Eye on Nature

Some friends found five pigeons dead on the ground with the breasts and hearts removed, and another walker found three in the same area in the JFK Park.
Edward Delaney
New Ross, Co Wexford

There must be a peregrine pair nesting in the area with a few young ones. Pigeon is their frequent food, and peregrine chicks eat an incredible amount. They are fed by the parents for six weeks, then taught to hunt.

One of the starlings that visit our garden has only one leg and shows no sign of any different behaviour in feeding or moving about.
Dyan Smith
Ennis, Co Clare

Is the animal in my photograph a frog or a toad? It appeared in my porch last night, very far from water, and as far as I know there are no ponds in the neighbourhood. Should I help it find water?
Stephen Donovan
Orwell Road, Dublin

It's a frog, and they only go to ponds or water in spring to breed. They then leave and disperse into the undergrowth and hibernate during the winter.

Michael Viney welcomes observations at Thallabawn, Carrowniskey PO, Westport, Co Mayo, or by email at viney@anu.ie. Please include a postal address