The International Rusty Blackbird Working Group has a steering committee which coordinates the activities of the group. The By-laws (adopted in April 2010, updated in 2013) allow for new membership of the steering committee at set intervals.
Steering Committee
Last Updated 11/29/2015
Co-Chair: Carol Foss, Audubon Society of New Hampshire, Concord, NH
Co-Chair: Pam Sinclair, Canadian Wildlife Service, Whitehorse, Yukon Territory
Secretary: Kate Slankard (formerly Heyden), Kentucky Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Frankfort, KY
Agency Liaison: Dean Demarest, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Atlanta, GA
Website Manager: Levi Burford, Antrim, NH
Other committee members:
Cindy Stacier, Dalhousie University
Erin Bayne, University of Alberta, Edmonton
Member DIRECTORY
JACOB ARMIGER
Organizational Affiliation: The College of William and Mary, BS
Location: Williamsburg, VA
Primary Interest in Rusty Blackbirds: Conservation and Management, Research, Breeding Biology Research, Nonbreeding Biology Research, Toxicology Research, Banding
Specific Rusty Blackbird Projects: Currently conducting descriptive study on winter ecology in SE VA (2008-2010). Also interested in flock dynamics/ecotoxicology. Field assistant on RUBL projects on breeding (2009) and nonbreeding grounds (2008-2009)
Contact Information:
484.716.8216 (cell)
Email
MICHAEL L. AVERY
Organizational Affiliation: USDA/Wildlife Services/National Wildlife Research Center
Location: Gainesville, FL
Primary Interest in Rusty Blackbirds: Conservation and Management Research, Nonbreeding Biology
Specific Rusty Blackbird Projects: Assessment of risks/impacts to RUBL from blackbird management activities.
Contact Information:
USDA/APHIS/WS
National Wildlife Research Center
Florida Field Station
2820 East University Avenue
Gainesville, FL 32641
352.375.2229 (office)
352.215.4776 (cell)
352.377.5559 (fax)
Email
TOM BAIN
Organizational Affiliation: Bird Conservation Chair, Ohio Ornithological Society
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Primary Interest in Rusty Blackbirds: Conservation and Management, Outreach, Public Education Outreach, Schools
Specific Rusty Blackbird Projects: State Coordinator for Ohio, 2009 Rusty Blackbird Hotspot Blitz
Contact Information:
614.312.7513
Email
WILLIAM H. BARNARD
Organizational Affiliation: Biology Department Norwich University
Location: Biology Department Norwich University 158 Harmon Dr. Northfield, VT 05663
Primary Interest in Rusty Blackbird: Research, Breeding Biology Research, Toxicology Research, Parasitology
Specific Rusty Blackbird Projects: I have been looking at blood parasites in Rusty Blackbirds from their breeding ground (ME, AK) and from wintering sites (MS, NC).
Contact Information: Biology Department Norwich University 158 Harmon Dr. Northfield, VT 05663
802.485.2342
Email
JASON BERRY
Organizational Affiliation: Founder and former director of the Guatemalan Birding Resource Center
Location: Washington, D.C.
Primary Interest in Rusty Blackbird: Conservation & Management, Public Outreach
Contact Information: 749 Hobart Place Washington, D.C. 20001
Email
SINEAD BORCHERT
Organizational Affiliation: Louisiana State University (MSc RUBL research 2012-2015); Now a contractor at U.S. Geological Survey
Location: Lafayette, LA
Primary Interest in Rusty Blackbird: Conservation & Management, Research, Non-breeding Biology
Specific Rusty Blackbird Projects: Master’s research on site and landscape scale habitat associations of Rusty Blackbirds wintering in Louisiana
Contact Information:
916.698.6699
Email
TERRY CHESSER
Organizational Affiliation: USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center/National Museum of Natural History
Location: Washington, DC
Primary Interest in Rusty Blackbirds: Research, Phylogeography
Specific Rusty Blackbird Projects: Phylogeography of Rusty Blackbird
Contact Information: USGS Biological Survey Unit, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, P O Box 37012, Washington, DC 20013
202.633.4886
202.633.8084 (fax)
Email
DWIGHT COOLEY
Organizational Affiliation: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Location: Decatur, Alabama
Primary Interest in Rusty Blackbirds: Conservation and Management
Contact Information: Wheeler NWR Complex 2700 Refuge Headquarters Road Decatur, AL 35603
256.353.7243 ext. 23
256.340.9728 (fax)
ROSEMARY CURLEY
Organizational Affiliation: Prince Edward Island Department of Environment, Energy and Forestry
Location: Charlottetown PE Canada
Primary Interest in Rusty Blackbirds: Conservation and Management Research, Breeding Season Monitoring
Specific Rusty Blackbird Projects: Rusty Blackbird Monitoring Routes, not done in 2009, hope to establish routes for work in 2010. Resource challenged.
