Life on the edge: the amazingly adaptable Savannah Sparrow and its persistence in a changing world

The Savannah Sparrow is one of North America’s most widespread and adaptable species. It is found in grasslands everywhere from the Alaskan tundra to salt marshes in Mexico. Phred will discuss how this species has adapted to such a diversity of environments, including the salt marshes of California, how Savannah Sparrows have responded to the past century of habitat and environmental changes in California and their prospects to respond to the next century of change.

Speaker Bio

Phred M. Benham

After growing up as a birder in the woods of New Hampshire, Phred headed west–way west. At a grad student at the University of Montana, Phred studied how Savannah Sparrows are able to thrive in salt marsh environments. Phred continued this work a post-doc at UC Berkeley, looking at the species’ historical responses to habitat loss in California. While living in the Bay Area, Phred spent as much time as possible birding Miller-Knox Regional Shoreline was a favorite hotspot. Phred led GGBA field trips and served as an area leader for the Richmond CBC.

Now an assistant professor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Phred studies how birds evolve in response to environmental change.

Date: Thursday, November 19
Time: 7-8:30pm
Location: Online via Zoom

Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83597736121?pwd=2KpZKksmEb8u117iuEsZapCIJXKdKT.1

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