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Between Swansea and Mumbles, Sea holly (Eryngium maritimum) was fully in flower along with Hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium), Rock samphire (Crithmum marititimum), Greater broomrape (Orobanche rapum-genistae) and the weird Crow garlic (Allium vineale). The hips of Burnet rose (Rosa pimpinellifolia).

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In Loughor, Vervain (Verbena officinalis), Watercress (Nasturtium officinale), Lesser sea spurrey (Spergularia marina) and Wild privet (Ligustrum vulgare) were all in bloom. Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) and Bramble (Rubus fructicosa) both had green fruits. A sawfly larva (Croesus septentrionalis) nibbled at my Silver birch, Common froghopper adults (Philaenus spumarius) waited to spring, a Scorpion fly (Panorpa communis) threatened, a Soldier and Sailor beetle (Rhagonycha fulva) marched and two Mirid bugs, Calocoris stysi and probably Lygus pratensis, lurked. In a year of butterfly shortage, the Small skipper (Thymelicus flavus) and the Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus) made an appearance. In Bynea, Great willowherb (Epilobium hirsuitism), Redshank (Polygonum persicaria) and the alien Garden privet (Ligustrum ovalifolium) were in flower whilst the European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) were being blase.

Leaping Marsupials!

There seems to be much general amusement concerning the wallabies in Tasmania suspected of creating 'crop circles' after getting stoned on opium poppies (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/8118257.stm). Apparently, Tasmania is where the greatest legal concentrations of the poppy are grown to provide material for the medical manufacture of morphine and related materials. As far as the wallabies are concerned, the poppies are just an unfamiliar, rather succulent food item (the plant is alien to Tasmania). All mammals have morphine receptors in their brains to enable them to respond to their own natural pain-relieving chemicals (the so-called 'endorphins') that are released in emergencies (when there is no time to 'worry' about aches, knocks and bruises). The opium poppy has essentially manufactured an endorphin-shaped molecule concentrated particularly in its sap to protect its precious seeds and tissues from being eaten by animals. It's amazing what trouble these plant chemical defense mechanisms cause in humans. So don't sneer at the wallabies. Crop circles are quite a minor problem.

Seeing the Changes 210

Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) and Greater plantain (Plantago major) were in bloom in Loughor. Pale toadflax (Linaria repens), Hemp agrimony (Eupatorium cinnabinum), Square-stalked St John's wort (Hypericum tetrapterum) and Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum) had emerged or were emerging in Bynea. There was also Barren brome grass (Bromus sterilis) in the latter location.

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The Rosebay willowherb (Epilobium angustifolium) was fully in flower in Gowerton. In Loughor, the Ribbed melilot (Melilotus officinalis) was in bloom and a strange yellow and black Picture-winged fly (probably Urophora cardui) cavorted amongst the nettles. In Swansea, the alien Hamalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) was much in evidence near water.

Wheeling Out the Old Arguments?

The Daily Mail campaign against 'unsightly' wheelie bins in people's front yards (NIMFY) seems a bit odd given all the other problems that are currently evident (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1193528/Wheelie-bin-revolt-Householders-fight-monster-plastic-bins-blighting-gardens.html). I appreciate that these are not the most attractive or pleasant-smelling entities but they are certainly more secure than plastic bags that tend to be ripped open by wild animals, domestic animals, gulls and Jackdaws. They are also easier and quicker for the 'waste operatives' to collect that keeps down the cost of collections. Perhaps it would be better if they could be disguised in some way? Perhaps they could be made to look like giant mushrooms or duck houses?

Seeing the Changes 208

Visited, in Loughor, by a Willow beauty moth (Peribatoides rhomboidaria) and saw a Glow worm (Lampyris noctiluca) by the boating club. In Bynea, Common mallow (Maltha sylvestris), White melilot (Melilotus alba), Cut-leaved cranesbill (Geranium dissectum), Great mullein (Verbascum thapsus) and the alien (but useful) Butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii) were all coming into flower. The red galls of the sawfly Pontania proxima were present on the Willow leaves. The wild thyme (Thymus polytrichus) was profuse at Rest bay.

Field Course: Mountains and Waterfalls

The last day of the field course and took in the Fforest Fawr Mountains and the waterfalls of the River Neath and the Afon Mellte (including the impressive Sgwd yr Etra). In addition to abundant Foxglove, Germander speedwell, Yellow pimpernel, Herb Robert and Herb Bennet seen earlier in the course, Bluebell (Hyacynthoides non-scripta) clung on (later than at lower altitudes) but Water avens (Geum rivale), Tutsan (Hypericum androsaemum), Brooklime (Veronica beccabunga) and Heath spotted orchid (Dactylorhiza maculata) were much in bloom. In addition to the conifers, deciduous trees included the Sessile oak (Quercus petraea) and Small-leaved lime (Tili cordata). Substantial conifer clearings tended to be dominated by Rosebay willowherb (Epilobium angustifolium). There were lots more Common frogs (Rana temporaria). On the River Neath, obtained nice shots of the Dipper (Cinclus cinclus) and the Grey wagtail (Motacilla cinera) feeding. There was also a clump of the rare Tunbrige filmy fern (Hymenophyllum tunbrigense) near a waterfall.

