About me

I was born and raised in a small village, Veurne, in the western part of Belgium. Since childhood, I have preferred playing outside with nothing more than sticks and ropes. My involvement in bird ringing marked the beginning of my interest in ornithology, but my curiosity soon expanded to other taxonomic groups such as bats, dragonflies, ladybirds, grasshoppers, and moths. Moths caught my attention long before many others started showing interest in this group, leading to the discovery of numerous first sightings for West Flanders and even some first records for Belgium.

Sharing my passion and knowledge of nature has always been important to me, so I became a nature guide while still a teenager. I earned my master’s degree in biology (zoology) in 1999 and soon after began a PhD. However, I switched from my PhD to a teaching position in chemistry and biology in my hometown, Veurne, in 2002. I participate in several work-related committees and have authored textbooks on biology and chemistry. In 2012, I obtained my degree in school management for secondary education.

I enjoy taking pictures of animals, but photography is nothing more than a hobby—I cannot compete with the many professional or semi-professional photographers who spend countless hours capturing the perfect shot.

I love traveling because it takes me to places where I have to start birding from scratch: every bird species is new, every sound is unfamiliar. As sharing knowledge is something I truly love, I am proud to combine my greatest passions—traveling, nature, and sharing my enthusiasm with others—by serving as a guide for STARLING.