Eye on Nature

Your notes and queries

I watched a rabbit about five metres away gathering a big mouthful of dried grass and carrying it off along a path into some brambles. I saw it do this three times, and my presence did not put it off.
Heather Bewley
Brittas, Co Dublin

A pair of buzzards regularly fly over my smallholding, making their typical cry. Recently I heard what I thought was the cry of a buzzard, and I looked in vain to see one. Then I noticed that the cry was coming repeatedly and note perfect from a starling sitting on my roof.
Clive R Symmons
Macetown, Co Meath

You mentioned some time ago those black worm-like lads that come from nowhere at night and are all over the walls of our house. Please give us the name again, and ideas for control.
Alex Reid
Donegal town

They are millipedes, and they hide under rocks, pots, leaf litter, etc. Removing as far as possible their hiding places will control them. Dust the places they hide with boric powder or a pesticide suitable for millipedes.

READ MORE

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

Michael Viney

Michael Viney

The late Michael Viney was an Times contributor, broadcaster, film-maker and natural-history author