Birder's Bonus 92

One of the nice things about being in the area of the Drecht river in the Netherlands is watching the flying and nesting European white storks (Ciconia coconia).

Seeing the Changes 372

Unseasonally hot weather in Utrecht (Netherlands), resulting in many of the flowers being more advanced than in the UK. Impressed by the numbers of Bulbous corydalis (Corydalis solida) by the canals. Hawthorn is well in bloom and the Greater celendine (Chelidonium majus) and Common comfrey (Symphytum officinale) are also in flower.

Seeing the Changes 371

A 'fairy ring' of toadstools was produced by the rain in Loughor. I also spotted flowers of the Shining cranesbill (Geranium lucidum) and the start of the flower shoot in Lords and Ladies (Arum maculatum). In Bynea, the Field horsetail (Equisetum arvense) was revealing its green shoots.

Seeing the Changes 370

In Penclacwydd, Cuckoo flower (Cardamine pratensis) was seen, meaning that Orange tip butterflies won't be far behind!  Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) flower buds were also showing.

Mother's Day Tributes?

There has been considerable debate about the environmental and economic impacts of flower growing for the European market in Kenya (http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/apr/02/ethical-investment-flower-power-editorial?INTCMP=SRCH ). The original concerns related to the water requirement for flower production (it resulted in shortages for humans and local wildlife) as well as the very low wages that some of the workers growing and packing the flowers received. As a consequence of 'ethical investment', progress on these issues has clearly been made. Problems remain, however, about the diverting of efforts from local food production, the land use and the very large carbon 'footprint' associated with transporting the flowers to market.

Seeing the Changes 369

After an unseasonal night of thunder, it was sunny again in the day in Loughor. That seemed to bring out the first Comma (Polygonia c-album); the first Holly blue (Celestrina argiolus) and a large, red-tailed Bumble bee (probably Bombus confusus).

Seeing the Changes 368

In Loughor, visited by a hoverfly (Syrphus ribesii).