Rare glass snails and winter semi-slugs spotted
On October 11, 2026, Omroep Brabant reported that forestry worker Frans Kapteijns highlighted several notable natural discoveries sent in by nature enthusiasts, including translucent glass snails found by Mieke van den Hurk. These tiny land snails possess a very thin, glassy, and translucent shell measuring a maximum of six millimeters. The shell itself appears glossy, greenish, or light brown, while the body of the snail ranges from light or dark grey to black. During movement, the snail pulls part of its soft body, known as the mantle, over the outside of its shell like a small jacket.
Many biologists view the glass snail as a living example of the evolution from a shelled snail to a slug because the shell is extremely thin, fragile, and glass-like. These creatures inhabit moist to dry locations in coniferous and deciduous forests, meadows, among stones, on walls, and in dune grass. Their diet consists of withered leaves, dead plant parts, and carrion. They lay their eggs mostly in the autumn before the adults die, and the eggs hatch in the spring. Because they tolerate cold well, they remain active during winter months and are often called winter semi-slugs in English.
Blue-winged grasshoppers and willow emerald damselflies
Meanwhile, Harrie Verweijen submitted a photograph of an insect he suspected to be a dragonfly. Kapteijns identified the subject as a willow emerald damselfly, a slender insect belonging to the suborder of damselflies within the order of dragonflies. Unlike true dragonflies, damselflies have widely separated eyes and fold their uniform wings above their bodies when at rest.
Pine foot fungus regeneration
Henk Thiele encountered an unusual specimen during a forest walk, which Kapteijns identified as a middle-aged pine foot fungus showing rare regeneration with multiple new fruit bodies growing along the outer edge. According to Omroep Brabant, this parasitic fungus lives on the roots and stem bases of living conifers like Douglas firs, larches, and Scots pines, causing brown rot that breaks down the heartwood. The fruit bodies undergo a color transformation from golden yellow to velvet brown and eventually dark brown. Globally, these fungal caps remain famous for their ability to dye wool and textiles in deep natural tones ranging from sulfur yellow to deep rust brown.
Upcoming Vogelwacht Uden walk in Maashorst
Vogelwacht Uden will host a free autumn nature walk on Sunday, October 18, 2026, from nine in the morning until noon in the Maashorst nature area, with a central theme focusing on autumn and the ongoing bird migration. Departure takes place from the large parking lot of the nature center located at Erenakkerstraat 5 in Nistelrode. Participants do not need to register in advance. Organizers recommend wearing sturdy shoes or boots and bringing binoculars to observe birds traveling toward warmer wintering grounds.
