Helen Baker
@helenbaker.bsky.social
Ornithology, Mycology, nature.
Seabird team leader JNCC.
Member BMS Field Mycology & Conservation Committee.
Own views.
Seabird team leader JNCC.
Member BMS Field Mycology & Conservation Committee.
Own views.
Reposted by Helen Baker
New New Phytologist paper (doi.org/10.1111/nph....) using UNITE data reveals global biogeographic and host patterns in Russula.
Biogeography and host associations of Russula subsection Xerampelinae based on large‐scale analysis of UNITE sequence data
Estimating fungal geographic ranges and niche potential is limited by the ephemeral nature of fruiting bodies. While environmental DNA offers broader insights, species-level identification remains d...
doi.org
December 16, 2025 at 6:48 AM
New New Phytologist paper (doi.org/10.1111/nph....) using UNITE data reveals global biogeographic and host patterns in Russula.
Ramaria atractospora from the ancient birch woods at Morrone Birkwood, Braemar, Aberdeenshire. No records in FRDBI but has been previously confirmed as occurring in the UK from museum specimens by Kew.
December 20, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Ramaria atractospora from the ancient birch woods at Morrone Birkwood, Braemar, Aberdeenshire. No records in FRDBI but has been previously confirmed as occurring in the UK from museum specimens by Kew.
Reposted by Helen Baker
🚨 We’re hiring!
3 exciting roles at JNCC:
💻 Senior IT Support Analyst
📊 Finance Business Partner
🌊 Senior Marine Industries Adviser
📅 Apply now 👇
jncc.gov.uk/about-jncc/c...
#WeAreHiring #ITJobs #FinanceJobs #MarineIndustries #EnvironmentJobs
3 exciting roles at JNCC:
💻 Senior IT Support Analyst
📊 Finance Business Partner
🌊 Senior Marine Industries Adviser
📅 Apply now 👇
jncc.gov.uk/about-jncc/c...
#WeAreHiring #ITJobs #FinanceJobs #MarineIndustries #EnvironmentJobs
December 19, 2025 at 2:09 PM
🚨 We’re hiring!
3 exciting roles at JNCC:
💻 Senior IT Support Analyst
📊 Finance Business Partner
🌊 Senior Marine Industries Adviser
📅 Apply now 👇
jncc.gov.uk/about-jncc/c...
#WeAreHiring #ITJobs #FinanceJobs #MarineIndustries #EnvironmentJobs
3 exciting roles at JNCC:
💻 Senior IT Support Analyst
📊 Finance Business Partner
🌊 Senior Marine Industries Adviser
📅 Apply now 👇
jncc.gov.uk/about-jncc/c...
#WeAreHiring #ITJobs #FinanceJobs #MarineIndustries #EnvironmentJobs
Reposted by Helen Baker
How should the discipline of ecology and the community of ecologists respond to the ecological crisis? Is it time that these were put on something more akin to an emergency footing?
www.cell.com/action/showP...
www.cell.com/action/showP...
December 18, 2025 at 8:59 AM
How should the discipline of ecology and the community of ecologists respond to the ecological crisis? Is it time that these were put on something more akin to an emergency footing?
www.cell.com/action/showP...
www.cell.com/action/showP...
Reposted by Helen Baker
📢 NOMINATE FOR BOU COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP
➡️ Awards Nominations Committee
➡️ Engagement Committee
➡️ IBIS Management Committee
➡️ Meetings Committee
➡️ Records Committee
Plus NEW Committee Shadowing Scheme
Full details: bou.org.uk/about-the...
#ornithology 🪶
➡️ Awards Nominations Committee
➡️ Engagement Committee
➡️ IBIS Management Committee
➡️ Meetings Committee
➡️ Records Committee
Plus NEW Committee Shadowing Scheme
Full details: bou.org.uk/about-the...
#ornithology 🪶
December 18, 2025 at 12:00 PM
📢 NOMINATE FOR BOU COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP
➡️ Awards Nominations Committee
➡️ Engagement Committee
➡️ IBIS Management Committee
➡️ Meetings Committee
➡️ Records Committee
Plus NEW Committee Shadowing Scheme
Full details: bou.org.uk/about-the...
