The Weather Outlook

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DEW
  • DEW
  • Advanced Member
28 December 2024 07:30:07
To bring them back from the edge of extinction

1,329 tiny snails released on remote island

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gxqep4zk3o 
War does not determine who is right, only who is left - Bertrand Russell

Chichester 12m asl
+2
Roger Parsons
10 January 2025 15:04:49
Interesting bumblebee piece...
"Bumblebees have been found to be starting nests in the depths of winter due to climate change, say conservationists.
The charity Buglife said active worker bumblebees, which do most of the work in a nest, were spotted in Aberdeen during mild weather over the Christmas break. It said a previous survey had recorded bumblebees and honeybees between Christmas and New Year at locations across the UK, including the Highlands."

Bumblebees winter nest-building 'due to climate'
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckg17mwnx73o 
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
11 January 2025 11:00:58
Just had 5 Long-tailed Tits on my fat balls. 😊

Meanwhile....
Hare filmed playing in the snow with deer
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/cjdndgp9npko 
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
Windy Willow
11 January 2025 11:40:59

Just had 5 Long-tailed Tits on my fat balls. 😊

Meanwhile....
Hare filmed playing in the snow with deer
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/cjdndgp9npko 

Originally Posted by: Roger Parsons 


🤣🤣🤣

Meanwhile, a little wren was foraging in my garden this morning. 
South Holland, Lincs 5m/16ft ASL

When I saw corruption, I was forced to find truth on my own. I couldn't swallow the hypocrisy.

Barry White


It’s the end of the world as we know it (and I feel fine) - R.E.M.
+1
westv
11 January 2025 11:48:36

Interesting bumblebee piece...
"Bumblebees have been found to be starting nests in the depths of winter due to climate change, say conservationists.
The charity Buglife said active worker bumblebees, which do most of the work in a nest, were spotted in Aberdeen during mild weather over the Christmas break. It said a previous survey had recorded bumblebees and honeybees between Christmas and New Year at locations across the UK, including the Highlands."

Bumblebees winter nest-building 'due to climate'
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckg17mwnx73o 

Originally Posted by: Roger Parsons 


Presumably this would have been something the bees might have done during any period of milder weather, climate change or no climate change??
At least it will be mild!
Roger Parsons
11 January 2025 12:12:12

Presumably this would have been something the bees might have done during any period of milder weather, climate change or no climate change??

Originally Posted by: westv 


A question with an agenda, West. [Notice I put no "spin" on my post.] One swallow does not make a summer. Organisms cope with many variations in seasonal and other environmental factors, or they don't. It is one of the drivers of evolution. The point of concern is when such conditions change significantly and sufficiently for new and possibly permanent consequences to become clear. That's also when new questions emerge. I'd say to you,

"At what point would such a change impress us enough to convince us there was meaningful environmental change rather than normal and expected environmental fluctuation?"

"How do I know the universe is like this?
By looking!" [Lao Tzu]
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
westv
11 January 2025 15:37:22

A question with an agenda, West. [Notice I put no "spin" on my post.] One swallow does not make a summer. Organisms cope with many variations in seasonal and other environmental factors, or they don't. It is one of the drivers of evolution. The point of concern is when such conditions change significantly and sufficiently for new and possibly permanent consequences to become clear. That's also when new questions emerge. I'd say to you,

Originally Posted by: Roger Parsons 


A huge assumption on your part I think. The article refers to two periods of milder weather (one now and one in the past) where bees have been affected by milder weather. Why do you dismiss my question as to whether this might be "normal" behaviour for bees in milder weather? I never said that climate change won't affect species but seem to have read that point into my question for some reason.
At least it will be mild!
Roger Parsons
11 January 2025 17:07:14

A huge assumption on your part I think. The article refers to two periods of milder weather (one now and one in the past) where bees have been affected by milder weather. Why do you dismiss my question as to whether this might be "normal" behaviour for bees in milder weather? I never said that climate change won't affect species but seem to have read that point into my question for some reason.

