George Sirk

At the heart of George Sirk’s career as a naturalist is his passion for birds. He started birding in his early teens and when he was 19, began his life-long career as a naturalist by working for the British Columbia Parks. The highlight was guiding for two seasons on isolated Mitlenatch Island, BC where he banded 4,000 young Glacous-winged Gulls. George went on to co-found one of Canada’s first natural history tour companies specializing in bird and whale watching expeditions to the west coast of Vancouver Island and the Queen Charlotte Islands.

During the 1980s, George could be found conducting expeditions to Papua New Guinea, the “Daintree” in Australia, and other islands in Australasia. He has naturalized in every country in Central America and worked as naturalist guide in Costa Rica and Belize. While in Belize, George led kayak and spelunking tours, and was fortunate to have traveled the rich, remote, Macal River system by kayak more often than any person in modern history.

On Cortes Island, BC, George created and ran an innovative nature program for the west coast retreat, Hollyhock for six years. During this period, he also spent nine years as the elected representative in local government. He relished that opportunity to champion environmental issues—to speak for the species who have no voice in human debate and bringing a refreshing naturalist’s perspective to the political arena.

For a tropical naturalist, he found it an absolute treat to work for the last seven seasons in the Canadian arctic. First, leading Polar bear tours in Churchill Manitoba and for the past four summers, exploring by ship, Hudson Bay, Baffin Island and the North West Passage.

He appears frequently on CBC Radio and has his own radio show at the University of Victoria, ’nature boy’. This spring, a documentary on whale songs and blows recorded while exploring Baja with Lindblad, called “Thar She Blows”, will be aired on CBC Radio.

In 2000 he joined Lindblad and has worked as a naturalist for them on cruises to Alaska and Baja. George Sirk currently lives in Victoria BC with his wife and daughter and enjoys birding in his free time.