Birder's Bonus 105

There was a group of 5 Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) foraging on the banks of the Loughor estuary.

Seeing the Changes 449

An early appearance of a moth caterpillar in Loughor.

Birder's Bonus 104

Spotted two Common shelduck (Tadorna tadorna) on Loughor estuary.

Rabbit, Rabbit

I was somewhat surprised to see a European rabbit on my drive in Loughor. In spite of its relatively 'wild' colouration, its chubbiness and relative tameness, suggest it is an escaped domestic.

Seeing the Changes 448

In Loughor, Lesser celandine (Ranunculus ficaria) was in bloom. There were some interesting brown fungi in Bynea.

Seeing the Changes 447

Changeable weather again and the catkins were emerging on Goat willow (Salix capra) in Bynea.

The Problem of Being Large

It is not only big animals that have survival problems, as a recent study by Professor William Laurence of James Cook University has suggested that big trees are currently more at risk (http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/jan/26/giant-trees-dying?INTCMP=SRCH ). In the past, substantial trees seemed to be relatively resistant to environmental pressures but forest fragmentation appears to make them more vulnerable than their smaller counterparts.