Background
I currently manage a project tasked with defining 'Favourable Conservation Status' which has a Europe-wide view and marries science with policy. I also manage a species-specific project on red-billed chough on Islay. The Chough Project is focused on food availability issues and the role of livestock medicines which do not contain the anti-parasitic agent Ivermectin in the abundance of dung invertebrates.
Most of my research has involved species-specific investigations into the reasons for bird declines with the luxury of turning the results into practical conservation solutions and advice, with a tendency to focus more on wetland and coastal species and habitats.
My previous research interests have also involved bioacoustics and devising and testing monitoring methods for some difficult species.
Over the years I have worked on a wide range of species, of most interest have been grasshopper warbler, bittern, corncrake, spotted crake, storm petrel and stone-curlew. Along the way I've acquired a range of skills such as bird ringing, sampling invertebrates, fish and water quality.
Partners and Collaboration
- Prof Nicholas Jonsson, Glasgow University
Contact
Dr Gillian Gilbert
Senior Conservation Scientist, Conservation Science
South and West Scotland Regional Office, 10 Park Quadrant, Glasgow, G3 6BS