Contact Information: Forests, Fish and Wildlife Division PO Box 2000, Charlottetown PE Canada CIB 1W2
Email
EMMA DELEON
Organizational Affilliation: LSU School of Renewable Natural Resources
Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Primary Interest in Rusty Blackbirds: conservation and management
Specific Rusty Blackbird Projects: Masters student with Dr. Phil Stouffer examining habitat characteristics to assess rusty blackbird status and wintering ground characteristics (still pretty preliminary)
Contact Information:
Email
DEAN DEMAREST
Organizational Affiliation: US Fish and Wildlife Service
Location: Atlanta, GA
Primary Interest in Rusty Blackbirds: Conservation and Management Research, Nonbreeding Biology
Contact Information: US Fish & Wildlife Service Division of Migratory Birds 1875 Century Blvd, Suite 240 Atlanta, GA 30345
404.679.7371
404.679.4180 (fax)
Email
SAM DROEGE
Organizational Affiliation: USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
Location: Laurel, Maryland,
Primary Interest in Rusty Blackbirds: Research
Contact Information:
301.497.5840
Email
CHRIS EBERLY
Organizational Affiliation: DoD Partners in Flight
Location: Warrenton, VA
Primary Interest in Rusty Blackbirds: Conservation and Management, Outreach, Public Education
Contact Information: 32 Old Orchard Lane, Warrenton VA 20186
540.349.9662
Email
SAM EDMONDS
Organizational Affiliation: BioDiversity Research Institute and Acadia University
Location: Maritimes and New England
Primary Interest in Rusty Blackbirds: Research, Breeding Biology Research, Toxicology Research, Banding
Specific Rusty Blackbird Projects: Mercury
Contact Information:
Email
DAVID EVERS
Organizational Affiliation: BioDiversity Research Institute
Location: Gorham, ME
Primary Interest in Rusty Blackbirds: Research, Toxicology Research, Banding
Specific Rusty Blackbird Projects: Mercury exposure and effects in the Rusty Blackbird
Contact Information: 19 Flaggy Meadow Road, Gorham, Maine 04038
207.839.7600 ext 110
Email
CAROL R. FOSS
Organizational Affiliation: Audubon Society of New Hampshire
Location: Concord, New Hampshire
Primary Interest in Rusty Blackbirds: Conservation and Management, Research, Breeding Biology Research, Nonbreeding Biology (post-breeding, early migration)
Specific Rusty Blackbird Projects: New Hampshire Breeding Distribution of Rusty Blackbirds. Field tested regional protocol for roadside surveys; surveyed remote habitat on lands of Wagner Forest Management
Contact Information: 84 Silk Farm Road, Concord, NH 03301
603.224.9909 ext 331
Email
BARBARA FREI
Organizational Affiliation:McGill University, Trent University and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
Location: Montréal, Québec
Primary Interest in Rusty Blackbirds: Conservation and Management Research, Breeding Biology
Specific Rusty Blackbird Projects: Investigation of boreal ecosystem health and management using a model avian species, Rusty Blackbird in Ontario
Contact Information:
Email
DOUG GROSS
Organizational Affiliation: Pennsylvania Game Commission
Location: Orangeville, PA, USA
Primary Interest in Rusty Blackbirds: Conservation and Management, Research, Nonbreeding Biology Research, Banding — Potential for involvement in migration banding in PA wetlands. Research, Other Outreach, Public Education (Explanation: involving birding public in RUBL migratory and winter surveys. Use eBird and other venues to educate birders about RUBL and wetlands it depends upon.)
