Fletcher Smith – Satellite Tracking and Full Life-cycle Ecology of the Whimbrel

Fletcher Smith, research biologist at The Center for Conservation Biology, William and Mary College , Virginia, works with a diversity of bird species throughout the western hemisphere, following migrants from their breeding to winter grounds. His current research projects include work with Whimbrels, Red Knots, marsh sparrows and neotropical migrants. In addition, he conducts breeding bird surveys, manages the Saw-whet Owl banding program, and is the Center’s primary rocket netter.

Smith received his B.S. in biology at Northland College, Wisconsin.

Smith’s recent publications include:

• Denmon, P., B. D. Watts, and F. M. Smith. 2013. Investigating American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus) nest failure on Fisherman Island National Wildlife Refuge, Virginia, USA. Waterbirds 36: 156-165. Wilson, M. D., B. D. Watts, C. Lotts, F. M. Smith, and B. J. Paxton. 2012. Investigation of Red-cockaded Woodpeckers in Virginia: Year 2012 report. CCBTR-12-03. Center for Conservation Biology Technical Report Series. College of William and Mary and Virginia Commonwealth University, Williamsburg, VA. 33 pp.
• Smith, F. M. 2012. Cape Charles Seawatch: A project in support of an offshore wind project. Center for Conservation Biology Technical Report Series, CCBTR-12-01. College of William and Mary and Virginia Commonwealth University, Williamsburg, VA. 7 pp.
• Wilson, M. D., B. D. Watts, F. M. Smith, and E. S. Brinkley. 2012. Profile of the Offshore Bird Assemblage in Support for the Cape Charles Wind Project. CCBTR-12-06. Center for Conservation Biology Technical Report Series. College of William and Mary and Virginia Commonwealth University, Williamsburg, VA. 47 pp.
• Wilson, M. D., B. D. Watts, C. Lotts, F. M. Smith, and B. J. Paxton, and. 2011. Investigation of Red-cockaded Woodpeckers in Virginia: Year 2010 report. CCBTR-11-02. Center for Conservation Biology Technical Report Series. College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA. 24 pp.
• Watts, B. D., B. J. Paxton, and F. M. Smith. 2011. Status and habitat use of Wayne’s Black-throated Green Warbler in the northern portion of the South Atlantic Coastal Plain. Southeastern Naturalist 10:1-12.
• Watts, B. D., E. K. Mojica, F. M. Smith, B. J. Paxton. 2011. Preassessment of Injury to Ospreys from the Deepwater Horizon (MC 252) Oil Spill (Bird Study #9). CCBTR-11-03. Center for Conservation Biology Technical Report Series. College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA. 5 pp.
• Cristol, D. A., F. M. Smith, C. W. Varian-Ramos, and B. D. Watts. 2011. Mercury levels of Nelson’s and saltmarsh sparrows at wintering grounds in Virginia, USA. Ecotoxicology 23:7.
  Smith, F. M. 2011. Photo essay: subspecies of Saltmarsh Sparrow and Nelson’s Sparrow. North American Birds 65:368-377.
• Smith, F. M., B. D. Watts, and A. E. Duerr. 2011. Using Satellite and Radio Telemetry to Examine Stopover and Migration Ecology of the Whimbrel: 2009-2011 Report. CCBTR-11-05. Center for Conservation Biology Technical Report Series. College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA. 20 pp.
• Smith, F. M. Smith, B. D. Watts, and B. J. Paxton. 2011. Autumn Migration of the Northern Saw-whet Owl on the Lower Delmarva Peninsula: Fall 2011 Report. CCBTR-11-19. Center for Conservation Biology Technical Report Series. College of William and Mary & Virginia Commonwealth University, Williamsburg, VA. 15 pp.
• Ehlers, S. E., F. M. Smith, B. D. Watts, and B. J. Paxton. 2010. Autumn Migration of the Northern Saw-whet Owl on the Lower Delmarva Peninsula: Year 2009 Report. CCBTR-10-03. Center for Conservation Biology Technical Report Series. College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA. 17 pp.
• Wilson, M. D., B. D. Watts, C. Lotts, B. J. Paxton, and F. M. Smith. 2010. Investigation of Red-cockaded Woodpeckers in Virginia: Year 2009 report. CCBTR-10-04. Center for Conservation Biology Technical Report Series. College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA. 33 pp.
• Wilson, M. D., B. D. Watts, and F. M. Smith. 2009. Status and Distribution of Black Rails in Virginia. CCBTR-09-10. Center for Conservation Biology Technical Report Series. College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA. 22 pp.
• Wilson, M. D., B. D. Watts, C. Lotts, B. J. Paxton, and F. M. Smith. 2009. Investigation of Red-cockaded Woodpeckers in Virginia: Year 2008 report. CCBTR-09-02. Center for Conservation Biology Technical Report Series. College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA. 33 pp.
• Watts, B. D., B. R. Truitt, F. M. Smith, E. K. Mojica, B. J. Paxton, A. L. Wilke, and A. E. Duerr. 2008. Whimbrel tracked with satellite transmitter on migratory flight across North America. Wader Study Group Bulletin 115:55-57.
• Ehlers, S., F. M. Smith, B. J. Paxton, and B. D. Watts. 2008. Autumn migration of Northern Saw-whet Owls on the lower Delmarva Peninsula; Fifteen year summary and year 2008 project report. CCBTR-08-11. Center for Conservation Biology Technical Report Series. College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA. 19 pp.
• Wilson, M. D., B. D. Watts, C. Lotts, B. J. Paxton, and F. M. Smith. 2008. Investigation of Red-cockaded Woodpeckers in Virginia: Year 2007 report. CCBTR-08-04. Center for Conservation Biology Technical Report Series. College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA. 30 pp.
• Smith, F. M., M. D. Wilson, and B. D. Watts. 2008. Status and Distribution and of Black Rails on the Eastern Shore of Virginia and in the Lower Chesapeake Bay First-year Interim Report. CCBTR-08-03. Center for Conservation Biology Technical Report Series. College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA. 15 pp.
• Smith, F. M. and B. J. Paxton. 2008. Fort Lee avian inventory report. CCBTR-08-07. Center for Conservation Biology Technical Report Series. College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA. 37 pp.
• Watts, B. D., M. D. Wilson, F. M. Smith, B. J. Paxton, and J. B. Williams. 2008. Breeding range expansion of the Coastal Plain Swamp Sparrow. The Wilson Journal of Ornithology 120:393-395.
• Smith, F. M. 2007. Summary of colonial nesting herons within the Colonial National Historic Park boundaries, 2007 breeding season. CCBTR-07-05. Center for Conservation Biology Technical Report Series. College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA. 9 pp.
• Paxton, B. J., B. D. Watts, and F. M. Smith. 2007. Autumn migration of northern saw-whet owls on the lower Delmarva Peninsula 1994-2006: Project report 2006. CCBTR-07-01. Center for Conservation Biology Technical Report Series. College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA. 11 pp.
• Mabey, S. E., B. J. Paxton, B. D. Watts, F. M. Smith, D. Dawson, and B. R. Truitt. 2007. Baseline assessment of neotropical migrant landbird stopover habitat in the lower Chesapeake Bay region for conservation planning and protection. CCBTR-07-16. Center for Conservation Biology Technical Report Series. College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA. 63 pp.
• Watts, B. D., M. D. Wilson, B. J. Paxton, F. M. Smith, D. S. Bradshaw and C. Lotts. 2007. Investigation of Red-cockaded Woodpeckers in Virginia: Year 2006 report. CCBTR-07-04. Center for Conservation Biology Technical Report Series. College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA. 27 pp.