Pheasants@Exeter

Studying how natural selection shapes cognitive performance using the genius of the bird world - Pheasants. Tweets by Jo Madden (available on other platforms)

[Pheasants@Exeter @pec_exeter]

2nd report for @NatResWales to inform their consultation about gamebird releasing in 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

This 1 ⬇️brings up to date evidence about ecological effects of released gamebirds w/a focus on 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿, looks at new research in the area & describes knowledge gaps

https://t.co/K4m90XNQu4

[Pheasants@Exeter @pec_exeter]

@singhprem2005 Thanks for your interest. The effects of gamebirds and their management is currently subject to lots of conjecture but there is little evidence
This phd will address that

[Pheasants@Exeter @pec_exeter]

Funded 3.5 year PhD🎺

The effects of gamebird release and management on the lowland ecosystems of S England

Lots of fieldwork. A robust and resilient student is required

Focus on reptiles and ecto-parasites Any Qs, please DM or email me

Please RT https://t.co/6xxFtnqOHs

[Pheasants@Exeter @pec_exeter]

Funded 3.5 year PhD🎺

The effects of gamebird release and management on the lowland ecosystems of S England

Lots of fieldwork. A robust and resilient student is required

Focus on reptiles and ecto-parasites Any Qs, please DM or email me

Please RT https://t.co/6xxFtnqOHs

[Pheasants@Exeter @pec_exeter]

@jimthekeeper Have done👍 Thanks for the heads up

[Pheasants@Exeter @pec_exeter]

@jimthekeeper If he's there, I'd be keen to meet up with him 👍 It'd be great to hear about the turtle doves

[Pheasants@Exeter @pec_exeter]

@jimthekeeper Thanks Jim. Passed near by your place last week - looks even drier than mid Devon😬

[Pheasants@Exeter @pec_exeter]

Off to the Game Fair on Friday. If anyone there wants to chat about pheasants, releases, ecology, woodcock, ducks etc drop me a DM and we can arrange to meet up

[Pheasants@Exeter @pec_exeter]

And now for something completely different.

RATE MY BOWER!

10 min survey in link below

[Pheasants@Exeter @pec_exeter]

Are bowers artwork? 🖼️

Do we (humans) like the same bower designs that the choosy females like?

Please fill in this short survey to "RATE MY BOWER"

No expertise needed. We just want your aesthetic judgment🎨🖌️

https://t.co/mF5TBj1Sto
Takes <10 mins

Pls RT

[Pheasants@Exeter @pec_exeter]

Are bowers artwork? 🖼️

Do we (humans) like the same bower designs that the choosy females like?

Please fill in this short survey to "RATE MY BOWER"

No expertise needed. We just want your aesthetic judgment🎨🖌️

https://t.co/mF5TBj1Sto
Takes <10 mins

Pls RT

[Pheasants@Exeter @pec_exeter]

New publication on wild bird hunting with @ecoevoenviro and others. We evaluated evidence for ecological impacts of recreational hunting (mortality and disturbance) in protected areas - making recommendations for evidence-led regulation

Report link:
https://t.co/DjjXHWoMK0

[Pheasants@Exeter @pec_exeter]

@fbuner Several hundred acres of thatching wheat grown here in mid devon each year. One limiting step is finding enough people to stook it all up. It's fairly arduous, dusty work. And keeping the binder working, that's almost 100 years old.

[Pheasants@Exeter @pec_exeter]

What are the ecological effects of releasing and managing mallard ducks for hunting?

Our new OA paper with @ecoevoenviro https://t.co/4Xc3am3Jgg

What did we find? A short 🧵

[Pheasants@Exeter @pec_exeter]

Mallard release in the UK has been increasing over recent years and now ~1.3-2.6 million are released annually

Problems are likely to be especially acute (and benefits less) on large "driven duck only" days

We call for markedly more research into Mallard release and management

[Pheasants@Exeter @pec_exeter]

What are the ecological effects of releasing and managing mallard ducks for hunting?

Our new OA paper with @ecoevoenviro https://t.co/4Xc3am3Jgg

What did we find? A short 🧵

[Pheasants@Exeter @pec_exeter]

Evidence is currently limited and often weak (especially considering wider ecosystem effects)

Releases and associated management have both positive (e.g. habitat creation, feeding) and negative (e.g. interbreeding, disease, eutrophication) ecological impacts

[Pheasants@Exeter @pec_exeter]

@stuartpengs Yup. That's the kind of thing😱

(And definitely those memes weren't based on yesterday's outing🙄😬)

[Pheasants@Exeter @pec_exeter]

@stuartpengs "I want us all to move slowly and quietly through this bit. Tap gently and take a few steps, then stop. There's lot of birds in here...."

[Pheasants@Exeter @pec_exeter]

@stuartpengs Emerging, scarred, from the bramble thickets. Just one field of ankle high beet separates the beaters from their port and sausages on the very last drive of the day. And it's chucking rain.