Ratty's Return?

A British Waterways wildlife survey for 2009 (http://iberianature.com/britainnature/tag/british-waterways-wildlife/) has reported twice as many sightings for the Water vole (Arvicola terrestris) by the public on the UK's more than 3500 km of canals and rivers than were seen in 2008. Most were apparently seen on the Kennet and Avon canal in the deep south. This kind of survey does suggest that a positive change is occurring in this endangered mammal but the numbers are not the result of an exact science (there may be variable effort, differing access to locations or even changes in local enthusiasms in the different years). The survey also records birds (with Mallards, alien Canada geese and Mute swans being the most common species but there being interesting numbers of Kingfishers), frogs and butterflies.

Seeing the Changes 245

In Bynea, there were lots of brown Tawny grisette (Amantia fulva) toadstools. In Loughor, a 2-spot ladybird (Adalia bipunctata) was in evidence along with a mass of the tree-loving fungus Gymnopilus junonius. At Burry Port harbour, many edible fungi with bright yellow gills were seen (Suillus luteus) whilst fossil plants from the coal measures were clearly evident in the sea defences.

Seeing the Changes 244

At Penclacwydd, the Hazel (Corylus avellana) had already started to wave its male catkins and many of the now leafless Goat willow (Salix caprea) appeared to have large accumulations (most wingless but some with wings) of Giant willow aphids (Tuberolachnus salignus) on their stems. In Loughor, Osier (Salix viminalis) catkins were starting to poke through.

Mega Moorhen

Spent Monday and Tuesday at the National Wetlands Centre Wales with level 2 students. Amongst the interesting beasts viewed was a mutant wild Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) with plumage that probably said 'please eat me' to any passing birds of prey (the presence of people and the captive birds may have offered some protection). A typical Moorhen is shown directly above with the oddity above that.

Birdies or Birdies?

The RSPB have suggested that the UK's 2600 golf courses (with a total area of 140,000 hectares) have great potential as wild life refuges (http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/nov/02/rspb-bird-golf-course). Although some courses take a great deal of water (this tends to be more of a problem in hotter countries such as Spain) or use excessive amounts of insecticides and herbicides, many or good for birds, lizards and butterflies (especially in the so-called 'rough' areas and water bodies that golfers hope to avoid). a number of golf courses (e.g. the V&A) now very successfully include wild life in their management plans.

Bags I First!

There seems to be a lot of fuss about Wales (http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/southwalesnews/Deadline-charging-plastic-bags-revealed/article-1478285-detail/article.html) claiming to be the first UK location to devote energies to replacing 'free' plastic shopping bags with paid-for items that are more re-usable (and hence lessen the drain on oil reserves, limit the need for land fill and reduce the danger to wild life, including jellyfish-seeking turtles). Many other countries (e.g. Ireland and Italy) have have been much quicker to act in this respect and I note that as much as 5 years ago many French supermarkets charged for tough plastic shopping bags that I still use today.

Hen Harrier on the Edge

The Hen harrier (Circus cyaneus) appears to be on the edge of extinction in England with only six breeding pairs being recorded in the last season (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/science/earth-environment/article6898173.ece). This seems to be partially down to a tough winter for these hunting birds, a relative scarcity of prey and direct (but illegal) persecution of the raptor by keepers of grouse moors. It seems rather sad that there is not room for this bird in our wild places. I have no picture of this bird, so a vulture with something dead is the best I can do.