Saturday, 13 March 2010

Seeing the Changes 260



The first female flower of the Hazel (Corylus avellana) and Forsythia were out in Penclacwydd. There was also evidence of the current local obsession with grassland fires (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/8557019.stm). The people who set them often claim they are only attempting to remove undergrowth of gorse and bramble (controlled fire can be helpful in e.g. heathland management to prevent transition to woodland). Fire crews and property-holders often complain about the danger to individuals, agricultural animals and property. What often appears to be forgotten is that the timing of these fires could have a very negative impact on emerging insects, amphibia and reptiles in this location.

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