Tom McLaren, MS
Field Technician – Tom McLaren joined KBO in October 2022 to support the Point-Count Program focused on the long-term monitoring of bird populations.
Tom received his MS in Biology from the University of Colorado Denver in May 2022. His research focused on understanding Clark’s nutcracker habitat use in Yellowstone National Park, particularly concerning the species’ coevolved mutualism with whitebark pine. Additionally, Tom performed analyses to determine the effectiveness of a long-term monitoring protocol for Clark’s nutcracker in the park. Since graduating from Montana State University with his BS in Fish and Wildlife Management, Tom has worked for various agencies including the National Park Service, California State Parks, and Bird Conservancy of the Rockies. Tom’s work has taken him to many exciting areas across the Rocky Mountain Region and the Northwest.
Elijah Hayes discovered birding in a college ornithology class and has been hooked ever since. After an eventful season with KBO, during which he did nest searching, point counts, and banding, Elijah joined the crew as a full-time field technician and will assist with a number of projects throughout the field season and beyond. Elijah has a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from the Oregon Institute of Technology.