theweatheroutlook

Remove ads from site

Roger Parsons
12 August 2023 06:49:46
A bit of parasite palaeontology... enjoy!
Fossilised reptile poo contains 200-million-year-old parasites
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2386267-fossilised-reptile-poo-contains-200-million-year-old-parasites/ 

 
RogerP
West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire
Everything taken together, here in Lincolnshire are more good things than man could have had the conscience to ask.
William Cobbett, in his Rural Rides - c.1830
fairweather
26 August 2023 22:30:30
The lengths the shooting lobby and the Torygraph will go to in order to try and discredit environmentalists and climate change activists is despicable. Chris Packham is the latest target of a number of attempted personal persecutions including this ludicrous one.
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/chris-packhams-sniff-goshawk-chick-201305320.html 

Packham's programme "Earth" is phenomenal and in many ways superior in his presentation to the legendary David Attenborough whose skills are starting to wane, unsurprising as he will soon be a hundred! It is likely that Packham will take over Attenborough's mantle and also become a National Treasure given the number of other outstanding enterprises he is involved with.
S.Essex, 42m ASL
Roger Parsons
05 September 2023 13:43:01
Some stunning award-winning photos on the BBC website. Wonderful.
Peregrine Falcon image wins bird photo award
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-66706149 
 
RogerP
West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire
Everything taken together, here in Lincolnshire are more good things than man could have had the conscience to ask.
William Cobbett, in his Rural Rides - c.1830
Roger Parsons
14 September 2023 12:31:25
Rare photo shows a macaque riding a deer for fun in a Japanese forest - with a special macaque-on deer-porn clip for Beast!
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/rare-photo-shows-macaque-riding-215808249.html 
RogerP
West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire
Everything taken together, here in Lincolnshire are more good things than man could have had the conscience to ask.
William Cobbett, in his Rural Rides - c.1830
Roger Parsons
17 September 2023 05:31:46
Dozens of Comma butterflies feeding on oozing blackberry juice in the limewoods yesterday:
https://butterfly-conservation.org/butterflies/comma 
 
RogerP
West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire
Everything taken together, here in Lincolnshire are more good things than man could have had the conscience to ask.
William Cobbett, in his Rural Rides - c.1830
Lionel Hutz
17 September 2023 20:39:33

Dozens of Comma butterflies feeding on oozing blackberry juice in the limewoods yesterday:
https://butterfly-conservation.org/butterflies/comma 
 

Originally Posted by: Roger Parsons 



Always interesting to read about the Comma, Roger. It's a very recent migrant to Ireland. 

http://www.irishbutterflies.com/comma_butterfly_of_ireland.html#:~:text=Rare.,Nettles.&text=There%20are%20only%20occassional%20sightings,possible%20migrants%20from%20the%20UK .

I saw one for the first time 2 years ago.
 
Lionel Hutz
Nr.Waterford , S E Ireland
68m ASL



Lionel Hutz
17 September 2023 20:42:40
On a different note from Ireland, worrying news about Lough Neagh.
https://www.rte.ie/news/ulster/2023/0917/1405756-lough-neagh/ 

The largest lake in the British Isles, it's a marvellous sight, so large that it almost feels like you're looking out at the sea when you're on it's shores.
Lionel Hutz
Nr.Waterford , S E Ireland
68m ASL



+1
Roger Parsons
17 September 2023 20:51:35

On a different note from Ireland, worrying news about Lough Neagh.
https://www.rte.ie/news/ulster/2023/0917/1405756-lough-neagh/ 

The largest lake in the British Isles, it's a marvellous sight, so large that it almost feels like you're looking out at the sea when you're on it's shores.

