Eye On Nature

There are swallows nesting in the light box over the passage at Newgrange. Is it true that they return to the same house every year? Are they utterly conservative, or will they spread to Knowth when the passages are reopened? - Gillies Macbain, Templemore, Co Tipperary

Adult swallows return to their previous nest sites each year unless they are discouraged or the situation changes.

They will use the same mud nest year after year carrying out whatever repairs are necessary and refurbishing it with dry grass and feathers. First-years will return to within three kilometres of their natal site, so it is not beyond the realms of possibility that Newgrange progeny could build at Knowth - without ever waiting for the reopening of the passages.

Recently I noticed a creature nosing against the side of a bucket containing some rainwater and a little clay. It was black, about 2 inches long and its head was arrow-shaped. It flattened itself into a ribbon and undulated rhythmically around the bucket.

When I touched it with a stick it immediately shrank to a length of half to 3/4 of an inch and sank to the bottom looking like a small black slug. - Wyn Bryan, Limerick

It was a leech.

I had the unusual experience of finding a grey wagtail flying around my bedroom. They are common enough on a stream about 400 yards away from the bungalow. - Dick Page, Grange Con, Co Wicklow

The bird was catching insects on the wing around the house and found its way in, perhaps chasing insects.

Edited by Michael Viney, who can be contacted at viney@anu.ie