Dr Marcus Rhodes
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marcusrhodes.bsky.social
Dr Marcus Rhodes
@marcusrhodes.bsky.social
3.1K followers 810 following 430 posts

Ecologist in pursuit of butterflies. Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Exeter, Cornwall working on nature recovery and species' responses to climate change. He/Him

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Environmental science 38%
Biology 30%
Posts Replies Media Videos

marcusrhodes.bsky.social
Dr Marcus Rhodes @marcusrhodes.bsky.social · 1d
Back on Bodmin Moor this weekend with Cornwall Butterfly Conservation. This time, we were working at Fellover, another site for Pearl-bordered Fritillaries, managing Gorse and Bracken in an area between the two existing colonies. @savebutterflies.bsky.social
Cornwall Butterfly Conservation volunteers preparing for habitat management. Before: a hillside of Bracken heavily encouraged by Gorse. After: Gorse bushes have been removed (retaining some for shelter) to open up the area of Bracken.

Reposted by Marcus W. Rhodes

collieryspoil.bsky.social
Colliery Spoil Biodiversity Initiative @collieryspoil.bsky.social · 3d
🌿 A new chapter begins.

After 10 years of raising awareness of coal spoil biodiversity, the Colliery Spoil Biodiversity Initiative is evolving into Glo i Natur CIC - continuing the same mission with new opportunities ahead.

➡️ Follow @gloinatur.bsky.social - this account will shortly be replaced 💚

marcusrhodes.bsky.social
Dr Marcus Rhodes @marcusrhodes.bsky.social · 6d
Cley Marshes this evening. Swirling flocks of Golden Plover, ten Marsh Harriers arriving to roost, and an impressive murmuration of Starlings.
The view from the West Bank at Cley across the Glaven saltmarsh towards Cley Windmill and Blakeney Church.

marcusrhodes.bsky.social
Dr Marcus Rhodes @marcusrhodes.bsky.social · 7d
Simply magical!

Reposted by Patrick A. Jansen, Moreno Di Marco, Malte Jochum , and 6 more

shawan-chowdhury.bsky.social
Shawan Chowdhury @shawan-chowdhury.bsky.social · 8d
Check out our new insect decline paper. By analysing 36 yrs of German ground beetle distribution data, we show:
- ~80% of species have declined, with significant declines for >50%.
- The decline was similar across species traits and threatened status.
doi.org/10.1111/ddi.... @consbiog.bsky.social

marcusrhodes.bsky.social
Dr Marcus Rhodes @marcusrhodes.bsky.social · 8d
But what a sound!

marcusrhodes.bsky.social
Dr Marcus Rhodes @marcusrhodes.bsky.social · 8d
Back in the land of Geese #Norfolk

Reposted by Richard Fox, Marcus W. Rhodes

ukbms.bsky.social
UKBMS @ukbms.bsky.social · 11d
We're thrilled to share this film featuring some of the dedicated volunteers who monitor butterflies for the UKBMS

A huge thank you to them, and everyone who's supported the scheme over the last 50 years.
#UKBMS50

youtu.be/OrF5AgseX1U?...
Celebrating 50 years of butterfly monitoring
YouTube video by Butterfly Conservation
youtu.be

marcusrhodes.bsky.social
Dr Marcus Rhodes @marcusrhodes.bsky.social · 12d
It was one of my favourite highlights of the trip!

marcusrhodes.bsky.social
Dr Marcus Rhodes @marcusrhodes.bsky.social · 13d
Cornwall Butterfly Conservation volunteers were working at Church Hay Down today. We are slowly chipping away at the Gorse on this former Marsh Fritillary site in the hope that the butterfly will recolonise from just across the road. @savebutterflies.bsky.social
Cornwall Butterfly Conservation volunteers cutting Gorse. Before: an small area of Purple Moor Grass and Rush Pasture heavily encroached by Gorse. After: the Gorse has been cleared from the Purple Moor Grass and Rush Pasture with the cut material stacked into piles ready for removal.

marcusrhodes.bsky.social
Dr Marcus Rhodes @marcusrhodes.bsky.social · 14d
Atlantic Salmon leaping at Rogie Falls last month. An incredible feat of endurance and captivating to watch.

marcusrhodes.bsky.social
Dr Marcus Rhodes @marcusrhodes.bsky.social · 15d
For the last few days of the trip, we headed west in search of eagles on the Isle of Skye. We were lucky enough to see both White-tailed Eagle and Golden Eagle, along with Hen Harrier, Black Guillemot, Divers and (what I'm fairly certain were) Twite.
A White-tailed Eagle in flight. The distinctive large, yellow beak and white tail are clearly visible. A group of three Red-throated Divers in Staffin Bay. The towering basalt cliffs at Ruhba Hunish under a brooding sky.

