The nature of nature

Sir, – Appreciating the Weekend supplement at a relaxed pace, it was only yesterday that I read your issue of January 20th. Michael Viney’s column from Mayo, with his delightful illustration of finches and blue tits on a feeder, as well as Paddy Woodworth’s keen observations, could not have demonstrated better the struggle of plants and urban wildlife to survive in a harsh and diminishing environment. Would that ours were a country that valued biodiversity, that fake grass were eliminated, and that coming into springtime, some way could be found to grow trees in planters in Stoneybatter to encourage small birds to take up residence! – Yours, etc,

CAITRIONA LAWLOR,

Mount Merrion, Co Dublin.

Sir, – Michael Viney and Ethna Viney are a delight. – Yours, etc,

READ SOME MORE

EILEEN MURPHY,

Cork.