Recently, Maria Pietrala has been working intensively on one of the key aspects of her doctoral dissertation: creating a detailed database on the breeding patterns of the Great Tit (Parus major) and the Eurasian Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) in European populations (Poland, Czech Republic, Great Britain, France, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, Gotland, Finland).
The focal point of the research was to understand how these birds use aromatic plants as building blocks for their nests. The doctoral student also had an opportunity to visit the picturesque Welsh research site, where nest boxes are located, and to meet Dr Mark Mainwering, her supervisor during the internship and an expert in ornithology.
The intern also led a seminar entitled “Behaviour, Ecology, and Physiology at Bangor” at Bangor University, during which she presented the assumptions of her doctoral dissertation.
The internship was also a chance to broaden her horizons! The doctoral student had an opportunity to observe Dr Charles Bishop's research on pigeon behaviour. She also participated in an experiment investigating the effects of birdsong on the human brain, psyche and health – the subject of doctoral student, Joy Roy's research dissertation at Bangor University.
Congratulations on your valuable experience and we are looking forward to you using the knowledge you have gained in your further research!
Source and photos: Maria Pietrala (a doctoral student from the Bio-Med-Chem Doctoral School of the University of Lodz and Lodz Institutes of the Polish Academy of Sciences)
Edit: Mateusz Kowalski (Promotion Centre, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz)
