Michael Viney answers your queries and observations on nature.
My parents and I saw a jay eating from the peanut feeders in the garden. Is this unusual? I thought they were shy birds. There are oak trees nearby. Might there be a nesting pair in the area?
Deirdre Keogh, Kilternan, Co Dublin
Shy or not, jays have now discovered gardens feeders as a source of food. Like other members of the crow family, they build nests of interwoven twigs in a wide variety of trees, but inspection of the oaks might be rewarding.
Recently some earthworms (about 20) came out of the lawn on to a footpath beside the house, wriggled for a few minutes, then died and turned black. What made them behave in this way?
Donal Quaid, Castlemahon, Co Limerick
Had you sprayed the lawn with chemicals lately?
Apropos a recent letter (Eye, May 15th), many people I know in Dublin are reporting a decline in the number of birds visiting their nut feeders. I suspect one reason is that so many people are now putting out feeders that the birds are spoiled for choice.
Bill Toner SJ Croftwood Park, Dublin 10
• Send observations to Michael Viney, Thallabawn, Carrowniskey PO, Westport, Co Mayo; e-mail viney@anu.ie (include a postal address)