#ornithology 🪶
➡️ Awards Nominations Committee
➡️ Engagement Committee
➡️ IBIS Management Committee
➡️ Meetings Committee
➡️ Records Committee
Plus NEW Committee Shadowing Scheme
Full details: bou.org.uk/about-the...
#ornithology 🪶
Reposted by Helen Baker
Available now: Field Mycology Vol 26(4) December 2025. On the front cover: Ascospores of Spirodecospora melnikii - a new genus for Western Europe, characterised by spores with spiralling ornamentation (article on page 132). Micrograph image by Jacques Fournier.
➡️ fieldmycology.org/index.php/jo...
➡️ fieldmycology.org/index.php/jo...
December 18, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Available now: Field Mycology Vol 26(4) December 2025. On the front cover: Ascospores of Spirodecospora melnikii - a new genus for Western Europe, characterised by spores with spiralling ornamentation (article on page 132). Micrograph image by Jacques Fournier.
➡️ fieldmycology.org/index.php/jo...
➡️ fieldmycology.org/index.php/jo...
Reposted by Helen Baker
It's been quite a ride learning how to be Senior Editor of this publication. Very happy to see the fourth and final issue of Volume 26 out before the end of December. 🎁
Gonna have a proper holiday next.
Looking forward to seeing where our readers, authors, reviewers and editors take us in 2026!
Gonna have a proper holiday next.
Looking forward to seeing where our readers, authors, reviewers and editors take us in 2026!
Available now: Field Mycology Vol 26(4) December 2025. On the front cover: Ascospores of Spirodecospora melnikii - a new genus for Western Europe, characterised by spores with spiralling ornamentation (article on page 132). Micrograph image by Jacques Fournier.
➡️ fieldmycology.org/index.php/jo...
➡️ fieldmycology.org/index.php/jo...
December 18, 2025 at 1:47 PM
It's been quite a ride learning how to be Senior Editor of this publication. Very happy to see the fourth and final issue of Volume 26 out before the end of December. 🎁
Gonna have a proper holiday next.
Looking forward to seeing where our readers, authors, reviewers and editors take us in 2026!
Gonna have a proper holiday next.
Looking forward to seeing where our readers, authors, reviewers and editors take us in 2026!
Reposted by Helen Baker
Recent @britmycolsoc.org.uk webinar about publishing in our society's journals now available to watch on YouTube.
▶️ youtu.be/BagGckIo1sk?...
▶️ youtu.be/BagGckIo1sk?...
Mycology Publishing - making the BMS journals work for you.
YouTube video by British Mycological Society
youtu.be
December 16, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Recent @britmycolsoc.org.uk webinar about publishing in our society's journals now available to watch on YouTube.
▶️ youtu.be/BagGckIo1sk?...
▶️ youtu.be/BagGckIo1sk?...
Reposted by Helen Baker
Our Spring Field Meeting for observing and recording fungi will visit ancient woodlands, moorland, grassland, petrified forests and coastal shores, and is based at the Root Project, Lynton. Find out more: www.britmycolsoc.org.uk/spring-field...
December 17, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Our Spring Field Meeting for observing and recording fungi will visit ancient woodlands, moorland, grassland, petrified forests and coastal shores, and is based at the Root Project, Lynton. Find out more: www.britmycolsoc.org.uk/spring-field...
Reposted by Helen Baker
Warming oceans are having widespread and often negative effects on migratory seabirds, new research involving UKCEH shows.
The study compared seasonal sea surface temperatures with seabird numbers to quantify effects on reproduction, survival & population trends. doi.org/10.1073/pnas...
🧪1/
The study compared seasonal sea surface temperatures with seabird numbers to quantify effects on reproduction, survival & population trends. doi.org/10.1073/pnas...
🧪1/
Demographic responses of North Atlantic seabirds to seasonal ocean warming | PNAS
Climate-driven ocean warming is profoundly reshaping marine ecosystems, with cascading
effects on biodiversity and trophic interactions. For migrat...
doi.org
December 15, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Warming oceans are having widespread and often negative effects on migratory seabirds, new research involving UKCEH shows.
