Hello! My name is Marissa Berard (she/her), and I am so excited to get started as the new coordinator for the Manitoba Chimney Swift Initiative (MCSI). This program is so important, and I look forward to getting to know all the incredible, dedicated volunteers that allow this program to exist.
I have had the opportunity to work closely with Chimney Swifts during my time in the Resource Conservation department at Riding Mountain National Park, where I helped coordinate and conduct Chimney Swift and other species at risk monitoring and outreach within the park. I have spent many hours sitting outside the Visitor Centre in Wasagaming, staring at the chimneys and getting puzzled looks from tourists walking by. I can only imagine what thoughts might be crossing their mind… What is that person doing sitting in a lawn chair, staring excitedly at a building? Can she even see anything with all the mosquitoes surrounding her head? I am sure many of you can relate to braving the bugs and the confused bystanders, to look for our Swift friends.
While I certainly love Chimney Swifts, there are other birds that also hold a special place in my heart. While working on my honours thesis with Dr. Gail Davoren at the University of Manitoba, I was fortunate to spend two summers in Newfoundland and help out with a variety of seabird research, including with puffins, razorbills and common murres. I love to volunteer at Delta Marsh Bird Observatory, which has really opened my eyes to the variety of beautiful plumages in the bird world, from sparrows to flycatchers to warblers. That being said, my favourite bird of all-time (though my family and friends would argue that I have several of these), remains the black-capped chickadee. Though a common occurrence, I love the chickadee’s lively heartiness and deeply appreciate their perpetual presence on my cross-country ski outings during our long Manitoba winters, even on the coldest of days.
A few other non-bird related things about me… In my spare time I love to cross-country ski, do beadwork, play instruments and watch live music. My first language is French, and I am a proud Red River Métis with family ties to Saint-Boniface, Saint-Vital, and several other communities surrounding what is now Winnipeg.
I will be starting in the coordinator role part-time as I transition from Riding Mountain back to Winnipeg, and will start full-time in October. I thank you all for your patience as I get into the swing of things.
Cheers,
- Marissa
Glad to have you on board. You were so close and are going to be farther away from us in Dauphin. We tried to get a “coffee” visit with our Dauphin crew and the RMNP crew but that didn’t work out and we did do some “staring at chimneys” in the park ourselves so we know the feeling. We thought those “red chairs” were put there for our use when we stopped by. Welcome to MCSI from Dauphin.
Hi Ken,
Thank you! Ah yes, I have read some of your wonderfully descriptive emails detailing your swift observations. They have been helpful to Shannon and I while trying to find the swifts within RMNP. Hopefully I can make it back out to this area in the future and all the crews can get together for a coffee or a monitoring session!
Hey Marissa
Are you from N . de L , and are Fran and Leo’s daughter? I lived in the Valley near St Lup for 40 years and if you’re the same Marissa, I met you many times when you were growing up. I now live in Winnipeg , at the Old Grace Housing Co-op, where I co-ordinate volunteers to observe chimney swifts which hopefully will take advantage of the special chimney built for them 4 years ago when the Co-op was built in Wolseley at the site of the old Grace Hospital. Congrats on your new job- I look forward to receiving your communications!
Hi Francene,
Yes, that is me! I remember meeting you many times in the Valley. Small world, and it is lovely to hear you are involved with the chimney swifts! Thank you for the warm welcome.
Hi Francene,
Yes, that is me! I remember meeting you in the Valley at several occasions. Small world, and lovely to hear that you are involved with chimney swifts! Thank you for the warm welcome.