Eye On Nature

In early May we watched two choughs fighting and squawking. One held the other down by standing on him; the victim managed to get one red claw free and tried to claw the breast of the other. Eventually they broke apart and the dominant chough chased the other fighting and tumbling in the air towards the sea. The dominant one returned and perched on the brow of the hill at the back of our house where he crowed his victory waving his bright red beak up and down as he moved over and back.

- Ray & Joan Herrity, Kilcar, Co Donegal.

On a recent visit to Malin Head and Tory Island we found several clumps of absolutely white sea pinks in both places. We saw choughs in both places - quite a few on Tory where we also saw corncrakes. There were 25 nesting pairs there in 1999 and indications of at least that many if not more this summer. - Elinor & John Medlycott, Roundwood, Co Wicklow.

Sea pinks or thrift can vary in colour from deep pink to white.

I was attracted to my front window by a magpie who sounded beside himself with rage. To my surprise he was standing in front of a cat who was cowering against the garden wall. The magpie taunted him and the cat cowered even more. The bird, showing contempt, turned his back on the cat, and I thought the cat will now strike, but he didn't. I was amazed that the cat seemed to be so frightened.

- Deirdre O'Donovan, Limerick.

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 as location is sometimes important to identification or behaviour.