Megan Shersby
@meganshersby.bsky.social
Naturalist, writer and board gamer. Working at Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust, and @wildlifebcn.org. Lead author of Where to Watch Wildlife in Britain By Low-carbon Transport (January 2026). Owner of a dog/servant to a cat. She/her.
New November galls - part 2!
A Rutland Water last week included a chat with Tim Sexton about galls, and he showed me a Ground-ivy leaf with the Lighthouse Gall on it, caused by midge Rondaniola bursaria.
I flipped the leaf over and found another gall - caused by rust fungus Puccinia glechomatis.
A Rutland Water last week included a chat with Tim Sexton about galls, and he showed me a Ground-ivy leaf with the Lighthouse Gall on it, caused by midge Rondaniola bursaria.
I flipped the leaf over and found another gall - caused by rust fungus Puccinia glechomatis.
November 12, 2025 at 5:43 PM
New November galls - part 2!
A Rutland Water last week included a chat with Tim Sexton about galls, and he showed me a Ground-ivy leaf with the Lighthouse Gall on it, caused by midge Rondaniola bursaria.
I flipped the leaf over and found another gall - caused by rust fungus Puccinia glechomatis.
A Rutland Water last week included a chat with Tim Sexton about galls, and he showed me a Ground-ivy leaf with the Lighthouse Gall on it, caused by midge Rondaniola bursaria.
I flipped the leaf over and found another gall - caused by rust fungus Puccinia glechomatis.
Soup season has begun!
I forgot about my courgettes at one point and ended up with marrows. Combined with my #homegrown potatoes (and some other bits), I've made some soup!
Still some marrow left, any #recipe suggestions?
I forgot about my courgettes at one point and ended up with marrows. Combined with my #homegrown potatoes (and some other bits), I've made some soup!
Still some marrow left, any #recipe suggestions?
November 7, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Soup season has begun!
I forgot about my courgettes at one point and ended up with marrows. Combined with my #homegrown potatoes (and some other bits), I've made some soup!
Still some marrow left, any #recipe suggestions?
I forgot about my courgettes at one point and ended up with marrows. Combined with my #homegrown potatoes (and some other bits), I've made some soup!
Still some marrow left, any #recipe suggestions?
I didn't have much hope I'd get an identification when I found this ichneumon #wasp.
But it seems that it is one of the easier ones, and on the excellent @nhm-london.bsky.social PDF ID guide.
A female Black Slip Wasp (Pimpla rufipes), a parasite on Lepidoptera caterpillar.
But it seems that it is one of the easier ones, and on the excellent @nhm-london.bsky.social PDF ID guide.
A female Black Slip Wasp (Pimpla rufipes), a parasite on Lepidoptera caterpillar.
November 5, 2025 at 10:36 PM
I didn't have much hope I'd get an identification when I found this ichneumon #wasp.
But it seems that it is one of the easier ones, and on the excellent @nhm-london.bsky.social PDF ID guide.
A female Black Slip Wasp (Pimpla rufipes), a parasite on Lepidoptera caterpillar.
But it seems that it is one of the easier ones, and on the excellent @nhm-london.bsky.social PDF ID guide.
A female Black Slip Wasp (Pimpla rufipes), a parasite on Lepidoptera caterpillar.
I've been looking more closely at the Cola-nut pics, and the little brown patch on the leaf.
Could it be a Blister Gall caused by Neuroterus numismalis f. sexual?
Could it be a Blister Gall caused by Neuroterus numismalis f. sexual?
November 4, 2025 at 1:02 PM
I've been looking more closely at the Cola-nut pics, and the little brown patch on the leaf.
Could it be a Blister Gall caused by Neuroterus numismalis f. sexual?
Could it be a Blister Gall caused by Neuroterus numismalis f. sexual?
November brings more galls - part one!
A walk through a local woodland yesterday, and I spotted two new (to me) gall species - both produced by Andricus gall wasps, and on oak trees.
