Killer Shrimp

On Tuesday I attended by first CIEEM regional event, a talk given by aquatic ecologist Rob Harrison at Ecus in Sheffield on the killer shrimp (Dikerogammarus villosus).

This species was first recorded in the UK in 2010 and is one of the UK's top 100 most invasive species. It has spread from the Ponto-Caspian region of eastern Europe via the Rhine-Main-Danube canal (or Europa Canal). This now links the Danube and the Rhine/Main, creating a navigable river all the way up to the North Sea and Atlantic ocean. Of course, this doesn't just benefit commerical traffic - nature is also taking advantage of this new route and species are moving to areas they weren't previously in.

Rob gave a one hour presentation covering the taxonomy of killer shrimp, key identification features, environmental tolerance and its impacts to ecosystems and biodiversity.  We also learnt about biosecurity measures that can be put in place to stop the spread of invasive non-native species.  Happy to say I am using these for my pond surveying!  The mantra check, clean and dry was reinforced.  If found, occurances should be reported to alert_nonnative@ceh.ac.uk

As with any invasive species, it threatens native species because it is slightly larger and preys on existing habitants. We saw a slightly gruesome video of the killer shrimp devouring its prey, which can be smaller shrimp species, newt eggs, tadpoles, small fish, etc.  So the presence of killer shrimp can alter the make up of aquatic ecosystems and have wide reaching consequences.

After the presentation, we had the chance to look at specimens of the killer shrimp and others under the microscope. It is a very small creature about the size of a 5p piece, but can grow up to 3cm across. It may have a strippy appearance, as it is often found alongside zebra mussels. It can only be accurately identified from other members of the family by three hairs on a cone protusion at the base of the back, visible under a microscope.

It was good to meet other people working in ecology, and to learn more about the current topics in aquatic ecology.

BSBI Training at Old Moor

Another excellent training day - good to get out, meet some new people and gain some practical experience rather than burying my head in books all weekend. The weather couldn't make it's mind up - everytime time I got too hot and took my waterproofs off it started to rain! - but it kept dry most of the day which made things much more enjoyable.

I met with the Botanical Society of the British Isles (BSBI) for a regional training day led by Mel Linney. This was aimed at beginners like me, though there were more experienced members also attending who were happy to share their experience.  Also helping out was Kate from the RSPB who I had previously met on a water vole training course.

We met at RSPB Old Moor reserve near Wath on Dearne, about 40 minutes drive from home.

In the morning, we walked the half mile or so to Gypsy Marsh, another piece of land managed by the RSPB but outside the reserve itself. It took us a while to get there, as we kept stopping and looking at things: mainly hedgerow and pond marginals. The session was well organised, focusing on the pea, buttercup and daisy families and with a leaflet provided that showed the key species and features.

At Gypsy Marsh itself there were orchids within a grassland meadow. I don't think I have ever seen an orchid in the wild before - by the end of the day I was getting quite complacent as there were so many of them.

I learned two new buttercup plants I had never even heard of: celery leaved buttercup, a small pond plant with elongated seed heads (pictured); and greater spearwort, another pond plant but this time a giant reaching > 1 metre tall and with elongated leaves.

We had lunch at the centre, then went into the reserve itself. Our first task was to survey orchids in a field closed off from the public. We counted 1000+ orchids, and it was interesting to relate their distribution back to the topography, with the majority occuring in the damper areas in a depression. What a shame I have already done my S216 project - it would make a great little project studying a transect and comparing plant abundance to soil water content!!

We spent the rest of the afternoon meandering down 'Green Lane' which is the main pathway through the reserve. We saw numerous different plants, including more water loving plants in the stream running alongside. It was interesting to see how big some of the Southern Marsh Orchids were growing (around 2 feet tall) due to a combination of plentiful water in the ditch and competition from grasses.

I filled four pages of my notebook with plant species and a brief description, and took numerous photographs (though did struggle to focus on some of them - must take my SLR next time).

