Home > About the BTO > Staff CVs > Humphrey Crick

 

Name
Humphrey Crick photo
Dr Humphrey Q.P. Crick
Position
Senior Ecologist & Head of Demography Unit
Role
I lead a team that organises surveys of avian breeding performance and survival rates (bird ringing) with a view to analysing and modelling the underlying demographic and environmental factors that influence population trends.
Qualifications
B.A.Hons (Oxon.): Zoology (1975-1978).
Ph.D. (Aberdeen): "Weight changes, foraging and the role of helpers in Red-throated Bee-eaters." (1984).
Research Interests/Responsibilities
My post entails strategic development of the BTO, especially with respect to monitoring of the abundance and demography of terrestrial landbirds. My particular research interests are avian breeding performance, population dynamics, raptor populations, avian influenza, and the impacts of global climate change.
Other Information
Honorary Lecturer in Biological Sciences at University of East Anglia (1998-2007)
Member of Rare Breeding Birds Panel (1995-)
Invited expert reviewer of the Third and Fourth Assessment Reports of Working Group II of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
Selected Publications
  • BOOK: Hardey, J., Crick, H.Q.P., Wernham, C.V., Riley, H., Etheridge, B.E. & Thompson, D.B.A. (2006) Raptors: A Field Guide to Surveys and Monitoring. 160 pp. The Stationery Office, Edinburgh.
  • Crick, H.Q.P. & Sparks, T.H. (1999) Climate change related to egg-laying trends. Nature 399: 423-424.
  • Crick, H.Q.P., Dudley, C., Glue, D.E. & Thomson, D.L. (1997) UK birds are laying earlier. Nature 388: 526.
  • Leech, D.I. & Crick, H.Q.P. (In press) Influence of climate change on the abundance, distribution and phenology of woodland bird species in temperate regions. Ibis.
  • Newson, S.E., Crick, H.Q.P.,Clark, J.A. & Moss, D. (2007) Timing of Breeding of Moorland Birds in Wales. BTO Research Report No. 468. BTO, Thetford.
  • Robinson, R.A. Baillie, S.R. & Crick, H.Q.P. (2007) Weather-dependent survival: implications of climate change for passerine population processes. Ibis 149: 357-364.
  • Sparks, T.H., Huber, K., Bland, R.L., Crick, H.Q.P., Croxton, P.J., Flood, J., Loxton, R.G., Mason, C.F., Newnham, J.A. & Tryjanowski, P. (2007) How consistent are trends in arrival (and departure) dates of migrant birds in the UK? Journal of Ornithology 148: 503-511.
  • Sparks, T.H., Tryjanowski, P., Cooke, A., Crick, H.Q.P. & Kuzniak, S. (2007) Vertebrate phenology at similar latitudes: temperature responses differ between Poland and the UK. Climate Research 34: 93-98.
  • Crick, H.Q.P. & Sparks, T.H. (2006) Changes in the phenology of breeding and migration in relation to global climate change. Proc. 23rd Int. Orn. Congr., Beijing. Acta Zoologica Sinica 52(Supplement): 154-157.
  • Crick, H.Q.P. & Brown, J.L. (Eds) (2006) Symposium 08 on: Effects of Global Climate Change on Birds: Evidence and Predictions. Proc. 23rd Int. Orn. Congr., Beijing. Acta Zoologica Sinica 52(Supplement): 153.
  • Crick, H.Q.P., Brown, J.L. & Rehfisch, M.M. (2006) RTD19 Climate change impacts: key issues and future research. Proc. 23rd Int. Orn. Congr., Beijing. Acta Zoologica Sinica 52 (Supplement): 56–57.
