Luke Halpin is interested in the ecology of various seabird species, with a current focus on restoration of extirpated populations on islands in the Pacific Northwest. Luke has a strong background in applied ecology and has worked on various international research projects on seabird species investigating breeding and foraging behavior, population studies, migration and restoration. Luke has an undergraduate degree in the field of applied ecology from the University of Wales, UK.
My current research focuses on measuring the demographic response of nocturnal burrow-nesting seabirds to the removal of an invasive mammalian predator. This research employs acoustic analysis to determine rates of re-colonization of burrow-nesting seabirds (Ancient Murrelet, Cassin’s Auklet, Fork-Tailed Storm-Petrel and Leach’s Storm-Petrel) in response to the removal of invasive mammalian predators from nine forested islands in Gwaii Haanas National Park & Haida Heritage Site. This methodology will effectively address the challenge of working in highly sensitive, remote island sites, while minimizing human disturbance and providing a cost effective monitoring regime that can be utilized by the managing authorities for long-term seabird monitoring. My research takes place with the support of Parks Canada and the Haida Nation.