Specific Rusty Blackbird Projects: Will work on adding RUBL to Wildlife Action Plans in states not covered (including PA).
Contact Information: PA Game Commission Wildlife Biologist Endangered Bird Specialist & PA eBird Coordinator 144 Winters Road, Orangeville, PA 17859
570.458.4109
570.458.4564 (home)
Email
PAUL B. HAMEL
Organizational Affiliation: US Forest Service
Location: Stoneville, MS, USA
Primary Interest in Rusty Blackbirds: Conservation and Management, Research, Nonbreeding Biology Outreach, Public Education
Specific Rusty Blackbird Projects: Nonbreeding distribution in relation to habitat and climate using analyses of CBC and Weather data; Interactions with other species on the nonbreeding grounds; historical changes in distribution on nonbreeding grounds.
Contact Information: Center for Bottomland Hardwoods Research P. O. Box 227, 432 Stoneville Rd. Stoneville, MS 38776 USA
662.686.3167
662.686.3195 (fax)
Email
SERGIO HARDING
Organizational Affiliation: Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries
Location: Richmond, VA
Primary Interest in Rusty Blackbirds: Conservation and Management, Research, Nonbreeding Biology Outreach, Public Education
Contact Information:
804.367.0143
Email
EMILY HERDMAN
Organizational Affiliation: Endangered Species Program, Wildlife Division, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
Location: Corner Brook, NL, Canada
Primary Interest in Rusty Blackbirds: Conservation and Management, Research: Breeding Biology, Research: Banding, Outreach: Public Education, Outreach: Schools
Specific Rusty Blackbird Projects: Nothing specific at the moment
Contact Information:
709.637.2423
Email
PAUL HESS
Organizational Affiliation: American Birding Association
Location: Natrona Heights, Pennsylvania
Primary Interest in Rusty Blackbirds: Outreach, Public Education
Specific Rusty Blackbird Projects: Articles about the Technical Group’s activities and Rusty Blackbird distribution, abundance, population trends, conservation, and management at state, province, and continental scales.
Contact Information: Paul Hess 1412 Hawthorne St. Natrona Heights, PA
Email
KEITH HOBSON
Organizational Affiliation: Environment Canada
Location: Saskatoon, Canada
Primary Interest in Rusty Blackbirds: Conservation and Management Research, Breeding Biology Research, Nonbreeding Biology Research, Toxicology Research, Other
Specific Rusty Blackbird Projects: Migratory connectivity using stable isotopes and other markers. Diet on breeding and wintering grounds.
Contact Information: 11 Innovation Blvd., Saskatoon, SK, S7N 3H5
306.975.4102
Email
GERHARD HOFMANN
Location: Germany
Primary Interest in Rusty Blackbirds: Conservation and Management Research, Breeding Biology Research, Nonbreeding Biology Outreach, Public Education Outreach, Schools
JEFF HOOVER
Organizational Affiliation: Illinois Natural History Survey
Location: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Primary Interest in Rusty Blackbirds: Conservation and Management, Research, Nonbreeding Biology
Specific Rusty Blackbird Projects: Rusty Blackbird use of bottomland forests in southern Illinois during the winter focusing on key habitat features (hydrology, forest vs.non-forest, key tree species). Annual variation in numbers of over-wintering RUBLs in Illinois.
Contact Information: Jeff Hoover, Illinois Natural History Survey, 1816 S. Oak Street, Champaign, IL, 61820
217.244.2922
Email
SCOTT KRUITBOSCH
Organizational Affiliation: Connecticut Audubon Society
Location: Fairfield, Connecticut
Primary Interest in Rusty Blackbirds: Conservation and Management, Nonbreeding Biology Research, Public Education
Specific Rusty Blackbird Projects: Habitat selection, usage, and abundance of wintering RUBL in relation to climate and weather; educating the birding public and involving them in RUBL surveys, especially utilizing eBird.
