Photo courtesy of Yaquina Birders & Naturalists

Our oceans and coasts are vast and dynamic, making understanding their underlying processes and predicting future conditions highly challenging. Seabirds, however, cross the boundary between land and sea and can be a highly-visible and insightful window into the workings of the ever-changing Oregon Coast. Will Kennerley shares some of the work done by Oregon State University's Seabird Oceanography Lab as they attempt to use seabirds to better understand marine ecosystems. Murres, cormorants, eagles, and puffins all provide insight into the oceanographic forces, changing fish communities, and effects of humans (both good and bad) along our scenic coastline.

Will Kennerley is a faculty research assistant in the Seabird Oceanography Lab at OSU’s Hatfield Marine Science Center. Will first came to OSU in 2020 for his MSc degree, to research how the foraging ecology of Atlantic Puffins (Fratercula arctica) in the Gulf of Maine is impacted by marine heatwaves. He fell in love with Oregon’s seabirds during his graduate work and, since completing his degree in 2023, has shifted his focus to the incredible seabirds of the Pacific Northwest. He works now on diverse research projects, including monitoring seabirds at Yaquina Head, performing at sea surveys for Marbled Murrelets (Brachyramphus marmoratus), and is the lead contact for the “Birds with Fish” community science initiative.

This presentation is brought to you by Yaquina Birders & Naturalists

MEETING LOCATION:

OSU Extension Lincoln County
1211 SE Bay Blvd
Newport, OR 97365