Readers' observations on nature
Eye on Nature
My two young girls picked up a hairy caterpillar in Glenmalure valley and stroked its fuzzy back. They held it for 20 minutes, and 10 minutes later both girls were crying and rubbing their hands, saying they were burning. The tears finally subsided, but a week later, both girls woke up with burning hands again, and this time their palms were covered in tiny blisters.
Rebecca Garavan, Avoca, Co Wicklow
Several of the hairy caterpillars have a venom in their hairs, which can cause a rash on human skin.
I acquired a 16-spot orange ladybird on my person on a walk around Castle- town House. How common are they?
Jim Sheehan, Greystones, Co Wicklow
Ireland has 27 species of ladybirds, of which the orange 16-spot is one of the less familiar.
I was watching a grey squirrel and a magpie picking up bits on the lawn when a kestrel flew down and tried to catch the squirrel. The squirrel ran up a birch tree but came back down when the kestrel flew off, and resumed its feeding alongside the magpie.
Niamh Neumann, Co Wicklow