I really rate this!!! Give us more nature now

UKRI Policy Internships scheme As part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)’s postgraduate training portfolio, the UKRI Policy Internships scheme provides an opportunity for UKRI-funded doctoral students to undertake a three-month ...

UKRI has recently opened its next round of internship applications: www.ukri.org/apply-for-fu...

I would really recommend UKRI-funded students to consider applying - it's definitely changed my outlook on my future career and understanding of policy and government.

This experience taught me a lot:
- a different way of communicating science
- what kind of information to give to MPs and Peers
- how scientists can interact with policy-makers.
It also gave a real insight into the complexities of high-level decision making and why different voices are important.

Regenerative agriculture This POSTnote describes regenerative agriculture, the evidence for beneficial outcomes, and outlines the challenges and opportunities for its wider adoption.

As part of a UKRI Policy Internship at POST (Parliamentary Office for Science and Technology) that I completed earlier this year, I'm proud to share our recently published POSTnote on Regenerative Agriculture: post.parliament.uk/research-bri...

Big thanks to all the collaborators!
@ukri.org

Can you add the link please?

I have never seen such neatly piled bin bags.

Still can’t get over the fact that people in London have to put their bins in the street for them to get collected, what a joke

New birding essential unlocked… 🍓

Train and bicycle to Sandwich Bay/Worth Marshes this Easter weekend for some peace and calm and birds away from the London hustle and bustle. 🐣

As I don’t own a car, I often feel stuck but then I remember that public transport *exists* 🚆 and for that, I am grateful (as long as I have a railcard)

Well that’s nice 🐝 🧬 @waspwoman.bsky.social @adamhartscience.bsky.social

The Soil exhibition at Somerset House was truly beautiful. More like this! 🌱

Came across a Wheatear in Hyde Park yesterday on a lawn that is being restored after Winter Wonderland. A few weeks ago, it hosted Fieldfare and Redwing.

These less disturbed areas can be great for migrating species, even in the middle of central London. Something to adopt across more parks?

16 Mediterranean Gulls flying against a blue sky.

Two birdwatchers just before sunrise by The Thames.

Morning fog lingers as the sun rise over Rainham Marshes RSPB.

A Barn Owl over a reed bed being mobbed by a Carrion Crow at dawn.

Early start with @ionace.bsky.social and Sam L. and we hoped for migrants but we didn't expect to have 100+ Mediterranean Gulls mee-ow'ing over Rainham Marshes today. The largest flock was 35 (at least). Also a Barn Owl in a barney (😱!) with a Carrion Crow. #LondonBirds 😎

Just got to give things a chance… once again

2 Song Thrush, 2 Blackbird and a Green Woodpecker in the small unmown area next to the sports field in Regent’s Park this evening. Something tasty to eat in there? After all, it’s all about giving things a chance. 🌸

The worst thing about the beginning of spring means that it’s also closer to ending 🌸

Rather more drab lycaenids, labeled “Callophrys detesta” and “Callophrys miserabilis” ( hallmarks of a taxonomist who has had it up to here with these goddamn butterflies)

Yeah Clench that’s more like it, get ‘em with the species epithets

There is nothing more satisfying in London commuter cycling world than overtaking men on their electric bicycles and making it look effortless (it’s not)

Some recent updates… I’ve been taking a break from my PhD to work on some other projects: I’ve just finished the first, a UKRI-Innovate UK grant learning about biocontrol, mostly with parasitoids, in Brazil 🇧🇷 and Ghana 🇬🇭. Lots of knowledge gained and exchanged 🐝 @waspwoman.bsky.social

My sheep phase. 🐑

🎉

Figure from a paper - legend: Figure 2. Measuring changes in insect biodiversity can be achieved by focusing on drivers that directly or indirectly impact insect biodiversity metrics and trends (left). Where data on insect populations specifically are unavailable, data from other species and ecological processes can provide inferential support for changes in insect biodiversity (right).

Our new paper led by @manusaunders.bsky.social www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... takes stock of the evidence-base for global insect declines 🦋🐝🪳🪰🦗 and how uncertainty is being leveraged by science denialists to undermine efforts to reverse biodiversity loss 🌍🧪.

I was looking for wasp nests this morning and came across this absolutely massive moth.

I thought it was dead so *obviously* I poked it but it was very much alive and flew straight at my face.

I love moths. 🇧🇷 🦋 🌙

* Gavin Broad ID’d most of these. Amazing effort, looking forward to analysing these data! And thanks to all who sent in samples.

@ionace.bsky.social and I identified and databased 6,600 UK ichneumonoids light-trapped by an amazing crew of moth trappers in 2024. Wonderful dataset. Recent highlights: first Rogas luteus for over 100 years and Enicospilus myricae, haven’t seen since I described it in 2016.

It’s the only reason I have any recollection of any of them…

Xmas tree and painting of white and black raptor

I think I’ve won Christmas this year. Black-winged Kite (aka top tier bird) portrait painted by my very own mother. 🦅🎄

Salt and Pepper frogs legs anyone…? 🇫🇷 (Yes, I’m in France. No, I didn’t try them. It might come as a surprise (!) but no, this isn’t that common)

First science talk since opening this BlueSky account — so here is my inaugural wasp-related post! Online #Hymathon2024 organised by the fabulous International Society of Hymenopterists team 🐝

A large breakfast completely with pancakes, mushrooms, beans, avocado, hash browns, egg and more

Double Jay’s near Warren Street is hands down the best breakfast in London.