Michael Viney responds to queries and observations on nature.
In late November I saw several thousand starlings winging their way from the sea to trees close by. Their noise was deafening and after 30 minutes they flew off towards the sea again. Were they having a final rest before migrating?
J. F. O'Donnell, Youghal, Co Cork.
They were arriving from northern Europe to spend winter here. They come in November to the south-east coast.
While exploring the ecovillage site at Cloughjordan recently, I noticed that the whole field was covered in a shimmering film of gossamer. Why so many together?
Duncan Martin, Limerick.
The spiderlings use the lifting power of an updraught from sun-warmed ground to take off. Their threads are woven together by the breeze and they drift down to cover the ground like a silken canopy.
To deter magpies from my bird feeders, I erected a bicycle wheel horizontally on a pole from which I suspended the feeder in the middle and other objects, including a coconut feeder from the rim. It works.
Joe Solan, Galway.
Michael Viney welcomes observations at Thallabawn, Carrowniskey PO, Westport, Co Mayo; e-mail: viney@anu.ie. Include a postal address.