Contact Information:
Email
ADRIENNE J. LEPPOLD
Organizational Affiliation: University of Maine
Location: Orono, ME
Primary Interest in Rusty Blackbirds: Research, Nonbreeding Biology Research, Migration Banding
Contact Information: Adrienne J. Leppold School of Biology and Ecology 217 Murray Hall University of Maine Orono, ME 04473
207.581.2547
Email
SHANNON BUCKLEY LUEPOLD
Organizational Affiliation: Alumna of SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (MS)
Location: Syracuse, NY
Primary Interest in Rusty Blackbird: Breeding ecology, long-term population monitoring, migration, conservation and management, whole life-cycle modeling
Specific Rusty Blackbird Projects: Master’s research project on nest habitat selection and survival in northern New England (2011-2012), research technician for long-term study of Rusty Blackbirds in New Hampshire (2013-present), planning committee for Rusty Blackbird Migration Blitz (2013-15).
Contact Information: Illick 241, SUNY ESF 1 Forestry Drive Syracuse, NY 13210
530.575.6628
Email
JASON D. LUSCIER
Organizational Affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas
Location: Fayetteville, Arkansas
Primary Interest in Rusty Blackbirds: Conservation and Management Research, Nonbreeding Biology
Specific Rusty Blackbird Projects: Title: Wintering habitat use and monitoring of Rusty Blackbirds in the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley (LMAV).
Contact Information: Department of Biological Sciences, 1 University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701;
479.575.2984
Email
STEVE M. MATSUOKA
Organizational Affiliation: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Migratory Bird Management
Location: Anchorage, AK
Primary Interest in Rusty Blackbirds: Conservation and Management, Research, Breeding Biology Research, Toxicology Research, Other Outreach, Public Education
Specific Rusty Blackbird Projects: Habitat use, demography, and annual movements of Rusty Blackbirds breeding on military lands in Alaska.
Contact Information: Steve Matsuoka Alaska Landbird Coordinator U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Migratory Bird Management 1011 E. Tudor Road, ms 201 Anchorage, Alaska 99503 USA
907.786.3672
907.786.3641 (fax)
Email
CHRIS MCCLURE
Organizational Affiliation: Auburn University
Location: Auburn, Alabama
Primary Interest in Rusty Blackbirds: Conservation and Management, Research, Nonbreeding Biology
Specific Rusty Blackbird Projects: Climate change and range contraction in the breeding distribution of the Rusty Blackbird
Contact Information: Chris McClure 331 Funchess Hall Auburn Alabama 36849
Email
MELANIE MCCORMACK
Organizational Affiliation: Green Mountain College
Location: Plattsburgh, New York
Primary Interest in Rusty Blackbirds: Research, Breeding Biology
Specific Rusty Blackbird Projects: Rusty Blackbird Occupancy in the Adirondack Park: A look at the effects fragmentation and habitat structure on Rusty Blackbird distribution on its breeding grounds
Contact Information:
Email
ANDREW J. MCGANN
Organizational Affiliation: College of William and Mary
Location: Williamsburg, VA
Primary Interest in Rusty Blackbirds: Conservation and Management Research, Nonbreeding Biology Research, Toxicology Research, Banding
Specific Rusty Blackbird Projects: Sexual Dimorphism & Winter Foraging Ecology in the Coastal Plain of Virginia
Contact Information: Andrew J. McGann Biology Department College of William & Mary P.O. Box 8795 Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795
717.891.8145
Email
DAVID MEHLMAN
Organizational Affiliation: The Nature Conservancy
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Primary Interest in Rusty Blackbirds: Conservation and Management
Specific Rusty Blackbird Projects: None
Contact Information:
505.350.3616
Email
CLAUDIA METTKE-HOFMANN
Organizational Affiliation: School of Natural Sciences and Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University
Location: Liverpool, L3 3AF, United Kingdom
Primary Interest in Rusty Blackbirds: Conservation and Management, Research, Nonbreeding Biology Research, Other
Specific Rusty Blackbird Projects: Winter Ecology of Rusty Blackbird in Mississippi; Age and sex composition in different habitats, habitat characteristics, habitat quality, diet, parasite and contaminant load, competition
