Ty Sharrow

duckDNA: Engaging Waterfowl Hunters in Surveying North America's Waterfowl

During my time as a Conservation Science Assistant at Ducks Unlimited's national headquarters I managed the duckDNA project, a partnership between Ducks Unlimited and the University of Texas at El Paso. Since its launch in 2023 we have received 12,300 applications, 2,509 participants, and have analyzed 3,233 genetic samples. The goal of this project is to connect hunters with science, help them identify hybrid waterfowl they shot, and to survey for the prescence of game-farm Mallard genes across North America.

duckDNA | Ducks UnlimitedDiscover the future of waterfowl conservation with the duckDNA program, a groundbreaking collaboration between Ducks Unlimited and the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). This innovative initiative combines cutting-edge genetic research and the passion for preserving waterfowl habitats to ensure the longevity of these magnificent birds.

American Kestrels (Falco sparverious) in Northeastern Arkansas: Factors Influencing Nest Box Use, Selection, Nesting Success; and Effects on Agricultural Pests. MS thesis (Jan. 2022 - May 2025)

My master’s research focused on the American Kestrel in intensive row-crop agriculture in northeast Arkansas. I managed 40 kestrel nest boxes to monitor breeding success and box occupancy for nesting and winter roosting. I also investigated the environmental and ecological factors that influenced nesting success and box occupancy, with the goal of informing future conservation strategies for this declining species.

In addition, I studied kestrels’ role in controlling potential agricultural pests to demonstrate their ecosystem services. For this aspect of the project, I systematically surveyed small mammals, birds, and insects to examine how kestrel nesting presence affected their abundance, biomass, and diversity.

ASB 2024 Poster.pdf

Published Manuscript.pdf

Nest Box Cameras Provide Insight into Causes of Nest Failure for American Kestrels. Independent Research (March 2023 - Dec. 2024)

After the 2022 kestrel breeding season when several nests failed for unknown reasons, I was curious about identifying the cause of failed nesting attempts in my nest boxes. To do this, I installed nest box cameras and recorded some observations that provided insights into the causes of failure, mostly due to egg abandonment or failure of the egg to develop. I also recorded two unreported behaviors, the first being a male and female kestrel consuming one of their eggs and the second being a European Starling piercing and removing an abandoned kestrel egg from a nest box. I published these insights in the Journal of Raptor Research.

Leafminer Diversity in Arkansas. Independent Research Project (March 2023 - present).

Leafminers are a severely understudied group of insects from various families including flies, moths, wasps, and others that spend their larval stage within the epidermis of leaves, often with specific host relationships.

Using Nanopore genetic sequencing I have been identifying and cataloging leafminers in Arkansas. I found 1 new state record in 2023 and published this record in the Southeastern Naturalist and plan on publishing another manuscript documenting a dozen other new state records.

55 S2908 Sharrow Note 4.pdf

Avian Population Trends of the Valley Forge Audubon Society Area from 1992–2019. Research Consultant (Sept. 2019 - Oct. 2022)

Another undergraduate and I were hired by the Valley Forge Audubon Society to analyze 27 years' worth of Christmas Bird Count and Spring Bird Count data to infer local population trends of birds and the potential causes of their population change. We presented our findings in a presentation to the Valley Forge Audubon Society and the public.

Differential Responses of the Eastern Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis) to Odors of Two Tail-Autotomizing Salamander Prey Species. Capstone Research Project (Aug. 2020 - May 2021)

For my senior capstone research project, I investigated if Eastern Garter Snakes can differentiate and have a preference for chemical cues from the tails and abdomens of two salamander prey species, the Red-backed Salamander and the Northern Two-lined Salamander. This research investigated is salamanders have evolved chemical cues to direct snake predation to their autonomizing tails rather than a more lethal attack to their abdomen. This research was presented at Keystone College's Undergraduate Research Celebration and was awarded the Excellence in Scientific Undergraduate Research award.

Sharrow_Poster.pdf

BirderSurveyPoster-TWS2020.pdf

A Conservation and Economic Analysis of Birdwatchers versus Non-Birdwatchers in Pennsylvania. Honors Research Project (Jan. 2018 - Aug. 2020)

After learning about the Pittman-Robertson Act and realizing how badly additional conservation funding is needed, I became curious if a similar excise tax could be applied to birding paraphernalia. To explore this further for an honors project I deployed a survey for Pennsylvania birders to gauge their economic impact and their conservation attitudes. I presented this research at The Wildlife Society Conference 2020 and the American Ornithological Society Conference in 2021.

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