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Gabrielle Flinn

@thecuriousant.bsky.social
107 followers 66 following 43 posts

🔍️ PhD research: ants, pollinators and grassland restoration 🐜 IUCN SSC Red List Authority Coordinator for the Ant Specialist Group 🎙️ OutDoing Podcast 🚞 Lover of long train journeys 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇲🇹 mastodon.social/@thecuriousant

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Reposted by Gabrielle Flinn
Helen Macdonald @hjm.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
I will never not adore "and allies" in a fieldguide title. Don't mess with the grasshoppers or the earwigs and crickets and cockroaches will fuck you up
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iBartomeus @ibartomeus.bsky.social · 28/02/2026
IUCN updated Red List of Bees finally published: op.europa.eu/en/publicati...
op.europa.eu
European red list of bees - Publications Office of the EU
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EdinburghMinute.com @edinburghminute.com · 28/01/2026
Government report: "Every critical ecosystem is on a pathway to collapse (irreversible loss of function beyond repair)".
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Prof Devi Sridhar @profdevisridhar.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
ICYMI my latest column www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
Air pollution kills thousands a year in the UK and abroad – why isn’t there a bigger uproar? | Devi Sridhar
Initiatives such as London’s ULEZ can be a model for other cities. But even more could be done to save lives and protect us from deadly toxins in the air, says Prof Devi Sridhar, chair of global publi...
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Gabrielle Flinn @thecuriousant.bsky.social · 18/12/2025
Speaking in Menteith at 14:30 if for all the BES goers just waking up after last night’s festivities! Come along to hear about what ants do for pollinators and how they may help us with grassland restoration 🐜 🐝
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Gabrielle Flinn @thecuriousant.bsky.social · 05/12/2025
Fortunately representatives for the organic farming industry and representatives for EU farmers & landowners are also here to add valuable opinions and knowledge to the conversation. #EUPollinators
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Gabrielle Flinn @thecuriousant.bsky.social · 05/12/2025
The answer is, most didn't show up, despite invitation. Now eNGOs are the ones answering the questions that young voters have about agriculture, forestry and land management.
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Gabrielle Flinn @thecuriousant.bsky.social · 05/12/2025
Currently observing a stakeholder debate at the 2nd session of the EU Young Citizens Assembly for Pollinators. One of the first question from delegates is - where are the industry representatives? (e.g. pesticide companies, commercial forestry companies etc.).
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George Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 14/11/2025
Climate breakdown is driven by a storm of lies. This lying is systemic, funded and coordinated, and operates across almost all media, old and new. This week's column argues that we cannot fight the climate crisis without also fighting the epistemic crisis. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
Dark forces are preventing us fighting the climate crisis – by taking knowledge hostage | George Monbiot
The fundamental problem is this: that most of the means of communication are owned or influenced by the very rich, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
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Guy Shrubsole @guyshrubsole.bsky.social · 05/11/2025
This is absolutely appalling. "The UK will not contribute to a flagship fund for the world’s remaining tropical forests, in a bitter blow to the Brazilian hosts on the eve of the Cop30 climate summit." Absolutely pathetic. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
UK opts out of flagship fund to protect Amazon and other threatened tropical forests
Decision is bitter blow to Brazil ahead of fund’s launch at Cop30 – and an embarrassment to Prince William
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Gabrielle Flinn @thecuriousant.bsky.social · 29/10/2025
It's been 18 months since we moved a bunch of ant hills to examine what effects they have on grassland restoration...how are they getting on? A new blog, fresh off the press! www.gabrielleflinn.com/post/ecologi...
gabrielleflinn.com
Ecological Surgery Part 2 - Into the Undergrowth
Wow, it has been an entire year since I wrote the last blog. And what a year of contrasts - there have been the highest highs (with family and work) and the lowest lows (markedly my health took a bit ...
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POLITICO Europe @politico.eu · 12/10/2025
🐝 More than a fifth of European wild bee species, including bumblebees and cellophane bees, risk becoming extinct — as nearly 100 new species join the growing list of those under threat.
politico.eu
1 in 5 European wild bee species now face extinction, report finds
It comes amid a push in the EU to roll back environmental protections.
