I have been observing for some time holes made in one part of my back garden. Often I see crows and pigeons strutting across the grass there and I presume that one or other is the culprit. Why are they doing this savage digging and can it be stopped?
Niamh Neumann, Newcastle, Co Wicklow
The culprits are the crows and they are digging for leatherjackets, the larvae of the crane-fly or daddy-long-legs, which feed on the roots of the grass. Short of soaking the area with insecticide, the best solution might be a scarecrow.
On January 25th I saw a worker of the bumblebee Bombus lucorum on the flowers of a plum (Prunus cerasifera) beside the River Dodder at Milltown, Dublin. This seems remarkably early for a worker of this season to be out.
Fergus Kelly, Palmerstown, Dublin 6
Lots of spring phenomena seem to be earlier this year. There are reports of flowers blooming early in many parts of the country.