Michael Ralph Lubbock

1944 - 2024

Michael Ralph Lubbock

January 17, 1944 - September 7, 2024

Scotland Neck, North Carolina - Michael Ralph Lubbock, 80, of Scotland Neck, passed away on Saturday, September 7, 2024 at his home.

Mike Lubbock was born on January 17, 1944 in Taunton, Somerset, England. Raised on a rural dairy farm, his adventurous spirit and love for nature became evident at an early age. Encouraged by his mother, Mike collected and raised mammals and birds throughout his youth while attending Kestrels School in Exmoor.

After graduating from Pangbourne Nautical College, Mike's career began in 1961 as a volunteer at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust in Slimbridge, England, where his natural aptitude for the care and propagation of waterfowl quickly earned him employment as an aviculturist. Mike would eventually hold positions as Curator and Director of Aviculture at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust. It was here that he also met his wife, Ali, in 1974.

During his early years at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, Mike earned extra money as a dancer on the 1960s British television show "Discs-a-Go-Go", where he performed alongside fledgling rock and roll acts like the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, and Tom Jones. While dancing paid the bills, his dedication and talent for bird conservation continued to grow at the Wildfowl Trust. In 1975, Mike was invited to Buckingham Palace to advise Queen Elizabeth II about her flock of Red-breasted Geese on the palace grounds and would make regular visits over the next few years as Her Majesty's avicultural advisor.

Mike's determination to save waterfowl led him on a series of global adventures, and he would embark on more than 20 conservation expeditions during his career. In the Hawaiian Islands, he assisted in a program to save the endangered Hawaiian Goose, which would eventually result in the recovery of the species. In Spain, he spearheaded efforts to save the White-headed Duck, restoring the population from a mere 30 individuals to nearly 3,000 birds today. During expeditions to Iceland, Australia, Patagonia, Alaska, and Botswana, he collected eggs that would contribute to breeding programs for several waterfowl species. Mike has provided expertise and support for the conservation of the critically endangered Brazilian Merganser, established North America's captive breeding program for the endangered White-winged Duck, and helped to boost dwindling populations of White-faced Whistling Ducks and Bahama Pintail in Trinidad.

In 1981, Mike, Ali, and their son, Brent, moved from England to the United States and founded Sylvan Heights Waterfowl in the mountain town of Sylva, North Carolina. The family and facility relocated to Scotland Neck, North Carolina in 1989, where it has grown into the world's largest collection of waterfowl species. Throughout his career, Mike has sought to share his knowledge and experience with the next generations of aviculturists and conservationists. Mike and Ali have welcomed hundreds of interns, volunteers, and students from around the world to Sylvan Heights and into their home, where Mike would relate stories around the dinner table of his expeditions, brief dancing career, and visits with Her Majesty the Queen. The opening of Sylvan Heights Bird Park in 2006 was a realization of the Lubbocks' desire to share their extraordinary birds with the rest of the world.

Mike's innovative aviculture techniques and dedication to waterfowl conservation earned him numerous accolades. He achieved 17 world first breedings and 15 North American first breedings, an induction into the International Wild Waterfowl Association Hall of Fame and received the Jean Delacour Avicultural Award. In 2023, Mike Lubbock and his wife Ali were each recognized by the highest civilian honor given in North Carolina: The Order of the Long Leaf Pine. In April 2024, Mike was awarded the prestigious honor of an MBE (Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) by King Charles III to acknowledge his outstanding services for Global Wildlife Conservation of Water Birds.

When Mike wasn't breeding birds or traveling the world, he would still likely be found outdoors. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, and birder, as well as a single malt Scotch whisky aficionado.

Mike dedicated his life and career to the care and conservation of the world's birds. He has left a lasting legacy through his tremendous contributions to aviculture, through the many people he mentored, and through Sylvan Heights Bird Park, where his work will continue to inspire future generations of conservationists. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and the many people from around the world with whom he so willingly shared his knowledge and passion for birds.

Mike is preceded in death by his father, Ralph Hugh Lubbock; and his mother, Alfreda Lubbock Whttingham. He is survived by his wife, Ali Lubbock; and his son Brent and his wife Katie Lubbock all of Scotland Neck.

Events in memory of Mike Lubbock are to be determined at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory may be made directly to Sylvan Heights Bird Park, 500 Sylvan Heights Bird Park, 500 Sylvan Heights Park Way, Scotland Neck, NC 27874 or online by visiting tmcfunding.com/search then type Michael Lubbock.

Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service - Letchworth Chapel in Scotland Neck is handling the arrangements for the Lubbock family and online condolences can be directed to the family by visiting letchworthsykesfs.com.