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David Oliver @mancunianmedic.bsky.social · 26/09/2025
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
Our research makes it clear: by capitulating to the right, Labour is driving voters to Reform UK | Tarik Abou-Chadi and Stuart Turnbull-Dugarte
Mimicking Farage on immigration is senseless. Labour voters feel betrayed; anti-immigration voters see through the ruse, say academics Tarik Abou-Chadi and Stuart Turnbull-Dugarte
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Gabrielle Flinn @thecuriousant.bsky.social · 27/09/2025
People power works. Vujadin Kovacevic talks about the importance of the Save the Bees and Farmers petition and campaign and how it helped lead to real tangible action for pollinators. #EUpollinators
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Gabrielle Flinn @thecuriousant.bsky.social · 25/09/2025
Headed to Brussels for the Young Citizens Pollinator Assembly at the European Commission! Very much looking forward to observing and assisting with discussions on the threats facing pollinators and what this means for humans and nature 🇪🇺 🐝
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UKCEH Molecular Ecology @ukceh-moleco.bsky.social · 19/09/2025
Meet @thecuriousant.bsky.social who is based at the University of York with UKCEH & National Trust. Gabrielle's PhD is on how ecosystem engineering of Lasius flavus 🐜 benefits pollinators and grassland restoration 🌱 with Elva Robinson, Claire Carvell, Tim Goodall and Carl Hawke as supervisors!
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Gabrielle Flinn @thecuriousant.bsky.social · 18/09/2025
This evening’s read for the commute back to Edinburgh…essential for anyone doing a PhD on pollinators! Such a wonderfully put together collection of the essentials 🐝 🪰 🦋
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Angus Hervey @angushervey.com · 10/09/2025
Mini marsupial bounces back from the brink! Once listed as Endangered, the crest-tailed mulgara expanded its range by more than 48,000 km² between 2015 and 2021, lifting its status to Least Concern. Biocontrol contributed to the heartwarming bounce-back. f.mtr.cool/afllseseeb
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Gabrielle Flinn @thecuriousant.bsky.social · 29/08/2025
Disturbing to see three of these traps at Saline Shaw Farm Shop. Wasps are pollinators too and they are very important for pest control. They are a farm’s biggest ally really! Absolute madness that these kind of traps are commercially available given the current biodiversity crisis…
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Reposted by Gabrielle Flinn
Stephen Leahy @stephenleahy.bsky.social · 27/08/2025
Land clearance is raising the temperature in the rainforests around the world www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
Deforestation has killed half a million people in past 20 years, study finds
Localised rises in temperature caused by land clearance cause 28,330 heat-related deaths a year, researchers find
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Gabrielle Flinn @thecuriousant.bsky.social · 13/08/2025
The best thing on the internet is @fixthenews.com.web.brid.gy. Every week it gives me the boost, the hope and the energy to believe in a better world and see the incredible things that are happening, in amongst all the bad. Can't recommend it enough 🙏 fixthenews.com/p/welcome-fi...
fixthenews.com
Welcome to Fix The News
A letter from our new home
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Gabrielle Flinn @thecuriousant.bsky.social · 08/08/2025
Another beautiful cycle along the beloved Roseburn Path in Edinburgh, on one of the best parts of our city - the hidden green cycle/walking routes. They give communities peace, exercise and safe transport and should be protected at all costs. #savergeroseburnpath @edinburghcouncil.bsky.social
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Gabrielle Flinn @thecuriousant.bsky.social · 25/06/2025
Today we celebrated @elvarobinson.bsky.social receiving best PhD supervisor of the year award at the University of York. Very well deserved - we’re lucky to have you!
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Gabrielle Flinn @thecuriousant.bsky.social · 22/06/2025
Do any ento folk on Bluesky happen to know what these eggs might be? Found on a grass species in Lincolnshire.
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Gabrielle Flinn @thecuriousant.bsky.social · 21/06/2025
Wonderful to be accompanied by so many meadow browns during this month’s fieldwork.
