Trevor MacLaurin (he/him), M.Sc.

trevormaclaurin@gmail.com | Google Scholar

Education

Ph.D., Renewable Resources (Wildlife Biology)
McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada | 09/2026–Present
Supervisors: K.H. Elliott, P.A. Smith

M.Sc., Environment & Life Sciences
Trent University, Peterborough, ON, Canada | 05/2023–05/2025
Supervisor: E. Nol
Thesis: Phenology and movement ecology of mid-Atlantic breeding shorebirds

B.Sc. (Honours), Ecological Restoration
Trent University, Peterborough, ON, Canada | 09/2019–05/2023
Supervisor: E. Nol
Thesis: Impacts of vegetation encroachment on American Oystercatcher nest-site selection and reproductive success

Ont. Col. Dip., Ecological Restoration Technician
Sir Sandford Fleming College, Lindsay, ON, Canada | 09/2019–05/2023

Peer-reviewed publications

  1. Brown, L.A., T. MacLaurin, A. May & E. Nol. In press. A visual sexing technique for American Oystercatchers (Haematopus palliatus) suitable for the field. Waterbirds.

  2. Brown, L.A., T. MacLaurin, S. Banerjee, E. Levine-Barnhoff & E. Nol. In press. American Oystercatchers (Haematopus palliatus) support a foraging commensalism for Ruddy Turnstones (Arenaria interpres) and Sanderlings (Calidris alba). Waterbirds.

  3. MacLaurin, T., L.A. Brown & E. Nol. 2026. Influence of vegetation and elevation on nest-site selection and reproductive success in American Oystercatchers. Waterbirds, 48(3): 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1675/063.048.0310

  4. MacLaurin, T. 2026. Un-brie-lievable: A cheese-eating Eurasian Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus). Wader Study, 133(1): 50–52. https://doi.org/10.18194/ws.00397

Under review

  • MacLaurin, T., B.J. Porter, J.–K. Jensen & A.N.M.A. Ausems. In review. Sticks and stones make good homes: nest boxes for Faroese European storm-petrels.

  • MacLaurin, T., L.A. Brown, K. Goodenough & E. Nol. In review. Home range size varies across the annual cycle in a semiprecocial coastal shorebird.

  • Ausems, A.N.M.A., S. Roy, A.L. Bond, L. Crick, J.T. Cunningham, E.S. Hansen, A. Hedd, S. Hurling, T. MacLaurin, L.A. McFarlane Tranquilla, J.C. Rock, R.A. Ronconi, M. Sorais, C.R.E. Ward, S.I. Wilhelm, S.N.P. Wong & G.T. Crossin. In review. Differences in biogeochemical markers among juvenile Leach's storm-petrel (Hydrobates leucorhous) from colonies in the North Atlantic.

Research funding, grants, and awards

Kenneth Williamson Bird Fund [international] — 07/2026 | 5,000 DKK (~$1,000 CAD)
Føroya Fuglafrøðifelag / BirdLife Faroe Islands: Supports travel to facilitate bird-focused research in the Faroe Islands.

Research Fellowship Award [institutional] — 03/2023–03/2025 | $16,600 CAD
Trent University: Competitive scholarship to support graduate students.

Graduate Studies Development Bursary [institutional] — 05/2024 | $750 CAD
Trent University: Competitive bursary to support academic development opportunities for graduate students.

Kenneth Williamson Bird Fund [international] — 03/2024 | 5,000 DKK (~$1,000 CAD)
Føroya Fuglafrøðifelag / BirdLife Faroe Islands: Supports travel to facilitate bird-focused research in the Faroe Islands.

Student Travel Award [international] — 10/2023 | $500 USD (~$700 CAD)
The Waterbird Society: Supports graduate student and ECR conference attendance.

Graduate Entrance Award [institutional] — 05/2023 | $700 CAD
Trent University: Merit-based award to support graduate students.

National Renewable Scholarship [institutional] — 09/2021–05/2023 | $3,000 CAD
Trent University: Recognizes academic excellence.

