Seeing the Changes 19

In spite of the cold and wet weather had the first night-time visitation to the light by a Cockchafer (Melolontha melolontha).

Seeing the Changes 18

Lots of rain in the week followed by the blooming of Red valerian (Centranthus ruber) in both red and white varieties at Rhoselli and Mumbles. The first flowering Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) was seen at Rhoselli and the first Common ragwort (Senecia jacobaea) at Mumbles. So quite an appearance of poisonous flowers!

Shambo Shambles?

Raging Bull?

There is a raging debate (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_west/6637359.stm) about plans to slaughter a bull (Shambo) kept in a Hindu shrine at Llanpumsaint, Carmarthenshire who has tested positive for bovine TB. The animal is one of the sacred animals kept by Hindus at Skanda Vale Temple, a location that is visited by up to 90,000 pilgrims per year. Bovine TB is a very unpleasant disease for the animal (it has profound welfare implications) and could, if spread, have very powerful commercial impacts on farming around the area (especially in dairy cattle). The people running the shrine appear outraged at the possibility of having to kill their animal and are threatening to take legal action, claiming that the bull can be isolated such that the prospect of transferring TB to other cattle and humans is minimised (this seems rather unlikely if he is used in ceremonies, especially given the annual influx of pilgrims). They also claim that there is provision under the Animal Health Act 1981 and the TB Order Wales 2000 for the Assembly to make a special dispensation for Shambo (perhaps including vaccination). Some of the issues surrounding the health issues of bovine TB are available on a DEFRA web site (http://www,defra.gov.uk/animalh/tb/index.htm). An overview of the Hindu religion (the third largest world religion) is provided by the BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/). The IT literate temple arranged an online petition to save Shambo. This is shaping up to be one of those very difficult situations where there are passionately held (but totally incompatible) beliefs on both sides. Actually its a clash of ethical systems. Much of UK and EU law in this area is based on utilitarianism ('the greatest good for the greatest number') whereas the Hindus are expressing a moral absolute ('thou shalt not kill').

UPDATE

A temporary stay of execution of Shambo was given on 17th May 2007

Birder's Bonus 5

Wise Old Owl?

There was a report (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/6631605.stm) about four 'orphaned' baby Tawny owls (Strix aluco) at the New Forest Otter, Owl and Wildlife Park that were being 'cared' for by a cuddly owl toy from their gift shop. The comment was made that "owls were supposed to be wise" but that is simply a reiteration of the common anthropomorphism that is based on their flat faces and penetrating eyes (see the 'face' of the Scops owl above). It is, of course, quite normal for young birds to adopt any large (preferably noise-making) object in their vicinity as their parent (imprinting). The toy may actually offer contact comfort but does not feed the chicks. Although the chicks may well grow successfully to adulthood, they may develop abnormalities in behaviour that could make them unsuitable for release. If release is planed, the birds should be assessed for the full range of normal behaviour as well as physical fitness (hunting can be quite demanding).

Iolo's Welsh Safari Goes to Penclacwydd

It was interesting to see part of the programme (http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/nature/sites/programmes/pages/welsh_safari_2007.shtml) that was based at the WWT Llanelli was devoted, not to birds, but to the booming colony of Water voles (Arvenicola terrestris) located at the Centre that are being studied by Dr Dan Forman and Penny Neyland. These animals have thrived with the creations of wetland habitat that were largely intended to attract water birds. It should be remembered, however, that this extensive wetlands location has also led to some impressive changes in aquatic creatures, flowers, butterflies and dragonflies/damselflies, as well as other types of bird and mammal. There is massive scope for a whole range of studies in this 'natural laboratory'!

A Sting in the Tail

Contributed to a story ("Red-hot Summer May Have a Sting in the Tail") by Mat Davies in the Swansea Evening Post on the 30th of April (http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/) on whether the current hot temperatures would increase the numbers of the Common wasp (Vespula vulgaris). Certainly, these social insects are likely to be encouraged if temperatures stay above the seasonal norm but only so long as rainfall is also adequate. Productivity of new recruits in the nests is linked to food supply and, if it becomes too dry, some of their favourite foods, ranging from caterpillars to fruit, might be in short supply. Hot and wet is likely to be their best combination.

Rats and Climate Change?

Rats and Humans
I contributed to an article "Invasion of Rats Sparks Fears for Residents' Health" by Rob Westall (http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/) on 04 May 2007. This concerned sightings (one has to say that an awful lot go unsighted) of rats in Brynmill Swansea. I pointed out that current estimates were that there were about 60 million Brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) in the UK (one per person). The article implied that I believed that global warming was a factor in their population increase. This may be the case but, at present, all we can really say with any certainty is that the recent 'crop' of mild winters may have increased the survival of potential breeders in their colonies (and rats are very productive). The increases in rat numbers in such locations are probably more closely associated with available food resources. Brown rats are flexible omnivores and will feed on garbage, bird food, garden waste, mice, young chicks in their nests etc. The article emphasised that the main potential health risk of these rodents to humans is the spirochete that they may release in their urine and can cause Leptospirosis or Weil's disease. The agent may be picked up via lesions in the skin from fresh water, soil or vegetation. Bubonic plague (even if it actually involved rats- this has been debated) is transmitted by the bites of fleas from an entirely different kind of rat (the Black or Ship rat).