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Tannis Davidson

@tannisdavidson.bsky.social
1.7K followers 648 following 119 posts

Head of Zoology and Science Collections at UCL based at the Grant Museum of Zoology @uclgrantmuseum.bsky.social. Flickering I roam.

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Tannis Davidson @tannisdavidson.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Austerity tours at the Museum of Vancouver giving visitors the real ‘behind the scenes’. 👀
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Thomas Cullen @thomascullen.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
With all the news of museums being closed and/or defunded, I feel the message of our paper on the importance of natural history research (and the collections housing those specimens) is just as relevant (or more) today as it was when it was published. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
cover page of the linked paper
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Tannis Davidson @tannisdavidson.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
It’s a good one today folks
Blazing pink clouds at sunrise reflecting in Thames river. Canary Wharf buildings in distance.
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Aida Andres @aidaandres.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
What an interesting piece.
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Tannis Davidson @tannisdavidson.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Fleeting drama
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Tannis Davidson @tannisdavidson.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
RIP HELCH 😥
HELCH tag at Sloane Square underground
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Canadian History Ehx @cdnhistoryehx.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Before Europeans arrived, these were some of the names for The Great Lakes: Superior: gichi-gami (great sea) Erie: erielhonan (long tail) Michigan: michigami (long body of water) Ontario: Ontarí'io\kanadario (great lake\beautiful water) Huron: karegnondi (fresh water sea)
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Tannis Davidson @tannisdavidson.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
Dawn and chorus
View of River Thames eastward with Canary Wharf in distance and pink dawn clouds. Merlin bird list with loads of gulls identified.
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Bat Conservation Trust @batconservation.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
🦇 The musicians turning bat calls into club music: www.positive.news/environment/...
positive.news
The musicians turning bat calls into club music
A new album made from the echolocation calls of bats is inviting listeners to hear one of the UK’s most misunderstood mammals differently
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Tannis Davidson @tannisdavidson.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
London #eclipse. Daylight at beginning of eclipse v during time of maximum eclipse
Daylight at beginning of eclipse Daylight at 7:13pm during greatest eclipseColander eclipse view
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Alec BM Moore @alecbmmoore.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
www.forbes.com/sites/meliss...
forbes.com
How Historic Sawfish Collections Changed Conservation
A century's worth of sawfish rostra tucked away in museums and private collections has revealed something we couldn't see by counting animals alone: the world's largetooth sawfish have lost a remarkab...
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Tannis Davidson @tannisdavidson.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
youtube.com/watch?v=llqW...
youtube.com
🚨 BC Wildfires Explode | Bald Range Fire Reaches 5,000 Hectares in Hours, Summerland Evacuated
YouTube video by Daily Forecast Canada
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Met Office - weather and climate @metoffice.gov.uk · 08/08/2026
The UK will experience a partial solar eclipse on Wednesday 12 August. The extent of the Sun's coverage and the timing of maximum obscuration will differ across the country. Never look directly at the sun; use a pinhole projector or certified eclipse glasses to view it.
Map on UK showing how much of the sun will be obscured by the moon, at maximum, during the solar eclipse on Wednesday 12th of August. this ranges from 88% in the east to 98% in the southwest.
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Dr. Abigail Desmond @abigaildesmond.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
15,000 years ago, in one of the the earliest settled communities in the world, a child collected fine clay from the slow-moving river by her home. She then committed an act familiar to all inveterate play-doh enthusiasts; rolling and and pinching the squishy clay into tiny round balls.
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Seirian Sumner @waspwoman.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
Whilst most sensible people were snoozing at 6.50am today, I was on #BBCRadio4 #TodayProgramme, talking about wasps, heatwaves & how you can help #HamOrJam #WaspPicnicSurvey2026 Listen @BBCSounds 50' www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/... Read more: theconversation.com/where-have-a... @uclnews.bsky.social
theconversation.com
Where have all the wasps gone this summer?
And why you should let them share your picnic ham and jam.
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Grant Museum of Zoology @uclgrantmuseum.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
Pleased to share Benedict Cumberbatch meeting our walrus baculum at the recent premiere of ‘How to Live on Earth’ with Dan O’Neill: youtu.be/7gbV-bJ7iI0?...
youtu.be
Guess the Species with Dan O’Neill | How to Live on Earth
YouTube video by Open Planet
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Museums Association @museumsassociation.org · 10/07/2026
News | Museums count cost of heatwaves as income and collections suffer Footfall drops 3% in first two quarters of the year with extreme weather cited as a leading cause
museumsassociation.org
Museums count cost of heatwaves as income and collections suffer - Museums Association
Footfall drops 3% in first two quarters of the year with extreme weather cited as a leading cause
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Miguel Clavero @chikichanka.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
Natural history on canvas: Brueghel knew about bird-eating noctule bats Just published in @pnas.org, OA for all eyes Led by the one-and-only @romero-vidal.bsky.social, with the amazing @elena-tena.bsky.social and Sonia Sánchez-Navarro @ebdonana.bsky.social LINK: www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
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franz @franzanth.bsky.social · 29/02/2024
Absolutely nobody asked for this but I reformatted my animal yeetability thread into printable poster & zine files. Introducing, the "Pocket Guide to Responsible & Sustainable Animal YEETING" featuring a revamped rating system. Download links below.
Poster showing various animals and their yeetability rating. For full rating, see the link in the reply. Intro text reads:

