Deanna Dawson
Deanna is a emeritus with the Eastern Ecological Science Center located at Laurel, MD.
An experienced field ornithologist, her current research uses remote sensing techniques to sample the spatiotemporal distribution of birds, primarily during migration periods. She collaborates in research that analyzes data from weather surveillance radars to map the densities of nocturnal migrants at daytime stopover sites, and uses acoustic data to quantify and model the abundance of migrants aloft. She also works on methods to estimate animal densities from sounds recorded on microphone arrays, applying them to recordings of bird song made across the Patuxent Research Refuge during the nesting season.
Science and Products
Hurricanes
The high winds and storm surge associated with hurricanes impacted coastal wetlands from Virginia to Maine. Understanding the ecological and geological impacts of hurricanes on coastal wetlands and both resident and migratory wildlife populations is fundamental to helping rebuild and maintain these unique ecosystems.
Nocturnal Bird Migration through the Central Appalachians
The Challenge: Concerns have arisen about the potential impacts of wind power development in the Appalachians on migrating birds, creating a critical need for information on their distribution and flight characteristics as they pass through the region. This study focuses on the spatial and temporal distribution of nocturnally migrating birds in the Central Appalachians (MD, VA, WV). The overall...
Radar Analysis of Fall Migration Stopover Sites in the Northeastern U.S.
The Challenge: Most landbird conservation efforts focus on protecting or enhancing breeding habitat. For migratory species, however, mortality is highest during the biannual migration periods. In fall, juvenile birds are making their first migratory flights; their success, and that of adult birds, depends on availability of suitable sites to safely rest and forage. Identifying important stopover...
Response of Migrating Birds to Hurricane Sandy
The Challenge: Each autumn, millions of landbirds migrate southward from breeding areas in the U.S. and Canada. Because these migrations occur during hurricane season, the impacts of hurricanes on migrating birds and their en route resting and foraging sites (stopover sites) are a real concern. Hurricane Sandy occurred late in the landbird migration season. By the time the storm made landfall in...
Science and Products
Hurricanes
The high winds and storm surge associated with hurricanes impacted coastal wetlands from Virginia to Maine. Understanding the ecological and geological impacts of hurricanes on coastal wetlands and both resident and migratory wildlife populations is fundamental to helping rebuild and maintain these unique ecosystems.
Nocturnal Bird Migration through the Central Appalachians
The Challenge: Concerns have arisen about the potential impacts of wind power development in the Appalachians on migrating birds, creating a critical need for information on their distribution and flight characteristics as they pass through the region. This study focuses on the spatial and temporal distribution of nocturnally migrating birds in the Central Appalachians (MD, VA, WV). The overall...
Radar Analysis of Fall Migration Stopover Sites in the Northeastern U.S.
The Challenge: Most landbird conservation efforts focus on protecting or enhancing breeding habitat. For migratory species, however, mortality is highest during the biannual migration periods. In fall, juvenile birds are making their first migratory flights; their success, and that of adult birds, depends on availability of suitable sites to safely rest and forage. Identifying important stopover...
Response of Migrating Birds to Hurricane Sandy
The Challenge: Each autumn, millions of landbirds migrate southward from breeding areas in the U.S. and Canada. Because these migrations occur during hurricane season, the impacts of hurricanes on migrating birds and their en route resting and foraging sites (stopover sites) are a real concern. Hurricane Sandy occurred late in the landbird migration season. By the time the storm made landfall in...