Eye on Nature: Your notes and queries

Mating moths, mistle thrushes and a hungry robin

I saw some furry striped moths end to end on pampas grass in my garden.
Kay Moran
Ballyvaughan, Co Clare

They were puss moths mating, from your photograph.

I was lucky to see a great northern diver on Lough Erne in mid June and to hear its wonderfully haunting call.
Gerry Mac Gowan
Tullyallen, Co Armagh

They usually arrive here from Greenland and Iceland in September for the winter. A few remain in summer, but they generally only call when they arrive.

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On June 18th I saw 15 mistle thrushes on ESB wires and in trees. I had never seen so many together in summer.
Tom Flanagan
Moate, Co Westmeath

Young mistle thrushes flock from June to the end of September.

I saw a robin swoop and snatch a white butterfly that had appeared out of a tree. Would the robin have eaten it?
Mary McCarthy
Castletown, Co Laois

Birds eat butterflies but only the bodies.

Michael Viney welcomes observations at Thallabawn, Louisburgh, Co Mayo,or email viney@anu.ie. Please include a postal address

Michael Viney

Michael Viney

The late Michael Viney was an Times contributor, broadcaster, film-maker and natural-history author