POCKET GUIDE TO RESPONSIBLE & SUSTAINABLE ANIMAL YEETING
by franzanth

In this context, YEETING is defined as the act of throwing a “projectile” at a slightly upward angle with low initial velocity. The goal here is relocation, not destruction. Therefore, YEETING is ideally performed toward soft surfaces like leaves to minimize downward acceleration that might result in said projectile's discomfort.
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Annette Fayet @annettefayet.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
We built a hotel for roof-breeding kittiwakes on Røst and share our first experiences in a paper now published in SEABIRD, with recommendations for those attempting a similar project. High attendance but few breeding attempts in the first year. doi.org/10.61350/sbj... 📷 T Anker-Nilssen
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Tannis Davidson @tannisdavidson.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
Listen to Britain’s dawn chorus of 1976: the dramatic loss of birdsong in 50 years
Guardian recreates audio landscape of past filled by loud morning symphony before 73m wild birds were lost
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Laura Porro @laurabporro.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
Just a normal day at work with @tannisdavidson.bsky.social and the team from @uclgrantmuseum.bsky.social getting thigns for our @royalsociety.org #SummerScience exihibition to the Royal Society...
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Tannis Davidson @tannisdavidson.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
Best morning ever
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Grant Museum of Zoology @uclgrantmuseum.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
We were thrilled to be on the green carpet last night for the world premiere of ‘How to Live on Earth’ – a new feature documentary presented by Benedict Cumberbatch. The film, opening during #LCAW2026, explores how we can build a future that works with nature, not against it. @uclnews.bsky.social
UCL’s Grant Museum curatorial team - Hannah Cornish, Tannis Davidson and Alice Holloway - stand behind a museum thylacine skull on the green carpet in front of media booth at the premiere of the film ‘How to Live on Earth’
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Grant Museum of Zoology @uclgrantmuseum.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
The moles are tremendously honoured to have inspired this poem. We like to think their ghosts are friends too. @glassjarofmoles.bsky.social
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Seirian Sumner @waspwoman.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
UK 16yr olds will soon be able to take a GCSE in Natural History. #DofE have released the curriculum specification for public consultation. My thoughts on how it performs in @uk.theconversation.com @ucllifesciences.bsky.social @curlewaction.bsky.social theconversation.com/eco-literate...
theconversation.com
Eco-literate children can be stewards of nature – here’s how to boost environmental education
How we train the next generation is critical to nature recovery.
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Grant Museum of Zoology @uclgrantmuseum.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
We’re really excited to be a part of this! Join us @royalsociety.org for cutting-edge scientific activities, specimens and more!
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dr. thrasher, an american writer in ex(archia)(xile) @thrasherxy.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
Last image from tonight (short film in the morning): this brother out here with his Singer sewing machine, gifting people a custom embroidery on their jerseys and hats with the name and the date, was more artistic than anything at Burning Man and ad gorgeous as a Caravaggio. Magic! Goodnight.
Last image from tonight (short film in the morning): this brother out here with his Singer sewing machine, gifting people a custom embroidery on their jerseys and hats with the name and the date, was more artistic than anything at Burning Man and ad gorgeous as a Caravaggio. 

