Scientific Publications

Environmental DNA reveals fine-scale spatial and temporal variation of cetaceans and their prey species in a Scottish marine protected area. Proc. 35th Ann. Conf. ECS, Catania, Sicily, 10-12 Apr 2024.

Seasonal habitat preferences and use of prey-dense areas by foraging minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) in the southern outer Moray Firth with implications for spatial management. 35th Ann. Conf. ECS, Catania, Sicily, 10-12 Apr 2024.

Diving and surfacing characteristics of coastal minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) in the Moray Firth, Scotland: Implications for visual estimates of population size. 35th Ann. Conf. ECS, Catania, Sicily, 10-12 Apr 2024.

BioTIME 2.0: expanding and improving a database of biodiversity time series. Global Ecology and Biogeography.

Diving and surfacing characteristics of coastal minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) in the Moray Firth, Scotland: Implications for visual estimates of population size. BSc thesis, University of Aberdeen.

Incorporating environmental DNA metabarcoding into the conservation of marine predators. PhD thesis, University of Leeds, 188pp.

Using Citizen Science and photo-ID to better understand presence of Risso's dolphins in northeast Scotland and the Northern Isles. 34th Ann. Conf. ECS, Galacia, Spain, 18 - 20 Apr 2023.

Inferring species interactions from co-occurrence networks with environmental DNA metabarcoding data in a coastal marine food-web. Molecular Biology.

Ecological partitioning and feeding specialisations of coastal minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) in a Marine Protected Area. PLoS ONE 18(7): e0246617 (doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0246617).

Environmental DNA reveals fine-scale spatial and temporal variation of prey species for marine mammals in a Scottish marine protected area. Environmental DNA 6: e587 (doi.org/10.1002/edn3.587).

Using Citizen Science to better understand Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus) presence in north-east Scotland and the Northern Isles. Frontiers in Conservation Science 5: 1366064 (doi.org/10.3389/fcosc.2024.1366064).

Account of a solitary humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) bubble-net feeding in the Moray Firth, northeast Scotland. Aquatic Mammals 48(6): 553-558 (doi: 10.1578/AM.48.6.2022.553).

The effects of fixed physiographic and dynamic oceanographic conditions on the occurrence of the northern minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) in the southern outer Moray Firth, Scotland. MSc thesis, University of Aberdeen, 35pp.

The diving ecology and foraging behaviour of coastal minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) in the outer Moray Firth, northeast Scotland. BSc thesis, Edinburgh Napier University, 53pp.

Estimates of humpback and minke whale entanglements in the Scottish static pot (creel) fishery. Endangered Species Research 49: 217-232 (doi:10.3354/esr01214).

Spatio-temporal genetic tagging of a cosmopolitan planktivorous shark provides insight to gene flow, temporal variation and site-specifc re-encounters. Scientific Reports 10: 1661 (doi: 10.1038.s41598-020-58086-4).

Presenting vertebral deformities in bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus calves from a protected population in northeast Scotland. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms 140: 103-108 (doi: 10.3354/dao03498).

Distribution and relative abundance of harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) in the outer Moray Firth, Scotland. MSc thesis, University of Exeter, 38pp.

A behavioural ethogram for studies of free-ranging bottlenose dolphins in the Moray Firth in northeast Scotland. Royal Veterinary College, University of London.

Mapping of cetacean and seabird populations in the North-East Atlantic. Journal of Applied Ecology 57: 253-269 (doi: 10.1111/1365-2664.13525).

A preliminary photo-identification study of the individual bottlenose dolphins using the Northumberland coastline in northeast England. 32nd Ann. Conf. ECS, La Spezia, Italy, 6 - 10 Apr 2018.

BioTIME: a database of biodiversity time series for the Anthropocene. Global Ecology and Biogeography (doi: 10.1111/geb.12729).

Bottlenose dolphins in northeast England: A preliminary investigation into a population beyond the southern extreme of its range. MSc thesis, Newcastle University, 72pp.

Acoustic detections of minke whales in the Moray Firth, northeast Scotland. 31st Ann. Conf. ECS, Middelfart, Denmark, 29 Apr - 3 May 2017.

