Monthly Archives: January 2011

Beware of the Caterpillar! The intriguing life of the Pine Processionary

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They’re back!  It’s January and over the last couple of weeks many pine trees have acquired some intriguing cobwebby pouches at the end of their branches. If you were to see them you may well be tempted to have a closer look or even worse have a gentle prod and poke. Don’t do it! What you have come across is the winter home of the Pine Processionary Caterpillar which can be dangerous to humans and inquisitive pets. Sounds crazy I know. But these caterpillars have stinging hairs that may cause nasty, painful, itchy rashes, inflammation, and in severe cases, anaphylactic shock.

The Pine Procesionary Caterpillar is prevalent throughout Southern Europe. It is the larva of quite an inconspicuous looking moth (Thaumetopoea pityocampa) which lays it’s eggs in Pine trees from July/August. The caterpillars hatch and live unobtrusively in the tree until they reach the 3rd moult. It is at this stage – usually around January -when they develop the stinging hairs and when they also build their large silky pouches, communal nests which may each contain up to 300 caterpillars. Each night the caterpillars emerge and eat the pine needles retreating back into their pouch during the day. A pine tree with a bad infestation can have many branches stripped bare.

The next stage of this caterpillars life is even more fascinating. When fully grown – usually around February or March – they leave the tree en masse travelling nose to tail in a single file procession! They are going in search of soft ground where they will pupate before emerging as moths in July/August. These processions can be several metres in length and is another time when people and pets may be have a close encounter they may regret. From a young age the local children are generally well aware of the dangers of these caterpillars. Many curious expats, visitors and pets have found out about them the hard way. Seriously – veterinarians are often called on at this time of year to treat an inquisitive dog with a sore and swollen tongue from investigating these intriguing processions. I’ve also heard tell that even golfers have abandoned their games when these Pine Processionary Caterpillar are marching over their fairways!

It’s a fascinating life-cycle and behaviour for sure. But you’ve now been warned! If you see these caterpillars or their nests in your gardens or when out walking – beware! Don’t go poking and prodding or letting your pets near them!

The Essential Things of Life – According to a 6yr old!

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Ok – this has nothing to do with the River Ebro. But it has been making me chuckle all day!  Had to record it!

I collected my friends kids from school today. Driving back home 6yr old boy says:

“When I get big I will build my own house out of lego to live in on my own.”

4yr old girl replies: “You can’t live on your own. You will need a wife.”

6yr old “I will make a wife from lego”

4yr old “Why?”

6yr old “Because everything inside the house will be made of lego.”

Then after about 3 seconds thought he adds:

“Except for food.  And television. They will be real. And I will have a real cushion to sit on”

4yr old “But what about babies?”

6yr old  “They’ll be made from lego too”

6 yrs old – and he’s got it sussed!

200 Birds in 2011 -A Learner Birder Challenge!

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It all started with a tweet! A tweet on twitter that is – not a bird call!  Last week I posted a comment on twitter something like this: “Decided that from Jan I’ll be a “proper” birder and start listing. Saw Great Bittern xmas day so methinks list has to commence Dec 25th!”

That comment kicked off a conversation with another birder (@birdblogger on twitter) which led to me taking up the challenge to reach a tally of 200 birds species during the next 12 months.

Before we came to Spain I used to enjoy seeing birds in our garden and in the local nature reserve but I would’ve been hard-pressed to name any other than the common birds – blue tits, robins, blackbirds, starlings and their ilk. Nevertheless, when we bought our house here in Catalunya and I realised we were in an exceptional area for birding I thought it would be hobby I could really get into. Bought the Collins Field Guide and a cheap pair of binoculars and away I went! Well, not quite…. I sorted out the Swallows, Swifts and Martins that fly in huge numbers over the river in summer. I delighted in the Bee-eaters and Hoopoes. Was in awe of the huge Griffon Vultures in the mountains. I eagerly awaited the sound of the first Nightingale and Scops Owl – a sure sign that summer is here! And then… well, that was about it really!

To be honest it quickly dawned on me just how much there was to learn. I was totally bewildered by LBJ’s! Half the time I didn’t even know which section of Collins to look in! Was I looking at a warbler, a finch, a tit, a thrush? How were you supposed to ID these birds -they never sat still long enough! So I gave up on the Little Brown Jobs.

Perhaps I’ll do better with waders, shore-birds and wildfowl I thought, I’ll start going down to the Ebro Delta. Well ok – I could tell a grey from a purple heron and a little egret from a great egret. As for the rest – Redshank? Greenshank? Lesser Yellowlegs? Sandpiper? And don’t even get me started on gulls! Juvenile 1st winter plumage, 2nd winter plumage, adult summer plumage? Nah – this was more frustration than enjoyment! So for the next couple of years I didn’t do any “birding” as such, I resolved simply to enjoy the birds I saw -whether I could name them or not.

Then a strange thing happened. I started using Twitter. I started to follow and be followed by lots of folk interested in birds and nature. I read their blogs and looked at their amazing photos. I subscribed to a couple of birding newsletters. After a while I started to realise that I was indeed starting to recognise some LBJ’s and other birds. I’ve also realised that I do in fact birdwatch all the time. From my balcony, walking the dog, from the passenger seat of the car. Birds have got under my skin! I surrender!

Hence a few weeks ago I decided that in 2011 I would start keeping a list and be a “proper” birder. Perhaps I’d be pleasantly surprised at the birds I knew and it would push me to ID the ones I didn’t. That’s when I made the post on Twitter and @birdblogger said that I should be able to make 200 birds in a year. Game on! What a great challenge to encourage me!

And now if you’ll excuse me – it is 3.00pm on Jan 1st and I haven’t yet been outdoors. I’m off out for an hour to get those first birds of 2011 on my list!