Observations on nature
We live not far from Dublin Airport, in a good area for birds of prey. In mid-May I heard a high-pitched "pee-uuu" sound, and saw three large birds majestically soaring at about 200 feet. They had broad, brown wings with a distinct light patch on each wing. The wingspan was about two foot on each side. They were not harriers, kites or falcons, and were smaller than golden eagles. Were they buzzards?
Andrew Gilloughley, Dublin
They were probably buzzards. There are several pairs breeding in North Co Dublin. They are very vocal in flight, especially in spring.
A large flying insect crashed into our lighted window. It was about two inches long, had a brown, hard shell like a beetle, with orange discs on its antlers, a pale hairy underbelly and black, beady eyes. It also had transparent wings. Could it have been the cicada we saw in The Irish Times?
Catherine Holland, Ennis, Co.Clare
It was a cockchafer or maybug, a beetle that flies at this time of year and crashes into lighted windows.