Rob Davis

After 10 years here, a new reptile record for our block. Ctenotus labillardieri is at its range edge where I live and represented by only a handful of records. Lucky day for this one saved from the pool. Check out the gorgeous red legs!

Super hot day here. 37C. Was at the shops, they’re out of trolleys but the sweating trolley collector fresh from the carpark hands me one. Making conversation I say “Thanks. Pretty hot isn’t it?”. He looks at me, sweat trickling down his face. “No, not really”. And walks off. #awkward

I think they did take them into care for a bit but back now either way

Seems I’m not the only one that likes figs at our place.

Yes it should! Hopefully this will be your situation in the near future!

Yes!!

My annual celebration of fig season. I make those Catalan fig tapas lunch every year to mark the start of fig ripening. Figs, gently pan fried with thyme and a pinch of pink salt. Serve on warm sourdough brushed with garlic and shave aged machego on top. Add jamon if you wish.

Curator Marine Invertebrate Zoology position advertised at the WA Museum, Perth. 🪸🪼🫙🔬
search.jobs.wa.gov.au/page.php?pag...

Ready to connect science with the world? Your next chapter starts here!

Expressions of interest are now open for associate editors for #PacificConsBio

If you think this is you, click connectsci.au/pc/pages/edi...

A friendly motorbike frog out in the garden tonight after 8mm of rain from a deteriorating cyclone.

Revised phylogeography of the common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) reveals new insights into genetic structure across Australia Abstract. Understanding genetic relationships within species is essential for identifying distinct genetic lineages and informing conservation strategies,

You can find Shelby’s first paper here: academic.oup.com/zoolinnean/a...

Supervising postgraduates is the best part of my job and when they are as talented as @shelbymiddleton.bsky.social and the team includes @kennytravouillon.bsky.social @planigale.bsky.social @annajmhopkins.bsky.social and Harriet Mills, it’s as good as it gets! Go well Shelby.

A Typology of Australian Terrestrial Bird Communities Aim Holistic measurement of the response of fauna communities to interventions requires suitable community condition metrics. However, the development of such metrics is hindered by the absence of b...

Thrilled to be part of this new study that aims to derive a meaningful classification of distinct and recognisable Australian terrestrial bird communities. Lead by @martinemaron.bsky.social and Hannah Fraser with many other colleagues check it out here.

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

Bird 106 on the year list was one you can’t tick off anywhere else in Australia except 45 minutes down the road from me.

Great new paper just out about responsible cat ownership in @pacificconsbio.bsky.social. Also do yourself a favour and follow Oceania’s only dedicated conservation journal here on Bluesky to find out about the latest conservation research as it happens.

Aurora australis in our neighbour’s paddock last night, Perth Hills.

Wohoo it’s a great way to live life! And contribute some good data. Use eBird so it’s all recorded

Great to see you here!

Here’s a closer look at the amazing prehistoric rufous scrub bird - ancient relatives to most song birds and related to lyrebirds, we are hoping that our breakthrough with capture techniques == new opportunities for conservation (1/2)

Full moon, wolf moon and super moon all rolled in to one.

Strong start to 2026 with birding in the Karri Forest netting me 29 species on the year list by 9 AM.

As the last rays of sun slip below the horizon and the Grey Fantail calls from the darkening Karri forest, a Collared Sparrowhawk took me up to 224 birds. I look forward to the 2026 year list, starting at first light tomorrow! Happy New Year all.

Van lifer taking up 4 spots at the most popular local beach when the carpark was full. Was not popular.

Enjoy!

Moody morning at Canal Rocks

Amazing sunset to farewell the longest day of the year on the summer solstice. Approximately 14 hours and 14 minutes today.

Sunsets and sea breezes. Must be holiday time.

Morning all. Carnaby’s cockatoo calls cut through the still morning air.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many fires in the Perth Hills in one day. Resources are stretched to their limit I suspect.

Research round-up: Unravelling serpentine science and epic egret journeys | Australian Academy of Science Spotted python (Antaresia maculosa). Image credit: dhfischer via iNaturalist (CC BY 4.0).

Sssneaking in some science stories before the year's end.

@science.org.au shares research from #AusJZoology & @pacificconsbio.bsky.social:
- coastal taipan classifications are corrected
- python species in Cape York
- plumed egret makes a 38-hour non-stop flight

www.science.org.au/academy-news...