Debs Allbrook
@debsallbrook.bsky.social
Kittiwakes on oil rigs @exetermarine.bsky.social🗼|
Assistant Newsletter Editor @theseabirdgroup.bsky.social 🕊|
Pinnipedologist @pinniped.org 🦭|
💙: adventure, wildlife, outdoors 🥾🌊🤿🐕🦺🧘🏻♀️🐾
Assistant Newsletter Editor @theseabirdgroup.bsky.social 🕊|
Pinnipedologist @pinniped.org 🦭|
💙: adventure, wildlife, outdoors 🥾🌊🤿🐕🦺🧘🏻♀️🐾
Galápagos sea lions seem to be regularly suckling from their mothers way above the usual weaning age (up to age 16!) when they are already reproductively active themselves 😲 Some new findings that mess with what we know & pose more questions than they answer
www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/...
www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/...
University of Chicago Press Journals: Cookie absent
www.journals.uchicago.edu
December 15, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Galápagos sea lions seem to be regularly suckling from their mothers way above the usual weaning age (up to age 16!) when they are already reproductively active themselves 😲 Some new findings that mess with what we know & pose more questions than they answer
www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/...
www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/...
Reposted by Debs Allbrook
A huge thank you to our panel today on Seabird Careers - @robthomasbirds.bsky.social, Helen Wade, @jaycee161.bsky.social & @seabirdshearer.bsky.social 👏 Many insights, interesting backstories, tips on applying for jobs & more!
The session was recorded & will be available to watch if you missed it 🍿
The session was recorded & will be available to watch if you missed it 🍿
December 12, 2025 at 11:28 AM
A huge thank you to our panel today on Seabird Careers - @robthomasbirds.bsky.social, Helen Wade, @jaycee161.bsky.social & @seabirdshearer.bsky.social 👏 Many insights, interesting backstories, tips on applying for jobs & more!
The session was recorded & will be available to watch if you missed it 🍿
The session was recorded & will be available to watch if you missed it 🍿
Reposted by Debs Allbrook
Coming to the end of your studies and thinking about career options? We've got another exciting ECR talk lined up, this time on #Seabird Careers 🦢💼
📆 Fri 12 December
🕥 9.30 - 11 am (UK)
📍 Online
Sign up HERE to attend ⤵️ docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
And stay tuned for who's on our panel! 👀
📆 Fri 12 December
🕥 9.30 - 11 am (UK)
📍 Online
Sign up HERE to attend ⤵️ docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
And stay tuned for who's on our panel! 👀
![Two people wearing coloured coats, sitting on a cliff overlooking the sea. They are using binoculars to watch birds in the distance. [Photo: Danni Thompson]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:wvb4iczed4vztwh6wsn5fsb2/bafkreic7uzxotmlxo2s2bq2q7zmod45jchkupz3ohzmspzmz3ro7zc72w4@jpeg)
December 2, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Coming to the end of your studies and thinking about career options? We've got another exciting ECR talk lined up, this time on #Seabird Careers 🦢💼
📆 Fri 12 December
🕥 9.30 - 11 am (UK)
📍 Online
Sign up HERE to attend ⤵️ docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
And stay tuned for who's on our panel! 👀
📆 Fri 12 December
🕥 9.30 - 11 am (UK)
📍 Online
Sign up HERE to attend ⤵️ docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
And stay tuned for who's on our panel! 👀
Reposted by Debs Allbrook
Another day, another #auk. The Black guillemot (Cepphus grylle) is born black+fluffy, with several years before developing its bright red feet fully. These are associated with sexual maturity @2-4 y/o 👣
Black guillies are widespread in the N.hemisphere and are arguably the best #seabird 😉 #Auktober
Black guillies are widespread in the N.hemisphere and are arguably the best #seabird 😉 #Auktober
October 21, 2025 at 11:34 AM
The first paper from our #kittiwake/ oil platform work has been published! 🕊️🗼
besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10....
2387 AONs were recorded on 14 (28%) assets. Could equate to 16,382 across pictured assets 🔺 or 7% of UK/ Ireland population, but not currently incl. in #seabird census!
besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10....
2387 AONs were recorded on 14 (28%) assets. Could equate to 16,382 across pictured assets 🔺 or 7% of UK/ Ireland population, but not currently incl. in #seabird census!
October 15, 2025 at 10:29 AM
The first paper from our #kittiwake/ oil platform work has been published! 🕊️🗼
besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10....
2387 AONs were recorded on 14 (28%) assets. Could equate to 16,382 across pictured assets 🔺 or 7% of UK/ Ireland population, but not currently incl. in #seabird census!
besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10....
