It is now 24 years to the day since Three Owls founder; Mrs Eileen Watkinson MBE passed away, and 57 years in total since she started it all off - with a baby sparrow.

I was down at her graveside on the Home Reserve early this morning before work, thinking of all she had achieved over the years - against the odds. Of the seventeen years we worked side-by-side from starting here myself in 1978. Also all that we have achieved since she passed - and continue to achieve on a daily basis not only on our six nature reserves in the UK, but around the world through the highly varied amount of work that the charity does.

As ever, the support of the public enables us to continue our much-needed work, and last week we received a lovely bequest from the family of a local lady who was a regular visitor and supporter, followed by news last weekend of a legacy to come later on in the year. Thank you so much to each and every one of you, on behalf not only of 'our' birds, but for ALL the wild birds around us.

Just as I've been typing this tonight, a call has come in from another sanctuary needing advice on a casualty they've admitted, and as I've always said; Knowledge is best when shared.

Nigel