chris pp

Making Sunday a hunt free day, back on topic. Supposing, just for example, I (or someone else) wish to take a group of young (or older) people into some woodland or a forest during the hunting season (September / March). This could be to provide educational instruction - sort of field studies, the type of activity that I would imagine most people could see the benefit in. Obviously the cycle of activity changes with the seasons, therefore there are different things of interest at different times of the year, so it's no good saying "do it in the summer"  If Sunday could be made safe this type of activity could be made possible which is not presently the case.  Safety in this case would not be the only issue, it is extremely difficult to get close to certain species at the best of times - people with guns in the vicinity make it impossible. One day, thats all. Is that reasonable? What is a "tree hugger" please? Chris.

Sorry about that, I have put a picture on a URL link below. In many ways it is not easy to describe the difference between a stag beetle larva and a chafer larva. From your description of where you found the "grubs" they are 99% sure to be Stag beetles - this is typical including the compost. I think there is a project in the UK which involves putting a large container of compost in the ground with the top level with the surrounding surface, then covering this with a small quantity of wood. This is then carefully sorted through after a year or two to detect the presence of larva - this is to increase the available information on its current range.  Can I give a bit of a warning about "doing picture searches" on the web? Recently I have come across several pictures with the wrong species name - always try and find several sources to compare. Link for "grub" http://www.planetepassion.com/luca4.gif Hope it helps, Chris

Can I refer you to our site? It's actually a copy of an article I wrote.  Stag beetles  Lucanus cervus http://www.planetepassion.com Best, Chris  

Right, home at last! Coco - interesting that you say most hunters work 5 or 6 days a week,  did this information come from INSEE?   You are indeed fortunate that where you live it is only allowed to hunt 2 days a week, what part of France would that be and what is the legislation for this 2 days only?  The "compromise" is that which is being suggested - one day a week at the weekend on Sunday - family day and a ban is not being discussed on this thread.  Zeb100 - The hunting season in France is, as you know, one of the longest, in Europe and in fact is broken every year by those that "start early".  In my limited experience support is widespread in the rural community where I live and I have no problem living with other peoples views, that's normal life - can you live with mine?  Yes I have meet hunters who object to me walking in the countryside when they are hunting and have been told, not politely, to go away when I was in no way interfering with their activity. I have also meet hunters who have been incredibly polite and friendly - but none of this is the issue! It's about SUNDAY. If people wish to discuss other aspects of what is called hunting (which of course is not one thing as there are many types and forms of hunting)  or 4x4's       START ANOTHER THREAD and those that wish can discuss it there. Best, Chris  

Zeb100 - Firstly the petition is organised by a French association and is only to make Sunday a hunt free day, not to stop hunting.  As I have said elsewhere "France" and the French people like to think of them selves as a family orientated country, hence heavy goods vehicles are not allowed on the roads on Sundays with the exception of fresh and frozen produce. You don't actually know what my nationality is and I can assure you that many, if not most, French people feel the same way.   One day a week for 97% of the population? Unreasonable? All manner of things happened before I was thought of, I don't quite see what that proves other than that I am a human being and therefore finite. Cheers, Chris  

Nice to hear from you again Zeb100, CAMPAGNE DE CHASSE 2004-2005Selon l'ONCFS 25 personnes, tous chasseurs, sont mortes dans 167 accidents de chasse. 142 personnes ont été blessées dont 12 non-chasseurs.That's why some people are a bit concerned about going for walks in the woods.I think that one day at the weekend is fair enough to have as a hunt free day and I don't think that the "there's no point" approach is much of a case for doing nothing, if everyone took that attitude nothing would ever change. It takes a few minutes and a postage stamp.Cheers, Chris

Now, now Alcazar, they are only doing what they do naturally and Sparrowhawks take small birds from the bird table and by and large everything manages to get by. Eagle owls, for those of you that haven't already discovered Natura2000 France this link will take you to Bubo bubo. and give you the sites in France of importance for this bird. http://natura2000.environnement.gouv.fr/especes/A215.html   You can then "back track" through the site for all the Natura2000 sites and species. Cheers, Chris

Water restrictions have just been extended in Deux-Sevres untill the 17th December! Chris.

Done,   Chris  

  Bird Flu, feeding birds and hygiene.   The general view at present is that there is no reason not to feed birds in your garden if you wish to but it should be remembered that many wild birds always carry or suffer with a large number of diseases, viral and bacterial infections, salmonella being one. There are in fact as many as 150 different types of bird flu commonly to found in birds, most of these present no problem either to the birds themselves or to humans, but minor infections can occur.   So, by way of a reminder, even though I am sure that many people reading this are already aware of the need to follow sensible precautions . Always wash your hands after touching your bird table or other place where you feed birds.  Should you need to handle a bird wearing suitable gloves will help protect against infection via a scratch.   Best, Chris  

What reply can there be to such photos? Chris.

