Aaron was born in West Virginia and spent most of his childhood exploring the hills and hollows just across the border in Maryland. Growing up on his family’s extensive property, he spent every available moment outdoors—an environment that naturally fostered a deep love for the natural world. His local elementary school placed a strong emphasis on environmental education, and two local birders regularly visited to teach students about nature. They noticed Aaron’s early interest, began taking him into the field, and helped cultivate the passion that guides him today. He still recalls searching for Pileated Woodpeckers on his family’s land and discovering a Brown Creeper with his dad—formative moments that continue to inspire his birding and professional goals.
Aaron has developed a particular passion for migration-based birding. Whether stationed at a mountain pass counting migrants, positioned atop a dune studying morning flight, or hunkered behind a windbreak for an intense seawatch, he thrives on the pulse of migration. His curiosity extends beyond birds: he enjoys studying butterflies, odonates, and salamanders as part of his broader commitment to understanding the ecosystems around him.
After earning his Bachelor of Science in Professional Wildlife Biology from Frostburg State University, Aaron conducted ornithological fieldwork across West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia, and Rhode Island. He serves as an eBird Reviewer for West Virginia, where his interest in improving coverage of underbirded areas has directly benefited the state’s filter system. He is also a contributing author to the Blackwater River Watershed Field Guide, assisting with species identification and natural history content ranging from birds to plants.
Aaron currently guides for West Virginia Birding Guides and Arizona Birding Guides. Outside of birding, he has coached high school soccer for several years and recently transitioned into collegiate coaching as Assistant Coach for the Garrett College Men’s Soccer team. In winter, he can be found teaching on the ski slopes as an instructor in the Wisp Kids program at Wisp Resort.
