Seeing the Changes 1105

In Loughor, lots of Depressaria daucella larvae peep out from Hogweeds. Adult moths come to lights including the Common footman (Eilema lurideola) and the Dotted footman (Pelosia nuscenda).

Heads in the Sand in Ayrshire?

There is a report (https://theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/27/ostriches-on-the-loose-in-scottish-village-patna) that an ostrich (or ostriches?) is (are) roaming the countryside around the Ayrshire village of Patna. This has caused much excitement as an ostrich can disembowel animals it regards as a threat with a single kick. It has also been pointed out that mother ostriches (the more dowdy bird) can be very defensive when protecting their chicks (and there was been speculation about whether the escaped bird has chicks). After initial vagueness about where the bird(s) came from, one resident has apparently admitted that a bird has gone AWOL. I wonder if it qualifies as a dangerous animal?

Not to be Sniffed At?

The rise and rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (like MRSA and VREF) have threatened a return to an age where bacterial infections could not be effectively treated and people died from minor infections.This is largely a consequence of the fact that using antibiotics exerts selection pressure on rapidly dividing bacterial populations, resulting in the resistance being rapidly acquired. This has not been helped by over-prescription of antibiotics (they do not work on viruses) and their employment in farming to encourage growth in animal stocks. Most of the existing antibiotics have copied the chemicals used by some micro-organisms to out-compete their bacterial rivals (penicillin is one used by a fungus). There is now a report that a new antibiotic that is effective against MRSA is produced by a commensal ('friendly') bacterium that lives in the human nose (https://theguardian.com/society/2016/jul/27/scientists-sniff-out-new-antibiotic-inside-the-human-nose-mrsa). It is, of course, likely that many of our regular bacterial residents (including those in our large intestines) will prove to be sources of medically useful compounds. The 'war' between the development of new antibiotics (often not especially attractive to drug companies, if they are little used) and the development of bacterial resistance is likely to be never-ending.

Seeing the Changes 1104

A disappointing summer glooms on but, in Loughor, the berries of Lords and ladies (Arum maculatum) are reddening. In Bynea, a few lonely Gatekeeper butterflies (Pyronia tithonus) flit about.

Rats!

News that the New Zealand government intends to develop a programme to eliminate all alien predators seems a tad optimistic ( https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/25/no-more-rats-new-zealand-to-exterminate-all-introduced-predators). The focus is on rats along with stoats and possums as these appear to be responsible for losses of ground-nesting indigenous birds including the kiwi. Such anthropogenic (caused by we humans) effects of accidentally/deliberately introduced alien species are a major challenge to fragile ecologies in many parts of the globe but many experiences suggest that eradications (even on tiny islands without substantial human constructions) are not at all easy, cheap or fast. New Zealand is diverse, reasonably substantial and would, I feel, be a difficult nut to crack. It's a good aspiration but I'm not sure whether it's achievable. Rats, for a start, are pretty adaptable (they can climb and operate in burrow systems as exhibit bait shyness). One might also ask whether companion predators such as domestic cats and dogs- they can become feral and would be just as much a problem- have been considered?

Seeing the Changes 1103

Sudden activity in Bynea with the flowering of Common fleabane (Pulicaria dysenterica). There was also the first decent-sized dragonfly, a Southern hawker (Aeshna cyanea) and an actual living Red admiral (Vanessa atalanta).

Seeing the Changes 1102

Visited, in Loughor, by a Ribaned wave (Idaea aversata) last night.

Seeing the Changes 1101

The fungus seen in 1099 was revealed to be a handsome bracket. Saw my first Red admiral (Vanessa atalanta) of the summer but it was a RTA on Loughor bridge!

D Day Everyday?

