Observations on Nature
I have seen more wasps this year in October and November than all summer.
Christian Kubernat, Corrandulla, Co Galway
Wasp queens hibernate in winter but the workers all die, killed by the cold in late autumn and early winter. The mild weather let them linger on this year.
Recently beside the wood near Birr golf course I watched a red squirrel rummaging through withered leaves, while a few feet away a grey squirrel, an acorn in its mouth, squatted on a fallen branch. They were oblivious of each other and me. A magical encounter.
Jim Madden,Banagher, Co Offaly
I opened my front door recently and startled a magpie plucking the feathers off a plump pigeon. Half the back and part of the wings were bare and the poor bird could only scamper away once the magpie was scared off. Is this gratuitous killing or killing for food?
Frank Clissmann, Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin
It was killing for food.
Send observations to Michael Viney, Thallabawn, Carrowniskey PO, Westport, Co Mayo; email: viney@anu.ie (include a postal address)