76 University Drive
Hazleton, PA 18202-8025
Publications
Nest survival, predator assemblage, and patterns of predation at Veery (Catharus fuscescens) nests in a mature forest landscape, Wilson Journal of Ornithology
Collaborator: Les Murray, Co-Author
Survival, movements, and habitat use of fledgling Veeries (Catharus fuscescens) in northeastern Pennsylvania, American Midland Naturalist - January, 2019
Nest-site use and diet of Barn Owls in northeastern New Mexico, New Mexico Ornithological Society Bulletin - April, 2016
Collaborator: Lawrence Klomps, Secondary Author
Use of Barn Owl (Tyto alba) pellets as a potential method to study a rare rodent population in northeastern New Mexico., Western North American Naturalist - January, 2016
Effect of brush piles on small mammal abundance and survival in central Pennsylvania., Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management - December, 2015
Collaborators: Richard Fritsky, Author; Gary San Julian, Author
Eastern Whip-poor-will - November, 2015
Scarlet Tanager - November, 2015
Habitat use by Mountain Plovers in prairie dog colonies in northeastern New Mexico, Journal of Field Ornithology - April, 2012
Comparison of bird and mammal communities on black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) colonies and uncolonized shortgrass prairie in New Mexico, Journal of Arid Environments - January, 2012
Plumbeous Vireo (Vireo plumbeus), The Birds of North America Online - January, 2012
Collaborator: David Curson, Co-Author
Cost of multiple parasitism for an avian brood parasite, the Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater), Canadian Journal of Zoology - November, 2011
Collaborators: David Curson, Secondary Author; Nancy Mathews, Secondary Author
Notes on a breeding population of Mountain Plover on Vermejo Park Ranch, New Mexico Ornithological Society Bulletin - October, 2011
Winter use of brush piles by wildlife of old field habitats in northeastern Pennsylvania, Journal of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science - April, 2011
Collaborator: Robert Caccese
Blue-headed Vireo, Terrestrial vertebrates of Pennsylvania: A complete guide to species of conservation concern - December 28, 2010
Common Nighthawk, Terrestrial vertebrates of Pennsylvania: A complete guide to species of conservation concern - December 28, 2010
Prothonotary Warbler, Terrestrial vertebrates of Pennsylvania: A complete guide to species of conservation concern - December 28, 2010
Scarlet Tanager, Terrestrial vertebrates of Pennsylvania: A complete guide to species of conservation concern - December 28, 2010
Summer Tanager, Terrestrial vertebrates of Pennsylvania: A complete guide to species of conservation concern - December 28, 2010
Whip-poor-will, Terrestrial vertebrates of Pennsylvania: A complete guide to species of conservation concern - December 28, 2010
Community-level patterns of population recruitment in a generalist avian brood parasite, the brown-headed cowbird, Oecologia - April, 2010
Collaborators: David Curson, Primary Author; Nancy Mathews, Secondary Author
Seasonal variation in the diet of the barn owl in northwestern Nevada, Western Birds - October, 2009
Collaborators: Abigail Myers, Author; Christopher Goguen, Author; Daniel Rabbers, Author
Comparative effects of cowbird parasitism on the reproductive success of three frequent hosts., Southwestern Naturalist - January, 2009
Collaborators: Christopher Goguen, Author; David Curson, Author; Nancy Mathews, Author
Effects of hemlock wooly adelgid on breeding birds at Fort Indiantown Gap, PA., Northeastern Naturalist - July, 2008
Collaborators: Doug Becker, Author; Margaret Brittingham, Author; Christopher Goguen, Author
Education
Ph D, Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin
MS, Wildlife Sciences, Texas Tech University
BS, Wildlife Biology, University of Vermont
Papers and Presentations
May 1, 2023
Posters
Use of non-native shrubs as nesting substrates by Veeries in northeastern Pennsylvania
Northeast Fish and Wildlife Conference
Hershey, PA
January 16, 2023
Oral Presentations
The Secret Life of the Veery
Greater Wyoming Valley Audubon Society Meeting
Wilkes-Barre, PA
I gave a 1 hr talk about my current ecological research on the Veery to members of the Greater Wyoming Valley Audubon Society as the featured speaker at their January meeting.
October 15, 2022
Oral Presentations
Veery research at Nescopeck State Park
2022 Pennsylvania cavity-nesting monitors meeting
White Haven, PA
September 6, 2022 - September 12, 2022
Oral Presentations
2022 Hazleton Faculty Research Expo
I prepared a virtual presentation for undergraduates interested in independent research opportunities, and met with undergraduates during a meet & greet on Sept 12.
August 22, 2019
Oral Presentations
The Secret Life of the Veery
Nescopeck State Park Fall Programs
Drums, PA
I gave a 1 hr talk about my current ecological research on the Veery to members of the general public. This event was widely advertised by the Park and free and open to the public.
June, 2019
Oral Presentations
Nest survival, predator assemblage, and patterns of preation at Veery nests in a mature forest landscape.
American Ornithological Society Annual Meeting
Anchorage, AK
March 20, 2019
Oral Presentations
The Veery up close
Carbon County Environmental Education Center Spring Programs
Summit Hill, PA
I gave a 1 hr talk about my current ecological research on the Veery to members of the general public. This event was widely advertised by the Center and free and open to the public.
February 22, 2019
Oral Presentations
Effect of video cameras on nest fate in a Veery population in northeastern Pennsylvania
PA Chapter of the Wildlife Society Annual Meeting
State College, PA
Presentation about our nest camera research conducted 2014-2016.
