A swallow was seen in South Devon just a few days ago. I have seen swallows in the South Hams as late as Dec 7th. It makes me wonder if a handful now stay for the winter, and survive, and do not migrate to Africa? Certainly in places like South Cornwall, South Devon and the Channel Islands this must be a possibility if the weather is mild and there are enough insects around.
I have seen no records for swallows in January in the UK. Such records would tend to suggest over-wintering. Those that remain late could be indicative of very late broods or those that somehow lost (if they ever had it) their ability to migrate and perished when the weather turned colder.
Here in East Anglia, I rarely see a swallow before April 7th. When they return from Africa it is an important day for me. Swifts are usually first seen here around the end of April. Hearing swifts scream in the spring air makes me glad to be alive: it reminds me that all is still well with the world.
At the moment, we are approaching the shortest day with long, dark nights. Long light evenings seem a way off. Mind you, in just a few weeks' time the nights start to shorten and the days start to get longer. We'll blink and it will be spring again.
We are very lucky to have our seasons as each has its special features to be enjoyed.
Wednesday 10 December 2014
Earth's water may NOT have come from comets
See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-30414519 .
Rosetta's probes have indicated that water did not come to Earth from comets. Results were posted in the journal Science. This contradicts some earlier analysis of water on other comets.
Rosetta's probes have indicated that water did not come to Earth from comets. Results were posted in the journal Science. This contradicts some earlier analysis of water on other comets.
Al Jazeera news
See http://www.aljazeera.com.
It is surprises me how often news items on this Middle Eastern news channel never appear on the BBC. Sometimes it is good to look at the news from different angles to be sure it is reasonably free from bias. The BBC is pretty good, but it sometimes misses important international news.
It is surprises me how often news items on this Middle Eastern news channel never appear on the BBC. Sometimes it is good to look at the news from different angles to be sure it is reasonably free from bias. The BBC is pretty good, but it sometimes misses important international news.
Sepura shares
My old company, Sepura PLC - I am very out of touch these days - makes TETRA radios which are widely used in public security. Today,at 1600z, the shares were up to 149.75p. I wonder if its shares are seen as a safe haven when the world is uncertain? Certainly, the company has always been profitable as far back as I remember. When first floated, shares were 140p.
Meanwhile, the FTSE 100 has been drifting lower on international worries over growth and EU issues.
Meanwhile, the FTSE 100 has been drifting lower on international worries over growth and EU issues.
Weather bomb
See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-30407295 .
Looks like a so called "weather bomb" is to hit the north of the UK today. Even the south could be hit later.
Looks like a so called "weather bomb" is to hit the north of the UK today. Even the south could be hit later.
Tuesday 9 December 2014
Threat to serving police officers
See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-30390392 .]]
Apparently the West Midland Police have received credible evidence of a threat to capture a serving officer. I assume this came from IS or Al Qaeda, but I don't know this is so. Clearly worrying times for all police officers anywhere.
Apparently the West Midland Police have received credible evidence of a threat to capture a serving officer. I assume this came from IS or Al Qaeda, but I don't know this is so. Clearly worrying times for all police officers anywhere.
Monday 8 December 2014
South African Court dismisses Dewani murder case
See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-30375335 .
I was not there so it is unfair to make any real comment. If he was innocent the man should rightly be freed. If the case was thrown out simply because they could not prove "beyond reasonable doubt" his guilt then what? It was a strange case. Why travel to a rough township at night anyway? Odd.
I was not there so it is unfair to make any real comment. If he was innocent the man should rightly be freed. If the case was thrown out simply because they could not prove "beyond reasonable doubt" his guilt then what? It was a strange case. Why travel to a rough township at night anyway? Odd.
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