A colourful duck has appeared on the Royal Canal between Cabra and Ashtown, in Dublin. There are also three nesting pairs of mute swans, a heron and waterhens.
David Rouse
Royal Canal Park, Dublin
From the photograph you sent it is a mandarin duck, a species that has appeared on several waterways in the Dublin area.
On a visit to Birr Castle Demesne, in Co Offaly, I came across what I found online to be an American oil beetle, Meloe proscarabaeus.
Carmel Lynch
Terenure, Dublin
From your photograph, it was a European black oil beetle, same species. Reports of it are relatively few in Ireland but much more numerous in Britain. When disturbed it exudes an oily secretion that causes painful blisters.
I came across a beautiful double daisy flower, with an elongated centre and thick stem, growing on our village green.
Lucy Hunt
Waterville, Co Kerry
It was a fasciated daisy. Fasciation can be caused by a bacterium or by damage to the growing point.
Michael Viney welcomes observations at Thallabawn, Carrowniskey PO, Westport, Co Mayo, or by email at viney@anu.ie. Please include a postal address
