Could I have seen five kestrels flying over a hazel scrub in recent weeks?
Barbara Buckley, Galway
Kestrels sometimes hunt in family parties, or a party gathers where there is a plentiful supply of food. Back in summer, this might have been a hatch of insects or caterpillars. It is difficult to say what they would have been hunting in November, as they cannot easily take small birds on the wing.
I found this jellyfish washed up at Roscarbery on November 8th (drawing enclosed). It had a translucent sail and some tentacles had survived under the base which was characterised by concentric rings, a bright turquoise rim and some mauve tints. Is it usual to find jellyfish on the strand at this time of year, and has it sailed from warmer waters?
Anthony Beese, Rosscarbery, Co Cork
It was a by-the-wind-sailor, Velella velella, which is plentiful in north-eastern Atlantic waters, and is usually washed up in September and October. There have been recent strandings of another jellyfish, Pelagia noctiluca, (see above) a long the west coast - which probably came from warm southern waters.
Recently I observed a heron which was being chased by a flock of magpies. It landed on a tree in my neighbour's garden. The magpies tried to get close but must have had second thoughts when they saw the heron's spear-like beak and spring-like neck. After a short time the heron took off pursued by the magpies. Would the heron have been in any danger from them?
Eugene Murphy, Stillorgan, Co Dublin
The magpies were just chasing an interloper out of their territory. The heron would have been well fit to defend itself.
For the first time in recent memory, there are large flocks of redwings here in Achill in November, and also flocks of mistle thrushes.
John Sweeney, Achill Sound, Co Mayo
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 some- times important to identification or behaviour.