Esther Haile

Avian Ecologist

As an avian ecologist within Point Blue’s Pacific Coast and Central Valley Group, my work is primarily monitoring and researching the western snowy plover population in Monterey Bay.

I graduated from CSU Monterey Bay in December of 2015 with a degree in Biology. During my undergraduate career, I interned with Point Blue Conservation Science studying sea bird diets and Western Snowy Plover populations. The more I learned the more interested I became in studying birds. After graduation, I began working for the Resource Conservation District of Monterey County, continuing to monitor the population of Western Snowy Plovers along the Monterey Bay coast and bio-monitor for the Salinas River Stream Maintenance Program assisting in flood control for the local farmlands. I then transitioned into working with Point Blue Conservation Science, furthering my involvement with the Western Snowy Plover program. I am incorporating my work with Western Snowy Plovers into my Master thesis, looking into how adults react to different predation.

Outside of the field, I enjoy spending time outside hiking, camping, and exploring the coast. I also enjoy more indoor activities like sewing, knitting, baking, and drawing. Occasionally you can find me watching an opera or a musical as I am a bit of an old lady at heart. I’ve recently started a garden in my front yard that I’m hoping will be bountiful.

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