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David Roberts

@drdavidlroberts.bsky.social

2.1K followers 410 following 1.4K posts

Reader in #Biodiversity #Conservation @dice-kent.bsky.social; Research interests #extinction, spp id, #orchid #ecology, #wildlifetrade inc @wildlifetrade.bsky.social; APHAgovuk #Wildlife Inspector & SAB member; own views tinyurl.com/bd3r7tsp .. more

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Environmental science 35%

Geology 19%

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David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · Nov 24

This starter pack is open to all current & former students & staff of the Durrell Institute of #Conservation & #Ecology (DICE) @dice-kent.bsky.social go.bsky.app/5tT1i8y

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David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 13h

BBC News - Reform UK Staffordshire County Council scraps climate emergency declaration - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Staffordshire County Council scraps climate emergency declaration

Staffordshire County Council voted to overturn its climate emergency, announced in 2019.

www.bbc.co.uk

David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 13h

BBC News - Habitat improvement helps rare bumblebees - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Habitat improvement helps rare bumblebees

Conservationists say reversing insect decline is

www.bbc.co.uk

David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 13h

BBC News - Kimmeridge sea monster museum set to shut for four-week revamp - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Kimmeridge sea monster museum set to shut for four-week revamp

The revamp at The Etches Collection will make room for new fossils and provide better accessibility.

www.bbc.co.uk

David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 13h

BBC News - Rare 'Sword Dragon' dinosaur named after decades by researchers - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Rare 'Sword Dragon' dinosaur named after decades by researchers

Scientists at the University of Manchester have studied the ichthyosaur, which was found in 2001.

www.bbc.co.uk

David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 13h

BBC News - Both Paignton and Newquay Zoos for sale, owner confirms - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Both Paignton and Newquay Zoos for sale, owner confirms

The owner says it has received expressions of interest from across the UK and Europe.

www.bbc.co.uk

David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 13h

BBC News - Chinese firm planning £1.5bn turbine plant in Scotland
www.bbc.com/news/article...

Chinese firm planning £1.5bn turbine plant in Scotland

Ming Yang says up to 1,500 jobs could be created if plans for the facility at Ardersier go ahead.

www.bbc.com

David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 13h

BBC News - Naked mole rats' DNA could hold key to long life
www.bbc.com/news/article...

Naked mole rats reveal genetic secret to long life

The bald, subterranean rats are the world's longest-lived rodent.

www.bbc.com

David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 13h

BBC News - Fossil found on Dorset coast is unique 'sword dragon' species
www.bbc.com/news/article...

Fossil found on UK coast is unique 'sword dragon' species

Scientists say the newly discovered species of marine reptile probably met a grisly end.

www.bbc.com

Reposted by Mark Lubell

David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 13h

BBC News - Green turtle bounces back from brink in conservation 'win' - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Green turtle bounces back from brink in conservation 'win'

Once endangered due to hunting, it is making a strong recovery thanks to global conservation efforts.

www.bbc.co.uk

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David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 1d

BBC News - Turkestan shrike bird seen at Dunwich Heath for first time - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Turkestan shrike bird seen at Dunwich Heath for first time

There has been an influx of visitors to the nature reserve trying to catch a glimpse.

www.bbc.co.uk

David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 1d

BBC News - Anti-catapult rules proposed in Surrey over wildlife attacks - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Anti-catapult rules proposed in Surrey over wildlife attacks

A council is consulting on introducing a public space protection order targeting catapult misuse.

www.bbc.co.uk

David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 1d

BBC News - Brian Cox on 3I/Atlas - the comet flying through our solar system - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/...

Brian Cox on 3I/Atlas - the comet flying through our solar system

The physicist explains the journey of this

www.bbc.co.uk

David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 1d

BBC News - Rare bird spotted for first time in 34 years
www.bbc.com/news/article...

White-throated needletail seen for first time in 34 years

The white-throated needletail was seen at Tophill Low Nature Reserve in Driffield, East Yorkshire.

www.bbc.com

David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 1d

BBC News - Physics Nobel awarded to three scientists for work on quantum computing
www.bbc.com/news/article...

Physics Nobel: Three win prize for paving way for very powerful computers

The announcement was made by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in Stockholm.

www.bbc.com

David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 1d

BBC News - River Wye pollution prompts UK's largest environmental lawsuit - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

River Wye pollution prompts UK's largest environmental lawsuit

Livestock and water companies are accused of “extensive” pollution in the Wye, Lugg and Usk rivers.

www.bbc.co.uk

David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 1d

BBC News - Chemistry Nobel awarded for work on new materials that could help planet
www.bbc.com/news/article...

Chemistry Nobel awarded to three scientists for their work on metal organic frameworks

The winners of the prestigious science prize were announced by the Nobel committee in Sweden.

www.bbc.com

David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 4d

BBC News - Renewables overtake coal as world's biggest source of electricity
www.bbc.com/news/article...

