Previous Student Projects

Montabaranom, Jessica (2022) The potential of whistle rates as a relative abundance metric for bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and effects of a foraging context in the Moray Firth. MSc Applied Marine and Fisheries Ecology.

Warren, Jack (2022) Influence of group composition of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) on acoustic behaviour, to estimate their abundance in the Moray Firth. MSc Marine Conservation.

Jones, Kristin (2022) Variation in harbour seal (Phoca vitulina) body shape as an indicator of sex and pregnancy status using drone photogrammetry. MSc Marine Conservation.

Brashears, Alyssa (2022) Aerial photogrammetry to estimate body length of harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) located in Scotland. MSc Marine Conservation.

Taira, Naoe (2020) Assessing the exposure of dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) to marine traffic using the Automatic Identification System (AIS) and time lapse in the area of Inner Moray Firth in Scotland. MSc Marine Conservation.

Aparicio Estalella, Claudia (2020) Variation in residency of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) within the Chanonry narrows in relation to boat presence and foraging behaviour. MSc Marine Conservation.

Mills, Jack (2020) Changes in diving and foraging behaviour due to pregnancy in the Moray Firth population of harbour seals (Phoca vitulina). MSc Marine Conservation.

Dirks, Julianne M. (2020) Effects of foraging strategy and a changing climate in adult northern fulmar survival. MSc Ecology and Conservation. 

Pipinis, Dimos (2020) Does remotely collected Automatic Identification System (AIS) data provide robust estimates of vessel traffic and noise in dolphin foraging areas? MSc Marine Conservation.

Taylor, Emily (2020) Variation in bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) whistle parameters in relation to anthropogenic noise. MSc Marine Conservation.

Turner, Molly (2020) Comparison of different acoustic monitors for characterising variation in the occurrence of bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus. MSc Marine Conservation.

Snead, Hannah (2020) The use of boat and shore based surveys to understand bottlenose dolphin use of critical habitats in the inner Moray Firth. MSc Marine Conservation.

Coyle, Fiona (2019) Investigating geographical variation in the size structure of bottlenose dolphins on the east coast of Scotland. MSc Applied Marine and Fisheries Ecology.

MacDonald, Katie (2019) Assessment of potential capture biases in harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) in the Moray Firth using unmanned aerial vehicle photogrammetry. MSc Marine Conservation.

Stone, Malachi (2019) Does nocturnal foraging in seabirds vary in space? MSc Ecology and Conservation.

Thompson, Sherece (2019) Categorising harbour seal (Phoca vitulina) foraging strategies within the Moray Firth. MSc Marine Conservation.

Bodie, Charlotte (2018) Exploring the entry points for using ZOONIVERSE to involve citizen scientists in a long-term study of bottlenose dolphins using photogrammetric analysis. MSc Applied Marine and Fisheries Ecology.

Lau, Hong Kiu (2018) Time allocation at-sea colony during pre-breeding exodus of Northern Fulmars. MSc Ecology and Conservation.

Webster, Hannah (2018) Assessing the potential for using Zooniverse to involve citizen scientists in long-term photo-ID studies of the harbour seals. MSc Marine Conservation.

Darbyshire-Jenkins, Philippa (2018) Habitat selection in harbour seals. MSc Marine Conservation.

Lusardi, Gina (2018) Detecting pregnancy in wild marine mammals using aerial imaging. MSc Marine Conservation.

Stonier, Bethany (2018) Mitigation techniques for the Great Skua on Fair Isle. MSc Ecology and Conservation.

Benavente Diaz, Miguel (2018) Characterising marine mammal prey fields in the Moray Firth. MSc Applied Marine and Fisheries Ecology.

Burnell, Daisy (2017) Overlap between at-sea distributions of breeding fulmars and proposed Marine Renewable sites. MSc Applied Marine and Fisheries Ecology.

Coxon, Charlotte (2016) Foraging distribution of GPS-tagged harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) in relation to offshore wind farm developments in the Moray Firth. MSc Environmental Science.

