Dr Alex Bond
@thelabandfield.bsky.social
Conservation, curator in charge of birbs, island hopper, runner, connoisseur of fine teas, biscuit fiend, v left, queer af, Erdős–Bacon = 8, he/him.
[🏳️🌈🇨🇦🐧 and some 🇦🇺🇵🇳]
📍 Tring & Milton Keynes, UK
https://linktr.ee/albnd
[🏳️🌈🇨🇦🐧 and some 🇦🇺🇵🇳]
📍 Tring & Milton Keynes, UK
https://linktr.ee/albnd
Reposted by Dr Alex Bond
![Comic. [2x2 chart. Top left quadrant: seem like dinosaurs x are dinosaurs. Silhouettes of dinosaurs stegosaurus, triceratops, tyrannosaurus, velociraptor, and long-neck dinosaur. Top right quadrant: seem like dinosaurs x are not dinosaurs. Silhouettes of mosasaur, quetzalcoatlus, dimetrodon, plesiosaur, and pteranodon. Bottom left quadrant: don’t seem like dinosaurs x are dinosaurs. Silhouettes of penguin, egret, ostrich, pigeon, falcon. Bottom right: don’t seem like dinosaurs x are not dinosaurs. Silhouettes of squirrel, stapler, plant, person, and bicycle.]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:cz73r7iyiqn26upot4jtjdhk/bafkreihcxd5wcrrf5nxz3g4riglsrccbucmdns6kxrtmtj6gjgwqibp3fi@jpeg)
February 9, 2026 at 9:10 PM
I've been quite torn lately - MSCA postdocs are a huge investment in time, and a rapidly decreasing chance of success, but also one of the only mechanisms available for non-PI-grant-funded opportunities.
As someone who does not have capacity to write a postdoc-containing grant, it's depressing.
As someone who does not have capacity to write a postdoc-containing grant, it's depressing.
Funding rates are consistently low since 2022, and for the first time below 10%. In my view, any proposal evaluated with >90-85% will be excellent and it will come down to details that the candidates do not control: If the reviewer had a good day, a good breakfast, etc. Pure and arbitrary luck.
February 9, 2026 at 6:12 PM
I've been quite torn lately - MSCA postdocs are a huge investment in time, and a rapidly decreasing chance of success, but also one of the only mechanisms available for non-PI-grant-funded opportunities.
As someone who does not have capacity to write a postdoc-containing grant, it's depressing.
As someone who does not have capacity to write a postdoc-containing grant, it's depressing.
Reposted by Dr Alex Bond
Funding rates are consistently low since 2022, and for the first time below 10%. In my view, any proposal evaluated with >90-85% will be excellent and it will come down to details that the candidates do not control: If the reviewer had a good day, a good breakfast, etc. Pure and arbitrary luck.
February 9, 2026 at 10:42 AM
Funding rates are consistently low since 2022, and for the first time below 10%. In my view, any proposal evaluated with >90-85% will be excellent and it will come down to details that the candidates do not control: If the reviewer had a good day, a good breakfast, etc. Pure and arbitrary luck.
Reposted by Dr Alex Bond
I made a map of 3.4 million Bluesky users - see if you can find yourself!
bluesky-map.theo.io
I've seen some similar projects, but IMO this seems to better capture some of the fine-grained detail
bluesky-map.theo.io
I've seen some similar projects, but IMO this seems to better capture some of the fine-grained detail
Bluesky Map
Interactive map of 3.4 million Bluesky users, visualised by their follower pattern.
bluesky-map.theo.io
February 8, 2026 at 10:59 PM
I made a map of 3.4 million Bluesky users - see if you can find yourself!
bluesky-map.theo.io
I've seen some similar projects, but IMO this seems to better capture some of the fine-grained detail
bluesky-map.theo.io
I've seen some similar projects, but IMO this seems to better capture some of the fine-grained detail
Reposted by Dr Alex Bond
MSCA results coming out today, proposals scoring 90+% and not getting funded 😳
Let's look at some numbers
2022: 7 044 applications submitted. 17.9 % success rate
2023: 8 039 applications submitted. 15.8 % success rate
2024: 10 360 applications submitted. 16.6 % success rate
2025: 17 058 applications submitted (record high). 9.7% success rate (preliminary numbers).
2022: 7 044 applications submitted. 17.9 % success rate
2023: 8 039 applications submitted. 15.8 % success rate
2024: 10 360 applications submitted. 16.6 % success rate
2025: 17 058 applications submitted (record high). 9.7% success rate (preliminary numbers).
