Michael Viney responds to queries and observations on nature.
A chaffinch (now called Bill) who comes to my garden for birdseed is extraordinarily tame. Since last August this cheeky fellow whistles when there is no feed, flying at the window and generally badgering me until I put out seed. He doesn't fly away when I come out and hops around my feet. If I crouch beside him while he feeds he'll throw me a glance and the odd whistle.
Pam Hanrahan, Whitechurch, Co Cork
Many years ago, on a fungus hunt with friends in Wales we came across a stinkhorn (Phallus impudicus). The men in the party reacted in the classic way at the stench but the women found the smell agreeable. I have found this continues to be the case, and recently with my husband we came across some. He jumped back but to me they smelled of a delicate flower. This must be a male-female thing and I must assume that all the fungus books are written by men.
Marion Rowe, Saltmills, Co Wexford
For the second time in 36 years, I saw a green lizard basking on a stone wall.
Christine O'Neill, Lisdoonvarna, Co Clare
Introduced in 1958, they were not thought to have survived.
