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Stephen Brown received his PhD from Cornell University, and is currently Director of Shorebird Science at Manomet.
Live Location
This page shows the location of our crew as we make our way along the coastline of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Conditions are harsh along the coast, with snow possible even in the summertime, and the temperature of the Arctic Ocean is cold enough to cause hypothermia in minutes. Shorebirds are only using the coastline for a few weeks as they prepare for their long migration south, so we must work hard and fast to cover the entire area.
The map below shows the locations of our camps near river deltas along the coast, and is updated each time we move our camp. You can adjust the map, zooming in or out, and moving side to side, to see different areas in more detail
Map of Stephen's Locations Along the Arctic Coastline
Arctic Refuge Coastal Shorebird Survey at SpotAdventures
Map created by SpotAdventures:GPS Geotagging
The photos below show some of the landscape, wildlife, and activities we're involved in, and each photo is linked to the location where it was taken.
Map controls:
Zoom in: Left double-click
Zoom out: Right double-click
Moving the map: Right-click and drag the map
Widget powered by EveryTrail: GPS Geotagging
Click Here to See these Photos on the Spot Adventures Page
Why are we doing this survey?
Shorebirds are among the most highly migratory creatures on earth, and many species are in peril. Each summer, after breeding on the arctic tundra in places like the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, shorebirds prepare to migrate south to wintering grounds as far away as Tierra del Fuego at the southern tip of South America. For these tiny birds to make the trip, they must store huge amounts of energy as fat by feeding on the rich coastal mudflats at the edge of the Beaufort Sea. Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences has been studying shorebird ecology and leading hemispheric conservation efforts for 40 years, and is currently working with the US Fish and Wildlife Service to conduct the first shorebird survey ever completed along the entire coastline of the Arctic Refuge. Thousands of shorebirds collect where river deltas meet the Arctic ocean. These special places are vulnerable to proposed oil and gas development, so finding the most important areas is critical for conservation and management of our declining shorebird populations. You can follow the journey here live starting on July 25th 2009, as our scientists travel to the end of the earth on their scientific and conservation mission.
