We live on the edge of St Anne's woods, and we have noticed, for the first time in 40 years, that the holm oak overhanging the footpath opposite our house has shed thousands of acorns. I wonder why?
We have a sort of pet hedgehog which appears every spring, and sometimes a red squirrel pays us a visit. We also have a wren and two goldcrests in the garden. Once I saw two beautiful little bullfinches there - a rare sight, I understand we have been visited also by a raven, a ring ouzel and a cuckoo. We are privileged, aren't we, living in Dublin, to have all this?
Gay Hackett, Raheny, Dublin 5
This year, all the oaks have produced bountiful crops of acorns, it must have been the excellent weather. Your hedgehog will continue to visit you, as if can live up to seven years, if it escapes a motor accident.
I am currently researching the hydrology and sedimentology of Lough Foyle, and I am keen to make contact with anyone who has background information on the Lough Foyle area. This information could either be in the form of old documents, charts or maps or, less obviously, anecdotal information passed on from generation to generation; information from Donegal would be particularly welcome.
Jeremy Gault, University of Ulster, Cromore Road, Coleraine, BT52 1SA.