Chemical Exposures of UK Estuarine Wading Birds and Potential Impacts on their Migration Fitness. (Ref: 4282)

Combating biodiversity declines is one of our greatest global challenges. Many migratory bird species are declining at rates far exceeding those of their resident counterparts. Impacts of chemicals on bird migration fitness has largely been ignored yet is important for international bird protection, and informing future UK policy to monitor and manage chemicals in the UK and effects abroad. Many birds feed in UK estuaries to fuel their global migrations where contaminants of environmental concern are often concentrated. Working in partnership with policy advisors at the JNCC and Defra, this project combines field sampling, empirical chemical measures, bird tracking, and modelling, to develops new data and understanding on the risks of chemical exposure for selected estuary feeding wading birds (Oystercatcher and Curlew) during critical life periods as they fuel for migration. Combining empirical studies and modelling approaches, the project will identify to what extent these migratory wader species are at higher risk(s) to chemical exposure effects for supporting more effective targeted future environmental protection. The student training spans a wide range of disciplines, gaining in-depth knowledge in conservation biology, environmental monitoring, chemicals risk assessment, and domestic and international policy.