People

In February 2000, a board of directors formed a society to manage the observatory. RPBO is a registered charitable organization in Canada and is governed by a volunteer board of directors. The Board of Directors for Rocky Point Bird Observatory consists of five executive members and up to 10 additional Directors at large.

Board of Directors

RosaMunzer
Rosa Munzer
President

Rosa Munzer, RPBO President

Rosa Munzer is a strong advocate for bird conservation who joined RPBO as a member-at-large in 2022. She brought over 35 years of utility and provincial government experience in lands management and service delivery, strategic planning, policy development, public relations, and information management. She has served on six other boards including two local government boards.

Bio
Terry Bird
Terry Bird
Vice President

Terry Bird, RPBO Vice President

Terry Bird received his Ph.D. in microbiology from the University of British Columbia in 1994.  He was a faculty member at the University of San Diego for several years where he taught biology and conducted research in microbial genetics.  After retiring in 2021, he returned to Canada and currently resides in East Sooke.

 
Bio
Gail Harcombe
Gail Harcombe
Treasurer

Gail Harcombe, RPBO Treasurer

Gail Harcombe is a retired biologist with a strong interest in conservation and the natural world. Her years of experience as editor and publication production coordinator for scientific and technical reports and other publications have enabled her to combine her interests in science, illustrating and graphic design. She has served on boards of non-profit societies in a variety of roles, both as executive and director at large. Gail is a director and publications coordinator for Victoria Natural History Society and is currently RPBO Treasurer.

Bio
Jennifer Armstrong
Jennifer Armstrong
Secretary

Jennifer Armstrong, RPBO Secretary

Jennifer’s journey to becoming an RPBO volunteer started with a cross-country move, a spontaneous visit to Outerbridge Park, and a fortuitous ​first introduction to BC birds by two RPBO ​Board members. 

Supported by a background in Business Administration and Office Management and a degree in Geology, she joined the Board in 2019, served as President in 2021 and 2022, and still volunteers on the Executive. Jennifer dives headfirst into any volunteer opportunity. 

Having always enjoyed birds, it was the 2008 combination of a new camera, young children and a gift membership to a local arboretum that launched a lifetime passion of birding.  She keeps only two bird lists - a Lifetime and a Year’s - and spurred on by family and friends, tries to best herself each year.  Since moving to the west coast in 2017, she also discovered a surprising love of gardening, despite historically having a notorious black thumb.  

Bio
Andrew Harcombe
Andrew Harcombe
Past President

Andrew Harcombe, RPBO Past President

Andrew Harcombe is a retired conservation biologist, with a background in vegetation ecology and rare species and ecosystems. He spent his entire career working in British Columbia landscapes. He has extensive experience in nonprofit national and international conservation boards, and has served on the RPBO Board since 2014 as President, Vice President or Secretary. He is presently Membership Director. He has a lifetime interest in natural history, especially birds.

Bio
Mark Byrne
Mark Byrne
Operations Coordinator

Mark Byrne, Operations Coordinator

Mark has been volunteering with RPBO since the fall of 2016 after seeing a Northern Saw-whet Owl while visiting the Pedder Bay Banding Station. Since then, he has been involved in most RPBO projects including MAPS, Migration Monitoring, Nocturnal Owls Monitoring and SeaWatch. In 2019 Mark joined the Board, took on the responsibility of inventory control for the banding stations as well as becoming a relief bander for the Northern Saw-whet Owl program. In 2022 he took on the role of Operations Coordinator and is currently working towards obtaining his passerine banding permit.  

Bio
RobynIMG_5913
Robyn Byrne
Volunteer Coordinator

Robyn Byrne, Volunteer Coordinator

Robyn started volunteering with Rocky Point Bird Observatory in 2016 and since then has become active in almost all projects including MAPS, Migration Monitoring, Owls and SeaWatch. In 2019 she joined the Board, became a  relief bander for the Northern Saw-whet Owl program and took on the role as a Volunteer Coordinator.  Robyn is also the compiler for the Sooke Christmas Bird Count and a Zone Leader for the Victoria count. Robyn and her husband Mark also host the ‘Bird Babble Podcast’. 

