While walking along a cliff on the Hook Peninsula recently, we disturbed five falcons - juvenile peregrine falcons, I think. The agitated and aggressive birds circled over our heads for about 15 minutes, as if to drive us out of their territory. They succeeded!
I know cliff face is a favourite habitat for nesting peregrines, but is a group of this size an unusual occurrence - and does it mean that the species is now increasing in number after the recent slump?
Jo O'Hara, Gorey, Co Wexford.
The group would have included three juveniles and the parents. Peregrines lay three or four eggs and have only one brood in the year, and the parents look after the young for some time after they fledge. The peregrine population is now probably at its highest level in a century.
In early July I saw a hummingbird hawkmoth flitting from flower to flower and drinking from each just like a hummingbird.
It seemed to prefer the small pink flowers of herb robert. Have they become more common?
Roalind Davies, Newport, Co Mayo.
Hummingbird hawkmoths arrive here quite commonly every year from May onwards but return to southern Europe for the winter.
Eye on Nature is edited by Michael Viney, who welcomes observations sent to him at Thallabawn, Carrownickey PO, Westport, Co Mayo; e-mail: viney@anu-ie. Observations sent by e-mail must be accompanied by a postal address.