Eye on Nature

The wagtails have returned to O'Connell Street in Dublin, on the GPO side. Twice I have counted about 100. They were clearly uncomfortable, as the tree they were roosting in was quite gangly and they were barely above the tops of the buses. I wonder if they get any sleep at all.
Peter Pearson Evans
Ashford, Co Wicklow

It is more than a decade since they lost their roost when the London plane trees were cut down.

After the recent storms I found more than 40 very large mussels, measuring 143mm by 86mm, on the strand.
John Petch
Kilbrittain, Co Cork

It was the Mediterranean mussel ( 'Mytilus galloprovincialis '), which is at its northernmost limit at these islands.

I was born and reared in a thatched cottage with an open fireplace where the turf fire never went out. During the night there was a constant chirping of crickets. Have they gone forever?
Michael Maye
Cong, Co Mayo

Modern heating systems and hygiene have indeed rendered them virtually extinct.

Michael Viney welcomes observations at Thallabawn, Carrowniskey PO, Westport, Co Mayo, or by email at viney@anu.ie. Please include a postal address