Home > About the BTO > Staff CVs > Rob Robinson

 

Name
Rob Robinson photo
Dr Rob Robinson
Position
Senior Population Biologist (Ringing)
Role
I take a lead on developing the research strategy of the Ringing Scheme, particularly in a demographic context, and manage the Constant Efforts Sites (CES) and Re-trapping Adults for Survival (RAS) schemes.
Qualifications
BSc (Hons) Zoology, Edinburgh University, 1989-1993
PhD Ecology and conservation of farmland birds, University of East Anglia, 1993-1997
Research Interests/Responsibilities
Changes in bird populations and distributions are determined by demography, particularly the combination of survival and productivity. My main interest lies in understanding these processes operate, within an applied context, how the sum of individuals creates them and how they vary at different scales. Much of my recent work at BTO has focussed on combining data from the Ringing Scheme with the Nest Records and census schemes to understand the reasons for population declines (Robinson et al. 2003, 2004a, 2005b,c). I started research with a particular focus on farmland birds, how they use their food supply (Robinson & Sutherland 1999; Robinson 2004) and how changes in agriculture have, and will, affect them (Watkinson et al. 2000; Robinson et al. 2001; Robinson & Sutherland 2002); effects of which are likely to be dependent on the landscape context (Robinson et al. 2001, 2004b). Currently, I am involved in developing extending our monitoring of survival (Robinson et al. 2005d), particularly using the CES and RAS schemes and developing work on waders.
Other Information

I have a broad interest in birds, and natural history generally, which prompted the establishment of BirdFacts, an online compendium of data on Britain’s birds, a resource I hope will grow with time. I have a particular interest in waders and seabirds, having worked with them on four continents. I am also a keen ringer.
Member Trustee of the BTO Pension Scheme
Chair, Library Committee
Member, NERC Moderating Panels

Selected Publications
  • Atkinson, P.W., Baker, A.J., Bennett, K.A., Clark, N.A., Clark, J.A., Cole, K.B., Dekinga, A., Dey, A, Gillings, S., Gonzalez, P.M., Kalasz, K., Minton, C.D.T., Niles, L.J., Piersma, T., Robinson, R.A. &. Sitters, H.P. 2007. Rates of mass gain and energy deposition in red knot on their final spring staging site is both time - and condition dependent. Journal of Applied Ecology 44: 885-895.
  • Freeman, S.N., Robinson, R.A., Clark, J.A., Griffin, B.M. & Adams, S.Y. 2007. Changing demography and population decline in the Starling Sturnus vulgaris: a multi-site approach to integrated population modelling. Ibis 149: 587-596.
  • Robinson, R.A., Freeman, S.N., Balmer, D.E. & Grantham, M.J. 2007. Cetti's Warbler: anatomy of an expanding population. Bird Study 54: 230-235.
  • 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.
  • Gillings, S., Atkinson, P.W., Bardsley, S.L., Clark, N.A., Love, S. Robinson, R.A., Stillman, R.A. & Weber, R.G. 2007. Shorebird predation of horseshoe crab eggs: species contrasts and availability constraints. Journal of Animal Ecology 76: 503-514
  • 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 44:429-456.
  • Atkinson, P.W. Baker, A.J., Bevan, R.M., Clark, N.A., Cole, K.B., Gonzalez, P.M., Newton, J., Niles, L.J. & Robinson, R.A. 2005. Unravelling the migration and moult strategies of a long-distance migrant using stable isotopes: Red Knot Calidris canutus movements in the Americas. Ibis 147:738-749.
  • Robinson. R.A. et al. 2005a. Climate change and migratory species. Defra, London.
  • Robinson, R.A., Siriwardena, G.M. & Crick, H.Q.P. 2005b. Status and population trends of the Starling Sturnus vulgaris in Great Britain. Bird Study 52:252-260.
  • Robinson, R.A., Siriwardena, G.M. & Crick, H.Q.P. 2005c. Status and population trends of the House Sparrow Passer domesticus in Great Britain. Ibis 147:552-562.
  • Robinson, R.A. et al. 2005d. Long term demographic monitoring of wader populations in non-breeding areas. Wader Study Group Bulletin 106:17-29.
  • Robinson, R.A. 2004. The diet of seed-eating birds on lowland farmland. British Birds 97:464-467.
  • Peach, W.J., Robinson, R.A. & Murray, K.A. 2004. Demographic and environmental causes of the decline of rural song thrushes Turdus philomelos in lowland Britain. Ibis 146 (Suppl 2): 50-59.
  • Robinson, R.A., Green, R.E., Baillie, S.R., Peach, W.J. & Thomson, D.L. 2004a. Demographic mechanisms of the population decline of the song thrush Turdus philomelos in Britain. Journal of Animal Ecology 73: 670-682.
  • Robinson, R.A., Hart, J.D., Holland, J.M. & Parrott, D. 2004b. Habitat use by seed-eating birds: a scale-dependent approach. Ibis 146 (Suppl 2): 87-98.
  • Robinson, R.A., Crick, H.Q.P. & Peach, W.J. 2003. Population trends of swallows breeding in Britain. Bird Study 50:1-7.
  • Crick, H.Q.P., Robinson, R.A., Appleton, G.F. Clark, N.A. & Rickard, A.D. 2002. Investigation into the causes of the decline of starlings and house sparrows in Great Britain. Defra, London.
  • Robinson, R.A. & Sutherland, W.J. 2002. Post-war changes in arable farming and biodiversity in Great Britain. Journal of Applied Ecology 39:157-176.
  • 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.
  • Watkinson, A.R., Freckleton, R.P., Robinson, R.A. & Sutherland, W.J. 2000. Predictions of biodiversity response to genetically modified herbicide-resistant crops. Science 289:1554-1556.
  • Robinson, R.A. & Sutherland, W.J. 1999. Food resources and winter habitat selection of seed-eating birds. Ecography 22:447-454.
Contact Details
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01842 750050
01842 750030
British Trust for Ornithology, The Nunnery, Thetford, IP24 2PU, UK.

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