Michael John Rogers facts for kids

Michael ('Mike') John Rogers (born October 5, 1932 – died October 10, 2006) was an English expert in birds. An ornithologist is someone who studies birds. He was also an important helper, called the Honorary Secretary, for the British Birds Rarities Committee. This committee keeps track of rare birds seen in Britain.

Who Was Michael Rogers?

Michael Rogers was a very dedicated birdwatcher and a key figure in the world of British birds. He spent his life observing, recording, and helping to protect bird populations. His work helped us learn more about the different kinds of birds that visit or live in Britain.

Early Life and Birdwatching Passion

Mike Rogers was born in a town called Sutton Coldfield in England. His father was a head brewer at a big brewery in Birmingham. Mike went to King Edward's School, Birmingham.

From a young age, Mike loved birds. In 1946, when he was just 14, he joined the West Midland Bird Club as a junior member. He quickly became known as one of the most enthusiastic birdwatchers in his area. He spent a lot of time watching birds and learning about them.

A Career in Public Service

After school, Mike served in the Army Intelligence Corps for a short time. This was part of his National Service. Later, in 1958, he joined the Metropolitan Police force. He worked as a police officer for many years.

In 1981, Mike retired from the police force. He had reached the rank of Detective Sergeant. After retiring, he moved to the Isles of Scilly, which are islands off the coast of Cornwall. A few years later, in 1987, he moved to Cornwall itself.

Dedication to Ornithology

Even while working as a police officer, Mike's passion for birds continued. He made many important contributions to ornithology. His work helped bird experts understand more about rare birds in Britain.

Recording Rare Birds

In 1978, Mike became the official bird recorder for the Sussex Ornithological Society. A bird recorder is someone who keeps detailed records of all the bird sightings in a specific area. This helps track bird populations and movements.

For many years, Mike wrote special reports called Rare Birds in Great Britain. These reports were published every year in the famous magazine, British Birds. These reports were very important for bird researchers. They helped everyone know which rare birds had been seen and where.

Founding ACRE

Mike also played a big part in creating a group called ACRE in 1993. ACRE stands for the Association of County Recorders and Editors. This group helps connect all the bird recorders and editors from different parts of the country. Mike took on the important job of being the secretary for ACRE. This meant he helped organize and manage the group.

Michael Rogers passed away in 2006. He is remembered for his great dedication to birds and his important work in recording and understanding them.