DOS March Meeting: “Echoes of the Estuary: Using Sound to Study Marsh Birds” by Kelly Faller

Advances in acoustic technology and artificial intelligence are revolutionizing bird research, making it possible to monitor entire landscapes in new ways. This talk will explore how passive acoustic monitoring is expanding our ability to study marsh birds, track habitat changes, and measure the impact of restoration efforts at an unprecedented scale. With the help of artificial intelligence, we can now sift through thousands of hours of recordings to detect rare and elusive species like the Eastern Black Rail and Saltmarsh Sparrow. With machine learning unlocking new ways to analyze vast amounts of sound data, we are entering a new era of conservation where listening to the landscape can guide smarter, more effective protection of marsh-dependent birds. This presentation will highlight the beauty of coastal marshes and how technology is helping us protect and preserve these unique ecosystems and the birds that rely on them. 

Kelly Faller is Lead Estuary Science Coordinator at Partnership for the Delaware Estuary. Her main role is to assist with the design, development, and implementation of tasks and initiatives related to PDE’s scientific projects and programs (i.e., wetlands, restoration, and shellfish). Prior to joining PDE, Faller earned her Bachelor’s degree in Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources from Rutgers University in 2021. There, she completed a George H. Cook honors thesis studying how invasive forest vegetation impacts bat foraging ecology. Later, she worked as a North Pacific Groundfish Observer in Alaska. In her free time, she enjoys hiking in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey, birding, and traveling to the colder parts of the world.