WOMEN IN SEABIRD SCIENCE
Eleanor Weideman
she/her
Coastal Seabird Project Manager
BirdLife
South Africa
Discipline
Behaviour, Conservation, Population Dynamics, Project Management, Reproductive Biology & Life History, Migration & Movement Ecology
Regional Focus
South Africa; sub-Antarctic
Years Active
3-5 years
Species Focus
Albatrosses (Diomedeidae), Gulls and Terns (Laridae), Cormorants (Phalacrocoracidae), Petrels and Shearwaters (Procellariidae), Penguins (Spheniscidae), Skuas and Jaegers (Stercorariidae), Gannets and Boobies (Sulidae)
Tell us about your work with seabirds.
I am interested in the feeding and movement ecology of seabirds, and how this information can be used to inform conservation. My seabird work started on sub-Antarctic Marion Island, where I spent 13 months collecting baseline data on the feeding ecology and life histories of avian scavengers, as well as conducting long-term monitoring of ground-nesting albatrosses and petrels. Currently I am working on African Penguins, Cape Cormorants and Cape Gannets in South Africa. I use a suite of technologies such as animal-borne accelerometers, TDRs and cameras, as well as weighbridges to improve our understanding of the threats faced by these endangered species.
What advice would you offer to individuals aspiring to pursue a career as seabird scientists?
Seabird science is definitely not glamorous, but it is one hell of an adventure! Also don't neglect your stats - it may seem boring or intimidating at the time, but it will definitely be useful as you progress with your career.
Eleanor wearing a dark blue rain suit, sitting on a rocky outcrop on sub-Antarctic Marion Island. Behind her, black lava fields stretch towards the ocean.
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@eleanorweideman