The cat was nearly carried off by the river. Thank goodness the humans didn’t give up, and neither did she. 🙏

My copy of the Sussex Bird Report has arrived. It says the last date in 2024 for Turtle Dove was 21 Oct at Pagham Harbour so 23rd doesn't seem so unusual now.

An unexpected visitor to the garden this afternoon, a young Turtle Dove. And it's 23 Oct! Very welcome but quite extraordinary. I wish it well for the long journey ahead.

A horrible new estate in an ecologically sensitive area but at least they're trying to reduce the impact.

Nature will find a way. A fallen oak along the shore at Hayling Island.

The Government committed to ending all badger culling licences by 2026 in Parliament today with the exception of one licence in Cumbria which could run until 2029 subject to scientific evaluation. This is a huge & welcome step forward but we must end all culling now or run the

Surprised to find I'm still getting a Hummingbird Hawk Moth in the garden, it's been here a few months now.

🌙This young nightjar was rescued in a storm - grounded, weak & hungry. After some food & rest at Tiggywinkles, he was ready to continue his migration to Africa.🌍 🪶These secretive nocturnal birds are rarely seen up close, so it was a privilege to help this one💚 #WildlifeRescue

It's that time of year! I walk gingerly around the kitchen, making a cuppa whilst keeping one eye on it just in case it makes a sudden dash in my direction.

View from Monckton, West Dean looking towards Chichester & the sea. There's a mythical belief that getting here at dawn you'll see masses of Hawfinch. Tried it many times - zilch! Nice walk though.

Turns out this is local bird, female G842 fledged from a nest in West Sussex this year.

One for the garden list: Clouded Yellow.

A few more Zinnias, you can't have too many.

I grow Zinnias in the garden but this one is strange, one flower seems to be growing out of another! Grown from seed each year, superb late summer colour.

Close to Kingley Vale this morning a young White-tailed Eagle joined 3 Red Kites and 4 Buzzards thermalling above the downs. It came close but the light wasn't at all good.

A beautifully colourful Knot Grass moth caterpillar in the garden today.

This is probably the most wholesome thing you’re going to see today💗

Thrilled to see Chichester has a new secondhand bookshop, in South Street next to the sweet shop. Looking forward to many happy hours of browsing!

Early morning at Kingley Vale, peaceful and sunny with loads of redstarts and spotted flycatchers feeding in the sheltered coombe, the two species often swooping out from the same tree. One of those magical mornings.

The badger cull is a needless slaughter of innocent wildlife, based on flawed science and fear. It’s time to protect, not persecute. Share if you believe this cruelty must end.