Female reproductive success and calf survival in a North Sea coastal bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) population. PLoS ONE 12(9): e0185000 (doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0185000).

A first photo-identification catalogue of the bottlenose dolphins using the northeast English (Northumberland-Durham) coastline. Unpublished report, Cetacean Research & Rescue Unit, Banff.

Brucella ceti Infection in a common minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) with associated pathology. Journal of Wildlife Diseases 53(3): 572-576.

The long term distribution and relative abundance of harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) in the outer southern Moray Firth. BSc thesis, University of the West of Scotland, 22pp.

Associations or alliances? Comparisons of male social relationships in two UK bottlenose dolphin populations. Proc. 30th Ann. Conf. ECS, Madeira, 14-16 March 2016.

The occurrence of killer whales (Orcinus orca) in the outer Moray Firth: incidental sightings, behavioural observations and individual identification. Aquatic Mammals 43(1): 26-32.

Summer abundance and group size of harbour porpoise, Phocoena phocoena, in the outer southern Moray Firth. BSc thesis, University of Swansea, 29pp.

Entanglement: an emerging threat to humpback whales in Scottish waters. Paper presented to the International Whaling Commission Scientific Committee, SC/66b/HIM/01.

Revised Phase III Data Analysis of Joint Cetacean Protocol Data Resources with Advisory Note. JNCC Report 517, ISSN 0963-8091.

"Malta fever" in a minke whale: the first confirmed report of the isolation of Brucella ceti in a minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) with associated pathology. 29th Ann. Conf. ECS, Malta, 23-25 March 2015.

Associations or alliances? Comparisons of social relationships between male bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Cardigan Bay and the Moray Firth. MSc thesis, University of Wales, Bangor, 93pp.

An analysis of dorsal edge markings in short-beaked common dolphins (Dephinus delphis) from the Bay of Gibraltar and the Moray Firth. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 96(4): 999-1004.

The reproductive histories and inter-birth calving intervals of female bottlenose dolphins in northeast Scotland. 29th Ann. Conf. ECS, Malta, 23-25 March 2015.

Mark recapture abundance estimates and distribution of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) using the southern coastline of the outer southern Moray Firth. MSc thesis, University of Edinburgh, 76pp.

Patterns of association and alliance formation between reproductive males in a North Sea coastal bottlenose dolphin community. BSc thesis, 36pp.

The Development of Management Options for Scottish proposed Marine Protected Areas: Minke Whales and Risso’s Dolphins. A WDC Report, 96pp.

CRRU Research & Conservation Action Plan - 2015 to 2018. Unpublished report, Cetacean Research & Rescue Unit, Banff (in progress)

The role of fine-scale environmental variables in predicting the distribution of minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) in the Moray Firth, North East Scotland. MSc thesis, University of Aberdeen. 41pp.

A Fishy Business - Of Seals, Salmon and Fisheries in Scotland. Unpublished Report, Cetacean Research & Rescue Unit, Banff. 29pp.

Statistical approaches to aid the identification of Marine Protected Areas for minke whale, Risso’s dolphin, white-beaked dolphin and basking shark. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 594.

Assessing the effectiveness of different datasets at predicting the habitat preference of minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) in UK waters. MSc thesis, University of Aberdeen. 43pp.

Review of available statistical approaches to help identify Marine Protected Areas for cetaceans and basking shark. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 573.

An analysis of the dorsal fin edge marks (DEMs) of two populations of short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) from Gibraltar and Scotland, to establish the validity of digital photographic identification when applied to this species. BSc thesis, University of Southampton. 44pp.

The reproductive histories and inter-birth calving intervals of female coastal bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in northeast Scotland. BSc thesis, University of Aberdeen. 50pp.

Agonistic intraspecific behavior in free-ranging bottlenose dolphins: Calf-directed aggression and infanticidal tendencies by adult males. Marine Mammal Science 30(1): 381–388 (936 Kb).

Intraguild predation as an explanation for fatal interactions between odontocetes: Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) attacks on harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena). BSc thesis, Bangor University, 43pp.

Integrating multiple data sources to assess the distribution and abundance of bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus in Scottish waters. Mammal Review 43(1): 71–88 (643 Kb).

