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Laurence Drummond

@birdinghertsessex.bsky.social
165 followers 135 following 206 posts

Birder nearly always Hertfordshire and Essex, butterfly enthusiast ,birds and wildlife only account, no DMs unless I know you please.

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Reposted by Laurence Drummond
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan @london.gov.uk · 09/09/2026
RNLI volunteers put themselves in harm’s way to save lives. They should never face abuse or threats for doing so. That includes the crews based on the Thames, who respond to hundreds of incidents every year. They deserve to be thanked, not attacked.
bbc.co.uk
Abuse of RNLI volunteers 'wholly unacceptable', chief says
Peter Sparkes says there has been "deliberate misinformation" spread about the charity.
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Liz Goodyear @lizgoodyear.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
I intercepted Stu at Welwyn North on Thursday to give my support. 24 hours later someone sadly felt the need to end their life at the station. Please support his quest to raise £10000+ for #Samaritans. #teammoth not moth related but I want to spread the word!
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Graham Knight @grahamknight10.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
Two East Herts projects to install Swift boxes and House Martin cups this autumn: Buntingford: contact nehswifts@gmail.com Sawbridgeworth and Bishop's Stortford: sawbridgeworthswifts@gmail.com or Sawbridgeworth Swifts on Facebook Thanks to @mart-the-gooner.bsky.social for the Swift photos
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martinswarren.bsky.social @martinswarren.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Great to meet with @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social and new owners @nationaltrust.org.uk at Giant Hill, one of the UKs top butterfly sites to discuss management for Duke of Burgundy and Marsh Fritillary. Lots of positive plans for bespoke scrub management and grazing to help these threatened species.
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Graham Knight @grahamknight10.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
The 2026 NPPF update ought to be good news with the change of wording in relation to Swift bricks BUT the problem is the word "should". Some Hertfordshire LPA's take the views that this means it is not a planning requirement and won't condition Swift bricks. The update is unlikely to change that
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Andy Goodey @andygoodey.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Google plans to bulldoze a wildlife haven in Essex – home to rare species – for a data centre. Sign the petition now to help save it before it’s gone forever 🐝🦋 you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/sa...
you.38degrees.org.uk
Save Arena Essex- Tell Google to search elsewhere!
  Wedged between the Mar Dyke Valley and Lakeside Retail Park, the former Arena Essex Raceway is not your usual wildlife haven. Where once stock cars and speedway bikes lined up to cross the fini...
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J Hanlon @jahanlon.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Get used to more headlines like this. Adders 🐍 are exceptionally sensitive to disturbance and we’re losing them. Photographers love ‘em but must learn to leave them alone. Yes I used to bother them too but I won’t go looking again as they’re in real trouble #LeaveAddersAlone @arc-trust.bsky.social
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Liz Goodyear @lizgoodyear.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Today’s star moth in VC20 is a Convolvulus Hawk-moth-a UK lifer for me!!! I knew persistence would eventually pay off growing huge quantities of Tobacco (Nicotiana) plants beside the moth trap & kept well watered! Otherwise a much quieter trap of late just 172 : 31 macro species #Teammoth
Convolvulus Hawk-mothConvolvulus Hawk-mothConvolvulus Hawk-mothConvolvulus Hawk-moth
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Graham Knight @grahamknight10.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
Endoscopy for Swift boxes With the Swifts now gone, I have been trying out a £16 endoscope camera attached to my phone. Have been looking inside my Swift bricks and box. All it needs is a step ladder and a bamboo cane. Videos of results in the comments Also finds Lego under the sofa...
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Laurence Drummond @birdinghertsessex.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
Minimum 217 Painted Lady's at Rivers Orchard site Sawbridgeworth this morning, anywhere there is Knapweed...
static.klipy.com
Crows Swarm Bedroom
ALT: Crows Swarm Bedroom
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Graham Knight @grahamknight10.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
As we near the end of the Swift season, our Hertfordshire survey currently has 923 nests recorded. More nests to confirm from previous years and many yet to be recorded, especially in parts of South and West Herts. The www.swiftmapper.org.uk screenshot shows the 36 nests from St Albans in 2026
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David Element @davidelement.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
I have just uploaded this film of a male Brown Hairstreak Butterfly Thecla betulae drinking from a chalk stream @markbravery.bsky.social @rlewington2.bsky.social @ukbutterflies.bsky.social, taken this am: youtu.be/9Y-CYk65OLs?.... It is possible that this behaviour may not have been filmed before.
