Tim Blackburn
@mothyblackburn.bsky.social
Professor of Invasion Biology at UCL. Amateur father, birder, moth-er. Mainly post wildlife photos, occasionally science and politics. Author of The Jewel Box, winner of the ZSL Clarivate Award for Communicating Zoology.
Reposted by Tim Blackburn
there are so many people you wish would just go away and they don’t and meanwhile good people die all the time and those fuckers just carry on infesting the world anyway here’s a kestrel
November 24, 2025 at 11:03 PM
there are so many people you wish would just go away and they don’t and meanwhile good people die all the time and those fuckers just carry on infesting the world anyway here’s a kestrel
What almost a million gets you in London. "The property requires a program of refurbishment."
They really don't want to share any interior shots but when they do, you just know that unspeakable acts have been committed within... www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/1...
Check out this 3 bedroom end of terrace house for sale on Rightmove
3 bedroom end of terrace house for sale in 75 Camden Mews, Camden, London, NW1 9BY, NW1 for £925,000. Marketed by Auction House London, Hampstead
www.rightmove.co.uk
November 24, 2025 at 3:10 PM
What almost a million gets you in London. "The property requires a program of refurbishment."
Reposted by Tim Blackburn
I'm really glad renewable technology development doesn't depend on the COP negotiations.
Petrostates, fossil fuel companies, and their lackeys can sabotage diplomacy, but it's becoming increasingly transparent what they do is simply evil, while we will ditch fossil fuels anyway.
Petrostates, fossil fuel companies, and their lackeys can sabotage diplomacy, but it's becoming increasingly transparent what they do is simply evil, while we will ditch fossil fuels anyway.
COP30 BREAKING NEWS: The likely final text of the "global mutirão" has been published, ahead of the closing plenary
Here's the snap analysis from the CB team…see last line
unfccc.int/sites/def...
Here's the snap analysis from the CB team…see last line
unfccc.int/sites/def...
November 23, 2025 at 12:03 PM
I'm really glad renewable technology development doesn't depend on the COP negotiations.
Petrostates, fossil fuel companies, and their lackeys can sabotage diplomacy, but it's becoming increasingly transparent what they do is simply evil, while we will ditch fossil fuels anyway.
Petrostates, fossil fuel companies, and their lackeys can sabotage diplomacy, but it's becoming increasingly transparent what they do is simply evil, while we will ditch fossil fuels anyway.
Reposted by Tim Blackburn
🐈 What's TikTok good for? Examining which arthropods are hunted by cats.
🌍 Social media have become an increasingly useful resource in ecological research.
🪲 We now know that cats kill arthropods from 14 different orders.
🧪 Study:
resjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
🌍 Social media have become an increasingly useful resource in ecological research.
🪲 We now know that cats kill arthropods from 14 different orders.
🧪 Study:
resjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Social media highlights the overlooked impact of cats on arthropods
The impact of domestic cats on vertebrate biodiversity is unequivocal; however, we still know little about their effects on arthropods. By analysing over 17,000 photos and videos from social media p...
resjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:30 PM
🐈 What's TikTok good for? Examining which arthropods are hunted by cats.
🌍 Social media have become an increasingly useful resource in ecological research.
🪲 We now know that cats kill arthropods from 14 different orders.
🧪 Study:
resjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
🌍 Social media have become an increasingly useful resource in ecological research.
🪲 We now know that cats kill arthropods from 14 different orders.
🧪 Study:
resjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Perfectly normal British country scene... #BioInvasions
A video from earlier in the autumn during some particularly heavy Pheasant migration in Highland! #highlandbirds
November 21, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Perfectly normal British country scene... #BioInvasions
Reposted by Tim Blackburn
Looking forward to giving this talk later today @naturerecovery.bsky.social!
What better way to end the week than with a dose of #WaspLove!
@uclcber.bsky.social
What better way to end the week than with a dose of #WaspLove!
