Ecologist
Elliot is an ecologist with a background in ornithology and coastal environments. He is particularly interested in the biological communities of islands and how they differ from mainland coastal communities. Many of Elliot’s projects at MNHO fall within this area of interest, which includes studying island songbird communities and updating winter population estimates for Purple Sandpipers in Maine. While birds are a focus, other taxa are of interest too. Elliot is leading MNHO’s collection of baseline data on mink and otter use of offshore islands. He received his PhD in Ecology and Environmental Sciences from the University of Maine in 2023 and soon after joined MNHO. Elliot lives in Penobscot and enjoys exploring the natural world with his family.
Areas of Expertise
Ornithology, coastal ecology, food webs & diet, bioacoustics
Elliot Johnston’s Projects for MNHO
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10/19/25: A Discussion with Elliot Johnston
Elliot, an ecologist at Maine Natural History Observatory, discusses his work on purple sandpipers, island songbirds, and upcoming research on mammals and Black Guillemots. He also reflects on his path into field biology, from backyard bird feeders to graduate school at the University of Maine, and shares his perspective on Maine’s islands as unique self-contained ecosystems with rich opportunities for future research.
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Check Out the New Coastal Songbirds Map!
September 2025
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