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Andy Symes @andysymes.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
Visited Stotfold, Beds Green-flowered Helleborines only to find whole colony (and significant area of woodland floor) in the process of being trashed by dumping of waste soil from a nearby development. Work now stopped til Mon when I'll have to try to speak with council... @ukorchids.bsky.social
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Laurence Drummond @birdinghertsessex.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
Small Skipper on the garden Buddleia this morning.
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Andy Goodey @andygoodey.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
Lots of Swift action this morning by the boxes in Rayne @essexbirdnews.bsky.social #birds #ukbirding @sosswifts.bsky.social
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Laurence Drummond @birdinghertsessex.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
12 Purple Emperors at Hatfield Forest this afternoon in perfect weather, all territorial males now and no females seen, a couple of males worse for wear.
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Graham Knight @grahamknight10.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
Herts Swift Nest Survey update: As of 1st July, we have records of 728 Swift nests in Hertfordshire in 2026. There are still plenty to find, especially in the southwest of county The screenshot from www.swiftmapper.org.uk shows nests and screaming parties found in Hemel Hempstead
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Laurence Drummond @birdinghertsessex.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
14 Purple Emperors at Hatfield Forest Essex this afternoon, a mix of ride-side males, territorial males and 2 females, only did half my usual walk so no doubt I missed a few...
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Laurence Drummond @birdinghertsessex.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
Purple Emperors at Rowney Wood nr Saffron Walden this morning.
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Graham Knight @grahamknight10.bsky.social · 20/06/2026
There are suddenly a lot more Swifts in the sky, but they aren't newly fledged chicks. Here is my explanation of what is going on:
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Steve Gale @stevewg.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
A bit more about chalk scrapes and rare plants @bsbibotany.bsky.social northdownsandbeyond.blogspot.com/2026/06/a-he...
northdownsandbeyond.blogspot.com
A helping hand
Priest Hill. Until the Second World War it was north Surrey farmland, a mix of arable (wheat, barley, oats and potatoes) with a small herd o...
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Laurence Drummond @birdinghertsessex.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
2 male Purple Emperors chasing and clashing at the Lippitts hill territory Epping Forest this afternoon...it's time...
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Richard Chew @ss15birder.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
I have set up a “Save our Essex Swifts!” Facebook group. www.facebook.com/groups/80184... I want to raise awareness of this declining species and any initiatives and projects in Essex. If you are interested in following progress, follow the link above and click on “join group” 😊 #essexbirding
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Biological Recording Company @biologicalrecording.co.uk · 01/06/2026
🌳 Identifying Whitebeams Join @jameshardingmorris.bsky.social on 29th Sep to learn ID skills for UK & Ireland whitebeams, rowans & service trees. Covering native, endemic & non-native species, habitats, ancestry & conservation 🌎 🧪 🔗 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1980367894... @bsbibotany.bsky.social
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MarcM381 @aquilabirding2.bsky.social · 23/05/2026
NORTHERN PARULA, Fair Isle obs. 📷 photo by Luke Marriner.
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🇨🇦JOY 🇨🇦 @joycomes.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
Peacock Spider (genus Maratus), a group of tiny Australian jumping spiders famous for their vibrant colours and elaborate courtship dances to attract its mate. They are very tiny in size only between 2-5 millimetres ( the size of a pea)
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Laurence Drummond @birdinghertsessex.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
This collection of pinned(😬) Butterflies in the Shell house at Hatfield Forest has somehow avoided my attention up until today, I doubt they were collected locally as there are Marsh Fritillary's , Swallowtail and I think Silver Studded Blue.
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Graham Knight @grahamknight10.bsky.social · 09/05/2026
This article shows how the Winchester Swift population has increased by 31% between 2018 and 2024. This is thanks to the provision of large numbers of Swift boxes, despite the number of natural nests declining during the same period: www.hampshireswifts.co.uk/post/winches...
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Graham Knight @grahamknight10.bsky.social · 10/05/2026
Blocked Swift nest number 7 this year for Herts is in Sandon. It is the only known nest site in the village, although there could be others not yet found Swifts have probably nested under the eaves of this old cottage for many years
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Graham Knight @grahamknight10.bsky.social · 10/05/2026
After disaster in Sandon, I moved on to survey Royston and found 10 Swift nests. 5 of them were in Swift boxes, including 3 at the mill opposite the railway station, whilst 4 natural nests were at the excellent Princes Mews colony
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Graham Knight @grahamknight10.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
Herts Swift Nest surveys for 2026: six days in, and here is the fourth nest site from last year that has been blocked. Not illegal as Swifts have not yet returned here. Property owner aware and not interested in maintaining the nest hole. This, not insects, is the reason Swifts are in decline.