1. Ramshorn gall (Andricus aries f. agamic).
2. Cola-nut gall (Andricus lignicola).
A walk through a local woodland yesterday, and I spotted two new (to me) gall species - both produced by Andricus gall wasps, and on oak trees.
1. Ramshorn gall (Andricus aries f. agamic).
2. Cola-nut gall (Andricus lignicola).
November 3, 2025 at 7:20 PM
November brings more galls - part one!
A walk through a local woodland yesterday, and I spotted two new (to me) gall species - both produced by Andricus gall wasps, and on oak trees.
1. Ramshorn gall (Andricus aries f. agamic).
2. Cola-nut gall (Andricus lignicola).
A walk through a local woodland yesterday, and I spotted two new (to me) gall species - both produced by Andricus gall wasps, and on oak trees.
1. Ramshorn gall (Andricus aries f. agamic).
2. Cola-nut gall (Andricus lignicola).
When you're given a cup of hot water with milk, and you have to add and brew the teabag yourself.
Just wrong.
Just wrong.
October 30, 2025 at 9:29 AM
When you're given a cup of hot water with milk, and you have to add and brew the teabag yourself.
Just wrong.
Just wrong.
National Black Cat Day seems like the right time to share the news of this Chaos Gremlin that came into our lives recently.
Actual name Lucy (short for Lucifee, short for Lucifer), but Chaos Gremlin is the usual name used.
Actual name Lucy (short for Lucifee, short for Lucifer), but Chaos Gremlin is the usual name used.
October 27, 2025 at 8:20 PM
National Black Cat Day seems like the right time to share the news of this Chaos Gremlin that came into our lives recently.
Actual name Lucy (short for Lucifee, short for Lucifer), but Chaos Gremlin is the usual name used.
Actual name Lucy (short for Lucifee, short for Lucifer), but Chaos Gremlin is the usual name used.
Farewell Christmas Island Shrew.
Australia's only shrew species was declared officially Extinct in the latest IUCN Red List update.
I managed to squeeze in a mention of the Slender-billed Curlew as well, also officially Extinct now.
Australia's only shrew species was declared officially Extinct in the latest IUCN Red List update.
I managed to squeeze in a mention of the Slender-billed Curlew as well, also officially Extinct now.
Christmas Island shrew lost forever in "one of the most mysterious of extinctions” | Discover Wildlife
Australia’s only shrew has officially been declared extinct, killed off by non-native species introduced by humans.
www.discoverwildlife.com
October 27, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Farewell Christmas Island Shrew.
Australia's only shrew species was declared officially Extinct in the latest IUCN Red List update.
I managed to squeeze in a mention of the Slender-billed Curlew as well, also officially Extinct now.
Australia's only shrew species was declared officially Extinct in the latest IUCN Red List update.
I managed to squeeze in a mention of the Slender-billed Curlew as well, also officially Extinct now.
Reposted by Megan Shersby
Hey seabird folks - have you ever thought "*ANOTHER* talk about ?!" So did we.
So we reviewed 3000 conference abstracts to see which species get the spotlight. Huge work from @ingridpollet.bsky.social with me and @seabirdsentinel.bsky.social
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
So we reviewed 3000 conference abstracts to see which species get the spotlight. Huge work from @ingridpollet.bsky.social with me and @seabirdsentinel.bsky.social
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
October 25, 2025 at 9:51 AM
Hey seabird folks - have you ever thought "*ANOTHER* talk about ?!" So did we.