marcusrhodes.bsky.social
Dr Marcus Rhodes @marcusrhodes.bsky.social · 15d
We also spent several days venturing out on the hills to explore the moorland and Cairngorm Plateau. Lekking Black Grouse were a first for me and a truly unforgettable experience!
Two male Black Grouse standing off to each other at a lek. Each bird has glossy, black plumage, red eye wattles, and is holding its tail fanned out to reveal the white underside. A mottled grey Ptarmigan hunkered down amongst granite boulders. A Red Grouse poking its mottled russet head above the heather. Loch Eanaich under brooding skies and a brilliant rainbow, nestled in a deep, glacial valley between Sgòr Gaoith and Braeriach.

marcusrhodes.bsky.social
Dr Marcus Rhodes @marcusrhodes.bsky.social · 15d
I've only just got round to sorting my photos from Scotland last month, so here's a short thread of some highlights. We were based along Strathspey for a week and a half, providing some wonderful opportunities for exploring Caledonian pine forests.
A Red Squirrel eating from a squirrel feeder. A Crested Tit with its black bib and distinctive black and white quiff perched in the branches of a Scots Pine tree. A Scotch Argus butterfly perched amongst grasses. Its dark brown wings are open revealing a row of eyespots set in a band of orange. Rays of sunshine breaking through Caledonian pine forest in the Cairngorms National Park.

Reposted by Marcus W. Rhodes

uniofexeteresi.bsky.social
University of Exeter's Environment and Sustainability Institute @uniofexeteresi.bsky.social · 20d
24th October: Want to be inspired by real stories of recovery and collaboration? Don’t miss the panel “Recovering Nature on Land”, where conservation leaders will share how they’re restoring habitats, protecting species, and bringing landscapes back to life!🌱

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cornwall-i...

marcusrhodes.bsky.social
Dr Marcus Rhodes @marcusrhodes.bsky.social · 21d
Atlantic Bluefin Tuna hunting off Land's End a couple of weeks ago.

marcusrhodes.bsky.social
Dr Marcus Rhodes @marcusrhodes.bsky.social · 23d
Bracken management at De Lank today with Cornwall Butterfly Conservation - another Pearl-bordered Fritillary site on Bodmin Moor. Encouraging to see lots of Violets beneath the Bracken litter where we were working. Let's hope the Fritillaries find them next spring! @savebutterflies.bsky.social
Cornwall Butterfly Conservation volunteers managing Bracken habitat for the Pearl-bordered Fritillary. Before: a clearing surrounded by woodland and densely carpeted with dead Bracken litter. After: pathways have been cleared through the Bracken litter to expose Violets (the food plant of Pearl-bordered Fritillary) and encourage further germination.

marcusrhodes.bsky.social
Dr Marcus Rhodes @marcusrhodes.bsky.social · 24d
Yay! My first Redwing of the autumn has just flown over at Camborne Station.

marcusrhodes.bsky.social
Dr Marcus Rhodes @marcusrhodes.bsky.social · 28d
Cornwall Butterfly Conservation volunteers were on Bodmin Moor today for our first work party of the winter. Bracken management and coppicing for Pearl-bordered Fritillaries in the Camel Valley at Jordan. @savebutterflies.bsky.social
Cornwall Butterfly Conservation volunteers raking Bracken litter to encourage Violet germination and suppress grass growth. Before: a woodland glade filled with Bracken and closely surrounded by trees. After: pathways have been cut through the Bracken to expose Violets and scallops have been created along the edges of the glade with coppicing.

Reposted by Pieter Vantieghem, Marcus W. Rhodes

europebutterfly.bsky.social
Butterfly Conservation Europe @europebutterfly.bsky.social · Oct 11
We are also deeply saddened that the Madeiran Large White, Pieris wollastoni, is now officially extinct: it was last seen in 1986. The full report can be downloaded here www.bc-europe.eu/documents/68...
A Museum specimen of now extinct Madeiran Large White, Pieris wollastoni (Photo: Sam Ellis)

