NEW books devoted to Irish birds don’t appear that frequently. When they do, they fall into two main categories — small, practical volumes with water resistant covers designed to be used outdoors, and larger, lavishly illustrated books designed for the indoor celebration of the wonders of the bird world.

AUTUMN’S glorious colour arrives later on Irish trees than in most countries because of our mild climate.

DURING the fine weather in September I spent much time outdoors, working in the garden and in my small wood.

THERE is a suggestion cropping up in ornithological conversation that the next bird species to be the subject of a re-introduction programme in this country should be the black grouse and that the site of the programme would be on upland blanket bog in Co Mayo.

SOMETIMES the most interesting aspects of nature can be found by looking closely at small things.

FOR many years there’s been a debate, sometimes quite heated, about the origins of the red deer herd in the National Park outside Killarney.

MATHS was my weakest subject at school and things haven’t improved since.

During the summer months you’ll often hear anglers talking about hatches of an insect called a Green Peter which is an important food item for trout.

THE announcement that Coillte, in conjunction with the National Parks and Wildlife Service, is to develop 4,000 hectares of forestry in north Mayo as a wilderness area for conservation and amenity use is very good news.

A NEW website dealing with Irish wildlife is always welcome and mammals-in-ireland has just come online.