Introduction

Ever wondered what it means to be a field biologist, and how they help us understand the world?

A fellow field biologist checking the nest of a bird using a wireless camera on a long, extendable pole.

Have you ever wondered what a biologist actually does on a daily basis? What does it mean to be a field biologist? Maybe you have wondered how people actually catch a wild bird? How do you find a bird nest? How can I do that? Or maybe, why do YOU do ANY of that? If any of these are ones you have thought before, or are now curious as to their answers, this is the place to find out! The aim of this blog is to make the scientific process clear and to tell stories about the nitty gritty of actually doing field research. I primarily study birds, so that will be the focus of the blog. However, no matter what you're interested in, I hope you find these stories fun and interesting!

A fellow field biologists using a radio telemetry antenna to locate a bird after a radio transmitter has been attached to its back. This allows people to track their movements and figure out what habitats different species use.

I am a field biologist that has been working on different research projects since 2008, although my desire to hold this career dates back to my earliest years. I graduated from Virginia Tech with a B.S. in Wildlife Science, and now am defending my Master's degree in Biology from Northern Arizona University. I have worked with birds and mammals over the years, although my primary focus has been the breeding biology of birds. I have worked with shorebirds in the Eastern US, big cats in Belize, bobcats and bats in Virginia, seabirds in the Galapagos, and songbirds in Texas, Oregon, Arizona, Tasmania (Australia), and Hawaii. This blog is meant to be a place where anyone can read about stories of doing field work, why field research is conducted in the first place, and maybe a little insight into what its like to be a field biologist. I will publish posts from my past and present experiences doing field work, as well as about the process of conducting research and analyzing data. I'm sure some posts about my time earning a Masters degree will slip in as well. Please comment with any questions or interests you may have! Enjoy!

Two nestlings and two eggs of a white-crowned sparrow in Oregon.

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