Alan McCarthy

Biography

Alan graduated from University College Cork with a BSc. (Hons) in Ecology in 2017. During his four years as an undergraduate student, Alan advanced his lifelong interest in wildlife, particularly birds. He has a wide range of experiences in ornithological research and conservation in Ireland with a main focus on birds of prey including Hen Harriers and Barn Owls.

Alan’s main research interests are focussed on the conservation of threatened species, particularly those found in Ireland. For his Final Year Thesis, Alan undertook a project entitled “Examining the impact of the Greater White-toothed Shrew (Crocidura russula) on the diet and breeding ecology of Barn Owls (Tyto alba) in South-West Ireland”. Through this research, Alan described the changing diet of Barn Owls resulting from the spread of invasive small mammal species and the resulting affects on Barn Owl productivity.

Alan is currently undertaking a Research Masters on the SHINE (Supporting Hen Harriers in Novel Environments) project under the supervision of Prof. John O’Halloran. Through this project, Alan will examine Hen Harrier prey abundance and availability within pre-thicket forestry plantations. He will also assess the vulnerability of nesting Hen Harriers to predation in afforested landscapes.

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