The mean number of eggs laid by Irish mute swans is five-six, although they have been known to lay up to 11. The young stay with their parents until next spring when they will have acquired their adult white plumage. They will then be driven away by their formerly loving parents. Michael Walsh, DublinA gall caused by a gall miteThis is a gall caused by a gall mite Aceria fraxinivora. Then the heron flew around the cormorant until it went back to its own side of the weir.
