BRITAIN HAD A VERY COLD SUMMER THIS YEAR... AND "BLUE TITS WERE HARDEST HIT"

THE BLUE TIT IS A SPECIES OF BIRD:

SCOTSMAN: Cold summer gives birds worst breeding season

A COLD and rainy summer has given seven bird species their worst-ever breeding season, with ornithologists warning they are finding it difficult to adapt to the effects of climate change.

Last night, experts said some of Britain's commonest birds could soon find themselves on the red list of those which are a real cause for concern.

According to the British Trust for Ornithology, blue tits were one of the worst-hit species this year, with volunteer ringers catching just over half the young birds they would expect.

Mark Grantham, who runs the trust's Constant Effort Scheme, which monitors bird numbers, said: "The cold, wet weather over the early summer will have made life incredibly tough for adults that still had hungry youngsters in boxes.

"Each blue tit chick will need around 100 caterpillars every day, and finding enough caterpillars in the poor weather we've seen is no mean feat."

Overall, there were 48 per cent fewer chicks than expected. The other six species for which 2007 was their worst breeding season were: great tit (33 per cent below normal level), reed warbler (27 per cent), whitethroat (25 per cent), willow warbler (19 per cent), treecreeper (55 per cent) and willow tit (63 per cent).

WHERE IS GLOBAL WARMING WHEN YOU NEED IT!

MAYBE THE UK SHOULD ORDER SOME OF THESE (HAT TIP TIM BLAIR):

CO2 Generator

Carbon dioxide is one of the essential ingredients in green plant growth, and is a primary environmental factor in greenhouses. CO2 enrichment at 2, 3 or 4 times natural concentration will cause plants to grow faster and improve plant quality.

Modern growers are becoming increasingly aware of the value of CO2. Particularly now that most greenhouses are purposely shutting out CO2 to conserve energy.

The Johnson CO2 Generator automatically provides the carbon dioxide to meet maximum growing potentials - and operates for only pennies a day. The Johnson Generator can easily be installed in any greenhouse. No expensive ductwork is necessary and CO2 is diffused evenly without supplemental fans.

Join with modern growers everywhere - use Johnson CO2 Generators - the low cost way to produce CO2 - the nutrient of the new millennium.

Why you get more rapid and efficient growth and better plant quality with Johnson CO2.

Plants must absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) in combination with water, soil nutrients and sunlight to produce the sugars vital for growth. A shortage of any of these requirements will retard the growing process. Normally there are approximately 300 parts per million of CO2 in the atmosphere; when this level is increased to over 1 ,000 ppm, results are higher production and better plant quality. The Johnson Generator provides up to 1,500 ppm per unit in an average 24' x 200' greenhouse or an equivalent 50,000 cu. ft. volume based on one air change per hour.

Nighttime levels in a greenhouse range from 400 to 500 ppm due to plant respiration. Shortly after sunrise this level will drop to normal atmosphere (300 ppm) due to the plant using the early light to start photosynthesis. After 3 to 4 hours of early morning sunlight the CO2 level can drop to around l00 to 150 ppm, then growth is practically stopped. Supplemental CO2 added during this period can substantially increase your plant and flower production. By adding CO2, during winter months when greenhouse ventilators are closed and when low CO2 concentration becomes a limiting factor in growth, users are obtaining yield and bloom quality which is normally associated with spring and summer.

CO2 More Important Than Ever

The Johnson CO2 Generator is more important than ever because greenhouse growers, trying to conserve energy, are shutting out CO2. Rising fuel costs have forced many growers to use doubled-layered glass, etc., to conserve energy - as a result much less CO2 is entering the greenhouse.

How to use the Johnson CO2 Generator

When there is sunlight and the vents are closed, CO2 should be added continuously to your greenhouse. If the vents are opened because of heat build up the generator should continue to operate for about 2 hours and then be shut off. Approximately 1 Lb. of CO2 per hour per 1,000 sq. ft. yields 1,000 ppm's of CO2. A 4,000 sq. ft. house requires at least 4 Lbs. of CO2 per hour. If CO21evel drops off from 1,000 ppm's to 500 ppm's on a clear sunny day, you can easily adjust to a higher burning rate to make up for the more rapid absorption of CO2 by plants. Most growers use their Johnson Generator daily in winter from approximately 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Easy and inexpensive to install

You can install the Johnson CO2 Generator easily in any greenhouse. In fact, most growers do it themselves. No expensive duct work necessary. The CO2 is diffused evenly throughout the greenhouse without supplemental fans.

Automatic ...fully adjustable

Completely automatic, the Johnson unit comes complete with a gas pressure gauge. Simply set the gauge to the gas pressure desired for your greenhouse area and the Johnson Generator will automatically provide the correct amount of CO2. Just as you adjust the amount of water and fertilizer to meet the changing needs of your plants, you also set the Johnson Generator to produce the desired amount of CO2 for your greenhouse. The Johnson unit includes a 24V. gas valve. This can be activated by a timer or a combination timer thermostat, which automatically turns the units on in the morning and off in the evening as desired. (Optional).

Safe ...requires no floor space ...rugged construction

In case of flame failure, gas supply shuts off automatically and the Johnson unit saves you valuable floor space. It hangs from the rafters ...completely out of the way. It's only 18" in diameter and 20" high, it weighs 21 Lbs. and is easy to move.

MAYBE WE SHOULD ALL BUY ONE? IF IT KEEPS US WARMER THEN WE'LL BURN LESS HEATING FUEL IN THE WINTER. AND THAT'S GOOD FOR THE ECOLOGY. HEH.

AND IT WILL SAVE THOSE BLUE TITS!