So we reviewed 3000 conference abstracts to see which species get the spotlight. Huge work from @ingridpollet.bsky.social with me and @seabirdsentinel.bsky.social
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
So we reviewed 3000 conference abstracts to see which species get the spotlight. Huge work from @ingridpollet.bsky.social with me and @seabirdsentinel.bsky.social
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Leicestershire & Rutland WT are recruiting for a Visitor Centre and Events Officer:
Visitor Centre and Events Officer | Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust
To manage the effective day-to-day running of the Lyndon Visitor Centre (LVC); enabling more people to enjoy the natural heritage of Rutland Water Nature Reserve (RWNR). To develop, organise and promo...
www.lrwt.org.uk
October 20, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Leicestershire & Rutland WT are recruiting for a Visitor Centre and Events Officer:
Reposted by Megan Shersby
Don't forget to sign up for the latest Curlew Action webinar which is happening this Wednesday 22 October and will focus on the UK Curlew breeding season.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/webinar-uk...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/webinar-uk...
Webinar: UK Breeding Season Round Up
Join us as we hear an overview of the UK Curlew breeding season
www.eventbrite.co.uk
October 18, 2025 at 10:21 AM
Don't forget to sign up for the latest Curlew Action webinar which is happening this Wednesday 22 October and will focus on the UK Curlew breeding season.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/webinar-uk...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/webinar-uk...
Reposted by Megan Shersby
The British Mycological Society are surveying all fungi recorders as part of a review on how they share their data. It would be great if anyone who records fungi could complete it (you don't have to be a prolific fungi recorder or BMS member to take part).
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Fungus Recorder Online Survey
This survey is being conducted by the Biological Recording Company on behalf of the British Mycological Society.
The survey does not collect any personal or identifying information, ensuring that al...
docs.google.com
October 13, 2025 at 10:41 AM
The British Mycological Society are surveying all fungi recorders as part of a review on how they share their data. It would be great if anyone who records fungi could complete it (you don't have to be a prolific fungi recorder or BMS member to take part).
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
For anyone working in the area of dog walkers and green spaces, is there any research on which type of signage (wording, graphics, pics) actually work best for getting dog walkers to pick up after their dogs?
October 10, 2025 at 12:58 PM
For anyone working in the area of dog walkers and green spaces, is there any research on which type of signage (wording, graphics, pics) actually work best for getting dog walkers to pick up after their dogs?
There's no break from my gall pics I'm afraid, as yesterday I spotted this Nettle Pouch gall at @wildlifebcn.org's Lings Wood in Northampton.
Caused by the Dasineura urticae midge.
Caused by the Dasineura urticae midge.
October 9, 2025 at 9:17 AM
There's no break from my gall pics I'm afraid, as yesterday I spotted this Nettle Pouch gall at @wildlifebcn.org's Lings Wood in Northampton.
Caused by the Dasineura urticae midge.
Caused by the Dasineura urticae midge.
My gall collection continues to grow! With this slightly unusual one that could be mistaken for a little flower.
Out on a corporate day with @wildlifebcn.org yesterday at Fulbourn Fen, and Iain W pointed out this gall on Germander Speedwell - caused by the midge Jaapiella veronicae.
Out on a corporate day with @wildlifebcn.org yesterday at Fulbourn Fen, and Iain W pointed out this gall on Germander Speedwell - caused by the midge Jaapiella veronicae.
October 8, 2025 at 5:10 PM
My gall collection continues to grow! With this slightly unusual one that could be mistaken for a little flower.
Out on a corporate day with @wildlifebcn.org yesterday at Fulbourn Fen, and Iain W pointed out this gall on Germander Speedwell - caused by the midge Jaapiella veronicae.
Out on a corporate day with @wildlifebcn.org yesterday at Fulbourn Fen, and Iain W pointed out this gall on Germander Speedwell - caused by the midge Jaapiella veronicae.
Found myself a new gall at the weekend!
Aceria erinea is a mite that causes a gall on Walnut trees. Unsure of the common English name for it, as Walnut Blister is sometimes used - but that also seems to be used for Aceria tristriata galls, which are much smaller.
Aceria erinea is a mite that causes a gall on Walnut trees. Unsure of the common English name for it, as Walnut Blister is sometimes used - but that also seems to be used for Aceria tristriata galls, which are much smaller.
October 6, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Found myself a new gall at the weekend!