The study compared seasonal sea surface temperatures with seabird numbers to quantify effects on reproduction, survival & population trends. doi.org/10.1073/pnas...
🧪1/
The study compared seasonal sea surface temperatures with seabird numbers to quantify effects on reproduction, survival & population trends. doi.org/10.1073/pnas...
🧪1/
Reposted by Helen Baker
Incredible work by the ACDP HPAI working group (ht to Ralph) for pulling together the impact of HPAI on Procellariiformes. The dataset underlying the upcoming database is now live!
👉 zenodo.org/records/1785...
👉 zenodo.org/records/1785...
December 15, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Incredible work by the ACDP HPAI working group (ht to Ralph) for pulling together the impact of HPAI on Procellariiformes. The dataset underlying the upcoming database is now live!
👉 zenodo.org/records/1785...
👉 zenodo.org/records/1785...
Reposted by Helen Baker
POV: You're scrolling through the Mycology team's camera roll after a field trip 🍄
Several members of the team recently spent time in Dumfries & Galloway, on the border of Scotland, as part of a field trip - one of which alongside the British Mycological Society @britmycolsoc.org.uk 👇 [1/2]
Several members of the team recently spent time in Dumfries & Galloway, on the border of Scotland, as part of a field trip - one of which alongside the British Mycological Society @britmycolsoc.org.uk 👇 [1/2]
December 12, 2025 at 12:12 PM
POV: You're scrolling through the Mycology team's camera roll after a field trip 🍄
Several members of the team recently spent time in Dumfries & Galloway, on the border of Scotland, as part of a field trip - one of which alongside the British Mycological Society @britmycolsoc.org.uk 👇 [1/2]
Several members of the team recently spent time in Dumfries & Galloway, on the border of Scotland, as part of a field trip - one of which alongside the British Mycological Society @britmycolsoc.org.uk 👇 [1/2]
Reposted by Helen Baker
Highly pathogenic avian influenza caused a mass die-off in Eurasian cranes during their autumn migration through Germany, France and Spain. More than 18,000 dead cranes were reported dead in Germany alone. The full demographic impact of this mortality on the crane population needs to be assessed.
December 12, 2025 at 5:36 AM
Highly pathogenic avian influenza caused a mass die-off in Eurasian cranes during their autumn migration through Germany, France and Spain. More than 18,000 dead cranes were reported dead in Germany alone. The full demographic impact of this mortality on the crane population needs to be assessed.
Reposted by Helen Baker
New large-scale study based on SEAPOP data shows that #ocean #warming threatens #seabirds in the North Atlantic
@ninanatureresearch.bsky.social
@ninanatureresearch.bsky.social
Ocean warming threatens seabirds in the North Atlantic
Climate change is causing ocean warming, acidification and loss of sea ice. This, in turn, is leading to shifting biogeographic distribution and in some cases species extinction.
seapop.no
December 11, 2025 at 11:27 AM
New large-scale study based on SEAPOP data shows that #ocean #warming threatens #seabirds in the North Atlantic
@ninanatureresearch.bsky.social
@ninanatureresearch.bsky.social
Reposted by Helen Baker
📉 Our new paper shows Bewick’s Swan numbers in NW/NE Europe have fallen to ~12,900 birds - a 56.7% decline since 1995, with further losses predicted by 2026 unless survival or breeding success improves. Flyway-wide conservation is urgent. 🦢 Download paper > tidsskrift.dk/Wildfowl/art... #Ornithology
December 12, 2025 at 3:22 PM
📉 Our new paper shows Bewick’s Swan numbers in NW/NE Europe have fallen to ~12,900 birds - a 56.7% decline since 1995, with further losses predicted by 2026 unless survival or breeding success improves. Flyway-wide conservation is urgent. 🦢 Download paper > tidsskrift.dk/Wildfowl/art... #Ornithology
Reposted by Helen Baker
📰'Overwinter population estimates of waterbirds in Great Britain' has been published in @britishbirds.bsky.social, using WeBS & GSMP data from 2017/2018 to 2022/2023 to provide a total wintering waterbird population estimate of 12.8 million individuals.
Abstract ⬇️
www.bto.org/our-work/sci...
