Dave Skingsley

We are delighted to share the #StateOfWindermere report & #WindermereIntegratedSciencePlan. Collating over 90 years of data to provide an overview of the current ecological status of Windermere & detailing pressures from #ClimateChange & human use. Read:👇 fba.org.uk/fba-voice/the-…

Any early years invertebrate ecologists looking for survey work? Please get in touch. Looking to offer survey work experience (paid). Plenty of survey work across the UK this year. Need a good foundation in ID, and especially Diptera to Family level. @HAU_Entomology @hatbirder

The final piece of the jigsaw is complete - the talks. We have a busy schedule of talks next Saturday (March 1st). Something for everyone including the Young Verrall Lecture presented by @benclunie from @HAU_Entomology.You can find out more on our Facebook page (@staffsbugfest)

We've finalised the Staffordshire University's Children's University list of activities. The passport is filled with a fantastic variety of things to achieve for your kids while you are walking around chatting to the societies. See you all on March 1st @ Staffs Uni.

UK conservation goals are insufficient to save ants and bees, says expert. The “little things that run the planet" are crucial in maintaining healthy ecosystems - they pollinate plants, decompose organic matter & serve as a food source for other animals. theguardian.com/environment/20…

Aw, baby flies can sense both the taste and texture of their food 🥹 nature.com/articles/d4158…

You can find more about the Staffordshire Invertebrate Science Fair on our page. It is a free invertebrate conservation event hosted at Staffordshire University and run by @StaffsInverts . It is on Saturday March 1st. Perfect for all ages and levels of interest.

New, fabulously illustrated spider book out now. The @BritishSpiders will be at @SISF_2025 on March 1st with @Megabunus representing the harvestmen.

The talks itinerary is starting to develop with some interesting presentations being lined up. First up, we have Professor Toby Bruce from @KeeleUniversity University who will be giving a talk on 'the sense of smell in insects'. Which sounds intriguing to say the least!

You can meet Trine from @Riverflies at this year's SISF on Saturday March 1st @SUBioscience . There will also be the usual pond dipping stall with @NickMott7 and Andy Farmer, so plenty of aquatics for those interested in our waterways. @HAU_Entomology @KeeleUniversity @EnvAgency

As wood ants become increasingly rare, there R things we can do. 1 is actually move nests from sites with strong populations & (re-)introduce them to other suitable woods. @ConopsEnto did just this. Moving wood ants is tried and tested. Need to consider this in Staffs.

This sparklingly silver stiletto fly is Acrosathe annulata. It usually lives on sand dunes at the coast. There is however a population of this usually coastal fly right in the middle of England, in south Staffordshire.

@ConopsEnto will also be on hand as usual to talk to anyone who would like to get a career in invertebrate ecology.

Butterfly Conservation have work parties you can be a part of. Les Hill from Butterfly Conservation will be at SISF talking about moths and also what you can do to help BC with their work in the West Midlands.

1 of the most rewarding parts of being an invertebrate ecologist is helping create new habitat for species. Here is a site @ConopsEnto advised on 2 help rare dingy skipper butterflies. There is now a thriving colony of the species using this new site.

Staffordshire is of regional importance for its populations of the red wood ant. Not long now before they will start to emerge on sunny spring days to warm up en masse. @bwars2000 @CannockChaseDC @CannockChaseNL @Lichfield_DC @StaffsInverts@bugbotherer @ConopsEnto @bugbotherer

@SISF_2025 @ConopsEnto @NE_WestMids @savebutterflies @ukbutterflies @WhatsOnStaffs @StaffsEcology @nationaltrust Brilliant advice, generously given 🦎

🦋 Check out our new membership option enabling organisations to provide RES membership to their staff team at a discounted rate. We encourage partners and supporters across academia, NGOs and industry to join us. Read more 🔽 royensoc.co.uk/organisational…

@SISF_2025 is full stream ahead for March 1st @staffsUni. Loads of the usual invertebrate groups will be represented and plenty of talks and new people to talk to. After a hiatus its really good to have @Riverflies at the event along with newbie, @The_Buzz_Club. @bugbotherer