Seeing the Changes 913

Interesting plant changes in Loughor, with Field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) and Good king henry (Chenopodium bonus-henricus) both in flower. The fruit of the Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) was very abundant and the alien Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus) was also in berry.

Wading Out?

Migratory, wading birds have a risky life-style and are very vulnerable to environmental changes and there arehttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/jul/30/wetland-bird-survey-wading-birds-britain-climate-change recent indications of dramatic declines in populations of these animals in the UK (http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/jul/30/wetland-bird-survey-wading-birds-britain-climate-change). One could, to some extent, reverse the calculation and suggest that the population declines indicate that recent environmental changes are substantive and challenging.

Licensed to Drill

I must admit to being more than a little unhappy (even with the so-called 'safe-guards' for National Parks) about the giving of the green light to companies to apply licences to frack over many areas of the UK, whether the residents like it or not (http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/jul/28/fracking-expansion-uk-drilling-national-parks-safeguards). I suspect that this move was always on the cards, especially given the current arguments with Russia and our dependence on 'their' gas.  The apparent boom in energy provision by fracking in a much larger as less populous USA must also have played a role. My objections broadly remain the same:-
1. I am not convinced that the process doesn't at least carry a risk of contaminating water courses.
2. If the hydrocarbons are removed, that certainly changes the nature of the underlying rocks and possibly their stability.
3. The product, when burned, exacerbates global warming and I would prefer a greater emphasis on solar energy and improved insulation.
4. I am certainly not convinced that the licences mean more jobs (always a selling point to politicians).

Balmy or Barmy Summer?

There has been much comment about the 'recovery' of Britain's wildlife as a consequence of the prolonged, hot summer (http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/jul/26/nature-recovers-in-traditional-summer). People seem to have had differing experiences with butterflies. Until yesterday, I had seen very little activity of these insects on Butterfly bush blossom and other insect-attracting flowers. Even yesterday, numbers were low and the Butterfly bush way past their best. The only butterfly that appears to have done well here is the Speckled wood (Pararge aegeria tercis) much in evidence in many locations. I have not seen a single Painted lady (Cynthia cardui) and relatively few Red admirals (Vanessa atalanta).

Seeing the Changes 912

In spite of the hot weather, it has been a disappointing time for butterflies on the Butterfly bushes. In Gorseinon today, there was a bit of activity with Gatekeepers, Peacocks and Red admirals all activity.

Seeing the Changes 911

Visited in Loughor, by what looked like a Mullein wave (Scopula marginepunctata). By Machinys lake, noted Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) in flower and got a nice shot of a basking Black-tailed skimmer (Orthetrum cancellatum).

Seeing the Changes 910

Near Machinys, Common fleabane (Pulicaria dysentaria) and  Hemp agrimony (Eupatorium cannabinum) were in flower. Visited in Loughor by a lacewing (Chysoperla carnea).

Zooligans?

An interesting debate has started concerning London Zoo's decision to open in some evenings to attract in an older client base with teenagers and 20+ year olds (http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/jul/18/london-zoo-party-night-animal-welfare). Animals in zoos can certainly be stressed by visitors. Enlightened zoos actually incorporate a number of design features to enclosures that minimise this but they can't apparently cope with some of the 'wilder' behaviour of the late night visitors (including pouring beer over tigers and trying to get into locations with the animals). This is a difficult one as stress certainly impairs the health and breeding efficiency of the animals but many animal-orientated attractions have great difficulty attracting visitors from the 13-30 age groups. We tend to visit zoos as children or with children/grandchildren of our own. This is not simply a question of improving the finance of the establishments but a reasonable desire to interest the cohort (and possibly get them to support) in conservation. I do think the zoos ought to continue with such attempts but need to watch carefully the behaviour of their visitors. Perhaps people who are clearly drunk, should be refused entry to this type of place.

Seeing the Changes 909

In Loughor, Lords and Ladies (Arum maculatum) was in fruit. I was covered in the burrs of the Common cleavers (Galium aperine). I also spotted a Spotted cranefly (Nephrotoma quadrifaria).

Talk Talk?

I must admit to be mildly irritated by the promos for the new BBC series entitled 'Talk to the Animals' (http://www.boundlessproductions.tv/news/read_talk-to-the-animals-for-bbc-one_item_100135.htm) and I never did like 'Dr Doolittle'. It's seemingly based on the view that one ought to find it surprising that animals communicate with each other. There is a long-established literature on the senses (visual, auditory, chemical, and pressure waves/touch) that animal species use to pass on information (or, in some cases, disinformation) to members of their own and other species. I do think that looking at everything from an anthropocentric viewpoint is, to some extent, 'Disneyfying' a well-established body of behavioural studies. I am not sure how much will be added over and above what was dealt with in the earlier 'Supersense' series and note that many of the species 'investigated' appear to be 'the usual suspects'.

Space (Between the Ears?)

There seems to be enormous, undiluted excitement about the possible siting of a UK Spaceport in Llanbedr North Wales (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-28305814). The port would, apparently, cater for space tourism as well as for the deployment of small satellites. People are bullish about the potential for employment and commercial value. No one seems, however, to consider the impact of such a development (in any location) on global warming and climate change. The energy per person required to pump anyone rich enough to fancy a trip into zero gravity is likely to make traditional air travel look ultra modest by comparison. I can't help feeling that such a development would be more than a little self-indulgent- it's probably the last thing we really need!  

Seeing the Changes 908

At Machinys, noted that Sea holly (Eryngium maritimum) was in flower.

Seeing the Changes 907

Around Machinys, spotted Common toadflax (Linaria vulgaris) in flower. Dog rose (Rosa canina) was going all hippy.

Seeing the Changes 906

Lots of European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) activity around Machinys lake.

Seeing the Changes 905

Lots of new stuff between Loughor and Machinys. At the lake Wild parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) and an oddly coloured Prickly sow thistle (Sonchus asper) were in flower. At Penclacwydd, spotted Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum) and Hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium). On the latter, Rhagonycha fulva beetles roamed. In Loughor, visited by a Lilac beauty moth (Apeira syringaria).

Seasonal Changes?

Had a tweet (#fredbrain) from a journalist about a claim from the National Trust that Autumn was coming early this year. It did feature in Walesonline.co.uk. Things do seem to be a bit odd in their timing (the point of this blog) but I did try to tell them that it is difficult to establish that what we are seeing is a trend (needs masses of observations over an extended period). I guess, however, that it is difficult to put complex ideas over in 120 letters and spaces!

Seeing the Changes 904

Birthday visitors in Loughor with a damaged Swallowtail (Ourapteryx sambucaria) and what looked like a 2nd generation Engrailed (Ectropis bistortata).