Eye on Nature

Some birds I am feeding now seem to need Operation Transformation: they've gained weight and look plump.

Frank Folan, Labasheeda, Co Clare

Birds fluff out their feathers in cold weather to trap heat.

I'm sending you a photo of a beetle from the top of Crohane, Co Cork; it was 40mm long and an iridescent purple.

Donal Rice, Carrigaline, Co Cork.

It was a violet ground beetle.

Could you identify some insects I saw? The beetle-shaped one is an inch long; the shield-shaped one is thumbnail size.

Caitríona ní Éanaí, Galway

The large one is a female great diving beetle, from your photo. The shield- shaped one is the hawthorn shield bug.

Last year a pair of magpies built a perfect nest in a tree in my garden. Now one has returned and, instead of refurbishing, is collecting the better twigs for a new nest down the road.

Alice O'Shaughnessy, Parteen, Co Clare

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