Jed Burtt Undergraduate Mentoring Grant [international] — 04/2022 | $6,000 USD (~$7,500 CAD)
The Wilson Ornithological Society: Competitive research grant to support undergraduate research done under the supervision of a graduate student.

Lynda & James Lennox Award for Environmental Leadership [institutional] — 06/2019 | $1,000 CAD
Ottawa-Carleton District School Board: Recognizes exceptional environmental leadership.

Presentations

Invited talks and guest lectures

  • The costs of breeding: home range and reproductive physiology across the annual cycle.
    Aarhus University Department of Ecoscience Seminar Series. Aarhus, Denmark.

  • Movement ecology of a biparental, semiprecocial shorebird.
    University of Gdańsk Biology Seminar Series. Gdańsk, Poland.

  • Between-individual personality shapes the movement ecology of Virginia's American Oystercatchers.
    Trent University Environmental and Life Science Seminar Series. Peterborough, Canada.

  • Habitat Conservation for American Oystercatchers.
    Atlantic Flyway Shorebird Committee. Providence, RI, USA.

  • Using aerial imagery to assess fine-scale nest-site vegetation density.
    Trent University GIS Showcase. Peterborough, ON, Canada.

Oral

  • MacLaurin, T., F. Żurawska, B. Porter, R. Thomas, J. Áldara, J.–K. Jensen, I.K. Petersen & A.N.M.A. Ausems. 2026. No evidence for sublethal tag effects on European Storm Petrels.
    European Ornithologists' Union Fledglings Conference. Gdańsk, Poland.

  • MacLaurin, T., L.A. Brown, K.S. Goodenough & E. Nol. 2025. Seasonal home range variation of the American Oystercatcher.
    American Oystercatcher Working Group Annual Meeting. Cape May, NJ, USA.

  • MacLaurin, T., K. Oliver, K. Holcomb & E. Nol. 2025. Phenological trends of two sympatric shorebird species in Virginia, U.S.A.
    Joint Waterbird Society and Pacific Seabird Group Conference. San José, Costa Rica.

  • MacLaurin, T. 2024. Shifting phenology in Virginia's American Oystercatchers.
    American Oystercatcher Working Group Annual Meeting. Wachapreague, VA, USA.

  • MacLaurin, T., L.A. Brown & E. Nol. 2024. Influence of vegetation and elevation on American Oystercatcher nest-site selection.
    Joint American Field Ornithologists, Society of Canadian Ornithologists, and Wilson Ornithological Society conference. Peoria, IL, USA.

  • MacLaurin, T., L.A. Brown & E. Nol. 2023. How to manage beach habitat for breeding American Oystercatchers.
    American Oystercatcher Working Group Annual Meeting. Plymouth, MA, USA.

  • MacLaurin, T., L.A. Brown & E. Nol. 2023. Roles of vegetation in American Oystercatcher nest-site selection and reproductive success.
    Joint American Ornithological Society and Society of Canadian Ornithologists conference. London, ON, Canada.

Poster

  • MacLaurin, T. & E. Nol. 2024. Drivers of differential migration in American Oystercatchers.
    Western Hemisphere Shorebird Group conference. Sackville, NB, Canada.

  • MacLaurin, T. & E. Nol. 2023. Partial migration of American Oystercatchers in Virginia, U.S.A.
    The Waterbird Society Conference. Ft. Lauderdale, FL, USA.

Research and professional experience

Research Analyst — Dalhousie University, NS, Canada (Remote) | 12/2025–Present
Responsibilities: Leading production of a manuscript and analysis related to Leach's Storm-Petrel movement and activity patterns to understand how females and males differ under the energetic and physiological demands of reproduction. In partnership with Environment & Climate Change Canada and the SEATRACK collaboration.

