Eye on Nature

I observed lots of long, white cobweb-like threads floating on an air stream and catching in trees and telephone wires.

Sea birds appeared to be feeding on these cobwebs or on the insects tangled in them.

Peter Lawson, Crosshaven, Co Cork

The strands were made by tiny gossamer, or money spiders that used an updraught to take an aerial excursion. Millions of them go "ballooning" in the autumn and many get eaten by birds.

Every morning I watch a picket of about 10 oystercatchers feeding at shellfish breathing holes. There is no sign of their quarry until the next day when the empty razor-shells appear washed up between tides.

John Gullery, Kinsale, Co Cork

Your oystercatchers were foraging for lugworms or cockles. Razor- shells are uncovered only at the bottom of the spring tide and are generally underwater.

While canoeing on the River Nore at Thomastown, we saw a young grey squirrel swimming. We were amazed what skilful swimmers they are.

Dieter Gerhardt, Callan, Co Kilkenny