Children today appreciate wildlife more than previous generations

They value wildlife. They know it’s rare, and getting rarer

Nesting colonies of rooks are to be seen beside almost every farmhouse that has a few tall trees above the yards.

Rooks' nests in the crowns of tall, leafless trees are a common sight almost everywhere in Ireland now.

Last week, driving into Clonakilty from the Bandon side, I reckoned there were 150 nests on the roadside trees between Clonakilty Community Hospital and the town. Many had one of their builders standing sentry, the sun catching their feathers and making them look attractive birds, quite a change from their ragged winter selves.