Abstract ⬇️
www.bto.org/our-work/sci...
December 10, 2025 at 3:53 PM
📰'Overwinter population estimates of waterbirds in Great Britain' has been published in @britishbirds.bsky.social, using WeBS & GSMP data from 2017/2018 to 2022/2023 to provide a total wintering waterbird population estimate of 12.8 million individuals.
Abstract ⬇️
www.bto.org/our-work/sci...
Abstract ⬇️
www.bto.org/our-work/sci...
Reposted by Helen Baker
1/ A new study from @lesserspotnet.bsky.social & BTO in @britishbirds.bsky.social looks at how passive acoustic monitoring is an effective way of surveying Lesser Spotted Woodpecker ➡️ www.bto.org/LSWBioacoust...
#bioacoustics #ornithology @simongillings.bsky.social @hosbirding.bsky.social
#bioacoustics #ornithology @simongillings.bsky.social @hosbirding.bsky.social
December 4, 2025 at 9:36 AM
1/ A new study from @lesserspotnet.bsky.social & BTO in @britishbirds.bsky.social looks at how passive acoustic monitoring is an effective way of surveying Lesser Spotted Woodpecker ➡️ www.bto.org/LSWBioacoust...
#bioacoustics #ornithology @simongillings.bsky.social @hosbirding.bsky.social
#bioacoustics #ornithology @simongillings.bsky.social @hosbirding.bsky.social
Reposted by Helen Baker
🔊 CALL FOR ABSTRACTS OPEN
#BOUasm26 | 29 September 2026 | York, UK & Zoom & Bluesky
Avian futures: predicting and preparing for the future of avian biodiversity
Submit your talk or Bluesky abstract now!
bou.org.uk/event/avi...
#ornithology
#BOUasm26 | 29 September 2026 | York, UK & Zoom & Bluesky
Avian futures: predicting and preparing for the future of avian biodiversity
Submit your talk or Bluesky abstract now!
bou.org.uk/event/avi...
#ornithology
December 1, 2025 at 8:00 AM
🔊 CALL FOR ABSTRACTS OPEN
#BOUasm26 | 29 September 2026 | York, UK & Zoom & Bluesky
Avian futures: predicting and preparing for the future of avian biodiversity
Submit your talk or Bluesky abstract now!
bou.org.uk/event/avi...
#ornithology
#BOUasm26 | 29 September 2026 | York, UK & Zoom & Bluesky
Avian futures: predicting and preparing for the future of avian biodiversity
Submit your talk or Bluesky abstract now!
bou.org.uk/event/avi...
#ornithology
Reposted by Helen Baker
🔊 KEYNOTE NOMINATIONS
Who would you like to see deliver a keynote at #BOU2027 ?
#BOU2027 | Avian disease ecology | 6 - 8 April 2027 | Nottingham, UK & Zoom & Bluesky
Nominate via link ⬇️
bou.org.uk/event/avi...
#ornithology 🪶
Who would you like to see deliver a keynote at #BOU2027 ?
#BOU2027 | Avian disease ecology | 6 - 8 April 2027 | Nottingham, UK & Zoom & Bluesky
Nominate via link ⬇️
bou.org.uk/event/avi...
#ornithology 🪶
December 1, 2025 at 2:00 PM
🔊 KEYNOTE NOMINATIONS
Who would you like to see deliver a keynote at #BOU2027 ?
#BOU2027 | Avian disease ecology | 6 - 8 April 2027 | Nottingham, UK & Zoom & Bluesky
Nominate via link ⬇️
bou.org.uk/event/avi...
#ornithology 🪶
Who would you like to see deliver a keynote at #BOU2027 ?
#BOU2027 | Avian disease ecology | 6 - 8 April 2027 | Nottingham, UK & Zoom & Bluesky
Nominate via link ⬇️
bou.org.uk/event/avi...
