Seeing the Changes 258

In Loughor and Bynea, there were lots more Daisy (Bellis perennis) and Lesser celendine (Ranunculus ficaria) in flower and first bloomings of Germander speedwell (Veronica chamaedrys) and Common chickweed (Stellaria media). In Penclacwydd, Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) was making an appearance. There were also masses of lichen in fruit on the still bare trees.

Birder's Bonus 67

Noted a Curlew (Numenius arquata) flying on to the Swansea Bay SSSI. The Oystercatchers (Haematopus ostralegus) seem to currently be spending an inordinate amount of time on the grassy areas of the Swansea University playing fields.

Carping in Chicago

Yet another story of invasive organisms (http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/audio/2010/feb/24/asian-carp-threaten-great-lakes). The Asian carp is a fresh water species that can hoover up some 40% of its own body weight in plankton and algae per day which means that its actions starve the young of many other fish species. The carp was apparently introduced in the Southern states of the USA from China to help clean fish farm tanks. Somewhat predictably, they 'escaped' into the Mississippi river and have worked their way north, decimating local fish stocks, to the Illinois river just outside Chicago and in striking distance of Lake Michigan. This is a particular problem as, in 1900, Chicago engineered a reversal in the flow of its river and built a canal enabling millions of gallons of waste water to be sent downriver. This had the effect of linking the Mississippi river to the Great Lakes (said to be the world's largest fresh water body). People are concerned about what will happen if the fish enters Lake Michigan and a number of the involved states are pressing for the locks on the canal to be permanently sealed. The city of Chicago, which still enjoys some shipping activity, is not happy with this suggestion. I think that the fish will almost inevitably make the 'leap' to the next ecosystem.

There's Nothing In It!

The has been further debate on the homeopathy question (http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/audio/2010/feb/23/homeopathy-mps-useless-nhs). The particular concern is, that although the amount of money allocated to such treatments by the NHS is rather low (especially in contrast with that spent privately), everything else that is provided by that body has to go through a cost versus efficacy analysis. No one disputes that the placebo effect (being 'treated' by someone as well as 'receiving' a preparation) can make some people feel better. The 'remedies' in homeopathy are, however, so dilute that they are effectively pure water (actually purer than many bottled waters). This alone makes it very difficult to postulate a mechanism of action based on our knowledge of physiology and biochemistry. It is claimed that all the properly designed studies (e.g. those that give the patient no clue about which preparation they are receiving) to date fail to distinguish homeopathic treatments from known placebo. The expressed concern is not only that money is being wasted but that people may be tempted to rely on homeopathy when they require treatment with established medicines.

Dorset Daze

Students who have attended or will be attending the Dorset fieldcourse might be interested in the BBC 'Countrytracks' programme on the county which covers several of the locations we visit (http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00r364z).

Seeing the Changes 257

A male Winter moth (Operophtera brumata) desposited himself by the window in Loughor where a hunting spider lurked. In Gorseinon, saw my first Common frog (Rana temporaria) dollop of spawn of the year.

A Caning For the Cane Toad

It has been reported that Australian scientists have found that placing cat food around ponds can help curb Cane toad populations (http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/feb/19/australia-cat-food-cane-toad). The toxic toads were introduced from Hawaii in 1935 in an attempt to biologically control the Cane beetle that was decimating Sugar cane crops (it is possibly one of the worst examples of a failed biological control programme). The toads, with their poisonous skin secretions, have killed off many endemic Australian animals that have attempted to eat them. The cat food apparently attracts Meat ants which then attack the toadlets as they emerge from ponds (billabongs). It has been calculated that 98% of toadlets are attacked within 2 minutes of emergence and that most of the escapees die from ant bites within a few days. Actual serious eradication of the Cane toad would involve an awful lot of cat food. There may not be obliging Meat ants in all locations. The ants may also attack other amphibian and reptile youngsters emerging from the waters.