardens' salaries and expenses were covered, as in previous years, by a contract from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, through Bird Studies Canada.

A full account of the migratory activity is available in the TCBO Newsletter, which is put out twice a year, and is free to members of TCBO. Annual membership in TCBO is available at $10.00 per year; please contact the undersigned if you would like to become a member.

Thunder Cape is becoming a popular destination for winter campers, but unfortunately some vandalism occurred in March 2002: the canoe was stolen, all the firewood was burned, the cabin was trashed and vulgar drawings and text were scribbled in the guest book. We are now discouraging off-season visits there unless by prior arrangement with the TCBO committee.

I would like to thank all those TBFN members who have helped make the Observatory, through donations, memberships, and volunteer labour, one of the premier bird observatories in Canada. Thanks to Aarre Ertolahti for developing and maintaining our TCBO website, which can be viewed at http://tbfn.org/tcbotbfn.htm.

The TCBO committee members are Nick Escott, Sue Bryan, Al Harris, Warren Mazurski, Brian Ratcliff and Cam Snell. Thanks to Sue Bryan for continuing to produce the excellent newsletter through 2002, and to Cam Snell and the Sleeping Giant Provincial Park for continuing logistical support.

Respectfully submitted,
Nick Escott