  • Crick, H.Q.P., Atkinson, P.W., Newson, S.E., Robinson, R.A., Snow, L., Balmer, D.E., Chamberlain, D.E., Clark, J.A., Clark, N.A., Cranswick, P.A., Cromie, R.L., Hughes, B., Grantham, M.J., Lee, R. & Musgrove, A.J. (2006) Avian Influenza Incursion Analysis (through wild birds). BTO Research Report No. 448. BTO, Thetford
  • Crick, H.Q.P. (2006) Migratory wildlife in a changing environment. Pp. 40-45 in (Eds. Frisch, H., Vagg, R. & Hepworth, H.) Migratory Species and Climate Change: Impacts of a changing environment on wild animals. UNEP/CMS Secretariat, Bonn.
  • Baillie, S.R., Marchant, J.H., Crick, H.Q.P., Noble, D.G., Balmer, D.E., Coombes, R.H., Downie, I.S., Freeman, S.N., Joys, A.C., Leech, D.I., Raven, M.J., Robinson, R.A. & Thewlis, R.M. (2006) Breeding Birds in the Wider Countryside: their conservation status 2005. BTO Research Report No. 435. BTO, Thetford. (http://www.bto.org/birdtrends2005)
  • Learmonth, J.A., MacLeod, C.D., Santos, M.B., Pierce, G.J., Crick, H.Q.P. & Robinson, R.A. (2006) Potential effects of climate change on marine mammals. Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review 44: 431-464.
  • Leech, D.I., Barimore, C.J, Crick, H.Q.P. & Shawyer, C.R. (2006) The BTO Barn Owl Monitoring Programme: sixth year 2005. BTO Research Report No. 454. BTO, Thetford.
  • Morecroft, M.D., Sier, A.R.J., Elston, D.A., Nevison, I.M., Hall, J.R., Rennie, S.C., Parr, T.W. & Crick, H.Q.P. (2006) Targeted Monitoring of Air Pollution and Climate Change Impacts on Biodiversity. A report to Defra. CEH, Wallingford.
  • Sparks, T.H., Collinson, N., Crick, H.Q.P., Croxton, P., Edwards, M., Huber, K., Jenkins, D., Johns, D., Last, F., Maberly, S., Marquiss, M., Pickup, J., Roy, D., Sims, D., Shaw, D., Turner, A., Watson, A., Woiwod, I. & Woodbridge, K. (2006) Natural Heritage Trends of Scotland: phenological indicators of climate change. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 167. SNH, Inverness.
  • Tryjanowski, P, Sparks, T.H. & Crick, H.Q.P. (2006) Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio) nest performance in a declining British population: a comparison with a stable population in Poland. Ornis Fennica 83: 181-186.
  • Browne, S.J., Aebischer, N.J. & Crick, H.Q.P. (2005) Breeding ecology of Turtle Doves Streptopelia turtur in Britain during the period 1941-2000: an analysis of BTO Nest Record Cards. Bird Study 52: 1-9.
  • Evans, K., Duncan, R., Blackburn, T. & Crick, H.Q.P. (2005) Investigating geographic variation in clutch size using a natural experiment. Functional Ecology 19: 616-624.
  • Leech, D.I., Banks, A.B & Crick, H.Q.P. (2005) The Influence of the 2001 Foot and Mouth Disease Outbreak on Barn Owl Productivity in the UK. BTO Research Report No. 408. BTO, Thetford.
  • Moss, D., Joys, A.C., Clark, J.A., Kirby, A., Smith, A., Baines, D. & Crick, H.Q.P. (2005) Timing of Breeding of Moorland Birds. BTO Research Report No. 362. BTO, Thetford.
  • Robinson, R.A., Siriwardena, G.M. & Crick, H.Q.P. (2005) Status and trends of the House Sparrow Passer domesticus population in Great Britain. Ibis 147: 552-562.
  • Robinson, R.A., Siriwardena, G.M. & Crick, H.Q.P. (2005) Status and population trends of Starling Sturnus vulgaris in Great Britain. Bird Study 52: 252-260.
