Seeing the Changes 913

Interesting plant changes in Loughor, with Field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) and Good king henry (Chenopodium bonus-henricus) both in flower. The fruit of the Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) was very abundant and the alien Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus) was also in berry.

Wading Out?

Migratory, wading birds have a risky life-style and are very vulnerable to environmental changes and there arehttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/jul/30/wetland-bird-survey-wading-birds-britain-climate-change recent indications of dramatic declines in populations of these animals in the UK (http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/jul/30/wetland-bird-survey-wading-birds-britain-climate-change). One could, to some extent, reverse the calculation and suggest that the population declines indicate that recent environmental changes are substantive and challenging.

Licensed to Drill

I must admit to being more than a little unhappy (even with the so-called 'safe-guards' for National Parks) about the giving of the green light to companies to apply licences to frack over many areas of the UK, whether the residents like it or not (http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/jul/28/fracking-expansion-uk-drilling-national-parks-safeguards). I suspect that this move was always on the cards, especially given the current arguments with Russia and our dependence on 'their' gas.  The apparent boom in energy provision by fracking in a much larger as less populous USA must also have played a role. My objections broadly remain the same:-
1. I am not convinced that the process doesn't at least carry a risk of contaminating water courses.
2. If the hydrocarbons are removed, that certainly changes the nature of the underlying rocks and possibly their stability.
3. The product, when burned, exacerbates global warming and I would prefer a greater emphasis on solar energy and improved insulation.
4. I am certainly not convinced that the licences mean more jobs (always a selling point to politicians).

Balmy or Barmy Summer?

There has been much comment about the 'recovery' of Britain's wildlife as a consequence of the prolonged, hot summer (http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/jul/26/nature-recovers-in-traditional-summer). People seem to have had differing experiences with butterflies. Until yesterday, I had seen very little activity of these insects on Butterfly bush blossom and other insect-attracting flowers. Even yesterday, numbers were low and the Butterfly bush way past their best. The only butterfly that appears to have done well here is the Speckled wood (Pararge aegeria tercis) much in evidence in many locations. I have not seen a single Painted lady (Cynthia cardui) and relatively few Red admirals (Vanessa atalanta).

Seeing the Changes 912

In spite of the hot weather, it has been a disappointing time for butterflies on the Butterfly bushes. In Gorseinon today, there was a bit of activity with Gatekeepers, Peacocks and Red admirals all activity.

Seeing the Changes 911

Visited in Loughor, by what looked like a Mullein wave (Scopula marginepunctata). By Machinys lake, noted Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) in flower and got a nice shot of a basking Black-tailed skimmer (Orthetrum cancellatum).

Seeing the Changes 910

Near Machinys, Common fleabane (Pulicaria dysentaria) and  Hemp agrimony (Eupatorium cannabinum) were in flower. Visited in Loughor by a lacewing (Chysoperla carnea).