Observations from readers
Last month after brushing my Cavalier King Charles spaniel, I put the soft hair into a peanut feeder, and was delighted to see that it became very popular with the birds, especially the blue tits.
Elizabeth Balcombe, Skerries, Co Dublin
From 1830s to 1870s, a rector in Glendooen rectory kept weather records. Each spring the entry "woodquest heard" was recorded. I found in a 19th century dictionary that it was the common pigeon. What is the origin of the name and when did it cease to be used.
May McClintock, Letterkenny, Co Donegal.
Woodquest is still used locally in parts of the country. It comes from the Old English "wudu" (wood) and the Middle English "quisht" (pigeon), so it goes back to the Middle Ages.
A group of crows were squawking and swooping around a nest in a tall tree. The reason for their alarm was a dark, ferret-like animal which ran from branch to branch until it reached the nest and proceeded to raid it. Was it a pine marten? They have been seen in nearby Dartry Forest.
Dara MacGabhann, Lios na long, Co. Mhuineacháin
It is, indeed, likely.
Michael Viney welcomes observations at Thallabawn, Carrowniskey PO, Westport, Co Mayo; e-mail: viney@anu.ie Include a postal address