Letters to the Editor: Helping birds through the harsh weather
If birds have plenty of food, they have clean feathers, then they can survive very cold temperatures. We must always remember that birds need access to un-frozen water. Picture: Damien Storan.
The next few days could be particularly difficult for birds. When the temperatures drop, birds need more help than usual. I’m sure many people have already seen all sorts of birds flocking into their gardens to seek refuge and shelter from the weather. The birds also hope to seek food and water too.
I believe that putting out food for the birds in the garden is certainly a very good thing to do at this time of year. Things like peanuts in wire mesh feeders alone with seed mixtures can work very well.
Household scraps, like the fat from meat, but never from poultry. Things like pork or bacon or beef tend to work very well. Rather than putting out a white sliced pan of bread, it would be great to put out wholegrain bread as that works very well for the birds.
Birds also need water to drink and to bathe in. Strange as it may seem, the colder the weather gets, the more frequently the birds have to bathe — because they need to keep their feathers in absolutely pristine condition, removing the dirt and dust they have in there as that’s really their duvet. That’s what keeps them warm over the winter nights.
If birds have plenty of food, they have clean feathers, then they can survive very cold temperatures. We must always remember that birds need access to un-frozen water.
At the moment, many of our ponds, puddles, and pools are frozen over. Putting out un-frozen water can really help them in that they can have water to drink as well as being able to have a flap as well.
It’s my assertion that if one gives food and water to the birds, one will be surrounded by the wings of love and one will also be encompassed by the joys of little silent hearts.
John O’Brien
Clonmel, Co Tipperary
This was not the kind of post-match walk we are accustomed to seeing from groups of rugby players acknowledging travelling support or celebrating a famous victory.
For a start, Munster were at home and, midway through the second half, it was clear there would be no famous victory. This walk was unique in that, as Tadhg made his way through the tunnel of sympathetic applause from the Leinster players and turned to begin his trek to the opposite side of the stadium, nobody followed him.
As he turned, I expected (and I’m sure he did too) a group of stragglers to follow him and acknowledge the remaining supporters, but yet, if they had, his walk wouldn’t have been half as powerful.
Many of the supporters had begun to leave with 10 minutes to play. Beginning in largest numbers from the upper stands as might be expected, but also with unerring consistency from the so-called "brave and faithful" in the terraces.
Maybe they had to charge their phones after the half-time lights show, which seems to be introduced at Thomond Park with more importance than the games themselves. Many of the people leaving were dressed head to toe in Munster gear that would make even the most ardent Munster supporter feel inadequate. A good reminder not to judge books by their cover.
Tadhg’s isolation combined with the sight of his right arm raised above his head, arguably representing the white flag Munster had just waved in battle, somehow summed up how we were all feeling. Yes, we’re not good enough to beat Leinster right now, but captain and remaining crowd had given it everything they had.
Our heads were bloodied but unbowed, a bit like Tadgh’s. We stood in the terraces hurting, more than normal (they say it is the hope that kills you), but we hurt a little less knowing that Tadhg saw us hurting and knowing that he was hurting too.
In that moment, supporters and club were united by their captain. If Munster is no longer capable of retaining it’s tradition of eating from Europe’s top table, it at least has retained it’s tradition of great captains and some pretty decent supporters too.
Thanks Tadhg. Best wishes, the brave and the faithful.
Peter Francis
Ballysimon, Limerick
This includes the reductions in the EV grant from €5,000 to €2,500, along with the removal of the (minimal) reductions for tolls. While the charging network is slowly improving, it is still poor in the West.
There is only one "fast" charging installation in Connemara, west of Galway City (in Clifden, which is CCS only). No provision for Chademo EVs such as the Nissan Leaf. There is no "slow’"charging either except at private hotels.
Liam Blake
Belclare, Galway
It is surprising that Bono, both as a representative Irish citizen and a human rights advocate, should accept such a medal of freedom from a president who supplies Israel with the most lethal American-made weaponry with no conditions, to be used in a genocidal war on a helpless Gazan people.
Maybe Bono, as an advocate for human rights in the world, might consider returning his US presidential award to Joe Biden as a sign of his solidarity with the Palestinian people.
Brendan Butler
Drumcondra, D9
Is Bono bowing to a congressional medal? While Biden sends billions in arms, but not to feed the cold or starving. It is a long way from Ethiopia 1985 and Bob Geldof to Palestine. So Bono, arm the world. Shame on you. A blood medal.
Tony O’Gorman
via email
William Collins
Mount Prospect, Illinois
Regarding ‘Irish Examiner view: Is the NTA’s €1.7m PR plan a good use of its funds?’ (Jan 2).
In recent years, we have seen several safety upgrades and active travel schemes voted down at council level. Coolroe meadows, Maglin River greenway, and Tory Top Rd safe route to school, to name just a few.
All these would have been major safety improvements for people in the area who wanted to walk or cycle to get around safely.
There was very little promotion of the benefits of these schemes by the city council other than publishing the consultation drawings and description.
The NTA plans will be used to help visualise and promote the safety improvements in future schemes like BusConnects. This can only help improve safety and is especially needed in Cork.
Kevin Long
Cork
Last Saturday morning, while travelling on the 130 from the city, I approached the front of the bus at the Vernon Ave stop expecting the driver to cooperate. Although he was reluctant at first, when requested, he did open the doors for my wife and I to egress safely.
However, on this occasion, there was a large gap and one had to step down off the bus, lift the shopping trolley onto the road, and then lift it onto the raised path. In my case, because of a brain bleed, a fall stepping onto that road could have had serious consequences and there was enough room for that driver to park closer to the raised kerb.
Bus drivers must be cognisant of the vulnerability of elderly passengers and should consider dropping the ramp to permit old folks to exit safely in the event they cannot park adjacent to the raised kerb. That’s the training I received in the Dublin Bus training school located in Phibsboro, Dublin, many years ago.
The job is about public service. Unprofessional behaviour by a very few drivers could have serious consequences for those of us who are not as young as we used to be — and needs to be addressed.
Peter Mulvany
Clontarf Dublin 3
