Tim Birkhead
The long-term study of guillemots on Skomer Island
Fundraising for University of Sheffield
Story
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 The monitoring of guillemots has relied on generous donations since 2013 when Welsh government funding was withdrawn, so I am incredibly grateful for all the support this campaign has received.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
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
Nature magazine article
http://www.nature.com/news/stormy-outlook-for-long-term-ecology-studies-1.16185
Guardian article
Donating through Just Giving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with Just Giving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the University. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the University.