Hague, Emily (2016)Assessing the potential for photogrammetric assessments of pregnancy in free-living harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) and bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). MSc Applied Marine & Fisheries Ecology.

Conolly, Georgia (2015) Sex and food drive night time activity in the northern fulmar. MSc Applied Marine & Fisheries Ecology.

Williamson, Laura (2014) Comparison of methodologies for monitoring cetacean distribution and abundance: Visual, Digital and Acoustic Surveys. MRes Applied Marine & Fisheries Ecology.

Hesse, Eileen (2014) Remotely assessing body condition of harbour seals (Phoca vitulina): A feasible challenge! MSc Applied Marine & Fisheries Ecology.

ten Doeschate, M.T.I. (2014) Seasonal patterns in strandings and occurrence of harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) along the east cost of Scotland: a fundamental first step towards the improvement of the ecological value of the stranding record. MSc Applied Marine & Fisheries Ecology.

Wingfield, Jessica (2014) Seasonal and hourly variation in bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) and ship presence in the inner Moray Firth, northeast Scotland. MRes Applied Marine & Fisheries Ecology.

Johnston, Daniel (2012) Temporal variation in harbour porpoise habitat use within the Moray Firth, Scotland. MSc Applied Marine & Fisheries Ecology.

Hiser, Sarah (2011) Using a B-A-C-I study design to explore possible effect of dredging deposit activity on the resident population of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the Moray Firth, Scotland. MSc Applied Marine & Fisheries Ecology.

Hedworth, Helen (2010) Comparing survival at two fulmar colonies in the NE Atlantic. MSc Ecology.

U, Adam (2009) Summertime density, abundance, and distribution of harbour porpoise and Dall’s porpoise in the inside waters of Washington. MSc Applied Marine & Fisheries Ecology.

Rattray, Andrew (2009) Anthropogenic disturbance at an important haul out sire for harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) in North East Scotland. MSc Applied Marine & Fisheries Ecology.

Harley, Heather (2009) The diving and foraging strategies of lactating harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) in the Moray Firth in 2009 in comparison with previous studies. MSc Applied Marine & Fisheries Ecology.

Vilata, Juan (2008) Interactions between Southern sea lion and salmon farms in Chile. MSc Applied Marine & Fisheries Ecology.

Cordes, Line (2007) Inter-annual variation in the timing of pupping of individual female harbour seals in Loch Fleet, Scotland. MSc Marine & Fisheries Science.

Bolt, Harriet E. (2007) An evaluation of the potential role of killer whales (Orcinus orca) predation in harbour seal (Phoca vitulina) declines around Shetland. MSc Marine & Fisheries Science.

Dawson, Neil M. (2006) Modelling the effect of interspecific competition and food availability on Arctic skuas Stercorarius parasiticus: A twenty one year case study. MSc Marine & Fisheries Science.

Couston, Kenneth J. (2006) The effect of boat traffic on the residency and vocal behaviour of the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) in the Moray Firth, Scotland. MSc Marine & Fisheries Science.

Clay, Gemma (2006) An evaluation of the potential for using automated porpoise detectors (T-PODs) to investigate bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) echolocation behaviour. MSc Marine & Fisheries Science.

McAdam, Bruce J. (2005) A Monte-Carlo model for bird/wind turbine collisions. MSc Ecology.

Gridley, Tess (2005) Combining acoustic and visual survey techniques to determine the factors affecting marine mammal distribution in the outer Moray Firth (NE Scotland). MSc Marine & Fisheries Science.

Estrada, Natasha (2005) The use of photographic identification to determine the length of lactation and behaviour during the breeding season of the harbour seal, Phoca vitulina, at Loch Fleet National Marine Reserve, North-East Scotland. MSc Marine & Fisheries Science.

Coates, Elizabeth A. (2005) Factors affecting the detection of bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) echolocation clicks by automated porpoise detectors (PODs). MSc Marine & Fisheries Science.

