Michael Viney responds to queries and observations on nature.
Recently I watched with much amusement a blackbird having a shower. We get lots of rain up here and the water butt is always full. This one skimmed across, stirring the water up with feet and tail several times.
M McClintock, Letterkenny, Co Donegal
In summer near the Spanish Arch in Galway I saw several jellyfish about dinner-plate size with a short brown frill around the edge, but the most striking feature was the large intestine-like structure within.
It was a creamy/tan and shaped like a curved dumbell.
David O'Connor, Castletroy, Limerick
They were compass jellyfish (Chtysaora hyoscella). Its sting can prove painful.
I was fishing the incoming tide at Carrowmore beach when I saw a peregrine falcon come rocketing along the shore from the direction of the Bunowen river mouth.
Bruce Vaughan, Louisburgh, Co Mayo
They come to the coast at this time of year to hunt waders.