Contact Information:
Email
ROBERT S. MULVIHILL
Organizational Affiliation: Carnegie Museum of Natural History/Powdermill Avian Research Center
Location: Pittsburgh, PA/Rector, PA
Primary Interest in Rusty Blackbirds: Research, Nonbreeding Biology Research, Banding
Contact Information: 1847 Route 381, Rector, PA 15677;
724.593.6022 (office)
724.238.9859 (home)
Email
TED MURPHY-KELLY
Organizational Affiliation: Albert Creek Bird Observatory
Location: Yukon, Canada
Primary Interest in Rusty Blackbirds: Research, Nonbreeding Biology Research, Banding
Contact Information:
867.456.7431
Email
PATTI (NEWELL) WOHNER
Organizational Affiliation: University of Georgia
Location: Athens, Georgia
Primary Interest in Rusty Blackbirds: Conservation and Management, Research, Breeding Biology Research, Nonbreeding Biology Research, Banding
Specific Rusty Blackbird Projects: Linking diet and body condition of Rusty Blackbirds in South Carolina, Georgia, North Carolina, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. The project is in the initial stages.
Contact Information:
225.939.8112
Email
DANIEL NIVEN
Organizational Affiliation: Senior Scientist – National Audubon Society
Location: Illinois Natural History Survey, Champaign, IL
Primary Interest in Rusty Blackbirds: Research, Nonbreeding Biology
Specific Rusty Blackbird Projects: CBC trend analysis Periodic assessment of regional and continental population trends in early winter (CBC) and comparison to similarly derived BBS trends. I also periodically assess regional patterns of relative abundance and changes in relative abundance. I’m currently assessing distributional changes in relation to changing climate parameters.
Contact Information: Daniel Niven National Audubon Society Illinois Natural History Survey 1816 S. Oak Street Champaign, IL 61820
217.244.2147
Email
MICHAEL O’BRIEN
Organizational Affiliation: SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
Location: Errol, NH (research site), Syracuse, NY (school location)
Primary Interest in Rusty Blackbirds: Conservation and Management, Research, Foraging Ecology and Habitat on the Breeding Grounds
Specific Rusty Blackbird Projects: A Multi-Scale Investigation of Rusty Blackbird Foraging Sites. I will study the bird’s foraging ecology and habitat in an effort to gain a better understanding of how prey availability and habitat composition influence foraging site selection.
Contact Information: Michael O’Brien Illick 241, SUNY-ESF, 1 Forestry Drive, Syracuse, NY, 13210
603.540.7345
Email
JOE POSTON
Organizational Affiliation: Catawba College
Location: North Carolina
Primary Interest in Rusty Blackbirds: Winter distribution and abundance
Contact Information:
Email
LUKE L. POWELL
Organizational Affiliation: Louisiana State University
Location: Baton Rouge, LA
Primary Interest in Rusty Blackbirds: Research, Breeding Biology Research, Nonbreeding Biology
Specific Rusty Blackbird Projects: Nest Success of Rusty Blackbirds in Northern New England; RUBL Monitoring Plan for the BCR 14, Occupancy and Detectability of Breeding Rusty Blackbirds, Home Range Breeding Rusty Blackbirds
JOHN QUINN
Organizational Affiliation: Furman University
Location: Greenville, SC
Primary Interest in Rusty Blackbirds: Avian Conservation, Ecological Models
Specific Rusty Blackbird Projects: None at this time are focused on rusty blackbirds
Contact Information: 3300 Poinsett Highway, Greenville, SC 29613
Email
864.404.8836
CATHERINE RICKETTS
Organizational Affiliation: The University of Georgia (grad student)
Location: Athens, GA & Seabrook, SC
Primary Interest in Rusty Blackbirds: Conservation and Management Research, Breeding Biology Research, Nonbreeding Biology Research, Banding
Specific Rusty Blackbird Projects: Field Assistant, radio-tracking/capture, Winter 2007, LMAV
Contact Information:
Email
NORA ROJEK
Organizational Affiliation: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Fairbanks Fish and Wildlife Field Office, Endangered Species Program
Location: Fairbanks, Alaska
Primary Interest in Rusty Blackbirds: Conservation and Management, Research, Breeding Biology
Specific Rusty Blackbird Projects: Conservation and management, breeding biology research.