Virjee, Abigail (2004) Do bottlenose dolphins and harbour seals in the inner Moray Firth exhibit habitat selection in relation to environmental variables? MSc Marine & Fisheries Science.

Elliott, James (2004) Seabird and cetacean distribution in relation to tidal activity within the Gulf of Corryvreckan, Scotland. MSc Marine & Fisheries Science.

Wilson, Lindsay (2002) Spatial, temporal and social variation in the surface behaviour of bottlenose dolphins in the Moray Firth, Scotland. MSc Marine & Fisheries Science.

Morris, Ceri Wyn (2002) The social structure of the bottlenose dolphins of the Moray Firth. MSc Marine & Fisheries Science.

Michel, Pascale (2002) Variations in egg size in the Northern fulmar. MSc Ecology.

Potter, Sarah (2001) Photo-identification of bottlenose dolphins on the West coast of Scotland. MSc Marine & Fisheries Science.

Quick, Nicola (2001) Distribution of bottlenose dolphins around a commercial salmon farm in the Moray Firth, Scotland. MSc Marine & Fisheries Science.

Wiseman, Nicky (2000) The tidal, diurnal and seasonal variation of bottlenose dolphin vocalisations. MSc Marine & Fisheries Science.

Perinchief, Jennifer (2000) Fluctuating asymmetry as a tool for analysing populations of the harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) within UK waters. MSc Marine & Fisheries Science.

Mendes, Sonia (2000) The relative importance of a tidal intrusion front and bathymetry to the distribution of bottlenose dolphins in a narrow channel. MSc Marine & Fisheries Science.

Martin, Joanna Claire (2000) Evaluation of an automatic whistle detection software as a tool for dolphin studies. MSc Marine & Fisheries Science.

Stockin, Karen (1999) Habitat use of bottlenose dolphins in the Southern Moray Firth, Scotland. MSc Marine & Fisheries Science.

Maxwell, Sarah (1999) Factors influencing the abundance, distribution and interactions of bottlenose dolphins and seabirds in the Cromarty Firth, Scotland. MSc Marine & Fisheries Science.

Fox, Adrian (1999) The hydrography and zooplankton characteristics of the surface waters found at the entrance to the Cromarty Firth, North East Scotland. MSc Marine & Fisheries Science.

Diazgranados, Maria Claudia (1999) Changes in the vocal activity of the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) in relation to boat traffic in the Kessock Channel, Moray Firth. MSc Ecology.

Appleby, Beth (1999) A comparative study of foraging trip characteristics in relation to body mass for central place foraging marine birds and mammals. MSc Ecology.

Stenzel, Arndt (1999) Comparing the habitat use by bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) at Spey Bay and Cullen Bay in the southern Moray Firth, NE Scotland. MSc Marine & Fisheries Science.

Learmonth, Jennifer (1998) The measurement of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the Moray Firth using stereophotography. MSc

Macleod, Colin (1998) An alternative stereophotogrammetric technique for measuring cetaceans from small boats. MSc Marine & Fisheries Science.

Robertson, Kirsty Janet (1998) Factors affecting the abundance of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) frequenting the Kessock Channel, N.E. Scotland, from 1^st June – 17^th July 1998. MSc Marine & Fisheries Science.

Mizon, Faye (1998) Factors affecting bottlenose dolphin abundance in the Kessock Channel, N.E. Scotland. MSc Marine & Fisheries Science.

Jackson, Angus (1997) Fluctuating asymmetry as an indicator of the biological effects of environmental stress in the Cromarty Firth. MSc Marine & Fisheries Science.

Fraser, Helen (1997) The use of fluctuating asymmetry as an indicator of environmental stress. MSc Marine & Fisheries Science.

Emmerson, Mark (1997) Population dynamics of the harbour seal Phoca vitulina in the Moray Firth, North East Scotland. MSc Marine & Fisheries Science.

