On January 12th, while walking on the beach at Malahide, I was astonished to find the body of a wallaby washed up by the storm. I worked for 10 years in Dublin Zoo during the 1970s and we had wallabies then, so I am very familiar with them. There is an unconfirmed rumour that a group of wallabies and kangaroos was released on Lambay Island. If that is true, then one may have fallen into the sea.
Jill Breivik, Malahide, Co Dublin.
I saw an amazing sight on January 15th - up to 400 brent flying in two large groups over St Stephen's Green, heading east towards the coast. What amazes me is the fact that these birds were flying quite low and calling away, but no-one seemed to even notice them. Eric Dempsey, Dublin 11
During the recent cold spell, three squirrels discovered the bird table and attacked the nut feeder with great agility. I managed to foil them by tying holly twigs to the upright of the bird table. They didn't seem to be interested in the huge supply of beech nuts nearby. Margaret Thompson, Shankill, Co Dublin
Waxwings have been arriving in Ireland notably along the east coast. Readers who see them are invited to ring Birds of Ireland News Service (BINS) on 01-8307364.
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. E-mails should include a postal address.