Eye on Nature

I noticed some frogspawn in a puddle in Dromore Woods. Is January 4th too early for it to survive?
Una Thompson
Kenmare, Co Kerry

Not in a mild year. Frogspawn starts to appear in the south at first and moves northwards as the year progresses.

While walking on Portmarnock strand we found an oval creature, 10-12cm long, with a scaly back and a rim of green and brown hairs.
Katie Nic Giolla Eoghain
Clondalkin, Dublin

It was a marine scale worm called a sea mouse (‘Aphrodite aculeata’), from your photograph. It is found all around the coast where the seafloor is sandy.

I watched a flight of geese approach in two Vs, a single goose out to the left of each formation. Were the outriders looking for a stopover or feeding area?
Redmond Bergin
Callan, Co Kilkenny

Geese fly in formation to save energy. Each bird flies slightly above the one in front, to benefit from calmer air. The birds take turns in the lead, each falling back when they get tired, and the V re-forms.

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