David Noble

Head & Principal Ecologist

David Noble

David is responosible for the strategic development of BTO’s monitoring programme and associated research, is the main contact for biodiversity indicators, surveys of taxa other than birds, and for conservation initiatives such as BAP and Birds of Conservation Concern.

BSc Guelph University, Canada. MSc Queen’s University, Canada. PhD University of Cambridge, UK.

Interests & Responsibilities

  • Senior investigator with extensive experience in the analysis and interpretation of biological data.
  • Represents BTO on a range of scientific and statutory committees related to bird and mammal conservation.
  • Interested in capacity building and development of monitoring programmes for birds and other taxa in the UK and internationally, particularly in Europe.
  • Committed to an evidence-based approach to tackling a range of conservation issues.
  • Experience leading a team of researchers on projects related to bird conservation, temporal and spatial variation in bird abundance and distribution and the development of analytical methods.
  • Development of bird indicators in the UK and in Europe.
  • Previously, researcher on the ecology and behaviour of seabirds in Canada and cuckoo hosts in the UK and Africa, currently investigating effects of pollutants on migratory waders in North America.

Other Information

European Bird Census Council (EBCC) – Delegate, and Observer on Executive Committee Tracking Mammals Partnership

Recent BTO Publications

Burns F., Eaton M.A., Hayhow D.B., Outhwaite C.L., Fulaijd N.A, August T.A., Boughey KA., Brereton t., Brown A., Bullock D.J., Gent T., Haysome K.A., Isaac J.B., Johns D.G, Macadam C.R., Mathew F., Noblen D.G., Powney G.D., Simsop D.W., Smart S.M., Stroh, P. Walker K.J., Webb J.R., Webbs T.J., Gregory R.D. 2018. An assessment of the state of nature in the United Kingdom: A review of findings, methods and impact. Ecological Indicators 94 (part 1) : 226-236 View at journal website (DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2018.06.033)
M. W. Wilson, D. E. Balmer, K. Jones, V. A. King, D. Raw, C. J. Rollie, E. Rooney, M. Ruddock, G. D. Smith, A. Stevenson, P. K. Stirling-Aird, C. V. Wernham, J. M. Weston & D. G. Noble. 2018. The breeding population of Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus in the United Kingdom, Isle of Man and Channel Islands in 2014. Bird Study Link to publication View at journal website (DOI: 10.1080/00063657.2017.1421610)
Hayhow D.B., Ausden M.A., Bradbury R.B., Burnell D., Copeland A.I., Crick H.Q.P., Eaton M.A., Frost T., Grice P.V., Hall C., Harris S.J., Morecroft M.D., Noble D.G., Pearce-Higgins J.W., Watts O., Williams J.M. 2017. The State of the UK's Birds 2017. RSPB, BTO, WWT, DAERA, JNCC, NE and NRW, Sandy, Bedfordshire
Stanbury, A., Brown, A., Eaton, M., Aebischer, N., Gillings, S., Hearn, R., Noble, D., Stroud, D. & Gregory, R. 2017. The risk of extinction for birds in Great Britain. British Birds 110 : 502-517
Harris, S.J., Massimino, D., Gillings, S.E., Eaton, M.A, Noble, D.G., Balmer, D.E., Procter, D. & Pearce-Higgins, J.W. 2017. The Breeding Bird Survey 2016. Research Report no. 700. British Trust for Ornithology, Thetford
Hayhow D.B., Bond A.L., Douse A., Eaton M.A., Frost T., Grice P.V., Hall C., Harris, S.J., Havery S., Hearn R.D., Noble D.G., Oppel S., Williams J., Win I. and Wotton S. 2017. The State of the UK's Birds 2016. RSPB, BTO, WWT, DAERA, JNCC, NE, NRW and SNH, Sandy, Bedfordshire
View all BTO publications for this author

Other Publications

Gaston, A.J., Chapdelaine, G. & Noble, D.G. 1983. The growth of Thick-billed Murre chicks at colonies in Hudson Strait: inter- and intra-colony variation. Canadian Journal of Zoology 61 (part 11) : 2 465-2 475 View Abstract Link to Article (DOI: 10.1139/z83-327)

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