Growing up on property bordering the Flathead National Forest, Jake Bramante spent his childhood watching chickadees at the feeder and exploring the woods with his brother. A local wildlife biologist eventually handed him his first pair of binoculars and a field guide and brought him along on a Christmas Bird Count, an experience that sparked his lifelong interest in birds.
After stepping away from birding through college and the early years of his career, Jake returned to it in 2011 when he undertook a project to hike every trail in Glacier National Park. That journey reignited his fascination with birds, and they quickly became an essential part of his time outdoors.
Jake has served on the board of the Flathead Audubon Society, where he has given presentations and led field trips. He is active in several conservation efforts, including the Jewel Basin Hawkwatch and projects with Glacier National Park that monitor Common Loons and Harlequin Ducks. He spends as much time as he can exploring western Montana’s varied landscapes.
From the floor of the Flathead Valley to the high summits of Glacier, where he keeps an eye out for Black Swifts and White-tailed Ptarmigan, Jake is rarely without binoculars and is always eager to share the birds and places he loves.
