Environment

Where do magpies sleep? Readers’ nature queries

Eanna Ní Lamhna on a turnstone bird, a curious skeleton and dead man’s fingers

Magpie – does it sleep in a tree?

Eanna Ní Lamhna's face
Eanna Ní Lamhna
Sat Jan 22 2022 - 06:00

This magpie sleeps on a thin bar under my roof. He clearly stays alert so that he does not fall off the bar. I would think it is a strange place to sleep and can't be that comfortable. Do they not sleep in nests in the trees? Elaine McKenna

Magpies belong to the order of birds called Passeriformes or perching birds. When they perch on a branch or bar, their feet automatically lock firmly around it. They only sleep in nests when they are incubating eggs in order to keep the eggs warm. There’s much more protection under your roof in winter.

Turnstones

We saw these on our walk down the South Bull Wall last Sunday. Are they oystercatchers or turnstones? Hugo Giles, Dublin

They are turnstones. These waders are winter visitors here from Greenland and northern Canada. They flick over stones and probe seaweed to eat whatever invertebrates are sheltering underneath. Although they have orange legs, their lack of a bright orange bill and much smaller size distinguishes them from oystercatchers.

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Black-backed gull skeleton

We found this washed up on Tramore Beach in Downings. It was 75cm long. What is it? Sinead Vaughan, Donegal

It is – or was – a gull, probably a great black-backed gull on account of its size. The upper portion of the bill is thicker than the lower part in gulls.

Dead man’s fingers coral

Found this on the beach. I first thought it was a large piece of candy, but then saw many more scattered around. Most were broken, but this one as the photo shows was complete. Is it a dead "cushion star"? Elizabeth Montague

It is the gruesomely named dead man’s fingers, a soft coral that grows attached to wrecks, and indeed rocks too, in deeper waters.

Stick insect

Paul Murphy sent in this picture of a 15cm stick insect on the wall of his house in Kenmare, Co Kerry.

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