Birder's Bonus 153

Nice views of a Common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) in the grounds of Swansea University!

Pigs Might...?

Great news! The G7 have reportedly pledged to end their use of fossil fuels to generate electricity 'by the end of the century' (http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jun/08/g7-fossil-fuel-pledge-is-a-diplomatic-coup-for-germanys-climate-chancellor). The only troubles with such pledges (although the idea is eminently sensible) are a) the end of the century is a long way off in carbon dioxide emission terms (some authorities think we have gone too far to limit devastating changes already); b) methane produced by cows is even more potent as a 'greenhouse gas' in the global warming stakes (or steaks?); c) future politicians have a habit of wriggling out of pledges made by their predecessors; d) big, developing countries often argue that, although they are keen to get round to limiting the emission of climate-change linked gases, it is more important (especially to their re-election chances) that their populations are 'lifted out of poverty' and this, unfortunately, requires increased coal, oil and gas use; e) the multinational, hydrocarbon-prospecting companies are unlikely to go quietly and f) nuclear energy production would probably have to increase with its attendant risks.

Seeing the Changes 969

It must be warming up as I spotted this newly emerged moth in Bynea.

Tiny Croakers

There is news that seven new species of tiny frogs have been discovered in the cloud forests of the Amazon (http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jun/04/seven-new-species-of-miniature-frogs-discovered-in-cloud-forests-of-brazil). These wee beasties apparently go direct from the egg to a frog without passing through a tadpole stage, which means they are independent of standing water. They reportedly absorb needed water from their environment via the skin on their ventral surfaces. The frogs appear to be very distinctive and each raised section of land may have their own particular species. These 'islands' may thus be showing a pattern of speciation comparable to Darwin's recorded island populations of giant tortoises and finches in the Galapagos.

No Visit From the Holy Sawfish?

It is reported that scientists are finding that parthenogenesis (asexual or 'virgin birth') is more common amongst vertebrates (rather than just greenfly) than was previously realised (http://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/jun/01/sawfish-escape-extinction-through-virgin-births-scientists-discover). The phenomenon has been known to occur in certain captive (in aquaria or zoos) species of fish and reptiles. It has now also been shown to take place in wild species where it may serve to maintain populations when numbers become very small (other species can show spontaneous sex change apparently for the same purpose?) as in a 'bottleneck' situations. Although parthenogenesis would reduce genetic diversity, it may be essential in emergency situations where extinction is the alternative. One of the lines of evidence includes the Florida Smalltooth sawfish where a genetic study revealed that 3% of these overfished (numbers are currently down to 1% of those evident in 1900) animals were the result of eggs being fertilised by the mother's own cells.

When They Begin the Lagoon?

There are further issues arising about the plan to build a 'green electricity'-generating tidal lagoon in Swansea Bay (http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/may/31/worlds-first-tidal-lagoon-clean-energy-scheme-environmental-concerns). It appears that people in across the water in Cornwall are unhappy about plans to re-open a quarry to extract the substantial amount of rock that would be needed on the project. This, they feel, would have detrimental local impacts on the area and its amenities (you never get something for nothing in major constructions). A second concern is that a Chinese building company is reportedly in 'pole-position' to get the contract, if it goes ahead. This is somewhat at variance with the claim that the construction will be a major boost to local jobs in the area (always a 'selling point' for this kind of plan in Wales). These are, however, all human concerns and what the building and its operation might do to the environment and wild life seems to be rather on the back-burner.

Seeing the Changes 968

In Loughor, noted the blooming of Herb Bennet (Geum urbanum). Then in Funtington, West Sussex, spotted Common mallow (Malva sylvestris); Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea); White dead-nettle (Lamium album); Green alkanet (Pentaglottis sempervirens); Field mouse-ear (Cerastium arvense); Lucerne (Medicago sativa) and Common lime (Tilia vulgaris) all in flower. The lime also had wasp or sawfly galls.