Chris Duffield

Bringing cheer here, too, on a damp, dreary morning, a robin adorning a small plant top on the patio wall. Its red breast sung out in the gloom.
#FirstBirdOfMyDay

The collared doves pecking about the grass. Ten seem to have adopted us as their place residence over the summer. From an occasional visit of one or two, up to ten can be seen now most of the time perching in various places. They like the food!
#FirstBirdOfMyDay

Enjoy!

A gang of starlings and collared doves eagerly searching scattered seed from a fallen feeder. An unexpected collaboration!
#FirstBirdOfMyDay

On a bright morning, the collared doves gathering on top of an arch to preen in the sun.
#FirstBirdOfMyDay

A flock of starlings on an early morning mission, trying to maintain some unity as they were buffeted about by wind.
#FirstBirdOfMyDay

Towards the Vale a flock of seagulls flying low in a NE direction, in a quest for further newly ploughed arable land. It always amazes me how soon the message spreads as they gather behind the working tractor seeking fresh pickings in such great numbers.
#FirstBirdOfMyDay

Sir David Attenborough inspires Rothbury Estate donations Sir David Attenborough inspires a surge in backing for a £30m campaign to create a nature haven.

Every little bit helps, including all reposts. Thank you. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

A collared dove pecking about the damp grass.
#FirstBirdOfMyDay

Good shout out! I heard about this on BBC R4 'Today' programme this morning. It is an opportunity to achieve some positive ecosystem change at such a threatening time for biodiversity nationally and internationally.

Bamburgh Storm
Acrylic on a textured canvas.
Now at The Fiona Dane Gallery, Craster

High Court judgment reaffirms costs cap protection for environmental claims - Wild Justice The High Court has reaffirmed costs cap protections for NGOs after blocking an attempt by Natural England to hike campaigners’ […]

The Hon Mr Justice Fordham has released his written judgement about why he dismissed Natural England's attempt to increase our costs cap for our legal challenge against Badger cull licences 🦡⚖️

A v important judgement for all environmental groups!

Details 🔽

wildjustice.org.uk/badgers/high...

There are 2 days left for National Trust members to vote in their AGM, for NT Council members. Once again the entryists from astroturf outfit Restore Trust are trying to get elected.

Keep Restore Trust Out by voting for the recommended slate of candidates. nt.global.ssl.fastly.net/binaries/con...

Donate to Secure the Rothbury Estate | The Wildlife Trusts Stretching over 3,800 hectares, the Rothbury Estate in Northumberland is abundant with opportunity. It’s the largest continuous area of land to appear on the market in 50 years. Its sale creates a uni...

An exciting project and a very worthy cause in a beautiful area. Please consider supporting it, if you can. 🙏 💚

www.wildlifetrusts.org/appeals/roth...

Leading the way to the feeders before the drizzle, a great tit.
#FirstBirdOfMyDay

No missing that! Very slimy mud.
I was very surprised when I learned what Yabbies are, not what I was expecting at all.

Asylum seekers to be moved onto military barracks in bid to end migrant hotels The Home Office said around 900 men would be housed across two sites as the government tries to get a grip on the asylum accommodation crisis

We’ve had hotels, tents and boats. Yesterday it was ‘pop-up houses’, today army barracks.
Open safe routes to process claims in Europe and let them work and contribute to society the moment they arrive here.
These are people, not political pawns or cattle.
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...

Are the yabby holes related to the drought or do you normally have them? Interesting - a bit different to the rabbit holes everywhere in the paddock here.

Collared doves taking off after spotting the tiny spying chink in the curtains! They returned later, ten in total, to wander about the grass, feeding on scattered bird seed.
#FirstBirdOfMyDay

A lovely picture there.

Oooh! I like that bit of info.

First seen, the wings of the collared doves all coming into land, each seeking out a perch from which to assess opportunities for an early feed. A magpie, out of sight, flew off shortly after, and had obviously been my first 'unseen' bird!
#FirstBirdOfMyDay

🌧☹️

A pair of tree sparrows consuming their fill of mixed seed before the rest of the garden gang arrive. Closely followed by six collared doves on the same mission but clearing up the fallen seed.
#FirstBirdOfMyDay

On a breezy, clear morning, a tree sparrow on the suet, happily feeding alongside a glinting bluetit on the peanuts.
#FirstBirdOfMyDay

The tree sparrow gang happy to find sustenance on a cold but clear morning.
#FirstBirdOfMyDay

First heard the caw of a carrion crow, then seen at early light as it was furtively sneaking in to 'steal' bits of fat ball, taking it off bits at a time with guilty looks about.
#FirstBirdOfMyDay

A dunnock here, too, pecking around the paving under table on the patio. Its interest caught by some self seeded white alyssum growing in the cracks.
#FirstBirdOfMyDay

A goldfinch glinting in the sunlight as it perched like a finial atop of a feeding post.
#FirstBirdOfMyDay

Clean, affordable water belongs to all of us. I’ve told the new Environment Secretary to act on real evidence for public ownership and put people first. Join me:https://actionnetwork.org/letters/ask-emma-reynolds-to-base-water-policy-on-facts-not-water-industry-fake-maths?source=bluesky&