Johnson, Nichola (1996) An assessment of the level of epidermal lesions on bottlenose dolphins using different ranges within the Moray Firth. MSc Marine & Fisheries Science.

Jones, Cheryl (1996) Use of the Kessock Channel, over the flood tide by the Moray Firth population of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). MSc Ecology.

Thomas, Julian (1995) The ecology of the bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus, around the central group islands, Azores archipelago, mid-Atlantic. MSc Marine & Fisheries Science.

Dixon, Kevin (1994) The distribution and movement of bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, in the Southern Moray Firth. MSc Marine & Fisheries Science.

Freitas, Luis (1994) Present status, conservation and future perspectives of the Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) colony in Desertas Islands. MSc Marine & Fisheries Science.

Smith, Adam J. (1991) Dive patterns of common seals, Phoca vitulina, in the Dornoch Firth. MSc Ecology.

Cooper, Richard T. (1989) The summer movements of radio-tagged female common seals (Phoca vitulina) in the Moray Firth, Scotland. MSc Ecology.

Noble, Angus (2021) Lateralisation and left handedness in harbour seals, Phoca vitulina.

Pedrazzini, Andrea (2021) Analysis of the variations in bray calls in response to boat traffic in a population of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in NE Scotland.

Rogondino, Giorgia (2021) Investigation of social vocalisation variation in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in response to maritime traffic.

Lacetera, Paola (2019) Assessing variation in harbour seals area-restricted search behaviours in relation to sex, body size and environmental variables.

Morrison, Amy (2019) Comparison of fine-scale spatial distribution of Bottlenose dolphins and Atlantic Salmon in two foraging hotspots in the Moray Firth.

Salzeri, Perla (2019) Effects of Atlantic Salmon distribution on foraging behaviour of bottlenose dolphins in relation to tidal and diel cycles.

Slavik, Petr (2019) Temporal changes of foraging measures in bottlenose dolphins in relation to variation in Atlantic salmon.

Paoli, Chiara (2019) The timing of moult in the harbour (Phoca vitulina) and grey (Halichoerus grypus) seals in East Scotland and its relation to sex and reproductive status.

Carter, Tierney (2019) The comparison of diving and foraging behaviour between grey (Halichoerus grypus) and harbour (Phoca vitulina) seals in the Moray Firth.

Tanner, Rebecca (2019) Intraspecific egg variation in the Northern Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis.

Iorio, Virginia (2018) Using a porpoise click synthesiser to field-asses CPODs detection performance.

Benninghaus, Ella (2018) The extent of pelagic diving in male harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) in relation to time of day and habitat.

Hoog, Nora (2017) Evaluating health status of Bottlenose Dolphins: is there a relationship between epidermal condition and early growth?

Chapman, James (2016) Analysis of historical CPOD data to determine the effect of soil disposal in the Moray Firth SAC on Tursiops truncatus.

Halpin, Jack (2015) Assessing personality in a wild long-lived seabird.

Wischnewski, Saskia (2012) Redefining gender roles by assessing nest attendance patterns in chick rearing fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis)?

Murrie, Lianne (2010) Sexual dimorphism in Scottish bottlenose dolphins.

Love, Catriona (2010) Do Northern fulmars show diurnal patterns of foraging activity?

Leonard, Ben (2009) Disturbance effects of boats on dolphins.

Meikle, Nora (2009) Foraging ecology of fulmars.

Greig, Cameron (2009) Do Northern fulmars exhibit diurnal foraging patterns?

Gates, Emma (2008) The influence of environmental variables on inter-annual variation in bottlenose dolphin abundance.

Marley, Sarah (2008) When dolphins attack: the use of photographs as an indirect measure of aggression in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus).

Chance, Helen (2007) Climate effects on the breeding success of Northern fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis) in Scotland.

Webster, Shawn(2007) Foraging trip characteristics of Northern fulmars.

Hammer, Sjurdur (2006) Geographical variation in heavy metal and stable isotope profiles in the Northern fulmar.

