My main current research interests lie in the impacts of climate change on birds and other taxa, with a particular focus on high alpine biodiversity. I am currently leading a project surveying birds, beetles and butterflies in high alpine grasslands which aims to predict the consequences of future potential fragmentation of these habitats caused by climate-induced altitudinal shifts in vegetation zones in addition to other factors (e.g. increased human disturbance at higher altitudes). I also have research interests in the ecology of birds in highly modified habitats, specifically farmland and urban areas. Much of this research concerns impacts of farming practices, including identification of historical drivers of bird population change, impacts of specific farm management practices (e.g. organic farming, GM cropping) and monitoring the impacts of agri-environment schemes.  I am also conducting research into the urban environment. In particular, I am interested in the relative importance of habitat versus food supply (especially that provided by man) in influencing the urban bird community.  These issues are being addressed through collaborative work with Dr Jim Reynolds at Birmingham University, Queen’s University Belfast and the University of Exeter in Cornwall. 

Recent publications:

Davey, C.M., J.A. Vickery, N.D. Boatman, D.E. Chamberlain, H.R. Parry & G.M. Siriwardena (in press). Assessing the impact of Entry Level Stewardship on lowland farmland birds in England. Ibis.

Bell, C.P., S.W. Baker, N.G. Parkes, M. de L. Brooke & D.E. Chamberlain (in press). The role of the Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) in the decline of the House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) in Britain. Auk.

Eglington, S. M., S.E. Davis, A.C. Joys, D.E. Chamberlain & D.G. Noble (in press). The effect of observer experience on English Breeding Bird Survey population estimates. Bird Study.

Chamberlain, D.E., A. Joys, P.J. Johnson, L. Norton, R.E. Feber & R.J. Fuller (2010). Does organic farming benefit farmland birds in winter? Biology Letters 6: 82-84.

Chamberlain, D.E., S. Gough, G. Anderson, M MacDonald, P. Grice & J.A. Vickery (2009). Bird use of cultivated fallow ‘Lapwing Plots’ within English agri-environment schemes. Bird Study 56: 289-297.

Hancock, M.H., T. Smith, D.E. Chamberlain, J.D. Wilson & P.C. Lack (2009). Using repeated winter surveys to estimate changes in abundance of seed-eating passerines.  Bird Study 56: 65-74.

Norton, L., P. Johnson, A. Joys, R. Stuart, D.E. Chamberlain, R. Feber, L. Firbank, W. Manley, M. Wolfe, B. Hart, F. Mathews, D. Macdonald & R. J. Fuller (2009) Consequences of organic and non-organic farming practices for field, farm and landscape complexity.  Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 129: 221-227.

Chamberlain, D.E., A.R. Cannon, M.P. Toms, D.I. Leech, B.J. Hatchwell & K.J. Gaston (2009).  Avian productivity in urban landscapes: A review and meta-analysis.  Ibis 151: 1-18.

Chamberlain, D.E., M.P. Toms and D.G. Glue (2009). Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus presence and winter bird abundance.  Journal of Ornithology 150: 247-254.

Shaw, L.M., D.E. Chamberlain & M. R. Evans (2008). The house sparrow, Passer domesticus in urban areas: Reviewing a possible link between post-decline distribution and human socioeconomic status. Journal of Ornithology 149: 293-299.