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Laurence Drummond @birdinghertsessex.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
Lovely morning at Fingrinhoe EWT , backdrop of Nightingales Turtle Dove and Cuckoo, Small Coppers and 2 clashing "pairs" of Green Hairstreak, this pair were determined to be the man at what was obviously a prize territory...
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Laurence Drummond @birdinghertsessex.bsky.social · 03/05/2026
Shaky video grab of today's Essex Ross's Gull...
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Butterfly Conservation - Cambs & Essex @bc-cambs-essex.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
GUIDED WALK CANCELLED Unfortunately the poor weather forecast for this weekend means we have cancelled the planned walk at Bison Hill. Sorry
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Havoc @havoc147.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
If American history was taught correctly.
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Laurence Drummond @birdinghertsessex.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
Local Hoopoe, not found by me but appreciated by me...
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Graham Knight @grahamknight10.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
Black Redstarts nesting in a Swift brick in Winchester!! We advocate for these as universal nest bricks and they really are. No other types of integrated bird box are required @hannahbournetaylor.bsky.social @ukrbbp.bsky.social @sosswifts.bsky.social
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Laurence Drummond @birdinghertsessex.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
My annual spring trip to Waterford heath, Hertford for Grizzled Skipper, I find them harder than I used to but managed to get 2 on the north pit
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Andy Goodey @andygoodey.bsky.social · 25/04/2026
Flog of local gravel pit patch near Braintree. Plaudits to gravel works company who’ve again agreed to avoid Sand Martin colony. No LRPs yet but Lapwing pair, Snipe, Garden Warbler and 3 Lesser Whitethroats in area plus 2 Green Hairstreaks, not had here before #Essexbirding #ukbirding #birds
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Graham Knight @grahamknight10.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
Records from Tring, Elstree, Baldock, Northchurch, Garston, Ware, St Albans, WGC, Ware and Bishop’s Stortford, but not yet here in Sawbridgeworth
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Laurence Drummond @birdinghertsessex.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
Female Orange Tip in the garden on Garlic Mustard, there's been a male every day for the last week, hope they get to meet up...
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Laurence Drummond @birdinghertsessex.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
The hoped for waders didn't arrive on the patch this morning but this Dark bellied Brent Goose was only my 2nd ever in Herts.
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Ignacio GHOULlup-Diaz @igallupd.bsky.social · 19/04/2026
"Pancreatic cancer mRNA vaccine shows lasting results in an early trial: Scientists caution that more research is needed, but nearly all of the patients who responded to the personalized vaccine are still alive six years later."
nbcnews.com
Pancreatic cancer mRNA vaccine shows lasting results in an early trial
Scientists caution that more research is needed, but nearly all of the patients who responded to the personalized vaccine are still alive six years later.
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Simon West @simonwest26.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
Nesting holes at a viaduct in Derbyshire have been filled in by Network Rail. It is ridiculous. #saveourswifts Please ask them to reopen the holes - protectthewild.org.uk/swift-petiti...
protectthewild.org.uk
Network Rail: Unblock the swift nesting holes - Protect the Wild
Network Rail: Reopen Swift Nesting Holes at Chapel Milton Viaduct 11472 people have taken action so far. Help us reach 15000 First name Last name Email Phone Subject Letter Dear Network Rail, We are w...
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Laurence Drummond @birdinghertsessex.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
The easterly wind brought at least 3 Little Gulls at Hanningfield res today, viewable from the causeway or Rawl/point hide.
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Laurence Drummond @birdinghertsessex.bsky.social · 29/03/2026
Today's Jack Snipe at Amwell, also 3 LRP, 2 Sand Martin and 6 Red crested Pochard.
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Laurence Drummond @birdinghertsessex.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
Lovely male Wheatear and c.120 Golden Plover at Hunsdon Airstrip this morning, the Wheatear didn't want his Pic taken...you can just make out some of the summer plumage Golden Plover here...
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Andy Goodey @andygoodey.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
@lincsbirding.bsky.social #lincsbirding Hi anyone able to give some directions please for the Great Grey Shrike at Fillingham please as I’m passing that way on Friday. I believe it’s been in a hedgerow somewhere just outside the village? Thanks
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Graham Knight @grahamknight10.bsky.social · 07/03/2026
Very happy to be talking Hertfordshire Swifts at the Herts Bird Club conference
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