The summer distribution, group size and relative abundance of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) using the outer southern Moray Firth, north-east Scotland 2009-2012. BSc thesis, University of the West of Scotland, 40pp.

Rare sighting of an anomalously white harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) in the Moray Firth, northeast Scotland. Marine Biodiversity Records 6: e23 (3 pages).

Habitat preferences of sympatric coastal cetaceans at contrasting spatial and temporal scales: Habitat partitioning of bottlenose dolphins, harbour porpoises and minke whales in the outer southern Moray Firth, northeast Scotland. BSc thesis, University of Greenwich, 90pp (4,190 Kb).

Discrete or not so discrete: Long distance movements by coastal bottlenose dolphins in UK and Irish waters. Journal of Cetacean Research & Management 12(3): 365-372 (1.66 Mb).

Interactive effects of factors influencing the diving times of minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) in the outer Moray Firth, northeast Scotland. BSc thesis, Edinburgh Napier University, 63pp.

The long-term distribution, habitat use and site fidelity of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the outer Moray Firth, Scotland: implications for conservation management. 25th Annual Conference of the European Cetacean Society, Cadiz, Spain, 21-23 March 2011.

Multi-site mark recapture estimate of the abundance and movement rates of bottlenose dolphins. In: P.M. Thompson et al. (eds) Distribution, abundance and population structure of bottlenose dolphins in Scottish waters, Chapter 5, pp. 54-64. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report, Scottish Natural Heritage, Perth, UK (29.24 Mb).

The habitat utilisation and behavioural ecology of minke whales within the North Atlantic: a comparative multi-site approach. 25th Annual Conference of the European Cetacean Society, Cadiz, Spain, 21-23 March 2011. Accepted talk.

CRRU Research & Conservation Action Plan - 2011 to 2014. Unpublished report, Cetacean Research & Rescue Unit, Banff, 13pp.

The long-term distribution, habitat use and site fidelity of bottlenose dolphins frequenting the outer southern Moray Firth coastline: a spatio-temporal analysis with implications for existing population management. MRes thesis, University of York, 28pp.

Water temperature and the distribution of the common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) in British shelf waters: a potential indicator of climate change impacts. 24th Annual Conference of the European Cetacean Society, Stralsund, Germany, 22-24 March 2010.

Short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) occurrence in the Moray Firth, northeast Scotland. Marine Biodiversity Records 3: e55 (300 Kb).

A note on the unprecedented strandings of 56 deep-diving whales along the UK and Irish coast. Marine Biodiversity Records 3: e16 (247 Kb).

Towards Marine Protected Areas for Cetaceans in Scotland, England and Wales: A scientific review identifying critical habitat with key recommendations. Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, Chippenham, UK, 178pp (6.67 Mb).

Behavior of a solitary sociable female bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) off the coast of Kent, southeast England. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science 13: 31-45 (373 Kb).

The distribution, ecological niche modelling and habitat suitability mapping of the minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) in the North Atlantic. PhD thesis, University of Wales, Bangor, 398pp.

Predictive habitat suitability modelling of the North Atlantic minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata): a comparative multi-site approach. 18th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, Québec City, Canada, 12-16 Oct 2009.

Assessing the impact of seismic surveys on cetaceans in the Moray Firth. First Year Report for DECC, Scottish Government, COWRIE and Oil & Gas UK, 65pp.

The distribution and habitat preference of coastally occurring minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) in north-east Scotland. Journal of Coastal Conservation 13(1): 39-48 (457 Kb).

First stranding record of a Cuvier's beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris) in the Moray Firth in northeast Scotland. Marine Biodiversity Records 2: e57 (143 Kb).

Coast to coast: First evidence for translocational movements by Scottish bottlenose dolphins. European Research on Cetaceans 23 (distributed on CD-ROM) (1,460 Kb).

The spatial predictive ability of presence-only habitat suitability models: Comparisons across macro-ecological scales. Proceedings of a workshop on the Ecological Niche Modelling of Cetaceans held at the 18th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, Québec City, Canada, 12-16 Oct 2009.

Distribution, diving behaviour and identification of the North Atlantic minke whale in northeast Scotland. MPhil thesis, University of Aberdeen, 101pp (4,009 Kb).

