Claire Stares

Chichester harbour, Hampshire: I witness a battle of wills as this magnificent raptor attempts to fuel up on sea bass, before it heads south on migration

Langstone, Hampshire: My garden is full of Victoria plums, but they’re not supposed to be crunchy inside

Calshot, Hampshire: Underwater meadows are vanishingly rare habitats, so I join a group who are gathering eelgrass seed to help restore them

Langstone, Hampshire: Tree bumblebees are generally placid, but they’re not keen on someone prodding their home with the end of a bamboo cane

Portsmouth, Hampshire: A huge conservation effort is under way to restore native oysters to the Solent, and I was on hand to help give them a pre-release spa day

Staunton Country Park, Havant: Against my black fleece, this arachnid is startlingly vivid. In the fresh green of the beech canopy, it disappears

Langstone, Hampshire: Solitary bees, albeit hundreds of them, are hovering low to the ground, hoping to mate before nightfall

Loose bodies and role-swapping mean play. Stiff posture, hissing and one-sided chasing mean trouble. A cat behaviourist breaks down exactly what to look for – and when to step in.

It's warm, it smells like you, and now it belongs to them. Discover the real reason your cat nicks your seat the moment you get up.

The ‘Spicy cat’ term is a cute label coined on TikTok and social media – but it could be hiding fear, pain or chronic stress. A cat behaviourist breaks down what the behaviour really means.

Langstone, Hampshire: A glistening raft of jelly is a promising sign of a frog resurgence after newts dominated for a decade

Langstone, Hampshire: It’s the time of year when dog foxes shadow receptive females – who only have the briefest of windows to mate

Ever wondered why your cat headbutts you? Discover the science behind ‘bunting’ – a sign of affection, bonding, and territory marking – explained by an expert.

It’s just one of approximately 10 million adorable behaviours your cat does every day. But why? And does it mean anything more serious is going on?

Should you keep your cat indoors, or let them roam outside? Our indoor vs outdoor cat guide has the answers.

Veterinary professionals play an important part in ensuring positive early experiences and socialisation for kittens - find out how

Discover what denning in cats means, why cats hide or nest, and when it could indicate stress or illness. Learn the signs and what to do.

Whiteley, Hampshire: It’s a remarkably mundane place for a large communal roost, but these birds are here for good reason

Discover whether indoor cats retain their natural hunting instincts and skills. Learn about feline behaviour, prey drive and how to nurture your cat’s instincts.

Cat tourism is on the rise. Discover your ideal kitty holiday whether it’s cat islands in Japan, cat festivals in Belgium, cat tours in Iceland or cat sanctuaries in Hawaii.