Seeing the Changes 559

In Bynea, noted Common scurvey-grass (Cochlearia officinalis) in flower on the estuary. There was also lots of Drone fly (Eristalis tenax) on the dandelions.

Seeing the Changes 558

It is still cold but brighter. In Bynea, Red campion (Silene dioica), Red clover (Trifolium pratense), Greater celadine (Chelidonium majus), Corn gromwell (Buglossoides arvensis), Ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea) and Thale cress (Arabidopsis thaliana). Yellow meadow ants (Lasius flavus) were also active in this area. In Loughor, Tawny mining bees (Andrena fulva) were busy digging, a Plume moth (Emmelina monodactyla) visited the light outside and a Large white (Pieris brassicae) patrolled the garden.

Seeing the Changes 557

Not exactly a typical Spring but, in Bynea, things were getting underway with Cuckoo flower (Cardamine pratensis), Round leaved cranesbill (Geranium rotundifolium), Ribwort plantain (Plantago lanceolata), Spanish bluebell (Endymion hispanicus), Flowering ash (Fraxinus ornus) and a white umbellifer coming into flower. In Loughor, there was the first appearance of Alexanders (Smyrnium olusatrum), Lords and ladies (Arum maculata) and the first reasonable sized moth.

Birder's Bonus 127

In spite of the Loughor cold, Starling (Sternus vulgaris) egg shells littered the ground.

Seeing the Changes 556

Bright orange Tremella mesenterica fungus spotted on a dead twig in Loughor.

Seeing the Changes 555

In Loughor, saw my first moth of the spring (some kind of pug moth).

Birder's Bonus 126

Noted Great-crested grebes (Podiceps cristatus) fishing on the Loughor estuary last night.

Seeing the Changes 554

The weather is on the change and Field horsetail (Equisetum arvense) is belatedly poking through in Bynea.

Fishing for Complaints?

Its seems that what I predicted after the 'horse meat in burgers' fuss has come to be. A recent investigation has revealed that a  proportion of fish sold in supermarkets and restaurants are not the species described 'on the tin' (http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2013/apr/02/fish-chips-cod-food-standards?INTCMP=SRCH). What is described as 'cod' (the only white fish known by many of the UK population?) is actually Pollack or Whiting. Of course, some of these species are actually more sustainable than the species they are replacing but one can argue that people ought to be told what they are actually buying.