2387 AONs were recorded on 14 (28%) assets. Could equate to 16,382 across pictured assets 🔺 or 7% of UK/ Ireland population, but not currently incl. in #seabird census!
The loveliest person to have the pleasure of working with. Will miss you Amy 🥰 #Seabirds #TheSeabirdGroup
This is the last issue from our fabulous Editor @islandamy21.bsky.social 😢❤️ We're really sad to see her go, so we hope you'll join us in giving her a huge thanks for all the news and #seabird stories she has brought to us over the last few years 👏👏👏👏👏
October 13, 2025 at 12:24 PM
The loveliest person to have the pleasure of working with. Will miss you Amy 🥰 #Seabirds #TheSeabirdGroup
Reposted by Debs Allbrook
Exciting news!! The World Seabird Union @worldseabirdunion.bsky.social 4th World #Seabird Conference is now open for registration! 🕊️🌏
🏢Hobart, Tasmania. 📅7-11 Sept 2026
Click the link for all the info 🤓
worldseabirdunion.org/world-seabir... #WSC4
🏢Hobart, Tasmania. 📅7-11 Sept 2026
Click the link for all the info 🤓
worldseabirdunion.org/world-seabir... #WSC4
October 3, 2025 at 9:09 AM
Exciting news!! The World Seabird Union @worldseabirdunion.bsky.social 4th World #Seabird Conference is now open for registration! 🕊️🌏
🏢Hobart, Tasmania. 📅7-11 Sept 2026
Click the link for all the info 🤓
worldseabirdunion.org/world-seabir... #WSC4
🏢Hobart, Tasmania. 📅7-11 Sept 2026
Click the link for all the info 🤓
worldseabirdunion.org/world-seabir... #WSC4
Reposted by Debs Allbrook
Find yourself a man who looks after you like this frigatebird looks after its stick
September 17, 2025 at 6:34 AM
Find yourself a man who looks after you like this frigatebird looks after its stick
#SeabirdSeptember Another season complete with the offshore kittiwake colony I've known for 3 years now. Productivity and survival looking good, but we'll wait for the camera data to tell us more. Love to see them thriving and notice the same birds turn up on the same ledges year on year 🥰
September 9, 2025 at 10:18 AM
#SeabirdSeptember Another season complete with the offshore kittiwake colony I've known for 3 years now. Productivity and survival looking good, but we'll wait for the camera data to tell us more. Love to see them thriving and notice the same birds turn up on the same ledges year on year 🥰
Reposted by Debs Allbrook
September 7, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Reposted by Debs Allbrook
As autumn begins & seabird season ends for another year, we've been reminiscing about the summer! We'd love to share images of #seabird fieldwork throughout September to celebrate our diverse seabird species ✨🪶
If you have one you'd like to share pls include a description & use #SeabirdSeptember! 🐦
If you have one you'd like to share pls include a description & use #SeabirdSeptember! 🐦
September 2, 2025 at 12:51 PM
As autumn begins & seabird season ends for another year, we've been reminiscing about the summer! We'd love to share images of #seabird fieldwork throughout September to celebrate our diverse seabird species ✨🪶
If you have one you'd like to share pls include a description & use #SeabirdSeptember! 🐦
If you have one you'd like to share pls include a description & use #SeabirdSeptember! 🐦
Reposted by Debs Allbrook
The next in our series of ECR talks is coming up on Fri 5th September - this time on Peer Review 👀📃
The panel will be our own @thelabandfield.bsky.social & @ingridpollet.bsky.social, @tashgillies.bsky.social & Dr. Richard Sherley ✒️✨
Time: 9.30 am (BST). Sign up now: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
The panel will be our own @thelabandfield.bsky.social & @ingridpollet.bsky.social, @tashgillies.bsky.social & Dr. Richard Sherley ✒️✨
Time: 9.30 am (BST). Sign up now: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
August 26, 2025 at 11:46 AM
The next in our series of ECR talks is coming up on Fri 5th September - this time on Peer Review 👀📃
The panel will be our own @thelabandfield.bsky.social & @ingridpollet.bsky.social, @tashgillies.bsky.social & Dr. Richard Sherley ✒️✨
Time: 9.30 am (BST). Sign up now: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
The panel will be our own @thelabandfield.bsky.social & @ingridpollet.bsky.social, @tashgillies.bsky.social & Dr. Richard Sherley ✒️✨
Time: 9.30 am (BST). Sign up now: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Reposted by Debs Allbrook
Early career researcher who'd love a mentor? Or mid-career (onwards) looking to give back AS a mentor?
