Miss Anna Costley-Wood

I am an aspiring landscape ecologist; my general research interests include the understanding and modelling of anthropogenic influences on species and ecological functions, especially in relation to ornithology. I am currently a first-year PhD researcher at the University of Stirling, and am interested in the movement ecology of red kites (Milvus milvus), specifically in relation to wind farms, through a satellite tagging programme in North Scotland.

I previously undertook a BSc in Environment & Sustainability at Keele University (2018), as well as an MRes in Ecology & Environmental Biology at the University of Glasgow (2021).

During my previous postgraduate year I was resident at and sponsored by the research station SCENE (Scottish centre for ecology & the natural environment), where I was also involved in aiding other researcher's projects. I have much experience in fieldwork through biodiversity monitoring, as well as ornithological surveys and bird ringing. I have also been involved in many sustainability schemes, including working with local nonprofit organisations and co-running the Keele Sustainability Bungalow.

My outside interests include gardening, camping, wild-swimming and art.

PhD My current research investigates how the movement ecology of red kites is influenced by wind farms. Specifically, the habitat preferences, avoidance behaviour and dispersal of the North Scotland population at varying temporal and spatial scales, and how this may be affected by increased onshore wind expansion.

MRes My masters project studied the impacts of grouse moor land management practices on different components of the nesting ecology of wading birds, which included 3 months of independent fieldwork on Millden estate in Glen Esk.

BSc My undergraduate dissertation was researching the biogeochemical impacts that salmon and mussel aquaculture have on the local benthic sediment, whihc also involved a work placement on the same topic.