In October I noticed that my nut-feeder was not being used, and the usual colony of small birds had disappeared from the surrounding trees. Then one day I saw a small bird on the feeder, and instantly a hawk swooped and took it. Next day the same thing happened. The feeder was a birds' death-trap. I cut about a metre from a roll of plastic covered net-wire and made a cylinder in which the feeder is suspended. The birds have come back to it but not in the same numbers. Since then I have twice caught the hawk flapping around the netting before flying off empty clawed. I am told that hawks do not take birds on the wing?
Philip E. Leonard, Newry, Co Down.
The net will also protect the feeders from large birds such as magpies and rooks. Sparrowhawks take small birds from hedges or off the ground. They also eat small rodents. Of the falcons, the kestrel generally takes prey off the ground and only rarely does so in flight. The peregrine, on the other hand, often takes birds in flight.
Lately a lone porpoise has been swimming up and down about 100 yards off the East Pier in Dun Laoghaire. Why should it patrol such a small area?
Bob Curran, Dalkey, Co Dublin
It is likely that there are fish feeding there and providing easy pickings for the porpoise.
Before Christmas, my neighbours and I noticed people coming and filling vanloads of holly cut from our neighbouring hedges. It was being cut bare to sell in town. We are used to people coming and cutting enough holly for their house but not clear cutting and even sawing down trees. What if any protection has holly?
Donal O'Bearra, Ennis, Co Clare
The wholesale cutting of holly is a disgraceful situation. Holly is a slow-growing tree and it takes decades for it to regenerate. Hedges are on someone's land and those that take holly from them are stealing. The owners could stop the thieves.
Eye on Nature is edited by Michael Viney, who welcomes observations sent to him at Thallabawn, Carrowniskey PO, Westport, Co Mayo. E-mail: viney@anu.ie Observations sent by e-mail should be accompanied by postal address