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Gabrielle Flinn @thecuriousant.bsky.social · 08/06/2025
All eyes on Madleen, they are not far now. freedomflotilla.org/ffc-tracker/
freedomflotilla.org
Madleen Tracker - Freedom Flotilla
Don’t lose the Madleen [Barcarole]. Track her journey for safety, accountability, and solidarity   In partnership with Forensic Architecture, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition has equipped the ‘Madleen’ ...
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Gabrielle Flinn @thecuriousant.bsky.social · 13/05/2025
Although the previous posters were not representing any specific institution were they?
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Gabrielle Flinn @thecuriousant.bsky.social · 13/05/2025
“Sensitivities around this topic” I never realised Edinburgh city councillors were such sensitive people 😜
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Gabrielle Flinn @thecuriousant.bsky.social · 28/04/2025
These (anti) scientists doing this should be widely chastised and should surely lose access to funding. www.nature.com/articles/d41...
nature.com
Science sleuths flag hundreds of papers that use AI without disclosing it
Telltale signs of chatbot use are scattered through the scholarly literature — and, in some cases, have disappeared without a trace.
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Gabrielle Flinn @thecuriousant.bsky.social · 22/04/2025
The European Red List of Hoverflies is freely accessible here: op.europa.eu/en/publicati...
op.europa.eu
Pollinators on the edge - Publications Office of the EU
This European Red List provides a summary of the conservation status of the European species of hoverflies (Diptera: Syrphidae), evaluated according to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria (2012a...
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Gabrielle Flinn @thecuriousant.bsky.social · 22/04/2025
In 2022, we published the European Red List of Hoverflies, revealing a third of European hoverfly species are at risk of extinction. Intensive agriculture (including commercial forestry) is the biggest threat but gardens could be islands of safety for these pollinators. www.bbc.com/news/article...
bbc.com
BBWOT and RHS call on gardeners to help protect hoverfly 'heroes' - BBC News
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature classes hoverflies as a threatened species.
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RSPB @rspb.bsky.social · 07/04/2025
SAVE THE DATE 📢 On 9th July 2025, we’re heading to Westminster to show MPs that climate & nature must be a priority. This is your chance to speak directly to your MP & call for urgent action. Stay tuned for details! RT & spread the word for people, climate & nature.
Save the date
On 9th July 2025
We are uniting at Westminster
For people, climate, and nature
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Gabrielle Flinn @thecuriousant.bsky.social · 30/03/2025
We can’t just sow seeds to restore - we need to consider how to attract and make space for keystone species and ecosystem engineers and facilitate the restoration of mutualisms that give our ecosystems resilience. www.nature.com/articles/s44...
nature.com
Moving biodiversity from an afterthought to a key outcome of forest restoration - Nature Reviews Biodiversity
Forest restoration has the potential to result in substantial biodiversity gains alongside climate and human well-being benefits; however, biodiversity has historically been neglected in restoration e...
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Gabrielle Flinn @thecuriousant.bsky.social · 25/03/2025
Thank you to @rspbscotland.bsky.social for sharing my blog about our ongoing research invertigating the role of ants in grassland restoration 🐜🌱 community.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/b/sc...
community.rspb.org.uk
Can Yellow Meadow Ants help restore species rich grasslands?
Gabrielle Flinn, a PhD Researcher at the University of York is investigating the role of Yellow Meadow Ants in the restoration of species-rich grasslands. Here she give us an insight into the work she carried out at RSPB Scotland Loch Leven nature reserve and Lochore Meadows last year.
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Mr and Mrs Trellis @thenorfolkcoast.bsky.social · 24/03/2025
Gas has driven up UK power bills: ".. it is not true that renewables are the chief reasons British bills have soared." www.ft.com/content/2f25...
ft.com
Gas, not net zero, has driven up UK power bills
Britain has been unhelpfully exposed to international price shocks
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Gabrielle Flinn @thecuriousant.bsky.social · 21/03/2025
Just a wee reminder of this - if anyone has any networks they might like to share it to, that would be greatly appreciated!
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Gabrielle Flinn @thecuriousant.bsky.social · 18/03/2025
Important warning for all campers and bbqers in Scotland this weekend… www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
'Extreme' warning for wildfires issued in Scotland
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has urged people in rural environments to exercise caution when the alert takes effect on Friday.