Contact Information: USFWS, Fairbanks Fish and Wildlife Field Office 101 12th Avenue, Room 110, Fairbanks, AK 99701
907.456.0276
BRIAN W. ROLEK
Organizational Affiliation: Auburn University
Location: Auburn, AL
Primary Interest in Rusty Blackbirds: Conservation and Management, Research, Breeding Biology Research, Nonbreeding Biology
Specific Rusty Blackbird Projects: Microhabitat selection of wintering Rusty Blackbirds, Climate change effects on the distribution of Rusty Blackbirds
Contact Information: 331 Funchess Hall, Auburn University, AL 36849
Email
334.704.3143
LARRY ROSCHE
Organizational Affiliation: Cleveland Museum of Natural History Natural Areas Division
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Primary Interest in Rusty Blackbirds: Conservation and Management, Research, Monitoring and Inventory Outreach, Schools
Specific Rusty Blackbird Projects: Assaying the Distribution & Abundance of Rusty Blackbird on Cleveland Museum of Natural History Preserves and on Geauga Park District Lands and Nearby Wetlands (with Judy Semroc).
Contact Information:
Email
ELENA SACHS
Organizational Affiliation: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida Bird Conservation Initiative Coordinator
Location: Ocala, Florida
Primary Interest in Rusty Blackbirds: Conservation and Management, Research, Nonbreeding Biology Research, Toxicology Research, Banding Research, Other Outreach, Public Education Outreach, Schools
Specific Rusty Blackbird Projects: No specific projects at this time, though we developed RUBL habitat maps in Florida for the 2009 RUBL Winter Hot Spot Blitz for use during the survey.
Contact Information: Elena Sachs Bird Conservation Initiative Coordinator Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 1239 SW 10th Street Ocala, FL 34471
352.732.1225
352.732.1391 (fax)
Email
Please visit the FBCI site
SARAH SARGENT
Organizational Affiliation: Audubon Pennsylvania
Primary Interest in Rusty Blackbirds: Conservation and Management
Specific Rusty Blackbird Projects: Documenting their occurrence in IBAs in western PA during migration.
Contact Information:
814.232.3300
Email
JEAN-PIERRE L. SAVARD
Organizational Affiliation: Sciences and Technologies, Environment Canada
Location: Sainte-Foy, Québec
Primary Interest in Rusty Blackbirds: Conservation and Management, Research, Breeding Biology Research, Other (migration)
Specific Rusty Blackbird Projects: Fall movements of Rusty Blackbirds as indicative of fluctuations Cycles) in reproductive success.
Contact Information: Dr. Jean-Pierre L. Savard Chercheur scientifique/Research Scientist Division de la Recherche sur la faune/ Wildlife Research Division Direction générale de la faune et sciences du paysage/ Wildlife and Landscape Science Directorate Branche des sciences et de la technologie/ Science and Technology Branch Environment Canada 1141 Route de l’Église, B.P. / P.O. Box 10100 Sainte-Foy, Québec, G1V 4H5
418.648.3500
418.649.6475 (fax)
JUDITH C. SCARL
Organizational Affiliation: Vermont Center for Ecostudies
Location: Norwich, VT
Primary Interest in Rusty Blackbirds: Conservation and Management, Research, Breeding Biology Outreach, Public
Specific Rusty Blackbird Projects: Rusty Blackbird Habitat Use in the Northeastern U.S.- this project investigates Rusty Blackbird habitat use in the Northeast over a ten-year period, exploring how habitat variables influence changes in habitat occupancy.
