The current version includes a summary of Ecology Matters Honey Buzzard project and can be downloaded from http://www.welshos.org.uk/downloads/SOBIW0809eng.pdf

Bizarrely an adult male Honey Buzzard was retrieved alive from the Solent last year and was successfully rehabilitated and released.

KESS Scholarship – PhD in bird species distribution modelling (Ref: NU Maxi AU10011)

Aberystwyth University are seeking to recruit a 3-year PhD student to work on a project entitled:

“Bird species distribution modelling in Wales: Predicting response to human-induced and climate change”

Background

The successful candidate will work with academic staff at Aberystwyth University, in collaboration with industrial partners Ecology Matters, to assess the upland bird populations of Wales through the use of species distribution models, parameterised from remote sensing data products. The candidate will be undertaking the processing of remotely sensed data using pre-existing software while working closely with Ecology Matters to identify optimal methods of species distribution modelling. Scope exists for the candidate to develop their own model or to use pre-existing models.

Two primary objectives are identified as:

a)      To develop for upland regions, species distribution models (SDMs) for a range of bird species, focusing particularly on those that are most vulnerable to human-induced activities and climate change. 

b)      To provide predictions of bird species distributions under different future scenarios of land cover/use and climate change. 

The second objective in particular will address the likely changes that may occur in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions with a view to obtaining a low carbon economy. These will include development of renewable energy (e.g., windfarms), afforestation of uplands, the replacement of coniferous with broadleaved woodlands and vice versa, drain blocking in peatlands, and changes in agricultural practices (e.g., stocking, drainage, grassland improvement).  Such activities will occur during a period of changing climate.

The prospective applicant should have a minimum of a 1^st or good 2:1 in a relevant degree, and be available to take up the studentship before the end of July 2010 at the latest (preferably sooner). The project is part-funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) through the European Union’s Convergence programme administered by the Welsh Assembly Government. KESS PhD scholarships are collaborative awards with external partners. (Applicants need only apply, they do not need to search for partners)

To apply, you need to send Prof Richard Lucas (address below), by the 30th of April 2010, a completed KESS application form (put the reference number NU Maxi AU10011 in the top right hand box of the application form), a completed University application form, the names of two personal referees, an up to date CV and a covering letter, in which you expand on the relevant contents in your CV and wider experience, and why you consider yourself a good candidate. Further information and KESS/university application forms are available from the IGES website at http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/iges/about/news/article/title-84017-en.html or from Philippa Bevan (pnk@aber.ac.uk).

Value of Award: A stipend of £13,290 for 2009/10 (rising in accordance with inflation for the remaining two years). Each scholarship has an additional budget for travel, equipment/consumables and training to support your research. KESS PhD Scholarship holders do not pay fees.

Length and start date: Full-time for 3 years. (Theses must be submitted 6 months after the funded three year study period). 

Training: The achievement of a Postgraduate Skills Development Award (PSDA) is compulsory for each KESS scholar (The PSDA is based on a 60 credit award, which is an additional award to the PhD).

Eligibility: To be eligible to apply for a KESS award, you must be resident, upon application, in the Convergence Area of Wales and you must be able to take paid employment in the Convergence area on completion of the scholarship.

The Convergence Area means the following counties of Wales:

Isle of Anglesey, Gwynedd, Conwy, Denbighshire, Ceredigion, Camarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, Bridgend, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Caerphilly, Torfaen.

In the first instance, informal enquiries should be made to the Primary Advisor, Richard Lucas. However, please feel free to contact any of the AU-based project advisors (below) for specific details:

Closing date for applications 30^th April, 2010.

Post Reference NU Maxi AU10011

Sarah finished with a time of 7.31.42: Sian came is as first lady veteren with a time of 6.21.42

Congratulations to both of them. Dafydd unfortunately had to pull out after trouble with acclimatisation.