I was so impressed with the centre and the staff that I have now joined the RSPB.  A great day, and if I can retain half of what I have learned I will be very happy :)

Peat Workshop at Nethergill Farm

Arrived safely back in the UK after a long but thankfully uneventful trip: my flight even arrived early at Heathrow so I had a nice relaxed transfer to my plane back to Leeds.  It now seems ages since I was away on my adventures.

I didn't do as much studying as I should have whilst I was away, and have paid the price over the last few weeks: my head has been buried in books, procrastinating because this month is all about rocks and landforms which isn't my favorite part of the syllabus!  I've just submitted my 4th assignment out of 7 so a little pressure is off, but I am still behind with my notes which I will regret when the S216 exam starts to loom and I have nothing to revise from ... My goal is to finish all of my 'cycles' notes this weekend.

I'm feeling very commited to my OU studies, having just paid for another course. I am now enrolled onto Level 3 Ecosystems starting in November, and Level 2 Practical Environmental Science in February next year.  I have also signed up for the revision weekend for my current course, as it is over 10 years since I last did a written exam - I've got good marks in my coursework so far and don't want to let myself down at the last fence.

However, I am still trying to mix course work with more practical experiences. I spent another excellent weekend in the Yorkshire Dales on a Peat Workshop at Nethergill Farm, organised through the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and Yorkshire Peat Partnership. The weather was again superb. There were a number of talks during the morning, each giving a different perspective on peat moorlands, including conservation methods and their importance to water quality and flood alleviation. In the afternoon, we had a practical session looking at gripes and erosion. We also carried out a vegetation survey, identifying several different species of sphagnum as well as other plants including tormentil.  The highlight for me though was seeing a sundew, Yorkshire's carniverous plant!  Another rare species to add to this year's list.

I also took the opportunity to collect some grass samples, as I have recently received my "Grass Species ID" course by distance learning. It doesn't look too hard so far - but I have only got to Unit 1!  I have already collected 20+ samples, many of which are different from one another. These are currently being diligently pressed and dried so that I can create voucher specimens for my assessment. I have yet to identify them ... I have already learned how to tell the difference between a grass and a sedge by the shape of the stalk, however I have had to order a dissection kit so that I can get to the next level of detail and start examining the minutia of seed heads and ligules.

Sea-bird Rehabilitation at SANCCOB

I had a morning flight from PE to Cape Town, arriving mid-morning on what promised to be another very hot day.  I had my case shrink wrapped and left it at left luggage before catching the myCiti bus into Cape Town – wish I had known about this before as it’s a very clean, safe and efficient rapid transport route into the city, is direct with no stops and much cheaper than a taxi.  The trip took about 30 minutes, and at the Civic Centre I changed bus for Table View.  The next bus did stop, but it had a dedicated bus lane for much of the way, and gave me chance to see a different part of the city.

I arrived early at Table View so had lunch at the nearest convenient place – MacDonalds. I then walked to SANCCOB about a mile away. Once I had crossed the very busy main road, it was an easy walk along the side of a nature reserve with up-market houses on the other side. I was comforted by the proximity of the police station and quiet of the area, otherwise I wouldn’t have walked myself.
 
I was still a bit early when I arrived at SANCCOB, the sea-bird rehabilitation centre, so watched the resident penguins in their pen before my tour commenced. These are the penguins that cannot be released back into the wild for various reasons – some are amputees missing a flipper or foot, one had a disfigured beak. Others seemed healthy, but they have genetic or other diseases which means they are not wanted to breed and spread the problems further.

During my 1:1 tour I saw all the different stages that an incoming bird goes through. Oiled birds are washed, which takes four people two hours; there is an Intensive Care Unit for the most needy; then the birds progress through various groups as they recuperate until they are finally fit enough to leave. There is also a hatchery and chick rearing unit where abandoned eggs are artificially incubated until they hatch, and the young penguins are hand fed every two hours until they are big enough to join other penguins on the path to release.  It was really interesting to see the work SANCCOB do.

