This blog may help people explore some of the 'hidden' issues involved in certain media treatments of environmental and scientific issues. Using personal digital images, it's also intended to emphasise seasonal (and other) changes in natural history of the Swansea (South Wales) area. The material should help participants in field-based modules and people generally interested in the natural world. The views are wholly those of the author.
Tuesday, 1 February 2022
Chicken Feed For Crows?
Corvid Cleaning has advocated a novel approach for removing cigarette butts from Swedish streets (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/feb/01/swedish-crows-pick-up-cigarette-butts-litter). Circa 1 billion cigarette butts are dropped around Sweden each year. These account for 62% of all litter on Swedish streets. The costs of street cleaning are very substantial. For example, the town of Sodertalje near Stockholm spends around £1.6m per annum. The Corvid Cleaning owner intends to train crows in Sodertalje to pick up cigarette butts. When a crow returns with a butt, it will receive a small food reward. Corvid Cleaning estimate that this will reduce the costs of removing cigarette butts by at least 75%. A number of questions remain. Firstly, how will they ensure the crows do not become poisoned by the toxic materials in the butts? Secondly, is there not a danger of some smokers deliberately throwing down their butts, to watch the crows retrieve them? Thirdly, what's to stop these intelligent birds 'fishing' butts out of waste baskets to boost their rewards? Fourthly, will nearby bird feeders disincentivise the work force?
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Wooden Tops 16. Hawthorn
As Hawthorn wood is strong and closely-grained, it's often used for carving. This wood is also employed to make tool handles, as well a...
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Greater spearwort ( Ranunculus lingua ) has been used in traditional medicine to treat rheumatism, skin conditions and digestive problems.
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Green buckwheat ( Fagopyrum tartaricum ) is also called 'Tartar buckwheat'. It's a domesticated food plant, producing kernels. ...
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Daily shots of my fully compostable Oyster mushroom pot, received for Christmas. Omelettes ahoy!
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