Birder's Bonus 170

Lots of breeding at the NWCW. Moorhens (Gallinula chloropus) being frisky, a Caribbean flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber) with a chick and a moulting Common shelduck (Tadorna tadorna) with 2 ducklings.

Grouse

It seems that Scottish landowners of grouse-shooting moors are coming under increasing pressure from groups of conservationists who believe that they kill raptors such as the Red kite, Golden eagle and Hen harriers (https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/aug/06/glorious-twelfth-red-kites-hen-hariers). Although the birds of prey now have more legal protections, it is said that some landowners regard them as responsible for declines in grouse chicks, ear-marked for the post-12th August blast off. This is in spite of the facts that a) being a top predator, raptors are relatively few in number and b) some, like the Red kite, are mainly carrion-feeders. Health of the heathers (on which the grouse feed), disease and the decimating effects cold, wet summers might be factors more potent in changing grouse numbers. Although I have never really understood the 'pleasures' of rearing birds to shoot, I suppose that,at least, maintaining economically viable grouse moors, stops the land being used for farming or building (with a real loss of biodiversity).

Higher, Faster, Stronger?

Scientists report that the recently 'agreed' (Paris) attempt to limit emissions-induced global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius seems, at best, very unlikely (https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/aug/06/global-warming-target-miss-scientists-warn). I am surprised that anyone is surprised as a) there is still a well-financed campaign denying the existence of climate change; b) short-termism afflicts politics so they are generally unwilling to annoy cost-conscious voters; c) the processes generating climate change appear to be very difficult to reverse (as well as not being fully understood) and d) people are easily distracted by other things (olympics, football, wars, brexit, Harry Potter etc).

Birder's Bonus 169

Mass sunbathing in my Loughor garden. We seem to have a nest of Wrens (Troglodytes troglodytes) with the Blackbirds (Turdus merula) and House sparrows (Passer domesticus) joining in.

Seeing the Changes 1106

A few more items out and about. In Bynea, Water mint (Mentha aquatica) and Musk mallow (Malva moschata) bloomed. In Loughor, visited by a Small brindled beauty (Apocheima hispidaria).

EU Aliens

News that the EU has passed legislation to ban the import, keep, breed, grow, transport, release etc some 30+ invasive alien species of animals and plants from all the countries of the union (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/aug/02/raccoon-mongoose-and-cabbage-among-invasive-species-banned-from-uk). The species include the Asian hornet, Skunk cabbage, the American raccoon, the Indian mongoose and the Signal crayfish. Some of these species decimate local species or destroy local environments. The only down side I can see is that it might be difficult for scientists to study the impacts of some of these species. The slightly odd aspect is that with Brexit, the UK can elect to bring in any invasive species they like, 

Birder's Bonus 168

It's a wash out! A bedraggled Jay (Garrulus glandarius) in my Loughor garden.