Seeing the Changes 351

Hairy bittercress (Cardamine hirsuta) was in flower in Bynea.

Rats!

There is a report that conservationists will attempt to eradicate the wild Brown rats on the Atlantic island of South Georgia (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article7052509.ece ). As in many other cases, the rats arrived on whaling boats and have decimated the island populations of ground nesting birds (they eat the eggs and the chicks). The South Georgia pipit, the most southerly song bird is one threatened species. Getting rid of all the rats in such a large area (80,000 hectares) is frought with problems as the terrain is difficult and the rats burrow effectively. The fact that greeny-blue poison pellets will be used as 'they are least attractive to birds' does not fill me with confidence.

Seeing the Changes 350

In Loughor, the little Wild daffodils (Narcissus pseudonarcissus) were out. In Bynea, lots of Willow catkins were evident and, at Penclacwydd, the wet had resulted in a profusion of lichens and mosses.

Seeing the Changes 349

Loads of interesting fungi in Mumbles. Probably Lactarius rufus. Visited, in Loughor, by a male Dotted border moth (Agriopis marginaria) and the Ash (Fraxinus excelsior) was in flower.

Seeing the Changes 348

In Loughor, there was the first flowering of the Common dog violet (Viola riviniana). There were impressive mosses in Bynea and an early Goat willow (Salix caprea) catkin was evident in Penclacwydd.

Yew Turn

The UK Government has withdrawn its proposed privatisation of the English woodlands (http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/feb/17/forestry-sell-off-policy-u-turn?INTCMP=SRCH ). It seems that the considerable public pressure from media friendly groups and political opposition has caused this change. I guess that the majority of these people didn't believe that the proposed access and management 'safe-guards' that were to be 'built in' could be relied upon. Perhaps there is hope for the badgers?

Seeing the Changes 347

The Biting stonecrop (Sedum acre) is coming into flower in Bynea.