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Photos: rare otters captured in south of France using nocturnal camera
Recolonisation and protection efforts are paying off in several regions around the country
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Spotting storks and egrets in France
Jonathan Kemp observes some familiar birds at Le Domaine des Oiseaux nature reserve near Toulouse
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Letters: Income rules for French nationality makes no sense
Connexion reader argues that a lack of French-derived income should not be an indicator of a resident's attachment to France
No rules on destroying caterpillars
Near my house is a tall pine tree containing 18 nests of processionary caterpillar.
As I pass it on a regular route with my terrier, I went to the mairie to ask about regulations on the destruction of nests at the larval stage.
What amazed me is – in one of the most regulated countries in the world – there are no requirements to destroy the nests either by the commune or the tree’s owners.
A few communes offer a destruction service and in some forested areas insecticide spraying takes place.
The problem is that the spray kills all the other harmless insects as well.
Bearing in mind the dangers the caterpillars present on their descent from the nests to pupate, I find it extraordinary no one is made responsible.
Philip Lidgate,Pyrénées-Atlantiques