A native of Kalamazoo, Michigan, Andrew began observing nature early in childhood. Growing up on his family’s six-acre property gave him plenty of opportunities to foster his love of the outdoors, which began with butterflies and bees, then expanded to wildflowers and trees, and eventually to animals and birds. Several species captivated him early on, including Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Eastern Bluebirds, and Baltimore Orioles. His fascination soon grew into a full-fledged hobby that became more serious each year through maintaining bird feeders, constructing countless birdhouses, and paging through endless bird books and magazines. Encouraged by his parents and grandparents, Andrew received his first binoculars and was introduced to the Great Backyard Bird Count and the annual Winter Feeder Survey hosted by the Kalamazoo Nature Center. Once he was old enough to drive, Andrew took an ornithology class through the Kellogg Bird Sanctuary at Michigan State University and began exploring local birding hotspots while using eBird to document his observations. He also volunteered at the sanctuary to monitor nest boxes and, years later, was invited back to lead a field trip for the sanctuary’s ornithology class.
Andrew graduated from Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Biology with a concentration in Wildlife. His education provided a strong foundation in the diverse natural communities of southern Michigan. During college, he also spent a summer at the Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies, where he gained a broader understanding of Michigan’s northern ecosystems. Working as an avian field technician for Montana State University and the Intermountain Bird Observatory at Boise State University over two summers further deepened his knowledge of avian breeding biology. He also volunteered at the Kalamazoo Valley Bird Observatory, assisting biologists with bird banding operations. After college, Andrew spent a summer as a wildlife assistant with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and now conducts nest surveys for the Cell Tower Osprey Monitoring program as needed.
Andrew continues to bird actively throughout southwest Michigan, enjoying the seasonal highlights of birding in the Great Lakes State. He knows the region well and is excited to share its remarkable birds and memorable experiences with others.