Aceria erinea is a mite that causes a gall on Walnut trees. Unsure of the common English name for it, as Walnut Blister is sometimes used - but that also seems to be used for Aceria tristriata galls, which are much smaller.
Aceria erinea is a mite that causes a gall on Walnut trees. Unsure of the common English name for it, as Walnut Blister is sometimes used - but that also seems to be used for Aceria tristriata galls, which are much smaller.
Two roles available at @wildlifebcn.org !
📣We're Hiring!
✅We've got a couple of great roles recruiting at the moment.
Find our more and how to apply on our website 👉 www.wildlifebcn.org/jobs
#conservationjobs #conservationwork #naturejobs
✅We've got a couple of great roles recruiting at the moment.
Find our more and how to apply on our website 👉 www.wildlifebcn.org/jobs
#conservationjobs #conservationwork #naturejobs
October 1, 2025 at 9:18 AM
Two roles available at @wildlifebcn.org !
A relatively short lunchtime walk at Cambourne led by @brianecambs.bsky.social - especially brilliant because I learnt a new gall! And I'm a little obsessed by galls currently.
Caused by a mite gall (Aculus tetanothrix) on willow (specifically a Bay x White Willow hybrid).
Caused by a mite gall (Aculus tetanothrix) on willow (specifically a Bay x White Willow hybrid).
September 30, 2025 at 7:14 PM
A relatively short lunchtime walk at Cambourne led by @brianecambs.bsky.social - especially brilliant because I learnt a new gall! And I'm a little obsessed by galls currently.
Caused by a mite gall (Aculus tetanothrix) on willow (specifically a Bay x White Willow hybrid).
Caused by a mite gall (Aculus tetanothrix) on willow (specifically a Bay x White Willow hybrid).
Deadline for applications is this weekend!
Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust (one of my WT employers) is recruiting for an Assistant Reserve Officer at Rutland Water.
An amazing opportunity to work at one of the UK's most well-known and loved nature reserves.
An amazing opportunity to work at one of the UK's most well-known and loved nature reserves.
Assistant Reserve Officer | Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust
To assist with habitat management, reserve maintenance and species monitoring at Rutland Water Nature Reserve ensuring appropriate and safe visitor access
www.lrwt.org.uk
September 30, 2025 at 10:16 AM
Deadline for applications is this weekend!
I thought this was Ruddy Darter due to the black legs, but the thorax isn't particularly red, so perhaps it is Common?
#Dragonflies #Insects
#Dragonflies #Insects
September 25, 2025 at 10:59 AM
I thought this was Ruddy Darter due to the black legs, but the thorax isn't particularly red, so perhaps it is Common?
#Dragonflies #Insects
#Dragonflies #Insects
September 25, 2025 at 10:47 AM
September 21, 2025 at 4:23 PM
September 21, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Positive news for #koalas!
A single dose vaccine has been approved to tackle chlamydia in the iconic species.
A single dose vaccine has been approved to tackle chlamydia in the iconic species.
Australia approves world-first vaccine to save koalas from deadly chlamydia | Discover Wildlife
The newly developed, single-dose vaccine could be a key tool in protecting the tree-dwelling marsupials from the chlamydia epidemic.
www.discoverwildlife.com
September 19, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Positive news for #koalas!
A single dose vaccine has been approved to tackle chlamydia in the iconic species.
A single dose vaccine has been approved to tackle chlamydia in the iconic species.
Spotted this solitary bee in the garden, and have two thoughts on it.
1. It looks a lot like the Chocolate Mining Bee (A. scotica) and in the normal area of the garden that I get them. But that's a spring species, so unless there's been some unusual development, that's v unlikely.
#Bees #Insects
1. It looks a lot like the Chocolate Mining Bee (A. scotica) and in the normal area of the garden that I get them. But that's a spring species, so unless there's been some unusual development, that's v unlikely.
#Bees #Insects
September 19, 2025 at 2:40 PM