Seeing the Changes 575

Sunny in Bynea and the Southern marsh orchid (Dactylorhiza praetermissa) was coming into bloom.

Birder's Bonus 130

Saw a male European shelduck (Tadorna tadorna) on the mud of the Loughor river. It flew away (not straight down).

Seeing the Changes 574

More changeable weather. Noted what looked like ancient sun-cracking in the mud on the collapsed banks of the river Loughor. There was also lots of relatively large fungi on horse droppings. Thrift (Armeria maritima) was in bud there. I also noted a Green-veined white butterfly (Artogeia napi) feeding and a writhing mass of Lackey moth (Malacosoma neustria) larvae on a web. In Loughor, Herb Bennet (Geum urbanum) and Marsh willowherb (Epilobium palustre) were flowering.

Palm-oiled and Logged out?

Areas of rain forest in Sumatra and other Indonesian locations are being decimated by logging for paper mills and replacing the forests with palm oil plantations (http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/may/26/tigers-stronghold-sumatra-poachers?INTCMP=SRCH). Most of the activity to driven by western demands for materials with little or no regard for the endangered animal and plant life in the area including Orang-utans, Sumatran tigers and rhinoceros. There are even suggestions that fires are started deliberately in these areas to speed up the deforestation process.

Seeing the Changes 573

At Oxwich, there was lots of Mouse-ear hawkweed (Hieracium pilosella) and Kidney vetch (Anthyllis vulneraria) in flower. There was also the first bloom of a Stone bramble (Rubus saxatilis). In the dunes, there was lots of solitary bee activity and, in the rock pools, located Grey chiton (Lepidochitona cinerea).

Seeing the Changes 572

White clover (Trifolium repens) was in flower in Bynea. Also noted a Cinnabar moth (Tyria jacobaeae) flitting about.

Birder's Bonus 129

Des-Res for Starlings (Sternus vulgaris), complete with signs and barbed wire in Bynea.

A Lesser Consideration?

It has been revealed that a colony of endangered Lesser black-backed gulls (Larus fuscus) has been subject to a culling order by English Nature (and its predecessors) since the 1970s (http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/may/23/conservation-agency-approved-cull-endangered-birds?INTCMP=SRCH). The colony is near the Bowlands Fells in Lancashire and the original excuse for the cull was potential contamination of the local reservoir by bird droppings (a highly contentious excuse, anyhow). It has now been claimed that the real reason for the cull's approval was the location of the circa 9500 hectare Abbeystead estate, largely maintained for grouse shooting. There is a claim that Lesser black-backs sometimes consume grouse eggs (hardly remarkable as this species, like many others, is opportunistic in its feeding habitats and the grouse eggs would constitute an artificially concentrated food source). It does seem strange that English Nature appeared to ignore one of its primary purposes (i.e. conservation of endangered species) over an extended period. Perhaps they thought it more important to stay on good terms with the land-owner?

Seeing the Changes 571

Stuff seems to be coming out in a rush. In Loughor, Sulphur cinquefoil (Potentilla recta) and White stonecrop (Sedum album) were in flower. In Bynea, Cut-leaved cranesbill (Geranium dissectum), Smooth sow-thistle (Sonchus oleraceus), Field forgetmenot (Myosotis arvensis), Common field speedwell (Veronica persica) and Germander speedwell (Veronica chamaedryas) all made an appearance.

Ever Fewer-More Boring?

An analysis of 'tens of millions of observations from volunteers' over the last 50 years (http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/may/21/uk-species-struggling-wildlife) has confirmed that much of the UK's wildlife is in serious decline. Struggling species (60% of those analysed were showing serious declines) range from the Freshwater pearl mussel, a variety of insects (including the Garden tiger moth), Atlantic salmon, Hedgehogs, Greater horseshoe bats and Lesser spotted woodpeckers. That is not to mention the plants on which some of these animals (diestly or indirectly) rely! A few species (like the Red kite and the European otter) seem to be doing well, largely as a result of serious and continued conservation efforts over extended periods (including changes in the Law) but most of the endangered species suffer from habitat destruction, pollution and/or disturbance. The analysis largely blames intense agriculture (although others will argue that it is needed to feed increased human populations and to facilitate the production of some 'biofuels') but urbanisation (a process likely to be intensified by a drive to create millions of 'affordable homes') and climate change must also play roles. Even a greater human participation in 'outdoor activities' (needed for our health) including even studying natural history can make it more difficult for certain species. And don't start me on gardeners with their introduced alien species and the release of feral 'pets'!

Seeing the Changes 570

In Bynea, noted Silverweed (Potentilla anserina), Wild strawberry (Fragaria vesca) and Columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris) in bloom. A Drinker moth (Philudoria potatoria) munched. Yellow oxalis (Oxalis corniculata) was in flower in Loughor. We were also visited by a Cockchafer (Melolontha melolontha).

Seeing the Changes 569

Warmer and everything greener! Lilac (Syringa vulgaris), Thyme-leaved speedwell (Veronica serpyllifolia) and Common chickweed (Stellaria media) were all in flower in Bynea.

Seeing the Changes 568

Strange weather, with hot sunshine and hail stones. Also the first decent-sized moths of the year in Loughor. There was a freshly-emerged Brimstone (Opisthograptis luteolata) and a dedraggled Noctuid.

Seeing the Changes 567

In Loughor, the Cultivated (but feral) Apple (Malus domestica) was in flower and a lepidopteran larva charged across the road.

In the Backyard: Climate Change Special

Given the level of US opposition to the ideas of anthropogenic (human produced) climate change, it is somewhat ironic that the American village of Newtok in Alaska is on the verge of being washed away (www.guardian.co.uk/environment/interactive/2013/may/13/newtok-alaska-climate-change-refugees). It will be gone by 2017. It is even more remarkable that the event cannot even be ameliorated by monies from the US disasters fund which is reserved for hurricanes, earthquakes, bush fires, whirlwinds etc. Melting of the permafrost and the loss of land to increased volumes of water coming down rivers appear not to count at present.

Seeing the Changes 566

In Bynea, noted Tufted vetch (Vicia cracca) and Sea radish (Raphanus maritimus) were both in flower. In Loughor, Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) was in bloom.

Ducking and Diving?

Studies by the WWT have suggested that declines in the numbers of Tufted ducks, Goosanders and Goldeneyes migrating to over-winter in the UK are consequences of climate change (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22484907). It seems that warmer winters in Scandinavia have persuaded some of these water birds to resist migration (an energetically demanding activity). 

Birder's Bonus 128

A mini-drama in my Loughor garden as a Collared dove (Streptopelia decaocto) made a futile attempt to protect its eggs from a Magpie (Pica pica). Magpies appear to be doing well this year.

Working on the Greenhouse?

News that the atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide have exceeded 400 parts per million in the measurements obtained at the Mauna Loa observatory on the remote 'Big Island' of Hawaii (http://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/ccgg/trends/) are probably 'ceremonial' rather than scientifically meaningful (like a 'triple dip recession'). The attainment of the figure so early, however, is a clear indication that attempts to contain the release of 'climate changing gases' has been spectacularly ineffective.  

Seeing the Changes 565

The weather was changeable again and Common cleavers (Galium aparine) had tiny white flowers. Nettle (Urtica dioica) was also in bloom.