April 14, 2018
Oral Presentations
Does use of exotic shrubs influence nesting success of Veeries in northeastern Pennsylvania?
American Ornithology 2018
Tucson, AZ
April, 2017
Oral Presentations
Video documentation of the predator assemblage at Veery nests in northeastern Pennsylvania
Northeastern Natural History Conference
Cromwell, CT
April 16, 2016
Oral Presentations
Documentation of predation events using video cameras at Veery nests in northeastern Pennsylvania
PA Chapter of the Wildlife Society Annual Meeting
State College, PA
Presentation about our nest camera research conducted 2014 and 2015.
July, 2015
Oral Presentations
Survival and habitat use of Veery fledglings in northeastern Pennsylvania
Ornithology Meeting 2015
Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada
March, 2015
Oral Presentations
Post-fledging survival and movements of the Veery in Nescopeck State Park, northeastern Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Chapter of the Wildlife Society Annual Meeting
State College, PA
March, 2013
Oral Presentations
Nesting ecology of veeries in habitats invaded by exotic shrubs in northeastern Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Chapter of the Wildlife Society Annual Conference
State College, PA
March, 2013
Oral Presentations
Nesting ecology of Veeries in habitats invaded by exotic shrubs in northeastern Pennsylvania
Wilson Ornithological Society Annual Meeting
Williamsburg, VA
October, 2012
Posters
Effects of prairie dog restoration on shortgrass prairie wildlife in northeastern New Mexico
4th International EcoSummit
Columbus, OH
April, 2012
Oral Presentations
Effects of artificial brush piles on small mammal abundance and survival in central Pennsylvania
Northeastern Natural History Conference
Syracuse, NY
March, 2012
Posters
Thermal values of brush piles for wildlife in winter
Pennsylvania Chapter of the Wildlife Society Annual Meeting
State College, PA
September 21, 2011
Oral Presentations
Fall Research Evening -- Penn State Hazleton
Presentation to undergraduates interested in research opportunities with faculty
July 27, 2011
Oral Presentations
Characteristics of prairie dog colonies occupied by mountain plovers and burrowing owls in northeastern New Mexico
Annual Meeting of the American Ornithologist's Union
Jacksonville, FL
April 2, 2011
Posters
Nest-site characteristics of mountain plovers breeding on prairie dog colonies in northeastern New Mexico
Pennsylvania Academy of Science Annual Meeting
Altoona, PA
October 4, 2010
Posters
Effects of prairie dog colonies on wildlife of shortgrass prairie habitats in northeastern New Mexico
Annual Conference of the Wildlife Society
Snowbird, UT
Abstract: Prairie dogs have the potential to greatly affect wildlife diversity by altering habitat structure through their foraging or burrow-digging activities, and by affecting predator species diversity or abundance. During spring 2008 and 2009, I evaluated the effects of black-tailed prairie dog colonies on wildlife abundance and habitat structure within a 16,1900 ha shortgrass prairie pasture in northeastern New Mexico. My objective was to compare bird and mammal diversity and habitat structure on prairie dog colonies versus similar habitats unoccupied by prairie dogs. To measure wildlife diversity, I established 600 m transects through 12 colonies and 12 associated habitats unoccupied by prairie dogs, and performed morning surveys recording all birds and mammals detected within 100 m of the transect during a 30 min period. Annually, I surveyed each site 3 times and conducted basic vegetation sampling along each transect. Over both years, I detected 30 bird (24 on colony, 24 on unoccupied transects) and 8 mammal (8 on colony, 6 on unoccupied transects) species. Horned larks represented >75% of bird detections overall, but mean abundance did not differ between colony and unoccupied transects. Western meadowlarks and vesper sparrows were more abundant on unoccupied transects, while burrowing owls, mountain plovers, American pronghorn, and desert cottontails were more abundant on colony transects. Habitat structure differed greatly between colony and unoccupied transects with colonies having lower grass, shrub, and litter cover, lower average vegetation height, but more forb and bare ground cover. These results support the hypothesis that prairie dogs can impact wildlife diversity by altering habitat structure.
September 29, 2010
Oral Presentations
Fall Research Evening -- Penn State Hazleton
Presentation to undergraduates interested in research opportunities with faculty
April, 2010
Posters
Diet of barn owls nesting on Vermejo Park Ranch, northeastern New Mexico
Pennsylvania Academy of Science Annual Meeting
Camp Hill, PA
March, 2010
Posters
Use of brush piles by winter wildlife at Nescopeck State Park, northeastern Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Chapter of the Wildlife Society
State College, PA
March 27, 2010
Posters and Oral Presentations
Value of brush piles for winter wildlife
Honey Hole Chapter of the National Turkey Foundation Banquet
Hazleton, PA
February 16, 2010
Oral Presentations
Effects of prairie dogs on prairie wildlife diversity
Penn State, Hazleton
September, 2009
Oral Presentations
Fall research evening presentation
Fall Research Evening - Penn State Hazleton
Penn State Hazleton
March, 2009
Oral Presentations
Effect of brushpiles on small mammals in forest edge and interior habitats in central Pennsylvania
Annual Meeting of the Pennsylvania Academy of Sciences
Camp Hill, PA
March, 2009
Posters
Seasonal diet comparison of a barn owl population from northwestern Nevada
Annual Meeting of the Pennsylvania Academy of Sciences
Camp Hill, PA
October 10, 2007
Oral Presentations
Fall Research Evening Presentation
Penn State Hazleton