Aonghais Cook

Principal Ecologist - Offshore Renewable Energy

Aonghais Cook

Contact

Aonghais undertakes research examining the causes of changes in the abundance of waterbirds and seabirds, and potential impacts of man-made developments on their populations.

Interests & Responsibilities

Aonghais works on a wide variety of short-term research projects, mainly focussing on the ecology of marine birds. Recent work has focussed on environmental impacts of renewable energy developments and developing monitoring strategies and indicators for seabirds and other marine species. Aonghais regularly provides scientific advice to government organisations, industry and others, and welcomes opportunities for collaboration.

Qualifications

BSc Ecology Stirling University, 2000-2004. MSc Ecology University of Wales, Bangor, 2004-2005. PhD Landscape Use By Gulls, Newcastle University, 2005-2008.

Recent BTO Publications

Johnston, D.T., Thaxter, C.B., Boersch-Supan, P.H., Humphreys, L., Bouten, W., Clewley, G.D., Scragg, E.S., Masden, E.A., Barber, L.J., Conway, G., Clark, N.A., Burton, N.H.K & Cook, A.S.C.P. 2022. Investigating avoidance and attraction responses in Lesser Black-backed Gulls Larus fuscus to offshore wind farms. Marine Ecology Progress Series 686 View at journal website (DOI: 10.3354/meps13964)
Cook, A.S.C.P. 2021. Additional analysis to inform SNCB recommendations regarding collision risk modelling. Research Report no. 739. BTO Research Report 739 ISBN: 978-1-912642-30-4
Masden, E.A., Cook, A.S.C.P., McCluskie, A., Bouten, W., Burton, N.H.K. & Thaxter, C.B. 2021. When speed matters: The importance of flight speed in an avian collision risk model. Environmental Impact Assessment Review 90 Elsevier View at journal website (DOI: 10.1016/j.eiar.2021.106622)
Cook, A.S.C.P., Burton, N.H.K., Dodd, S.G., Foster, S., Pell, R.J., Ward, R.M., Wright, L.J. & , Robinson, R.A. 2021. Temperature and density influence survival in a rapidly declining migratory shorebird. Biological Conservation View at journal website (DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2021.109198)
Green, R.M.W., Burton, N.H.K. & Cook, A.S.C.P. 2021. Migratory movements of British and Irish Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna: a review of ringing data and a pilot tracking study to inform potential interactions with offshore wind farms in the North Sea. Ringing & Migration View at journal website (DOI: 10.1080/03078698.2019.1887670) 13pp
Largey, N., Cook, A.S.C.P., Thaxter, C.B., McCluskie, A., Stokke, B.G., Wilson, B. & Masden, E.A. 2021. Methods to quantify avian airspace use in relation to wind energy development. Ibis View at journal website (DOI: 10.1111/ibi.12913)
View all BTO publications for this author

Other Publications

Cook, A., Rushton, S., Allan, J. & Baxter, A. 2008. An evaluation of techniques to control problem bird species on landfill sites. Environmental Management 41: 834-843.

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