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Chris Millward

@chris4patches.bsky.social

Urban & farmland birder, passionate about Brum & connecting people with their #CityOfNature for happiness, health, wellbeing & prosperity. Free guest speaker to non-profits, active conservationist through Nature-friendly Farming #BrumBiosphere

896 Followers  |  1,329 Following  |  137 Posts  |  Joined: 06.08.2024  |  2.2931

Latest posts by chris4patches.bsky.social on Bluesky

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This morning’s gratitude was based on a sample of 3 bird species populations that are increasing on Brum’s urban fringe as a result of Countryside Stewardship that is being withdrawn on 31st December without a replacement!
Also Linnet, Skylark, Yellowhammer…
www.linkedin.com/posts/chris-...

07.10.2025 14:22 β€” πŸ‘ 8    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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This morning’s gratitude was based on a sample of 3 bird species populations that are increasing on Brum’s urban fringe as a result of Countryside Stewardship that is being withdrawn on 31st December without a replacement!
Also Linnet, Skylark, Yellowhammer…
www.linkedin.com/posts/chris-...

07.10.2025 14:17 β€” πŸ‘ 6    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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It’s fabulous to sense the growing connection with Brum’s birds and butterflies across the city and demand is growing!

42 bird species have been recorded during guided walks with the Friends of Swanshurst Park, and the local community are loving the boost to their happiness and wellbeing! 😎

03.10.2025 18:13 β€” πŸ‘ 9    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

2 Raven circling low over Colmore Row near Snow Hill Station earlier this afternoon.

A tick for this area of Brum and great to hear their gronking calls echoing around the buildings here

26.09.2025 17:03 β€” πŸ‘ 13    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Congratulations guys and no surprise at all! Well deserved recognition for an amazing network of Brum’s β€œunsung heroes” who passionately and unconditionally give so much to our great city πŸ‘ŒπŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘

bsky.app/profile/bosf...

26.09.2025 16:40 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Discover Nature in Autumn!
Join @wardendgftc.bsky.social & @chris4patches.bsky.social @brumcjc.bsky.social for a guided autumn Walk & Talk.

Explore the changing season, learn about local wildlife, & enjoy a morning in nature.

Sat 4th Oct
10am-12pm
Ward End Park, #Birmingham

Free and open to all!

24.09.2025 19:10 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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An important Cuckoo host species, the Meadow Pipit is often overlooked but has huge character and claw!

Their β€œparachute” display is a delight to watch!

They are declining; Amber-listed and on the global IUCN β€œnear threatened” list

Great to see 130+ @bibbeyswildfarms.bsky.social today 😎

24.09.2025 17:19 β€” πŸ‘ 12    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Provision of Mobile Catering Services in Parks - Find a Tender

The 5th Mobile Catering Services for Parks tender is now live on In-Tend. Deadline: 30 Sept 2025 (midday).

Details & docs (ref: PQ0614): www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/05232...

Covers pitches across Birmingham’s parks. Contracts run for 4 years. @bhamcitycouncil.bsky.social

23.09.2025 09:48 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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The UK Spotted Flycatcher population has declined by 93% in my lifetime!

Friends of Stechford Hall Park enjoyed watching 2 during my guided walk today

Brum has a HUGE story to tell about its nature & how it improves the lives of its people!

Volunteers are the storytellers!
@bosfonline.bsky.social

21.09.2025 16:30 β€” πŸ‘ 11    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Hi @thehairycrisp.bsky.social
Amazing return from first guided walk at this site mate! 😎😎😎

21.09.2025 12:56 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

2 Spotted Flycatchers Stechford Hall Park spotted at noon today and still present with group of warblers on central area near playground #WestMidsBirds

21.09.2025 12:02 β€” πŸ‘ 11    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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I warmly invite you to join me and Friends of Stechford Hall Park tomorrow to enter the fascinating world of Brum’s birds & butterflies: 11am via Stechford Road B34 6AB

This is their 1st nature event so will also be cause for a great celebration of Brum community development
@bosfonline.bsky.social

20.09.2025 10:59 β€” πŸ‘ 6    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Hi Catherine,

It was fabulous to meet you.
Best of luck to you and the @birminghamfoe.bsky.social team for tonight’s event and wishing you all a wonderful weekend 😎

19.09.2025 19:24 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Lovely to see & hear from so many people working with nature locally at @chris4patches.bsky.social's walking workshop today. Including @naomifisher.bsky.social & folks from @wittonlakes.bsky.social @bosfonline.bsky.social. The sunshine was great & slightly unexpected.

19.09.2025 15:50 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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News just in! @keepbritaintidy.bsky.social and the Green Flag Award are working with the @universityofleeds.bsky.social and the Suzy Lamplugh Trust to support a new campaign: #SaferParks - #StandUpAgainstStreetHarassment

19.09.2025 18:09 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

It’s always a pleasure and honour to work with you guys! Exciting times ahead πŸ‘πŸ™

18.09.2025 18:02 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Great to be involved in the launch of the Life Sciences Festival in #Birmingham yesterday. Thanks to @chris4patches.bsky.social (@brumbiosphere.bsky.social) for the invite and the chance to host a stall - it was a brilliant opportunity to connect with organisations from across the West Midlands.