Originally Posted by: Lionel Hutz 

Yes, Lionel - I'd noted coverage of that on BBC recently:
Lough Neagh: Environmentalists hold 'wake' after algal blooms
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-66835897 
RogerP
West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire
Everything taken together, here in Lincolnshire are more good things than man could have had the conscience to ask.
William Cobbett, in his Rural Rides - c.1830
+1
Roger Parsons
27 September 2023 17:41:10
New Scientist article: 27/9/2023
"Researchers have struggled to explain the precipitous decline in central Europe’s insect populations since the 1980s, but a new model suggests weather is to blame."
Europe’s ‘insect apocalypse’ may mostly be driven by changing weather
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2394290-europes-insect-apocalypse-may-mostly-be-driven-by-changing-weather/ 
RogerP
West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire
Everything taken together, here in Lincolnshire are more good things than man could have had the conscience to ask.
William Cobbett, in his Rural Rides - c.1830
NMA
  • NMA
  • Advanced Member
02 October 2023 16:08:58
To follow on from that  Mosquitoes. Malaria vaccine big advance against major child killer
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-66985273 
Malaria kills mostly babies and infants, and has been one of the biggest scourges on humanity.
It nearly got me though. I've got to thank Quinine for me being here this afternoon. 
Which is why all these years later I only buy tonic water with added quinine. 

A good read I bought in 2003 three years after I recovered.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fever-Trail-Search-Cure-Malaria/dp/0330481851 
Vale of the Great Dairies
South Dorset
Elevation 60m 197ft
Roger Parsons
05 October 2023 07:12:44
Photos not to be missed!!!!!
Bears, birds and kangaroos: Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-67004896 
 
RogerP
West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire
Everything taken together, here in Lincolnshire are more good things than man could have had the conscience to ask.
William Cobbett, in his Rural Rides - c.1830
+1
Roger Parsons
08 October 2023 14:38:47
Bert - had a walk in the Limewoods NNR this pm. Got 4 presentable Ceps which will feature in our supper tonight! 😁
Lots of Amanitas about: 🍄
 
RogerP
West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire
Everything taken together, here in Lincolnshire are more good things than man could have had the conscience to ask.
William Cobbett, in his Rural Rides - c.1830
Bertwhistle
20 October 2023 11:01:02
Missed this thread- have been busy retiring! Sorry.

The New Forest has been awash with species since August and even the September heatwave didn't slow them.
Bit of a topsy turvy season though- currently honeysuckle and rhododendrons in flower and different species of apples blossoming again.

On my 6 day walk I saw my first ever glow-worm, at West Bexington in Dorset.
Bertie, Itchen Valley.
Retire while you can still press the 'retire now' button.
+1
Bertwhistle
25 October 2023 08:25:41
As a boy locally (in Hampshire) kestrels were ten a penny, buzzards an exciting rarity and red kites a fantasy only realisable in central Wales. Now, I see more kites than buzzards and I have only seen one kestrel in the last 5 years despite the many farm and rural walks I go on. In the 1960s as motorways were being built, the resultant verges often left fallow were ideal terrain for bank voles, a staple to kestrels I understand. A decline was noted in the 1980s but they don't seem to be on the endangered lists I can find. And the Hampshire & IOW wildlife trust (to which we subscribe) still describes them as widespread and frequent. 

Anecdotal (or other) records from elsewhere in the UK?
Bertie, Itchen Valley.
Retire while you can still press the 'retire now' button.
Roger Parsons
25 October 2023 11:36:04

As a boy locally (in Hampshire) kestrels were ten a penny, buzzards an exciting rarity and red kites a fantasy only realisable in central Wales. Now, I see more kites than buzzards and I have only seen one kestrel in the last 5 years despite the many farm and rural walks I go on. In the 1960s as motorways were being built, the resultant verges often left fallow were ideal terrain for bank voles, a staple to kestrels I understand. A decline was noted in the 1980s but they don't seem to be on the endangered lists I can find. And the Hampshire & IOW wildlife trust (to which we subscribe) still describes them as widespread and frequent. 

Anecdotal (or other) records from elsewhere in the UK?

