Michael Viney responds to queries and observations on nature.
We visited Avondale House in Wicklow and enjoyed the dragonfly nature reserve. At home we noticed lots of dragonflies in our garden. Do you know what variety are common in Dublin?
Eamon (8) and Sean (5) Hughes, Blackrock, Co Dublin
Which dragonflies you are likely to see in Dublin depends on the habitat - probably hawkers in your garden. See the Ulster Museum's website: www.habitas.org.uk
When cutting grass I saw a large insect which I later identified as a convolvulus hawkmoth. It was 7cm long, with a very long proboscis and lovely pink, black and white abdomen.
Catherine Sutton, Lismore, Co Waterford
The convolvulus hawkmoth is a night- flying summer visitor, arriving in June and July. It is 4.5cm long. The proboscis is 7.5cm long for probing deep flowers.
I saw a cuckoo in the Burren, feeding on lackey moth caterpillars in their silken tent. Two linnets pursued it noisily, mobbing it.
Susan Flynn, Ballybrack, Co Dublin.