WOMEN IN SEABIRD SCIENCE
Taylor Brown
she/her
PhD Candidate
Trent
University
Discipline
Behaviour, Visual Ecology
Regional Focus
Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada
Years Active
3-5 years
Species Focus
Auks (Alcidae), Storm-Petrels (Hydrobatidae & Oceanitidae)
Tell us about your work with seabirds.
I study the behavioural responses of fledgling Atlantic Puffins and Leach's Storm-petrels to artificial light at night (ALAN) in the context of annual mass strandings of these two species in Newfoundland, Canada. Most of my work is experimental and conservation-based, with a focus on investigating phototaxis (both positive and negative) in response to light of various spectra and intensities and in different behavioural contexts. My hope is that the results of my research can inform coastal development policy and practice to reduce the effects of artificial light on seabirds.
What advice would you offer to individuals aspiring to pursue a career as seabird scientists?
Seabirds inherently rely on the ocean and many species travel great distances across the globe - as such, they face many threats, many of which seem to only ever increase in severity. People are therefore needed all across the globe to study seabirds and their various threats, and to contribute their unique perspectives to seabird conservation. The study of seabirds cannot only be a discipline for certain folks from certain regions - so if you have a passion for seabirds, and you don't mind working very hard to pursue this passion, then you should definitely stick with it.
Email:
Website:
Twitter:
@TBrown_birds
Instagram:
@tbrown_birds