Press Release

Follow up to the

November, l997 Flyway Festival

Canadian Team Wins Grand Prize at Space Coast Flyway Festival

The Canadian team, "The Horned Dweebs," won the over all grand prizes that included four Leica Spotting Scopes, by identifying 159 species of birds in 30 hours. Tom Hince, a member of the Canadian team, spoke to the crowd of 60 people at the awards ceremony

Sunday at B.C.C. about the Space Coast Flyway Festival. Tom said, "I have competed in many birding competitions but I have never seen the enthusiasm like I have here in Titusville. There is a tremendous energy here, and this is the first time I have seen this many Government Agencies support a first year event." Glenn Gervais, Tomıs team mate, added, "Your festival has a unique aspect because you involved the children. It was great to be out at the dike and have a kid ask me about the birds that were out there."

When all teams were asked if they would be back next year, it was a unanimous YES!

Roy Halpin, of the 1st Place team "Feather dusters," had a lot to say about the sport in general. "Bird watching is one of the lowest impact sports in the world. We come in, we look, we take pictures, we learn and then we leave," said Roy. Carroll Holland, a judge in the event, also taught the Beginning & Intermediate birding seminars at the Merritt IslandNational Wildlife Refuge Center and made the point, "Birding is a healthy activity. You can take your morning walk and look at birds. It is also something that you can do with your family or alone, and you can do it anywhere in the world."

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With all these positive comments there is another side to look at, the economic impact.

There was gas for the cars, breakfast, lunch and dinner for the teams competing over the two days, books and souvenirs, and two teams stayed in our local hotels. The Canadian team stayed in Titusville and enjoyed themselves so much that they extended their stay and one member flew his family down!

Our goal this year was to have a small QUALITY event that helps our community embrace our natural resources before it becomes the international renowned location that it is destined to become. The Canadian team put us in the international status. We decided not to measure success by the number of people who participated, but by the quality of education and appreciation of our natural resource the participates received.

Yes, the festival was a great success. There were 14 teams of 4 people each, over 150 people came to the social gathering, and the classes were full. But we all knew that the event was a success before the festival began by the interest and the thanks we all received.

Mark your calendar now for the dates of Nov.12-15 1998, that is when we and the birds, will have the Second Annual Space Coast Flyway Festival.

See also the article by a member of the Canadian Team.

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