Field Course: Fens and Dunes

Another session of the local field work with Dan Forman, Charles Hipkin and a mass of Swansea students. This time went to Pant-y-Sais Fen (home of the Raft spider), did transects opposite Jersey Marine at Crymlyn Burrows and then worked at Kenfig Nature Reserve. At the Fen, saw the impressive Royal fern (Osmuda regalis), Downy birch (Betula pubescens), Slender cottongrass (Eriophorum gracile), Marsh horsetail (Equisetum palustre), Hemlock water dropwort (Oenanthe crocata), Marsh cinquefoil (Potentilla palustris), Greater spearwort (Ranunculus lingua), Lesser spearwort (Ranunculus flammula), a white Ragged robin (Lychnis flos-cuculi) and Marsh lousewort (Pedicularis palustris). At Crymlyn Burrows, there was Tufted vetch (Vicia cracca), Sea purslane (Halimione portulacoides), Sea milkwort (Glaux maritima), Biting stonecrop (Sedum acre), Sharp rush (Juncus acutus) and Sea wormwood (Artemisia maritima). Got a good shot of a stationary Skylark (Alauda arvensis). At Kenfig, in addition to some of the usual suspects, there was Viper's bugloss (Echium vulgare), Early marsh orchid (Dactylorhiza incarnata), Common spotted orchid (Dactylorhiza fuchsii), Common twayblade (Listera ovata), Wild pansy (Viola tricolor) and Lesser water-plantain (Baldellia ranunculoides). The wild strawberry (Fragaria vesca) was in fruit. There were impressive numbers of caterpillars including those of the Six-spot burnet (Zygaena filipendulae), Emperor (Saturnia pavonia), Lackey (Malacosoma neustrina) and Drinker (Philudoria potatoria) moths. Also saw a dead Grass snake (Natrix natrix) and got a decent picture of a Meadow pipit (Anthus pratensis).

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Visited in Loughor by a Brimstone moth (Opisthograptis luteolata) and saw a ground beetle (Pterostrichus nigrita) behind the canoe. In Bynea, Biting stonecrop (Sedum acre) and Spring cinquefoil (Potentilla tabernaemontani) were in flower. In Penclacwydd, Arctic sandwort (Arenaria norvegica), Common fumatory (Fumaria officinalis) and Bithynian vetch (Vicia bithynica) were in bloom and Bittersweet (Solanum dulcamara) had developed its green berries. On a hot day in Horton, saw Large-flowered evening primrose (Oenothera erythrosepala), Pyramidal orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalis), Sweet allison (Lobularia maritima), Field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis), Great bindweed (Calystegia sylvatica), Stinking iris (Iris foetidissima), Tree mallow (Lavatera arborea), Golden samphire (Inula crithmoides), the parasitic Common broomrape (Orobanche minor), Pink oxalis (Oxalis articulata), Rest-harrow (Ononis repens) and Navelwort (Umbilicus rupestris) all in flower. They were visited by a Small tortoiseshell butterfly (Aglais urticae) with one antenna, a male Oedemera nobilis beetle and a tiny green beetle. The local Burnet rose (Rosa pimpinellifolia) was infested by a bright orange rust. A sunken clay beach was revealed with vegetation as well as much much earlier fossils in the rocks. An impressively large Sea slater (Ligia sp) scuttled on these structures.

On Top of the World?

There has been much local enthusiasm about the impending opening of the new cafe atop Snowdon, the highest peak in England and Wales, (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/8095943.stm). The building of the replacement for what Prince Charles once described as 'the highest slum in the UK" has been delayed several times by bad weather and difficult building conditions. Although the Centre is 'award winning', I personally think it looks from the air like a bath tub (but that might be unfair). I am not sure about what I feel about having such items (relatively common in Europe and the USA) in this type of location. They do improve access but this is at the expense of increasing human disturbance as well as logistical problems in terms of moving stuff up and down the mountain. I suspect that I like to see wild places staying wild.