February 9, 2026 at 10:56 AM
MSCA results coming out today, proposals scoring 90+% and not getting funded 😳
Reposted by Dr Alex Bond
New paper alert! Written by PhD candidate Quinn Carvey this paper on Atlantic Puffins and sex-biased dispersal. doi.org/10.1093/orni...
Sex interacts with fledge date to influence dispersal probability in Fratercula arctica (Atlantic Puffin)
Abstract. Dispersal is a fundamental life-history component of species, affecting ecological and evolutionary processes. Sex-specific patterns of dispersal
doi.org
February 9, 2026 at 12:32 PM
New paper alert! Written by PhD candidate Quinn Carvey this paper on Atlantic Puffins and sex-biased dispersal. doi.org/10.1093/orni...
Reposted by Dr Alex Bond
hey my micro-press is having a massive sale until tomorrow February 10th! we've got weird poetry and fiction from £3.25 at thebraag.co
February 9, 2026 at 1:29 PM
hey my micro-press is having a massive sale until tomorrow February 10th! we've got weird poetry and fiction from £3.25 at thebraag.co
Reposted by Dr Alex Bond
congratulations to the Seahawks, who are technically named after the gorgeous Osprey — a great victory for birders everywhere!
below is my rendition of an Osprey soaring to victory, drawn with full attention to detail. and no, this is not a photo!
below is my rendition of an Osprey soaring to victory, drawn with full attention to detail. and no, this is not a photo!
February 9, 2026 at 3:47 AM
congratulations to the Seahawks, who are technically named after the gorgeous Osprey — a great victory for birders everywhere!
below is my rendition of an Osprey soaring to victory, drawn with full attention to detail. and no, this is not a photo!
below is my rendition of an Osprey soaring to victory, drawn with full attention to detail. and no, this is not a photo!
Good life advice, really.
(other owls are available)
February 8, 2026 at 8:47 PM
Good life advice, really.
Reposted by Dr Alex Bond
YOU CANNOT GRIND THE BONES OF YOUR ENEMIES INTO DUST TOMORROW IF YOU DO NOT TAKE YOUR MEDICATIONS.
February 8, 2026 at 7:30 PM
YOU CANNOT GRIND THE BONES OF YOUR ENEMIES INTO DUST TOMORROW IF YOU DO NOT TAKE YOUR MEDICATIONS.
Reposted by Dr Alex Bond
Since Valentine's Day is approaching, I'm reposting some of my past Valentine's comics.
February 8, 2026 at 2:38 PM
Since Valentine's Day is approaching, I'm reposting some of my past Valentine's comics.
At what point do I take the last package of mince pies out of the freezer so consume? (it will be before Easter though)
February 8, 2026 at 1:38 PM
At what point do I take the last package of mince pies out of the freezer so consume? (it will be before Easter though)
Reposted by Dr Alex Bond
Beyond thrilled to announce that “Extremely Accurate Birds: An Anatomically Precise Field Guide” is coming this April via Running Press! Been working on this thing for years now and can’t wait for you to see all 200 pages of accurate bird information and *extremely* accurate illustrations!
February 7, 2026 at 4:40 PM
Beyond thrilled to announce that “Extremely Accurate Birds: An Anatomically Precise Field Guide” is coming this April via Running Press! Been working on this thing for years now and can’t wait for you to see all 200 pages of accurate bird information and *extremely* accurate illustrations!
Reposted by Dr Alex Bond
what are you doing!
February 7, 2026 at 8:22 AM
what are you doing!
Reposted by Dr Alex Bond
Calling rock nerds: a large, heavy, and vaguely metallic rock at the Rock and Art Shop in Bangor.
February 7, 2026 at 3:44 PM
Calling rock nerds: a large, heavy, and vaguely metallic rock at the Rock and Art Shop in Bangor.
Reposted by Dr Alex Bond
I have been at several conferences with several absolute muppets.
I'd watch a muppet show movie where the muppets infiltrate an academic conference.
February 7, 2026 at 3:56 PM
I have been at several conferences with several absolute muppets.
Reposted by Dr Alex Bond
One of the wickedest things Wes Streeting has ever done is push politically convenient falsehoods about suicide rates amongst young trans people. We have new data from the National Child Mortality Database that exposes the truth he tried to cover up.
New data shows surge in trans kids’ suicides following healthcare rollbacks | Good Law Project
A freedom of information request by Good Law Project has found that deaths by suicide of trans young people under 18 surged following the withdrawal of gender-affirming healthcare
goodlaw.social
February 7, 2026 at 9:09 AM
One of the wickedest things Wes Streeting has ever done is push politically convenient falsehoods about suicide rates amongst young trans people. We have new data from the National Child Mortality Database that exposes the truth he tried to cover up.