Reid, Toni (2006) Individual variability in the extent to which bottlenose dolphins are exposed to boat traffic.

Bratt, Adam (2006) Dietary analysis of common seals Phoca vitulina and northern fulmars Fulmarus glacialis on Eynhallow, Orkney.

Bunke, Mandy (2006) A study using automated click detectors (T-PODs) to study the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) in the Cromarty Firth, Scotland.

Elliott, Sophie (2006) The impact of changing patterns of exploitation and fulmar life history parameters on the growth of the St Kilda fulmar colony.

Weston, Ewan (2006) Diet of the Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis in North-East Scotland.

Sanders, Dean (2005) Harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) and bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) sighting probability in relation to distribution and engine noise, in the Southern Central Moray Firth, Scotland.

Tatam, Claire (2005) Potential factors influencing harbour porpoise sightings om Cullen Bay.

Rooke, Katie Suzanne (2005) Seasonal changes in foraging trip characteristics of Northern fulmars.

Whitehead, Sarah (2005) Cormorant behaviour along the River Spey during October and November 2004.

Sengers, Euphemia Hera (2004) The influence of egg size and inter-annual variability in the breeding performance of the Northern Fulmar, Fulmarus glacialis.

Richardson, Sarah (2004) Investigation of haul-out fidelity and group structure in harbour seals, Phoca vitulina, in the Cromarty Firth.

Mansfield, Sam (2004) The influence of nest site characteristics on Northern Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis predation.

Clark, Catherine (2004) The ecological role of a key habitat area: The occurrence and behaviour of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) at Chanonry Point, Moray Firth, Scotland.

Cheney, Barbara (2004) Temporal, spatial and social aspects of epidermal lesions in wild bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus).

Souter, Catriona (2003) Carapace measurements of mature olive ridley female turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea).

Green, Jenny (2003) Foraging characteristics of Northern Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis in Eynhallow, Orkney Islands.

Gillies, Tiffany (2003) Do variations in food availability explain recent changes in the distribution of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the Moray Firth?

Clements, Elizabeth Anne (2003) Factors influencing foraging trip duration in a colony of breeding fulmars, Fulmarus glacialis, on the island of Eynhallow, Orkney.

Cassidy, Leigh (2003) An investigation into the concentration of metals within the bloods of the seal population in the North Sea.

Jacob, Nick (2003) Comparison of harbour seal (Phoca vitulina) summer diets at Eynhallow and Sanday, Orkney (UK). An interannual variation in the summer diets at Eynhallow.

Taylor, Francesca (2002) The effect of intrinsic and extrinsic factors on the reproductive success of the fulmar Fulmarus glacialis.

Sievewright, Julie (2002) Sexual dimorphism and genetic relatedness in the dorsal fins of the bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus).

Gardner, David A. (2002) Factors influencing site fidelity in rhinoceros auklets (Cerorhinca monocerata); a comparison between Ano Nuevo Island and Southeast Farallon Island, CA.

Pitts, Helen (2001) Distribution of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the Inner Moray Firth, Scotland.

McCombie, Nicola (2001) An assessment to determine whether salmonid abundance affects the occurrence of bottlenose dolphins in the Kessock Channel, N.E. Scotland.

Hickmott, Leigh S. (2001) Spatial distribution of bottlenose dolphins in relation to fine-scale frontal systems in the Aberdeenshire Dee Estuary.

Hodgins, Nicola Kim (2001) Association patterns in Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins Sousa chinensis (Osbeck, 1765), in waters of the Pearl River Estuary.

Warren, Nicholas (2000) An account of the growth of the population of fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis) on Eynhallow Island from its first breeding pair until reaching carrying capacity.

George, Lisa-Jayne (2000) Spatial and temporal patterns of strandings of small cetaceans around the UK Coast 1913-1992.

Bridgland, Rebecca (2000) Bottlenose dolphin behaviour and habitat use of the Kessock Channel: can this be determined from acoustics alone?

