Eye on Nature: Your notes and queries for Eithne Viney

These tiny worms accumulate in a bungalow we visit in Ballyconneely, Co Galway. How do they get in?
Meriel Heather, Green Park, Dublin 14

They are millipedes, which come in under doors or though other tiny spaces. They are harmless and can be kept outside by sealing such spaces.

I spotted this beautiful snail crossing the road. I had never seen a blue snail before. I'd expect to find this lad in a rainforest.
Mick Hanly, Thomastown, Co Kilkenny

It is the glossy glass snail, Oxychilus navarricus, formerly known as O helveticus. It is a naturalised alien and was first found in Co Limerick and added to the Irish list in 1978. More recently it was found in Cork, Kerry, Dublin and Waterford. And now in Kilkenny.

More tree cover reduces rate of asthma attacks, study finds

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Take the slime of one black slug . . . A cure for warts

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COP 23: ‘Voyager society’ Fiji hopes world now responding to its plight

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State to provide extra €2.5m to countries at risk from climate change

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I spotted this poor little fellow on the footpath of our suburban street. What bird is it?
Michael Phelan, Monkstown, Co Dublin

David Cabot identified it as a water rail.

How can I attract butterflies to my garden?
Cathleen Beasley, Castletroy, Co Limerick

Have lots of different flowers including buddleia, the butterfly bush, escallonia and so on. But also keep host plants such as nettles, clover, sunflower, violets, nasturtiums to feed the caterpillars.

I found these interesting creatures on Glenbeigh beach, presumable coming ashore after the recent storms. I believe they might be goose barnacles.
Michael Wheeler, Annacotty, Co Limerick

They are gooseneck barnacles. They are washed in regularly by storms.

Ethna Viney welcomes observations and photographs at Thallabawn, Louisburgh, Co Mayo, F28F978, or by email at: viney@anu.ie. Please include a postal address.