  • Robinson, R.A., Learmonth, J.A., Hutson, A.M., Macleod, C.D., Sparks, T.H., Leech, D.I., Pierce, G.J., Rehfisch, M.M. & Crick, H.Q.P. (2005) Climate Change and Migratory Species. BTO Research Report No. 414. Defra, London.
  • Berry, P.M., Masters, G.J., Harrison, P.A., Hossell, J.E., Crick, H.Q.P., Freeman, S.N., Ellis, N.E., Orr, H.G., Walmsley, C.A. & Watts, O. (2005) Conclusions and future research. Pp. 251-265 in (Eds Berry, P.M., Harrison, P.A, Dawson, T.P. and Walmsley, C.A.) Modelling Natural Resource Responses to Climate Change (MONARCH):A Local Approach. UKCIP Technical Report, Oxford (available only from http://www.ukcip.org.uk/resources/sector/monarch_p2.asp?sector=3).
  • Crick, H.Q.P. (2004) The impacts of climate change on birds. In Rehfisch, M.M., Feare, C.J., Jones, N.V. & Spray, C. (eds) Climate Change and Coastal Birds. Ibis 146 (suppl.1): 48-56.
  • Joys, A.C. & Crick, H.Q.P. (2004) Breeding periods for selected bird species in England. BTO Research Report No 352. BTO, Thetford.
  • Marchant, J.H., Freeman, S.N., Crick, H.Q.P. & Beaven, L.P. (2004) The BTO Heronries Census of England and Wales 1928-98: new indices and a comparison of analytical methods. Ibis 146: 323-334.
  • Wilson, A.M. & Crick, H.Q.P. (2004) Peregrine Survey Validation Exercise 2003. BTO Research Report No. 348. BTO, Thetford.
  • Crick, H.Q.P., Baillie, S.R. & Leech, D.I. (2003) The UK Nest Record Scheme: its value for science and conservation. Bird Study 50: 254-270.
  • Banks, A.N., Coombes, R.H. & Crick, H.Q.P. (2003) The Peregrine Falcon breeding population of the UK & Isle of Man in 2002. BTO Research Report No. 330. BTO, Thetford.
  • Chamberlain, D.E. & Crick, H.Q.P. (2003) Temporal and spatial associations in aspects of reproductive performance of Lapwings Vanellus vanellus in the United Kingdom, 1962 – 1999. Ardea 91: 183-196.
  • Freeman, S.N. & Crick, H.Q.P. (2003) The decline of the Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata in the UK: an integrated population model. Ibis 145: 400-412.
  • Greenwood, J.J.D., Crick, H.Q.P. & Bainbridge, I.P. (2003) Numbers and international importance of raptors and owls in Britain and Ireland. Pp. 25-49 in (Eds Thompson, D.B.A, Redpath, S.M., Fielding, A.H., Marquiss, M. & Galbraith, C.A.) Birds of Prey in a Changing Environment. The Stationary Office, Edinburgh.
  • Rehfisch, M.M. & Crick, H.Q.P. (2003) Predicting the impact of climate change on Arctic Breeding waders. Wader Study Group Bulletin 100: 86-95.
  • Robinson, R.A., Crick, H.Q.P. & Peach, W.J. (2003) Population trends of Swallows Hirundo rustica breeding in Britain. Bird Study 50: 1-7.
  • Sparks, T.H., Crick, H.Q.P., Dunn, P.O. & Sokolov, L.V. (2003) Phenology of selected lifeforms: birds. In (Ed Schwartz, M.D.) Phenology: An integrative environmental science: 421- 436. Kluwer Academic Publ., Netherlands.
  • Toms, M.P., Crick, H.Q.P. & Shawyer, C.R. (2003) The status of breeding Barn Owls (Tyto alba) in the United Kingdom 1995-97: Project Barn Owl. Pp. 137-141 in (Eds Thompson, D.B.A, Redpath, S.M., Fielding, A.H., Marquiss, M. & Galbraith, C.A.) Birds of Prey in a Changing Environment. The Stationary Office, Edinburgh.
