Tuesday 26 April 2016

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.

Saturday 23 April 2016

Wednesday 20 April 2016

Seeing the Changes 1048



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

Tuesday 19 April 2016

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.

Sunday 17 April 2016

Birder's Bonus 163





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

Saturday 16 April 2016

Friday 15 April 2016

Thursday 14 April 2016

Seeing the Changes 1045



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

Tuesday 12 April 2016

Saturday 9 April 2016

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.

Wednesday 6 April 2016

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).

Tuesday 5 April 2016

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.

Monday 4 April 2016

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.

Saturday 2 April 2016

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.

Friday 1 April 2016

Seeing the Changes 1038


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

Plants We Used to Use 439. Sun spurge

Sun spurge ( Euphorbia helioscopa ) is claimed to have anti-inflammatory; anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. It has consequently be...