Seeing the Changes 195

In Clyne, Ramsons (Allium ursinum), Wood speedwell (Veronica montana) and Welsh poppy (Meconopsis cambrica) were all in flower.

Blame Game

Humans are nothing if not creative when finding reasons to indulge their natural inclinations. The current focus on the global "swine 'flu" outbreak and its alleged origins in the 'manure lagoons' of an intensive pig farming operation in La Gloria Mexico (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article6182789.ece), led the Russian and Chinese authorities to ban the import of Mexican pork (http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,25397431-23109,00.html). This 'blaming' of the pig probably has more than a touch of economic opportunism about it as there is virtually no likelihood of this human disease being transmitted in such products. The order by the Egyptian government that, in spite of currently having no cases of swine 'flu, the 250,000 to 400,000 pigs in Egypt should be slaughtered as a 'precaution' is a second case of 'blame the animal' (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/8024946.stm). There seems to be a touch of religious opportunism here as the pigs are the property of Coptic Christians and generate a product that Muslims abhor. The single pig in Kabul's zoo (Afghanistan) has apparently been placed in quarantine away from other animals because of fear that it may infect people with 'flu (http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/272257). It is, of course, much more likely that it will get diseases from humans. All such human decisions seem a bit tough on the pigs who, anyhow, didn't ask to be bred as human food.

Birder's Bonus 48

At Gwenffrwd-Dinas Reserve got some nice shots of Swallow (Hirundo rustica), Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs) and Great tit (Parus major). In Penclacwydd, Whitethroat (Sylvia communis) were singing in bushes.

Seeing the Changes 194

In Penclacwydd, the Yellow iris (Iris pseudacorus) and, in Bynea, the Creeping yellowcress (Rorippa sylvestris) were in flower. The Gwenffrwd-Dinas RSPB Reserve revealed Wood sorrel (Oxalis acetoselia) in flower along with lots of Marsh marigold (Caltha palustris) and Opposite-leaved golden saxifrage (Chrysosplenium oppositifolium). There was also an outbreak of 'friendly' Dor beetle (Geotrupes stercorarius)- it must be dung time!- and the little ponds were heaving with the tadpole of the Common frog (Rana temporaria).

Seeing the Changes 193

In Loughor, the rain brought out the Little Japanese umbrella fungus (Coprinus plicatilis) and a hoverfly (Leucozona lucorum) to produce its aphid-eating larvae. There was also a Red admiral (Vanessa atalanta) basking in the garden.

Wriggling to Extinction?

Concern has been expressed about the fate of the European eel (Anguilla anguilla) with a report that they have declined in Europe by around 95% in the last 25 years (http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/may/01/eel-fishing-europe-environment). These fish have an interesting but complex life-style that must make them vulnerable, hatching in the Sargasso sea (near Bermuda) before being moved via the Gulf stream as larvae and then, on reaching Europe changing into 'glass eels' that move up the rivers. These then transform into elvers that eventually become mature eels who travel back to the Ocean, to spawn and die in the Sargasso. 'Glass eels' are used as an expensive food item in Spain, the Dutch love smoked adult eels and Jellied eels are eaten in exotic parts of the UK. Although everyone accepts that these fish have declined, the standard conflict between fish conservationists and people making a living from this 'natural resource' is developing. A shortage of eels will also influence the viability of some fish-eating birds and otters.

Live at the Museum!

The Natural History Museum in Kensington (London) is charging separately for access to its Butterfly Jungle and associated activities (http://tarantula.nhm.ac.uk/visit-us/whats-on/butterfly-jungle/index.html?utm_Source=Visit%20us%20homepage%20ID%3A12376&utm_medium=WS%20butterfly-jungle-book&utm_campaign=butterfly-jungle-holding%20ID%3A30150). There seems to be a tendency for museums to try to get away from their 'dry and dead' persona's by introducing live animals such as bright, foreign insects. Butterflies are perhaps some of the easiest organisms to use in this sense but a) the animals chosen are robust members of the group, b) do not always relate to UK issues and c) give the impression that everything is easy to observe. Having said that, they might get more people into a museum in the first place.