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Reposted by Graham Knight

Jonathan Pomroy @jonathanpomroy.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

House martins depart as pink- footed geese arrive! A blog at jonathanpomroy.wordpress.com Plus a look at my forthcoming exhibitions this autumn.

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Reposted by Graham Knight

Richard Chew @ss15birder.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Swifts need our help! There has been a 70% decline in the Swift population in the UK since 1995. Please follow and support. saveouressexswifts.weebly.com www.facebook.com/groups/80184... #essexbirding

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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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Reposted by Graham Knight

Mart_the_Gooner @mart-the-gooner.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

A thermal scope is pretty useful when checking a swift box late in the season! Then you know it's worth hanging around to catch a glimpse! @tj-focus.bsky.social #pixfraseriuss635 #commonswift #thermalbirding

thermal image of a swift nest box showing two feint hot spots

thermal image of a swift nest box showing white hot spot where the nest cup is normally situated

a young swift peering out of a brown nest box

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Graham Knight @grahamknight10.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

A fantastic photo short-listed for the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. I know which of these two flying machines I prefer: the one that can stay in the air for up to three years

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Graham Knight @grahamknight10.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

St Albans Swift brick policy watered down, with the addition of "such as". Was to be one of the best in the country until planning inspectors changed it at the last minute. Instead of mandating Swift bricks on all new builds, developers will be able to put forward poor alternatives or none at all

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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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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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Graham Knight @grahamknight10.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

This makes me very happy. The pair are still occupying the box after 5 weeks. They are not seen so often now as there is less need to defend the nest site from other non-breeding Swifts, but are still returning to roost each night some time after 9pm

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Graham Knight @grahamknight10.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

Lots of lovely Swift watching early this morning in the Park Drive area of Baldock, with 6 nests found, 4 of which were previously unrecorded. Also single nests confirmed in Walkern and Wallington. An extra bonus in Baldock was an active House Martin nest!

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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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Graham Knight @grahamknight10.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

Huge amounts of Swift activity at Redwood Court, Bishop's Stortford, this morning. A lot of bangers prospecting for nest sites, much to the annoyance of some of the established breeders. The best place to watch Swifts in the area?

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Graham Knight @grahamknight10.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

First Swift taxi of the year for me. This Swift was found in the street in Sawbridgeworth with a wound on the back. I took it to the brilliant South Essex Wildlife Hospital, where it joins 25 other Swifts already in their care. Grounded Swifts always need an expert rehabber

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Graham Knight @grahamknight10.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Cranbourne Gardens, Welwyn Garden City at 6am this morning Probably 100 Swifts in the sky. Why are there so many? The "yearlings" are here for a very short time, perhaps 3 weeks, and will soon be heading back to Africa. Whilst here they cause mayhem!

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Graham Knight @grahamknight10.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

My Swift nest survey this morning was in St Albans, where I recorded 14 new nests for 2026, 4 of them previously unknown. 34 so far this year in the city, with many more still to find Swifts really like the gable ends above the shops at The Quadrant

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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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Graham Knight @grahamknight10.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

The newest resident of Sawbridgeworth

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Reposted by Graham Knight

Richard K Broughton @richardkbroughton.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

New in #BirdStudy and the media today: Swifts are very faithful to nest sites, partners & colonies. Providing nest sites could help maintain populations. High fidelity to nest sites and partners in the Common Swift Apus apus: doi.org/10.1080/0006... www.theguardian.com/environment/... #ornithology

theguardian.com

Migrating swifts loyally return every year to nests in buildings, study finds

Conservationists emphasise importance of protecting nesting sites used by ‘strongly faithful’ red-listed species

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Graham Knight @grahamknight10.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

Second Swift in the box, possibly for the first time. Both are in there now having a loud discussion This makes me very happy

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Graham Knight @grahamknight10.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

After four years of trying I have a Swift in my box! I changed the call I was playing yesterday and the results were immediate, with two Swifts trying to enter straight away,and within 24 hours one was in. The other of the potential pair has been trying Over the moon! Playing calls is essential

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Graham Knight @grahamknight10.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

Are there any Swift nests at the Market Hill Dentists in Royston? Yes!

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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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Graham Knight @grahamknight10.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

Herts Swift Nest Survey update As of 1st June, we have records of 321 Swift nests so far in the county. Now is the peak time to record them - all nest records welcome, and please don't assume we already know about particular nests

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Graham Knight @grahamknight10.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

A Robin feeding a Dipper chick in Perthshire - seems very unusual?

