THE time of year when people eat and drink much more than usual is upon on us.

LIKE the fox, it seems the otter is also adapting to living in urban areas, including Cork City where they are seen regularly at night on the River Lee.

IT’S the season when salmon are heading up rivers to spawn, a time when poachers once engaged in cat and mouse games with gardaí and bailiffs, now known as fishery protection officers.

SOME people out deer watching of late have contacted us in relation to what they have described as “no-go areas” where quite high fencing barred their way into sections of woodland.

HEAVY rainfall all this year is resulting in contamination of drinking water in some areas, especially those served by private supplies and group schemes.

AN old friend from days working in the bog long ago was recently talking with us about the disappearing curlew, whose evocative ‘cur..lee cur..lee’ cry hasn’t been heard for years.

A FEW recent sightings of red squirrels in places where I had not seen them previously offers some hopes about the welfare of the species, despite reports that our native red is under serious threat from the imported American grey squirrel.

A CO CORK company is proving that jobs can be created in the wind energy industry here without intruding on the landscape or damaging the environment.

OCTOBER can be among the best periods in which to experience the woodlands when they are changing their colours from largely green to russet, brown and golden autumn hues.

OCTOBER can be among the best periods in which to experience the woodlands when they are changing their colours from largely green to russet, brown and golden autumn hues.