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Gabrielle Flinn @thecuriousant.bsky.social · 07/03/2025
We have an exciting and unique opportunity in the Ant Lab! This conservation masters offers an exciting research opportunity and the chance to become a qualified IUCN red list assessor - excellent for careers in both academia and conservation. Deadline May 16th. www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
findaphd.com
Masters by Research in Biology: Assessing the conservation status of wood ants across Europe at University of York on FindAPhD.com
PhD Project - Masters by Research in Biology: Assessing the conservation status of wood ants across Europe at University of York, listed on FindAPhD.com
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Caroline Lucas @carolinelucas.bsky.social · 07/03/2025
Appeal Court *very slightly* reduces sentences on some of the 16 peaceful climate protesters, jailed for total of 41 years. This isn’t justice. People desperate for climate action to save lives treated like organised criminals, while big oil & gas get away with ecocide @defendourjuries.bsky.social
bbc.co.uk
Just Stop Oil: Co-founder's sentence reduced in Court of Appeal
Sixteen climate protesters were jailed last year for their roles in Just Stop Oil demonstrations.
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Gabrielle Flinn @thecuriousant.bsky.social · 04/03/2025
Are we watching US capitalism cannibalise itself? So much self harm in such a short amount of time. 🙉
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Gabrielle Flinn @thecuriousant.bsky.social · 28/02/2025
Takes 2 minutes to sign!
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Gabrielle Flinn @thecuriousant.bsky.social · 27/02/2025
True, although they’re definitely not at an all time low in the Scottish Highlands! And reserving hunting rights to the wealthiest of the human predators doesn’t allow us to reach that much needed balance ⚖️
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Gabrielle Flinn @thecuriousant.bsky.social · 27/02/2025
Hopefully one day, the UK will be brave enough to re-embrace balance in our ecosystems too! www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
Europe’s big carnivores are on the rise – but can we live with bears next door?
Numbers of animals once hunted as vermin are rising across the continent. But scientists worry about how we are going to get along with these predators
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Gabrielle Flinn @thecuriousant.bsky.social · 24/01/2025
Whilst Storm Éowyn shuts down everything in central belt Scotland and beyond, I’m hearing from family that GPs got into their surgeries in the early hours of this morning and will ride out the storm at work. Wee heroes ❤️. #StormEowyn
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Gabrielle Flinn @thecuriousant.bsky.social · 09/01/2025
Beautiful!!
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Gabrielle Flinn @thecuriousant.bsky.social · 09/01/2025
Those main groups advocating for restoring the lynx are not happy at all about this. They are working hard with the community to carefully and properly consider and discuss restoration - events like this set conservation and rural relationships back and no one wants that.
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Will Bunch @willbunch.bsky.social · 08/01/2025
Jimmy Carter, a visionary on ending fossil fuels, put solar panels on the White House. Big Oil-backed Ronald Reagan ousted Carter in 1980 and ripped them out Tonight, as Carter lies in in state in the Capitol, a climate-fueled wildfire is destroying Reagan's former hometown of Pacific Palisades
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Elva Robinson @elvarobinson.bsky.social · 08/01/2025
Can meadow ants help provide habitat for pollinators? PhD student Gabrielle Flinn (@thecuriousant.bsky.social) is aiming to find out - read her blog post here: fifecoastandcountrysidetrust.co.uk/blog/in-ant-... #conservation #ants #pollinators #restoration
fifecoastandcountrysidetrust.co.uk
In Ant-icipation of Restoring Soil Health - Fife Coast & Countryside Trust
Biodiversity Conservationist, Gabrielle Flinn, tells us about her project to find out if Yellow meadow ants can restore grassland habitats.
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Gabrielle Flinn @thecuriousant.bsky.social · 07/01/2025
Clocktower views from my favourite new study spot in Edinburgh 🕰️
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Caroline Lucas @carolinelucas.bsky.social · 05/01/2025
Pity Farage wasn’t asked about this - he should be forced to own it @bbclaurak.bsky.social @theneweuropean.bsky.social
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