Professor Erica Nol

My research interests are in two areas. I am interested in the biology of shorebirds, with special emphasis on birds in the genera Charadrius (the plovers) and Haematopus (the oystercatchers). I am interested in any aspect of the lives of these birds, from energetics to population regulation and conservation. My students and I have worked on plovers in Canada (British Columbia, Ontario, northern Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Nunavut), Cuba, Brazil and Venezuela. I have worked on oystercatchers in Patagonia, coastal Virginia and Tasmania (Flinder's Island), Australia. I welcome inquiries from potential students who have an interest in this group of birds.

My second research interest is in the conservation of forest birds. My focus has been on studying forest birds and associated habitats impacted by anthropogenic factors such as forest fragmentation, forestry practices and urbanization. My current research in this area centers on Algonquin Park and fragmented, managed woodlots in southwestern Ontario. The work on forest birds is co-supervised by Dr. Dawn Burke of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources in London, Ontario. Mr. Ken Elliott, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources is also assisting in this work.

I am also involved with local projects to preserve and restore small and larger woodlots in the City of Peterborough and surrounding area through the Large Woodlands Conservation Cooperative.

I have an active and talented group of graduate students. Nearly all have significant ornithological field experience prior to coming to the laboratory. There is a strong environmental ethic among the students.

I welcome inquiries from prospective graduate students.