@uclcber.bsky.social
Wasps are predators, pollinators, decomposers, & potential sources of nutrition & medicine. Join @waspwoman.bsky.social for a talk which will change how you see these under valued creatures. Reserve your seat now, online & inperson with a book signing & drinks oxfordbiodiversitynetwork.bookwhen.com
November 21, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Looking forward to giving this talk later today @naturerecovery.bsky.social!
What better way to end the week than with a dose of #WaspLove!
@uclcber.bsky.social
What better way to end the week than with a dose of #WaspLove!
@uclcber.bsky.social
Reposted by Tim Blackburn
"I’m more likely now to check the weather forecast for night than day." @mothyblackburn.bsky.social in The Jewel Box. This really tickled me for some reason.
November 19, 2025 at 10:19 PM
"I’m more likely now to check the weather forecast for night than day." @mothyblackburn.bsky.social in The Jewel Box. This really tickled me for some reason.
Reposted by Tim Blackburn
PhD up for grabs in applied ecology focusing on species traits and ecological processes, supervised by @jmbecologist.bsky.social @orlyrazgour.bsky.social, Ben Woodcock, and me.
Worth a look!
Worth a look!
PhD opportunity!
Focusing on ecological processes offers an adaptive approach to conservation at a time of rapid environmental change
But how do we measure & conserve these processes?
This PhD will explore the use of species traits to assess ecosystem condition
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Focusing on ecological processes offers an adaptive approach to conservation at a time of rapid environmental change
But how do we measure & conserve these processes?
This PhD will explore the use of species traits to assess ecosystem condition
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
www.findaphd.com
November 18, 2025 at 9:21 PM
PhD up for grabs in applied ecology focusing on species traits and ecological processes, supervised by @jmbecologist.bsky.social @orlyrazgour.bsky.social, Ben Woodcock, and me.
Worth a look!
Worth a look!
Reposted by Tim Blackburn
OK #Plymouth #Devon #Cornwall #Ballet #TheatreRoyal folks. No-one seems interested in buying my 2 x matinée circle tickets (cost £120) for #MatthewBourne 's 'Red Shoes' on Saturday, even at a reduced price, and when they're sold out 🤷🏻♀️
I'm beyond gutted not to be able to go 1/2
I'm beyond gutted not to be able to go 1/2
would.like
November 18, 2025 at 6:33 PM
OK #Plymouth #Devon #Cornwall #Ballet #TheatreRoyal folks. No-one seems interested in buying my 2 x matinée circle tickets (cost £120) for #MatthewBourne 's 'Red Shoes' on Saturday, even at a reduced price, and when they're sold out 🤷🏻♀️
I'm beyond gutted not to be able to go 1/2
I'm beyond gutted not to be able to go 1/2
Reposted by Tim Blackburn
Early Career Researchers wanted!
Apply to speak/perform at next year's British Science Festival #BSF26. We'll be at the University of Southampton.
Award Lectures are available in seven areas incl. social sciences, and seek to highlight the interdisciplinarity of science, research and innovation:
Apply to speak/perform at next year's British Science Festival #BSF26. We'll be at the University of Southampton.
Award Lectures are available in seven areas incl. social sciences, and seek to highlight the interdisciplinarity of science, research and innovation:
🎤 Are you an early career researcher passionate about communicating with the wider public? Applications for the 2026 British Science Festival Award Lectures are now open!
Next year's Festival is in Southampton, 16-20 Sept.
Find out more and apply >
www.britishscienceassociation.org/award-lectures
Next year's Festival is in Southampton, 16-20 Sept.
Find out more and apply >
www.britishscienceassociation.org/award-lectures
Award Lectures
Details on how to become an Award Lecturer at the British Science Festival
www.britishscienceassociation.org
November 18, 2025 at 11:49 AM
Early Career Researchers wanted!
Apply to speak/perform at next year's British Science Festival #BSF26. We'll be at the University of Southampton.