Variations in coastal minke whale occurrence with respect to food availability in northeast Scottish waters. European Research on Cetaceans 22 (distributed on CD-ROM) (88 Kb).

Bottlenose dolphins using coastal regions adjacent to a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) in north-east Scotland. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the UK 88(6): 1237-1243 (220 Kb).

Management options for coastal harbour porpoises in the Moray Firth, NE Scotland. European Research on Cetaceans 22 (distributed on CD-ROM) (1,280 Kb).

Inter-birth interval estimation for a population of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus): accounting for the effects of individual variation and changes over time. MRes thesis, University of St Andrews, 66pp (849 Kb).

Variations in cetacean community composition and structure within the northern North Sea, UK. European Research on Cetaceans 22 (distributed on CD-ROM) (1,000 Kb).

The influence of tidal cycle on the fine-scale behaviour and group size of bottlenose dolphins using the outer southern Moray Firth coastline. European Research on Cetaceans 22 (distributed on CD-ROM) (1,320 Kb).

White-beaked dolphin (Lagenorhynchus albirostris) occurrence in the Minch (Scotland, UK) during August 2007. European Research on Cetaceans 22 (distributed on CD-ROM) (905 Kb).

Calf survivability and female reproductive success in a North Sea coastal bottlenose community. European Research on Cetaceans 22 (distributed on CD-ROM) (1,260 Kb).

A preliminary note on the unprecedented strandings of 45 deep-diving odontocetes along the UK and Irish coast between January and April 2008. Paper presented to the International Whaling Commission Scientific Committee SC/60/E5 (596 Kb).

The summer distribution of coastal minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) in the southern Moray Firth, northeast Scotland, in relation to co-occurring mesoscale oceanographic features. Remote Sensing of Environment 112(8): 3449-3454 (596 Kb).

A long-term opportunistic photo-identification study of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) off Aberdeen, United Kingdom: Conservation value and limitations. Aquatic Mammals 34(4): 436-447 (1,000 Kb).

Patterns of cetacean strandings in NE Scotland (1992 to 2006): How do incidental strandings relate to live animal surveys? BSc thesis, University of Southampton, 78pp.

Preliminary photo-identification analysis of individual minke whales on the east coast of Scotland. European Research on Cetaceans 21 (distributed on CD-ROM) (1,176 Kb)

The summer distribution and occurrence of cetaceans in the coastal waters of the outer southern Moray Firth in northeast Scotland (UK). Lutra 50(1): 19-30 (712 Kb).

Reproductive success in a northeast Scottish bottlenose dolphin community. Royal Veterinary College, University of London, 40pp.

Visually detectable attributes of spinal malformations in free-ranging bottlenose dolphin calves in northeast Scotland. European Research on Cetaceans 21 (distributed on CD-ROM) (1,447 Kb).

A study comparing the position and morphology of minke whale dorsal fin edge marks between Scotland and Iceland. 17th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, Cape Town, Africa, 29 Nov-3 Dec 2007 (585 Kb).

Social attitudes to marine conservation in NE Scotland: Public perceptions and cetaceans in the Moray Firth. European Research on Cetaceans 21 (distributed on CD-ROM) (1,323 Kb).

An integrated approach to non-lethal research on minke whales in European waters. Proceedings of a workshop held at the 21st Annual Meeting of the European Cetacean Society in Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain, 22 April 2007. European Cetacean Society, Special Publication Series no 47, 49pp (1,860 Kb).

Fine-scale studies of coastal minke whales in northeast Scotland. *In *Robinson K.P. et al. (eds.) Proceedings of a workshop held at the 21st Annual Meeting of the European Cetacean Society in Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain, 22 April 2007. An integrated approach to non-lethal research on minke whales in European waters. European Cetacean Society, Special Publication Series no 47, pp. 23-31 (1,860 Kb).

Behavioural observations of foraging minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) in the outer Moray Firth, north-east Scotland. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the UK 87(1): 85-86 (1,425 Kb).

CRRU Research & Conservation Action Plan - 2007 to 2010. Unpublished report, Cetacean Research & Rescue Unit, Banff, 12pp.

