Liz Humphreys

Principal Ecologist - Seabirds

Liz Humphreys

Contact

Liz's current job is to develop research projects principally concerned with wetland and marine issues. Her most recent work has focused on understanding the impacts of the renewable industry on seabirds. Previously to joining the BTO, Liz's main research interests involved quantifying the factors that determine the foraging performance and energetics of seabirds.

Interests & Responsibilities

As well as her commitments to the Wetland & Marine team within the BTO, Liz also worked on a diverse range of topics including machair, urban and woodland ecology. She has also worked on a number of policy relevant projects including the management of goose management populations in Scotland.

Other Information

Honorary Lecturer, SBES, University of Stirling
Former editor of the Seabird Group Newsletter and member of its Executive Committee
European representative of the World Seabird Union

Qualifications

BSc (Hons) Environmental Biology, University of St Andrews, 1991-1995 MSc Ecology, University of Aberdeen, 1997-1998. PhD Kittiwake Foraging and Energetics, University of Stirling, 1998-2002.

Recent BTO Publications

Harris, S.J., Baker, H., Balmer, D.E., Bolton, M., Burton, N.H.K., Caulfield, E., Clarke, J.A.E., Dunn, T.E., Evans, T.J., Hereward, H.R.F., Humphreys, E.M., Money, S. and O’Hanlon, N.J. 2024. Seabird Population Trends and Causes of Change: 1986–2023, the annual report of the Seabird Monitoring Programme. British Trust for Ornithology ISBN: 2976-8950
O’Hanlon, N.J., Clewley, G.D., Davies, J.G., Johnston, D.T., Booth Jones, K.A., Green, R.M.W., Weston, E., Humphreys, E.M. & Cook, A.S.C.P. 2024. Trial of the use of silicone cord leg-loop harnesses on Black-legged Kittiwake during the 2023 breeding season. Research Report no. 772. BTO, Thetford, Norfolk ISBN: 978-1-912642-69-4 21pp
Davies, J.G., Boersch-Supan, P.H., Clewley, G.D., Humphreys, E.M., O’Hanlon, N.J., Shamoun-Baranes, J., Thaxter, C.B., Weston, E. & Cook, A.S.C.P. 2024. Influence of wind on kittiwake Rissa tridactyla flight and offshore wind turbine collision risk. Marine Biology 171 View at journal website (DOI: 10.1007/s00227-024-04508-0)
O’Hanlon, N.J., van Bemmelen, R.S.A., Conway, G.J., Thaxter, C.B., Aiton, H., Aiton, D., Balmer, D.E., Calladine, J.R., Harris, S.J. & Humphreys, E.M. 2024. New insights into the migration and wintering areas of Scottish-breeding Arctic Skuas. British Birds 117 : 488-497 Link to publication
van Bemmelen, R., Moe, B., Schekkerman, H., Hanssen, S.A., Snell, K., Humphreys, L., Mäntylä, E., Hallgrimsson, G.T., Gilg, O., Ehrich, D., Calladine, J., Hammer, S., Harris, S., Lang, J., Vignisson, S., Kolbeinsson, Y., Kimmo, N., Sillanpää, M., Sittler, B., Sokolov, A., Klaassen, R., Phillips, R. & Tulp, I. 2024. Synchronous timing of return to breeding sites in a long-distance migratory seabird with ocean-scale variation in migration schedules. Movement Ecology View at journal website (DOI: 10.1186/s40462-024-00459-9)
O'Hanlon, N.J., van Bemmelen, R.S.A., Snell, K.R.S., Conway, G.J, Thaxter, C.B., Aiton, H., Aiton, D., Balmer, D.E., Are Hanssen, S., Calladine, J.R., Hammer, S., Harris, S.J., Moe, B., Schekkerman, H., Tulp, I. & Humphreys, E.M. 2024. Atlantic populations of a declining oceanic seabird have complex migrations and weak migratory connectivity to staging areas. Marine Ecology Progress Series 730 : 113-129 View at journal website (DOI: 10.3354/meps14533)
View all BTO publications for this author

Other Publications

Humphreys, E.M., Gillings, S., Musgrove, A., Austin, G., Marchant, G, and Calladine J 2015. An update of the review on the impacts of piscivorous birds on salmonid populations and game fisheries in Scotland. Commissioned Research Report to SNH.

Cook, A.S.C.P., Still, D.A., Humphreys, E.M. & Wright, L.J. 2015. Review of evidence for identified seabird aggregations. JNCC Report No 537. JNCC, Peterborough.

Humphreys, E.M. Austin, G.E., Thaxter, C., Johnston, A., Risely, K., Frederiksen, M. & Burton, N.H.K. 2014. Development of MSFD Indicators, Baselines and Targets for Population Size and Distribution of Marine Birds in the UK. Report to JNCC.

MMO 2014. Review of post-consent offshore wind farm monitoring data associated with licence conditions. A report produced for the Marine Management Organisation, pp 194. MMO Project No:1031. ISBN: 978-1-909452-24-4.

Mackenzie, M.L., Scott-Hayward, L.A.S., Oedekoven, C.S., Skov, H., Humphreys, E. and Rexstad, E. 2013. Statistical Modelling of Seabird and Cetacean data: Guidance Document.  University of St. Andrews contract for Marine Scotland, SB9 (CR/2012/05).

Humphreys, E.M., Kirkland, P., Russell, S., Sutcliffe, R., Coyle, J. & Chamberlain, D. 2012. Urban Biodiversity: Successes and Challenges: The Biodiversity in Glasgow (BIG) project: the value of volunteer participation in promoting and conserving urban biodiversity. The Glasgow Naturalist Volume 25, Part 4.

Humphreys, L., Winterbottom, S., Smith, M., Humphrey, J., Ockendon, N., & Chamberlain, D. 2008. Development of a methodology for predicting the impact of demographic change and urban development on biodiversity. Report to SNIFFER.

Daunt, F., Camphuysen, C.J., Humphreys, E.M., Hamer, K.C., Wanless, S. & Skov, H. 2005. Local/daily scale hydrography, prey and seabird interactions. In Understanding Marine Food-web Processes: an Ecosystem Approach to Sustainable Sandeel Fisheries in the North Sea: IMPRESS Final Report (ed C.J. Camphuysen), pp 163-180. NIOZ-rapport, 2005-5, NIOZ, Texel, Netherlands.

Summers, R.W., Humphreys, E.M., Newall, M. & Donald, C. 2002. Nest site selection by Crossbills Loxia spp. in ancient native woodlands at Abernethy Forest, Strathspey, Highland. Bird Study 49:258-262.

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