Research Ecologist
Sam works within the Wetland and Marine team on a variety of projects involving field- and desk-based work on seabirds.
Interests and responsibilities
Sam has a strong background in ornithological work, having spent four breeding seasons collecting data and studying the seabird populations of the Isle of May. Between 2019 and 2023 he undertook a PhD at the University of the Highlands and Islands where he investigated the population dynamics, predator-prey relationships and foraging ecology of Great Black-backed Gulls in a conservation context. Sam is particularly interested in foraging ecology, and how, for example, mechanisms such as foraging specialisation lead to inter-individual differences in foraging behaviour and demographic rates.
Sam is passionate about all aspects of a research project, from its conceptualisation through to fieldwork, data collection, and the analysis and write-up of reports and peer-reviewed publications. He works within the Wetland and Marine Team on a range of projects involving seabird tracking, ringing, and population monitoring.
Sam has been interested in nature since a very young age, with a particular interest in birds. Birdwatching, bird ringing, and wildlife photography are his main interests alongside cycling and racket sports.
Qualifications
BSc (Hons) Marine Biology, University of Aberdeen, 2018
PhD, University of Highlands and Islands: ‘The foraging ecology and conservation of the Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus’, 2019 – present.
Recent BTO publications
- Johnston, D., Langlois Lopez, S., Humphreys, E. & O’Hanlon, N. 2025. A review of the Biological Defined Minimum Population Scale (BDMPS) approach and methodology to apportioning non-breeding season impacts on seabirds arising from offshore wind farms. BTO Research Report 791:
- Bowgen, K., Jarrett, D., Franks, S., Langlois Lopez, S., Clark, N., Clark, J. & Noyes, P. 2025. GPS-tracking breeding Curlew in the Yorkshire Dales: breeding success, home range size, and habitat use. BTO Research Report 786:
- Atkinson, P.A., Balmer, D.E., Banyard, A.C., Duggan, J., Falchieri, M., Frost, T.M., Humphreys, E.M., Jones, R., Langlois Lopez, S., Miles, W.T.S., Murphy, M., Owens, R., Pearce-Higgins, J.W., Reid, S.M., Smith C. & Tremlett, C.J. 2025. Evaluating the use of carcass and testing data to assess the high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) related mortality in wild birds in the United Kingdom and Crown Dependencies between 2021–2023. Bird Study 72: 20-38 doi:10.1080/00063657.2025.2492902
- O'Hanlon, N.J., Clewley, G.D., Johnston, D.T., Thaxter, C.B., Langlois Lopez, S., Quinn, L.R., Boersch-Supan, P.H., Masden, E.A., Daunt, F., Wilson, J., Burton, N.H.K. & Humphreys, E.M. 2025. Partial niche partitioning in three sympatric gull species through foraging areas and habitat selection. Ecology and Evolution 15: doi:10.1002/ece3.71577
- Langlois Lopez, S., Clewley, G.D., Johnston, D.T., Daunt, F., Wildon, J.M., O'Hanlon, N.J. & Masden, E. 2023. Reduced breeding success in Great Black-backed Gulls Larus marinus due to harness-mounted GPS device. Ibis 166: 69-81 doi:10.1111/ibi.13247
Other publications
Langlois Lopez, S., Isaksson, N., Fraser, S. and Masden, E.A. 2022. Successful trial of mist nets and whoosh nets to catch non-breeding European Shags Gulosus aristotelis at a daytime roost. Ringing & Migration 37(1-2), pp.45-50.
Langlois Lopez, S., Daunt, F., Wilson, J., O'Hanlon, N.J., Searle, K.R., Bennett, S., Newell, M.A., Harris, M.P. and Masden, E. 2023. Quantifying the impacts of predation by Great Black-backed Gulls Larus marinus on an Atlantic Puffin Fratercula arctica population: Implications for conservation management and impact assessments. Marine Environmental Research 188, p.105994.
Langlois Lopez, S., Bond, A.L., O’Hanlon, N.J., Wilson, J.M., Vitz, A., Mostello, C.S., Hamilton, F., Rail, J.-F., Welch, L., Boettcher, R., Wilhelm, S.I., Anker-Nilssen, T., Daunt, F., Masden, E. 2022. Global population and conservation status of the Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus. Bird. Conserv. Int. 1–11.