Michael Viney answers your questions on nature.
I saw a bird on the shores of Lough Gill, Co Sligo, which I later identified as a jay. Are they long-term residents of the area, or are they new arrivals? They are a big improvement on their cousins the magpies.
Damien Brennan, Holy Well, Sligo
Jays have been absent from a large part of Sligo, Leitrim, Roscommon and Mayo, but they would have been close to Lough Gill at the edge of their range until now. They like woodland and mature parklands.
While walking at the back of West Pier, Dún Laoghaire, I spotted a bird about the size of a small thrush, with purple-shaded head and shoulders, green/yellowish breast and lower back, and tail action like a wagtail.
Gerry Condon, Ballinteer, Dublin
It may have been a grey wagtail. The head and shoulders could appear purple shaded in certain light.
Each February I watch flocks of little red-fronted bullfinches systematically strip the buds from my copper plum tree. This time they arrived in force in mid-December.
J. Sutton, New Ross, Co Wexford
Michael Viney welcomes observations at Thallabawn, Carrowniskey PO, Westport, Co Mayo; e-mail: viney@anu.ie. Include a postal address.
