We all must nurture and protect wildlife

Sir — I wish to congratulate Murt Hunt, of Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo, on writing the Letter Of The Week (Sunday Independent, September 30).

His letter about Mrs Thrush building her nest in the engine of his tractor was both enlightening and uplifting in equal measure, especially for the farming community and wildlife conservation supporters.

After all the media reports of endless cruelty to puppies, kittens, horses and abandoned dumb animals and so on, it proves to all and sundry that Christianity is still alive and well in our saintly island.

How could any human, with even half a heart, possibly be so cruel? All God’s creatures, have the same emotions as us humans. To neglect, frighten, starve, hurt, bully or maim is beyond my comprehension. A pet is our “very best friend”, after all — showering us with unconditional love.

On two occasions recently, I was enthralled and in awe — when ‘Mrs Birdie’ built her nest in my brother’s disused petrol pump in Doughie, Co Roscommon, and when, with the Rev Fr Ned Crosby PP and parishioners in scenic Kilfenora, Co Clare, we spotted a bird hatching behind the altar of the church, there in the heart of the Burren, chirping away merrily to the harmonious sounds of the choir. We were all so amused and amazed. Kindly protect, feed and nurture our wildlife, with the onset of the winter, as some species are sadly getting scarce. Jeanette Leckey,

Lanesboro, Co Longford