Seeing the Changes 2171

In Loughor, Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) and Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) were in bloom.

Retro-Ufit?

 

It's all very well encouraging the building of new homes but having to retrofit them with energy-saving features is very expensive. This is clearly illustrated by UK new-builds over the last 7 years. The plan to require new-builds to be equipped with energy pumps; solar panels and high grade insulation, was abandoned in 2016. This was after builders lobbied government, claiming these requirements would make their houses too expensive to sell. Fitting those energy-efficiency changes is estimated to cost between £5000 and £8500. The Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit believe abandoning the energy-saving changes collectively costs new-builds £5bn per annum. That's around £1000 per annum on the annual energy bills for each new home (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/may/16/energy-bills-for-uk-new-build-homes-higher-due-to-poor-construction-standards-analysis-shows). Dropping the energy-saving requirements for UK new builds was clearly false economy. Government seems to have ignored the fact that UK house-builders have always routinely driven up the cost of houses, by delaying building on land with planning permission. They often 'bank' such land and sell it to each other at inflated prices. 

Seeing the Changes 2170

 

In Bynea, Buckshorn plantain (Plantago coronopus) and Nipplewort (Lapsana communis) were in flower.

Bye-Bye Blackbird?

 

Climate change is now posing a threat to the UK Blackbird (Turdus merula). Global heating encourages the spread of the mosquito. These biting insects are vectors for the Usulu virus, that's currently deadly to these much-appreciated song birds. Blackbird mortalities from Usulu infections, are now spreading in southern England  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj3x6v05ly6o#:~:text=Infected%20insects%20can%20spread%20the%20deadly%20Usutu%20virus,been%20linked%20to%20declines%20in%20some%20blackbird%20populations.). UK birdwatchers are being encouraged to monitor their area's blackbirds. It's hoped that, eventually, resistant bird strains will emerge. It's not, of course, just blackbirds who will be subject to new diseases as a result of rampant climate change. 

No Smoke...?

 

Single-use vapes are a complete anathema. They do nothing to curtail cigarette smoking. They are targeted at the next generation (children) of nicotine addicts. Single-use vapes litter the streets. They are a fire hazard, difficult to recycle and waste enormous amounts of lithium and nickel. Sensibly, Wales is banning single-use vape sales from 1st June 2025.(https://www.gov.wales/environmental-protection-single-use-vapes-wales-regulations-2024). This ban isn't before time. Its's environmentally and medically appropriate. Until now, new vaping stores have been springing up like mushrooms. 

Seeing the Changes 2169

A Volucella bombylans basked in a Swansea garden.

Seeing the Changes 2168

On the Bynea-Penclacwdd border, noted Bittersweet (Solanum dulcamara) and the first of the Southern marsh orchids (Dactylorhiza praetermissa) in bloom. Also saw my first Common bluebutterfly  (Polyommatus icarus) male of the year.