Author | Lightnews

Clare Lusher

@batecology.bsky.social

370 followers 310 following 51 posts

MSc BSc. Zoology. Biological Imaging. Licenced Ecologist. RHS trained Horticulturist (ex). 🦇 Bats, Badgers, Botany. Tree climber. Bat Carer and VBRV. Dweller in Derbyshire & Scotland. Also swords, sleep and cake.

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Clare Lusher @batecology.bsky.social · Feb 26

Last weekend we conducted a second NBMP bat hibernation survey at old disused mines in Derbyshire. Plenty of myotids including daubentons, and 2 BLE. Similar numbers to last year, maybe slightly down when added up. It's always a privilege (and a responsibility) to be this close to bats in torpor. 🦇

A single myotid bat in hibernation between rock faces.

A single myotid bat in hibernation hanging from rock, covered in water droplets.

A single brown long eared bat in hibernation in rock faces, with ears tucked in.

A single myotid bat in hibernation on rock faces.

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Clare Lusher @batecology.bsky.social · 2d

In today's things that will never happen again. Pool side for 8am in the villa. I love the colours of #Menorca.

Colourful deckchairs lilos and beach ball against ochre walls and greenery beside a swimming pool.

Clare Lusher @batecology.bsky.social · Sep 20

Yes. Raven cottage on the NW coast. Bliss.

Clare Lusher @batecology.bsky.social · Sep 13

I just signed the petition to
Stop SSEN’s unworkable daytime closure of the A832 at Dundonnell. Will you join me? you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/st...

Stop SSEN’s Unworkable Daytime Closure of the A832 at Dundonnell

WHY THIS MATTERS The A832 is a vital lifeline road. The proposed daytime closure and very limited ‘amnesty’ windows will isolate households and disrupt essential services (GP/community nursing visits,...

you.38degrees.org.uk

Clare Lusher @batecology.bsky.social · Sep 13

Still my best playlist for driving long hours in autumn 🍁 weather...

open.spotify.com/playlist/7er...

Spotify – Web Player

open.spotify.com

Reposted by Clare Lusher

Raptor Persecution UK @raptorpersuk.bsky.social · May 21

Following yesterday's news of 2 HHs vanishing from RSPB Geltsdale Reserve Cumbria, suspected shot on nearby grouse moor, here's another one, 'disappearing' on a grouse moor in Yorkshire Dales National Park, one of the UK's worst raptor persecution hotspots.

raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/05/21/s...

Satellite-tagged Hen Harrier ‘Sita’ vanishes in suspicious circumstances on grouse moor in Yorkshire Dales National Park

Further to yesterday’s news about the disappearance of two breeding male Hen Harriers from the RSPB’s Geltsdale Reserve in Cumbria, suspected to have been illegally killed whilst away h…

raptorpersecutionuk.org

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Reposted by Clare Lusher

Raptor Persecution UK @raptorpersuk.bsky.social · May 21

Still awaiting post-mortem results on 7 others (which are not yet included in the 141 tally).

The illegal slaughter continues & the criminals responsible continue to evade justice.

#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime #Ornithology #UKBirding

raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/05/21/1...

141 hen harriers confirmed ‘missing’ or illegally killed in UK since 2018, most of them on or close to grouse moors

For anyone who still wants to pretend that the grouse shooting industry isn’t responsible for the systematic extermination of hen harriers on grouse moors across the UK, here’s the latest catalogue…

raptorpersecutionuk.org

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Reposted by Clare Lusher

Dr Andrew Boswell #ClimateLitigation @drandrewboswell.bsky.social · May 18

🚨Huge🚨

✅✅ Just brilliant - GB News exposed by @rupertread.bsky.social 👏👏

😡😡 Funded by fossil fuels - a media enabler of the arsonist power clique leading the charge towards climate breakdown

💯💯 We can't let them, and others burn our future for profit

⚠️⚠️ Next Telegraph, BBC, Mail

Farrukh @implausibleblog.bsky.social · May 17

GB News, "If Net Zero is so blessed, why does the UK have the most expensive energy?"

Dr Rupert Read, "GB News won't tell you the truth because you're owned by Paul Marshall who is a fossil fuel magnet"

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Clare Lusher @batecology.bsky.social · May 18

UK government dropped health push after lobbying by ultra-processed food firms.

This is where we are now... Money/power can push science and data-based decisions to improve public health out of the way, and put health and lives at risk, while the government kowtows.

tinyurl.com/bdzm7bd7

UK government dropped health push after lobbying by ultra-processed food firms

Exclusive: Guardian investigation reveals guidance for retailers in England changed after campaign by global food firms

tinyurl.com

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Reposted by Clare Lusher

Shooti @bambooshooti.bsky.social · Apr 19

Historical side note: Nancy Grace Roman was NASA's first female chief executive, serving as Chief of Astronomy throughout the 1960s and 1970s. She was also the driving force behind development of the Hubble Space Telescope, selling the idea to NASA leaders and Congress and organizing the program.

Dr. Nancy Grace Roman with a model of the Large Space Telescope that was eventually developed as the Hubble Space Telescope. Photo credit: NASA.

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Clare Lusher @batecology.bsky.social · Apr 18

Ahhhh I love it. How much to make another?? 😄🦇🦇🦇🙏

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Clare Lusher @batecology.bsky.social · Apr 18

Love this! Is it a sweater?

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Clare Lusher @batecology.bsky.social · Apr 17

Happy International Bat Appreciation Day! 🦇🦇🦇 #bats #chiroptera #internationalbatappreciationday2025

iucn.org/story/202504...

