Seeing the Changes 16

Horse chestnuts (Aesculus hippocastanum) are at the end of their flowering period. The first visit this year by a Brimstone moth (Opisthograpta luteolata) to the house. In Gorseinon and Loughor, the first Field roses (Rosa arvensis) and Brambles (Rubus fructosus) are in flower. Broad-leaved dock (Rumex obtusifolius), Black Medick (Medicago lupulina), Hoary cress (Cardaria draba) and Ivy-leaved toadflax (Cymbalaria muralia) have also emerged. Lilac (Syringa vulgaris) and Small-leaved lime (Tilia cordata) are also flowering. A Forest bug (Pentatoma rufipes) and a ladybird, a Calvia 14-gutta, in the garden at Loughor.

Birder's Bonus 3

The egg shell of a gull (possibly Herring gull) was found on Bynea cycle track.

Seeing the Changes 16

More flowers emerge. What is probably Tuberous pea (Lathyrus tuberosus) and Birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) in Bynea along with the Long-headed poppy (Papaver dubium) and Scyamore (Acer pseudoplatanus).

Seeing the Changes 15

The Gorse (Ulex europaeus) has apparently never been out of flower but is now a mass of yellow. White umbellifers, including Hemlock (Conium maculatum), and yellow crucifers are much in evidence near the river in Bynea. The first Greater celendines (Chelidonium majus) are out in the same location and the Rowan or Mountain ash (Sorbus aucuparia) is in flower in Loughor. There has been a sudden influx of Clouded yellow (Colias croceus) into the region. This butterfly is capable of quite impressive migrations (from Southern Europe to the south of Sweden).

Birder's Bonus 2

Swallows were seen flying around the Loughor estuary in Loughor and Bynea.

Conservation Conservations 22

Old McDonald Had a Pharm?

The GM debate rumbles on

http://www.guardian.co.uk/guardianweekly/outlook/story/0,,2086402,00.html

(see also http://www.bsf.ac.uk/responses/GMscirev.htm) with stories about the potential dangers of inserting 'human' and other genes into crop plants (such as Alfalfa, Safflower, Soya, Rice, Barley and Tobacco) to 'grow' useful proteins, medicines and even vaccines (such as for Hepatitis B and Foot and Mouth Disease) and possible cancer treatments. This technique (described as 'pharming') is really not so different from the now long-established making gene insertions into bacteria to produce Human Growth Hormone and Insulin (the claim in the newspaper article that some diabetic patients reject GM insulin is, I think, more related to the animal versions of the hormone giving the recipient a stronger 'cue' as to their presence rather than an aversion to the technology). There is no doubt that the use of GM for medical benefits generally meets with wider approval than the employment of the same technologies to produce changes in 'food' items (the 'Frankenstein foods' debate) but the dividing line is quite fine. For example, the Foot and Mouth vaccine produced by modified Alfalfa is intended to be eaten by cattle and the lactoferrin made by GM modified rice might well be added to yogourt before being fed to vulnerable children. It is obvious that many groups in many countries across the world are involved in such trials (including the USA, UK, Iceland, Italy, Cuba, Canada and Argentina). People who worry about applying GM technology to food crops are concerned that "it is only a matter of time until they (the plants containing modified genes) get into the food chain". They might well be right in this respect as there have been at least two cases in the USA where GM products have inadvertently turned up in human food items (taco shells) or crops (Soya) intended for humans. I suspect that things will have to be better regulated but that the benefits are too important for any society to ignore them.

Conservation Conservations 21

Ice Cold in Antarctica

It will be pointed out (http://environment.guardian.co.uk/conservation/story/0,,2068647,00.html)

at the coming annual Antarctic treaty meeting that currently an annual of (almost) 30,000 tourists (more than 15% of whom were British) visited the 'Earth's last great wilderness' by sea, air or cruise in 2005. This represents a four-fold increase over the last 10 years and raises several issues. It is likely that their visits to area strengthen human appreciation of (and support for?) the continent and its associated wildlife. The tours (often focused on penguins, seals and seabirds) are also of great economic importance (some tours can cost up to £2800) to the tour operators (many of whom, but not all, are members of the International Association on Antarctic Tour Operators). The downsides include not only the global warming effects of the transport to the location but the real possibility of a catastrophic oil pollution event in the region (one Norwegian vessel has already run aground at Deception Island). A major accident involving a cruise ship might have scope for a human tragedy (the current largest vessel operating in the region is the 'Golden Princess' carrying 3,700 passengers and crew) as Antarctica has no Coastguard system. Landings by passengers (currently quite rare as the largest cruisers don't land) would certainly increase the damage to fragile environments (even simple walking can cause damage) and might well introduce organisms that could alter the pristine locations. Human waste and other materials may also be more likely to be introduced into the ecosystems. It is, of course, difficult to regulate activities in this location.