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KINGSTON, RI – September 8, 2021 – Even though the rare salt marsh sparrow is expected to be extirpated by 2050 due to rising sea levels inundating its nesting habitat, Jessica Szpila, a junior at the University of Rhode Island , is committed to doing what she can to find out more about the birds in the hopes of finding out something about them that may delay their demise.
Szpila, 26, from Tiverton who lives in Providence with her husband, daughter-in-law and young son, spent the summer collaborating with the Saltmarsh Sparrow Research Initiative at Jacob’s Point in Warren, led by bird watchers Steven Reinert and Deirdre Robinson. Together, they document the nesting success of the sparrows in the swamp.
“Our goal is to collect as much data as possible and have as deep an understanding of this bird as possible,” she said. “It’s an endangered little songbird that lives only on the east coast, and its population is declining by about 9% per year.”
She spent most of her days looking for nests, watching the eggs to see if they hatch, banding adult birds and chicks, assessing the vegetation where they build their nests, and documenting whether the chicks survive.
“We are studying their nesting ecology,” Szpila said. “Primarily, we are looking at the variables of success or failure of nesting in the marsh. “
Because so many chicks die in their nests during high tides, it can be emotionally difficult work.
“I have definitely learned that working with an endangered species is intense,” she said. “In some ways you have to have a strong heart to be able to deal with a lot of death and sadness, and to understand that this species is likely to become extinct despite our work.
“You also have to be strong to want to put in all this work,” Szpila added. “My mentors are inspiring, they care so much about this species and they do everything they can to help the birds in any way they can. I fed on it. Being in this environment uplifted me.
Despite the challenges, she had her first research experience in the field.
“Being on the salt marsh every morning was quite beautiful,” Szpila said. “And there were a lot of other beautiful birds there. It was a great opportunity to learn how to collect large amounts of data in the field and analyze it at home on a computer. I learned so much about working with a small team on a big project, which meant I had a lot more responsibility than ever before.
Szpila’s research was supported by the URI Coastal Fellows Program, a unique initiative designed to engage undergraduates in solving current environmental problems. Now in its 25th year, the program pairs students with a mentor and research staff to help them develop skills relevant to their major academic and future professions.
As she completes her Coastal Fellows research project this fall, Szpila is already planning next year, when she pursues a thesis project on salt marsh sparrows and whether females choose a nesting location higher up in the marsh. after seeing their first nest become inundated. Eventually, she plans to get a doctorate to continue studying birds.
“I really enjoy teaching – I’ve done a lot of tutoring – so I would love to continue doing that,” she said of her career plans. “And I want to stay in academia because I would have a lot of access to continue research in the field.”
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