Those Woodpeckers

Researchers from Idaho University have been using a satellite-borne laser to predict areas where North American pileated woodpeckers may be living.

It seems that the woodpeckers, the sort with tall red crests, are very selective about where they decide to live and are usually found in high-density forests. The scientists’ work has enabled maps to be drawn up of the areas favoured by the noisy birds. One of the scientists explained that the woodpeckers make cavities which are then used by other species for nesting and roosting.

It is interesting work but if these woodpeckers like high density forests, I wonder if our own species have similar tastes.

And if that is the case, why are the managers of our local reserve, cutting down so many trees in what they say is an exercise in coppicing?\.

Apophis, The God Of Darkness And Chaos

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From time to time we wonder at the meteors that pass us by in the heavens and which sometimes give us spectacular sights at night. Yet we give little or no thought to the chances of a meteorite crashing into earth even though this does occasionally happen.

It seems that one asteroid, Apophis, named after an Ancient Egyptian god of evil, will be passing around 30,000 km from the Earth in 2029. So that should be a good sight.

However, the same asteroid will be passing us by again in 2036, and this time the US Space Agency reckon that there is a one-in-250,000 chance of it colliding with the Earth with a large loss of life resulting.

But not to worry, for the Russian space agency, ROSCOSMOS, has come up with an international plan to divert Apophis without the use of nuclear weapons.

I shan’t be around in 2036 to know whether the plan comes to fruition, but I wish it well for two reasons.

Firstly, anything which prevents the loss of human life is to be welcomed.

Secondly, because this is the best New Year Resolution I’ve heard so far!
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