Tim Birkhead

The long-term study of guillemots on Skomer Island

Fundraising for University of Sheffield
£118,170
raised of £150,000 target
The long-term study of guillemots on Skomer Island, 19 September 2016
University of Sheffield

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2023 marks 50 years since this research started. With your support let's ensure that it continues for the next 50 years. 



Thank you so much to everyone who has donated to my guillemot campaign. Every donation I have received has ensured the success of continuing this research for at least 10 years. The monitoring of guillemots has relied on generous donations since 2013 when Welsh government  funding was withdrawn, so I am incredibly grateful for all the support this campaign has received.

Over the last fifty years around half the world’s seabirds have been lost as a result of pollution, overfishing and climate change. Guillemots have been an important barometer for the health of the ocean. My study has already shown how climate change has affected breeding habits, with the birds now breeding two weeks earlier than they did in the 1970s. Continuation of this work is vital to ensure uninterrupted collection of data to monitor environmental changes through guillemots’ behaviour. This work will hopefully lead to identifying and tackling threats to the ocean at a much earlier stage.

Carrying on this research would not have been possible without you, my supporters. Alongside donations I have received hundreds of messages of goodwill from former students, friends and people interested in science and conversation – all recognising the value of long-term studies such as this one. Thank you once again, I can’t tell you how much your support means to me.

Reaching £100,000 was the wonderful start of crowdfunding, which I am carrying on to ensure the continuation of guillemot monitoring. I personally will be continuing some of my work as an Emeritus Professor, however this will be shared with colleagues from the University of Sheffield and the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales. I’m hoping to see the work continue and flourish as an Advisor for the project for the foreseeable future.

This is the best retirement gift I could wish for – thank you again for your support.

NEW: I’ve spent 50 years studying one seabird colony fight its way back from near extinction – now it faces new threats

https://theconversation.com/ive-spent-50-years-studying-one-seabird-colony-fight-its-way-back-from-near-extinction-now-it-faces-new-threats-209807

Seabird appeal reaches £100,000 target to help monitor the impact of climate change

https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/news/nr/seabird-appeal-reaches-target-1.828503

The Guillemots of Skomer Island: a look at a long-term population study

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yncpuLVE5zU

The evolution of egg shape in birds

https://youtu.be/e-189LIYa0Y

Nature magazine article

http://www.nature.com/news/stormy-outlook-for-long-term-ecology-studies-1.16185

Guardian article

https://www.theguardian.com/science/animal-magic/2014/oct/27/guillemots-skomer-climate-change-conservation

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About the charity

University of Sheffield

Verified by JustGiving

RCN HMRC Registered
Gifts to University of Sheffield help fund areas such as student hardship, equipment, and groundbreaking research. Thank you for your support.

Donation summary

Total raised
£118,169.81
+ £3,472.50 Gift Aid
Online donations
£21,191.81
Offline donations
£96,978.00

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