Originally Posted by: westv 


You asked a question, west, and you got a considered answer from an experienced beekeeper and enthusiast. The key question we all wonder about: "Is this observation usual or is it something new and different?" I have not attempted to answer that, but instead have stated it because it is important.  I repeat:

"At what point would such a change impress us enough to convince us there was meaningful environmental change rather than normal and expected environmental fluctuation?"

There are 2 issues to consider. Whether conditions will allow flight and foraging and whether adequate food will be available? Food supply will of course also be weather-dependent. All depends on what actually happens weather-wise and with timing. You might find these websites of value - tho they mainly apply to honeybees. Bumblebee capability to forage in winter varies between species. I have see queens in flight this winter.
https://www.beelistener.co.uk/beekeeping-in-scotland/how-to-recognise-a-nectar-flow/ 
https://lbka.org.uk/flowers_month.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
westv
11 January 2025 17:20:50

You asked a question, west, and you got a considered answer from an experienced beekeeper and enthusiast. The key question we all wonder about: "Is this observation usual or is it something new and different?" I have not attempted to answer that, but instead have stated it because it is important.  I repeat:

"At what point would such a change impress us enough to convince us there was meaningful environmental change rather than normal and expected environmental fluctuation?"

Originally Posted by: Roger Parsons 


The answer I got from you started off with "A question with an agenda". That was your assumption. There was no "agenda" in my question.
At least it will be mild!
Roger Parsons
11 January 2025 17:50:47

The answer I got from you started off with "A question with an agenda". That was your assumption. There was no "agenda" in my question.

Originally Posted by: westv 


That agenda underpins every discussion of typical vs changing climate, west - it is implied even if you don't specifically mention it. You did not even condescend to respond to my reply. No more time wasting please.
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
westv
11 January 2025 17:54:38

That agenda underpins every discussion of typical vs changing climate, west - it is implied even if you don't specifically mention it. You did not even condescend to respond to my reply. No more time wasting please.

Originally Posted by: Roger Parsons 


Were you a teacher in a former life? They have a way about them. Perhaps you'd send me to detention if you could.🤣
At least it will be mild!
NMA
  • NMA
  • Advanced Member
18 January 2025 12:16:51
I posted this in the politics thread. I do try and hammer it in from time to time, one of the greatest environmental disasters in Scottish history that still continues.
If you want evidence that some MP’s in Britain are beholden by money, perhaps greed and ignorant of arguably the greatest ongoing environmental disaster in Scotland read these pieces.
It’s a shocking, no damning report that still manages to almost gloss over this catastrophe.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jan/17/scottish-government-must-do-more-to-control-salmon-farming-inquiry-finds 

https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/committees/current-and-previous-committees/session-6-rural-affairs-and-islands-committee/business-items/salmon-farming-in-scotland 
And then this travesty that the MP’s seem unable to see.
https://thefishsite.com/articles/scottish-salmons-on-westminsters-breakfast-menu 
for the ignorant bit or rather the people involved. They should be ashamed of how they've managed to destroy wild salmon stocks and runs through methods of farming that should have been banned two decades ago.
Vale of the Great Dairies
South Dorset
Elevation 60m 197ft
+1
Northern Sky
04 February 2025 13:58:06
I've just been moving a few leaves that had fallen into my pond and I was surprised to find an adult newt (who quickly swam down in the deep end). I might be wrong but I thought newts returned to the pond in Spring to breed, rather than over wintering in the water?
Roger Parsons
04 February 2025 14:12:23

I've just been moving a few leaves that had fallen into my pond and I was surprised to find an adult newt (who quickly swam down in the deep end). I might be wrong but I thought newts returned to the pond in Spring to breed, rather than over wintering in the water?

