How civilised ...

Two swallow chicks perched on wooden beam in garage roof.

Just two of the four swallow chicks made it. They fledged a couple of days ago. They spent most of yesterday perched on the telephone line outside being fed by their parents. Lots of flapping and testing of wings.

Four little swallow chicks looking out over the top of their nest on the beam of the garage roof.

Not sure if these little darlings are the second or third brood this year. Hope they will be well and ready for the big migration flight. The swallows are already lining up on the telephone line along the track.

Thanks Toby. Glad your owl made it. I know these things happen but I somehow still feel guilty. Such a beautiful bird.

Have just taken a lovely juvenile sparrowhawk into the wood and laid it to rest on a mossy bank under a beech tree. It shot into the house through an open window and flew straight into the glass porch door. I hoped it might be just stunned - but no. Shocking and very sad.

Lola's looking good - is she back to full active? Glad she is there to help you with the tough anniversaries.

It's that walks are that good! Ours would be the same.

We used to have a gang of four that foraged the hedgerows. All started by one very greedy pointer. The others learned super fast. Walks took a lot longer.

My home turf. Yes, it's wonderful and a dog paradise.

Bless her indeed. Hope it goes well. One of ours had to have a big cruciate ligament op on his knee. Took him a few weeks to be back as active as before - but he was.

Comma. Haven't seen one for ages.

I know that look very well - along with the contemptuous back leg flick as she walks away.

Yup - if it isn't grain free there are serious consequences - even if it's just a small treat. Unfortunately Mr Riots isn't a great reader of label detail ...

Sympathies. It doesn't take much - from bitter experience.

Wonderfully lurid light. Nature has so many ways to amaze.

I have to follow you after this. I can hear it...

Incredibly beautiful. Carry on being here, please.

Some lovely replies showing how people care about you and are often struggling too. All I can do on the difficult days is remind myself to care about myself and remind myself again. I call these my 'this too shall pass' days.

The woods were alive with chiffchaff song this morning. Nothing yesterday - full on today. Spring is definitely here.

Natur Cymru is delighted to have joined Bluesky. We post about our biannual magazine, wildlife in Wales, and all things to do with Welsh conservation. Follow us to hear more!

Lovely image. Thank you.

When the world is mad,
or when one is too sick to stand
best curl up small & hide away
So for all of you who are feeling overwhelmed here’s a dormouse doing what they do best with moss for a pillow in a dormouse nest

Breakfast 'chat'
Me: Turn round very slowly. There's a beautiful song thrush just outside the window.
Mr Riots turns slowly. Brief silence as he contemplates.
Me: Doesn't seem right that it's from the genus Turdus.
Mr Riots: Thrush isn't too great either.
Toast munching resumes.

Might be worth getting in touch with the West Wales River Trust to see if they can advise and help. Their website sets out what they do re water quality and land management.

That sounds wonderful. Well done. Love hearing about the things people are doing to allow nature to do its thing.

Beautiful artwork from @sarahdesign.bsky.social. I'm off to take a look at her Etsy store...

Lola's face says it all.

It looks like a Stop the Cull image on the wall. Very sadly ironic.

Beautiful. Our first hard frost of this winter here in north Pembrokeshire too. Should spur the snowdrops on.

View of a dramatic sunset

Evening fire in the sky, Cardigan Bay, west Wales 🔥, tonight