David joined the Alaska Region Migratory Bird Management Program in 2016 as a biologist/migratory bird coordinator for the waterfowl section.  He has spent most of his career working with sea ducks in Alaska, from molting and staging areas on the Alaska Peninsula to breeding areas on the Yukon Delta, Yukon Flats, and Arctic Coastal Plain.  Currently, he is an observer on aerial waterfowl surveys, a regional representative to the Sea Duck Joint Venture and Pacific Flyway technical teams, and member of the Eider Recovery Team.  When he isn't working, David enjoys being outside with his family, especially hiking, fishing, hunting, and skiing. 

Selected publications:

Safine, D.E., Lindberg, M.S., Martin K.H., Talbot S.L., Swem, T.R., Pearce, J. M., Stellrecht, N.C., Sage, G.K., Riddle, A.E., Fales, K. and T.E. Hollmén. 2020. Use of genetic mark-recapture to estimate breeding site fidelity and philopatry in a threatened sea duck population, Alaska-breeding Steller’s eiders. Endangered Species Research 41:349-360. https://doi.org/10.3354/esr01026

Hupp, J.W., Safine, D.E. and R.M. Nielson. 2013. Response of cackling geese (Branta hutchinsii taverneri) to spatial and temporal variation in the production of crowberries on the Alaska Peninsula. Polar Biology 36:1243–1255. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-013-1343-3

Hollmén, T.E., DebRoy, C., Flint, P.L., Safine, D.E., Schamber, J.L., Riddle, A.E. and K.A. Trust. 2011. Molecular typing of Escherichia coli strains associated with threatened sea ducks and near-shore marine habitats of south-west Alaska. Environmental Microbiology Reports 3: 262-269. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1758-2229.2010.00220.x

Safine, D.E. and M.S. Lindberg. 2008. Nest habitat selection of White-winged Scoters on Yukon Flats, Alaska. Wilson Journal of Ornithology 120: 582–593.