Michael Viney responds to queries and observations on nature
While walking on a grassy path on Scarr mountain, Co Wicklow, we came upon an opaque, frogspawn-like substance.It was stiffer in texture and had no black spots. There was no water close by.
Seán Brady, Kilmacanogue, Co Wicklow
It could have been immature frogspawn regurgitated by a frog predator. When foxes or otters eat frogs they find the spawn unpalatable. Female frogs only seek out water when they are about to spawn.
While walking by Lough Sheelin, Co Cavan, on Oct 9th I saw two large, darkish, buzzard-like birds encircling the trees and swiping at each other.
Carina Claffey, Tralee, Co Kerry
They were probably buzzards, now resident in the northern half of the country.
Every year around Oct 24th the whooper swans fly in and roost on the river. This year the first swans flew in on Oct 13th.
Desmond Hall, Villierstown, Co Waterford
The arrival of whoopers in Mayo was also around two weeks early.
• Send observations to Michael Viney, Thallabawn, Carrowniskey PO, Westport, Co Mayo; e-mail: viney@anu.ie (include a postal address)