EyeOnNature

Reader's observations on nature.

I am absolutely intrigued by an invasion of small creatures that have appeared on my window ledge and garden wall. They race about at such speed that it is impossible to count them. About the size of a dot of my pen, they are bright red and appear to have eight legs, or maybe six legs and two antennae which are slightly longer.

Sadie McClintock, Co Donegal

I would have suggested an invasion of red spider mite except that your creatures move at speed and are on the wall rather than a plant.

On June 4th a male red-backed shrike was hopping around my back garden.

Des Burke, Mullinahone, Co Tipperary

This rare migrant usually occurs along the south coast in autumn.

I found a very small albino spider, like a minute crab, in the sweetpea. It was completely white, with what looked like dimples on its back.

Anne Cowie, Blessington, Co Wicklow

It was one of the crab spiders, probably Misumena vatia which are camouflaged and lie in wait in flowers for their prey.