If you do not already know of him, we’d like to make you aware of a rare opportunity to meet and hear one of birding’s most esteemed and loved people. Sir Peter Harrison is known the world over as an author, filmmaker, adventure travel leader and conservationist; his humor and speaking ability enable him to memorably bring home important points. In the field, his bravery and quick thinking in a gravely dangerous situation probably saved lives, and led Queen Elizabeth to bestow upon him the title: “Member of the British Empire.” The accumulated knowledge and experience that went into his renowned work, Sea Birds of the World, has caused him to be recognized as the world’s leading authority on sea birds. Peter Harrison is indeed an unusual person and will be the banquet speaker at the NYSOA Annual Meeting, September 19-21, 2008 in Rochester, NY, of which the Rochester Birding Association and Burrough Audubon Nature Club are sponsors.
Among ecotourists and adventure travelers, Peter is a pied-piper. Go to a destination with him once and it is difficult not to become one of his almost cult-like followers who continually await announcement of his next trip. We are hooked, and have taken six voyages with him and his wife Shirley Metz, the first woman to cross-country ski to the South Pole, to places from Siberia to the South Pacific to an Emperor Penguin colony on Snow Hill Island in Antarctica. Few birding experiences compare to being on deck with Peter Harrison studying albatross, petrels, shearwaters, prions and the like. His on-board lectures are not to be missed even by non-birders, and his part in the pre-dinner recap of the day’s events sets the tone for a genuine happy hour.
Peter and Shirley are two of the most memorable people we have ever met and you will have the opportunity to hear Peter speak on September 20. We are sure that you should attend -- you will be awed by the scope of his experiences, his knowledge, story telling and dedication to birds.
-- Donna & Don Traver