In 2020, Dr. Yvonne Buys, a Professor at the University of Toronto, retired from a 27 year career as an ophthalmologist at the University Health Network in Toronto. In addition to a busy clinical practice specializing in glaucoma, she spent significant time in research, publishing over 200 peer-reviewed papers and many book chapters. During her career, Dr. Buys has received many awards including the 2022 International Scholar Award from the American Glaucoma Society and the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Canadian Ophthalmological Society. Turning a new chapter, she became interested in birds and Prince Edward County is known as a birding hot spot. For the past 3 years, Yvonne has written a weekly column in the Wellington Times entitled Look What Flew Through The County which has furthered her knowledge of birds and introduced her to many birders and photographers in the community. Her book with the same name as her weekly column, co-authored with Terry Sprague and David Bree is a natural progression of her recently found love of birding. Proceeds from the sale of the book will go to support the Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory (PEPtBO). The cost is $45 per book, autographed and stock is fast dwindling, so don't miss out.
Dr. Buys moved to the County in 2020, a birding hotspot (15 birding hotspots in the County to be more specific) with 800 km of shoreline, 6 inland lakes, woods and wetlands. May in the County has been referred to nationally as the super bowl of birding. Colourful and loud. The book is divided into sections and provides photographs, facts and local anecdotes on year-round residents, summer breeders, migrants (just flying through), winter visitors, rarities and vagrants. The number of bird species globally varies depending on the checklist used, however, most estimates are over 11,000 species, 2069 in North America, 511 in Ontario and 364 based on the 2024 Prince Edward County bird checklist. It is evident that in order to be a birdwatcher is to be a lifelong learner. Learning the art of listening with your eyes and seeing with your ears.
Thanked by Melanie Cressman for a beautiful presentation. It is obvious that Yvonne is 100% in it and her knowledge of birds showcases the diversity in the County. A personal journey from a completely different background to embracing something new. From ophthalmologist, now Bird Lady.