We were thrilled to see our first waxwing at 4 p.m. on December 8th. He arrived for the last of our rowanberries and returned next morning to finish them off.
Hugh Rochefort, Riverstown, Co Sligo
I had a wasps' nest in my roof space during the summer. Some got into the bedroom but they did not pose a problem until now. Since the beginning of December we have had two large incursions, in one I counted 155 wasps. I reluctantly used wasp spray to kill them. If I leave them I fear I will have a greater problem in the spring.
Maura Latimer, Cootehill, Co Cavan.
These are the worker wasps from the old nest and they will die with the first hard frost of winter. It is unusually late for them, but we have had a very mild winter so far. The new queen from that nest is hibernating somewhere and she will start a new nest in spring, perhaps again in your roof space.
Michael Viney welcomes observations at Thallabawn, Carrowniskey PO, Westport, Co Mayo; e-mail: viney@anu.ie. Include a postal address.