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Travelling around a bit, it was possible to see the variations in the timing of things. In Keele (Staffordshire), the Hedge bindweed (Calystegia cepium), Common mallow (Malva sylvestris) and English stonecrop (Sedum anglicum) were all in flower, which was not the case in Swansea. Pheasants (Phasianus cochicus) charged around the fields. In Egham (Surrey), Wood forgetmenot (Myosotis sylvatica), Wood vetch (Vicia sylvatica), Yellow corydalis (Corydalis lutea), Spear thistle (Cirsium vulgare), Tunic flower (Petrorhagia saxifraga), Rough poppy (Papaver hybridum) and Greater stitchwort (Stellaria holostea) were in early bloom. The European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) were as tame as ever. In Bynea, the Black knapweed (Centaurea nigra), Self-heal (Prunella vulgaris) and Common valerian (Valeriana officinalis) were in flower. In Penclacwydd, Creeping thistle (Cirsium arvense) and the white variety of the normally purple Slender thistle (Carduus tenuifloris) were in bloom. Black-tailed godwit (Limosa limosa) waded in the Loughor estuary.

Field Course: Boggy Places

Second day out on the Ecology trip. This time went to Fairwood, then Broadpool and finally Arthur's stone (all illustrated). In the first location, in addition to the studied grasses there was water-retaining Sphagnum moss, Common cotton grass (Eriophorum angustifolium), Early marsh orchid (Dactylorhiza incarnata) and the insectivorous Common sundew (Drosera rotundifolia). There were also Drinker (Philudoria potatoria) and day-flying Common heath (Ematurga atomaria) moths as well as Common frogs (Rana temporaria). At Broadpool, many of the above plants were joined by Ragged robin (Lychnis flos-cuculi) and White water-lily (Nymphaea alba). A pregnant Common lizard (Zootoca vivipara) lounged by the pool. By Arthur's stone, there was Bristle bent grass (Agrostis curtisii) at the end of its range as well as Common milkwort (Polygala vulgaris). Skylarks (Alauda arvensis) climbed noisily into the sky.

Fade to Grey

It seems that Prince Charles has not only given Royal Patronage to the Red Squirrel Survival Trust but has advocated the complete elimination of the 'alien' Grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) from all UK woods (http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Prince-Charles-Supports-Calls-To-Exterminate-Grey-Squirrels-Which-Threaten-Native-Red-Squirrels/Article/200906115295647?lpos=UK_News_First_UK_News_Feature_Teaser_Region_0&lid=ARTICLE_15295647_Prince_Charles_Supports_Calls_To_Exterminate_Grey_Squirrels_Which_Threaten_Native_Red_Squirrels).

In a speech to the Country Land and Business Association, he blamed the Greys (along with deer-introduced by his ancestors) for damage to our remaining woodland. The RSPCA, hoping to be more kindly, favour implanting these rodents with contraceptives. However, other teams with traps are converting thousands of Greys in some parts of the country into human food (in pies and pasties). I certainly accept that Greys are more damaging to woodland (and not as attractive?) than are Reds but personally think that it is highly unlikely that the Greys can now be eliminated from these islands. The contraceptive scheme seems a complete non-starter and would certainly not be a 'stress-free' option.

Field Course: Woods and Cliffs

Spent the afternoon with Drs Forman, Hipkin and Proffitt (sound like a group of solicitors) and the students at the Gower locations of Parc Le Breos and Southgate cliffs. The students (illustrated) seemed to enjoy the walks and the associated ecology. In addition to grasses at the former location, saw Wood spurge (Euphorbia amygdaloides), Yellow pimpernel (Lysimachia nemorum), Herb Bennet (Geum urbanum) and Wild strawberry (Fragaria vesca). We also saw Common blue damselflies (Enallagma cyathigerum). At the latter limestone location saw Portland spurge (Euphorbia portlandica), Eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis), Purple saxifrage (Saxifraga oppositifolia), Common centaury (Centaurium erythraea), Common rock rose (Helianthemum nummularium), Yellow whitlow grass (Draba aizoides), Tormentil (Potentilla erecta), Greater knapweed (Centaurea scabiosa), Small scabious (Scabiosa columbaria), Heath bedstraw (Gallium saxatilis), Heath speedwell (Veronica officinalis) and the hemi-parasitic Yellow rattle (Rhinathus minor). There was also a Bloody nosed beetle (Timarcha tenebricosa).

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Sea bindweed (Calystegia soldanella) is in bloom on the upper reaches of the sands of Swansea.

Birder's Bonus 50

House martins (Delichon urbica) have arrived to build their nests under the eaves of the Pavilion changing rooms of Swansea University. The poor birds used to be able to freely collect mud for construction from the sides of the dirt running track but, with the construction of the all-weather track, now have to search more widely.

Soprano Tits!

Workers at Aberystwyth University have reported that Great tits (Parus major) in 20 UK cities currently sing at a higher pitch than their more rural cousins (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/mid/8079539.stm) . This is presumably an adaptation to facilitate the transmission of the threatening and seductive messages in the songs over the noise of traffic in urban locations. The oddity is that these birds now apparently have difficulty recognising the songs of birds from out of town. It could even drive speciation.