Sign up below for the new round of Guillemates 🥰🐧
Mentees👉 forms.gle/cdktNREkhUDb...
Mentors👉 forms.gle/uwA9X9giUPnA...
Such a great learning (or supporting!) opportunity 👩👩👦👦
Pls share! #seabirds
Sign up below for the new round of Guillemates 🥰🐧
Mentees👉 forms.gle/cdktNREkhUDb...
Mentors👉 forms.gle/uwA9X9giUPnA...
Such a great learning (or supporting!) opportunity 👩👩👦👦
Pls share! #seabirds
August 6, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Early career researcher who'd love a mentor? Or mid-career (onwards) looking to give back AS a mentor?
Sign up below for the new round of Guillemates 🥰🐧
Mentees👉 forms.gle/cdktNREkhUDb...
Mentors👉 forms.gle/uwA9X9giUPnA...
Such a great learning (or supporting!) opportunity 👩👩👦👦
Pls share! #seabirds
Sign up below for the new round of Guillemates 🥰🐧
Mentees👉 forms.gle/cdktNREkhUDb...
Mentors👉 forms.gle/uwA9X9giUPnA...
Such a great learning (or supporting!) opportunity 👩👩👦👦
Pls share! #seabirds
Reposted by Debs Allbrook
New Conservation project to protect nesting seabirds on the Great Saltee Island, Wexford - @npwsireland.bsky.social
#NatureConservation #Seabirds
www.npws.ie/news/new-con...
#NatureConservation #Seabirds
www.npws.ie/news/new-con...
New Conservation project to protect nesting seabirds on the Great Saltee Island, Wexford | National Parks & Wildlife Service
www.npws.ie
August 5, 2025 at 9:33 AM
New Conservation project to protect nesting seabirds on the Great Saltee Island, Wexford - @npwsireland.bsky.social
#NatureConservation #Seabirds
www.npws.ie/news/new-con...
#NatureConservation #Seabirds
www.npws.ie/news/new-con...
The outcomes of my study back in 2017 recommended wardens were appointed to help protect the breeding gannets on Great Saltee... and 8 years later they're in place 🥳
www.npws.ie/news/new-con...
#betterlatethannever #seabirds #Ireland
Well done @npwsireland.bsky.social
www.npws.ie/news/new-con...
#betterlatethannever #seabirds #Ireland
Well done @npwsireland.bsky.social
August 6, 2025 at 12:54 PM
The outcomes of my study back in 2017 recommended wardens were appointed to help protect the breeding gannets on Great Saltee... and 8 years later they're in place 🥳
www.npws.ie/news/new-con...
#betterlatethannever #seabirds #Ireland
Well done @npwsireland.bsky.social
www.npws.ie/news/new-con...
#betterlatethannever #seabirds #Ireland
Well done @npwsireland.bsky.social
🐟🐟🐟
Atlantic Bluefin tuna are back in UK waters, but we still don’t exactly know what they are eating.
Support crucial marine research to help uncover the secrets of their diet and secure their future.
To find out more: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/atlantic-b...
🦑🧪🌍🐟🎣🦤🌊
Support crucial marine research to help uncover the secrets of their diet and secure their future.
To find out more: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/atlantic-b...
🦑🧪🌍🐟🎣🦤🌊
July 18, 2025 at 10:05 AM
🐟🐟🐟
Reposted by Debs Allbrook
Using #genetics to sex #Seabirds? 👉 New #openaccess #Methods note published today (optimize don't reinvent👍). No PhD student is an island: huge thanks to co-authors, collaborators and funders. #ornithology @ukri.org @uniofaberdeen.bsky.social doi.org/10.1007/s126... @springernature.com
A modified primer-pair designed for the molecular sex identification of black-legged Kittiwake (Laridae: Rissa tridactyla) - Conservation Genetics Resources
In studies of avian populations accurate sex identification facilitates the study of sex-linked behaviour, ecology, social structure, decision-making, and life histories. To improve molecular sex iden...
doi.org
July 2, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Using #genetics to sex #Seabirds? 👉 New #openaccess #Methods note published today (optimize don't reinvent👍). No PhD student is an island: huge thanks to co-authors, collaborators and funders. #ornithology @ukri.org @uniofaberdeen.bsky.social doi.org/10.1007/s126... @springernature.com
Reposted by Debs Allbrook
Couldn't let #WorldSeabirdDay go past without a nod from us and the best UK #seabird there is! Here's to another year where we will advocate and fight for our beautiful, wonderful #seabirds ❤️❤️❤️
What's your favourite seabird?? [Photo: Debs Allbrook]
What's your favourite seabird?? [Photo: Debs Allbrook]
July 3, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Couldn't let #WorldSeabirdDay go past without a nod from us and the best UK #seabird there is! Here's to another year where we will advocate and fight for our beautiful, wonderful #seabirds ❤️❤️❤️
What's your favourite seabird?? [Photo: Debs Allbrook]
What's your favourite seabird?? [Photo: Debs Allbrook]
Fully devastating footage 💔
I will forever be haunted by this footage.
