All a Matter of Timing?

A study suggests that giving influenza vaccine in the morning produces better protection than when the material is injected in the afternoon (https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/apr/26/morning-flu-jabs-could-save-thousands-of-lives-study-suggests). This could apparently save an additional 2000+ lives in the UK at no extra cost. I am reminded that I found in some old studies that psychoactive drugs had different effects in rodents at different times of the day. These timing effects clearly might be worth additional investigation.

Seeing the Changes 1051

Variable weather in Loughor with hail and sleet but Dovesfoot cranesbill (Geranium molle) in bloom and evidence of birds producing eggs.

Seeing the Changes 1050

Meanwhile back in Loughor, Ribwort plantain (Plantago lanceolata), Wood forgetmenot (Myosotis sylvatica) and Hoary stock (Matthiola incana) all decided to emerge.

Seeing the Changes 1049

Flowers a bit more advanced in Crystal Palace with Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) and Green alkanet (Pentaglottis sempervirens) profusely in bloom.

Birder's Bonus 164

Lots of birds on my visit to South London. Crystal Palace is Ring-necked parakeet (Psittacula krameri) central. Noted a Green woodpecker (Picus viridis) feeding on the ground in Dulwich. Also loads of Gold finch (Carduelis carduelis) in the former location.

Fox From the Box

Red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in the garden of my son's Crystal Palace flat!

Seeing the Changes 1048

More flowers in Loughor, namely Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum) and Garden strawberry (Fragaria ananassa).

Not So Much a Catastophe, Then?

A new study, based on three dinosaur groups, has concluded that the Mexico asteroid strike should be viewed as the last nail in the coffin of these reptiles rather than the direct cause of their mass extinction (https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/apr/18/dinosaurs-in-decline-long-before-asteroid-catastrophe-study-reveals). The authors conclude that the 'vigour' of these animals had already declined, as there appeared to be a marked decline in the creation of new species, in the period well before the strike. This is an interesting observation but it could be the case that the groups were well adapted to their available environments (no change over millennia doesn't always mean 'about to become extinct'). One could even argue that dinosaurs were diversifying, giving rise to the birds and the mammals, which were capable of exploiting new environments as well as surviving the aftermath of the asteroid hit.

Seeing the Changes 1047

Tawny mining bees (Andrena fulva) dig my lawn in Loughor.

Birder's Bonus 163

Red kite (Milvus milvus) looking for snacks on the National Wetlands Centre Wales. These Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) chicks might qualify?

Birder's Bonus 162

A Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla) by the river in Bynea.

Seeing the Changes 1046

An Early thorn (Selenia dentaria) on the prowl in Loughor.

Seeing the Changes 1045

More flowers out in Loughor with the emergence of Shining cranesbill (Geranium lucidum) and the Fritillary (Fritillaria meleagris).

Seeing the Changes 1044

The first white of the year. Probably a Small white (Pieris napi).

Seeing the Changes 1043

More new stuff. In Bynea, the shoots of Field horsetail (Equisetum arvense) were in evidence. In Loughor, Ivy-leaved toadflax (Cymbalaria muralis) was in bloom.

Seeing the Changes 1042

More stuff in bloom at the NWCW at Penclacwydd, with Ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea), Common warer crowfoot (Ranunculus aquatilis) and Cowslip (Primula veris).

Seeing the Changes 1041

Lots of flower activity in Bynea with Lords and ladies (Arum maculatum); Meadow buttercup (Ranunculus acris) and Red clover (Trifolium pratense).

Seeing the Changes 1040

The first Early grey (Xylocampa areola) of the year in Loughor.

Seeing the Changes 1039

In Loughor, Horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) flowers were in bud and noted the first plume moth (Emmelina monodactyla) of the year.

Birder's Bonus 161

Angle of the picture not the best but a think there were 3 male Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe) on the banks of the Loughor estuary.

Seeing the Changes 1038

Cuckoo flower (Cardamines pratense) was in bloom in Bynea. Orange-tip butterflies can't be far behind!