Reposted by Dr Alex Bond
Congratulations to Sociology.
I do want to shout-out my fellow sociologists, who have collectively created a discipline so woke that not a single one of our introductory textbooks can make it past Florida's censors.
Great work everyone.
Great work everyone.
February 7, 2026 at 7:40 AM
Congratulations to Sociology.
Reposted by Dr Alex Bond
We had a wonderful time yesterday at Exploring Queerness in Natural History.
We're writing up it up to share in a future blog post, but for now here are some pictures of our fantastic curators @aquadan1.bsky.social and Connor Butler, the lunchtime zine-making, and our afternoon panellists.
We're writing up it up to share in a future blog post, but for now here are some pictures of our fantastic curators @aquadan1.bsky.social and Connor Butler, the lunchtime zine-making, and our afternoon panellists.
February 6, 2026 at 2:09 PM
We had a wonderful time yesterday at Exploring Queerness in Natural History.
We're writing up it up to share in a future blog post, but for now here are some pictures of our fantastic curators @aquadan1.bsky.social and Connor Butler, the lunchtime zine-making, and our afternoon panellists.
We're writing up it up to share in a future blog post, but for now here are some pictures of our fantastic curators @aquadan1.bsky.social and Connor Butler, the lunchtime zine-making, and our afternoon panellists.
Reposted by Dr Alex Bond
Introducing Birds Canada’s 2026 Avian Ambassador: the Evening Grosbeak.
Throughout the year, we'll be connecting you with stories, conservation work and researchers who are working to better understand this enigmatic finch.
Throughout the year, we'll be connecting you with stories, conservation work and researchers who are working to better understand this enigmatic finch.
February 6, 2026 at 8:42 PM
Introducing Birds Canada’s 2026 Avian Ambassador: the Evening Grosbeak.
Throughout the year, we'll be connecting you with stories, conservation work and researchers who are working to better understand this enigmatic finch.
Throughout the year, we'll be connecting you with stories, conservation work and researchers who are working to better understand this enigmatic finch.
Reposted by Dr Alex Bond
IMPORTANT OLYMPIC NEWS:
THE POLISH FIGURE SKATING TEAM HAS A PLUSH PIEROGI
THE POLISH FIGURE SKATING TEAM HAS A PLUSH PIEROGI
February 6, 2026 at 3:56 PM
IMPORTANT OLYMPIC NEWS:
THE POLISH FIGURE SKATING TEAM HAS A PLUSH PIEROGI
THE POLISH FIGURE SKATING TEAM HAS A PLUSH PIEROGI
Reposted by Dr Alex Bond
Publishing in society journals means nothing as soon as these journals are captured by Wiley et al. and turned into mandatory open access.
And societies are to blame for letting themselves be captured and turned into a money making machine for for-profit publishers.
And societies are to blame for letting themselves be captured and turned into a money making machine for for-profit publishers.
February 6, 2026 at 5:44 PM
Publishing in society journals means nothing as soon as these journals are captured by Wiley et al. and turned into mandatory open access.
And societies are to blame for letting themselves be captured and turned into a money making machine for for-profit publishers.
And societies are to blame for letting themselves be captured and turned into a money making machine for for-profit publishers.
I need to pomodoro the shit out of today 🍅
February 6, 2026 at 7:11 AM
I need to pomodoro the shit out of today 🍅
Reposted by Dr Alex Bond
Free webinar on Asian Vulture Conservation, featuring Chris Bowden, MBE.
Birds of the World - BOW Seminar: Asian Vulture Conservation, featuring Chris Bowden, MBE
Featuring Chris Bowden, the Globally Threatened Species Officer at the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). Chris focuses on developing and implementing conservation strategies for some o...
birdsoftheworld.org
February 5, 2026 at 9:24 PM
Free webinar on Asian Vulture Conservation, featuring Chris Bowden, MBE.
Reposted by Dr Alex Bond
Sir Ian McKellen performing a monologue from Shakespeare’s Sir Thomas More on the Stephen Colbert show. Never have I heard this monologue performed with such a keen sense of prescience. Nor have I ever been in this exact historical moment.TY Sir Ian, for reaching us once again.
#Pinks #ProudBlue
#Pinks #ProudBlue
February 5, 2026 at 11:50 AM
Sir Ian McKellen performing a monologue from Shakespeare’s Sir Thomas More on the Stephen Colbert show. Never have I heard this monologue performed with such a keen sense of prescience. Nor have I ever been in this exact historical moment.TY Sir Ian, for reaching us once again.
#Pinks #ProudBlue
#Pinks #ProudBlue