Originally Posted by: Bertwhistle 

Interesting issue, Bertie. There are probably several factors in play here including wildlife protection laws, habitat loss and attitudes towards nature-conservation. I have a few additional thoughts...
1. The decimation of the UK rabbit population. [e.g. for buzzards]
2. Frequency of road kills and significance as a food supply. [e.g. magpies]
3. Road verge management/mismanagement. [Kestrels in particular.]

When we lived in Cambridgeshire 50 years ago we regularly drove to West Wales. Over the years the point of sighting buzzards steadly moved from the Welsh border to our lane in South Lincolnshire by the 80s! As far as red kites are concerned there was only one spot in Wales we found them in the 60s. Now these are frequently seen here. [Post reintroduction of course.]
As far as Kestrel numbers are concerned I'd agree with you: they are less common than they were. Hawk-conservancy say:
"One of the difficulties with this situation is that the exact causes of the decline in Kestrels are not known. Loss of habitat has been suggested, along with decreasing prey populations, agricultural chemicals and lack of suitable nest sites."
I can't argue with that view. See:
https://www.hawk-conservancy.org/conservation-research/uk/kestrel-conservation/ 

 
RogerP
West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire
Everything taken together, here in Lincolnshire are more good things than man could have had the conscience to ask.
William Cobbett, in his Rural Rides - c.1830
+1
Ulric
17 November 2023 07:42:19
It is curious to see what species have increased and decreased over the years. The windshield phenomenon is a measure based on the number of insects striking vehicle windscreens.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windshield_phenomenon 

 
To doubt everything or to believe everything are two equally convenient solutions; both dispense with the necessity of reflection. - Henri Poincaré
Roger Parsons
17 November 2023 08:11:45

It is curious to see what species have increased and decreased over the years. The windshield phenomenon is a measure based on the number of insects striking vehicle windscreens.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windshield_phenomenon 

 

Originally Posted by: Ulric 

This is the "Buglife" page on the subject. Why not take part next year?
https://www.buglife.org.uk/get-involved/surveys/bugs-matter/ 
RogerP
West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire
Everything taken together, here in Lincolnshire are more good things than man could have had the conscience to ask.
William Cobbett, in his Rural Rides - c.1830
Gandalf The White
17 November 2023 08:33:43

It is curious to see what species have increased and decreased over the years. The windshield phenomenon is a measure based on the number of insects striking vehicle windscreens.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windshield_phenomenon 

 

Originally Posted by: Ulric 



Those rates of decline are shockingly bad.
Location: South Cambridgeshire
130 metres ASL
52.0N 0.1E


Roger Parsons
17 November 2023 08:56:53

Those rates of decline are shockingly bad.

Originally Posted by: Gandalf The White 


Buglife's 2022 summary report...
https://cdn.buglife.org.uk/2022/12/Bugs-Matter-Summary-Report-2022-A4.pdf 
RogerP
West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire
Everything taken together, here in Lincolnshire are more good things than man could have had the conscience to ask.
William Cobbett, in his Rural Rides - c.1830
Gandalf The White
17 November 2023 09:23:35

Buglife's 2022 summary report...
https://cdn.buglife.org.uk/2022/12/Bugs-Matter-Summary-Report-2022-A4.pdf 

Originally Posted by: Roger Parsons 



Thanks Roger. It’s interesting that the rate of decline in Scotland is almost half the level in Wales, and that Wales was worse than England. I wonder why?  A lower insect population in Scotland?  Slower roads?
Location: South Cambridgeshire
130 metres ASL
52.0N 0.1E


Retron
17 November 2023 10:31:25

It is curious to see what species have increased and decreased over the years. The windshield phenomenon is a measure based on the number of insects striking vehicle windscreens.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windshield_phenomenon 
 

Originally Posted by: Ulric 


The windscreen thing is a red herring. Yes, there were more bug splats in the 80s than now, but that's partly due to the way we were driving bricks then (i.e. Escorts and Novas), versus today's streamlined cars. The drag coefficient of a modern Astra, for example, is lower than that of a McLaren Speedtail - albeit it doesn't go anywhere near as fast!