Because they eat them and in France certain other birds are eaten that might seem a bit strange if you come from a different culture, such as skylarks and all members of the thrush family. Never easy to be objective about this type of thing. I remember being more than bit surprised when I first saw a French person fishing in a river and keeping every fish no matter what the size or the species to eat. I would have to say, that in addition to this "killing to eat" I have witnessed a considerable amount of indiscriminate killing. Best, Chris

As far as I know this species does not exist in the UK and yet it occupies latitudes as far north as Cumbria / Northumberland in continental Europe. Does anyone have any information on this and/or the reasons why? Is it that the fire salamander developed since the Channel / La Manche was formed? Cheers, Chris

Thanks - you're a great source of information Christine - keep it up!     Bon courage, Chris    

Just to mention that I have put a brief information/fact sheet on our site about "Tree frogs" as they seem to fascinate a lot of people and generate a consistent stream of questions - couple of photos as well - hope that it is useful. Best, Chris.

Bit of a guess this but I think there's a good chance that it was a Pyrenean Brook Newt,  euproctus asper Euprocte des Pyrénées - possibly youngish, colours vary a bit but does have a golden stripe down the center of its back. It would certainly be in your region. Try putting the latin in a picture search and have a look at a few. Chris (working late!)  

Hi, Christine - do either of these asso's / people have an E-mail or web site before I put them on my link page?   Chris

Here's a BBC link I just found from the 2nd Nov. 04 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3975525.stm  Chris.

Canelle. 1st Nov.05 On this date last year the last indigenous female brown French bear was killed near d'Urdos, vallée d'Aspe (Pyrénées-Atlantiques) in a "hunting accident" . After the death of Canelle four males are left in the area, one is the orphan of Canelle. The introduction of  5 new bears, from eastern Europe is now set for 2006 , this was to have been 2005 but due to opposition from the farmers it is still uncertain if this release will go ahead.    Can we make a space in todays modern French world for creatures like Canelle or are they only to be viewed in zoos?   I know what I think!!!!   Chris    

Hibernation or partial hibernation takes place for both species between Oct and March - BUT - it all depends on the temperature, in other words if it stays relatively mild they remain active to some extent. "Hibernation" is in holes in the ground, other underground cavities, beneath old trees or wood/leaf debris, stone walls; all the usual types of places that we expect to find frogs and toads. The relatively mild nights and warm sunny days that we have had this autumn seem to have provided an extended period of activity for a number of species as well as holding back some migratory birds. The problem with "tree frogs" as with humans is that the males make a lot of noise. Chris  

Has anyone ever tried this: Bio-Stop Mole Repellent If you put those words into Google you will find several organisations that sell it. I have no idea if it works but it could save a lot of effort if it does, perhaps someone has friends in the UK that have tried it. Chris

YUP, sure have, spent the day there yesterday, well worth the visit. There is a huge chapiteau or marquee with stands for different exhibitors, nature associations, nature reserves, environmental protection, books, field glasses and telescopes, organic wine and then there are the films in the afternoon and evening.  Too much to list! AND while I was there, sitting outside at midi 17 Cranes flew over! It is quite amazing, if you know Menigoute, that this normally quiet, small French town in the middle of the countryside puts on such an event. If yesterday was anything to go by it will be another successful year for the Festival. Do try to go, I am sure that you will find it worthwhile and interesting. PLUS!  If anyone is thinking of a new pair of field glasses, the LPO stand has some fantastic reductions on "end of line" brand new stock. Off to La Brenne tomorrow to "look at the birdies" Cheers, Chris

Maybe not relevant, but interesting. This virus strain has been known since 1997, at any rate for many years. Looking at the history I can't quite figure out why only now is it reaching panic proportions. The possibility of it being transported by migrating birds would, it would seem, have always been there and it appears likely that we were just not looking. A handful of bird deaths in Russia or Turkey could easily have been overlooked. I am not attempting to draw any conclusions and there is probably something I have missed - any comments? Chris  

It may be sustainable forestry but I would be interested to know the transport cost in terms of fuel and co2. This comes along all the time, a green idea that isn't green at all. The best Christmas tree should be grown as near to your home as possible and supplied with it's roots to enable it to be replanted (or recycled as near to home as possible). I suppose it has a certain "city appeal"  Better than synthetic trees anyway! Chris

First, the birds that will sit on top of your pen and poop on them are not the birds that would be of concern at the moment - So fencing in is a good idea, even open topped, again these birds will not land in a smallish fenced area. I sort of assume (never really a good idea) that we are talking about people with a small number of hens/ducks/geese "in their garden" not fields full of them - so near the home . I think that Gay is right that the time of greater concern may be the spring after birds had more chance (possibly) of mixing in their winter quarters. One thing is for sure, there are a lot of people across France with an eye open for unusual bird deaths, all the main migratory stop overs are well covered. Chris.