I saw – and heard – three magpies standing together over the body of a dead magpie. They were not pecking at it but screeching high-pitched cries, with their heads raised. Watching them, and listening to the sound, I imagined them to be keening. Was this just my imagination?
Colm O'Doherty
Ballina, Co Tipperary
Several bird experts have testified that magpies grieve over dead comrades.
Recently I heard a sharp, high-pitched scream in the garden and found my husky digging with his forepaws into the long grass as if it were snow. I discovered a terrified frog and rescued it.
John Sweeney
Achill Sound, Co Mayo
I spied the nest in my photograph in our woodpile at the beginning of May. The pied-wagtail parents have been in and out with food in their beaks.
Emily Murray
Queen's University Belfast
When we returned from holidays we found tiny, dead, pink shrimp-like creatures in the house, possibly "lawn shrimp". If so, are they common in Ireland?
Sheila and Michael O'Shea
Drogheda, Co Louth
Lawn shrimp ('Arcitalitrus sylvaticus'), also called land hoppers, have come to these islands in imported potted plants; they're originally from the southern hemisphere.
I have several feeders in my garden that attract an impressive assortment of garden birds. Recently I have noticed a pair of magpies swooping past the feeder area, beaks at the ready, in an attempt to snatch an adult bird.
Mark McCloskey
Drogheda, Co Louth
Magpies have recently learned this trick.
Ethna Viney welcomes observations at Thallabawn, Louisburgh, Co Mayo, F28 F978, or by email at viney@anu.ie. Please include a postal address