16.09.2025 15:39 β€” πŸ‘ 7    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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A huge thank you to Carl Chinn, Brummie Historian & Local Legend, for his brilliant @birminghamlive.bsky.social article on the history of the city’s open spaces - and for highlighting BOSF & our network of volunteers. He recently celebrated our 20th Anniversary with us & @chris4patches.bsky.social πŸ’š

10.09.2025 18:21 β€” πŸ‘ 6    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

We're co-hosting a screening of ACTionism with the Plastic Free Gathering, Friday 19th Sept 7-9pm at @inthewarehouse.bsky.social
The film explores bringing people together for collective action. There'll be a Q&A with with the filmmaker and a chance to socialise.
actionnetwork.org/events/film-...

02.09.2025 21:14 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
The Plastic Free Gathering A one day summit of talks aimed at bringing together everyone concerned about plastic pollution and single-use plastics, to drive forward ambitious action on plastic. It will showcase ground breaking...

Have you heard about the Plastic Free Gathering? Sat 20th September 10am - 6pm at Crowne Plaza Hotel here in Birmingham, and on zoom. There's talks from @greenpeaceuk.bsky.social @partykitnetwork.bsky.social @reuniverse.co @zerowastescotland.bsky.social and more.
www.theplasticfreegathering.co.uk

01.09.2025 20:53 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1
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It was an absolute pleasure to lead a guided bird & butterfly walk with the growing number of Friends of Queens Park in Brum

Fantastic to record 21 bird species incl Chiffchaff, Green Woodpecker, House Martin, Sparrowhawk & Treecreeper and 5 butterfly species
#BrumBiosphere
@bosfonline.bsky.social

31.08.2025 12:20 β€” πŸ‘ 10    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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I warmly invite you to join me on Friday 19th September 2025 for my walking workshop, β€œLife with Nature”

Together we will explore how our region and its people can thrive by bringing nature into our daily lives and boardrooms

Register here:
wmlifesciencesweek.co.uk/event/life-w...
#LSW25

29.08.2025 17:03 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Today WERG are busy with @BrumRiverChamps activities & a touch of litterpicking @bosfonline.bsky.social πŸ™‚

29.08.2025 07:22 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Hi Matt. Early broods 75% of 2023 on average except abundant whites. Late broods are breaking records.

Amazing Linnet count considering farm rotation hasn’t started. These are local birds bouncing back after crash last year πŸ€ πŸ‘

25.08.2025 14:58 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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After carrying the @bosfonline.bsky.social 20th Anniversary Celebration Baton over 150,000 steps to Brum’s β€œunsung superheroes”, what better way to recharge & reflect than to survey @bibbeyswildfarms.bsky.social

It was fantastic to see record numbers of Small Copper & Common Blue plus 106 Linnet!

25.08.2025 11:52 β€” πŸ‘ 11    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
20 years of Brum Open Space Forum More info about "20 years of Brum Open Space Forum" from West Midlands News

Celebrating 20 years of BOSF! Ward End Residents' Group have a mention too! #BOSFbatoncelebrations
@bosfonline.bsky.social @chris4patches.bsky.social WERG on the third leg last Sunday....
πŸ“°πŸ—žοΈWest Midlands News Piece πŸ‘‡
20 years of Brum Open Space Forum
westmidlands.news/20-years-of-...

23.08.2025 06:45 β€” πŸ‘ 7    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Do you have a broken electrical or battery-powered household item? Give it a second chance at our Repair Workshop with Recognition Circular, sponsored by @veoliauk.bsky.social

Friday 29 August, 10am-2pm
- Expert volunteers
- Cut waste
- Save money

Book your slot: recognition-circular...

18.08.2025 17:13 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Hi. That is absolutely brilliant! What a rare and wonderful treat! Are they hitting sunflower seeds or the seed mix mainly? Thank you so much for sharing πŸ‘ŒπŸ‘πŸŽ‰

16.08.2025 02:43 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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BOSF ambassador @chris4patches.bsky.social (@brumbiosphere.bsky.social) is back on the move this Sunday 17 Aug, carrying our 20th Anniversary Baton through Hodge Hill to Yardley, visiting parks & connecting with the amazing volunteers, "the unsung heroes" who care for #Birmingham’s green spaces! πŸ’š

15.08.2025 16:56 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 4    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1

Join us tomorrow, Sunday 10th August, for Day 2 of our 20th Anniversary Baton Journey!

After an amazing Day 1 exploring Northfield, Edgbaston, and Ladywood with @chris4patches.bsky.social (@brumbiosphere.bsky.social) carrying our Celebration Baton, we’re excited to keep the adventure going!

09.08.2025 13:31 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

@chris4patches is following 18 prominent accounts