The Benefits of Bats: Celebrating the critical contributions of bats on International Bat Appreciation Day

Every year on International Bat Appreciation Day (April 17), we get a chance to celebrate all that bats do for the world and its ecosystems.

iucn.org

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Reposted by Clare Lusher

George McGavin @georgemcgavin.bsky.social · Apr 14

This is what roadside verges should look like in April. These are not weeds - they are wildflowers essential to the survival of early Spring bees.

Roadside verge with a mass of dandelions.

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Reposted by Clare Lusher

Big Meadow Search @bigmeadowsearch.bsky.social · Apr 17

Great thread of posts on species associated with Cuckoo Flower

Lin Hawthorne @haggewoods.bsky.social · Apr 16

Cardamine pratensis, Cuckoo Flower, Lady’s Smock Associates
In bloom April-June, in meadow & pasture, marsh, hedgerow, stream- & pond-margins, & other damp habitats, supporting c. 20 spp of inverts as larval host.

By CAM Lindman, Bilder ur Nordens Flora, Stockholm, Public Domain
🌱 #invertebrates

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Reposted by Clare Lusher

Friends of Bats and Habitat Gippsland @friendsofbats.bsky.social · Apr 15

We think this is criminal: A world biodiversity hotspot, loaded with cultural heritage. Drinking water for 24,000 people. 1875ha of old growth forest in Mitchell River National Park, lit up by #FFMV yesterday #GunaiKurnaiCountry 📷 EGCMN

https://plannedburns.ffm.vic.gov.au/burn-site/3010032

The falls following rain (photo courtesy of Josie Patterson) and
East Gippsland Conservation Management Network

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Reposted by Clare Lusher

Fiona Mathews @fionamathews.bsky.social · Apr 14

How will bats respond to climate change? Our new paper shows that Nathusius's pipistrelles are likely to expand their European range, but most other bats will lose out. Things look particularly bad for the pond bat, which is already declining rapidly. 🌍🦇#bats #climatechange doi.org/10.1111/cobi...

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Reposted by Clare Lusher

Leon Simons @leonsimons.bsky.social · Apr 6

New look at the landscape beneath Antarctica 🇦🇶

Without the 27.17 million km³ of ice.

This clearly shows that much the West-Antarctic Ice Sheet is below sea level.

That's why it melts rapidly in a warmer climate, like it did ~120,000 years ago during the Eemian interglacial.

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Reposted by Clare Lusher

Butterfly Conservation @savebutterflies.bsky.social · Apr 5

This is a dandelion appreciation post 💛

Often overlooked, the humble dandelion has a vital part to play in providing valuable nectar for early butterflies and moths, as well as food for their caterpillars.

📷: Small Tortoiseshell - Sophie Hall
📷: Brimstone - Tamás Nestor
#DandelionAppreciationDay

Brimstone butterfly feeding on a dandelion

Small Tortoiseshell butterfly on a dandelion close to the ground

Bird's-eye view of three dandelion flowers in the sun

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Clare Lusher @batecology.bsky.social · Apr 6

That's a scone and you can't convince me otherwise. 😂 🇬🇧 What is the grey stuff on your scone? 🤭

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Clare Lusher @batecology.bsky.social · Apr 6

White tailed eagle Stiorra on Countryfile. Absolutely stunning bird. I appreciate the falconer explaining that WTE are scavengers and will take "dead lambs". Read that again. I love what he's doing with Maremma guardian dogs. Saw these constantly while living in Italy! #Countryfile #sheep #raptors

Clare Lusher @batecology.bsky.social · Mar 30

The FWC, an agency charged with conserving Florida’s wildlife, is considering having a bear hunt without current bear population estimates or justifiable cause for a bear hunt. #bears #florida
chng.it/K5ZnBYBLCJ

Sign the Petition

STOP THE FLORIDA BEAR HUNT!!!

chng.it

Clare Lusher @batecology.bsky.social · Mar 23

This is super interesting research. My own experience with bats in care suggests some UK species intensely dislike the UV spectrum of light and will avoid. Perhaps best studied with caution. I love that we're finding numerous species of animals and plants which fluoresce.

Vincent Wildlife Trust @vincentwt.bsky.social · Mar 21

Glow up! A European team of bat researchers led by VWT's former Head of Conservation, Henry Schofield — with biologists from Pells Frischmann and Croatian Biospeleological Society — discovered that lesser horseshoe bats glow all over in UV. Find out how this can help monitoring tinyurl.com/bdd8jc5n

Reposted by Clare Lusher

BladeoftheSun @bladeofthes.bsky.social · Mar 21

The richest 150 people in the UK are making £2m EACH every single day, on which they pay next to no tax and greater than 90% goes to tax havens.

You want to worry about that, not Disabled people.

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Reposted by Clare Lusher

Bylines Network @bylinesnetwork.co.uk · Mar 21

Co-ordinated efforts to clear up plastic pollution washed up after the recent North Sea cargo ships collision have intensified before resident wildlife on the Norfolk beaches are harmed

@eastangliabylines.co.uk @westnorfolkgreens.bsky.social @westnorfolkrob.bsky.social @norfolknats.bsky.social

Race to clear polluting plastic debris is now urgent

Co-ordinated efforts to clear up the nurdle plastic pollution have intensified before resident wildlife on the Norfolk beaches are harmed

eastangliabylines.co.uk

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Reposted by Clare Lusher

Martin Lines @linesmartin.bsky.social · Mar 21

Great to see a pesticide reduction target finally published. It’s a step in the right direction especially recognising toxicity. But to make real progress, we need proper support for farmers to shift to nature-based approaches that work for people, food & wildlife www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Use of pesticides on UK farms to be cut by 10% by 2030 to protect bees

Campaigners welcome long-delayed proposals to reduce pesticide-related harms to pollinators

www.theguardian.com

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