Some intriguing letters to Eye on Nature failed to appear during the past year for lack of space. These are a few that deserve an outing.
Walking early in the New Year on the cliff path at Carrick-a-Rede, Co Antrim, I lifted a discarded crisp packet with water in it. At the bottom were two dead wood mice, clasping each other. It was a pathetic sight. This lethal litter was found a few yards from litter bins.
Philip Watson, Portballintrae, Bushmills,
Co Antrim
There is a big sycamore at Dowth. Roots go deep into the passage mound.
Must go - says D·chas. Cut it yourself - say the workers - bad luck will follow. Tree still stands. Matter back on agenda for next D·chas commitee.
Perplexity. Thought fairies had evacuated Meath mindset. Not so . . . still inhabited.
Gillies Macbain, Cranagh Castle, Templemore, Co Tipperary
Hops have been growing - self-generated - at the bottom of my relatives' field for the last 250 years. They were originally planted by the Fontaines, a Hugenot family who built a castle at an inlet seven miles from Castletownbere.
Jim Jeffers, Glanmire, Co Cork
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. Items sent by e-mail should be accompanied by a postal address.