Principal Ecological Statistician

Philipp analyses data from various BTO surveys and research projects. He also advises across the organisation on statistical techniques used for scientific analysis and survey design.
Philipp is broadly interested in using statistical and mathematical models to better understand the physical and biological processes that shape the distribution and movements of animals, their foraging and migration behaviours, and their life-history strategies. His work aims to bridge the gap between field observations and ecological theory, and he is actively involved in the development of open-source statistical software.
Other information
- Affiliated Research Faculty at the Department of Geography, University of Florida
- Associate Editor for Animal Conservation
- Vordiplom in Chemistry, University of Marburg (2006-2008)
- MRes in Environmental Biology, University of St Andrews (2010)
- PhD in Marine Biology ‘The ecology of scattering layer biota around Indian Ocean seamounts and islands’, University of St Andrews (2014)
Recent BTO Publications
- Brighton, C.H., Clarke, J.A. & Boersch-Supan, P.H. 2025. Scientific support to the trial of Spoor AI at the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre.
- Bennett, S., Rhoades, J., Boersch-Supan, P., Humphreys, E.M., Davies, J. & Upton, A. 2025. Modelled changes to seabird presence and abundance across the MarPAMM region in response to predicted changes in climatic and oceanographic variables. BTO Research Report 767:
- Rhoades, J., Johnston, D.T., Humphreys, E.M. & Boersch-Supan, P.H. 2025. Review of methods used to calculate scale of artificial nesting structures proposed as a compensation measure for Kittiwake mortality at offshore wind farms. BTO Research Report 788:
- O'Hanlon, N.J., Clewley, G.D., Johnston, D.T., Thaxter, C.B., Langlois Lopez, S., Quinn, L.R., Boersch-Supan, P.H., Masden, E.A., Daunt, F., Wilson, J., Burton, N.H.K. & Humphreys, E.M. 2025. Partial niche partitioning in three sympatric gull species through foraging areas and habitat selection. Ecology and Evolution 15: doi:10.1002/ece3.71577
- Feather, A.P., Burton, N.H.K., Johnston, D.T. & Boersch-Supan, P.H. 2025. A review of existing methods to collect data on seabird flight height distributions and their use in offshore wind farm impact assessments. BTO Research Report 780:
- Border, J.A., Boersch-Supan, P., Pearce-Higgins, J.W., Hewson, C., Howard, C., Stephens, P.A., Willis, S.G., Houston, A., Gargallo, G. & Baillie, S.R. 2024. Spatial variation in spring arrival patterns of Afro-Palearctic bird migration across Europe. Global Ecology and Biogeography 33: doi:10.1111/geb.13850
- O’Hanlon, N.J., Harris, S.J., Thaxter, C.B., Boersch-Supan, P.H., Robinson, R.A., Balmer, D.E. & Burton, N.H.K. 2024. Seabird population and demographic monitoring in the UK: a review and recommendations for future sampling. BTO Research Report 754:
- Boersch-Supan, P.H., Hanmer, H.J. & Robinson, R.A. 2024. Extended molt phenology models improve inferences about molt duration and timing. Ornithology 141: doi:10.1093/ornithology/ukae003
- Macgregor, C.J., Gillings, S., Balmer, D.E., Boersch-Supan, P.H., Harris, S.J., Hereward, H.F.R., Humphreys, E.M., Pearce-Higgins, J.W., Taylor, R.C., Troost, G. & Atkinson, P.W. 2024. Impacts of highly pathogenic avian influenza on seabird populations in the North Sea are detectable in sea-watchers’ migration counts. Bird Study 71: 311-325 doi:10.1080/00063657.2024.2440826
- Boersch-Supan, P.H., Brighton, C.H., Thaxter, C.B. & Cook, A.S.C.P. 2024. Natural body size variation in seabirds provides a fundamental challenge for flight height determination by single-camera photgrammetry. A comment on Humphries et al. 2023. Marine Biology 171: doi:10.1007/s00227-024-04396-4