Look what got washed up by Storm Emma: Readers’ nature queries

A sample of the rarely seen marine life which was stranded by Storm Emma:

Among a large selection of shellfish collected by Eadbhard Blaney (aged 5) on Sandycove Beach were these curled octopuses.

The squat lobster belongs to the crab family (photographed by Audrey O’Flaherty on Donabate beach).

Starfish and otter shell (photographed by Audrey O’Flaherty on Donabate beach).

Curled octopuses among the many washed-up victims of Storm Emma

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I spotted this very exotic duck on the Dodder: readers’ nature notes and queries

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Storm Emma brought us the regular refugees from winter cold

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Mammal mysteries in sorties of the squirrel and sailing of the shrew

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Unknown starfish (photographed by Audrey O’Flaherty on Donabate beach).

Brittle starfish (photographed by Audrey O’Flaherty on Donabate beach).

Sea squirts (photographed by Audrey O’Flaherty on Donabate beach).

A sea mouse on Malahide beach sent by Liam Kane.

Ethna Viney welcomes observations and photographs at Thallabawn, Louisburgh, Co Mayo, F28F978, or by email at: viney@anu.ie. Include a postal address.