Passing of Rich Stallcup

Rich Stallcup -- Ornithologist, Naturalist, Author, and Birder supreme – succumbed to complications from Leukemia on Saturday, December 15 2012 – the night of the Point Reyes Peninsula Christmas Bird Count.

Rich was one of the most famous, prolific, and beloved birders in California, and is known through-out the United States.  Together with our own Guy McCaskie, Rich is considered to be one of the true "Godfathers" of California ornithology.

Rich was a teenager when he began birdwatching in the early 1960s and he has continued to play a significant role in the State's birding world ever since. His birding discoveries on Point Reyes and Marin County are prolific and his Big Day and Bird-a-thon accomplishments are legendary.  Drafted into service during Vietnam and posted to Monterey, Rich recorded 18 "first" Monterey County bird species in a very short time. His Marin County "firsts" are said to number 90.

Rest in Peace Rich.  Yours was that too-rare combination of scientific expertise and human compassion.

Photo: At sea on Monterey Bay 18-Feb-1979 © D. Roberson