Mike Mandracchia

Mike grew up around birds, helping his Grandfather and Father raising Pigeons at home just outside of New York City. Although pigeons were just a Hobby for his grandfather and father, Mike love watching their behaviors, as they interacted with each other, as they flew around the neighborhood and then especially as they watch other birds, especially raptors flying above the coops. It opened the world of Biology to Mike, so that by the time he was 10 he knew he wanted to be a Biologist. In College, Mike turned his attention towards invertebrate zoology/ecology; and then after Grad School, towards environmental protection while working for over 30 years for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection; however, Bird Watching remained a favorite hobby through this period.

Mike’s attention started turning back towards Birding in the mid-90’s while he was serving on his local Environmental Commission.  The Commission was in the process of updating the Township’s Natural Resources Inventory, so Mike volunteered to resurvey the Township’s local birds. In order to increase participation for this survey, Mike approached the Township Board of Education’s Community School to offer a series of Spring Birding Trips throughout the township. During these first Spring Trips, Mike found that he enjoyed leading these trips, so much so that for over 20 years Mike has continued to offer multiple Spring Trips through the Community School.  Subsequently, Mike began volunteering on New Jersey Audubon Society Trips and for then seven years ago was asked to become an Associate Naturalist for New Jersey Audubon’s All Things Birds Program. As an Associate Naturalist, Mike leads weekend Day Trips to various New Jersey Hot Spots throughout the year.