Nothing is more captivating than the haunting call of a loon echoing on one of Maine’s many lakes. Very few people know as much about loons and what their calls actually mean than Gorham Resident, Dr. James D. Paruk. Jim is a scientist, author, educator and a world-renowned loon expert who has been studying them for nearly 30 years in many locations in Canada and the U.S., including Maine.
Jim’s definitive new book, called “Loon Lessons: Uncommon Encounters With the Great Northern Diver”, was published this June by the University of Minnesota Press and is receiving great reviews. Jim shares his knowledge, gained through more than 5000 hours of field research, about the mysterious and well-loved water bird. His is the first scientific book published about loons since the late 1980s, but that doesn’t mean it’s just for science geeks.
Photo credit Chris CrawfordDr. James D. Pauruk proudly displays his new, definitive book about loons, based on over 30 years of research.
His writing style is personal, lively and accessible for all lovers of loons. According to Barnes and Noble, the book describes the loon’s biology “in an entertaining style that affords a deeper understanding of this beautiful and mysterious bird’s natural history and annual life cycle”. The book is available at the Bookworm in Gorham and at many other bookstores and online vendors.
Jim’s impressive credentials include a long list of scholarly articles. He is in demand as a speaker with organizations across the country, as well as conferences in Iceland and Finland. In Maine, he has spoken at local Audubon chapters and several libraries, was interviewed by Maine Public radio and has appeared on the local TV show, 207. He has also led ornithology courses throughout North and Central America.
Jim will be giving a talk and book signing at Baxter Memorial Library on Tuesday, December 14 at 6:30 p.m. Check with Baxter for more details.
So, how did a city kid who grew up in Hamtramck, which is completely surrounded by Detroit, become a loon expert?
“My exposure to nature was limited to the size of a very tiny front lawn,” Jim said. He was an avid reader, and an astute public librarian steered him toward adventure books, such as Jack London’s “Call of the Wild”, as well as books about the natural world, and the fire was lit.
When asked for advice for young people thinking about pursuing a career in science, Jim said, “Follow your passion and interests. Science and compassion are going to help us solve the world’s problems.”
Jim earned a PhD at Idaho State University, a Master’s at Northern Illinois University, and bachelor’s degree in Science at Lake Superior State University.
After finishing his Master’s program, Jim received a life-changing call from an undergraduate college friend, Dave Evers, inviting him to join a field research study where Jim learned how to catch and band a loon. This invitation turned out to be momentous, spurring Jim to pursue his PhD focusing on loon behavior.
When you ask Jim what it’s like to hold a loon, a look of reverence crosses his face. He says, “Loons personify wilderness and wildness. In a way, it doesn’t feel respectful to hold one of these birds in your arms.”
Photo courtesy of Jim ParukHolding a loon is an other worldly experience and is done by professionals, only to band them or if they are suspected of having health issues.
Eventually, loons also brought Jim and his family to Maine. Jim was happily raising a family and teaching at Northland College on the shores of Lake Superior when his college friend, Dave, called again. This time, he had a job offer asking Jim to be the director of a project to study the effects of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon spill on loons and other water birds in the Gulf of Mexico. This would involve a move to Maine and coming to work at Biodiversity Institute (BRI), Dave’s company, located in Gorham.
Jim said, “It was a really tough decision as we were settled in Wisconsin (and Green Bay Packers fans), but it turned out for the best. Gorham has excellent schools, we’ve made good friends here and we love the small town activities and atmosphere.”
BRI has since relocated to Portland, but Jim continues to be involved, holding a senior research position and serving as Vice Chair of its Board of Directors.
In addition to his writing, Jim currently teaches Biology, Human Anatomy and Physiology, and Animal Behavior and Ornithology at St. Joseph College, and is an adjunct professor of Biology at University of Southern Maine where he teaches Ornithology and mentors graduate students. Jim lives in the Village with his wife, Stefania Strzalkowska, who also teaches science labs in Microbiology and Human Anatomy at St. Joseph’s College.
Both of their daughters, Olivia (GHS ’18) and Emily (GHS ’20), were Presidents of their class. Olivia is studying Sustainable Business at the College of the Atlantic. Emily, who was also Valedictorian, is studying Theater at Rider University.
Jim has been the assistant GHS girls tennis coach for the past four years. He also enjoys hiking, playing tennis and the guitar.
Jim can be reached at his website www.jamesparuk.com or via email at jparuk@sjcme.edu or jamesparuk@gmail.com.