I have had blue tits in my nestbox for the past 10 years. This year a blue tit is continuously pecking around the entrance hole; it's like the sound of a woodpecker. Is it trying to attract a partner or just make the hole bigger? – Frank Curran
Blue tits often seem compelled to peck extensively at the entrance hole of a nestbox before using it, removing small pieces of wood. A theory for this behaviour is that natural tree cavities would rarely be perfect, so the tits have evolved this pecking behaviour as a way to ensure that splinters are removed and the hole is exactly the right size. Even when presented with a nest hole that is perfect, as in a nestbox, they simply can't switch this innate behaviour off. In turn, this activity may have become an important bonding ritual for blue tit pairs prior to nesting.
![Drake gadwall](https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/Y7JO3AO2KLN27NNV7BNBQT3T7I.jpg?auth=ae7fc524e75577aa35b546b8d35615ccd73618c3b93ff81c2ef3bfcd441346b4&width=800&height=450)
This duck is in the company of the mallards on the lake in UCD. Is it a male gadwall? – Gearoid Stanley
It is indeed a drake gadwall. The black rear end and the white patch in the closed wing are very distinctive in this species. It is a fairly scarce and localised bird in Ireland that usually tends to avoid humans, so it is unusual for one to take up residence in such a public location.
![Golden plovers](https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/W6NXBNHZ5FKZUJV6OK2ZTKOTAQ.jpg?auth=6b48859cfdc069858ba20407bcbe49bb1d6f355e681c32a9cf5be5ecbf4e0109&width=800&height=449)
These birds are landing regularly on our farm, on a bare field. They sound like seagulls and swarm together while flying. – Jack Murphy
These well-concealed birds in the photo are golden plovers. They can gather into impressive flocks outside of the breeding season, almost resembling starling murmurations.
![Black-headed gulls](https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/XSTU5C3U5K2EZ56NYDIVLY726A.jpg?auth=afd56af7df8d539bb443a4ab08bd86a4533bdd47055668528e0b6f04234079f3&width=800&height=449)
Why are they called black-headed gulls? – Eavan Curneen
It is fairly obvious why when you see them in full breeding plumage – as in this lovely photograph – with a black head and slender red bill and legs. But these freshwater inland gulls lose the black head in winter. They then have a white head with a dark patch behind the eye and a smaller smudge in front. Don't confuse them with the newly arrived lovely slender terns, also with black heads.
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