Award Lectures are available in seven areas incl. social sciences, and seek to highlight the interdisciplinarity of science, research and innovation:
Apply to speak/perform at next year's British Science Festival #BSF26. We'll be at the University of Southampton.
Award Lectures are available in seven areas incl. social sciences, and seek to highlight the interdisciplinarity of science, research and innovation:
Reposted by Tim Blackburn
PSA! leaf litter on your lawn can house thousands of babies🧐 - some hoverfly babies (larvae) i spotted earlier today. (plus old hoverfly pic for info)
Don't put leaf litter in the bin- it's a precious, nutrient-filled habitat..Pile it up, compost it or just leave it... 😁🌿🍁🍂
Don't put leaf litter in the bin- it's a precious, nutrient-filled habitat..Pile it up, compost it or just leave it... 😁🌿🍁🍂
November 16, 2025 at 1:17 PM
PSA! leaf litter on your lawn can house thousands of babies🧐 - some hoverfly babies (larvae) i spotted earlier today. (plus old hoverfly pic for info)
Don't put leaf litter in the bin- it's a precious, nutrient-filled habitat..Pile it up, compost it or just leave it... 😁🌿🍁🍂
Don't put leaf litter in the bin- it's a precious, nutrient-filled habitat..Pile it up, compost it or just leave it... 😁🌿🍁🍂
Ended up with a robust (for mid November) 16:8 in the London trap this morning. Nothing exciting, but this White-point might be a migrant (alongside RDP and vitrealis), while I don't get many Blastobasis lacticolella on the roof terrace. Vine's and 2 Red-green Carpet the best of the rest. #TeamMoth
November 16, 2025 at 7:53 AM
Ended up with a robust (for mid November) 16:8 in the London trap this morning. Nothing exciting, but this White-point might be a migrant (alongside RDP and vitrealis), while I don't get many Blastobasis lacticolella on the roof terrace. Vine's and 2 Red-green Carpet the best of the rest. #TeamMoth
Schrödinger's Catch in Camden overnight, simultaneously both good for November here and disappointing. A single migrant in Palpita vitrealis, which is regular on the roof terrace, and a single macro in Merveille du Jour, which isn't. Antipodean micros brought the total up to 5:4. #TeamMoth
November 15, 2025 at 7:21 AM
Schrödinger's Catch in Camden overnight, simultaneously both good for November here and disappointing. A single migrant in Palpita vitrealis, which is regular on the roof terrace, and a single macro in Merveille du Jour, which isn't. Antipodean micros brought the total up to 5:4. #TeamMoth
November 12, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Reposted by Tim Blackburn
Climate change is a 'natural' process now occurring ~10 times faster than the average rate after an ice age. Extinction is 'natural' but is now occurring 1000X faster than in past eras (apart from mass extinctions). Biological invasion is now at rates 100000X prehistoric levels of spp colonisations.
November 12, 2025 at 12:50 AM
Climate change is a 'natural' process now occurring ~10 times faster than the average rate after an ice age. Extinction is 'natural' but is now occurring 1000X faster than in past eras (apart from mass extinctions). Biological invasion is now at rates 100000X prehistoric levels of spp colonisations.
Reposted by Tim Blackburn
Big day tomorrow!! One of the best parts of my job. Join if you can.
🌎 Rutgers Climate Symposium: The Blue Planet (Webinar)
🎙️ Featuring: 🌿 J. Russell (Climate Scientist) 📖 H. Rozwadowski (Env. Historian)⚡ J. Cotrell (Renewable Energy CEO) ⚖️ C. Payne (Env. Lawyer)
🗓️ Nov 12, 9–12:30 ET | 💻 Free on Zoom
🔗 <a href="https://ow.ly/hmT550Xq5Ur" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">https://ow.ly/hmT550Xq5Ur
Learn more: https://ow.ly/hmT550Xq5Ur
🎙️ Featuring: 🌿 J. Russell (Climate Scientist) 📖 H. Rozwadowski (Env. Historian)⚡ J. Cotrell (Renewable Energy CEO) ⚖️ C. Payne (Env. Lawyer)
🗓️ Nov 12, 9–12:30 ET | 💻 Free on Zoom
🔗 <a href="https://ow.ly/hmT550Xq5Ur" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">https://ow.ly/hmT550Xq5Ur
Learn more: https://ow.ly/hmT550Xq5Ur
November 12, 2025 at 3:05 AM
Big day tomorrow!! One of the best parts of my job. Join if you can.
