On a recent warm, hazy day, in a garage near Limerick, I saw a garden tiger moth on the tarmac. When disturbed, it spread its wings to display its red and blue-black inner wings. It was the most beautiful moth I have ever seen.
P Ryan, Ennis Road, Limerick
Is it unusual for swallows to build a second nest, right next to the first, after the first lot of fledglings have taken to the air, and to raise another set of chicks? I loved watching them teach the young to fly: one day a chick bumped into the window near my desk, and teetered there while the winds howled. But it hung in there while all the relatives swooped around until it joined them.
Sophie Kennedy, Offaly
Swallows often rear two or even three broods in a season, and are very protective of fledglings that are learning to fly.
On a recent visit to Gola Island, just off the Donegal coast, I noticed an animal coming up the slipway. It appeared to have a fish in its mouth and showed no fear. I was particularly fascinated by the white tip on its tail. The rest of its body was black. We wondered if it was dobharch· (otter), eas≤g (stoat, weasel) or mink. It was about two feet long.
Caoimh∅n ╙ Peatβin,
Culmore Road, Derry
It was a mink and they are not a bit shy of humans. Mink usually have a white chin patch and patches of white fur underneath, and sometimes a white tip on the tail. They would have no problem swimming from the mainland to Gola.
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 be accompanied by a postal address.