Michael Viney responds to readers' queries and observations on nature.
On a bog, I lifted a piece of mould and found a lizard about 8-10cm long. Its back was the same colour as the turf and was orange underneath.
Robyn Luttrell (age 10), Birr, Co Offaly
It was a a smooth newt, the only newt found in this country.
I spotted a large flying insect that looked like a cross between a stick insect and a scorpion. The body was dark browny red, and the legs were red with orange balls at the end. It appeared to have two legs held up in the air and two more legs in a downward direction.
Megan Gordon, Galway
It could be one of the large ichneumon flies, perhaps the Megarhyssa superba.
In July I spotted an unusual bird swimming and diving off a Connemara beach. It had a long pointed beak, and its head, neck and beak were black, apart from a white neck collar. It had thin, parallel black lines running slantwise through the collar, and large black and white spots on its back.
Dervilla McKeith, Kilcloon, Co Meath
It was a great northern diver which normally breeds in the Arctic, but some stay during the summer.
Michael Viney welcomes observations at Thallabawn, Carrowniskey PO, Westport, Co Mayo; e-mail: viney@anu.ie. Include a postal address.