Seeing the Changes 480

Spent a few days in the far North-east of England. At Tynemouth, spotted a Small copper butterfly (Lycaena phlaeas). At that location, Apple (Malus domestica), Lucerne (Medicago sativa), Red valerian (Centranus ruber), White clover (Trifolium repens), White dead nettle (Lamium album) and Warty cabbage (Bunias orientalis) were all in bloom. Flowers spotted at Beadnell in Northumberland also included Bloody cranesbill (Geranium sanguinenum). The critters at Tynemouth included lots of Six-spot burnet moth larvae (Zygaena filipendulae) and marching columns of weevils. There was a hairy, ginger moth larva at Beadnell.

Seal non-Survivor

At Beadnell Beach in Northumberland, spotted a dead Grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) amongst the dead seabirds.

Birder's Bonus 118

Lots of Arctic tern (Sterna paradisaea) were actively catching sand eels off King Edward's Bay at Tynemouth.

Himalayan Help

Got lots of ID help from the various members of the closed Facebook sites of IndiaInsects, IndiaButterflies, IndiaDragonflies and IndiaMoths. It's amazing how you can tap into some real expertise (but you have to be prepared to sometimes get conflicting advice). This is a Zeuzera multistrigaria with 2 Gazalinas from The Hidden Forest Retreat September 2011.

Seeing the Changes 479

At Blackpill, Tufted vetch (Vicia cracca) was in bloom. Nearer the University, there was lots of Germander speedwell (Veronica chamaedrys).

The Lion's Share?

Another rather odd old item on BBC's 'The One Show' about 'Christian' the  lion cub purchased from Harrods in the 1960's who was released into 'the wild' but continued to recognise (heart-warming reunion?) its former 'owners' (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wA-VDw_BQY) one year later. There was a lot of talk about the powers of 'imprinting' and its potential role in 'conservation'. I may be a party pooper but 'imprinting' is generally a negative thing for conservation as the beast in question appears to think it is human. I suspect that 'Christian' had no chance of breeding (the real indication of whether he actually played a role in conservation terms- he would certainly have no brothers to combine forces with).

Seeing the Changes 478

In Bynea, the Silverweed (Potentilla anserina) was fully in flower and had attracted a 'friend'.