Michael Viney responds to queries and observations on nature.
My son, who is a REPS adviser, was walking along a hedge when a fox came through about 20 yards in front of him. It turned towards him, barked and then retreated through the hedge again. He found an earth (its den) on the other side of the hedge. In our experience foxes are extremely shy and shun humans.
Seamus Condon, Ballinteer, Dublin 14
It was probably a vixen that had cubs in the den.
All summer long we woke each morning to butterflies fluttering around the three windows in our thatched cottage and I released them. In fine weather we would leave the doors open; but in late autumn when the doors were closed, I released a dozen in one week.
Rita Power, Inshidrisla, Dungarvan, Co Waterford
Small tortoiseshell butterflies hibernate as adults and they are particularly partial to old cottages. Early in the year they emerge and go off to lay their eggs on nettles. These pupate and emerge as adults in early autumn and set off to find a place to hibernate for the coming winter.
Michael Viney welcomes observations at Thallabawn, Carrowniskey PO, Westport, Co Mayo; e-mail: viney@anu.ie. Include a postal address.