Clare Lusher
@batecology.bsky.social
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.
Pinned
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. 🦇
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. 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
September 13, 2025 at 1:39 PM
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. Will you join me? you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/st...
Still my best playlist for driving long hours in autumn 🍁 weather...
open.spotify.com/playlist/7er...
open.spotify.com/playlist/7er...
Spotify – Web Player
open.spotify.com
September 13, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Still my best playlist for driving long hours in autumn 🍁 weather...
open.spotify.com/playlist/7er...
open.spotify.com/playlist/7er...
Reposted by Clare Lusher
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...
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
May 21, 2025 at 10:21 AM
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...
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/05/21/s...
Reposted by Clare Lusher
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...
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
May 21, 2025 at 6:29 PM
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...
The illegal slaughter continues & the criminals responsible continue to evade justice.
#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime #Ornithology #UKBirding
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/05/21/1...
Reposted by Clare Lusher
🚨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
✅✅ 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
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"
Dr Rupert Read, "GB News won't tell you the truth because you're owned by Paul Marshall who is a fossil fuel magnet"
May 18, 2025 at 5:17 PM
🚨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
✅✅ 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
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
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
May 18, 2025 at 6:04 PM
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
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
Reposted by Clare Lusher
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.
April 19, 2025 at 5:03 PM
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.
Happy International Bat Appreciation Day! 🦇🦇🦇 #bats #chiroptera #internationalbatappreciationday2025
iucn.org/story/202504...
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
April 17, 2025 at 9:52 AM
Happy International Bat Appreciation Day! 🦇🦇🦇 #bats #chiroptera #internationalbatappreciationday2025
iucn.org/story/202504...
iucn.org/story/202504...
Reposted by Clare Lusher
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.
April 14, 2025 at 5:10 PM
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.
Reposted by Clare Lusher
Great thread of posts on species associated with Cuckoo Flower
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
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
April 17, 2025 at 7:28 AM
Great thread of posts on species associated with Cuckoo Flower
Reposted by Clare Lusher
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
April 15, 2025 at 8:40 PM
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
Reposted by Clare Lusher
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...
April 14, 2025 at 9:22 PM
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...
Reposted by Clare Lusher
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.
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.
April 6, 2025 at 1:42 PM
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.
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.
Reposted by Clare Lusher
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
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
April 5, 2025 at 9:00 AM
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
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
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
April 6, 2025 at 4:50 PM
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
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
chng.it/K5ZnBYBLCJ
Sign the Petition
STOP THE FLORIDA BEAR HUNT!!!
chng.it
March 30, 2025 at 12:35 AM
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
chng.it/K5ZnBYBLCJ
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.
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
March 23, 2025 at 7:58 PM
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.
Reposted by Clare Lusher
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.
You want to worry about that, not Disabled people.
March 21, 2025 at 8:08 PM
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.
You want to worry about that, not Disabled people.
Reposted by Clare Lusher
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
@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
March 21, 2025 at 8:19 PM
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
@eastangliabylines.co.uk @westnorfolkgreens.bsky.social @westnorfolkrob.bsky.social @norfolknats.bsky.social
Reposted by Clare Lusher
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
March 21, 2025 at 3:33 PM
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/...
Reposted by Clare Lusher
Brilliant news! At last, confirmation that the Govt *will* go ahead with the #NaturalHistoryGCSE 🎉 We have to get to know our fellow travellers on this planet again. Young people who know & love nature are far more likely to protect & restore it - as well as enjoying better physical & mental health
Department for Education confirms launch of natural history GCSE
Campaigners have been calling for the qualification for years but plan stalled despite a curriculum being drawn up
www.theguardian.com
March 21, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Brilliant news! At last, confirmation that the Govt *will* go ahead with the #NaturalHistoryGCSE 🎉 We have to get to know our fellow travellers on this planet again. Young people who know & love nature are far more likely to protect & restore it - as well as enjoying better physical & mental health
Reposted by Clare Lusher
Bitterns are BOOMING! 💚
283 males were recorded booming in 2024 - a 20% rise on 2023 and the biggest jump since monitoring began.
Once extinct as breeding birds in the UK, they're making an incredible recovery.
More in the video below, sound on...🔊
283 males were recorded booming in 2024 - a 20% rise on 2023 and the biggest jump since monitoring began.
Once extinct as breeding birds in the UK, they're making an incredible recovery.
More in the video below, sound on...🔊
March 19, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Bitterns are BOOMING! 💚
283 males were recorded booming in 2024 - a 20% rise on 2023 and the biggest jump since monitoring began.
Once extinct as breeding birds in the UK, they're making an incredible recovery.
More in the video below, sound on...🔊
283 males were recorded booming in 2024 - a 20% rise on 2023 and the biggest jump since monitoring began.
Once extinct as breeding birds in the UK, they're making an incredible recovery.
More in the video below, sound on...🔊
Reposted by Clare Lusher
Once again, over half of UK fisheries catch limits agreed for 2025 are above scientific advice.
Just 36% were in line with a precautionary approach.
Overfishing is bad for wildlife & self-defeating for the economy. Time to reduce & police catch limits and let the ocean recover.
Just 36% were in line with a precautionary approach.
Overfishing is bad for wildlife & self-defeating for the economy. Time to reduce & police catch limits and let the ocean recover.
March 19, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Once again, over half of UK fisheries catch limits agreed for 2025 are above scientific advice.
Just 36% were in line with a precautionary approach.
Overfishing is bad for wildlife & self-defeating for the economy. Time to reduce & police catch limits and let the ocean recover.
Just 36% were in line with a precautionary approach.
Overfishing is bad for wildlife & self-defeating for the economy. Time to reduce & police catch limits and let the ocean recover.
Reposted by Clare Lusher
We'd love it if all your bat group get involved!
We've nominated 24th May our national day to raise awareness of the threat to nature and we're asking people all over the country to wear the t-shirts/badges and arrange activities
We've nominated 24th May our national day to raise awareness of the threat to nature and we're asking people all over the country to wear the t-shirts/badges and arrange activities
March 19, 2025 at 9:15 AM
We'd love it if all your bat group get involved!
We've nominated 24th May our national day to raise awareness of the threat to nature and we're asking people all over the country to wear the t-shirts/badges and arrange activities
We've nominated 24th May our national day to raise awareness of the threat to nature and we're asking people all over the country to wear the t-shirts/badges and arrange activities