Eye on Nature

I found small tadpoles not yet frogs in my garden pond. Will I have frogs?
Des McCaig
Mount Merrion, Dublin

No. Your tadpoles may grow larger, a phenomenon known as neoteny – the adult retention of juvenile characteristics.

At Lansdowne Dart station I saw a trail of bubbles in the Dodder. A mink emerged and rested on a rock before slipping back into the river. It did this several times.
Paul White
Greystones, Co Wicklow

At dusk I saw bats swooping outside our front window. Is it unusual to have a colony in a busy suburban estate?
Joe O'Connor
Sandyford, Dublin

Yes, where there are suitable roof spaces and a ready supply of flying insects.

On Abbeyleix bog I saw the jelly-like substance in my photograph. What is it?
Seán Morgan
Abbeyleix, Co Laois

It is Fuligo septica, or scrambled-egg slime mould. Slime moulds are protists, primitive organisms with the characteristics of plants and animals.

Michael Viney welcomes observations at Thallabawn, Carrowniskey PO, Westport, Co Mayo, or by email viney@anu.ie. Please include a postal address