Seeing the Changes 1402

Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum) bloomed in Bynea.

Why Don't They All F.f.f.f.f.fade Away?

An interesting study suggests that soft foods (notably porridge and gruel) have shaped our facial equipment, enabling us to incorporate 'v' and 'f' sounds in our languages(https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/mar/14/soft-foods-helped-humans-form-f-and-v-sounds-research). The more substantial diets of hunter-gatherers apparently rarely incorporates these 'baby sounds'.

Seeing the Changes 1401

In spite of the wind and rain, Alexanders (Smymium olustrum) and English scurvy grass (Cochlearia anglica) both bloomed in

There Isn't Enough Time!

One might be tempted to feel a certain amount of optimism about the facts that the current crop of schoolchildren, in over 100 countries, are effectively agitating about the lack of action by 'adults' to counter the effects of climate change (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/mar/15/its-our-time-to-rise-up-youth-climate-strikes-held-in-100-countries) and that its initiator has been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize. We have, however, to focus on the truism that the window of opportunity where anything really meaningful can be done, is painfully short (expiring long before these intelligent, young humans will have attained positions where they could direct government policies). We really do need the 'adults' to step up to the mark rather than bury their heads in the sand!

Coming to a Farm Near You?

It has been reported that US Food giants have swallowed up many of the countries family farms, converting them to Factory operations, with devastating effects on local economies  (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/mar/09/american-food-giants-swallow-the-family-farms-iowa). Somewhat scarily, the article predicts that they are looking for opportunities in post-Brexit UK, they might well be able to pick up a lot of cheap properties.

Seeing the Changes 1400

Hailstones in Loughor, yesterday but the first Common wasp (Vespula vulgaris) of the year today.

Ashes to Ashes

Ash dieback fungus is reportedly spreading very quickly in Wales, decimating one of our commonest trees (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-47483197) that is near to many buildings and a component of many hedges.