  • Warren, R., Crick, H.Q.P., Grosshino, A. & Ujylakova, E. (2003) AVRIL: Avian Research in London. ICON Research Report for the APRIL (Air Pollution Research in London) Network. 22pp. Imperial College Consultants Ltd, London.
  • Crick, H.Q.P., Robinson, R.A., Appleton, G.F., Clark, N.A. & Rickard, A.D. (eds) (2002) Investigations into the causes of the decline of Starlings and House Sparrows in Great Britain. BTO Research Report No. 290. 305 pp. DEFRA, Bristol.
  • Benton, T.G., Bryant, D.M., Cole, L. & Crick, H.Q.P. (2002) Linking agricultural practice to insect and bird populations: a historical study over three decades. Journal of Applied Ecology 39: 673-687.
  • Sparks, T.H., Crick, H.Q.P., Elkins, N., Moss, R, Moss, S & Mylne, K. (2002) Birds, weather and climate. Weather 57: 399-410.
  • Crick, H.Q.P. (2001) Contributing author to Chapter 13: Europe. In (Eds. McCarthy, J.J., Canziani, O.F., Leary, N.A., Dokken, D.J. & White, K.S.) Climate Change 2001: Impact, Adaptation, and Vulnerability. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Third Assessment Report, Working Group II. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
  • Robinson, R.A., Wilson, J.D. & Crick, H.Q.P. (2001) The importance of arable habitat for farmland birds in grassland landscapes. Journal of Applied Ecology 38: 1059-1069.
  • Siriwardena, G.M., Baillie, S.R., Crick, H.Q.P. & Wilson, J.D. (2001) Changes in agricultural land-use and breeding performance of some granivorous farmland passerines in Britain. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 84: 191-206.
  • Siriwardena, G.M., Freeman, S.N. & Crick, H.Q.P. (2001) The decline of the Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrhhula in Britain: is the mechanism known? Acta Ornithologica 36: 143-152.
  • Sparks, T.H., Roberts, D.R. & Crick, H.Q.P. (2001) What is the value of first arrival dates of spring migrants in phenology? Avian Ecology & Behaviour 7: 75-86
  • Toms, M.P., Crick, H.Q.P. & Shawyer, C.R.(2001) The status of breeding Barn Owls Tyto alba in the United Kingdom 1995-97. Bird Study 48: 23-37.
  • Siriwardena, G.M., Wilson, J.D., Baillie, S.R. & Crick, H.Q.P. (2001) Can the historical CBC trend for skylarks Alauda arvensis be “recovered” using present-day habitat preferences and changes in agricultural land-use? Pp 53-60 in (Eds Donald, P.F. & Vickery, J.A.) The ecology and conservation of skylarks Alauda arvensis. RSPB, Sandy.
  • Sparks, T.H., Crick, H.Q.P., Woiwood, I & Beebee, T. (2001) Climate change and phenology in the United Kingdom. Pp 53-55 in (Eds Green, R.E., Harley, M., Spalding, M. & Zockler, C.) Impacts of climate change on wildlife. RSPB, Sandy.
  • Siriwardena, G.M., Baillie, S.R., Crick, H.Q.P. & Wilson, J.D. (2000) The importance of variation in the breeding performance of seed-eating birds in determining their population trends on farmland. Journal of Applied Ecology 37: 128-148.
  • Siriwardena, G.M., Baillie, S.R., Crick, H.Q.P., Wilson, J.D. & Gates, S. (2000) The demography of lowland farmland birds. Pp. 117-133 in (Eds Aebischer, N.J., Evans, A.D., Grice, P.V. & Vickery, J.A.) Ecology and Conservation of Lowland Farmland Birds. BOU, Tring.
  • Siriwardena, G.M., Crick, H.Q.P., Baillie, S.R. & Wilson, J.D. (2000) Agricultural land-use and the spatial distribution of granivorous lowland farmland birds. Ecography 23: 702-719.
