chris pp

It's a Broomrape, I'll tell you which one later, dinner now. Chris

Bit of empirical evidence there - "plant will eventually die."  Errr, not quite sure what you mean, that simply looks like a statement you are making but never mind, of course you must defend your crops. So here in my garden is some asparagus, looks good doesn't it? Strong and healthy. Every year it is covered in these little insects which I leave alone and surprise, surprise, up it comes again happy as larry. I guess if you have weak plants or unsuitable conditions you could possibly have a problem but I let nature do the work for me. I would certainly advise against insecticides as various bees including honey bees feed voraciously on asparagus flowers and we all know the problems that bees are facing. [IMG]http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q73/unautremonde/Asparagus.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q73/unautremonde/Asparagus1.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q73/unautremonde/Asparagus-beetle1.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q73/unautremonde/Asparagus-beetle.jpg[/IMG] Chris

Plod, can you link to something with some empirical evidence for your destruction theory? All manner of relatively harmless creatures will be referred to as pests - including blue tits.[;-)] Chris

Bee fly? http://tinyurl.com/pxbf2v  Chris

Fairly soon there will be hundreds of little grubs all chomping away. Is that speculation or a fact?  Asparagus in the wild in France has lived like this for hundreds if not thousands of years, it survives. The important part of the plant is the root stock which they do not touch and I find it just about inconceivable that they will eat sufficient leaves to cause any harm to the plant. This type of thing happens with other species, Spindle ermine moth caterpillars will often completely strip all the leaves from the tree - it's not a problem. Still, if you want to spend your time squashing them - why not? Chris

I can't see that there is anything to be concerned about, they don't harm the plant and won't affect the spears for eating. Chris

Just remember not to put your fingers down its throat Margaret and everything will be fine. I wish we had them round here, beautiful creature.[:D] Chris

http://www.planetepassion.eu/SNAKES-IN-FRANCE/Viperine-snake-France.html ??????? Chris  

AFAIK there are only a few species in France that are what you could call common, a couple eat lichens and the others will eat leaves from a variety of different trees, none are what you could remotely call a threat to a tree. Cheers, Chris

Here's a snippet from one of my magazine "scribbles"... ""Wandering round your garden you may have come across what looks like a small bunch of plant material stuck together, chances are that it’s the larvae, (caterpillar), of one of the “bagworm” or “case bearer moths”. The larvae construct cases from soil or pieces of plants which they carry around for protection, in the photos it’s dead grass and you will find them stuck to all manner of things. The caterpillar feeds on grasses, lichens and decaying matter and you can find them all through the summer, in their “mobile home” of course."" Chris  

Are you an English speaking beekeeper in France? Do you want to collect swarms in your locality? If so you can add your details to a dedicated page on Planetepassion. As a registered not for profit association in France this is offered free. Simply contact us by e-mail with your details: Your name, exact location, phone number, e-mail address and the distance from your location that you are willing to collect from. If you speak French you can also register with. http://abeille.gudule.org/ If swarms are not collected many will end up in someones roof or chimney, usually this leads to their destruction. Chris http://www.planetepassion.eu 

Not at all odd. If they both have a female she will be on the nest and will only be seen when she flies up from the ground to take prey that is provided by the male. Chris

Moi non plus.[;-)] Chris

Hen harrier. http://www.oiseaux.net/oiseaux/busard.saint-martin.html Montagu's harrier. http://www.oiseaux.net/oiseaux/busard.cendre.html Chris

There is no reason why you shouldn't be able to get your various charges stopped / suspended tomorrow, you only have to go along in person and explain the situation. If you think they won't listen to you - get hold of your assistante social straight away, don't be fobbed of and given the run around, you must be pushy, shout at people if you have to. Allow them to see your stress and understand it's urgent. Good luck, Chris

I think you may be in for an uphill struggle to get any benefits after that income as they take it into account for any calculations. Chris  

""If you've been resident here 2 years, registered as self employed, then all kinds of help is available."" 2 years???. I understood it was 5 years to establish full residency and entitlement to the same benefits as a native French person. http://vosdroits.service-public.fr/particuliers/F356.xhtml?&n=Famille&l=N10&n=Prestations%20familiales%20et%20revenu%20minimum%20d'insertion&l=N156&n=Prestations%20familiales:%20%C3%A9trangers&l=N158 I could of course be wrong but this was also written to me by the Conseil General. Chris  

Thanks Clair, I'm being a bit slack as usual.[;-)] Chris  

This weekend will be the Fete de la Nature in France, look for activities in your locality. I will be at Romagne 86700 on behalf of the LPO Vienne, but there will be many other activities besides the one below. À la rencontre des oiseaux à Romagne Samedi 16 et dimanche 17 mai (matinées) (Sorties suivies d'un verre de l'amitié offert par la mairie de Romagne. Sortie bilingue français et anglais le dimanche) RV 9h salle des associations à Romagne. Possibility for a picnic. Chris

The Birds Directive bans activities that directly threaten birds, such as the deliberate killing or capture of birds, the destruction of their nests and taking of their eggs, and associated activities such as trading in live or dead birds, with a few exceptions (listed in Annex III - III/1 allows taking in all Member States; III/2 allows taking in Member States in agreement with European Commission). The Directive recognises hunting as a legitimate activity and provides a comprehensive system for the management of hunting (limited to species listed in Annex II - II/1 allows hunting in all Member States; II/2 allows hunting in listed Member States ) to ensure that this practice is sustainable. This includes a requirement to ensure that birds are not hunted during the periods of their greatest vulnerability, such as the return migration to the nesting areas, reproduction and the raising of chicks. It requires Member States to outlaw all forms of non-selective and large scale killing of birds, (especially the methods listed in Annex IV). It promotes research to underpin the protection, management and use of all species of birds covered by the Directive (Annex V). This has been put into National law in all EU Countries. Chris

Is there please any such protection here in France. I try to be eco friendly in everything and this is a point of high importance as far as I am concerned. Yes there is protection in France that prohibits the disruption or destruction of nesting birds, but again I have to say that it isn't the LPO that should be contacted, it's the ONCFS, they and they alone deal with wildlife matters when it comes to the law. Chris

Is it just the weight of the leaves or are they wilting? Chris

What do you all think a beekeeper can do? Chris

Pages Jaunes under Apiculture will find you someone, or alternatively Ventodue's link to bee keepers in your area.  Which happens to be me.[8-|] Unfortunately you are the 7th person today that I know of with bees in either their roof or chimney in this area. Sadly there is nothing that can be done in this situation, the only possibility is to keep a slow smoky fire going if they have only just arrived in the hope that they may abandon their new home. Chris

I asked him how many bees.  "20k - 30k".  Hmmmmm !! Yes, that was my estimate, closer to 30,000, nice swarm, productive queen, brilliant, well done. Chris