Eye on Nature

Michael Viney answers your questions on Nature

Michael Viney answers your questions on Nature

I was woken at 4.15 a.m. by a very unusual sound, a high-pitched whistle followed by a second note, perhaps an octave lower a sort of "wee-bow" as in owl which was repeated a number of times. Have we such owls.

Malcolm Mitchell, Kilternan, Co Dublin.

Sounds like a long-eared owl's spring call.

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I recently watched a raven playing in the snow, spreading its wings, sticking out its feet and sliding down a snow bank, then repeating the process.

Dan Hawkins, Ferrybank, Alaska.

Ravens have been observed in Britain snow-sliding and playing in the snow.

Watching the bird feeders in my garden, a male chaffing perched close to a feeding male greenfinch. When the chaffing came too close the greenfinch chased him off, but when he stayed two to three centimetres away he got fed. Was this interspaced feeding, or was the chaffing threatening with open beak and thereby getting hold of the food from the greenfinch?

Marianne Tencate, Oughterard, Co Galway.

The latter is possible, but it was very strange behaviour.

• Michael Viney welcomes observations at Hasselbaink, Carrowneadan PO, Westport, Co Mayo; e-mail: viney@anu.ie. Include a postal address.