Ján Svetlík studied natural science at the Comenius university in Bratislava, with extensive experiences in avian survey. He has been engaged in numerous bird monitoring schemes (Romania, Czech Republic, Slovakia), collecting data especially about raptors and waterfowls. He is a member of Slovak Ornithological Society BirdLife Slovakia, Raptor Protection Slovakia, Slovak Bat Conservation Society and since 2021 also a member of the TB Raab.