Renewables overtake coal as world's biggest source of electricity

Developing countries lead the historic clean energy charge but the US and EU rely more on fossil fuels than before, a think tank study shows.

www.bbc.com

David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 5d

BBC News - Before and after images show glaciers vanishing before our eyes - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Before and after images show glaciers vanishing before our eyes

They are melting like never seen before, changing landscapes around the world beyond recognition.

www.bbc.co.uk

David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 6d

To me, to you...

Science Magazine @science.org · 6d

A 2024 study found that ants best humans at tests of collective intelligence.

Learn more on #WorldAnimalDay: https://scim.ag/42nMvQJ

Reposted by David L. Roberts, Éva E. Plagányi, Stéfan Ambec

Science Magazine @science.org · 6d

A 2024 study found that ants best humans at tests of collective intelligence.

Learn more on #WorldAnimalDay: https://scim.ag/42nMvQJ

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Reposted by Graeme S. Cumming, David L. Roberts, Julie L. Lockwood , and 4 more Graeme S. Cumming, David L. Roberts, Julie L. Lockwood, Márk E. Hauber, Dustin Mulvaney, Elizabeth Stevenson, Andreas De Block

Jonathan C Slaght @jonathanslaght.com · 7d

super cool study found human artifacts in Bearded vulture nests, incl. "weaponry like a crossbow bolt and wooden lance, decorated sheep leather, and parts of a slingshot....a shoe made from twigs and grass is ~675-years-old." link to paper: doi.org/10.1002/ecy..... www.popsci.com/environment/... 🧪🌍🦉

Multi-generational vulture nests hold 700 years of human artifacts

Crossbow bolts, sandals, slingshots, and more.

www.popsci.com

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David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 7d

BBC News - Vaccine breakthrough for deadly elephant virus
www.bbc.com/news/article...

Vaccine breakthrough for deadly elephant virus

A vaccine against a deadly disease that affects young elephants is shown to be effective in a world-first trial.

www.bbc.com

David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 8d

BBC News - Minecraft game launched to teach climate change
www.bbc.com/news/article...

Minecraft-style game based on Bude to help teach climate change

This local take on the hit 3D video game aims to inform children about things like coastal erosion.

www.bbc.com

David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 8d

BBC News - Beavers set to become a protected species in Wales
www.bbc.com/news/article...

Beavers set to become protected species in Wales under legislation

The changes bring Wales into line with England and Scotland in recognising beavers as requiring protection.

www.bbc.com

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Reposted by David L. Roberts

The Guardian @theguardian.com · 8d

Thames Water creditors ask for up to 15 years’ leniency from river pollution rules

Lenders say a ‘full return to legal, regulatory and environmental compliance’ under new rescue plan would not be completed until at least 2035-2040 * Business live – latest news Thames Water may not fully comply with rules on pollution of England’s waterways for as long as 15 years, according to a new plan by creditors who are scrambling to avoid the utility being forced into government administration. The creditors who in effect own Thames Water have said they will commit to paying fines for pollution, as well as writing off more of their loans and investing more in the company, in new proposals published on Thursday. Continue reading...

www.theguardian.com

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Reposted by Katharine Hayhoe, Peter Thorne, Jamie Hannaford , and 4 more Katharine Hayhoe, Peter Thorne, Jamie Hannaford, David L. Roberts, Mathias Disney, Janez Sušnik, Stuart White

Kate Raworth @kateraworth.bsky.social · 9d

Big Doughnutty News.
Just out in Nature: the all-new 2025 Doughnut. Transformed from a single-year snapshot to an annual global monitor of 21st century social & ecological thriving. Available to all in an open-access paper by @andrewlfanning.bsky.social and me. 🧵 1/
www.nature.com/articles/s41...

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David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 9d

BBC News - Praying mantis species spotted in Cornwall
www.bbc.com/news/article...

Praying mantis species spotted in Cornwall for first time

Cornwall Wildlife Trust says it believes the insects could have been blown over or hitchhiked.

www.bbc.com

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David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 9d

BBC News - Rare bird breeds on island for first time in decades
www.bbc.com/news/article...

Rathlin: Manx Shearwater breeds on island for first time in decades

The Manx Shearwater was once present on Rathlin Island in "considerable" numbers.

www.bbc.com

David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 9d

BBC News - Rare bird of prey feared shot in Yorkshire Dales - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Rare bird of prey feared shot in Yorkshire Dales

The protected hen harrier is one of the rarest in the UK, and the bird Sita was satellite tagged.

www.bbc.co.uk

David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 9d

BBC News - Fossil found on Skye is new species of fanged Jurassic reptile
www.bbc.com/news/article...

Fossil found on Skye is new species of fanged Jurassic reptile

Experts say the lizard-like creature, which has been given the Gaelic name Breugnathair elgolensis, had lived about 167 million years ago.