Eye on Nature

I spotted a stick insect in our garden in July. Are they common?
Billy Spring
Milltown, Co Kerry

It was the unarmed stick insect ('Acanthoxyla inermis'), judging by your photograph. They have become naturalised in west Kerry and in Devon and Cornwall.

We live on the shores of Strangford Lough, and a family of otters feed regularly in the currents off the house. Recently I spotted a dog otter dragging to the surface not a fish but a cormorant, which it finished off. Perhaps the two hunters met underwater, pursuing the same fish in poor visibility.
James Nixon
Killinchy, Co Down

I was surprised to see a pair of foxes, in broad daylight, mating at the end of the garden. I like to think of the patter of tiny, foxy feet around our trees.
Alice O'Shaughnessy
Parteen, Co Clare

They usually mate at night.

Goldfinches were joined recently at the feeders by a group of siskins, one of which was totally white.
Frank Barton
Kilmacud, Co Dublin

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