Readers' observations on nature
It's been an amazing summer. We have had tens of hummingbird hawk moths all summer; some flying at 7am, others at 7pm, most on sunny days but some on cloudy, misty days. For one week in September we were visited by two and three clouded yellow butterflies, and again in September we had visits from two convolvolus hawkmoths. I also discovered where bumble bees sleep at night - in the flower heads of artichokes. It was an endearing sight to see them curled up asleep in the flowers after the sun had gone down. Paul Whelan, Cobh, Co Cork
Are pine martens to be found on the Cavan/Meath border? I believe I have seen them in a small mixed woodland. Damien McCormack, Mullagh, Co Cavan
Pine martens have spread widely around the country.
On September 10th a Camberwell beauty butterfly was seen on the pavement with wings open in Belfast. More than 100 have been recorded in Britain this year, the most since 1995. Ian Rippey, Belfast
It is a rare visitor to this island.