#ornithology 🪶
Reposted by Helen Baker
Job opportunity with the BMS: Events Officer. Part-time, flexible hours, home based. Covering conferences, training workshops, field meetings & outreach events. Working closely with staff & volunteers. Deadline: Friday 12 December 2025
Details: www.britmycolsoc.org.uk/vacancies.html
Details: www.britmycolsoc.org.uk/vacancies.html
November 27, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Job opportunity with the BMS: Events Officer. Part-time, flexible hours, home based. Covering conferences, training workshops, field meetings & outreach events. Working closely with staff & volunteers. Deadline: Friday 12 December 2025
Details: www.britmycolsoc.org.uk/vacancies.html
Details: www.britmycolsoc.org.uk/vacancies.html
Reposted by Helen Baker
As I'm planning next years field season, I wonder if anyone on here would like to run a small island project on Skúvoy with me. I will be catching and samling great skuas, but there will be good opportunities to investigate other aspects of seabird island ecology 🌍🧪 #seabirds
November 26, 2025 at 10:55 PM
As I'm planning next years field season, I wonder if anyone on here would like to run a small island project on Skúvoy with me. I will be catching and samling great skuas, but there will be good opportunities to investigate other aspects of seabird island ecology 🌍🧪 #seabirds
Reposted by Helen Baker
🪸UK Overseas Territories launch strategy to benefit wildlife
We have been working with the UK Overseas Territories for a quarter of a century - building understanding, partnership, evidence, capacity and friendship.
#TogetherForNature 💚
We have been working with the UK Overseas Territories for a quarter of a century - building understanding, partnership, evidence, capacity and friendship.
#TogetherForNature 💚
November 28, 2025 at 3:35 PM
🪸UK Overseas Territories launch strategy to benefit wildlife
We have been working with the UK Overseas Territories for a quarter of a century - building understanding, partnership, evidence, capacity and friendship.
#TogetherForNature 💚
We have been working with the UK Overseas Territories for a quarter of a century - building understanding, partnership, evidence, capacity and friendship.
#TogetherForNature 💚
Reposted by Helen Baker
Doing research on #Arctic #seabirds? Consider submitting an abstract to the session 'Safeguarding seabird populations in a rapidly changing Arctic' at www.uarcticcongress.fo/programme/ca... in Tórshavn, Faroe Islands 26-29 May 2026
Uarctic Congress 2026
www.uarcticcongress.fo
November 22, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Doing research on #Arctic #seabirds? Consider submitting an abstract to the session 'Safeguarding seabird populations in a rapidly changing Arctic' at www.uarcticcongress.fo/programme/ca... in Tórshavn, Faroe Islands 26-29 May 2026
Reposted by Helen Baker
Another piece of research from team #Shag on Sklinna. Strongly recommended for all researchers working with #biologging data
#biologging #research is booming - but do #loggers actually impact the birds? Yes, they do - depending on the mass and attachment location. If you work with biologging, you should read our latest publication seapop.no/en/2025/11/l...
@ninanatureresearch.bsky.social #seabirds
@ninanatureresearch.bsky.social #seabirds
Loggers attached to birds can affect foraging behaviour
Loggers have become a central part of research on seabirds and other groups of animals over the past 20 years. In seabird research, loggers provide very useful documentation of diving behaviour…
seapop.no
November 20, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Another piece of research from team #Shag on Sklinna. Strongly recommended for all researchers working with #biologging data
Reposted by Helen Baker
Needing to model impacts on seabird populations in Northwest Europe?
Not sure where to find useful values for demographic variables?
Look no further! In this new paper, we provide model-derived values for age-specific survival of 25 species.
besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Not sure where to find useful values for demographic variables?
Look no further! In this new paper, we provide model-derived values for age-specific survival of 25 species.
besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Demography of marine birds in the Northeast Atlantic: Informed parameter values for population modelling
We developed matrix population models for 54 regional populations of 25 marine bird species in the north-east Atlantic, based on 30 years of monitoring data. In Step 1, we parameterised the models wi...
besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
November 14, 2025 at 10:23 AM
Needing to model impacts on seabird populations in Northwest Europe?
Not sure where to find useful values for demographic variables?
Look no further! In this new paper, we provide model-derived values for age-specific survival of 25 species.
besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Not sure where to find useful values for demographic variables?
Look no further! In this new paper, we provide model-derived values for age-specific survival of 25 species.
besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...