Seabird ecology

Seabird have fascinated me from an early age. Many species live nearly all their life on the open seas, never encountering land after fledging their nest. Only to reproduce do they return to land, and even then often only to the most exposed edges of the coast. 

These birds, like albatrosses, puffins, gulls, and terns, have evolved unique adaptations to thrive in challenging marine environments. What makes them truly fascinating is their exceptional navigation skills during long migrations, guided by stars, magnetic fields and more. Their foraging techniques, from deep dives to surface-scooping, are as diverse as their reproductive strategies. Seabird colonies are bustling ecosystems where these birds influence nutrient cycles through their feeding and nesting habits. Their social behaviors, breeding patterns, and interactions with other species all add to the intrigue of studying them. Beyond uncovering their mysteries, studying seabirds also offers vital insights into the overall health of their ocean habitats.

Our current shearwater project covers several of these angles, and populations across the UK and beyond. If you are interested in working with us on this, don't hesitate to contact me!

Sun Y, Dunning J, Zollinger SA, Schroeder J. Manx Shearwater calling into a burrow. 2022. British Birds. 115. https://britishbirds.co.uk/node/22774 

Valdebenito J O, Marínez-de la Puentee J, Castro M, Pérez-Hurtado A, Tejera G, Székely T, Halimubieke N, Schroeder J, Figuerola J. (2020) Association of insularity with cloacal bacteria prevalence in a small shorebird. PLOS One. 15(8) 30237369.  https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0237369 

Sun, Y, Dunning J, Zollinger SA, Schroeder J. Calls of Manx shearwater Puffinus puffinus contain individual signatures.

Schroeder J, Piersma T, Groen N, Hooijmeijer J, Kentie R, van der Velde M, Lourenço PM, Schekkerman H, Both C (2012) Reproductive timing and investment in relation to spring warming and advancing agricultural schedules. J. Ornithol. 153, 327–336. 

Lourenço P, Kentie R, Schroeder J, Groen NM, Hooijmeijer J, Piersma T (2011) Repeatable timing of northward departure, arrival and breeding in black-tailed godwits Limosa l. limosa, but a surprising absence of domino effects. J. Ornithol. 152, 1023–1032. 

Schroeder J, Hinsch M, Mitesser O 2010. Correlations between sequential timing decisions not necessarily indicate strategic behavior. Am. Nat. 176, 835-837

Schroeder, J. Roodbergen M, van Gestel J, van den Brink V, Groen N, Gerritsen G (2010) Linking male plumage ornamentation with timing of breeding and egg volume in the Icelandic Black-tailed Godwit. Wader Study Group Bull. 177, 85-90. 

Schroeder J, Kentie R, van der Velde M, Hooijmeijer J, Both C, Haddrath O, Baker AJ, Piersma T (2010) Linking intronic polymorphism on the CHD1-Z gene with fitness correlates in Black-tailed Godwits. Ibis 152, 368-377. 

Lourenço PM, Kentie R, Schroeder J, Alves JA, Groen NM, Hooijmeijer J, Piersma T (2010) Phenology, stop-over dynamics and population size of migrating black-tailed godwits Limosa limosa limosa at a key staging area, the Tejo and Sado rice plantations. Ardea 98, 35 – 42. 

Schroeder J, Lourenço PM, Hooijmeijer J, Both C, Piersma T (2009) A possible case of contemporary selection leading to a decrease in sexual plumage dimorphism in a grassland-breeding shorebird. Behav. Ecol. 20, 797-807. 

Schroeder J, Hinsch M, Hooijmeijer J, Piersma T (2009) When will we encounter the first silent spring? Predicting the fall of the Dutch Black-tailed godwits. DLN 110, 333-343. Dutch title: Faillisement dreigt voor Nederlandse weidevogelbeleid

Schroeder J, Lourenço PM, van der Velde M, Hooijmeijer J, Both C, Piersma T (2008) Sexual dimorphism in plumage and size in Black-tailed Godwits. Ardea 96, 25-37.

Van den Brink V, Schroeder J, Both C, Lourenço PM, Hooijmeijer J, Piersma T (2008) Space use by Black-tailed Godwits during settlement at a previous or a new nest location. Bird Study 55, 188-193 

Schroeder J, Heckroth M, Clemens T (2008) Against the trend increasing numbers of breeding Northern Lapwings and Black-tailed Godwits on a German Wadden Sea island. Bird Study 55, 100-107. 

Gill JA, Schroeder J and 22 others. (2007) Contrasting trends in two Black-tailed Godwit populations a review of causes and recommendations. Wader Study Group Bull. 114, 43-50. 

Both C, Schroeder J, Hooijmeijer J, Groen N, Piersma T (2006) Balance between reproduction and death in Black-tailed godwits. DLN 107,126. 

Schroeder J (2011) Population dynamics of Black-tailed Godwits in the light of heavy metal pollution - PhD Thesis Review. Ardea 99, 124-125.

Schroeder J (2010) Individuelle Fitnesskorrelate bei Uferschnepfen (In German). Vogelwarte 48, 139-141.

Schroeder J Individual fitness correlates in the Black-tailed Godwit. Phd-thesis University of Groningen. 2010. ISBN 978-90-367-4158-3. 

Schroeder J, Heckroth M, Clemens T (2007) Changes in the fledging success over time with increasing population size in the Northern Lapwing on Wangerooge Island. Osna Naturwiss Mitt 35, 107-110.

Schroeder J, Hooijmeijer J, Both C & Piersma T (2007) The importance of early breeding in Black-tailed Godwits. Osna Naturwiss Mit 35, 239-241.

Schroeder J (2005) Book Review: Møller A.P., Fiedler W. & Berthold P. (eds) 2004. Birds and climate change. Ardea 93, 149.

Schroeder J, Groen N, Both C (2005) Gruttos leggen kleinere eieren later in het seizoen. (In Dutch) Twirre - natuur in Fryslân 16, 219.

Schroeder J, Clemens T (2003) Zum Brutverlauf des Kiebitz auf der ostfriesischen Insel Wangerooge. (In German) Natur- und Umweltschutz 2, 34-37.

Schroeder J, Clemens T, Hartwig E. (2003) Zur Populationsökologie des Kiebitz auf der Ostfriesischen Insel Wangerooge. (In German) Natur- und Umweltschutz 2, 9-20