A5085582122- Avian ecology and behavior
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Plant and animal studies
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Fish Ecology and Management Studies
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Remote Sensing and LiDAR Applications
- Bird parasitology and diseases
- Influenza Virus Research Studies
- Marine and coastal plant biology
- Viral Infections and Vectors
- Plant Diversity and Evolution
- Environmental and Biological Research in Conflict Zones
- Ecology and biodiversity studies
- Aerospace Engineering and Energy Systems
- Coastal and Marine Management
- Wildlife-Road Interactions and Conservation
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Marine animal studies overview
- Allergic Rhinitis and Sensitization
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Maritime Navigation and Safety
- Shoulder and Clavicle Injuries
- Wood and Agarwood Research
Aberdeenshire Council
2019-2024
Natural England
2024
University of Aberdeen
2013-2017
Summary In 2022, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) virus clade 2.3.4.4b became enzootic and caused mass mortality in Sandwich Tern Thalasseus sandvicensis other seabird species across north-western Europe. We present data on the characteristics of spread between within breeding colonies number dead adult Terns recorded at sites throughout Within two months first reported mortalities, 20,531 were found dead, which is >17% total European population. This probably an...
Despite advancements through satellite telemetry, knowledge of the behaviour and ecology large raptors during natal dispersal is still poor, even though this transience phase important in understanding population dynamics conservation these keystone species. After phase, which can take several years, subsequent rapid transitional event on first territory settlement less studied. It apparently occurs earlier without competition from existing occupants. The time year when young settle a has...
The non‐breeding season presents significant energetic challenges to birds that breed in temperate or polar regions, with clear implications for population dynamics. In seabirds, the environmental conditions at sites drive food availability and cost of regulatory processes, resulting variation diet, behaviour energetics; however, very few studies have attempted understand if how these aspects vary between populations. We investigated whether location influenced energetics common guillemot...
Dispersal comprises three broad stages - departure from the natal or breeding locations, subsequent travel, and settlement. These are difficult to measure, vary considerably between sexes, age classes, individuals geographically. We used tracking data 24 golden eagles, fitted with long-lived GPS satellite transmitters as nestlings, which we followed during their first year. estimated timing of emigration sites using ten previously published methods. propose evaluate two new The these uses...
GPS satellite tracking allows novel investigations of how golden eagles Aquila chrysaetos use the landscape at several scales and different life history stages, including research on geographical barriers which may prevent or limit range expansion create population/sub-population isolation. If there are significant to eagle movements, could be demographic genetic consequences. Genetic studies have led identification sub-species, populations, sub-populations but should conjoined with...
A bstract In 2022, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) virus clade 2.3.4.4b became enzootic and caused mass mortality in Sandwich terns other seabird species across northwestern Europe. We present data on characteristics of the spread between breeding colonies number dead adult recorded at sites throughout Within two months after first mortalities were reported, total 20,531 found dead, which is >17% European population. Losses are likely higher, as we expect that many...
With life-history traits involving high survival, low reproductive output, years of natal dispersal and deferred maturity, the population ecology behaviour large raptors which occur at densities can be difficult to study. The age first settle on a prospective breeding territory receives relatively little attention, but is key metric in modelling including, for example, projections reintroduction projects. It also barometer “health” populations availability opportunities. advancement...
Natal dispersal distance (NDD) is critical in understanding and defining populations their conservation. It defined as the linear between natal location first reproductive (‘effective NDD’) or potential (‘gross location. a measure of gene flow functional connectivity across generations individuals breeding same different geographies. NDD difficult to record large raptors. GPS‐satellite telemetry has facilitated its recording. Previous Scottish studies showed that gross effective were...
Many large raptors exploit or rely on anabatic and orographic winds which provide vertical lift, to supplement the energy fuelling flight. Airspace is therefore a critical habitat for such its use subject underlying terrestrial topography, because particular topographical features are more likely wind‐energetic lift. Accordingly, ridges and/or ‘rugged topography’ common preferred in by raptors. Our study aimed simple model of space raptor, Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos , based thousands GPS...
Research on potentially adverse effects of wind farms is an expanding field study and often focuses large raptors, such as golden eagles, largely because their life history traits extensive habitat requirements. These features render them sensitive to either fatality (collision with turbine blades) or functional loss (avoidance through wariness turbines). Simplistically, avoidance antagonistic collision; although, the two processes are not necessarily mutually exclusive in risk. A bird that...
The period prior to an individual emigrating from its natal site and initiating dispersal is important for developing the skills that are ultimately required surviving dispersal. Using a novel method quantify early movements of 35 juvenile golden eagles fitted with satellite transmitters, we hypothesised variation in eagles’ post‐fledging dependence (PFDP) was determined by how quickly movement were acquired order become independent disperse. Twenty nine young exhibited initial increase...
Wind farms can have two broad potential adverse effects on birds via antagonistic processes: displacement from the vicinity of turbines (avoidance), or death through collision with rotating turbine blades. These may not be mutually exclusive. Using detailed data 99 at wind in central Scotland and thousands GPS-telemetry dispersing golden eagles, we tested three hypotheses. Before-and-after-operation analyses supported hypothesis avoidance: was reduced locations more preferred habitat nearby....
Natal dispersal of large raptors is poorly understood, despite being a crucial transitional life-cycle phase affecting gene flow and population dynamics. A research-gap rarely examined concerns how young dispersing strategize movements towards first settlement on prospective breeding territory. First territory critical decision for lifetime can take several years. With such importance, should theoretically devote considerable effort to acquire accurate information during prospection....
Wind farms may have two broad potential adverse effects on birds via antagonistic processes: displacement from the vicinity of turbines (avoidance), or death through collision with rotating turbine blades. Large raptors are often shown presumed to be vulnerable and demographically sensitive additional mortality, as exemplified by several studies Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos . Previous findings Scottish Eagles, however, suggested avoidance primary response. Our study used data 59 GPS‐tagged...
Previous studies have highlighted the importance of intertidal habitats on coast Jiangsu Province, China for Critically Endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper Calidris pygmaea during post-breeding moult. We report Lincoln-Petersen closed-population estimates numbers Sandpipers at three principal sites in region species: Tiaozini, Yangkou and Dongling. Our were based upon resightings scan surveys individually-marked birds. Surveys conducted September–October when nearly all birds present adults...
Understanding drivers underlying birds’ responses to operational wind turbines is essential for robust farm proposal assessments, especially large raptors with life history traits engendering sensitivity impacts from two potential adverse effects: fatality through collision rotating turbine blades and functional habitat loss avoidance of turbines. The balance between these effects represents opposing extremes on a continuum influenced by several factors. Collisions have an obvious impact...
Satellite tracking allows for novel investigations into golden eagle home range characteristics. Understanding characteristics is important conservation and assessing the potential impact of landscape changes from forest planting, wind farms, etc. Small sample sizes, inconsistent definitions methods restricted several previous studies. Our study involved 69 resident tagged eagles with over one year data across five Scottish regions. Home size was estimated 95% isopleth contours extracted...
Abstract Seabird collision risk is a key concern in relation to the environmental impacts associated with offshore wind farms (OWFs). Understanding how species respond both farm itself, and individual turbines within farm, enabling better quantification management of risk. Collision particular for black-legged kittiwake, Rissa tridactyla , where modelling predicts unsustainable population level impacts. In this study 20 adult breeding kittiwakes, were tracked GPS from Whinnyfold, Scotland...