These shells (sample enclosed) were cut off a large balk of timber which was salvaged by a trawler at sea and towed into Loughanbeg Pier (near Dursey Sound, Castletownbere). Are the shells growing from the "legs" or did they attach themselves to them? The timber was smothered in them. - Betty Cross, Baltimore, Co Cork
They are stalked or goose barnacles, Lepus anatifera. They live normally at sea, but are occasionally washed ashore attached to driftwood or other floating debris. The flexible stalk is the part of the animal that fastens on to the timber, or to ships, turtles and even whales. The shell is made up of five plates and the fine, hairy legs at the end of the shell are used to collect plankton as food.
At the slipway of the Claddagh in Galway, I noticed an odd swan among the large gathering of mutes. It was smaller than the others, had an orange triangle on its beak and black legs and feet; it had less curve on the neck and a whoop/whistle call. I identified it as either Bewick's or a whooper swan.
A friend found a stag beetle, Lucanus cervus, in the library of the FAS office on Nun's Island, Galway. It is the only sighting so far. Is this possible? - Eilis Bhreathnach, Galway
Occasionally individual whooper or Bewick's remain in Ireland when their companions fly north. The Bewick's is smaller than the whooper, more goose-like, and the yellow on the beak of the whooper swan is more extensive and comes to a point on each side. A whooper has remained among the mute swan flock for several years.
Stag beetles are uncommon but not unknown in this country. They feed on wood sap and the larvae live in decaying trees and posts.
A Wildlife Narrative, 10 years of Eye on Nature, compiled by Michael and Ethna Viney with help from Irish Times readers, is published by Irish Times Books at £9.99 and is available from bookshops.
Michael Viney welcomes observations sent to him at Thallabawn, Carrowniskey PO, Westport, Co Mayo. e-mail viney@anu.ie
Observations sent by email should be accompanied by postal address as location is sometimes important to identification or behaviour.