David Windsor Fidler
June 18, 1936 to October 18, 2024
David Fidler was involved from the very beginning of the Owen Sound Field Naturalists. He was on the first Board of Directors and served as Vice-President, President and Past President from 1993 to1998.
Dave, as he was known to many of us, had been part of a birding community for much of his life. His name can be found among the top birders in the Toronto area in the 1970s; but it was when he and his wife Barbara moved to Owen Sound that he became truly engaged in the Grey Bruce naturalist’s community. David shared his lifelong passion for birding by leading hikes, teaching and sharing his knowledge of birds and all of the outdoors.
As a leader and guide, Dave led outings for the Ontario Field Ornithologists and the Owen Sound Field Naturalists (OSFN). He introduced people to Bald Eagles at Baie du Dore and to fall birding Around the Sound in Owen Sound. For many years he was the Compiler of the Owen Sound Christmas Bird Count.
Dave, the teacher, hosted Tuesday Evening Birding at the Fidler’s in May and June for many years. He also presented about his many birding highlights at the Thursday indoor meetings of the Owen Sound Field Naturalists, the Huron Fringe Birding Festival and many other local venues.
His legacy continues as he contributed as a carpenter helping to build the Oliphant Fen Boardwalk, the Baie du Dore viewing tower, the Peregrine hacking station at the grain elevators in Owen Sound and the McNab Lake Osprey Nest platform. For many years, he and Barbara were stewards of the Davis Property/ Nature Conservancy of Canada Preserve on the Bruce Peninsula.
In 2015 David Fidler was presented an OSFN Honorary Life Membership. He will be missed.
Further information about David and his Celebration of Life: Obituary information for David Fidler