Originally Posted by: Northern Sky 


That is the generally accepted view, NS, but in my experience newts are quite adapable. I've found them living well away from water, for example. Barring our cold snaps, it's been quite a mild winter overall, so I'm not surprised by your observation. This is a useful faq webpage: Amphibian and Reptile Conservation
https://www.arc-trust.org/newts-faqs 
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
12 February 2025 09:46:21
I enjoyed this Antarctic story. I always wanted to see the place. Too late now.
Antarctic engineers p-p-p-pick up a new team member
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq8k9l9dkd8o 
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
Sasa
  • Sasa
  • Advanced Member
13 February 2025 23:55:31
Fascinating story:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/c2k5e14vwx4o 
Kingston Upon Thames
+1
Windy Willow
14 February 2025 07:30:11

Fascinating story:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/c2k5e14vwx4o 

Originally Posted by: Sasa 


A modern day Jonah!
South Holland, Lincs 5m/16ft ASL

When I saw corruption, I was forced to find truth on my own. I couldn't swallow the hypocrisy.

Barry White


It’s the end of the world as we know it (and I feel fine) - R.E.M.
+1
Roger Parsons
14 February 2025 08:02:43

A modern day Jonah!

Originally Posted by: Windy Willow 


A close shave!
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
14 February 2025 10:57:15
An impressive sight this morning. We had heard from friends there were good numbers of mostly Whooper + some Bewick's swans down in the fen, so we drove across the Bardney causeway to see them. The herd was settled in a very black, recently-harvested and cultivated sugar beet field, 200+ swans, perhaps more like 300. Very chilly. Saint Hugh of Lincoln had a tame Whooper Swan.
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
+2
DEW
  • DEW
  • Advanced Member
14 February 2025 21:25:19
Reported in the 'i' today - Red squirrels in Scotland are genetically very similar to each other; the narrow genetic base make it difficult for them to develop immunity to squirrelpox which is carried by greys.
War does not determine who is right, only who is left - Bertrand Russell

Chichester 12m asl
+2
StoneCroze
15 February 2025 07:23:50
Our gannets have arrived back, we have nearly 2% of the Atlantic population breeding locally, Spring not far away.
Alderney, Channel Islands. (previously known as Beaufort)
+3
Devonian
16 February 2025 19:01:56
Did I mention (for any butterfly enthusiasts, Roger?) that I have found brown hairsteak eggs in our (untrimmed) hedges? At at 280M above sea level! Give nature a chance and it will respond.
+3
fairweather
16 February 2025 23:45:28

Did I mention (for any butterfly enthusiasts, Roger?) that I have found brown hairsteak eggs in our (untrimmed) hedges? At at 280M above sea level! Give nature a chance and it will respond.


I just popped over from your mention in the other thread and in doing so was wondering if they were going to be brown hairstreaks. A beautiful butterfly when the sun catches the orange patch on the wings. First one I ever saw was in Steyning in Sussex I think and again in Surrey. Were the bushes blackthorn? Hope they hatch ok.
UserPostedImageBrown Hairstreak  by Dave C , on Flickr

S.Essex, 42m ASL
+2
Devonian
17 February 2025 09:22:09

I just popped over from your mention in the other thread and in doing so was wondering if they were going to be brown hairstreaks. A beautiful butterfly when the sun catches the orange patch on the wings. First one I ever saw was in Steyning in Suffolk I think and again in Surrey. Were the bushes blackthorn? Hope they hatch ok.
UserPostedImageBrown Hairstreak  by Dave C , on Flickr

Originally Posted by: fairweather 


Yes, blackthorn. But they lay eggs (which are easy to find) at the junction between 1 and 2 year old wood - it will be litchen free and clean.. And they seem to prefer fairly vigorous growth. Blackthorn is quite odd (at least around here) in that older shrubs grow really very slowly but suckers grow very rapidly. And trimmed hedges* grow just right for a few years...

As many will be aware trimming will trim off BH eggs. Otoh, if left untrimmed the blackthorn will lose vigor. So, all farmer need to do is to stop trimming hedges every year*. You can even get paid to do that - it's win win.

So why don't  all farmers do that? It beats me.

*it's not just about trimming because, even alternate years trimming, means you get a line in a hedge where it is topped to every time. In the end a hedge like that becomes a series of stumps.

The answer? Hedge laying. And you can get paid to do that too! Win, win, win.
+1
fairweather
17 February 2025 11:34:15
Edited: Should of course been Steyning in Sussex, not Suffolk.
S.Essex, 42m ASL

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