Dan Richards

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.

That sounds about right 🤣

Actually looks more like a Bedstraw, since I've had time to look further 🤔

Found this moth sadly dead in my garden this morning, is it a Striped Hawk Moth? #moths #Kentwildlife

Thanks, Ben 👍

Also any idea on this one 😅

Thanks Ben, Google lens
did give that as an answer but I didn't want to take it as gospel😅

Important interview of a highly experienced American Green Beret by Jeremy Bowen, documenting IDF war crimes at aid sites.

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.

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 😅

Nice to see, especially as I was hard pushed to see any in my garden two years ago.

A serious amount of ladybirds in my garden these past couple of days. #kentnature

The moment she clocks it and does a double take 🤣 however, sadly it was gone after she returned to get a picture.

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 🙄

I'm afraid not, cats have free rein to do as they please.

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 😊

That would have been a good point.

It was the first time I've heard of a Magpie predating Swifts, but for you to have one too, maybe it's not as uncommon as you think.
Well with any luck you'll soon have your second pair 🤞

My daughter talked me into her getting a cat, two years ago. It was on the agreement it was to be kept indoors. It's not hard to do, I built it a catio so it has its own outdoor space, we just need society to change, and recognise it's not only good for nature but the cats safety too 🐈‍⬛️🚗

I could quite easily do the same if I'm honest, I very rarely post on my own personal FB but have one dedicated to my Swifts plus our community group. Which up until mentioning cats, has been a fairly quiet affair 🤣

Thanks, Jon. Yes we've had a rogue Magpie in town that's been taking down prospecting Swifts this year.

I was just trying to engage in some intelligent discourse, Kev. Something I'm already regretting sadly, although on the plus side I've learnt Swifts are not native to the Uk 🤣

Also posted on our Swift groups FB page and already people posting to justify domesticated cats 🤷‍♂️

I've found most cat owners I've tried talking to about such things, quite difficult let's just say😅

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

No problem, and don't downplay what you're achieving at you're colony, it's always great to see others making a difference.

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!