Greece 2007

Mandy West · **Posted:** Tue May 22, 2007 10:02 am

Just returned from another fantastic 2 weeks on a little Greek Island.

Bird life is somewhat limited, apart from common species such as house sparrows, goldfinch, collared doves, chaffinches etc, highlights were:

Good numbers of Sardinian Warbler
Buzzards and Eagles ( yet to get positive id)
Red Footed Falcon
Blue Rock Thrush

The insect, butterfly and reptile species are very varied and widespread and provided much of our nature watching pleasure, from giant centipedes, to crickets, huge caterpillars etc. We sighted something we have never seen before, a chain of 21 grey hairy caterpillars joined head to foot moving across the floor like a snake! Obviously a survival tactic, animal mimicry at its best!!

There will be lots of photos if anyones interested on our blog later in the week when I get chance to edit all the photos we took!

M&M

Mandy West · **Posted:** Wed May 23, 2007 11:26 am

Some photos now on blog, still a few more to edit so more will be added later.

M&M

Colin Pumfrett · **Joined:** Wed May 25, 2005 3:26 pm **Posts:** 223

Any grecian dragonflies mandy.

Freddy Johnson · **Posted:** Wed May 23, 2007 4:12 pm

Mandy and Mick,

Your caterpillars appear to be those of the Pine Processionary Moth.

They are widespread in most of Southern and South-eastern Europe and are the most aggressive defoliators of both native and introduced pines. When I lived in Southern Spain (1999-2002), the caterpillars were not uncommon in our area. The local officials did their best to eradicate them but it was an uphill task.

Google reminds me that:
'It is the habit of the caterpillars to move over the ground in long head-to-tail processions and to sting with urticating hairs anyone who attempts to molest them.'

'The processions are always single-file, head-to-tail and can consist of as many as three hundred caterpillars. The caterpillars stay in line in part as a result of tactile stimulus from the hair-like sensory appendages on the abdomen of the caterpillar in front of it. Scientists believe a yet to be discovered pheromone probably plays a role too'.

'Whatever the impetus, the urge to follow is strong, as demonstrated by the French naturalist, Jean Henri Fabre. He arranged these caterpillars into a complete unbroken circle so that there was no longer a leader and they followed one another around and around for seven days, going nowhere'.

Perhaps we should try this with some of our present-day politicians, or are they already doing it?

Regards,

Freddy

Mandy West · **Posted:** Wed May 23, 2007 11:04 pm

Colin Pumfrett wrote:

Any grecian dragonflies mandy.

Hi Colin,

We only saw one or two very large dragonfly during the trip, unfortunately they were constantly airbourne so no photo opportunities Im afraid.

M&M

Mandy West · **Posted:** Wed May 23, 2007 11:11 pm

Hi Freddy, thanks for that info, a pic of these caterpillars will be on the blog shortly. At least we now know a little more about them!

M&M

John Clarkson · **Posted:** Wed May 23, 2007 11:32 pm

Which little Greek island?

Mandy West · **Posted:** Wed May 23, 2007 11:47 pm

John Clarkson wrote:

Which little Greek island?

Hi John, it is Ithaca, off the island of Kefalonia, small, peaceful and unspoilt with not many tourists- perfect!!

M&M

The Lincolnshire Bird Club

Greece 2007

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