Principal Ecological Statistician
Office:
Thetford
Philipp analyses data from various BTO surveys and research projects. He also advises across the organisation on statistical techniques used for scientific analysis and survey design.
Philipp is broadly interested in using statistical and mathematical models to better understand the physical and biological processes that shape the distribution and movements of animals, their foraging and migration behaviours, and their life-history strategies. His work aims to bridge the gap between field observations and ecological theory, and he is actively involved in the development of open-source statistical software.
Other information
- Affiliated Research Faculty at the Department of Geography, University of Florida
- Associate Editor for Animal Conservation
- Vordiplom in Chemistry, University of Marburg (2006-2008)
- MRes in Environmental Biology, University of St Andrews (2010)
- PhD in Marine Biology ‘The ecology of scattering layer biota around Indian Ocean seamounts and islands’, University of St Andrews (2014)
Recent BTO Publications
- Feather, A.P., Burton, N.H.K., Johnston, D.T. & Boersch-Supan, P.H. A review of existing methods to collect data on seabird flight height distributions and their use in offshore wind farm impact assessments View at journal website( DOI: )
- Brighton, C.H., Clarke, J.A. & Boersch-Supan, P.H. Scientific support to the trial of Spoor AI at the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre View at journal website( DOI: )
- Macgregor, C.J., Gillings, S., Balmer, D.E., Boersch-Supan, P.H., Harris, S.J., Hereward, H.F.R., Humphreys, E.M., Pearce-Higgins, J.W., Taylor, R.C., Troost, G. & Atkinson, P.W. Impacts of highly pathogenic avian influenza on seabird populations in the North Sea are detectable in sea-watchers’ migration counts 10.1080/00063657.2024.2440826 View at journal website( DOI:10.1080/00063657.2024.2440826 )
- Boersch-Supan, P.H., Brighton, C.H., Thaxter, C.B. & Cook, A.S.C.P. Natural body size variation in seabirds provides a fundamental challenge for flight height determination by single-camera photgrammetry. A comment on Humphries et al. 2023 View at journal website( DOI: )
- Davies, J.G., Boersch-Supan, P.H., Clewley, G.D., Humphreys, E.M., O’Hanlon, N.J., Shamoun-Baranes, J., Thaxter, C.B., Weston, E. & Cook, A.S.C.P. Influence of wind on kittiwake Rissa tridactyla flight and offshore wind turbine collision risk 10.1007/s00227-024-04508-0 View at journal website( DOI:10.1007/s00227-024-04508-0 )
- Brighton, C.H., Massimino, D., Boersch-Supan, P., Barnes, A.E., Martay, B., Bowler, D.E., Hoskins, H.M.J. & Pearce-Higgins, J.W. The benefits of protected areas for bird population trends may depend on their condition 10.1016/j.biocon.2024.110553 View at journal website( DOI:10.1016/j.biocon.2024.110553 )
- Border, J.A., Boersch-Supan, P., Pearce-Higgins, J.W., Hewson, C., Howard, C., Stephens, P.A., Willis, S.G., Houston, A., Gargallo, G. & Baillie, S.R. Spatial variation in spring arrival patterns of Afro-Palearctic bird migration across Europe 10.1111/geb.13850 View at journal website( DOI:10.1111/geb.13850 )
- O’Hanlon, N.J., Harris, S.J., Thaxter, C.B., Boersch-Supan, P.H., Robinson, R.A., Balmer, D.E. & Burton, N.H.K. Seabird population and demographic monitoring in the UK: a review and recommendations for future sampling View at journal website( DOI: )
- Boersch-Supan, P.H., Hanmer, H.J. & Robinson, R.A. Extended moult phenology models improve inferences about moult duration and timing 10.1093/ornithology/ukae003 View at journal website( DOI:10.1093/ornithology/ukae003 )
- Green, R.M., Thaxter, C.B., Johnston, D.T., Boersch-Supan, P.H., Bouten, W. & Burton, N.H.K. Assessing movements of Lesser Black-backed Gulls using GPS tracking devices in relation to the Galloper Wind Farm View at journal website( DOI: )