Mike’s love of birds began early, sparked at age eleven during visits to Arizona, where his grandfather introduced him to the dazzling variety of species visiting backyard feeders. Though he grew up in New Jersey, those formative desert mornings ignited a lifelong passion that quickly grew from hobby to lifestyle. Over nearly two decades of birding, Michael has explored habitats across the Northeast, developing deep local expertise in New Jersey and southern New York while cultivating a keen eye and ear for the region’s seasonal rhythms and hidden avian gems.
That early fascination ultimately led Michael to pursue a career in ornithology at the University of Maine, where he built a strong scientific foundation in bird ecology and conservation. Since then, he has worked across the northeastern United States studying some of the region’s most imperiled species, including Bicknell’s Thrush, Golden-winged Warbler, and Saltmarsh Sparrow. Declining passerines are a particular focus of his work, and he now studies bird communities using cutting-edge bioacoustic technology through his role with a state agency, helping track populations and inform conservation efforts across sensitive habitats.
With extensive field experience and a lifelong enthusiasm for birds, Mike takes special pride in guiding and mentoring early naturalists as they grow into confident birders. Whether introducing newcomers to their first warbler migration or helping seasoned birders fine-tune their identification skills by sound, he strives to make every outing engaging, educational, and rooted in ethical birding practices. His goal is not only to find great birds, but to foster lasting connections to the landscapes and wildlife that make the Northeast such a rewarding place to explore.