Contact Information: Dr. Judith C. Scarl, Vermont Center for Ecostudies, PO Box 420, Norwich, VT 05055
802.649.1431 x7
Email
BEN SCHONEWILLE
Organizational Affiliation: Teslin Lake Bird Observatory
Location: Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada
Primary Interest in Rusty Blackbirds: Banding, Migration Monitoring, Breeding Biology
Specific Rusty Blackbird Projects: Determination of age and sex for RUBL; banding Rusty Blackbirds during migration in the western boreal region (including color banding), also collecting feather samples for stable isotope analysis.
Contact Information: 129 Rainbow Rd, Whitehorse YT, Y1A 5K2
867.334.2683
Email
SARA SCHWEITZER
Organizational Affiliation: Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources, University of Georgia
Location: Athens, GA
Primary Interest in Rusty Blackbirds: Research, Nonbreeding Biology Research, Other (response to experimental habitat modification; isotope analyses; genetic analyses)
Specific Rusty Blackbird Projects: Winter Ecology of the Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus) along the South Atlantic Coast. This study will provide information on primary wintering sites of Rusty Blackbirds the South Atlantic region (we will focus on SC and GA), foraging ecology, roosts selected, and the association of this wintering population with breeding populations.
Contact Information: Professor, Wildlife Ecology & Management Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources University of Georgia Athens, GA 30602
706.542.1150
706.542.8356 (fax)
Email
APRIL HARDING SCURR
Organizational Affiliation: Humboldt State University and the Alaska Bird Observatory
Location: Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska
Primary Interest in Rusty Blackbirds: Conservation and Management, Research, Breeding Biology Research, Banding Research, Genetics
Specific Rusty Blackbird Projects: Mating systems and social behavior. Using genetics and behavioral observations determining paternity of offspring, possible relationships between nesting adults, and possibly sex ratios of nestlings
Contact Information:
Email
JUDY SEMROC
Organizational Affiliation: Cleveland Museum of Natural History Natural Areas Division
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Primary Interest in Rusty Blackbirds: Conservation and Management, Research, Monitoring and Inventory Outreach, Schools
Specific Rusty Blackbird Projects: Assaying the Distribution & Abundance of Rusty Blackbird on Cleveland Museum of Natural History Preserves and on Geauga Park District Lands and Nearby Wetlands (with Larry Rosche).
PAM SINCLAIR
Organizational Affiliation: Canadian Wildlife Service
Location: Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada
Primary Interest in Rusty Blackbirds: Conservation and Management Research, Breeding Biology Research, Banding
Specific Rusty Blackbird Projects: Molt and Age Determination in Rusty Blackbirds; banding Rusty Blackbirds during migration in the western boreal region, also collecting feather samples for stable isotope analysis, mercury.