Tufft, Lindsay H. (1999) Measuring synchrony, and its casual factors in the surfacing patterns of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus).

Parker, Victoria (1999) Diet analysis of harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) on Eynhallow, Orkney 1998.

Duthie, Nicholas J. (1999) The relationship and importance of aquatic surface displays and underwater vocalisations in male harbour seals (Phoca vitulina).

Wilson, Kirsty E.M. (1998) Behaviour and distribution of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the Cromarty Firth.

Spencer, Nicky (1998) Vocalizations as a tool for assessing relative abundance of bottlenose dolphins and the factors affecting call rates.

Durban, John W. (1998) Applying capture-recapture techniques to opportunistic photo-identification data to estimate the size of a bottlenose dolphin population.

Darling, Rebecca (1998) The effects of group size and weather factors on the vigilance of the harbour seal Phoca vitulina.

White, Martin Andrew (1997) Tooth-spacing and developmental scaling in the Odontoceti.

MacKay, Frances (1997) The diets of grey and harbour seals in the Moray Firth.

Strebler, Brice (1997) Harbour seal diving and activity patterns in the Moray Firth.

Mackey, Giles (1996) The analysis of fluctuating asymmetry and the biological effects of contaminants in the otter (Lutra lutra).

Bellamy, Christina (1996) Phocid seal diving behaviour.

Enderby, Simon (1996) Characteristics of harbour seal foraging trips in the Moray Firth.

Bartels, Birgit (1996) Variations in diurnal and seasonal patterns of male harbour seal vocalisations during the mating season.

Sumner, Robin M. (1995) Factors affecting the foraging distribution and behaviour of coastal common seals, Phoca vitulina, in the Moray Firth, North-East Scotland.

Ross, Caroline J. (1995) Diving patterns in grey seals; testing optimal breathing models.

Anderson, Cairistiona I.H. (1995) Vigilance behaviour of the common seal, Phoca vitulina, during haul-out: Watching for predators or watching for mates?

Steward, Mark Jonathan (1995) Quantification of errors associated with estimates of seal diet composition.

Westergaard, Mette (1994) Observations on the mother-pup bonding in the common seal (Phoca vitulina), at the Cromarty Firth, Scotland.

Lynnes, Amanda St. C. (1994) Foraging behaviour of the shag, Phalacrocorax aristotelis, (Aves: Pelecaniformes) in the Moray Firth during chick rearing.

Taylor, Robbie (1994) Vigilance behaviour of the harbour seal (Phoca vitulina).

Moreland, Jane-Julie (1994) Vigilance behaviour of the common seal.

McCririck, Daibhidh L. (1992) Haul-out behaviour in common seals, Phoca vitulina.

Gardiner, Karen (1990) Observations of common seals (Phoca vitulina) during the pupping season in the Moray Firth area, N.E. Scotland.

Miles, Corinne J. (1989) Analysis of the behaviour and dive characteristics of a common seal, Phoca vitulina, in the Cromarty Firth.

Grissot, Antoine (2017) Development of miniaturised geolocation loggers and its consequences on our understanding of seabird migration, behaviour and phenology. Internship, Ecologie Fonctionnelle, Comportementale et Evolutive.

Lowry, Alice (2017) Techniques for monitoring key harbour seal (Phoca vitulina) prey species in the Moray Firth, Scotland. MSc Marine Environmental Management Summer Placement, University of York.

Keegan, Karen (2015) A view from above. A novel aerial photogrammetry technique to measure growth patterns and body condition in wild bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Erasmus Student Honours Project, University College Cork.

van Heumen, Tessa (2012) Seasonal occurrence of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) in key areas of the Moray Firth. Internship Project, HAS University of Applied Sciences.

Gruden, Pina (2009) Investigating factors influencing habitat use by bottlenose dolphins using two types of passive acoustic devices. Graduation Thesis, University of Ljubljana