Eye on Nature Your notes and queries for Ethna Viney

• Author: Ethna Viney
• Date: 19 December 2020
• Published date: 19 December 2020

nThe size of its feet indicates that it's a baby rat.

I looked out our kitchen window and saw this sparrowhawk feeding on a pigeon. I think it might be a female. - Martin Glynn, Knocklyon, Dublin 16

nThe female sparrowhawk is bigger than the male and so can take on a pigeon.

In November, a murmuration of starlings flew over the garden. The noise from their wings was tremendous. It always happens in November and is a real sight. There were hundreds of them all flying together. - Vanessa Drew, Ballymoney, Co Down

Some weeks ago I saw 13 herons flying together east to west. I have never seen so many together - usually it's less than three. - Conor Foley, Kilkenny

nHerons often roost together in sizeable numbers, but your flock may have been adults and juveniles from this year's brood.

This little guy came to an end washed up above the tideline of Cushendun beach. Is it a dogfish? - Frank...