Bio
Jannaca Chick
Jannaca Chick
MAPS and Owl Bander

Jannaca Chick, MAPS & Owl Bander

Jannaca began volunteering with RPBO in 2012, knowing almost nothing about birds, and has become an ardent volunteer and supporter of RPBO and bird conservation in general. She has served on the board for many years, in the capacity of Secretary and Vice President. She has become a licensed bander, leading our MAPS and Nocturnal Owl Monitoring programs, and in 2023 obtaining her hummingbird banding permit. Jannaca has always loved to travel and now combines this with her love of birds, visiting and volunteering at banding stations in different parts of the world. She has been fortunate to see some wonderful birds and meet fascinating people involved in bird research and conservation in places such Azerbaijan, Mongolia, Greece, Israel, Thailand, and Cuba.

Bio
Daniel Donnecke
Daniel Donnecke
Science Chair

Daniel Donnecke, Science Committe Chair & SeaWatch Coordinator

Daniel is the head of the RPBO Science Committee.  He also leads the Seawatch program, a land-based seabird observation at Beechey Head in East Sooke Park.  Daniel is a professor in the Chemistry department at Camosun College.

Bio
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Simone Littledale
Education Portfolio

Simone Littledale, Education & Outreach Portfolio

Simone is a multidisciplinary artist and the principal of the Vancouver Island School of Innovation and Inquiry. Simone has been volunteering at RPBO's banding stations since 2022. Born and raised in Vancouver, her love of the natural world started early, with a childhood exploring the forests and little coves around her home and falling in love with watching wildlife. She holds a B.A. in Creative Writing and a BC teaching accreditation, both from UVic. Her interest in birds was kickstarted by a post-graduation trip to the Colombian Amazon, and she's been hooked ever since. When she isn't teaching, Simone can usually be found birding, in her home studio, or in her garden, where she is working to rewild her yard with native flora.

Bio
Ann Nightingale
Ann Nightingale
Migration Coordinator

Ann Nightingale, Migration Project Coordinator

Ann has been birding since the mid 1990s and has been an active volunteer for Rocky Point Bird Observatory for almost as long. As well as being a licensed bird bander, Ann is a past-president of both RPBO and the Victoria Natural History Society, and served a four-year term on the Canadian Migration Monitoring Network Steering Committee and three years on the American Birding Association board. She is currently a member of the Project Owlnet Working Group.  

Ann coordinates the Victoria Christmas Bird Count and is a zone leader for three other count circles. Her dedication to the understanding, conservation and promotion of birds has garnered the attention of the media and some pretty impressive organizations. She is frequently called upon by local radio and television statements when the subject turns to birds!

Ann is a recipient of the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers, the American Birding Association’s Award for Conservation and Community,  the Victoria Natural History Society’s Distinguished Service and Honorary Lifetime Awards and BC Nature’s Regional and Nature Mentor Awards. In addition to her volunteer work in the field, she also gives dozens of presentations on birds to community groups each year. She has written articles for both the popular press and peer-reviewed scientific journals.

 

Bio
Liam Seward-Ragan
Liam Seward-Ragan
First Nations Liaison

Liam Seward-Ragan, First Nation Liaison

Liam is the B.C. Provincial Coordinator for Important Bird Areas (IBAs) and Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) with B.C. Nature and specializes in First Nations engagement, fundraising, and volunteer coordination. He holds a BA from McGill where he studied Anthropology and Environmental Studies and is in the early stages of a M.Sc focusing on Indigenous led conservation. He has been volunteering with RPBO for 2 years and recently joined the Board in 2022. Liam hopes to support RPBO's efforts to create accessible ornithology and bird watching opportunities for historically marginalized communities as well as build collaborative partnerships in conservation and research with First Nations on Southern Vancouver Island.

Bio
Cathy Reader
Cathy Reader
MAPS Coordinator

Cathy Reader, MAPS Project Coordinator

Cathy received her Ph.D. in theoretical particle physics from the University of Toronto in 1993, moved into climate modeling as a postdoctoral fellow and now works as a scientist with Environment and Climate Change Canada.  Cathy has volunteered with RPBO for many years and coordinates the MAPS program. In addition to the RPBO board of directors, she serves on the board of the Greater Victoria Youth Orchestra and the District of Highlands Sustainable Land Use Select Committee. She enjoys birding, photography and playing violin.

Bio

Staff

BioAshlea2
Ashlea Veldhoen
Lead Educator

Ashlea Veldhoen

Ashlea is originally from Ontario and has two diplomas in Ecosystem Management Technology from Fleming College and a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from Trent University. While in school, she unearthed a love for birds and has been working with them in various ways ever since. Ashlea has been involved with Rocky Point Bird Observatory since 2018 and has been working with birds and in outdoor education settings since 2012. Starting as a banding volunteer with RPBO in 2018, then as a member of the Board of Directors, a migration banding intern and most recently as a fully-fledged bird bander, has given Ashlea a unique understanding of both the birds of Vancouver Island and Rocky Point Bird Observatory itself. Ashlea is eager to share her knowledge with others and is grateful for the opportunity to explore this next facet of her career with Rocky Point!   

