Office: LHS D235, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
Phone: 705-748-1011, ext. 7640
Lab: 705-748-1011, ext. 7670
Email: enol@trentu.ca

My research interests are in two primary areas. First, I am interested in the biology and conservation of shorebirds. My students and I have worked on plovers and other shorebirds including Whimbrel, Dunlin and Red-necked Phalaropes, in Canada (British Columbia, Ontario, northern Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Nunavut), Cuba, Brazil and Venezuela. I have particularly been involved with studies examining the impacts of a warming climate on the habitats and life histories of arctic and sub-arctic breeding shorebirds. I welcome inquiries from potential students who have an interest in this group of birds.

My second research interest is in the conservation of songbirds. My focus has been on studying forest birds and associated habitats impacted by anthropogenic factors such as forest fragmentation, forestry practices and urbanization. My current research in this area is on grassland birds, with an emphasis on the impacts of agricultural practises on Bobolink and Eastern Meadowlarks. Students have also examined the ability of Bank Swallows to reproduce in aggregate pits. My work attempts to understand broadly, how birds and humans can co-exist in settled landscapes.

I have an active and talented group of graduate students. Nearly all have significant ornithological field experience prior to coming to the laboratory. There is a strong environmental ethic among the students.

I welcome inquiries from prospective graduate students, although positions for 2016-2017 are limited.

Summary of research interests

Avian conservation biology
Avian ecology
Forest ecology

My research examines how climate variability impacts arctic shorebird populations. I am also interested in the effects of anthropogenic disturbances on the ecology and conservation of song birds.

Background

B.S. (University of Michigan)
M.Sc. University of Guelph)
Ph.D. (University of Toronto)