Seeing the Changes 166

A spectacular sky in the morning and spotted orange fungus (Tremella mesenterica?) on oak in Mumbles.

Knowing the Price of Everything?

There seems to be a potentially interesting line of debate opening up(http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/feb/09/conservatives-biodiversity) with the UK Conservative party apparently advocating (like Australia, Malaysia and the US) a voluntary scheme of allocating bio-credits (cash values) to every species and habitat in the UK. This move (placing values on animals, plants and their locations) is intended, claim its advocates to reverse the decline in 'biodiversity' (always a difficult thing to measure anyhow) consequent upon development, pollution and climate change. This is notionally timely as the European Union (not always a favourite flavour of that party) have a target of halting biodiversity decline by 2010. I am not sure that voluntary schemes have a good track record in this area but the hope is that business would 'factor in' the costs of what their activities would change and the "ecosystem services" would be able to claim extra credit. If followed, there are many unanswered questions. What is the relative value of a Red squirrel compared to a Bee orchid? Although it is hoped the scheme might discourage developments on rare ecosystems, does the size of the ecosystem and its connectivity change the value? Does a rare species at the limit of its range have any value at all?

The Demise of McNutkin?

It seems that the Scots are also intent on declaring war on the Grey squirrel (http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/feb/10/grey-squirrels-cull-wildlife-conservation) as well as a number of other introduced aliens (including the American mink as well as hedgehogs in some island locations) in an attempt to protect their indigenous reds. The problems created for Red squirrels by its larger, more vigorous and sometimes (squirrel) pox-ridden American cousin are well-documented. Considerable debate is being generated, however, about the ethics of favouring one species by decimating another (the frequent claim is that succession is natural anyway) as well as whether it is really realistic to attempt to eliminate greys from a country like Scotland (success seems more likely if there is a limited aim to create grey-free zones on islands such as Mull). This one seems certain to run and run!

Giddy Goats

Goats are in the news again, for example, 6 are to be deployed by Barratts Homes at Boscombe in Dorset in a 6 month trial to see whether they can return cliff top shrub to more favoured (by the house buyers in the 170 home development) grassland habitat (http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/feb/08/1). Even if the goats fail to escape, this takes no account of the fact that the shrub is valuable habitat for a range of plant and animal species (who don't get a vote). The deviousness of goats is also clearly illustrated by the Reuters story (http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSTRE50M4XT20090123) that a black and white goat was arrested by police in Kawara, Nigeria on suspicion of attempted armed robbery (including trying to steal a Mazda 323 car). Vigilantes, who pursued the thieves, claimed that one hoodlum used black magic to turn himself into the goat! This is almost as bizarre as the story that Hartlepool United's mascot, H'Angus, commemorates the hanging of a pet monkey that was washed ashore, following a storm in the Napoleonic wars, in the belief that it was a Frenchman (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/1965569.stm)!

Snakes Not Alive!

The finding of several large (13 m long and more than 1,250 kg in weight), fossil snakes in an open pit mine in Columbia (http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2009/feb/04/snake-giant-fossil-titanoboa) is intriguing. The giant snake (Titanoboa) was on the planet after the extinction of the dinosaurs and appears, from fossil bones found with it, to have been an ambush predator of giant crocodiles and turtles. It seems that such animals were one of the initial species to benefit in this location from dinosaur extinction (presumably, there were still boas around after the event as they can go underground) but it is uncertain why they, in turn, eventually became extinct. Or did they?

Makes a Change From Ferrets

A report (http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/feb/03/pigeon-trousers-customs-australia-dubai) that a 23-year old Australian male was arrested as he flew back to Melbourne from Dubai ('The World's Hottest Holiday Location') with an undeclared aubergine, two (fertilised?) eggs hidden in a vitamin container in his luggage, seeds in his money belt and (the piece d'resistance) two pigeons wrapped in padded envelops fasten to his legs with a pair of tights. The Australian authorities are understandably concerned about the unauthorised introduction of yet more alien species to their country (a bit late in many respects given the burgeoning numbers of Annual ragweed, European rabbit, House mouse, Black rat and Cane toad) as these can decimate the endemic populations of animals and plants. Australia has strict quarantine laws (the aubergine could carry insect pests?) and wildlife smuggling can attract penalties of 10 years in prison and a £50,000 fine.

Birder's Bonus 37

On a snowy day in Loughor, Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) were strutting their stuff by the estuary and flying about.