News that medics are recommending that all people in the UK should consider taking vitamin D supplements, especially over the period October to April (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-36846894). Vitamin D is basically a hormone produced under the skin when exposed to UV light. It is important in terms of regulating the health of bones, teeth and muscle (a severe, chronic deficiency causes Rickets) by its effects on the uptake and retention of calcium ion. The trouble is, that if you live in northerly locations, the sun does not provide enough UV in the winter months to stimulate production of the hormone (this is especially true if you rarely go outside or routinely cover up). The alternative is to get your vitamin D in the diet (from oily fish, eggs and 'added-to' cereals). It is argued that people may not always achieve a sufficient intake of vitamine D by this route and should consider popping the pills. An alternative, for some, might be to put in place special lamps in houses and work places that produce UV (this is done for captive reptiles in some zoos). It does seem to be rather a large change to advocate.

Seeing the Changes 1100

Suddenly, like a different planet as it the heat was turned up! Bittersweet (Solanum dulcamara) berries in Bynea did their traffic-light thing. In Loughor, there was much activity by flying versions of Yellow meadow ants (Lasius flavus). As usual, not everyone made it!

Seeing the Changes 1099

More rain so fungi have fun in Loughor. In Bynea, the Marsh mallow (Althaea officinalis) is coming into bloom by the estuary.

Confirmation: There are B-all Butterflies

A report confirms that 2016 might well be the worst year for butterfly species in the UK since attempts were made to quantify numbers and species (https://theguardian.com/environment/2016/jul/15/2016-could-be-worst-year-on-record-for-british-butterflies-experts-warn). So I was not imagining things. I post some images to remind us of what we are missing!

Moth Balls?

News received that the day-flying Silver 'Y' moths (Autographa gamma) that disrupted the UEFA cup final are on their way from Paris to the UK (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jul/13/euro-2016-moths-paris-to-britain). A sort of reverse Brexit?

Seeing the Changes 1098

After complaining about butterfly dearths yesterday, I did spot a Comma (Polygonia c-album) in Bynea. I also briefly saw a Small tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) in the same location- it appeared to be a bit smaller than usual. A Garden chafer (Phyllopertha horticola) landed on my drying jeans in Loughor.

Seeing the Changes 1097

An immature colony of Gymnopilus junonius makes an appearance in Loughor.

Seeing the Changes 1096

The alien Butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii) was blooming in Bynea but absolutely no butterflies! No Painted ladies, no Red admirals, no Commas, no Peacocks and no Small tortoiseshells.

Seeing the Changes 1095

A dead mole (Talpa europaea) in Bynea. Uncertain what killed it.

Seeing the Changes 1094

Lots of Wild parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) in Bynea.

Birder's Bonus 167

Juveniles mob adult Black-headed gull (Larus ridibundus) at NWCW.

Keep Off the Grass!

UK conservationists have expressed concern that, a recent trend to replace garden lawns with plastic alternatives (as is common in parched areas of the USA), is likely to have very detrimental effects on our urban wildlife (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jul/04/growth-in-artificial-lawns-poses-threat-to-british-wildlife-conservationists-warn). These artificial lawns (reportedly used at some prestigious garden exhibitions) will not only alter the drainage of a substantial part of the unbuilt and unfarmed land mass in the UK but, of course, provide no food for insects, molluscs, birds and mammals. I can see the attraction of not having to treat, mow or water the 'green carpet' outside our homes (just like the areas already converted for car parking?) but do hope as many people as possible will keep the grass. It's not only humans that live in towns.

Seeing the Changes 1093

Lots of developments at NWCW with the flowering of Greater knapweed (Centaurea scabiosa); profuse Common figwort (Scrophularia nodosa); Hemp agrimony (Eupatorium cannabinum); Wild clary (Salvia verbenaca); Marsh bedstraw (Galium palustre) and Broom (Cytisus scoparius). Insects were also about with Rhagonycha fulva beetles and Tabanus bovinus horse-flies.

Seeing the Changes 1092

The Common mallow (Malva sylvestris) was in bloom in Bynea.

Seeing the Changes 1091

More changes in Bynea with the flowering of the Bristly ox-tongue (Picris echinoides) and the late appearance of Cinnabar moth (Tyria jacobaeae) larvae on the Ragwort. Unusually, the individual larvae were very different in size.