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Alan Watson Featherstone

ECOLOGIST, NATURE PHOTOGRAPHER AND INSPIRATIONAL SPEAKER
FOUNDER OF THE AWARD-WINNING CHARITY TREES FOR LIFE

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An Introduction to Plant Galls

An Introduction to Plant Galls

Galls are the abnormal growth of plant tissues that are induced on plants by other organisms, including insects, mites, fungi, bacteria and some viruses. Over 1,000 different types of galls have been recorded in the UK, with some such as the witches broom galls on birch trees, or robin’s pincushion galls on dog rose, being common and well-known. They consist of a remarkable diversity of shapes and forms, and many have fascinating relationships with other species.

This informative and insightful talk is illustrated with stunning high quality photographs and is full of interesting details about the whole range of different gall types that occur in Scotland and the Caledonian Forest. Ideal for those with an active interest in ecology or the curious layperson alike, this presentation provides a wealth of knowledge about one of the remarkable phenomena in Nature that is often overlooked.

If you would like me to give this talk to a group or at an event, please contact me.

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My TEDx talk – Restoring the ancient Caledonian Forest.

TEDx TEDx – Restoring the Caledonian Forest

Recent posts

  • The abundant life of dead wood, part 3
  • The abundant life of dead wood, part 2
  • The abundant life of dead wood, part 1
  • Gannets galore, part 2
  • Gannets galore, part 1

News

  • Rewilding workshop in Glen Affric 4-11 October 2025
  • Rewilding workshops in 2024
  • ‘A Rewilding Journey’ Workshop 27 May – 3 June
  • 2023 Caledonian Forest Engagement Diary now available
  • Revised dates for our next Rewilding workshop: 15 – 22 October 2022.

I’m speaking at…

  • A Rewilding Journey: Rewilding the World and Ourselves – 4 October 2025–
    11 October 2025
  • Over on X (Twitter)…

    Alan Watson Featherstone Follow

    Ecologist, nature photographer and inspirational speaker. Founder of the award-winning charity Trees for Life that is restoring the Caledonian Forest.

    AlanWatsonFeat1
    alanwatsonfeat1 Alan Watson Featherstone @alanwatsonfeat1 ·
    16 May

    This is a red birch midget micro-moth (Phyllonorycter ulmifoliella) on a leaf of a silver birch (Betula pendula) on the Findhorn Hinterland today. The second photo includes part of my thumbnail & provides a sense of scale, showing how tiny this micro-moth is!

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    alanwatsonfeat1 Alan Watson Featherstone @alanwatsonfeat1 ·
    16 May

    Here's a mid-instar nymph of a red-legged shieldbug (Pentatoma rufipes) with an alate or winged silver birch aphid (Euceraphis betulae) riding shotgun on it, on a twig of a silver birch (Betula pendula) on the Findhorn Hinterland today!

    Reply on Twitter 1923498632692613544 Retweet on Twitter 1923498632692613544 Like on Twitter 1923498632692613544 2 Twitter 1923498632692613544
    alanwatsonfeat1 Alan Watson Featherstone @alanwatsonfeat1 ·
    16 May

    Mid-instar nymph of a red-legged shieldbug (Pentatoma rufipes) on a silver birch (Betula pendula) on the Findhorn Hinterland today.

    Reply on Twitter 1923495834399781073 Retweet on Twitter 1923495834399781073 1 Like on Twitter 1923495834399781073 3 Twitter 1923495834399781073
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