Just seen two swallows doing a dance of swoops and soars in the field above us. They may not be 'our' swallows - they usually arrive later - but it is joyous to watch.

That lifts my spirits. Ours arrive much later. Always a hopeful and anxious time as we wait to see them. Will they make again this year?

I saw one a couple of days ago here in west Wales and thought the same.

Reached that point weeks ago. I am so fed up with drying muddy paws ...

I have just spent a couple of hours removing molehills and using the soil to fill in craters made by the badgers. Is this the ultimate in wildlife friendly gardening?

Thank you. Just thank you.

Took me a moment ...

Welcome. Very welcome.

Amazing to see. Takes me right back to childhood when visiting here was a walk across fields and a dare for who would go in first. It felt special to us then.

Nature's chandelier. I'm in awe of both the incredible natural beauty and your skill in seeing and capturing it. Thank you.

Oh how I wish we could help her. Sadly we are in the UK. But can't believe that there isn't someone out there who is the *right* one. Lovely looking sweet dog.

Lovely final one. I've enjoyed them all. Thank you and Happy Christmas.

Glorious.

She's got the best smile.

Badgers foraging at night in the grass bordering the trees.

I miss seeing the wildlife up close now the days are short and nights so long. Lovely to know they are still out there doing their thing.

Magical place.

We have a survey booked to assess replacing our Rayburn with a heat pump. The logging etc is becoming too much as we get older. This cut will likely mean we can't do it. Just two state pensions and not in receipt of benefits. We may have to do the unthinkable instead and use coal. Not the answer.

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 ...