We have a colony of fulmars nesting here on the cliffs at Kilcummin every year. A discussion arose the other day on the shore as to their origin. Some said they weren't here years ago, and consequently were blow-ins; others said they started to appear here and further north on the Donegal coast in the days when distance-water trawlers went after cod around Iceland and they used to follow the boats back to Ireland. Could this be true?
Jim Grogan, Kilcummin, Co Mayo The fulmars, originally very northern birds, underwent a spectacular expansion late in the last century, colonising islands such as the Faroes and Shetland, and arrived in Ireland soon after. The birds were seen prospecting the cliffs of Mayo in 1907 and they bred on the Stags of Broadhaven and the North Mayo cliffs in 1911 - the first Irish breeding record.
I have a particular problem in feeding the birds in my garden as I am normally absent from home during the week. I fill up the feeders at weekends and sometimes they last and sometimes they don't. I have read some advice that says I should feed them early in the morning and an hour before sunset, and leave the feeders empty at night. Should I give up? And if I continue at what time of the year should I discontinue feeding?
Ni Mongain, Ennis
This is a difficult problem. I suspect if you put out more feeders you will simply attract more birds, but it might be worth a try. Spread them around the garden. Once a week is enough to replenish nut feeders and there is no need to empty them at night. Discontinue feeding nuts in March or April when the young birds are hatching; you can continue longer with seed.
Near a wild pond in my garden I saw a large frog, very swollen, travelling in the direction of the pond with a smaller frog on its back. What was going on?
Tony Clarke, Friarstown, Co LimerickThe large frog was a pregnant female and the smaller one a male who had claimed her. They were in the mating embrace known as amplexus, and heading for the pond where she would lay her eggs and he would simultaneously fertilise them.
Edited by Michael Viney, who welcomes observations sent to him at Thallabawn, Carrowniskey PO, Westport, Co Mayo. e-mail: viney@anu.ie. Observations sent by e-mail should be accompanied by postal address as location is sometimes important to identification or behaviour.