As a result of cars become more aerodynamic, you'd expect fewer splats.

The number plate test would be better (as those are still much as they were), but I don't know how far back data goes for that one!
Leysdown, north Kent
DEW
  • DEW
  • Advanced Member
17 November 2023 10:42:52

The windscreen thing is a red herring. Yes, there were more bug splats in the 80s than now, but that's partly due to the way we were driving bricks then (i.e. Escorts and Novas), versus today's streamlined cars. The drag coefficient of a modern Astra, for example, is lower than that of a McLaren Speedtail - albeit it doesn't go anywhere near as fast!

As a result of cars become more aerodynamic, you'd expect fewer splats.

The number plate test would be better (as those are still much as they were), but I don't know how far back data goes for that one!

Originally Posted by: Retron 



The Wiki link compares 2004 with 2019 and 2021 showing a 50% and 72% decline in number plate splats

There's also a curious possible contradiction in the Wiki link "The research also found that modern cars, with a more aerodynamic body shape, killed more insects than boxier vintage cars". but the research referred to relates to a study of number plates on those cars.

So does a more aerodynamic design mean that the abrupt change of flow, which is what would trap insects, is enhanced over the number plate if the rest of the car body is aerodynamically styled? Or that the styling encourages/allows faster driving?
War does not determine who is right, only who is left - Bertrand Russell

Chichester 12m asl
Roger Parsons
21 November 2023 17:01:14
One for Beast? New Scientist....
Bat uses its huge penis like an arm during sex
Video recordings reveal that penetration does not occur when serotine bats mate; instead males use their penis to push a protective membrane out of the way
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2403830-bat-uses-its-huge-penis-like-an-arm-during-sex/ 
 
RogerP
West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire
Everything taken together, here in Lincolnshire are more good things than man could have had the conscience to ask.
William Cobbett, in his Rural Rides - c.1830
NMA
  • NMA
  • Advanced Member
10 December 2023 09:13:41
David Attenborough film tells of risky mission to excavate ‘T rex of the seas’ from Dorset cliff.
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/dec/09/david-attenborough-film-tells-of-risky-mission-to-excavate-t-rex-of-the-seas-from-dorset-cliff 

I've been aware of this for many months or more. This image in the article is the first public picture I believe. An extraordinary story from my neck of the woods. One of the most dangerous parts of the coast to extract fossils. Whenever I venture there there is always a cliff fall of some kind. You have to time to the minute the tidal conditions.
The oil company Perenco based at Wytch Farm in Dorset have donated £40 000 for a special case to made for the skull which will be on display at Steve’s museum from the 2nd January 2024.
If you are interested in David Attenborough documentaries, the Dorset coast, natural history or fossils it's at 6pm on New Year’s Day BBC.
Nick
 
Vale of the Great Dairies
South Dorset
Elevation 60m 197ft
+1
Roger Parsons
11 December 2023 20:14:50

David Attenborough film tells of risky mission to excavate ‘T rex of the seas’ from Dorset cliff.
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/dec/09/david-attenborough-film-tells-of-risky-mission-to-excavate-t-rex-of-the-seas-from-dorset-cliff 

I've been aware of this for many months or more. This image in the article is the first public picture I believe. An extraordinary story from my neck of the woods. One of the most dangerous parts of the coast to extract fossils. Whenever I venture there there is always a cliff fall of some kind. You have to time to the minute the tidal conditions.
The oil company Perenco based at Wytch Farm in Dorset have donated £40 000 for a special case to made for the skull which will be on display at Steve’s museum from the 2nd January 2024.
If you are interested in David Attenborough documentaries, the Dorset coast, natural history or fossils it's at 6pm on New Year’s Day BBC.
Nick
 

Originally Posted by: NMA 

Thanks, Nick - have made a note in my 2024 diary!
RogerP
West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire
Everything taken together, here in Lincolnshire are more good things than man could have had the conscience to ask.
William Cobbett, in his Rural Rides - c.1830

Remove ads from site

Ads