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Graham Knight @grahamknight10.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

Off for a break, and so Swift surveys will have to wait until June, but I am pleased to have reached my May target of 150 nests

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Graham Knight @grahamknight10.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

"Chimney" Swifts: unusual Swift nest locations found in Potters Bar: on the front of chimneys in a gap above brickwork. Confused as to the purpose of these chimney shapes But, a risky place to nest as Jackdaws also on many of the chimneys and the ledge above the nest is a perfect predator perch

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Graham Knight @grahamknight10.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

Survey work early this morning was in Stevenage, where it was cold and I didn't see a single Swift in the sky in 2 hours... Sounds bad? It wasn't as I got responses from 17 different nests when I played calls. 16 of these nests are repeats from last year, the other being a newly found one

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Graham Knight @grahamknight10.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

The original article had an incorrect headline which has been changed, but unfortunately this post doesn't reflect that. Swifts are not down 47% at the museum, 2025 was their best year since 2008: oumnh.ox.ac.uk/swifts-diary...

oumnh.ox.ac.uk

Swifts Diary 2025

They’re back! This morning the first 2 swifts were seen exiting their nest boxes in the tower with another party of 11 spotted flying high overhead.

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Graham Knight @grahamknight10.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

Blocked Swift nest number 9 for Herts in 2026 is in Bishop's Stortford. Scaffolding, new fascias and soffits and the nest is gone. Not illegal as the work was done before the Swifts arrived

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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 · 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 · 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 · 09/05/2026

The Oxford Natural History Museum Tower Swifts diary is back for 2026, including a camera on a nest with some very early eggs: oumnh.ox.ac.uk/swifts-diary...

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Graham Knight @grahamknight10.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

I *might* be posting about Swifts quite a lot this summer...

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Graham Knight @grahamknight10.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

Also pleased to see Swift boxes in Borehamwood. Shame not Swift bricks integrated into the wall. House Sparrows ignoring the Sparrow Terraces and using the Swift boxes instead, which is why they should always be required on new developments

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Graham Knight @grahamknight10.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

Delighted to find a new colony of Swifts in Borehamwood this morning thanks to a tip off. 3 nests plus 5 more in the other known colony in the town, all found by call and response. All nesting in brick air vents and very vulnerable to be blocked. I am now up to 46 nests found so far this year

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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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Reposted by Graham Knight

Rob Thomas @robthomasbirds.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

The latest paper from Ed Drewitt’s PhD is out - on urban-breeding peregrine falcons feeding their chicks at night. royalsocietypublishing.org/rsos/article...

A graph showing that peregrine falcons are more likely to feed their chicks at night in places where there is more artificial light at night, and at times when there is brighter moonlight.

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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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Graham Knight @grahamknight10.bsky.social · 26/04/2026

The Swifts are back at Redwood Court, Bishop's Stortford. With an estimated 60 nesting pairs, we believe that this is one of the largest single-building colonies in the UK! We hope that Trinity Estates will keep their promise to protect the Swifts and delay any scaffolding until the birds have left

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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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Reposted by Graham Knight

Simon West @simonwest26.bsky.social · 19/04/2026

A good early morning walk on Croxley Common Moor (Hertfordshire). Gropper seen very well & a surprise Nightingale singing by the river. Plenty of Sedge Warblers, Blackcaps, Whitethroats, a few Chiffchaffs, Cetti’s Warblers & single Willow Warbler #hertsbirds #ukbirds #ukbirding #birds

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Graham Knight @grahamknight10.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

A week in Tirol, Austria, has produced a nice list of birds from the in-laws garden: singing Black Redstart and Serin, Crested Tit, Ring Ouzel and flocks of up to 165 Alpine Chough Photos are from front and back of the house

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Graham Knight @grahamknight10.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

First record dates for Hertfordshire Swifts since 2015... not long now!

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Reposted by Graham Knight

Lewes Swift Supporters @lewesswifts.bsky.social · 04/04/2026

The Trektellen app shows some #Swifts passing through the Medoc region, just above Bordeaux, and rather a lot above Corsica. The first Swift was seen in #Lewes on 14th April last year - not long to wait before we are scanning the skies.

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Graham Knight @grahamknight10.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

Reposting this again as I think it is an extraordinary photo of a Swift

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Reposted by Graham Knight

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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Graham Knight @grahamknight10.bsky.social · 21/03/2026

Very early Sedge Warbler singing in the reedbed at Saltcoats Park, South Woodham Ferrers #Essexbirding

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Reposted by Graham Knight

David Utting @duherts.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

I listened to a fascinating talk by Graham Knight last Saturday at the Herts Bird Conference about Swifts (amazing birds!) and how to help their numbers recover. Now available to watch on the @hnhsoc.bsky.social YouTube site. @hertsbirds.bsky.social www.youtube.com/@hnhs8111

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Graham Knight @grahamknight10.bsky.social · 08/03/2026

Swift bricks: universal nest bricks that conform with BS42021:2022, providing for a variety of cavity nesting birds. Might be a bit optimistic to get this species using them.... #swifts

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