Mark Dettling

Avian Ecologist

As an Avian Ecologist for Point Blue, my work involves researching birds in the riparian ecosystems of coastal California, coordinating the Pacific Flyway Shorebird Survey, and training the next generation of field biologists at the Palomarin Field Station in the Point Reyes National Seashore.

My passion for birds and birding started in my homestate of Michigan, where I graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering (2001). After realizing my true calling was more in the natural sciences, I completed a master’s degree program in Natural Resources at Cornell University (2005). Since 2006, I’ve had the pleasure of working for Point Blue in various locations around California.

Over the years I’ve led field crews studying Least Bell’s Vireos along the San Joaquin River, wintering songbirds in the Central Valley, Western Yellow-billed Cuckoos along the Sacramento River, and banding interns at the Palomarin Field Station. From this work I’ve been able to co-author scientific papers and present our findings at scientific conferences.

I generally work out of the Palomarin Field Station, but during the breeding season am often out in the field conducting point counts. When I’m not working you might find me surfing, camping, or birding.