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Ben Lucking

Ben Lucking was born in Beverley, United Kingdom before he moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan at the age of four. From an early age he developed a fascination with nature and was introduced to birding by his grandfather, who took him to RSPB reserves in England. In Ann Arbor, he was fortunate to have the support and guidance of the local birding community. Ben is now heavily involved in the local birding community in Michigan through presentations and tour leading for the Washtenaw Bird and Nature Alliance.

Ben studied Law at the University of Exeter with a focus on environmental law. His final dissertation explored the legality of large-scale Ring-necked Pheasant releases in the UK. After graduating university in England, Ben returned to the United States where he began to pursue birding more professionally. 

Having learned the birds of the neotropics through extensive travel in the Andes, he worked at Ecuador’s Cabañas San Isidro as a guide in 2023. He has since guided tours in Ecuador, Costa Rica, and Perú. In addition to the neotropics, Ben has birded extensively in the US and Western Palearctic, and looks forward to exploring more beyond and filling in his eBird map. Ben is also passionate about bird photography, with his photos appearing on the cover of British Birds, Birdwatching, Handboek Europese Vogels, and other publications.

He is enthusiastic and passionate about nature and enjoys nothing more than sharing his experience and knowledge with others. He currently splits his time between Ann Arbor, Michigan and Baku, Azerbaijan, where his wife’s family is based.

Upcoming Tours with Ben

Testimonials for Ben

Ben did an amazing job. He was knowledgeable, professional, personable, helpful, and patient. He made a favorable impression on me at our introduction, and this was reinforced when he traveled to the airport that evening to greet the guests arriving late. His birding skills were top-notch. He was able to identify pretty much everything by sight and voice. Ben's enthusiasm was contagious which significantly added to the experience. I will look for opportunities to bird with Ben again!

- Rick S. on Ecuador: Mindo and the Northwest Andes

Ben is awesome, kind, thoughtful, patient, enthusiastic and knowledgeable. Everything you want in a leader.

- Scott B. on Northwest Ohio: Spring Migration

Ben did a terrific job. He was very considerate and solicitous of tour participants. He is a great birder and knows the right areas for target species. He made sure that everyone was able to spot the birds he located. He is fun to be with, but quite serious about attending to all details of the trip. He also is a marvelous photographer.

- Barbara M. on Northwest Ohio: Spring Migration