Data Analyst — Environment & Climate Change Canada, SK, Canada (Remote) | 01/2026–03/2026
Responsibilities: Leading the development of a Quality Assurance and Quality Control workflow for shorebird and waterbird data collection programs. Leading the analysis of Piping Plover monitoring surveys estimating the marginal gain between single and double observer surveys.

Assistant Seabird Biologist — Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark | 07/2025–10/2025
Fieldwork in the Faroe Islands
Responsibilities: European Storm Petrel ringing, GPS-tagging/retrieval, and biological sampling (bleeding, opportunistic regurgitate sampling, opportunistic faecal sampling, feather sampling). Colony productivity monitoring, including chick weighing and ringing. Deployment and upkeep of nest cameras.

Shorebird Research Technician — Trent University, ON, Canada | 06/2025
Fieldwork in Churchill, MB, Canada
Responsibilities: Nest-searching for Subarctic breeding shorebirds (Hudsonian Whimbrel, Semipalmated Plover, Long-billed Dowitcher, Least Sandpiper, Stilt Sandpiper, etc.). Capturing, ringing, colour flagging, and GPS-tagging of adult Hudsonian Whimbrel. Remote fieldwork in the Subarctic in areas with extremely high polar bear density, requiring diligent safety measures (bear guarding, firearm handling, safety check-ins).

Graduate Researcher — Trent University, ON, Canada | 05/2023–05/2025
Fieldwork in Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, VA, USA
Responsibilities: Behavioural observation studies. Nest searching and monitoring for American Oystercatchers, Piping Plovers, Wilson's Plovers, and Least Terns. Capturing, ringing, and GPS-tagging adult Oystercatchers and Piping Plovers. Prey sampling and predator abundance surveys. Shorebird and waterbird migration surveys. Deployment and upkeep of nest cameras. Fieldwork in hot, humid conditions requiring safe operation of powered watercraft in tidal environments and off-road vehicles (ATVs/4X4).

Seabird Research Technician — Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark | 09/2024–10/2024
Fieldwork in the Faroe Islands
Responsibilities: See above description under "Assistant Seabird Biologist."

Undergraduate Researcher — Trent University, ON, Canada | 04/2022–04/2023
Fieldwork in Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, VA, USA
Responsibilities: See above description under "Graduate Researcher."

Undergraduate Research Assistant — Trent University, ON, Canada (Remote) | 12/2021–04/2022
Responsibilities: Reviewed camera trap footage to identify and categorize muskrat movements through marsh habitats in Ontario, Canada. Identified heterospecifics using like habitat, including marsh birds, reptiles, amphibians, and small mammals. This position involved no field work.

Water Resource Technician — Rideau Valley Conservation Authority, ON, Canada | 05/2021–08/2021
Fieldwork in Ottawa & Lanark, ON, Canada
Responsibilities: Collection of lake, river, and stream water samples using water chemistry and sampling devices (YSI multiparameter probes, van Dorn water sampler, etc.). Collection and sub-sampling of benthic macroinvertebrates to assess river and stream health. Safe operation of powered and unpowered watercraft.

Park Ranger — Ontario Parks, ON, Canada | 05/2020–08/2020, 05/2019–08/2019
Fieldwork in Murphys Point Provincial Park
Responsibilities: Reptile and amphibian road mortality surveys. Monitoring, capture, and tagging (passive integrated transponders) of endangered gray ratsnakes. Wetland dragonfly and damselfly surveys. Fieldwork in dense Ontario forests where bear safety is priority, often requiring navigation with GPS and maps.

Ecology Intern — MacSkimming Outdoor Education Centre, ON, Canada | 05/2018–08/2018
Fieldwork in Cumberland, ON, Canada
Responsibilities: General wildlife and plant inventory monitoring and identification. Accurate location mapping of all wildlife using GPS devices. Fieldwork requiring long days of hiking and canoeing.

Water Resource Intern — Rideau Valley Conservation Authority, ON, Canada | 05/2017–08/2017
Fieldwork in Ottawa & Lanark, ON, Canada
Responsibilities: See above description under "Water Resource Technician."