To finish I had a cuddle with Rocky the rockhopper penguin, who is too far from home to be released and is now acting as SANCCOBs penguin ambassador. She was a lot friendlier than the penguins on Robben Island!

The trip back to the airport was hot but uneventful – bag recovered, checked in, cleared security, and ready for the long flight back to the UK.

On Safari

A very early start today – up and away by 6:30 am to miss the traffic out of PE and we still managed to get caught in a bit of a jam. It was about an hours drive out of the city before we reached the Addo Elephant National Park just after dawn.  We were the first entrants to the South Gate. The main park stretches for about 20 miles North/South and 10 miles East/West and there are various roads and loops to follow.  We headed north and came across a group of elephants after just a few minutes.  We stopped for breakfast at Jack’s Picnic Site, which is fenced in so you can have a break without fear of being eaten by lions; otherwise it is strictly stay in your car.   The main watering hole we were aiming for had no animals whatsoever, but at the next stop at Gwaddarie Dam we again had a great view of elephants drinking, and bathing. They passed really close to us, and I managed to get some video.

It was turning in to the hottest day of my trip, peaking at 33 degrees, so we stopped for a longer rest at the main camp. Here we could browse the souvenir shop, get a cold drink, visit the interpretation centre, and sit in the shade and watch the world go by.

We took a different route back, and didn’t see any lions but did see various animals including (more) elephants, caracal, zebra, buffalo, warthog, jackal, ostrich, and lots of different birds.

In all we spent a leisurely 8 hours in the park – there is a speed limit which is enforced by huge speed bumps and the quality of some of the roads. It was an excellent day and a great experience, and I am really grateful for Joyce and John driving me around.

In the evening, I chilled out and packed my bags ready for the long journey home.
 

Two sides of the same city

I didn’t manage a lie in, but was free to chill out round the house while Joyce and John went to church, as it was also their AGM afterwards which they could not get out of.  I contemplated going for a dip in the pool, but having dipped a toe in decided it was far too cold!  Although the weather is fine, the days are short and there is not enough time for the water to heat up.

At lunchtime, Joyce and I took a food delivery to the local township which is part of their church mission.  We were greeted by an enthusiastic little 3 year old boy, and two friendly dogs.  It gave me a chance to get up close and personal with the side of the city that many ignore.

This was in great contrast to our excursion in the afternoon.  We had an exquisite Sunday lunch buffet at the Kipling Brasserie in the large, new and exclusive 5 star Boardwalk hotel.  We walked off dinner along the beach, and I dipped a toe in the Indian Ocean.

Hello Port Elizabeth

It was quite an early start to get a taxi to the airport for my mid-morning flight to Port Elizabeth. The roads were quiet and I could probably have had another hour in bed … as it was, I had lots of time to scope out the left luggage and bus route for my detour in Cape Town on the way home, wander round the shops, and spent an hour browsing the web in a coffee shop, my first skinny latte for two weeks.

The flight was on time and uneventful. I had a window seat so enjoyed fantastic views along with southern coast of Africa. Joyce and John were there to meet me at the airport.  As I only have a few days with them, we decided to make the most of the time and in the afternoon went to an animal sanctuary about half an hour drive away. The city has a completely different feel to Cape Town, and the landscape is much more English. “African Dawn” was a really nice little place that seemed well managed but there were only two other people there which seemed strange for a weekend – better advertising needed!  There were huge aviaries with hundreds of birds, a whole flock of the rather scary secretary birds, a jackdaw that barked like a dog and chuckled and had us in hysterics, several large cats (cheetah, cerval and something else I need to get the name of), a lazy old crocodile, a couple of cheeky chipmunks, and lots of parrots.

In the evening, we just caught up over a meal at home.