Dan Richards
Bird watcher, nature lover, Swift colony creater, also currently campaigning to save my local Country Park from unnecessary development.
Deal, Kent.
- Reposted by Dan RichardsAn across-government technical assessment published today recognises that "nature is the foundation of national security" and that "every critical ecosystem is on a pathway to collapse". A rational response to this would be to get very serious about nature recovery. www.gov.uk/government/p...
- Had an overtime shift yesterday. Although it never felt like work, but more a step back in time and a history lesson.
- Had a quick wander around Dover marina this morning, plenty there to keep me happy #kentbirding
- Plus a Grey Seal put in an appearance #kentnature
- Bit of slow mo footage of a Humming-bird Hawk-moth seen in my garden yesterday. #Kentwildlife
- At work and currently watching a Black Redstart feeding nearby, nice way to break up my 12hr shift 😅
- I went to see the Spotted Crake this morning at Sandwich Bay, and as much as it was a pleasure to see it was the hirundines that gave me the most enjoyment. Thousands in the area with some feeding in large numbers just overhead.
- A change in job and career began this week, and with it, a change of workplace birds to look out for 👀 #DoverDocks
- I was treated to the spectacle of thousands of hirundines while walking the dogs yesterday, video doesn't do them justice, as they stretched as far as the eye could see. Also Med Gulls, Ravens and Buzzards made for an interesting walk across what are normally barren fields.
- Nice morning spent birding Sandwich bay. Caught up with the Glossy Ibis that are in the area, plus Great White and Cattle Egret, and always a pleasure to see the Grey Partridge. #kentbirding
- Had a brief sea watch from the end of Deal pier this morning. Not much on the bird front, but called the coastguard, after spotting a life raft drifting south down the channel.
- Reposted by Dan RichardsEd Davey is leading narrative on Elon Musk’s incitement to violence msg. But is it getting ANY broadcast media attention? @bbcnewsnight.bsky.social @itvnews.bsky.social @skynewsrss.bsky.social @itvnewspolitics.bsky.social We demand ALL our parties get proper coverage not just overplatforming of one
- My wife was after some driftwood, so where better than the beaches of Dungeness. While she searched for wood, I looked for birds, a win-win situation. An enjoyable sea watch was had, fittingly topped off by 3 Swift, battling the headwinds, on their journey south.
- Reposted by Dan RichardsAmid international outrage, Israel is now claiming the double-tap strike on Nasser hospital was an accident—after celebrating it in Hebrew media. Drunk on their own impunity they take us all for fools. They mock humanity itself. Hell is not hot enough for these monsters.
- Reposted by Dan Richards[Not loaded yet]
- Two weeks ago, I had to remove two chicks from a box after both adults had failed to return for a number of days. Both were underweight and needed urgent care, so I drove them to my nearest rehabber in Reigate. The second was released today, at 46 days old, and flew of strong 🥰
- My last two Swift chicks have had no adult contact since their last feed on the 14th. Hoping the adults have timed their departure right, and their weight isn't far off for fledging. I've also been informed, the 1st of my rehabbed chicks was released successfully today😁
- Pissed off to see the remains of a House Martins nest, that was situated on my Doctors surgery. It's been used the last two or three years, and this year was no exception, when I watched adults feeding young, on my last visit.
- Found this moth sadly dead in my garden this morning, is it a Striped Hawk Moth? #moths #Kentwildlife
- Actually looks more like a Bedstraw, since I've had time to look further 🤔
- Reposted by Dan Richards[Not loaded yet]
- Anyone able to identify this bee for me? I found it using my bee hotel, the holes are 4mm for comparison #bees #Kentwildlife
- Good news. But all while the country park is owned by a property developer, the nature there will hang on the balance.
- Good news! 🚨 The hotel & spa deal at Betteshanger Country Park has expired. This is a chance to rethink the future - one that protects rare wildlife like the lizard orchid & fiery clearwing moth. Find out more at kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/campaigns/betteshanger-country-park💚🌿
- Believe it or not, this Swift has just returned to feed its chicks. But rather than nest in the box, they had found an old cavity that took them into my loft space. Which means a climb up and back down with every feed 😅
- A serious amount of ladybirds in my garden these past couple of days. #kentnature
- When you're at work and get a message from your wife about a large moth in the garden. So I've still never seen an Elephant Hawk Moth 🙄
- The moment she clocks it and does a double take 🤣 however, sadly it was gone after she returned to get a picture.
- On a more positive note, while at work this afternoon, we had a walk over Kearsney Abbey, and enjoyed watching some Tufted duck chicks just doing their thing 😊
- So I've been having a problem with a neighbours cat and despite my best efforts the bastard has still managed to get onto my outbuilding and take a prospecting Swift. When are owners going to take some responsibility for their pets, that constantly decimate our wildlife
- Also posted on our Swift groups FB page and already people posting to justify domesticated cats 🤷♂️
- These Swift chicks are less than a week from fledging, while other eggs at the colony have only just hatched. Which just shows the contrast between their breeding journeys. Still a bumper year here, with all 14 pairs attempting to breed, and currently 25 chicks across the nests. #kentnature
- The first morning of our event for Swift Awareness week was a success. Lots of interested people visited, with some spending their time just chilling in the garden watching the Swifts come and go, whats not to like 😊 #kentnature #kentbirding
- This weekend!
- A strange but enjoyable encounter with two deer on my drive home from work recently. These would have to be the most Easterly deer I've seen in kent, in maize fields, between Whitfield and Deal. #Kentwildlife
- The speed these adult Swift enter the nest here is incredible. The trust they must have in each other to nail their landing 😅 #Kentwildlife
- Walmer and Deal Action for Swifts will be hosting two mornings at my colony for Swift Awareness Week on the 28th and 29th June. Anyone can pop along to talk all things Swifts, be it conservation or just a love for them. With live camera feeds and birds on the wing, what's not to love. #kentnature
