What are these washed up on Dollymount Strand? Readers’ nature queries

My sister saw three of these washed up on Dollymount beach. They were dead and about the size of a small water bottle. – Audrey O'Flaherty, Swords, Co Dublin.
Prof Grace Flannery identified them as North American freshwater terrapins, either red-eared sliders or yellow-belly sliders. They are sold in pet shops and she says that they are often dumped by irresponsible pet owners when they grow too big for their enclosures.

Every day we have two seagulls who seem to do a foot-stomping dance outside our office window. Some reckon it's getting worms up. – Karl Jennings, Santry, Dublin, 9.
Yes, they are dancing, simulating raindrops, to induce worms to come to the surface.

We can't identify this bird and would be delighted to know what it is. – Mary Fagan, Abbeydorney, Co Kerry.
It's a goldfinch.

When walking on Donabate beach last month I saw six jellyfish and wondered is it unusual to see them at this time of year. – Mary Counihan, Ballyboughal, Co Dublin.
We came across this jellyfish on Portmarnock beach. I can't find it in my water life book. – Emily O'Byrne, Batterstown, Co Meath.
They are both barrel jellyfish, Rhizostoma pulmo. Usually seen in summer, they were carried in from far out at sea by the February storms.

Anyone else noticed spring’s early arrival? Readers’ nature queries

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How have our grey seals adapted to eat venomous weever fish?

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Golden kelp: how did the alien seaweed end up in Irish waters?

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A magical pre-dawn vigil rewarded by sight of the rare goosander

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These clams, Arctica islandica, littered the beach at Benone, Co Derry in the last week of February. Recent storms have dislodged them from their sandy subtidal habitat. – Michael Cross, Limavady, Co Derry.

[ viney@anu.ie ]