Reposted by Tim Blackburn
My book 'The Tree of Life' is published in the USA and Canada today.
Available as book, on kindle and as audio.
I would be really grateful for reposts.
www.amazon.com/Tree-Life-So...
www.amazon.ca/Tree-Life-So...
Available as book, on kindle and as audio.
I would be really grateful for reposts.
www.amazon.com/Tree-Life-So...
www.amazon.ca/Tree-Life-So...
November 11, 2025 at 12:01 PM
My book 'The Tree of Life' is published in the USA and Canada today.
Available as book, on kindle and as audio.
I would be really grateful for reposts.
www.amazon.com/Tree-Life-So...
www.amazon.ca/Tree-Life-So...
Available as book, on kindle and as audio.
I would be really grateful for reposts.
www.amazon.com/Tree-Life-So...
www.amazon.ca/Tree-Life-So...
Last one from the lab today. A right pig's ear of getting the dissected bits under a cover slip, but enough of the spines visible to ID as male Phyllonorycter messaniella. Clearly not quercifoliella as I originally thought, showing the value of gen det. #TeamMoth
November 10, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Last one from the lab today. A right pig's ear of getting the dissected bits under a cover slip, but enough of the spines visible to ID as male Phyllonorycter messaniella. Clearly not quercifoliella as I originally thought, showing the value of gen det. #TeamMoth
More from the lab. These two are both male November Moth, from Kenfig and Weir Quay, respectively. The search for anything other than dilutata continues... #TeamMoth
November 10, 2025 at 12:52 PM
More from the lab. These two are both male November Moth, from Kenfig and Weir Quay, respectively. The search for anything other than dilutata continues... #TeamMoth
Another day in the lab. This male Oegoconia from home on 10th October looks good for novimundi I think, which would be my second this year (and the latest listed on the Middx moth site). #TeamMoth
November 10, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Another day in the lab. This male Oegoconia from home on 10th October looks good for novimundi I think, which would be my second this year (and the latest listed on the Middx moth site). #TeamMoth
Two lifers amongst 45:13 in a maple-packed woodland last night. The target was Plumed Prominent, and by 5.30pm two females had already appeared. An hour later and we were enjoying extravagantly plumed males. A hibernating Agonopterix purpurea was also NFM, with December Moth NFY. #TeamMoth
November 8, 2025 at 7:57 AM
Two lifers amongst 45:13 in a maple-packed woodland last night. The target was Plumed Prominent, and by 5.30pm two females had already appeared. An hour later and we were enjoying extravagantly plumed males. A hibernating Agonopterix purpurea was also NFM, with December Moth NFY. #TeamMoth
Reposted by Tim Blackburn
Grad students! Come join us at IIASA as part of our summer research program!! See our webinars for more info
🌍 Applications for #YSSP2026 are open!
Spend your summer at IIASA in Austria with researchers from around the world tackling global challenges.
🧠 For advanced PhD students
🗓️ 1 Jun–28 Aug 2026
⏰ Apply by 12 Jan 2026 (midnight CET)
Build your network. Advance your research: iiasa.ac.at/capacity-dev...
Spend your summer at IIASA in Austria with researchers from around the world tackling global challenges.
🧠 For advanced PhD students
🗓️ 1 Jun–28 Aug 2026
⏰ Apply by 12 Jan 2026 (midnight CET)
Build your network. Advance your research: iiasa.ac.at/capacity-dev...
November 7, 2025 at 10:48 AM
Grad students! Come join us at IIASA as part of our summer research program!! See our webinars for more info