Drivers and Consequences of Recent Changes in Bird Migration

Project Code: FRANCO_UEA_ARIES27

Drivers and Consequences of Recent Changes in Bird Migration

Project Code: FRANCO_UEA_ARIES27

Project Description

Supervisors

Professor Aldina Franco, School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia – contact me

Dr Marius Somveille, School of Environmental Sciences, UEA

Dr Inês Catry, CE3C-Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes and CHANGE – Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Lisbon, Portugal

Professor Phil Atkinson, British Trust for Ornithology

 

Scientific Background:

Migration enables species to cope with fluctuations in resource availability, but recently dramatic changes have been observed, including reductions in migratory distance, advancement of the migratory timing or abandonment of migratory behaviour. These changes are mediated by interactions between species traits and environmental variables. Recent changes in climate and in resource availability together with information from tracking technologies provide an opportunity to investigate the drivers and consequences of changes in migratory behaviour across species. These can inform conservation strategies to protect migratory species. This project will advance understanding of the determinants of changes in migratory behaviour.

 

Research Objectives and Methodology:

Remote sensing and long-term tracking datasets obtained by the supervisors3 and available on Movebank will be used to achieve the following objectives:

  • Quantify changes in species migratory behaviour, including changes in migration timing, migratory distance and proportion of individuals that have become sedentary in different species and populations.
  • Determine the influence of environmental variables (e.g. resource availability, climate) to changes in migratory behaviour, accounting for species traits and phylogenetic history.
  • Determine if individuals experiencing lower reductions in resource availability after breeding are less likely to migrate or migrate shorter distances.
  • Determine the extent to which access to new foraging resources (e.g. predicted anthropogenic food sources) influences migratory behaviour comparing populations and individuals with different degrees of use of these new resources.

 

Training:

You will be part of a supportive and dynamic research environment at UEA and work with collaborators at BIOPOLIS/CIBIO, BTO and the University of Lisbon. The project has field work in Portugal with co-supervisors. You will be trained to deploy tracking devices on wild birds and to analyse tracking datasets and spatial data. This project will develop your critical thinking, programming, statistical and oral presentation skills. It will challenge you to think about management of natural resources and conservation strategies for migratory birds, both will enhance your future employability.

 

Person Specification

You should be interested in animal movement and in advancing our understanding of the natural environment. Relevant research experience will be advantageous. This project is available to highly numerate candidates.

Acceptable first degree subject(s): 2:1 Bachelor’s degree in ecology, biological sciences, environmental sciences or related discipline

References

  • Somveille M, Manica A, Butchart SHM, Rodrigues ASL (2013) Mapping Global Diversity Patterns for Migratory Birds. PLOS ONE 8(8): e70907. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0070907
  • Gilbert NI, Correia RA, Silva JP, Pacheco C, Catry I, Atkinson PW, Gill JA, Franco AMA (2016) Are white storks addicted to junk food? Impacts of landfill use on the movement and behaviour of resident white storks (Ciconia ciconia) from a partially migratory population Movement ecology 4(1).
  • Soriano-Redondo A, Franco AMA, Acácio M, Payo-Payo A, Martins BH, Moreira F, and Catry I. (2023). Fitness, Behavioral, and Energetic Trade-Offs of Different Migratory Strategies in a Partially Migratory Species. Ecology 104(10): e4151
  • Gauld, J. G., Atkinson, P.W., Silva, J.P., Senn, A., Franco A.M.A. (2023). Characterisation of a new lightweight LoRaWAN GPS bio-logger and deployment on griffon vultures Gyps fulvus. Animal Biotelemetry.
  • Vickery J. A., et al. (2014) The decline of Afro-Palaearctic migrants and an assessment of potential causes, Ibis 156, 1

Key Information

  • This studentship has been shortlisted for funding under the UKRI NERC DLA funding scheme and will commence on 1 October 2027. The closing date for applications is 23:59 on 16 December 2026.
  • Successful candidates who meet UKRI’s eligibility criteria will be awarded a fully-funded studentship, which covers fees, maintenance stipend (£21,805 p.a. for 2026/27) and a research training and support grant (RTSG). A limited number of studentships are available for international applicants, with the difference between 'home' and 'international' fees being waived by the registering university. Please note, however, that ARIES funding does not cover additional costs associated with relocation to, and living in, the UK, such as visa costs or the health surcharge.
  • ARIES postgraduate researchers (PGRs) benefit from bespoke training and ARIES provides £2,500 to every student for access to external training, travel and conferences, on top of all Research Costs associated with the project. Excellent applicants from quantitative disciplines with limited experience in environmental sciences may be considered for an additional 3-month stipend to take advanced-level courses. Excellent applicants from quantitative disciplines with limited experience in environmental sciences may be considered for an additional 3-month stipend to take advanced-level courses.
  • ARIES is committed to equality, diversity, widening participation and inclusion in all areas of its operation. We encourage enquiries and applications from all sections of the community regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, age, sexual orientation and transgender status. Academic qualifications are considered alongside non-academic experience, and our recruitment process considers potential with the same weighting as past experience.
  • All ARIES studentships may be undertaken on a part-time or full-time basis. International applicants should check whether there are any conditions of visa or immigration permission that preclude part-time study. All advertised project proposals have been developed with consideration of a safe, inclusive and appropriate research and fieldwork environment with respect to protected characteristics. If you have any concerns, please contact us.
  • For further information, please contact the supervisor. To apply for this Studentship, follow the instructions at the bottom of the page or click the 'apply now' link.
  • ARIES is required by our funders to collect Equality and Diversity Information from all of our applicants. The information you provide will be used solely for monitoring and statistical purposes; it will remain confidential and will be stored on the UEA SharePoint server. Data will not be shared with those involved in making decisions on the award of Studentships and will have no influence on the success of your application. It will only be shared outside of this group in an anonymised and aggregated form. You will be asked to complete the form by the University to which you apply.
  • ARIES studentships are subject to UKRI terms and conditions. Postgraduate Researchers are expected to live within reasonable distance of their host organisation for the duration of their studentship. Please see https://www.ukri.org/publications/terms-and-conditions-for-training-funding/ for more information.

Apply Now

Apply now via the University of East Anglia Application Portal