  • Siriwardena, G.M., Crick, H.Q.P., Baillie, S.R. & Wilson, J.D. (2000) Agricultural habitat-type and the breeding performance of granivorous farmland birds in Britain. Bird Study 47: 66-81.
  • Paradis, E., Baillie, S.R., Sutherland, W.J., Dudley, C., Crick, H.Q.P. & Gregory, R.D. (2000) Large-scale spatial variation in the breeding performance of song thrushes Turdus philomelos and blackbirds T. merula in Britain. Journal of Applied Ecology 37 (Suppl. 1): 73-87.
  • Chamberlain, D.E., Warren, R.F., Crick, H.Q.P., Hall, J., Metcalfe, S., Ormerod, S., Whyatt, D. & Vickery, J.A. (2000) Acidification and Terrestrial Birds. BTO Research Report No. 236. BTO, Thetford. (149 pp).
  • Toms, M.P., Crick, H.Q.P. & Shawyer, C.R. (2000) Project Barn Owl Final Report. BTO Research Report No. 197. BTO, Thetford. (173 pp).
  • Chamberlain, D.E. & Crick, H.Q.P. (1999) Population declines and reproductive performance of Skylarks Alauda arvensis in different regions and habitats of the United Kingdom. Ibis 141: 38-51.
  • Burton, N.H.K., Watts, P.N., Crick, H.Q.P. & Edwards, P.J. (1999) The effects of pre-harvesting operations on reed buntings Emberiza schoeniclus nesting in Oilseed Rape Brassica napa. Bird Study 46: 369-372.
  • Crick, H.Q.P. (1999) Egg-laying dates of birds (section 30); Small bird population changes (section 31). Pp. 64-67 in (Eds Cannell, M.G.R., Palutikof, J.P. & Sparks, T.H.) Indicators of Climate Change in the UK. DETR & NERC, London.
  • Cannell, M.G.R., Sparks, T.H., Palutikof, J.P., Hulme, M., Subak, S., Marsh, T.J., George, D.G., Parr, T.W., Rennie, S.C., Agnew, M.D., Crick, H.Q.P., Lister, D.H., Woiwood, I.P., Potts, J.M. & Loxton, R.G. (1998) Indicators of Climate Change in the UK. ITE, Penicuik. 135pp.
  • Wernham, C.V., Baillie, S.R., Clark, J.A., Crick, H.Q.P. & Siriwardena, G.M. (1998) The BTO Integrated Population Monitoring Programme: the contributions of ringing. Acta Zool. Lituanica, Ornithol. 8: 93-104.
  • Mayer-Gross, H., Crick, H.Q.P. & Greenwood, J.J.D. (1997) The effect of observers visiting the nests of passerines: an experimental study. Bird Study 44: 53-65.
  • Rodrigues, M. & Crick, H.Q.P. (1997) The breeding biology of the Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita in Britain: a comparison of an intensive study with records of the BTO’s Nest Record Scheme. Bird Study 44: 374-383.
  • Crick, H.Q.P. (1997) Long-term trends in corn bunting Miliaria calandra productivity in Britain. In The Ecology and Conservation of corn buntings Miliaria calandra. (Ed. by Donald, P.F. & Aebischer, N.J.): 52-64. UK Nature Conservation No. 13. JNCC, Peterborough.
  • Perrins, C.M. & Crick, H.Q.P. (1996) Influence of lunar cycle on laying dates of European Nightjars (Caprimulgus europeus). Auk 113: 705-708.
  • Brown, A.F., Crick, H.Q.P. & Stillman, R.A. (1995) The distribution, numbers and breeding ecology of the Twite Acanthis flavirostris in the South Pennines of England. Bird Study 42: 107-121.
  • Crick, H.Q.P. & Ratcliffe, D.A. (1995) The Peregrine Falco peregrinus breeding population of the United Kingdom in 1991. Bird Study 42: 1-19.