Magic!

Goodnight.
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Caroline Lucas @carolinelucas.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
Good news! Ministers have finally given green light to new #NaturalHistory GCSE. We’ve campaigned so long for this! Big hats off to tireless advocate Mary Colwell 🙌 Now our young people will have a chance to get to know & love the natural world, to feel awe & wonder, & gain skills to protect it 🌷🌳🦡
theguardian.com
Natural history GCSE to teach teenagers to plant wildflower-friendly gardens
Long-awaited course to examine human effects on natural world and explore everyday ways to aid biodiversity
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UCL Centre for Integrative Anatomy @ucl-c4ia.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
UCL’s Laura Porro recently teamed up with children’s TV presenter Maddie Moate to explore dinosaur diets, reptile teeth, and even what brains can tell us about intelligence. 🔗 Read more: www.ucl.ac.uk/life-science...
ucl.ac.uk
Laura Porro and Children's TV presenter talk brains and fluffy dinosaurs!
Laura Porro from UCL's Centre for Integrative Anatomy was filmed talking about anatomy and fluffy dinosaurs with CBeebies' Maddie Moate - and helping Maddie to dissect a pig's brain!
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Tannis Davidson @tannisdavidson.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
Still life
Image of early morning Canary Wharf with its reflection in the Thames river.
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joeymaier 🌊 @joeymaier.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
"Papua New Guinea has detailed its plans to protect approximately 200,000 km² of Pacific Ocean waters – an area roughly the size of the United Kingdom – from fishing and all other destructive human activity." Papua New Guinea announces largest MPA in its history share.google/Lx6z18O1Bhiw...
share.google
Papua New Guinea announces largest MPA in its history - Oceanographic
Papua New Guinea has announced the Western Manus Marine Protected Area - a no-take zone covering 200,000 km² of the Pacific Ocean.
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Dr Beulah Garner @beetlequeen.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
Beetle News! 🪲 www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/new...
nhm.ac.uk
How the world’s missing beetles could save the rainforest | Natural History Museum
By speeding up the process of describing new species, scientists can help to protect the precious places they live.
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Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
'Singing, painting or visiting a gallery or museum helps people age more slowly, according to the latest study to link taking an active interest in art and culture with improved health.' Study after study after study suggests funding the arts funds good health, not that policy reflects it. 1/2
theguardian.com
Arts and cultural engagement ‘linked to slower pace of biological ageing’
Research from UCL suggests visiting art galleries or museums, singing and painting can help improve health outcomes
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Jay @kakapojay.bsky.social · 09/05/2026
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwkM... Unbelievable work by @kiabugboy.bsky.social! Please go give it a watch!
youtube.com
Prehistoric Horn Corals [Rugose coral 3D animation]
YouTube video by Kiabugboy
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Grant Museum of Zoology @uclgrantmuseum.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
Join us in wishing Sir David Attenborough a Happy 100th Birthday! 🎉 An inspiration to us all and the world’s greatest science communicator, here he is in the Grant Museum in 2014 filming ‘Attenborough’s Fabulous Frogs’. 🐸
Image of Sir David Attenborough seated behind a trolley examining amphibian specimens in UCL’s Grant Museum of Zoology.
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John P. Friel, Ph.D. @friel.bsky.social · 03/05/2026
Join British Museum staff as they embark on a new research project, using modern X-ray and CT scanning techniques to reveal what's inside Ancient Egyptian animal mummies.
youtube.com
We CT scanned ancient Egyptian animal mummies - here's what we found inside
YouTube video by The British Museum
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Grant Museum of Zoology @uclgrantmuseum.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
Wishing a Happy 200th Birthday to @zslofficial.bsky.social! Our orangutan taxidermy specimen lived at London zoo from 1913-1917 and was later donated to @ucl.ac.uk. Today we welcomed students and ZSL staff for a special UCL + ZSL bicentenary drawing workshop celebrating our two institutions.
Taxidermy orangutan specimen looking fluffy and fine in a museum case. UCL Slade and Biosciences students learning drawing techniques bringing back the ‘studio of animal art’ spirit of interdisciplinary practice in teaching. They are clustered around a table full of zoological specimens.
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Tannis Davidson @tannisdavidson.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
Come work with us! We are recruiting for a 1 year maternity cover Curator (Science Collections). www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/...
ucl.ac.uk
UCL – University College London
UCL is consistently ranked as one of the top ten universities in the world (QS World University Rankings 2010-2022) and is No.2 in the UK for research power (Research Excellence Framework 2021).
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Tannis Davidson @tannisdavidson.bsky.social · 19/04/2026
Oh oh here she comes
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Tannis Davidson @tannisdavidson.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
Thames seal blobbing along 😍
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Natalia (娜塔莉) @wrycritic.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
Metal as ffff


