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BOU Register of Avian Thesis Abstracts

Stuart E. Newson

Colonisation and range expansion of Great Cormorants Phalacrocorax carbo in England

Institution: University of Bristol, U.K.
Supervisors: R Avery, B Hughes (WWT)
Details: Ph. D. 2000 (Completed)

Current Address: British Trust for Ornithology, Thetford, U.K. IP24 2PU (Aug 2005)
Email: stuart.newson @ bto.org (remove spaces)

Subject Keywords:

Species Keywords: Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo

Abstract:

This thesis examines several aspects relating to the recent growth and spread of inland breeding great cormorants Phalacrocorax carbo in England. The overall objective was to improve the current understanding of the mechanisms involved, through a comparison with coastal breeders in the UK, and so allow informed management and conservation decisions to be made in the future.
Methodology for distinguishing great cormorant subspecies, P. c. carbo and P. c. sinensis thought to occur in the UK using morphometrics is presented and applied in the field at breeding colonies and to birds controlled under Defra licence on inland waters during the winter. A comparison of breeding performance between inland and coastal breeding colonies in the UK is made and population models developed to examine the importance of demographic parameters on recent population change in the UK. In the final section of this thesis, demographic and spatial data are combined in a space-time model to examine the spread of inland breeding cormorants in the UK. The implications for management of cormorant numbers and future research priorities are discussed.

Published Papers:

Newson, S.E., Hughes, B., Hearn, R. & Bregnballe, T. 2005. Breeding performance and timing of breeding of inland and coastal breeding Cormorants Phalacrocorax carbo in England and Wales. Bird Study 52:10-17.
Newson, S.E., Ekins, G.R., Russell, I.C. & Sellers, R.M. 2005. Separation of North Atlantic and Continental Cormorants. Birding World 219:107-111.
Newson, S.E. & Hughes, B. 2005. Delayed breeding during harsh weather events in the Great Cormorant. Cormorant Research Group Bulletin 6: 11-13.
Newson, S.E., Hughes, B., Russell, I.C., Ekins, G.R. & Sellers, R.M. 2004. Sub-specific differentiation and distribution of Great Cormorants Phalacrocorax carbo in Europe. Ardea 93:3-10.
Newson, S.E. & Bregnballe, T. 2003. Estimating reproductive success of Great Cormorants Phalacrocorax carbo: reliability and limitations of current methodology. Vogelwelt 124: S143-S148.
Russell, I., Bearhop, S., Newson, S.E., Winney, B. Allchin, C.R. & Kirk, R.S. 2003. Multi-disciplinary analysis of cormorant carcases. Vogelwelt 124:S157-S166.

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