Colombia ![]() Back to top |
Peru ![]() Click here to hear an example of an Inca Wren song I recorded at Machu Picchu. Back to top |
Panama![]() ![]() In 2003 I assisted in the project of a fellow student, Janeene Touchton, on her graduate research project in Panama. We were interested in assessing the effects of competitive release on the foraging dynamics of ant-following antbirds. Specifically we were comparing foraging dominance interactions at ant swarms at 2 different sites, one of which had undergone the local extirpation of a large dominant species. Our study sites were located in the former Canal Zone of central Panama, in an around the large man-made Gatun Lake that forms the majority of the current passage between the Atlantic to Pacific Oceans. Our treatment site was the long-term Smithsonian research station on Barro Colorado Island and the mainland adjacent site in Soberania National Park. For this project I captured our study species, Bicoloured, Spotted and Ocellated Antbirds, and applied unique, coloured leg bands. This allowed me to conduct focal behavioural observations on each species as they foraged on flushed arthropods at army-ant (Eciton burchelli) swarms. I also collected blood samples from all the birds I captured for use in future genetic studies. To some birds I applied small radio transmitters and with the aid of radio telemetry equipment located and tracked active ant colonies. Back to top |
USA
![]() In the summer of 2004 I worked with Joe Fontaine on his PhD research at Oregon State University. His project was a study on the effects of post-wildfire salvage logging on the unique wildlife of the Siskiyou Mountain in South-west Oregon. The work involved a regular census of the birds, small mammals and vegetation in each treatment area, with varying levels of burn severity and salvage intensity. It was a great way to experience this fascinating landscape and learn some novel field techniques such as mammal trapping using Sherman traps. Back to top |
Mexico![]() Back to top |
Canada![]() Back to top |