On March 17th, Giovanni Campanelli, a keen birder and Ruthven afficianado, was presented with the prestigious Ross Thompson Trophy for 2007 at the Hamilton Naturalists’ Club Bird Study Group meeting. This award is presented to a person under the age of 18 who sees the most species of birds in the Hamilton Study Area in a particular year. Giovanni, who is only 11, saw an impressive 132 species to win the award! (His brother Ezra came close with 128.) This is a wonderful achievement for both boys and we offer our sincerest congratulations.
For those of you who are wondering why they aren’t spending their time hanging around in malls or playing video games like normal kids, you will be able to ask them those very questions on May 10th at our open house. The boys have accepted our invitation to attend in order to do a photo shoot and sign autographs……and maybe spot a few birds….
Rick
——– A few pictures of the award winner ——–
And, a picture of Ezra and Giovanni taken at Ruthven last year
Way to go Giovanni! Watching birds is much more rewarding in many ways than playing video games. Congratulations!!
Giovanni,
What a great inspiration you are for your 4 year old cousin in San Francisco. You are his hero. Congratulations on such a huge achievement. We are very excited about doing some bird watching with you and Ezra in Ireland this summer.
Auntie Monica
Way to go from all of us Giovanni!!
You are teaching us so much wildlife in Hamilton. Your love of birds is contagious. Thank you!
Your neighbours,
Naomi, Brian, Nick and Becky
Sophie and Silas too!