  • Nicholson, E.M. & Crick, H.Q.P. (1995) British ornithology and conservation - from past to future. Ibis 137, Suppl 1: 8-15.
  • Peach, W.J., Crick, H.Q.P. & Marchant, J.H. (1995) The demography of the decline in the British Willow Warbler population. J. Appl. Stat. 22: 905-922.
  • Crick, H.Q.P. (1995) The strange case of the Whistling Oofoo: What are runt eggs? Brit. Birds 88: 169-180.
  • Crick, H.Q.P. (1994) Organochlorine pesticides and birds of prey in Africa. Proc. VII Pan-Afr. Orn. Congr. 171-189.
  • Crick, H.Q.P., Dudley, C., Evans, A.D. & Smith, K.W. (1994) Causes of nest failure among buntings in the UK. Bird Study 41: 88-94.
  • Greenwood, J.J.D., Baillie, S.R. & Crick, H.Q.P. (1994) Long-term studies and monitoring of bird populations. In Leigh, R.A. & Johnson, A.E. (Eds) Long-term Experiments in Agricultural and Ecological Sciences: 343-364. CABI, Oxford.
  • Crick, H.Q.P., Gibbons, D.W. & Magrath, R.D. (1993) Seasonal variation in clutch size in British Birds. Journal of Animal Ecology 62: 263-273.
  • Crick, H.Q.P. (1993) Trends in Breeding success of British Merlins. In M.K. Nicholls & R. Clarke (Eds) Proc. Small Falcons Conference: 30-38.
  • Crick, H.Q.P. (1993) Population density of Red-throated Bee-eaters Merops bullocki in a pristine habitat. Malimbus 15: 61-67.
  • Greenwood, J.J.D., Baillie, S.R., Crick, H.Q.P., Marchant, J.H. & Peach, W.J. (1993) Integrated population monitoring: detecting the effects of diverse changes. In R.W. Furness & J.J.D. Greenwood (Eds) Birds as Monitors of Environmental Change: 267-342. Chapman & Hall, London.
  • Crick, H.Q.P. (1992) A bird habitat coding system for use in Britain and Ireland incorporating aspects of land-management and human activity. Bird Study 39: 1-12.
  • Crick, H.Q.P. (1992) Load-lightening and the cost of reproduction in cooperatively breeding birds. Ibis 134: 56-61.
  • Crick H.Q.P. & Jones, P.J. (Eds) (1992) Ecology and Conservation of Palaearctic-African Migrants. Ibis 134 (Suppl.1): 1-132.
  • Fuller, R.J. & Crick, H.Q.P. (1992) Broad-scale patterns in geographical and habitat distribution of migrant and resident passerines in Britain and Ireland. Ibis 134 (Suppl.1): 14-20.
  • Crick, H.Q.P. (1991) Poisoned prey in the Heart of Africa. New Scientist 1744: 39-42.
  • Crick, H.Q.P. & Spray, C.J. (1987) The impact of aerial application of fenitrothion on forest bird populations. In S.R. Leather, J.T. Stoakley & H.F. Evans (Eds) Population biology and control of the Pine Beauty Moth, 76-88. HMSO, London.
  • Crick, H.Q.P. (1987) Intraspecific robbery by Red-throated Bee-eaters. Ostrich 58, 140-141.
  • Spray, C.J., Crick, H.Q.P. & Hart, A.D.M. (1987) Effects of aerial applications of fenitrothion on bird populations of a Scottish pine plantation. Journal of Applied Ecology 24, 29-47.
  • Crick, H.Q.P. (1986) The effects of fenitrothion applications to control Pine Beauty Moth on non-target animals in Scotland. In D. Jenkins (ed.) Trees and Wildlife in the Scottish Highlands: 101-107. ITE, Monks Wood.
  • Crick, H.Q.P. & Fry, C.H. (1986) Effects of helpers on parental condition in red-throated bee-eaters (Merops bullocki). Journal of Animal Ecology 55: 893-905.
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