Early in the summer, I saw a stretch of hedgerow almost completely swathed in numerous gossamer webs.
On closer inspection, the gossamer appeared to have been spun by thousands of tiny caterpillars hatching from eggs on nettles at the base of the hedge and thence upward to enclose it as if wrapped in a parcel.
They were black with green markings, about half an inch long and very thin. Locals tell me that a similar occurrence on the same hedge happened about seven to eight years ago.
Kathryn Lennon,
Downpatrick, Co Down
The caterpillars of a number of species of moth (such as the blossom underwing) spin large communal nests of silk among the foliage and leave them only at night when they come out to feed.
At the end of July, I was walking on the cliff at Kilmichael Coastguard Station, Co Wexford, when I saw five seals in the sea below plus two more on the rocks.
The latter were the largest I have ever seen, being the size of a donkey and very fat. They were mottled grey and white in colour and blended with the rocks.
Anne Forde, Sutton, Co Dublin
They were grey Atlantic seals, which are much bigger than the harbour seals which can be seen in Dublin Bay.
Eye on Nature is edited by Michael Viney, who welcomes observations sent to him at Thallabawn, Carrowniskey PO, Westport, Co Mayo. E-mail: viney@anu.ie
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