Sadly on Wednesday our good friend BIGFRANK passed away.
Frank was an avid birder and loved nature in general. After two life-changing trips to South Africa in the early 2000s, Frank began visiting his local park, Rosetta McClain Gardens, to see what he could find there. What he found was that the park was on a major migratory route both in the spring and in the fall - he found paradise only steps from home! Frank learned to identify each colourful little spring bird very quickly. He then patiently pointed out and taught others about what he was seeing and how to identify them. With Frank it was always most important to tell others to just enjoy and appreciate anything they saw or heard. Over the years he and all those he had taught have compiled an impressive list of nearly 200 birds identified, including a number of rare species, in and around his little park. He wasn't long in to birding before he, with the help of his good friend Colin, realized that the fall was going to become more spectacular then the spring for bird observation. Each fall hawks in great numbers would soar over Rosetta and along the Scarborough Bluffs heading to their southern destinations. After a couple of seasons of 'hawk-watching' at High Park and a few trips to Hawk Cliff in Port Stanley, Frank set up his own Hawk Watch at Rosetta. He was really only interested in one thing - to make others aware and to enjoy - the numbers weren't as important. That was Frank! With a love for the big birds, Frank became a volunteer at the Canadian Peregrine Foundation, a cause he always spoke so passionately about.
A bench will be dedicated at Rosetta McClain Gardens in honor of BIGFRANK. Anyone wishing to donate money can PM me privately.
Walter Fisher
(for the Rosetta Gang)
