Was this a juvenile otter I spotted beside the Liffey? Readers’ nature queries

Ethna Viney on plume moths, fulmars, holly and roses

A reader spotted this juvenile otter beside the Liffey in Lucan
A reader spotted this juvenile otter beside the Liffey in Lucan

I spotted this curious little guy peeping out of a drain beside the Liffey in Lucan. Is it a juvenile otter? – Adam Byrne, Lucan, Co Dublin 
Yes, it is.

Christy Power’s plume moth
Christy Power’s plume moth

This insect was parked on our kitchen door for a while. Is it a stick insect? – Christy Power, Kilkenny 
It is the common plume moth, emmelina monodactyl. Plume moths hibernate in winter but can emerge on fine days.

Michael Cross’ large mermaid’s purse
Michael Cross’ large mermaid’s purse

I came across this large mermaid's purse on Benone Strand. Using the Shark's Trust website I identified it as the egg case of a blonde Ray. – Michael Cross, Limavady, Co Derry

Barbara Thomas recently spotted this   fulmar perching on the cliff side on the Bray to Greystones walk
Barbara Thomas recently spotted this fulmar perching on the cliff side on the Bray to Greystones walk

I was delighted to recently spot a number of fulmars perching on the cliff side on the Bray to Greystones walk, and taking to the air on one occasion. I thought they spent their lives at sea except for the breeding season. – Barbara Thomas, Cabinteely, Co Wicklow 
Fulmars come back to the colony sporadically during the winter. They can be seen one week and gone the next.

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Holly   covered with   red berries, spotted by   John O’Callaghan in Westport, Co Mayo
Holly covered with red berries, spotted by John O’Callaghan in Westport, Co Mayo

I was out walking with a friend in the Erriff area of south Mayo and we came across holly absolutely covered with lovely red berries. Is this unusual for mid-February? – John O'Callaghan, Westport, Co Mayo 
It was surprising that the birds hadn't got them. In a frosty winter the berries soften and become more palatable to the birds. There was very little frost this winter so it took them longer to wither and drop off.

Stella O’Neill’s roses
Stella O’Neill’s roses

I have a rose tree that blooms each year mid-June. On February 16th I was surprised to see two lovely roses in bloom. – Stella O'Neill, Clontarf, Dublin 3 
The seasons have become confused.

viney@anu.ie ]