Recently I spent a few days in Killadoon, Co Mayo and saw a greater variety and a greater number of birds in half-an-hour's walk along the boreens than I have seen in a couple of hours in the Bray/Greystones area. I counted 20 sparrows in a group when I would be lucky to see two or three here.
Derek H Pullen, Bray, Co Wicklow
Sparrows are social birds. After the breeding season they roam in flocks seeking suitable food sources such as seeds and cereals.
My buddelia attracted quite a few butterflies this year despite a fall-off in numbers. Some were very interesting - one large, brown/gold one had deep-purple patches on its wings, almost identical to the colour of the flowers.
E. McDonagh, Batterstown, Co Meath
It was a peacock, one of most beautiful native butterflies.
:quality(70)/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/irishtimes/4e067ae5-44ab-4321-86ad-e52c36ed719c.png)