Bee Logic?

The BBC interviewed Sussex University's new Professor of Apiculture, Francis Ratnieks, (http://www.sussex.ac.uk/press_office/media/media687.shtml). He pointed out some interesting parallels between a bee hive and the internet (both have many components but no one individual is 'in charge') and claimed that equivalents of the odour guides used by ants seeking food could be used in computing applications. I was less convinced about his argument that social insects (like ants and bees who have been living in very large groups for 'millions of years') can teach humans (who have operated in this fashion for 'only a few thousand years') much about 'public health'. I agree that the control of disease is a problem in both 'societies' but the general response of social insects is to eliminate any infected individuals (I would not favour this approach in the NHS). I think we can still claim that social insects operate like super-organisms (because the 'components' are highly genetically related) whereas the reasons that human societies stay together are more complex. Professor Ratnieks thought that, of the two, humans were more likely to face extinction.

Not in Anyone's Nature?

The recent Iolo Williams series on BBC1 Wales 'Not in My Nature'
(http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/southwest/nature/features/pages/not_in_my_nature.shtml) allegedly attempted to get 'natural history rookies' to appreciate 'Welsh' wildlife. Even allowing for 'playing to the camera' (as people attempted to become 'personalities?), the results were sometimes disappointing. Some participants resolutely refused to be enthused, in spite of being 'presented' with unchallenging situations to view animals including reptiles, Red kite, Puffins, waterbirds, the contents of rock pools etc. Two points. Perhaps enthusing too many people would add to the pressures on some wildlife locations? As the series emphasized the short attention spans/ inabilities to keep quiet of some folk (plus a general ignorance of animals), perhaps Nature doesn't need them? I do think that it is important to increase the general understanding of nature because, otherwise, people will not support conservation attempts. The whole issue, however, seems to me a bit more complex than providing opportunities to see 'pretty' or 'interesting' animals.

Seeing the Changes 114

In Edale, saw lots of Tormentil (Potentilla erecta), Harebell (Campanula rotundifolia) and Heath bedstraw (Galium saxatile) in flower. In Bynea, Blue fleabane (Erigeron acer), Marsh fleawort (Senecio congestus), Scentless mayweed (Matricaria perforata), Oxford ragwort (Senecio squalidus), Hemp agrimony (Eupatorium cannabinum), Wild parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) and Great reedmace (Typha latifolia) were making an appearance. In torrential rain brought out Trooping crumble cap (Coprinus disseminatus) fungi in Loughor.

Birder's Bonus 28

Went to the Chestnut Centre near Chapel-en-le-Frith (http://www.chestnutcentre.co.uk/) based largely on displaying captive mustellids (like the South American Giant otter Pteronura brasiliensis) and owls (like the Burrowing owl Athene cunicularia). It also turned out to be a good site to view Coal tit (Parus ater) and Nuthatch (Sitta europaea).

The North Pole Goes West?

Predictions from the the UK Meteorological Office's Hadley Centre about the melting of the ice sheets of the north pole have suggested that the ice will disappear entirely in the summer periods by September 2079 (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article804599.ece). Although this is treated by some commercial companies as an opportunity (easier access to hydrocarbon and mineral resources and the opening of the north-west passage to North America), the consequences for the globe are likely to be dramatic. The ice normally reflected light back into space, so the globe will warm faster. George Bush should have managed to work out that Polar bears are endangered by then. At the other end of the globe, many penguin species are showing rapid declines in numbers (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article4232324.ece).

Chicken's Lib!

Perhaps they are coming home to roost! The news (http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/jun/28/animalwelfare.tesco) that 'top-chef' (which makes him a welfare expert?) Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall used his position as a Tesco shareholder to force a vote for the multi-national company to restrict its sale of poultry to those carrying the RSPCA-supported 'Freedom Foods' label. The result (8.9% of shareholders supported the motion) was interpreted very differently by the two sides, with the chef suggesting that the tide was moving in his favour and the Company maintaining that it was a good result in their attempt to balance welfare and 'affordability' (in these difficult times when, reportedly, more people are shopping at 'bargain' retainers such as Aldi and Lidl). If consumers want to eat chicken at the current frequency, it seems to me that many will have to be produced by 'factory farming' (it seems very unlikely that the number of chicken eaters will decline markedly in the near future). It was even more remarkable that, at the same meeting, 'Care for the Wild' wanted Tesco to end the practice of selling and disemboweling freshwater turtles in its Chinese stores. The chickens appear to have got it easy!

Seeing the Changes 113

More moths in Loughor! An Engrailed (Ecropis bistortata) and a Riband wave (Idaea aversa). Also invaded in Swansea by the lacewing Chrysopa pallens.