Eye on Nature: Ethna Viney answers your notes and queries

In November a flock of 12 crossbills visited European larch trees beside our house for several weeks. They were totally unaffected by human activity, and I often stood within inches of them, admiring them feeding on cones.

Eoin Roddy, Hollywood, Co Wicklow

I’m sending you a photograph of a clear jelly-like substance I saw on top of a fence post in a hillside forest close to Ballinagh, Co Cavan. There was also some on the grass below.

Suzanne Kelly, Cavan

It could be one of two substances: what was called star jelly and has been identified as spawn jelly expelled from a frog eaten by a predator; or a fungus,

Exidia nucleata

, called crystal brain fungus, or another

Exidia

species, which forms on dead wood.

My daughter Nelle and I witnessed an enormous pure-white bird cruising lazily through our garden before it swooped, took some prey and majestically rose into the distance. It was larger than a buzzard and had a rounded head and wings. My wife spotted the same bird later. We believe we were lucky enough to see a snowy owl.

John O'Mahony, Kilbrittain, Co Cork

Recently an unusual bird appeared twice in our back garden and landed on our golden hornet apple tree, where it pecked at the crab apples. It was smaller than a pigeon and had a brownish back, with a panel of very bright blue on its wings. My bird book said jay, but I didn’t think we had jays in Ireland.

Ann Cashin, New Ross, Co Wexford

The jay is a very shy bird; it is found mainly in our broadleaf woodland.

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