Seeing the Changes 1249

A little sunshine seemed to cause a Fox moth (Macrothylacia rubi) larva to stray onto the cycle-path at Penclacwydd.

Orca Talker?

It sounds like a Doctor Doolittle moment, as captive Orcas (so-called Killer whales) have reportedly been trained to imitate human speech, making their sounds via their blow-holes (https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/jan/31/orcas-killer-whales-can-imitate-human-speech-research-reveals). The research may be useful in revealing how these sociable whales can use sound in their interactions with members of their own species (including coordinated hunting by packs of these aquatic mammals) but the actual words (e.g. 'hello' and 'bye-bye') probably have no more meaning to the animal than performing a begging posture to obtain a food reward. Don't expect any killer whale to say "Sorry, I thought you were a seal", before it chomps on you, anytime soon!

Seeing the Changes 1248

There was a sudden splurge of Lesser celendines (Ranunculus ficaria) in Loughor!

Animals Lugging Cameras

I must admit to being quite intrigued about the imminent BBC mini-series 'Animals with cameras' that appears to attach visual recorders to a range of beasties including rays, birds of prey, meerkats and cheetahs to obtain new perspectives on their lives (www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/animals-cameras-nature-mini-series/15860/). I would caution, however, that, in spite of technological developments that make the cameras much smaller and lighter, animals carrying even very modest loads have been shown to change their behaviour (even scientific bird ringing seems to constitute a penalty). Weight may not be the only problem as any addition can change the streamlining of the animal and fastenings can interfere with free movement. Enjoy but take with a pinch of salt. 

A Cheese is a Cheese by Any Other Name?

Strange news from the cosmopolitan city of Amsterdam, where a court has reportedly upheld the closure of a shop owned by the Amsterdam Cheese Company for using too much English (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/26/dutch-cheese-heads-told-to-close-amsterdam-shop). The company (motto 'Say cheese to life') is accused of catering more for tourists than locals in their Damrak locality. The owners (self-identifying 'kaas-koppen') claim that, as English is the 2nd language of around 70% of the Dutch, it is simply more convenient to use this language in their labelling. 

Nutella Wars

Disturbing news of wide-spread violence at Intermarche supermarkets in France as people fought eachother and staff over discounted 950 g jars of Nutella, reduced from 4.50 euros to 1.41. It might be a popular spread, especially with children but it is hardly healthy eating!

Air Pollution and Mental Disease

A study from Hong Kong has apparently demonstrated a strong link between air pollution and deaths in people with a range of mental disorders (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jan/26/air-pollution-linked-to-extremely-high-mortality-in-people-with-mental-disorders). The study was based on a decade of mortality statistics and essentially found a much increased death rate on hazy days in people with depression, schizophrenia, dementia et cetera. There could, of course be some complicating factors e.g. people with dementia tend to be older (and hence less resistant to pollution) and individuals with mental disorders may be forced by economic circumstances to live in areas where air pollution is greatest. The authors suggest that the hazy conditions exacerbate depression. It is striking, however, that the UK government has reportedly used some £370,000 of tax payer's money, attempting (unsuccessfully) to legally overturn demands that they do something urgently about the illegal levels of air pollution (mainly nitrogen dioxide) emanating from road traffic in our major cities. The fact that air pollution particularly kills people with mental health issues should stop planners attempting to  defer putting solutions into place.