Reposted by Tim M. Blackburn, Hans Henrik Bruun, Richard D. Gregory , and 4 more

martinswarren.bsky.social
martinswarren.bsky.social @martinswarren.bsky.social · Oct 11
The new European Butterfly Red List is published today, with worrying findings. Over 1/4 (28%) of Europe’s 442 species are threatened with extinction or are close to being so. The situation is far worse for our 148 endemic species, 40% are now threatened or nearly so www.bc-europe.eu/webpage.php?...
Front cover of the European Butterfly Red List, showing Polyommatus humedasae. The report can be downloaded at https://www.bc-europe.eu/webpage.php?name=red-list-butterflies-2025

marcusrhodes.bsky.social
Dr Marcus Rhodes @marcusrhodes.bsky.social · Oct 10
Have you come across @renewbiodiversity.bsky.social's Paws for Thought project? The second report ("Adopting a standardised, holistic approach towards managing the impacts of dog walking on the environment in the UK") has some recommendations for signage renewbiodiversity.org.uk/paws-for-tho...
ExCASES Mission: Paws for thought
Renewing biodiversity through a people-in-nature approach
renewbiodiversity.org.uk

marcusrhodes.bsky.social
Dr Marcus Rhodes @marcusrhodes.bsky.social · Oct 9
We're a small, friendly group of volunteers and always keen for extra helping hands. If you're looking for a fun and rewarding activity to fill the winter months, do think about signing up for a few conservation days!

volunteer.butterfly-conservation.org/opportunitie...
Cornwall Butterfly Conservation volunteers clearing scrub at West Basset Stamps.

marcusrhodes.bsky.social
Dr Marcus Rhodes @marcusrhodes.bsky.social · Oct 9
Around Camborne and Redruth, we will be working within the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site to manage scrub, Cotoneaster and Buddleia at sites supporting Silver-studded Blue, Grayling and Dingy Skipper.
A male Silver-studded Blue butterfly perched on the purple flowers of Bell Heather. The underside of its closed wings are pale blue with black and orange spots. The outer row of hindwing spots have metallic, silvery-blue centres.

marcusrhodes.bsky.social
Dr Marcus Rhodes @marcusrhodes.bsky.social · Oct 9
We also have two days planned at a site for Marsh Fritillary, helping to remove Gorse that is encroaching onto the breeding habitat.
An orange Marsh Fritillary butterfly resting with closed wings on a grass stem.

marcusrhodes.bsky.social
Dr Marcus Rhodes @marcusrhodes.bsky.social · Oct 9
On Bodmin Moor, we will be doing Bracken management at several sites around St Breward that support Pearl-bordered Fritillary and Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary.
A Pearl-bordered Fritillary butterfly nectaring from the blue flowers of Bugle. It has orange wings dotted with black spots, dashes and chevrons.

marcusrhodes.bsky.social
Dr Marcus Rhodes @marcusrhodes.bsky.social · Oct 9
Cornwall Butterfly Conservation’s winter habitat management begins next week!

This year, we have a packed programme of volunteer days around Bodmin Moor and Camborne-Redruth to restore habitat for threatened butterflies.

Sign-up to get involved at tinyurl.com/2cbb2jzw
@savebutterflies.bsky.social
Practical Conservation Group Volunteer (Cornwall)
Our Practical Conservation Group Volunteers make a real difference to their local environment. Without them, many threatened butterflies and moths could be lost forever.
tinyurl.com

Reposted by Marcus W. Rhodes

stevewg.bsky.social
Steve Gale @stevewg.bsky.social · Oct 9
Denbies Hillside, Surrey: a sign of our times - October 9th, stood in a t-shirt watching Redwings and a Brambling at the same time as this Chalkhill Blue butterfly!! It’s all over the place…

Reposted by Marco Festa‐Bianchet, Marcel E. Visser, Keith C. Hamer , and 3 more

stubearhop.bsky.social
Stu Bearhop @stubearhop.bsky.social · Sep 18
Fully funded PhD working on insectivorous bird declines with a broad range of stakeholders. Starting ASAP #ornithology #zoology #biodiversity #science #ecology
www.exeter.ac.uk/study/fundin...

Reposted by Marcus W. Rhodes

richardkbroughton.bsky.social
Richard K Broughton @richardkbroughton.bsky.social · Sep 17
Very firm statement on releases of captive-bred Turtle Doves, from Operation Turtle Dove inc @rspb.bsky.social & @naturalengland.bsky.social:
*Doesn't meet IUCN guidelines
*Risk of disease/genetic pollution
*Irresponsible aims
operationturtledove.org/captive-rele... 1/2 #ornithology #ukbirding
Operation Turtle Dove’s view on the release of captive-bred Turtle Doves as a conservation measure - Operation Turtle Dove
Operation Turtle Dove is a science-led conservation partnership working to reverse the decline of Turtle Doves in the UK by restoring habitat and addressing key threats. Learn why captive-bred release...
operationturtledove.org