BTO Annual Conference 2018

Highlights of this year's conference will include:

 

After drinks, sponsored by Swarovski Optik, and dinner, Professor Tim Birkhead will reveal the amazing stories emerging from his 45-year study of Guillemots breeding on the island of Skomer.

 

James Parry uncovers the story of Emma Turner, pioneering bird photographer; Simon Gillings & Nick Moran highlight new opportunities for using technology to capture hidden nocturnal migrants; and Professor Jane Reid delivers the Witherby Lecture.

 

After lunch, we’ll hear about the latest BTO research, with Henrietta Pringle talking about the impacts of Pheasants on wider biodiversity; Mark Wilson charting the increasing numbers of urban Peregrines; Jenni Border talking about non-native species and climate change; and Katherine Booth-Jones using tracking technology to follow the lives of urban gulls in Northern Ireland. We also have Faye Vogely showcasing how BTO has been using social media to inspire new audiences about birds and the work of the BTO; Blaise Martay exploring regional variation in soil invertebrates and its implications for birds; and Derek Robertson, talking about connecting people and birds through art.

 

Our final day begins with the RSPB’s Linda Wilson talking about how knowledge of seabird behaviour is informing conservation in the marine environment, a topic also central to Sarah Harris and her talk about Arctic Skua tracking, and Niall Burton and his talk on windfarms and gulls. In the final session we look ahead, with Chris Wheatley looking at future climate change impacts, Mike Toms looking at urbanisation and birds, and BTO CEO Andy Clements looking at the role of volunteers and citizen science in the period covered by the government’s 25-year plan.