 

A female polar bear feeds on a sperm whale carcass in the polar pack ice north of the Norwegian archipelago, Svalbard. © Roie Galitz 

The 69th annual World Press Photo Contest
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Tannis Davidson @tannisdavidson.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
There’s a seal at Rotherhithe Pier!
Harbour seal on beachHarbour seal on beach at Rotherhithe Pier with Canary Wharf in background.
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Tannis Davidson @tannisdavidson.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
Congratulations @beetlequeen.bsky.social on this remarkable paper towards resolving the evolutionary relationships of ground beetles!! 🪲🪲🪲
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Dr Beulah Garner @beetlequeen.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
Harpalinae, one of the largest subfamilies of beetles in the world with ~19,000 species, but not as you know it! #taxonomy #systematics #entomology #MuseumCollections resjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
resjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
Beetles, barcodes and big data: A deep dive into the phylogeny of Harpalinae (Carabidae)
The largest phylogenetic study of the Carabidae to date is provided with a focus on the Harpalinae. Using novel mitogenomes with a site-based approach combined with data mining from GenBank and BOLD...
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Daniel Lieberman @damfino11.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
#ImaginaryMuseum Akseli Gallen-Kallela, Finnish painter, April 26, 1865 – March 7, 1931 Spring, c 1900 Oil on canvas, 52.3 x 31.4 in Belvedere Palace, Vienna Visit danieljlieberman.com to enjoy more great art
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Alex Steffen @alexsteffen.bsky.social · 06/04/2026
I hadn't seen this before. This is pretty remarkable. Earth and Moon in one NASA photo. ht @astrokatie.com
Earth and Moon from DSCOVR NASA's Earth Polychromatic Imaging Camera (EPIC) aboard the Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR) satellite captured this unique view of the Moon as it moved in front of the sunlit side of Earth last month. This view shows the fully illuminated “dark side” of the moon that is never visible from Earth. Ian Regan processed this version of the image to account for the Moon's motion. NASA / NOAA / Ian Regan
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shauna @goldengateblond.bsky.social · 05/04/2026
girl take us with you
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Bat Conservation Trust @batconservation.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
The Bat Conservation Trust’s Nocturnal Garden at #RHS Chelsea Flower Show www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events...
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PBS News @pbsnews.org · 31/03/2026
Artemis II is humanity's first flight to the moon since 1972. to.pbs.org/411ctbM
to.pbs.org
WATCH: Artemis II is set to orbit the moon. Here’s what to know
In a throwback to Apollo, NASA's Artemis II mission will send four astronauts on a lunar fly-around.
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