Bio
Gaylia Lassner
Gaylia Lassner
Development Director

Gaylia Lassner, Development Director

Five years ago, I could recognize approximately three species of birds, had never heard of Merlin or eBird, and had no idea that buried deep inside me was a "bird nerd".  I did, however, have a background in fundraising and non-profit development, mostly in the realm of health issues and visual art, so based on that, I joined RPBO as Development Director.  I am very grateful that I did. The leadership and volunteers of RPBO are quite simply the finest people I have ever worked with, dedicated to doing whatever can be done to address the threats birds currently face. I completed a Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Entrepreneurship, and appreciate working with an organization that encourages creative and entrepreneurial thinking. I spend as much time as possible outside, hiking, walking my two dogs, and introducing my tiny grandson to the wonders of gardening.  I'm currently completing a Master's Degree in Writing and New Media, and grateful for the opportunity to be exposed to so many new ideas and ways of communicating. Becoming an active bird-lover has enriched my life in many ways; I look forward to sharing this experience with as many people as possible.

Bio
Leesa Watson
Leesa Watson
Administrator/ WebMaster

Leesa Watson, Administrator & WebMaster

Leesa joined RPBO in August 2021 bringing many years of experience in Administration, Human Services, and Information Technology (IT). It is her hope that her knowledge will greatly benefit the important work of RPBO. Leesa’s best jobs have been in the not-for-profit world and she strongly supports the mission, vision, and values that not-for-profits like RPBO strive to achieve in their communities.
As a military spouse (retired), Leesa has lived in many towns and cities in Manitoba, Ontario, Nova Scotia and BC. Her career has been as diverse as the communities in which she has lived. Leesa attributes her sense of humour to the many people she has met across this great country, and holds dear the life lessons they imparted. In her downtime, she can be found in her studio painting, weaving or creating silver jewellery.
Leesa has a strong affinity to birds and shares their freedom to explore. She looks forward to learning from and working with the RPBO community.

Bio

2024 Banders

DavidBellbio_photo
David Bell
Bander-in-Charge

David Bell, Migration Bander-in-Charge

Originally from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, David has been birding since the age of four. After completing his studies at the University of Guelph and Acadia University, he has been working various bird-related jobs across Canada and travelling around the Americas in pursuit of birds. David joined RPBO as the Bander-in-charge in 2018 and is returning in 2024 for his seventh season. As always, he hopes this season will be full of rare vagrants and good learning opportunities!

Bio
MaraHannesonPhoto2024
Mara Hanneson
Bander - Migration

Mara Hanneson, Bander, Migration

Mara grew up on Southern Vancouver Island, where an appreciation for nature is practically
inherent. She began volunteering with RPBO in 2022, and during this time, her knowledge and
appreciation of birds flourished. The following season, Mara worked as a migration monitoring
intern, developing skills and a fascination for moult. In 2024, Mara returns to RPBO as a
certified bander, where she is excited to continue learning and to begin teaching others. She is
also completing an undergraduate degree in Biology at UVic.

Bio
EvanLewisPhoto2024
Evan Lewis
Bander - Migration

Evan Lewis, Migration Bander

Evan Lewis grew up in Southern Ontario on the coast of Georgian Bay, spending as much time as possible outside. He completed his schooling at the University of British Columbia Okanagan in Kelowna. During that time, he volunteered at Vaseux Lake Bird Observatory where he learned the basics of bird banding. In 2022, Evan completed the internship at Rocky Point Bird Observatory, and has been a Bander with the Migration Monitoring Program since 2023. He is looking forward to another great season in 2024!

Bio
Emma Radziul by AN
Emma Radziul
Bander - Migration

Emma Radziul, Migration Bander

I have been volunteering with Rocky Point Bird Observatory since 2018 and working with RP since 2020. This year, I have the pleasure of joining for another fall migration monitoring season. Each year brings new birds, new learning and experience, and new memories with friends. When not out birding, you can find me working in health care, gardening in Duncan, or dreaming about birds! 

