Eye On Nature

In early August a red squirrel appeared in my garden. I had never seen either a red or a grey squirrel here before. He chased a magpie away and from time to time the magpies dive-bomb him on the bird feeder, but he just ducks slightly and does not appear to be too worried. I photographed it with a digital camera through binoculars and send the picture to you by email. I was delighted with the technology used. [See photograph, left]

Bill Quinn, Howth Head, Co Dublin

My house, car, bike, garden and blackand-white cows are now totally white. A neighbouring farmer decided to spread thick limestone on a day when the wind was blowing force five in my direction. After the event wasps, butterflies and flies were around the house unable to fly. What damage does "sweetening the soil" do to worms, small insects and birds feeding off these?

Brian Ormond, West Cork.

Lime on the wind would ground the flying insects by coating their wings and perhaps blinding them. Living creatures in the ground might not suffer too much because the amount of powder would be less than that carried in a single direction by the wind. I don't know of any special study on this subject.

A couple of weeks ago I was awakened at 2.20 a.m. by a high-pitched screeching sound. On looking out I saw two/three creatures "sparring" on hind legs on the open green space. One of them came over under the street light and it was not a fox. It had a long, thin, cat-like tail, no ears pricked, short legs, and moved at great speed close to the ground. Did I see a pine marten?

Eamon O'Connor, Terenure, Dublin, 6W

It could be a pine marten, although I have not heard any reports of them being seen in Dublin. The screech could have been in play among kits that turned rough, or kits being aggressive to their mother while seeking food.

Edited by Michael Viney, who welcomes observations sent to him at Thallabawn, Carrowniskey PO, Westport, Co Mayo. Email: viney@anu.ie. Observations sent by email should be accompanied by postal address as location is sometimes important to identification or behaviour.