Senior Research Ecologist
Stuart Newson is a Senior Research Ecologist in the Data Science and Bioacoustics team, where he is mainly involved in survey design and analyses of data from large national citizen science surveys.
Interests and responsibilities
Stuart is known for his innovative, cross-sector research, and was winner of the Marsh Award for Innovative Ornithology in 2018.
Whilst the core of Stuart’s work has been on birds, he has an interest in the sound identification of bats, small terrestrial mammals and bush-crickets. His work on bioacoustics has included creating tools which use machine learning algorithms to identify such species from their ‘calls’. These tools are now integrated into the BTO Acoustic Pipeline, one of the world’s first multi-taxon audible classifiers and ultrasonic classifiers.
The Pipeline combines Stuart’s skill knowledge of acoustic species identification with his interest in using bioacoustics to deliver new opportunities for conservation, and to provide new ways to engage with larger audiences. It integrates online tools for coordinating fieldworkers, processing recordings, and returning engaging feedback to encourage large-scale participation in acoustic surveys.
Stuart is a member of Natural England’s Bat Expert Panel, set up to shape the future of bat conservation in the UK, a member of the IUCN SSC Species Specialist Monitoring Group. He plays an important role in advising others on survey design and analyses of data from large national surveys of wild bird and mammal populations.
Other Information
- Research Fellowship on Bioacoustics
- PhD and MSc supervisor
- Trustee of Norfolk and Norwich Bat Group
Qualifications
- BSc (Hons) Zoology, Bristol University, 1993-1996
- Ph.D. The colonisation and range expansion of inland breeding great cormorants Phalacrocorax carbo in England. Bristol University, 1998-2000.
Recent BTO publications
- Ashton-Butt, A., Jackson, C., Higgins, S.L., Wetherhill, A. & Newson, S.E 2025. Passive acoustic monitoring with the Radnorshire Wildlife Trust, 2024 – piloting the Rewilding Monitoring Framework. BTO Research Report 784:
- Ashton-Butt, A., Thurston, L., Wetherhill, A. & Newson, S.E 2025. Connecting Constable and Gainsborough Country – using acoustics to support landscape recovery. BTO Research Report 785:
- Newson, S.E., Allez, S.L., Coule, E.K., Guille, A.W., Harper, J., Henney, J.M., Higgins, L., Lewis, M., McLellan, G.D., Simmons, M.C., Sweet, E., Whitelegg, D. & Atkinson, P.W. 2025. Bailiwick Bat Survey: 2021–2024 Report. BTO Research Report 777:
- Ashton-Butt, A., Gillings, S., Thurston, L., Wells, F., Wetherhill, A. & Newson, S.E. 2025. Farming in Project Landscapes – Turtle Dove Monitoring Project, 2024 Report. BTO Research Report 774:
- Newson, S.E., Boersch-Supan, P. & Atkinson, P.W. 2025. Understanding statistical power in passive acoustic monitoring of bats: evaluating survey and sampling protocols in the Bailiwick of Guernsey. BTO Research Report 798:
- Newson, S.E. & Panter, T.L. 2025. Ryevitalise – Bats and Ancient Trees, 2020–2024 Report. BTO Research Report 775:
- Ashton-Butt, A., Gough, M., Higgins, S.L., Wetherhill, A. & Newson, S.E 2025. Passive acoustic monitoring on the Hepple Estate, 2024 – piloting the rewilding monitoring framework. BTO Research Report 782:
- Newson, S.E. & Crisp, G. 2025. Bat distribution and activity in the Skell Valley catchment, 2024 Report. BTO Research Report 776:
- Ashton-Butt, A., Hill, D., Higgins, S.L., Wetherhill, A. & Newson, S.E. 2025. Passive acoustic monitoring with Heal Rewilding, 2024 - piloting the Rewilding Monitoring Framework.. BTO Research Report 783:
- Newson, S.E. & Gray, A. 2024. Silvopasture Biodiversity – Beetles and Bats: providing the infrastructure and protocols that farmers can follow to participate in biodiversity monitoring using passive acoustic monitoring. BTO Research Report 768:
Other publications
Middleton, N., Newson, S.E., & Pearce, H. 2024. Sound Identification of Terrestrial Mammals of Britain & Ireland. Pelagic Publishing.
Hughes, B., Bruce, J., Ekins, G.R. & Newson, S.E. 1999. Movements and distribution of inland breeding Cormorants in England. WWT Wetlands Advisory Service report to English Nature. 83pp.
Newson, S.E. & Hughes, B. 1999. Diurnal activity budgets of Goosander Mergus merganser wintering on Chew Valley Lake, North Somerset: Influence of time of day and sex. Wildfowl 49: 173-180.
Newson, S.E., Hughes, B. & Sellers, R.M. 1997. Status and breeding success of Cormorants Phalacrocorax carbo in Wales in 1997. CCW Sea Empress Contract Report No. 288. CCW, Bangor. 10pp.