Eye On Nature

In late May, I saw a flock of gannets diving on a shoal of spent herrings at the back of Kilcummin pier in Killala Bay, about 150 yards off shore. We understand the nearest breeding colony to us is Skellig Michael off the Kerry coast. I find it hard to believe they would fly all the way up here for a feed of spent herring!

Jim Grogan, Kilcummin, Co Mayo

There is a small breeding colony of gannets at Clare Island. What you saw may have been a fishing flock from there. They could have followed the shoal from the west.

While walking at Glasilaun beach, near Little Killary, I saw a plant growing on the rocks, like sea thrift, with short, grey-green lance-like leaves and a white, woolly flower head, no more than two inches high. Could it possibly be edelweiss or some relation?

Peig Murray, Dublin 5

Botanist Cilian Roden suggests it could be cat's foot, Antennaria dioeca, which, though rare in many parts of the country and usually growing on limestone, is found abundantly near Little Killary.

Edited by Michael Viney who welcomes observations sent to him at Thallabawn, Carrowniskey PO, Westport, Co Mayo. E-mail: viney@anu.ie