Contact Information: Pam Sinclair Canadian Wildlife Service 91780 Alaska Highway Whitehorse, YT Y1A 5B7
867.667.3931
867.393.7970 (fax)
Email
KATE SLANKARD (formerly HEYDEN)
Organizational Affiliation: Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
Location: Frankfort, KY
Primary Interest in Rusty Blackbirds: Conservation and Management Research, Nonbreeding Biology Research, Banding
Specific Rusty Blackbird Projects: Blitz Coordinator for Kentucky
Contact Information: Kate Heyden Avian Biologist Nongame Branch KY Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources #1 Sportsman’s Lane Frankfort, KY 40601
502.564.7109 ext 4475
502.564.4519 (fax)
Email
ERIC SOEHREN
Organizational Affiliation: Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, State Lands Division, Natural Heritage Section
Primary Interest in Rusty Blackbirds: Alabama Distribution Conservation and Management
Contact Information: Alabama DCNR, State Lands Division, 64 North Union Street, Suite 464, Montgomery, AL 36104
334.353.7996
334.242.0999 (fax)
CINDY STAICER
Organizational Affiliation: Biology Department, Dalhousie University
Location: Halifax, NS
Primary Interest in Rusty Blackbirds: Conservation and Outreach, Public Education*
Specific Rusty Blackbird Projects: Rusty Blackbird Monitoring in Southwestern Nova Scotia (2010)
Contact Information: Dr. Cindy Staicer Department of Biology 1355 Oxford Street Dalhousie University Halifax, NS B3H 4J1 Canada
Email
PHIL STOUFFER
Organizational Affililiation: Louisiana State University
Location: Baton Rouge, LA
Primary Interest in Rusty Blackbirds: Research, Nonbreeding Biology
Specific Rusty Blackbird Projects: New MS student will work on winter ecology Contact information: Philip C. Stouffer Associate Professor School of Renewable Natural Resources RNR 227 (mail) 329 (office) Louisiana State University and LSU AgCenter Baton Rouge, LA 70803-6202
225.578.4221
225.578.4227 (fax)
Email
BRIAN L. SULLIVAN
Organizational Affiliation: Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Location: Ithaca, NY
Primary Interest in Rusty Blackbirds: Conservation and Management Research, Nonbreeding Biology Outreach, Public Education
Specific Rusty Blackbird Projects: Rusty Blackbird Blitz — A winter survey of Rusty Blackbirds conducted across the entire winter range by citizen-scientists through eBird (www.ebird.org)
Contact Information:
Email
CHRIS TONRA
Organizational Affiliation: The Ohio State University
Location: Columbus, OH
Primary Interest in Rusty Blackbirds: Migration research, Migratory stopover ecology, conservation and Management.
Specific Rusty Blackbird Project: Stopover ecology of the Rusty Blackbird, examining habitat and landscape use during migration using radio telemetry; Using stable isotope analysis to determine connectivity and fidelity to stopover sites during both Fall and Spring migration (Advising Jay Wright on M.S. project 2015-2017).
Contact Information: 2021 Coffey Rd.,210 Kottman Hall,Columbus, OH 43210
Email
CRAIG WATSON
Organizational Affiliation: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Atlantic Coast Joint Venture, South Atlantic Coordinator
Location: Charleston, South Carolina
Primary Interest in Rusty Blackbirds: Winter habitat conservation
Specific Rusty Blackbird Projects: No specific projects, but interested in identifying areas that are important for wintering RUBL in the South Atlantic and seeking to protect/manage these habitats as wintering habitat for RUBL and other associated species, as well as looking at larger landscape scale issues with RUBL habitat, and providing long term sustainability of those habitats in the southeast.
Contact Information: Craig Watson South Atlantic Coordinator Atlantic Coast Joint Venture U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Division of Migratory Birds (Region 5) 176 Croghan Spur Rd., Suite 200 Charleston, SC 29407
843.727.4707 ext 304
413.262.3212 (cell)
843.727.4092 (fax)
Email
RANDY WILSON
Organizational Affiliation: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Location: Jackson, MS
Primary Interest in Rusty Blackbirds: Conservation and Management, Research, Nonbreeding Biology
Contact Information: Randy Wilson U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 6578 Dogwood View Parkway, Suite B Jackson, MS 39213
601.965.4903 ext 15
601.965.4010 (fax)
Email
JAMES “JAY” WRIGHT
Organizational Affiliation: The Ohio State University
Location: Columbus, OH
Primary Interest in Rusty Blackbirds: Migration Research, Nonbreeding Biology Research, Conservation and Management.
Specific Rusty Blackbird Project: Stopover ecology of the Rusty Blackbird, examining habitat and landscape use during migration using radio telemetry; Using stable isotope analysis to determine connectivity and fidelity to stopover sites during both Fall and Spring migration. (M.S. project 2015-2017)
Contact Information: 2021 Coffey Rd.,210 Kottman Hall,Columbus, OH 43210, 401-536-5185
Email