Research Ecologist
Jacob works as a Research Ecologist on the Wetland & Marine Team, carrying out data analysis for a wide range of projects.
Interests and responsibilities
Since joining the BTO recently, Jacob has used terrestrial climate and oceanographic data to predict future seabird abundance in western Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland under climate change as part of the MarPAMM project. Jacob has broad research interests in ecology, particularly in demography and range dynamics and in the analysis of large spatial datasets. For his PhD research on the causes of reed warbler’s recent range expansion in Britain, he carried out colour-ringing and analysed CES, NRS, ringing and satellite data using hierarchical and individual-based models. Jacob’s original background in ornithology includes upland and woodland fieldwork in Scotland and the USA, mostly on raptors and passerines, and analysis of farmland wader declines. Jacob is also a keen nest recorder and holds a ‘C’ ringing permit.
Qualifications
BA (Hons.) Biological Sciences, University of Oxford, 2009.
MRes Ecology and Environmental Biology, University of Glasgow, 2012.
PhD Dispersal and range expansion in reed warbler, University of York, 2019.
Recent BTO publications
- Johnston, D.T., Humphreys, E.M., Davies, J.G., Evans, T., Howells, R.J. & Pearce-Higgins, J.W. 2025. Current understanding of how climate change affects seabirds varies between regions and species in the North-East Atlantic. Marine Ecology Progress Series 755: 163-177 doi:10.3354/meps14785
- Davies, J.G., Dytham, C., Robinson, R.A. & Beale, C.M. 2024. Estimating the distribution of reed Phragmites australis in Britain demonstrates challenges of remotely sensing rare habitat types at large spatial scales. Scientific Reports 14: doi:10.1038/s41598-024-73030-6
- O’Hanlon, N.J., Thaxter, C.B., Clewley, G.D., Davies, J.G., Humphreys, E.M., Miller, P.I. Pollock, C.J., Shamoun-Baranes, J., Weston, E. & Cook, A.S.C.P. 2024. Challenges in quantifying the responses of Black-legged Kittiwake to habitat variables and local stressors due to individual variation. Bird Study 71: 48-64 doi:10.1080/00063657.2024.2305169
- Davies, J.G., Boersch-Supan, P.H., Clewley, G.D., Humphreys, E.M., O’Hanlon, N.J., Shamoun-Baranes, J., Thaxter, C.B., Weston, E. & Cook, A.S.C.P. 2024. Influence of wind on kittiwake Rissa tridactyla flight and offshore wind turbine collision risk. Marine Biology 171: doi:10.1007/s00227-024-04508-0
- O’Hanlon, N.J., Clewley, G.D., Davies, J.G., Johnston, D.T., Booth Jones, K.A., Green, R.M.W., Weston, E., Humphreys, E.M. & Cook, A.S.C.P. 2024. Trial of the use of silicone cord leg-loop harnesses on Black-legged Kittiwake during the 2023 breeding season. BTO Research Report 772:
Other publications
Amar, A., Davies, J., Meek, E., Williams, J., Knight, A. & Redpath, S. 2011. Long-term impact of changes in sheep Ovis aries densities on the breeding output of the hen harrier Circus cyaneus. Journal of Applied Ecology 48: 220–227.
Davies, J., Arthur, D. & White, S. 2014. Effects of variation in breeding habitat on Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus productivity and chick condition. Bird Study 61: 162-170.
Peters, N., Kendell, C.J., Davies, J.G., Bracebridge, C., Nicholas, A., Mgumba, M.P. & Beale, C.M. 2023. Indentifying priority locations to protect wide-ranging endangered species. Biological Conservation 27: 109828.