Seeing the Changes 269

In Loughor, the flower spikes of Lords and Ladies (Arum maculatum) were appearing.

Seeing the Changes 268

There were sudden changes at the NWCW at Penclacwydd. The Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) had burst into leaf and the Aspen (Populus tremula) was covered in catkins. Spotted my first Red campion (Silene dioica), Cowslip (Primula veris), Marsh marigold (Caltha palustris) and Ribwort plantain (Plantago lanceolata) of the year. There were also first sightings of Speckled wood (Pararge aegeria), female Brimstone (Gonepterix rhamni) and patrolling male Orange-tip (Anthocharis cardamines) butterflies. Common wasp (Vespula vulgaris) were also about. There were also lots of Common mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) ducklings with their mothers as well as a few Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) chicks trying to interest 'parent' birds. In Bynea, Red clover (Trifolium pratense) was in bloom.

Gaia's Revenge?

It seems rather fitting that media concerns about the impact of the ever-increasing impact of aircraft emissions on the planet's climate have been replaced, this week, by stories of the planet decimating European air transport (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/travel/news/article7101162.ece). It certainly seems extreme anthropomorphism to accuse the Earth of using the volcanic eruption of Eyjafjallajokull in Iceland to bring the airlines to their knees but this natural event has had wide-ranging effects on business travel, holiday makers, sports participants and their watchers, entertainers, suppliers of top of the range foods (e.g. asparagus from Chile) and growers of flowers (e.g. roses from Kenya). There is even concern that some airlines may not survive this event (it is not even the case that only European airlines are at risk). Of course (swings and roundabouts), some bodies (e.g. Eurotunnel, ferry services, small private planes, powerboats and taxis- all with their own environmental impacts) are doing booming business as a result of the curtailing of flights. It does seem rather strange that we have developed a reliance on a technology (the turbo-prop) that is so vulnerable to volcanic dust clouds (after all, volcanoes are not incredibly rare events). The whole event confirms, however, how easily our 'modern' transport systems are disrupted. Things could get even worse if Eyjafjallajokull triggers its bigger (and usually more active) neighbour Katla to erupt. It is also an illustration of how human activities associated with large 'carbon footprints' are the most vulnerable. There will, in addition to the financial and physical suffering of the travelling public and their carriers, be lots of relatively poor people (e.g. suppliers of ecotourism services, workers on remote plantations for high quality products, educational establishments and conference organizers) who also 'feel the pinch'.

Seeing the Changes 267

The first Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum) was in flower in Loughor along with 'escaped' Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis). The candleabra-like flowers of Horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastaneum) were also starting to appear. In Port Eynon, Ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea); Sea stock (Matthiola sinuata) and Cuckoo flower (Cardamine pratensis) were all in bloom. A black European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) romped in the sunshine.

Seeing the Changes 266

A trip up to Clyn Gwyn waterfalls in the Neath Valley, confirmed that spring was arriving more slowly at a modest almost 300 M above sea level. In spite of this, Wood spurge (Euphorbia amygdaloides), Wood sorrel (Oxalis acetosella) and Rock cinquefoil (Potentilla rupestris) flowered along with the now ubiquitous Lesser celendine. A Bee-fly (Bombylius major) and a Stonefly (Leuctra fusca) also made an appearance. Nearer the Brecon Beacons National Park Visitor Centre at Libanus, watched a Red kite (Milvus milvus) being mobbed by crows. The Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs) and House sparrow (Passer domesticus) were exceedingly tame at the Centre.

Seeing the Changes 265

Lots of flowers suddenly out in Loughor and the surrounds! These included the Blue anemone (Anemone appennina), Spanish bluebell (Endymion hispanicus), Spring squill (Scilla verna) and Crab apple (Malus sylvestris). Japanese knotweed (Reynoutria japonica) was shooting through into daylight. Also saw my first Common green shield bug (Palomina prasina), Small white (Artogeia rapae) and Plume moths (Agdistis bennetii) of the year. The first casualty chicks of bird breeding attempts were also evident. In Bynea, the Common horsetails (Equisetum arvense) were thrusting through, the Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) was coming into leaf whilst the Red dead nettle (Lamnium purpureum) and the Germander speedwell (Veronica chamaedrys) were into bloom. In that location, a Peacock butterfly (Inachis io) made an appearance and a green caterpillar scuttled across the bridge.

Seeing the Changes 264

On my return to Loughor, noted that the Ivy-leaved toadflax (Cymbalaria muralis) was in flower. Ash was also coming into bud. In swansea, Three-cornered leek (Allium triquetum) and Hoary cress (Lepidium draba) were in flower.