The next installment of Rice Creek Associates (RCA) Reflections will feature SUNY Oswego biological sciences faculty member Dan Baldassarre discussing "Bird Research with Undergraduates at Rice Creek Field Station" at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 4.

Like much of Baldassarre's research, the talk will take place at Rice Creek Field Station and is free and open to the public.

Baldassarre describes Rice Creek as "a hidden gem in Oswego County that is home to 182 bird species." It provides outstanding opportunities for nature-lovers and researchers alike.

"With a dedicated team of undergraduates, I have been studying these birds for the last nine years," Baldassarre said. "In this talk, I will give an overview of the various bird projects taking place here, including those on Northern Cardinal behavior, Bobolink breeding biology and Northern Saw-whet Owl migration. I will also highlight our work at the Rice Creek Bird Observatory banding station and how members of the public can volunteer and get involved."

 Baldassarre is an associate professor and Provost Teaching Fellow in the SUNY Oswego Department of Biological Sciences. He also serves as the director of the Rice Creek Bird Observatory.
He earned his Ph.D. in ornithology from Cornell University before joining the Oswego faculty. He has studied birds all over the world, including Australia and the Galápagos. At Oswego, he teaches classes about bird biology, evolution and animal behavior when not performing research with talented undergraduate students.
Baldassarre also has impacted local ecology, as earlier this decade he convinced SUNY Oswego to make an earth-friendly and bird-friendly decision to let some underused fields near the field station go wild to provide a home for bobolinks and other migrating species. He works with undergraduates to monitor and track how this move continues to benefit these birds.

RCA Reflections are invited talks about ecology and the environment, free and open to all to join. These talks are presented in a hybrid manner, and refreshments will be served for those attending in person. Those interested in accessing the talk via Zoom can email rca@oswego.edu.

Rice Creek Associates is a community of like-minded people who share a passion for nature and a desire to support Rice Creek Field Station. Formed in 1986, RCA supports Rice Creek Field Station's mission by expanding the scientific, educational and recreational opportunities at the field station through community involvement. 

For more information, including a link to join RCA for as little as $5 or $10, visit the RCA website.