The 1970s

1970 100,000th bird banded. Assistant Warden's Award established.	1970 - Birds attracted to Long Point lighthouse during nocturnal migration. 1970 - Geoff Holroyd feeding young Barn Swallow at Tip station. 1971 - Tony Salvadori, Michael Bradstreet, David Brewer, M. Burtch and Warden Chris Holdsworth banding gulls at the tip of Long Point.
1972 First annual meeting of supporters held. New laboratory building constructed at Tip station. 10-year report published. Endowment Fund created. First off-site collaborative project (on Ring-billed Gull dispersal) established.	1971 - Ralph Gibson, Geoff Holroyd and James Alty moving fridge to Breakwater station (it’s still in use!) 1971 - Joe Johnson, Gavin Johnston, David Hussell and James Alty at second Tip cabin, with pet crow Rita. 1972 - Warden Michael Bradstreet and Assistant Brian Ratcliff in kitchen of second Tip cabin.
1973 Tip cabin destroyed by fire. Operations moved to two remaining cabins. High water on Lake Erie forces change from vehicle to boat transportation. Breeding Bird Census project initiated.	1972 - Beach barbecue at Tip station. From left: David Hussell, Geoff Holroyd, Michael Bradstreet, Liz Holroyd, Jean Fairfield and two daughters, Joe Johnson, Bob McFetridge and James Alty. 1972 - Construction of third Tip cabin, with second cabin in background. 1973 - LPBO’s boat The Slowpoke. High water levels on Lake Erie forced a switch from beach to water travel. From left: Bill Wasserfall, John Roberts, Jim Anderson and David Hussell. 1973 - John Roberts, Chair of the Board from 1973 – 1977, on stern of the Slowpoke
1974 First full-time employee, Dr. David Hussell, hired as Executive Director. LPBO associate membership reaches 250.	1973 - The remains of the second Tip cabin after the fire. 1973 - Unloading the Slowpoke at Tip station in August. Lighthouse keepers Clayton Scofield (top front of boat) and Leota Scofield (white hat) and friends.
1975 Official opening of mainland headquarters in old Backus house. Observatory Assistants program replaces old Assistant Warden awards, resulting in increased Volunteer participation. Bird Study Workshops for teenagers initiated.	1975 - Refurbished Backus house, north of Port Rowan, was LPBO headquarters from 1974 – 1985. 1975 - Participants in first Young Ornithologists Workshop, August. From left: A. Heagy, D. Fuester, A. Schidler and A. Utas.
1976 First off-site volunteer project (Ontario Bird Feeder Survey) initiated. First Birdathon held.	1976 - Rising Lake Erie water levels threaten LPBO’s first and third Tip cabins and workshop (far right).
1977 James L. Baillie Memorial Fund established. 150,000th bird banded. Tree Swallow project expanded to include a mainland site. Last known nesting of Piping Plovers on Long Point.	1976 - David Hussell banding Forster’s Tern at base of Long Point. David Hussell was Chair of the Board from 1968 – 1969 and 1990 – 1991, and Executive Director from 1974 – 1982.
1978 Great Lakes Beached Bird Survey initiated. Long Point Company donates most of Long Point to the Canadian Wildlife Service as a National Wildlife Area. Associate membership exceeds 500. Baillie Fund awards first grants, totalling about $3000. Ontario Heronry Inventory initiated. Endowment Fund assets reach $20,000.	1977 - Robert Bateman sketching at Tip of Long Point during weekend trip for Federation of Ontario Naturalists.