Eye On Nature

Iarnr≤d ╔ireann has recently stripped all the woodland from either side of the railway line skirting the town, leaving the rails literally sitting up on a clay bank. This line from Dublin to the west was flanked by ash, whitethorn, blackthorn, elder, etc, and provided food for thousands of wild birds, and for winter visitors like fieldfares and red wings.

There were rabbits and pheasant there too. This act has decimated the town's wildlife.

J. F. Higgins, Portarlington, Co Offaly

Why are there no snakes in Ireland (apart from the St Patrick reason)? They are found in Scotland which is similar in climate.

Ted Walsh, Raleigh Row, Galway

Snakes, it is thought, reached Britain too late to cross by any land bridge to Ireland.

The common woodlouse has been replaced in the last couple of years by an interloper, a slightly bigger and shinier fellow that rolls itself into a ball if disturbed. The new ones definitely feed on tender new greens, which we didn't think woodlice ever did and they are crunchy not squishy to squash.

Breff and Mags Scally, Bridgetown, Co Wexford

There are over 30 woodlice species in Ireland, and distribution and populations change all the time. Your new one is the species that curls up, the pill woodlouse, Armadillidium vulgare. It is very common in the south of Ireland. All woodlice will feed on tender new shoots, but usually they eat decaying matter.

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.