Mark Newell

Research interests

My work is centred around the seabird colony on the Isle of May, off the south-east coast of Scotland. My role is to oversee the day-to-day research on the island, with particular responsibility for bird ringing.

Research from the Isle of May has played a key role over the past 30 years in the conservation of North Sea seabirds, and to assess the impacts of the industrial sandeel fishery and climate change on top predator birds (IMPRESS).

My long-standing interest in seabirds makes this the perfect position from which to contribute to understanding the marine environment, particularly in this period of population instability.

As well as this long-term monitoring programme, I also play a part in a wide range of projects, measuring ammonia emissions from seabird colonies (GANE), studying the mechanisms that maintain pathogen diversity, and investigating the role of seabirds in orchestrating island food webs.

Brief CV

• 2008 onwards: CEH at Edinburgh
• 2004-2008 Field Manager, CEH Banchory
• 1998-2004 Wildlife Tour Guide, Speyside Wildlife
• 1998 Researcher for Scottish Natural Heritage, Isle of May
• 1994-1997 Seabird Monitoring Officer and Administrator, Fair Isle Bird Observatory
• 1993-1994 Avian Researcher, University of Plymouth
• 1990-1993 BSc Environmental Science, University of Plymouth