This blog may help people explore some of the 'hidden' issues involved in certain media treatments of environmental and scientific issues. Using personal digital images, it's also intended to emphasise seasonal (and other) changes in natural history of the Swansea (South Wales) area. The material should help participants in field-based modules and people generally interested in the natural world. The views are wholly those of the author.
Wednesday 29 June 2011
Seeing the Changes 414
Between Blackpill and Westcross, noted Crow garlic (Allium vineale), Golden samphire (Inula crithmoides) and Traveller's joy (Clematis vitalba) in flower. The Burnet rose (Rosa pimpinella) had turned to hips.
Tuesday 28 June 2011
Krazy Kenfig
The day started with a striking Large emerald moth (Archiearis parthenias) in Loughor. Went on the Zoology trip to Kenfig where we saw Sea holly (Eryngium maritimum), Early marsh orchid (Dactylorhiza incarnata) and Marsh helleborine (Epipactis palustris). Critters included mating Dark green fritillaries (Mesoacidalia aglaja), Bee beetles (Trichius fasciatus), a Ruby tail (Chrysis ignita) and an orange-bodied Hymenopteran.
Sunday 26 June 2011
Seeing the Changes 413
A hot day in Oxwich! Pyramidal orchids (Anacamptis pyramidalis) were past their best and Common rock-rose (Helianthemum nummularium), Common centaury (Centaurium erythraea), Wood sage (Teucrium scorodonia) and Bloody cranesbill (Geranium sanguineum) were making an appearance. There were many butterflies including Painted lady (Cynthia cardui) on the Wild thyme, Meadow brown (Maniola jurtina), Small heath (Coenonympha pamphilus), Small blue (Cupido minimus) and Small skipper (Thymelicus flavus). There were also sand wasps (Ammophila sabulosa), Scorpion flies (Panorpa germanica), pale flies (Thereva annulata), Grey bush crickets (Platycleis albopunctata) and grasshoppers.
Saturday 25 June 2011
Seeing the Changes 412
In Penclacwydd, Hemp agrimony (Eupatorium cannabinum), Beaked hawksbeard (Crepis vesicaria), Lady's bedstraw (Galium verum) and Bullrush (Typha latifolia) were in flower. In Bynea, Butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii), Hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium) and Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum) were blooming. In that location, Cinnabar moth (Tyria jacobaeae) larvae were noted on the Ragwort.
Friday 24 June 2011
Seeing the Changes 411
In Loughor, the Large-flowered evening primrose (Oenothera erythrosepala) was in bloom. In Bynea, it was the turn of the Great willowherb (Epilobium hirsutum), Field pansy (Viola arvensis), St John's wort (Hypericum sp) and Sun spurge (Euphorbia helioscopia) were in flower. Field rose (Rosa arvensis) had produced hips.
Thursday 23 June 2011
Norwegian Would
In Sunndalsora in Norway (home of a major aluminium smelting plant that uses 5% of the entire country's hydro-electricity generation), there were surprising varieties of wild flowers including Columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris), Wild perennial lupin (Lupinus perennis), Northern marsh orchid (Dactylorhiza purpurella), Heartsease (Viola tricolor), Harebell (Campanula uniflora) and Bladder campion (Silene vulgaris). The Pied wagtails (Motacilla alba) were actively feeding in the very extended days.
Sunday 19 June 2011
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