Readers of The Irish Times pose questions on nature.
Walking at Co Louth golf club recently we met a stoat that came towards us to about two feet. It was carrying what we took to be a mouse, but, on hindsight, could it have been a nursling? Jimmy and Arlene Carroll, Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan
It could have been a nursling, as female stoats move their kits in that way from disturbed nests.
On Achill Island I observed what I think were twites, hopping about fuchsia bushes. Mike McLaughlin, Banbridge, Co. Down
Twites and linnets are very similar, but Achill would be one of the few places in Ireland that you could see twites.
I came across a delightful clump of Butomus umbellatus. Is it rare in Ireland? Bridget Koston, Lough Gowna, Co Cavan
The flowering rush, while rare, is found in most counties, except in some areas of the west and midlands.
Could I have seen two knots on the mudflats of Cork Estuary on the weekend of July 31st? The red plumage was very distinctive. Pat Price, Rochestown Road, Cork
They can retain the summer plumage when they return at the end of July from their breeding grounds in Greenland.