Seeing the Changes 1055

Things appeared to be a bit more advanced in Rotterdam (it was 26 degrees Celsius!). Amongst the bloomers were Field woundwort (Stachys arvenis); Wood sage (Teucrium scorodonia); Greater celendine (Chelidonium majus); White dead nettle (Lamium album), Lilac (Syringa vulgaris) and Field pennycress (Thalpsi arvense). A Violet ground beetle (Carabus violaceus) scuttled along the pavement.

Birder's Bonus 166

In Rotterdam centre, Egyptian geese (Alpochen aegyptiacus) strut their stuff, honking from the buildings and walking their new family around the canals.

Seeing the Changes 1054

Two Brindled beauties (Lycia hirtaria) visited last night.

Seeing the Changes 1053

More flowers out in the sunshine. Pale forgetmenot (Myosotis stolonifera) in Bynea and Red Valerian (Centranus ruber) in Loughor!

Tinkering with the Ivories?

The burning of millions of pounds worth of confiscated Elephant ivory by Kenya authorities makes a serious point (http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/30/kenya-to-burn-largest-ever-ivory-stockpile-to-highlight-elephants-fate), namely that the elephants are worth much more alive to that country (and to the planet?) than the poacher's premium. There has been some debate about whether the destruction might drive up the price and increase poaching activity but I do think that treating ivory as a 'crop' (even if the resulting money is directed at conservation) would be a mistake. The trouble is that the amounts of money involved are very attractive to poachers, middle men and the ivory carvers with their clients. Breaking this inducement will be difficult.

Seeing the Changes 1052

In Bynea, Field horsetail (Equisetum arvense) are heading to the complete version. In Loughor, Horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) is fully in flower. In Bynea, the first Ox-eye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare) unfurled.

Birder's Bonus 165

I bet they wish they hadn't bothered but Swallows (Hirudo rustica) are back in Gorseinon.