Eye on Nature: Your notes and queries for Ethna Viney

Years ago I was given a pot of shamrock that I now know to be sorrel, and I have an infestation of it. I've tried Roundup with no success. How can I get rid of it?
Renee Jordan
Firhouse, Dublin

There are two schools of thought on what is shamrock. In some places it is identified as wood sorrel, 'Oxalis acetosella', in others as one of the clovers: white clover, 'Trifolium repens', red clover, 'T pratense', or lesser trefoil, 'T dubium'. Try the Royal Horticultural Society's advice on how to get rid of it, here.

I sighted a sanderling on both November 29th and 30th, on a beach in Rush, Co Dublin. Following its history, I found that it was ringed near Reykjavik, in Iceland, in May 2016. It was seen near Brest, in France, on October 10th and then flew to Rush to be photographed last month.
Liam Kane
Blanchardstown, Dublin

Recently I noticed at 11am each day, as regular as clockwork, 50-plus starlings would assemble on the same wires between lamp posts on an adjoining road. They would preen and chatter and then take off in various directions after 15 or 20 minutes. Maybe a committee meeting to decide what part of the country they would visit next.
Derek Pullen
Bray, Co Wicklow

North Atlantic wave sets a new world record

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Irish fishermen ‘face wipe-out’ unless fishing rules changed

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Roads in northwest ‘hampering’ investment, jobs and tourism

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Finding winter wellbeing in green and blue places of nature

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They could have been a winter visiting flock from the continent. The cohesion in their flocks is remarkable.

I see the December apples in my photograph on a leafless tree, over my garden wall in the garden of the Portuguese embassy.
David Mac Nulty
Foxrock, Dublin

Ethna Viney welcomes observations and photographs at Thallabawn, Louisburgh, Co Mayo, F28 F978, or by email at viney@anu.ie. Please include a postal address