Saw-sick Steve

Jeez, Tommer, you don't half type fast (compared to my fat fingers )

I do!! Unfortunately that's not an option for most people, even if growing yer own is an increasingly popular choice (witness the demand for allotments), it's not a realistic answer. ''A few years ago every one was saying our dairy industry was dying, but now its on the up, most dairy farmers are increasing the size of their heard and becoming more efficient.'' I don't know which dairy farmers you've been talking to, but they're living in a different world to the ones I know. Herd sizes are increasing due to economies of scale, the ones that don't through choice or costs are the ones that are going to the wall. Just check the no.s of dairy farmers now compared to 10 yrs ago. You're right about the ''less discerning'' being in the majority. End of the day, cost will win out over every other consideration for the majority of people, despite what they'll say to a market researcher indicating otherwise. The ''I can't afford it '' argument is the justification for the low welfare/cheap food lobby. I can't recall the exact figures, but household spend on food now is about a third of what it was (%-age wise) in the '70's. Can't afford? Or would rather spend the money on clothes, holidays, electrical goods etc... As you say, you pays 'yer money... Oh, the presence of yet another one of the 'big 4' supermarkets is not neccessarily a sign of healthy competition - it's just as likely to be a cosy divvying up by a cartel. Still, creates an illusion of choice I s'pose.

So what happens when Tesco has finally eaten all the competition, or the remaining competition form a cartel and there's no choice but to use them - whether you like it or not? Where's the choice then?

You're right Tommer, the Wood Wasp most commonly encountered here is Urocerus gigas, the huge black and orange beast that sounds like a microlight but is totally harmless. It's larvae does feed on softwood, I've only ever encountered it on larch but it will feed on other softwoods such as Abies and pines.

Surely thats exactly what they are!

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNfbX6uvA6s]YouTube - Newport (Ymerodraeth State of Mind)[/ame] This ones better!

And why do you suppose that is? I don't hear many adults asking where babys come from either. And with that, I'm out.

Andy, I appreciate that the role of the moderator is not an easy one and involves a bit of tightrope walking, but the sub title of this forum states; ''discuss anything from religion to politics...'' - it's well nigh impossible to discuss either of those highly contentious subjects without treading on someone's toes. As I say, I don't envy your task.

Why the yawn? Seriously? IF (and it's a very big IF) Darwin ''confessed'' on his death bed, he still left behind an enormous body of evidence to back up his theories. It's akin to crackpots like Sarah Palin arguing that fossils are Gods way of testing us! WTF?! I don't mind if people believe and get spiritual comfort from their particular brand of higher being, but leave the rest of us out of it. Personally I'd rather leave that stuff in the Dark Ages and deal in beliefs that can be backed up by that little thing that Creationists find sooo annoying. What's it called? Oh yes, that's it - EVIDENCE! Besides, living near Plymouth,how can you deny evolution - have you been to Swilly?

This old chestnut again, started by fundamentalist American evangelicals. I suppose you also believe Fox News' strapline about being ''fair and balanced''.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxhuQWKwbqY]YouTube - Cardiacs - Jibber and Twitch rehearsal[/ame]

That is almost certainly a mating pair, at a guess Bombus lapidarius or possibly B.rudearius. It's not uncommon for some species to continue to return to the nest they grew up in after mating, to fatten up on nectar and pollen for the long winter hibernation. Late summer is the classic time for Bumble's to mate, queens can hibernate surprisingly early.

CJ is correct, (never thought I'd see those words in the same sentence:lol:), the workers will all die off by the end of summer and only next years queens will survive by hibernating elsewhere. So, if you can leave the tree for a few months then all will''bee'' () well - assuming the nest is still dry. I have relocated nests before, best done in the late evening when all the workers are in the nest. They can sting, but have to be really provoked before they do.

Spot on with this. You work out your costings and find a price that's sustainable - otherwise the cake's not worth the candle. I'm not the cheapest by any means, but sold out last season and repeat custom is already at a high level - even had to turn away some business yesterday due to distance. Likewise, I'm more than willing to direct customers to my competitors if they baulk at the price, but ask them what they'd rather have - a load of chimney tarring, slow burning green wood, or pay that bit extra for a product that actually does what it claims to. If you take the time to prepare a quality product, don't be afraid to reflect this in the price. Quality will out, don't sell yerselves short.

No worries, Blues can be a little confusing at times, especially in the field - some of the Fritillaries are as well - but that's the thing with natural history, you never stop learning. I'm fine with most wildlife - birds, mammals, trees, flowers etc and the more obvious insects, but when it comes to some groups I really struggle. I can i.d most ant species, for example, but when you get on to ,say, smaller Coleoptera (beetles) and it involves counting the no. of segments on the antennae, then it's easy to lose the will to live - or find something else to do. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad there are people out there who can i.d some of the more obscure members of the animal kingdom, but I'm afraid it's an anorak too far for me!

It's sometimes difficult with Blues to get a positive i.d without seeing the under wing, but they are definitely not Adonis Blues. Yve - you're a lot closer; but given the habitat, location and time of year, I'm going for Silver-studded Blue. As I said, it's tricky without seeing underneath, but the thicker black wing margins on the male would clinch it for me.

First pic is a Meadow Brown - last two are of a Ringlet.

Wasn't a Cambern' maid then,eh? You would have got breakfast an' all for that!

''The Felling Bar''. Obviously a spit and sawdust establishment. You could open another - ''The Guide Bar'', thus starting a ''chain''. Geddit?

6'8''!! Do you actually need to climb?

You may be right, but first thoughts should surely be with the victims and their families, otherwise your post comes across as a little bit thoughtless,no?

That's no Blue Tit. Looks more like a young Sylvia atricapilla to me, otherwise known as the Blackcap. Cracking shot though.

Out of the pair of them, my moneys on the horse!

What type, Dee? Ive spent several years doing nestbox surveys and assisted on a few Common bird census's for the BTO. Very rewarding work and gets you out and about in some unusual and interesting places. @David Oakman - A knowledge of birds and their songs/calls is obviously important, but it's never too late to learn if you have an interest. Nothing better (IMO)than being out at the crack of dawn in an oak woodland in early May.

There was a guy down Queenstown way who did/does a lot of dry stone walling and was interested in laying some hedges in that area. There's at least a couple of blokes doing hedgelaying in Tasmania (bit far,I know!), why not get in touch with DOC, see if they know anyone doing it in Kiwi-land?