Eye on Nature

A black tern was snuggled into marram at Claddaghduff. Did it get blown off course?
Susan Flynn
Ballybrack, Co Dublin

Black terns are very occasionally seen off the coast on migration from northern Europe to the west coast of Africa.

Why were there no rabbits at Barley Cove beach this summer?
Anne Kelleher
Goleen, Co Cork

Every few years disease can almost wipe them out. They then take time to recover.

What is the large spider in my photograph, which I found at home? Does it bite?
Ann-Marie Burke
Dublin 9

It is Tegenaria gigantea, the largest house spider. It can bite humans but causes no harm and more generally avoids them.

A squirrel crossed my lawn holding a baby squirrel tight in her mouth. She went up one of the trees. Was she moving house?
Gerry Burns
Richhill, Co Armagh

Squirrels generally build two or three nests and move their young around.

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