Trawling has only been filmed underwater a few times in documentary history, and never with such clarity.
What’s so heart-rending about these shots is watching how the animals don’t just get swept up — they swim for their lives.
🌎🦑🧪
Trawling has only been filmed underwater a few times in documentary history, and never with such clarity.
What’s so heart-rending about these shots is watching how the animals don’t just get swept up — they swim for their lives.
🌎🦑🧪
May 12, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Fully devastating footage 💔
Listen up anyone working in the Irish Sea this summer! We tagged a bunch of kitts in Liverpool Bay and want to gather as many resightings as we can. If you spot these yellow colour rings please give me a shout (dla205@exeter.ac.uk) 🐦💍💛
(Modelled by our very own VIP 😌👑)
#Seabirds #IrishSea
(Modelled by our very own VIP 😌👑)
#Seabirds #IrishSea
April 9, 2025 at 10:53 AM
Really interesting chat on #seabird #research careers from @theseabirdgroup.bsky.social this morning 🕊️🐥🐧 Thanks everyone on the panel for your time, some food for thought 🙏✨
We had an excellent discussion this morning on #seabird careers (skills, advice, hurdles) for our 2nd ECR talk. 🐧 A huge thanks to our panel: Ana Carneiro, Maria Dias, David Steel @steelyseabirder.bsky.social & Jon Green @jon-seabirds.bsky.social! 🙏 rep @jacquiglencross.bsky.social for facilitating!
March 28, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Really interesting chat on #seabird #research careers from @theseabirdgroup.bsky.social this morning 🕊️🐥🐧 Thanks everyone on the panel for your time, some food for thought 🙏✨
This is terrifying..
Most worryingly, we found evidence of neurodegeneration in <90-day-old seabird chicks with high levels of ingested plastic - protein expression signatures akin to what we see in human patients with dementia, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's (3/5)
March 18, 2025 at 1:39 PM
This is terrifying..
Reposted by Debs Allbrook
New #OA paper in the #seabird journal (@theseabirdgroup.bsky.social)! We GPS-tracked Black-legged #Kittiwakes breeding on an offshore platform in the Dutch sector of the North Sea. In short, we show that they have a short foraging range compared to coastal... 1/6
www.seabirdgroup.org.uk/seabird-37
www.seabirdgroup.org.uk/seabird-37
March 5, 2025 at 10:30 AM
New #OA paper in the #seabird journal (@theseabirdgroup.bsky.social)! We GPS-tracked Black-legged #Kittiwakes breeding on an offshore platform in the Dutch sector of the North Sea. In short, we show that they have a short foraging range compared to coastal... 1/6
www.seabirdgroup.org.uk/seabird-37
www.seabirdgroup.org.uk/seabird-37
Worrying..
Wrote this opinion piece with some fellow zoologists about the use of so-called 'welfare' penguins across Oxfordshire. We argue that penguins are ill-suited to such a role (sorry penguins 🐧) and that there are better ways to reap the benefits of contact with nature! 🌱 cherwell.org/2025/03/05/u...
Unhappy feet? Uni on thin ice over welfare penguins - Cherwell
Welfare opportunities for humans do not need to come at the expense of welfare penguins. The penguins are not treated well.
cherwell.org
March 6, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Worrying..
This makes fascinating reading. I've always felt uncomfortable with these encounters (despite finding orcas the most fascinating animal on the planet) and though I love close, incredible wildlife encounters, it's just never really sat right.. journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
Snorkelling with orcas (killer whales) in Skjervøy, Northern Norway: Ambivalent encounters in a crowded tourism space - Sadie E Hale, 2025
The opportunity to snorkel with orcas (killer whales) near the Norwegian Arctic town of Skjervøy is unparalleled globally, due to the absence of regulations pro...
journals.sagepub.com
February 28, 2025 at 8:24 PM
This makes fascinating reading. I've always felt uncomfortable with these encounters (despite finding orcas the most fascinating animal on the planet) and though I love close, incredible wildlife encounters, it's just never really sat right.. journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....