CER associates have been working in New England on the breeding ecology of Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrows and Nelson’s Sharp-tailed Sparrows since  1999.  Both these species are restricted to coastal saltmarshes which have been altered by draining, road construction, and building development. CER is studying how saltmarsh restoration might affect these  two habitat specialists.  

CER staff and collaborators have been working on a new book on the distribution and conservation needs of Maine birds since 2002. Nearly 150 species accounts have been completed.

There are many species of threatened grassland birds in South America and since 1999 CER has been monitoring rare grassland birds in Argentina   with staff of Aves Argentinas.  Grasslands in the Sierras de Córdoba, Argentina, support a variety of grassland birds.

Upland Sandpipers (Bartramia longicauda) breed on a variety of grassland habitats from the Canadian Maritimes to Alaska, with major concentrations in the Great Plains.  They winter primarily in Argentina. CER staff is collaborating with Wetlands International in Argentina to prepare the Upland Sandpiper Conservation Plan for the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network (WHSRN). This plan, which should be complete by October 2006,  will outline important breeding, wintering and stopover sites, and will outline strategies for the long-term protection of this grassland species.

CER has collaborated with Woodlot Alternatives (now Stantec) to survey shorebirds in Mill Cove, Washington County.  CER is also inventorying shorebirds in Cape Elizabeth to determine species diversity, abundance, and roosting sites.

CER collaborated with Woodlot Alternatives (now Stantec) to investigate a Wind Power project in Massachusetts. The developers of this project have altered their plans and CER is no longer involved in this research but recognizes the potential values and ecological concerns related to wind power development.