My research is centered around pied oystercatcher population trends and threats in South Australia. Pied oystercatchers are a non-migratory resident of the South Australian coast, and once established adults are highly territorial of their nest sites. They considered a rare species, and are under threat from multiple angles including loss of their primary food source, pipis; predation of nests by red foxes; and frequent disturbance by beach-goers and vehicles. 

My work aims to track pied oystercatcher dispersal patterns and habitat occupancy, to determine whether there is sufficient habitat and food to support the current population and whether gene dispersal along the coast is bottlenecked by low emmigration rates. I will also attempt to determine whether pied oystercatchers are more threatened by food loss, human activity, or nest predation.