Society's newsletter, contributed hundreds of bird sightings, provided 'illustrated talks, led field trips, organized the Bain Birdathons of 1980 and ‘1981, hosted pot-luck suppers, co-chaired the Island Nature Trust's photographic display "Wild Side of the Isle", led amphibian hunts and owl-‘ -pr0wls, and in 1982 he became President. After 3 terms, he retired from this position but he continued his association with the Society and contributed to debates on the proposed cormorant cull and gull/tern interactions at the Hillsborough Bridge Piers, continued to provide newsletter articles, led fieldv trips, judged science fairs, hosted pot-lucks, and acted as recording secretary. In 1987 he combined his skills with those olean McAskill to teach "The Birds of Christmas and the Bird House and Bird Feeder Workshop". In 1988, they again combined their skills to teach this workshop as well as one .on "Transplanting Trees and Shrubs fOr Wildlife". ' '

Geoff edited the second edition of the "Field Checklist of Birds for Prince Edward Island" and, in the years since, he has been the principal or sole editor of 3 new editions of the list. These lists have been an invaluable contribution to birding on Prince Edward Island. His contributions in the field of birding expanded still further when, in 1986, he wrote the Prince Edward Island MuSeum and Heritage Foundation's first Short Study, "Spring Bird Migration on Prince Edward Island". In 1988, he donated his _writing skills to the Society's colouring book project, Island Wings and shortly thereafter he-produced the booklet Twenty-five Best Birding Spots on P.E.I. These written contributions recently culminated with the latest edition to his works and a lifetime dream, Familiar Birds of Prince Edward Island. He is currently consulting with Katherine Clough on a new book on Island wildflowers. . -

The expansion of bird knowledge requires not only the perSeverance in' following bird habits'and movements but also the recognition of the distinctive features and behaviors of various birds. Geoff's efforts led to the confirmation of the Pileated Woodpecker at Greenwich in 1987. .He holds the first records for the Black Vulture, Lesser Black-backed Gull, and most recently,,the Thayer's Gull. His calls to others led to the confirmation of the American White Pelican on September 23, 1991. Geoff did not keep these. skills to himself. Since 1983, he has taught a non-credit bird identification course at the University of Prince Edward Island in which he conveys his ‘profound interest in birds to many Islanders. ' . ' - ' y

In partnership with his sister, Geoff opened the Bird's Eye Nature Store in Charlottetown and short1y_after that a branch store at Cavendish. Besides the wide selection of gift items for naturalists, the Charlottetown store featured a blackboard with the latest bird sightings from across the province, a wide selection of field guides and bird specialty books, and excellent optical equipment. ‘

Geoff's contributions to the natural history of our province also included wildflowers and trees.. Shortly after he purchased his property in Springvale, he started the planting of an arboretum utilizing native trees _‘ that he grew himself and a variety of cultivars he selected_and ordered. He‘v utilizes perennials as well as annual flowerbeds to complete the landsoaping plan and, for those who viewed or competed against his entries in the Society's photographic contests, the impact of theSe plantings is stunning. .In 1989 Geoff helped found the Garden Club of Prince Edward Island and he .served as the founding president for the first 2 years of its existence.

Editor's Note: On behalf of all the amateur birders and naturalists that you helped, myself included, thanks Geoff, JDM. '

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