Melanie Newfield
@melanienewfield.bsky.social
Science and environment writer and communicator. Loves to talk about risk. Obsessed with plants and hopes to one day see every species of eucalypt.
I make the science behind important issues accessible here: https://theturnstone.substack.com
I make the science behind important issues accessible here: https://theturnstone.substack.com
I did an art class this weekend and had a go using a dip pen and plant inks. Drawing was fun and I loved the look the pen and inks made, apart from the nibs being almost impossible for a left hander to write with (although drawing was fine). Here's my drawing of prairie grass. #sciart
November 9, 2025 at 6:17 AM
I did an art class this weekend and had a go using a dip pen and plant inks. Drawing was fun and I loved the look the pen and inks made, apart from the nibs being almost impossible for a left hander to write with (although drawing was fine). Here's my drawing of prairie grass. #sciart
So it turns out that the story of austral snipe is an emotional rollercoaster. The story of tutukiwi is one of the saddest in #conservation, but the story of the Campbell Island snipe is one of the happiest. So here it is...
#Sciart
#Sciart
November 7, 2025 at 7:07 AM
So it turns out that the story of austral snipe is an emotional rollercoaster. The story of tutukiwi is one of the saddest in #conservation, but the story of the Campbell Island snipe is one of the happiest. So here it is...
#Sciart
#Sciart
Feeling sad today, so thought I'd share something from one of my art projects, which is to bring life to Aotearoa's #extinct species. Here's a little treasure called tutukiwi, a shorebird which lived in the forest, extinct in 1964.
November 5, 2025 at 6:48 AM
Feeling sad today, so thought I'd share something from one of my art projects, which is to bring life to Aotearoa's #extinct species. Here's a little treasure called tutukiwi, a shorebird which lived in the forest, extinct in 1964.
There's so much wrong in the world that it's overwhelming. But, if you can, spare a thought for the thousands of species which are silently slipping into extinction. This adorable weevil's just hanging in there, but how many more of our smaller creatures have we lost without noticing?
October 25, 2025 at 7:37 AM
There's so much wrong in the world that it's overwhelming. But, if you can, spare a thought for the thousands of species which are silently slipping into extinction. This adorable weevil's just hanging in there, but how many more of our smaller creatures have we lost without noticing?
It’s a while since I’ve shared any #sciart, so here’s a recent piece to accompany my article on the North Island kōkako. I’ve also included a piece from a year ago when I first started drawing to illustrate my articles.
October 15, 2025 at 3:48 AM
It’s a while since I’ve shared any #sciart, so here’s a recent piece to accompany my article on the North Island kōkako. I’ve also included a piece from a year ago when I first started drawing to illustrate my articles.
Wellington details
October 12, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Wellington details
If you're into science communication #Scicomm and are in Auckland, Hamilton, Napier-Hastings, Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch or Dunedin, check out the networking night for the Science Communicators Association of NZ. I'm co-hosting in Wellington.
October 12, 2025 at 9:48 PM
If you're into science communication #Scicomm and are in Auckland, Hamilton, Napier-Hastings, Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch or Dunedin, check out the networking night for the Science Communicators Association of NZ. I'm co-hosting in Wellington.
With alt text this time
October 10, 2025 at 4:20 AM
With alt text this time
Marbles in her favourite box.
October 10, 2025 at 4:18 AM
Marbles in her favourite box.
On my recent visit to #TiritiriMatangi island I took this video in the forest. The birdsong here is extraordinary. I’ve never heard anything like it.
October 6, 2025 at 4:14 AM
On my recent visit to #TiritiriMatangi island I took this video in the forest. The birdsong here is extraordinary. I’ve never heard anything like it.
Another under appreciated candidate for #birdoftheyear2025, the teeny-tiniest tītīpounamu. #sciart Weighs less than a large garden snail.
September 20, 2025 at 4:31 AM
Another under appreciated candidate for #birdoftheyear2025, the teeny-tiniest tītīpounamu. #sciart Weighs less than a large garden snail.
Here you are!
September 19, 2025 at 1:24 AM
Here you are!
That's true, but I don't have a gull on my list. I do, however, have other seabirds.
September 18, 2025 at 11:11 PM
That's true, but I don't have a gull on my list. I do, however, have other seabirds.
Join the wryforce!
September 18, 2025 at 11:09 PM
Join the wryforce!
I decided to get behind #Birdoftheyear2025 so I've written a guide and done some drawings for 9 underappreciated birds. Here's one for hākoakoa #skua since I was inspired by @hakoakoa-boty.bsky.social
The guide comes out tomorrow. Can you guess which other birds are on my list?
The guide comes out tomorrow. Can you guess which other birds are on my list?
September 18, 2025 at 6:22 AM
I decided to get behind #Birdoftheyear2025 so I've written a guide and done some drawings for 9 underappreciated birds. Here's one for hākoakoa #skua since I was inspired by @hakoakoa-boty.bsky.social
The guide comes out tomorrow. Can you guess which other birds are on my list?
The guide comes out tomorrow. Can you guess which other birds are on my list?
Also, there's now a wetland with native sedges and established trees down the bottom of the hill from me. One of numerous areas in Wellington city being lovingly restored by volunteers with council support.
September 12, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Also, there's now a wetland with native sedges and established trees down the bottom of the hill from me. One of numerous areas in Wellington city being lovingly restored by volunteers with council support.
Donna is no longer living on a chain.
September 12, 2025 at 9:17 AM
Donna is no longer living on a chain.
I'm still finishing my work after 9pm because I decided to take a 3 hour walk this afternoon in the most perfect Wellington weather. Totally worth it. I made someone very happy.
September 12, 2025 at 9:14 AM
I'm still finishing my work after 9pm because I decided to take a 3 hour walk this afternoon in the most perfect Wellington weather. Totally worth it. I made someone very happy.
Also hi from Donna. This is her "you've been on computer too long" face.
September 11, 2025 at 5:51 AM
Also hi from Donna. This is her "you've been on computer too long" face.
Drawing moths has given me a new appreciation of a group which I previously studied as pests. Here are a couple whose arrival in New Zealand led to major eradication programmes. #sciart
August 31, 2025 at 7:31 AM
Drawing moths has given me a new appreciation of a group which I previously studied as pests. Here are a couple whose arrival in New Zealand led to major eradication programmes. #sciart
Stylish in dusky pink to orange fur, these caterpillars are not the cuddling kind. Concealed in that luxuriant fur are stinging spines, and if you touch one, they’ll inject a venom which causes an intense burning pain. They’re definitely a moth to admire with your eyes only!
August 24, 2025 at 6:39 AM
Stylish in dusky pink to orange fur, these caterpillars are not the cuddling kind. Concealed in that luxuriant fur are stinging spines, and if you touch one, they’ll inject a venom which causes an intense burning pain. They’re definitely a moth to admire with your eyes only!
With its body and legs clad in thick yellow to orange or brown fur, the southern flannel moth looks like it’s ready for the coldest winter. In fact, it enjoys the hot summer nights of the southern USA, as well as parts of Central and South America.
August 24, 2025 at 6:39 AM
With its body and legs clad in thick yellow to orange or brown fur, the southern flannel moth looks like it’s ready for the coldest winter. In fact, it enjoys the hot summer nights of the southern USA, as well as parts of Central and South America.