Leah Gray

PhD Student. My project focusses on the impacts of agricultural wetland management and predation pressure on the breeding success of wading birds on the Orkney Islands, with specific focus on the effects of the ongoing stoat invasion and eradication scheme. The islands support internationally important densities of breeding waders, and my project aims to advise the development of effective agricultural wetland management to improve breeding wader outcomes. The project is in collaboration with the RSPB, NatureScot, and The Orkney Native Wildlife Project.

Before starting my PhD, I graduated in Zoology from The University of St Andrews where I researched nest building behaviour in blue tits, specifically demonstrating how temperature changes influenced the timing of nest building behaviours. During my undergraduate degree I discovered a passion for research and went on to complete an MRes degree at St Andrews. This project focussed on group anti-predator behaviour in flocks of Eurasian oystercatchers on Eden Estuary, demonstrating how oystercatchers transfer departure information between group members and how the group processes departure information to co-ordinate decisions.

I am passionate about conserving Scotland’s avian biodiversity and connecting people to nature through bird watching. In my free time I most enjoy being outside with my dog, usually with binoculars in hand. I am also training to be a bird ringer, helping to monitor the survival of important Scottish bird species such as crossbills.