For this Minnesota native, birds have been both vocation and avocation. A professional wildlife biologist for 30 years with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Jim studied and conducted management programs to benefit a wide array of bird species including Kirtland's Warbler, Bald Eagle, Sandhill Crane, Canvasback, American Woodcock, Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow, five species of grebes and Piping Plover—to name a few. His studies have also included mammals such as Gray Wolf, Moose, White-tailed Deer and others.

During his 'off' time, Jim's passion for birds has taken him throughout North America from Alaska to Florida. He has birded extensively throughout the world including Africa, India, Central and South America, Mexico, Europe, the Carribean and the Galapagos Islands. Jim is a bit of a glutton for punishment as he includes shorebirds and gulls among his favorite bird groups. His mantra has always been, "I'd rather be lucky than good." and he certainly has had his share of 'luck' when it comes to finding rarities. Regarding gulls, Jim is perhaps best known for his discovery of Minnesota's first (and the lower 48 state's fifth) record of Ross's Gull in 1984. More recently, Jim found Minnesota's second and third Slaty-backed Gulls within one month of each other! And then there was that Sage Thrasher he found which provided Minnesota's first sight record.