Paul Bellamy

Senior Conservation Scientist, Conservation Science

Background

I am a Senior Conservation Scientist specialising in woodland ecology. In my current role I manage the RSPB's woodland research projects. These deal with identifying causes of decline and potential interventions for any of the 11 priority woodland bird species. I also work with large-scale processes which affect woodlands and woodland birds such as tree diseases, woodland management systems and landscape change.

I am a core member of the Woodland Nature Recovery Group which sets the direction and co-ordinates the RSPB's conservation work in woodland across the whole organisation.

My expertise is investigating the roles of habitat quality and landscape configuration on woodland bird populations. However, I have also worked on a wide range of projects in other habitats including farmland, estuaries and blanket bog.

Partners and Collaboration

  • Simon Gillings, British Trust for Ornithology
  • Ruth Mitchell, James Hutton Institute
  • Richard Broughton, Centre for Ecology & Hydrology
  • Shelley Hinsley, Centre for Ecology & Hydrology

Contact

Paul Bellamy

Paul Bellamy

Senior Conservation Scientist, Conservation Science

The Lodge, Potton Road, Sandy, Bedfordshire, SG19 2DL

paul.bellamy@rspb.org.uk

Research Gate

Google Scholar

Specialisms

UK species Woodland

Selected Publications

Are changes in breeding habitat responsible for recent population changes of long-distance migrant birds?

Capsule: The direction and magnitude of changes in structure of UK woodlands since the 1980s, are inconsistent with them playing a causative role in the declines of four migrant bird species in upland oak woods.

Date
03 May 2016
RSPB Authors
Dr John Mallord, Paul Bellamy, Prof Richard Gregory
Authors
Mallord, J., Smith, K.W., Bellamy, P.E., Charman, E.C. & Gregory, R.D.
Published in
Bird Study
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Identifying problems UK species Woodland

Breeding season habitat associations and population declines of British Hawfinches Coccothraustes coccothraustes

Capsule: At both landscape and local scales, breeding persistence in a declining Hawfinch population was greatest where broadleaved woodland cover was high, while at a fine scale, nest sites were associated with openings in the woodland canopy.

Date
03 June 2015
RSPB Authors
Will Kirby, Paul Bellamy
Authors
Kirby, W.B., Bellamy, P.E., Stanbury, A.J., Bladon, A.J., Grice, P.V. & Gillings, S.
Published in
Bird Study
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Hawfinch Woodland

The impact of changing habitat availability on population trends of woodland birds associated with early successional plantation woodland

Date
28 January 2015
RSPB Authors
Dr Malcolm Burgess
Authors
Burgess, M.D., Bellamy, P., Gillings, S., Noble, D.G., Grice, P.V. & Conway, G.J.
Published in
Bird Study
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UK UK species Woodland

Upland land use predicts population decline in a globally near-threatened wader

Changes in large-scale land use may fragment and degrade habitats, affecting animal species adapted to these habitats.

Date
16 October 2013
RSPB Authors
Dr David Douglas, Paul Bellamy, Prof Jeremy Wilson
Authors
Douglas, D.J.T., Bellamy, P.E., Stephen, L.S., Pearce-Higgins, J.W., Wilson, J.D. & Grant, M.C.
Published in
Journal of Applied Ecology
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Curlew UK UK species Upland

Response of blanket bog vegetation to drain-blocking

Question: Does blocking of moorland drains increase bog vegetation on blanket peat? Location: Two sites with blocked drains and two with unblocked drains on Forsinard Flows National Nature Reserve, Su...

Date
18 July 2011
RSPB Authors
Paul Bellamy
Authors
Bellamy, P.E., Stephen, L., Maclean, I & Grant, M.C.
Published in
Applied Vegetation Science
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Scotland Ecosystem services
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