About Me

I was born and raised in Duluth,Minnesota. I still make my home in Duluth with my wonderful wife, Monica and our two children, Becca and Ben. I really do not know exactly when I had a love for birds but my mother told me I had a strong interest since the third grade. Since 1973 I birded basically every part of northeastern Minnesota. I have vast knowledge on where to go to find all of the Minnesota specialties like Great Grey Owls, Hawk Owls, Boreal Owls, Black-backed Woodpecker and Northern three-toed Woodpeckers, Spruce Grouse and Sharp-tailed Grouse and all the winter finches. I make it a point to have fun while birding!! Most of all, I do my best to try to locate all your birds you traveled here to see and to add to your life list

My Creditionals

  • 1979 led Kim Eckert's Birding ID Class when Kim was out of town.
  • 1980-present been guiding individuals & groups. Some of the groups include Missouri Audubon Society, Carolina Bird Club, Beckham Bird Club in Lexington Kentucky, and Illinios Bird Club. I guided some private groups as well, these birding groups came from Wisconsin, Iowa, Virginia, Florida, Kansas, Tennessee, Texas, and California. I guided birding individuals from all over the US and Europe.
  • In 1982 I worked as a naturalist at Padre Island National Seashore as a intern.
  • 1984 I co-led a VENT trip with Kim Eckert
  • 1990 worked in Florida banding birds near Cocoa Beach and also on NASA properties.
  • 1986-1995 I co-led Minnesota Birding Weekends with Kim Eckert
  • I led several birding field trips for the ABA Birding Conventions that were held in Duluth.
  • 2002-2004 I was the field trip Chairman for the Minnesota Ornithologist Union
  • 2006-present I lead trips for OBserve Bird Tours. I currently lead trips in Minnesota, Colorado (Photo below) and Churchill(photo below).

    GUIDING RATES

    1 Birder = $12/hour
    2-3 Birders = $15/hour
    4-5 Birders = $20/hour
    6-7 Birders = $25/hour
    7-10 Birders = $35/hour

    *Large groups of birders over 10 birders = $40/hour

    * If we use my vehichle then its the guiding rate + gas expenses. * I do not expect any birder or group to pay for my meals while I guide them out.

    Before you make an appointment with me it would be helpful on my part that you would email me the dates you plan on hiring me, where you are planning on lodging at and also VERY important the list of birds you would love to see on our guiding dates.
    I will then email you back comfirming our dates, a time we will meet and also rating your chances of the list of birds you sent me that you would like to see.
    If you need help on what lodging locations to stay at in Duluth I can help you with that request. Just inform me what type of motel you would like to stay at and where (near Lake Superior or doesn't matter) and also do you want a low end, mid-range or high end motel? Again I can help you out with those decisions.

    Home