A pine marten has been seen scavenging in the rubbish bins at Athlone Golf Club. Does this mean they are now spreading in Ireland?
- Tom Collins, Athlone
Since farmers have stopped laying strychnine baits for foxes and crows, the pine marten has been able to expand again from its last stronghold in the Burren, skipping between forestry plantations to reach across a good two-thirds of the island, mainly in the west and north. Given its omnivorous appetite, it could yet become to Ireland what the raccoon is to North America.
Today I came across a strange item - creamy-yellow cylinders, about three inches high, on blades of grass, and like thick cream to touch. What is it - some kind of cocoon?
- S O Maolaoi, Roundwood, Co Wicklow
No, these are growths of one of the slime moulds (myxomycetes), fascinating organisms somewhere between animal and vegetable. For most of the time they lurk in the ground-litter or in decaying stumps, but warm, humid weather such as we have had this autumn can bring them climbing into view as brightly-coloured, often custardy, masses called plasmodi,, each a giant cell containing millions of nucleii. They can creep about in search of prey such as bacteria and fungi and end up like a dried puffball full of spores.
For two weeks we have had a female stonechat around the house, hovering up against the windows and landing on the frame of any that's open. Does she think her reflection is a mate, or is she looking for insects?
- Ernie Shepherd, Ballyvalloo, Co Wexford
In autumn, window-frames offer cobwebs rich in insects, and crevices and corners lined with insect cocoons.
Edited by Michael Viney, who welcomes observations sent to him at Thallabawn, Carrowniskey PO, Westport, Co Mayo.
E-mail: viney@anu.ie. E-mail should include a postal address.