At this time of year, we read a lot about Pine Processionary Caterpillars, hairy and dangerous little fellows who can cause severe irritation and allergic reactions in both human and animals who touch them or who come across their hairs, which can also blow in the wind.
These are in fact caterpillar nests, constructed by the pine processionary caterpillar (chenille processionnaire) larva, who live in large ‘tents’ and march out at night in single file (hence the name) to feed on the pine needles.
Next time you’re out for a stroll, try a form of “conscious walking”: to play detective, hunting for insights into the plants and animals that share our beautiful landscape.
This month we’re heading up to to the mountain towns of Font Romeu and Les Angles, with a couple of stops en route to explore the historic walled towns of Villefranche and Mont Louis.
This time we’re exploring the weird, the wonderful & one or two myths about creatures both common & rare that live alongside us in the PO.
Traditional Chinese Medicinal practitioners have long revered the bark, leaves and flowers and the tree was used by the ancient Mayans for trauma injuries and burns.
One of the greatest things about winter is that the life of the animals and birds of the mountains is much easier to see and understand thanks to the snow.
If you’re wondering why the P-O is graced with fewer palms than a decade ago or why many remaining trees look sick or dead, pests in the form of a moth and weevil are to blame.
One of the greatest things about winter is that the life of the animals and birds of the mountains is much easier to see and understand thanks to the snow.
A winter Tramontane might make your eyes run and your nose stream, and even freeze the oranges and lemons on your trees – but what’s not to like about snow-capped Canigou, cloudless blue skies and crystal clear views? And even if the towns and villages go a little quiet over the winter months, there’s still loads going on in the P-O…naturally! Possibly right outside your window.