At the end of February on the sandy cliffs near Ballycotton we saw a bird hopping around. When we got home we identified it as a black redstart. Is this unusual?
Fern Marshall (aged nine), Kildorrery, Co Cork
The black redstart is a fairly regular visitor from Europe to the south coast. This robin-sized bird, constantly flickering its bright orange tail, is seen every year on the coast of Cork and Waterford and has been noticed previously at Ballycotton. On the Royal Canal at Confey in Leixlip I saw a grey squirrel swimming across the canal from a grove of trees. He was not under threat and got out not more than two feet from me; he took his time shaking himself before sauntering out across a field. On the same canal at Mountjoy Prison I watched a pigeon landing on a partially submerged branch to grab a piece of bread. I also found a frog on the pavement outside my house which backs on to the canal. He must have come from the canal to which I returned him.
Chris Moran, Phibsborough, Dublin, 7
The Royal Canal is a marvellous wildlife corridor and can be a great location for wildlife observation. Your frog may have left the canal after spawning and was looking for a damp feeding area in which to catch slugs or snails. We have observed a little egret in Cork Harbour since 1994 and as recently as March 4th. Is this the one egret or several? Described as "very gregarious" in the guide, can we look forward to the arrival of a companion, subsequent breeding and perhaps the eventual establishment of a colony?
Shane and Betty O'Connor, Newbridge, Co Kildare
Little egrets have been visiting the south coast for many years, and a breeding colony has been established there recently. Your egret could be the same one, as they can live up to the age of nine years, or it could be a different one each year.