Dr Claire Cresswell
- Lecturer in Field Ecology
- Programme Director MSc Ecological Survey Skills
- PhD Supervisor
- Researcher
Areas of interest
I am a field ecologist and a lecturer. I am passionate about industry-led teaching and equipping each new generation of ecologists with the skills to make an immediate and far-reaching impact for wildlife conservation. Throughout my career I have also undertaken farmland biodiversity surveying and consultancy across a range of habitats and species groups. I bring together land managers, conservationists/ecologists and academics to enhance biodiversity alongside sustainable, regenerative food production.
My main research interests sit in two areas: plant-invertebrate interactions and avian behavioural ecology. I investigate plant traits and their support for specific ecosystem services and how we can then apply this to in-field management decisions. I also monitor, track, ring and GPS tag bird species and investigate factors affecting their local and migratory behaviours.
Postgraduate supervision
- Jolene Orlowski (2024-present): Investigation into the effects of habitat quality and characteristics on the choice of roosting and feeding sites of Jack Snipe (Lymnocryptes minimus). Co-supervisors: Dr Vicky Boult, Dr Andrew Hoodless (GWCT)
- Kevin Clements (2024-present): An investigation into the overwintering and migration behaviours of Jack Snipe (Lymnocryptes minimus). Co-supervisors: Dr Vicky Boult, Dr Andrew Hoodless (GWCT)
- Nicha Thawara. Co-supervisor, Lead supervisor: Professor Alastair Culham.
- John Gibson. Co-supervisor, Lead supervisor: Professor Alastair Culham.
Teaching
- BIMESS: Ecological Survey Skills (module convenor)
- BIMFBS: Field Botany Skills (module convenor)
- BIMASA: Animal Survey and Assessment (module convenor)
- BIMHAS: Habitat Assessment (module convenor)
- BIMCPS: Consultancy Placement Skills (module convenor)
- BIMCWP: Consultancy Work Placement (module convenor)
- Part 1 BI1FEC1: Field Ecology (guest lecturer)
Websites
- ORCID
- ResearchGate
Professional bodies/affiliations
- British Ecological Society – Agricultural Ecology Group Committee Member
- Royal Entomological Society – Fellow
- British Trust for Ornithology
- Hampshire Ornithological Society
Academic service
Impact, enterprise and Outreach
- Talks & attendance at Winchester to River Test Farm Cluster meetings
- BTO bird ringing demonstrations
- RHS Chelsea Show Garden ‘The Ugly Bug Ball’ 2025
- Podcast and radio guest appearances
Selected publications
- Cresswell, C.J., 2026. An Investigation into Agricultural Technology Skills needs in Sustainable Land Management. Solent Local Skills Improvement Plan 2026. Hampshire Chamber of Commerce.
- Cresswell, C.J., 2024. ‘Fields and Grasslands’, in Royal Entomological Society (ed.) RES Insects: Discover the Science and Secrets Behind the World of Insects. DK, pp. 116-117.
- Cresswell, C.J., Cunningham, H.M., Wilcox, A., Randall, N.P., 2019. A trait‐based approach to plant species selection to increase functionality of farmland vegetative strips. Ecology and Evolution, 9:4532-4543.
- Cresswell, C.J., Cunningham, H.M., Wilcox, A., Randall, N.P., 2018. What specific plant traits support ecosystem services such as pollination, bio-control and water quality protection in temperate climates? A systematic map. Environmental Evidence, 7:2.
- Cresswell, C.J., Wilcox, A., Cunningham, H.M., Randall, N.P., 2018. Can you design a multifunctional vegetative strip using plant traits? Aspects of Applied Biology 139, Ecosystem and Habitat Management: Research, Policy, Practice, pp. 33-42.
- Blowers, C.J., Cunningham, H.M., Wilcox, A., Randall, N.P., 2017. What specific plant traits support ecosystem services such as pollination, bio-control and water quality protection in temperate climates? A systematic map protocol. Environmental Evidence, 6:3.
- Ryder, J., Blowers, C.J., 2016. An early-career entomological gathering: #RESPG16. Antenna.