Readers' observations on nature
Can you eat or cook the fruit of the common fuchshia? I can find no mention of them in any hedgerow cookery books.
Sylvia Hill, Co Wicklow
The fruit of Fuchsia magellanica (rarely set in this country) is edible. Some say that it has a peppery, grape-like taste, others that is not very palatable.
While walking along the Dodder below Rathfarnham Weir I saw two bats flying low over the river. I had never seen bats fly as close to the water.
John Riordan, College Park, Dublin
Daubenton's bats forage over water, snatching insects from the water with their feet. They roost under bridges.
What I think are foxes dig small holes in the lawns at night and sometimes large holes in the flower beds.
Denis Magee, Dún Laoghaire
Possibly foxes digging for earthworms but the signs are more typical of badgers.
While fishing on Blessington Lake I saw an osprey fishing. Is this unusual?
William Tonge, Phibsborough, Dublin
Osprey are occasional visitors in autumn on large lakes in the east and south.
Send observations to Michael Viney, Thallabawn, Carrowniskey PO, Westport Co Mayo; email viney@anu.ie (include a postal address)