Bio
EvanLarsonphoto2024
Evan Larson
Banding Intern

Evan Larson, Migration Banding Intern

I am a 20 year old birder. I am going into my third year of my biology degree at UVic, and I have been birding since 2017. I want to pursue a career that involves bird field work once I graduate, whether that be through banding, technician positions, environmental consulting, or guiding, birds are my biggest passion so I want to center my career around them. My other big interest is soccer, so I am also going into my third year of playing on the UVic Men's Soccer team. I'm super excited about being an Avian Monitoring Intern at Rocky Point this summer because I will learn a ton of new skills that will be very applicable in future jobs, gain super valuable experience, go birding every day in some amazing habitat, get to meet lots of new like-minded people, and overall just have a great time helping with bird research, conservation, and public outreach. Excited for a great 6 weeks or so!

Here's a picture of me with my most recent lifer in the shadow on the hillside behind me: Dusky Grouse.

Bio
HeatherTocherphoto2024
Heather Tocher
Banding Intern

Heather Tocher, Migration Banding Intern

I am a student going into my second year at UVIC, pursuing a combined degree in Biology and Earth science. I’ve always been passionate about nature, but participating in a bird banding workshop in rural Alberta has led me to my interest in banding.  I’ve been birding for just over 5 years, and also enjoy bird (and other animal) photography. I am so excited to be a part of Rocky Point this summer, and look forward to growing my knowledge of birds, as well as gaining field experience that will be vital for my future career in biology.  

Bio
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Gaelin Armstrong
Banding Intern

Gaelin Armstrong, Banding Intern

Gaelin was born and raised in the Kootenays of Southeastern British Columbia, where he grew up intertwined with nature. From a young age, Gaelin has held a strong appreciation for the natural world, spending time in the mountains and on Kootenay Lake. He also spent two summers working on the Mother Tree Project, studying the effects of logging activities on forest carbon retention and soil mycology. In the spring of 2024, he completed a Bachelor of Science at the University of Victoria. Gaelin is currently continuing his studies at UVic through the Ecological Restoration Diploma. Through his work and studies, he developed a keen interest in ornithology, which quickly spiraled into a passion for birding. He is excited and deeply grateful for the opportunity to be a banding intern with RPBO, where he will expand his knowledge and passion for birds

Bio
Pollen sampling Jannaca SaP project
Jannaca Chick
MAPS & Owl Bander

Jannaca Chick, MAPS & Owl Bander

Jannaca Chick began volunteering with RPBO in 2012, knowing almost nothing about birds, and has become an ardent volunteer and supporter of RPBO and bird conservation in general. She has served on the board for many years, in the capacity of Secretary and Vice President. She has become a licensed bander, leading our MAPS and Nocturnal Owl Monitoring programs, and in 2023 obtaining her hummingbird banding permit. Jannaca has always loved to travel and now combines this with her love of birds, visiting and volunteering at banding stations in different parts of the world. She has been fortunate to see some wonderful birds and meet fascinating people involved in bird research and conservation in places such Azerbaijan, Mongolia, Greece, Israel, Thailand, and Cuba.

Bio
Mark Byrne
Mark Byrne
Owl Bander

Mark Byrne, Owl Bander

Mark has been volunteering with RPBO since the fall of 2016 after seeing a Northern Saw-whet Owl while visiting the Pedder Bay Banding Station. Since then, he has been involved in most RPBO projects including MAPS, Migration Monitoring, Nocturnal Owls Monitoring and SeaWatch. In 2019 Mark joined the Board, took on the responsibility of inventory control for the banding stations as well as becoming a relief bander for the Northern Saw-whet Owl program. In 2022 he took on the role of Operations Coordinator and is currently working towards obtaining his passerine banding permit.  

Bio

Positions

Gone But Not Forgotten

In Memory ...

OUR HONOURARY PATRON

The Honourable Janet Austin, OBC
Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia

The Honourable Janet Austin was sworn in as the 30th Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia in 2018.  Prior to this appointment, she spent 15 years as CEO of YWCA Metro Vancouver, one of the province’s largest and most diversified non-profit organizations.  She is a graduate of the University of Calgary where she was raised and she spent the earlier part of her career in public sector roles in Calgary.  She has actively volunteered with many agencies in her commitment to help improve the lives of other and has served on many related boards.

We were delighted to discover that Her Honour is an avid birder!  She has joined RPBO volunteers on several occasions to seek out interesting birds, and to learn more about our migration monitoring programs.

Rocky Point Bird Observatory has been honoured with the patronage of Her Honour, Janet Austin. We are grateful for her continued support and enthusiasm for our work.

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