During the early part of May I was disturbed by what I believed were mice in my study. The noises grew so loud and the smell so pungent that I re-thought - a rat! This was apparently confirmed by very large droppings on the floor and the disappearance of the cat's food. Behind a plans chest in my study I set a trap. Each time the bait was taken, but the trap was empty. I blocked the entrance and, on the third night, was awakened by a loud banging and found a fully grown hedgehog which seemingly had hibernated in the comfort of my yarn store. The only way into my study from the front garden is through three doors and a rather busy living room. - Annie Dibble, Inchicore, Dublin, 8.
While pondering the dismal view of sheep fences stretching into the distance here on a Kerry moorland, I saw a movement on one of the fencing posts - a longhorn beetle, adorned in silver and gold in a certain light and grey and orange from another vantage. A fence post nearby had some large boreholes. With renewed interest in the fencing posts, I discovered several queen wasps chewing the timber for hive building, and also present were click beetles, greenbottles and bluebottles resting. Perhaps this new range of dead-wood fencing posts will create an extension of habitat for many insects. - Andrew Marsh, Kenmare, Co Kerry.
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.