Understanding minke whale habitat ecology: Implementation of meta-analysis. *In *Robinson K.P. et al.(eds.) Proceedings of a workshop held at the 21st Annual Meeting of the European Cetacean Society in Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain, 22 April 2007. An integrated approach to non-lethal research on minke whales in European waters. European Cetacean Society, Special Publication Series no 47, pp. 38-41 (3,306 Kb).

Boat traffic effects on the diving behaviour of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus Montagu) in Sardinia, Italy. MSc thesis, University of Wales, Bangor, 60 pp (583 Kb).

Patterns of cetacean strandings in NE Scotland (1992 to 2005): How do strandings data compare to live animal surveys? European Research on Cetaceans 20 (distributed on CD-ROM) (1,884 Kb).

A catalogue of individually-recognisable bottlenose dolphins using the southern coastline of the outer Moray Firth. Unpublished report, Cetacean Research & Rescue Unit, Banff, 42pp.

Human and wildlife co-existence in the marine environment - A case study in the Moray Firth. MSc thesis, University of Nottingham, 70 pp (1,002 Kb).

Harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) have declined in the southern outer Moray Firth, NE Scotland - a spatial and temporal view. European Research on Cetaceans 20 (distributed on CD-ROM) (1,948 Kb).

The habitat use and site fidelity of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the Slovenian Sea and Bay of Trieste: A first estimation.* European Research on Cetaceans* 20 (distributed on CD-ROM) (215 Kb).

Preliminary observations of the foraging behaviour of coastal minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) in NE Scotland. European Research on Cetaceans 20 (distributed on CD-ROM).

The use of computer-assisted matching software in the re-evaluation of an established bottlenose dolphin archive. European Research on Cetaceans 19 (distributed on CD-ROM) (1,960 Kb).

The spatial and temporal distribution of the harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena L.) in the southern outer Moray Firth. MSc thesis, University of Wales, Bangor, 102 pp.

The distribution of coastal cetaceans in the outer southern Moray Firth, NE Scotland. European Research on Cetaceans 19 (distributed on CD-ROM).

Implementation of a multi-discipline approach to investigate minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) interactions with environmental variables in the southern outer Moray Firth, NE Scotland. European Research on Cetaceans 19 (distributed on CD-ROM) (463 Kb).

Environmental factors affecting the fine-scale distribution of minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) in a dynamic coastal ecosystem. ICES Annual Science Conference, CM 2005, Aberdeen, Scotland, 20-24 September 2005 (1,900 Kb).

Mark recapture abundance estimates and distribution of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) using the southern coastline of the outer Moray Firth, NE Scotland. MSc thesis, University of Wales, Bangor, 85 pp (3,854 Kb).

The sociality of bottlenose dolphins in the outer southern Moray Firth, NE Scotland: implications for current management proposals? European Research on Cetaceans 18 (distributed on CD-ROM) (1,030 Kb).

The distribution and habitat preference of the North Atlantic minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata acutorostrata) in the southern outer Moray Firth, NE Scotland. MSc thesis, University of Wales, Bangor, 110 pp (5,957 Kb).

The southern outer Moray Firth in NE Scotland as a potential "safe area" candidate for the harbour porpoise (*Phocoena phocoena *L.). European Research on Cetaceans 18 (distributed on CD-ROM). (227 Kb).

The distribution and relative abundance of harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena L.) in the outer southern Moray Firth. BSc dissertation, University of London, 36 pp (1,359 Kb).

A preliminary study of the minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) in the outer Moray Firth, NE Scotland. MSc thesis, University of Strathclyde.

CRRU Research & Conservation Action Plan - 2003 to 2006. Unpublished report, Cetacean Research & Rescue Unit, Banff, 11pp.

The social affiliation and group composition of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) using the Southern Moray Firth, NE Scotland. MSc thesis. University of Wales, Bangor, 85 pp (1,638 Kb).

The distribution and site fidelity of bottlenose dolphins inhabiting the outer southern Moray Firth coastline. MSc thesis, University of Aberdeen.

Seasonal and regional variations in the diet of harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) in the Orkney and Shetland Islands, Scotland. MSc thesis, University of Aberdeen, 72 pp.