I study primarily flight calls and flight-calling behavior in nocturnally migrating birds, focusing secondarily on acoustic monitoring of rare and elusive species. I am also expanding on my doctoral research into new field and laboratory studies and greater taxonomic diversity of flight-calling behavior. In the Conservation Science Program at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, applied goals related to acoustic monitoring are my current priority, with my primary goals to expand acoustic techniques, including hardware and software development, to monitor rare, elusive and hard to study species using the novel information available from bird vocalizations; to improve flight-call monitoring protocols (such as quantifying passing individuals by their calls); and to incorporate acoustic protocols into more traditional methods of surveying and monitoring. I am also engaged in broader research and conservation pursuits at the national and international level, including developing and refining policy initiatives in collaboration with the US Department of Interior, American Wind Wildlife Institute, and American Bird Conservancy to aid in assessment of potential exposure risks to migratory wildlife from wind energy development and conservation of critically endangered species in Latin America, specifically in Ecuador through my work on the Science Council of the Fundación Jocotoco.
I regularly provide industry, public, academic, and ornithological communities with updates on research and methods for applying acoustic and radar monitoring. I speak publicly at least 3 times annually on the topic to a variety of audiences, and I communicate regularly through print and electronic media about these topics. I mentor students at several levels, from high school through graduate school, in New York state, specifically at White Plains High School and Rye Country Day School, as well as at Fordham University. I also work with Fundacion Jocotoco on international conservation of birds, and I guide donors and interested parties among the reserves created by this foundation in Ecuador to educate and to facilitate research.
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