At around dusk I have heard a strange high-pitched sound coming from some high evergreen trees in my garden. I have managed to make out the silhouette of up to three fairly large birds as they soar above the trees. They are very elegant fliers, and look something like plovers in flight, with quite a large wing-span. They call to each other constantly with a single and distinctive high-pitched whistle.
Louise Manley, Nenagh, Co Tipperary.
It sounds like a clutch of fledgling long-eared owls. The young owls have a distinctive high-pitched call which carries for a long distance when they are asking for food from their parents.
In mid-July we watched a group of about 10 house martins feeding. One of them was an albino, totally white, swooping after insects just like the others.
Joe Jones, Ashbopurne, Co Meath.
In summer, after the breeding seasons, house martins sometimes have worn plumage and the feather bases are more visible - grey on the crown and rump, white on the neck and mantle. House martins moult and renew their plumage partly at the breeding grounds, but more completely after they have returned to the tropics.
Eye on Nature is edited by Michael Viney, who welcomes observations sent to him at Thallabawn, Carrowniskey PO, Westport, Co Mayo. E-mail: viney@anu.ie
Observations sent by e-mail should always be accompanied by a postal address.