Research
Despite often being found in remote locations, birds occupying our uplands face numerous threats including land use changes and climate climate. We are interested in studying their unique ecology and habitat associations to help inform their conservation, as well as helping to inform critical survey and study approaches.
Impact
Our research into upland bird survey method and curlew breeding habitat associations in in-bye fields (report 1 | report 2) was commissioned to inform Forestry Commission guidance on “Ecological survey and assessment for woodland creation in England” which is endorsed by CIEEM, and guidance from Forestry Commission, Natural England and DEFRA “Guidance to help inform when an upland breeding wader survey is needed and when woodland creation is likely to be appropriate” (both hosted on gov.uk). Our work was also featured in a webinar from Curlew Action, a government-NGO partnership to conserve one of Britain’s most endangered bird species.
Outputs
Walton C., Ripodas Melero, A. & White, P.J.C. (in press) Bespoke design of cage trap and patagial wing tag for the capture and study of black grouse Lyrurus tetrix at lek sites: assessment of effectiveness for future studies. Ringing & Migration https://doi.org/10.1080/03078698.2025.2465845
McGrory, R.E, Briers B., Tomlin, C., Findlay, M.A., Kerslake, L.J., Riddle, N. & White, P.J.C. (2024) Impacts of forest extent, configuration and landscape context on presence of declining breeding Eurasian curlew Numenius arquata and implications for planning new woodland. Forest Ecology & Management https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2024.122281
Borthwick, M.B., Kerslake, L.J., Findlay, M.A., Briers B., Tomlin, C., Riddle, N. & White, P.J.C. (2023) Surveying birds in open habitats near proposed woodland creation schemes: what is the effect of having fewer visits? CIEEM’s In Practice available here
Thornton, M.J., Mitchell, C., Griffin, L.G. Briers, R.B., Minshull, B. & White, P.J.C. (2021) Multi-scale habitat selection and spatial analysis reveals a mismatch between the wintering distribution of a threatened population of Taiga Bean Geese Anser fabalis and its protected area. Bird Study https://doi.org/10.1080/00063657.2021.1966740
Names in bold are current or former staff or students working in the lab
Previous relevant research
Pat White developed an interest in upland bird ecology and conservation working as a Research Scientist for the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust in their Upland Research group, studying black grouse (2010-2013). Below are some outputs from that research:
White, P. J. C., Warren, P., & Baines, D. (2015). Habitat use by Black Grouse Tetrao tetrix in a mixed moorland-forest landscape in Scotland and implications for a national afforestation strategy. Bird Study https://doi.org/10.1080/00063657.2014.1000261
Warren, P., Atterton, F., Baines, D., & White, P. J. C. (2014). Black Grouse Conservation In Southern Scotland. NatureScot Commissioned Report 741 available here
White, P. J. C., Warren, P., & Baines, D. (2013). Forest expansion in Scotland and its potential effects on black grouse Tetrao tetrix conservation. Forest Ecology and Management https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2013.07.038
Warren, P., White, P. J. C., Baines, D., Atterton, F., & Brown, M. J. (2013). Variations in Black Grouse Tetrao tetrix winter survival in a year with prolonged snow cover. Bird Study https://doi.org/10.1080/00063657.2013.778225
White, P.J.C., Warren, P., & Baines, D. (2013). Spatial and structural habitat requirements of black grouse in Scottish forests. NatureScot Commissioned Report 545 available here
Pat White | Method(Ec)ology 