Murray Orchard @murrayorchard.bsky.social · 08/09/2026To celebrate bird migration to and from the county, the KOS & partners are holding a day of birdwatching, ringing & recording on 27th of Sept. Please join us at one of 3 participating sites. See kentos.org.uk/index.php/even… for details & instructions of how to sign up where relevant. 094
Murray Orchard @murrayorchard.bsky.social · 28/08/2026Germany: Protect the North Sea and its harbour porpoises! actions.eko.org/a/germany-pr...actions.eko.org 000
Reposted by Murray OrchardDigital Brain @yourdigitalbrain.bsky.social · 31/07/2026A small act of kindness toward someone vulnerable just went viral, proof that you do not need grand gestures to make a real difference. Sharing food, helping a hurt animal, aiding a stranger, this is 607144732916
Reposted by Murray OrchardBritish Birds @britishbirds.bsky.social · 25/07/2026Looking for your next wildlife read? Explore the latest book reviews in the British Birds Journal, covering everything from bird identification and ecology to conservation and natural history. Read the reviews in the latest issue: britishbirds.co.uk/volume-119/i... 194
Murray Orchard @murrayorchard.bsky.social · 25/07/2026N Herts: Quick check of Amwell Pits 09.15-10.30. Nice catch up with Mr Reed. 8 ad Com Terns plus juv and 2 chicks (1 large 1 small) using raft😊, also 4 large BHG young; Com Sand, Green Sand, 20+ Lapwing, 2 f Shoveler, Swift and H/Martins collecting mud😊….and lots of Gadwall! @hertsbirds.bsky.social 000
Murray Orchard @murrayorchard.bsky.social · 18/07/2026Medway Islands WeBS 17/7 Still breeding gulls & terns present but most departed - no Little Terns🙁. Sandwich Terns still present tho at new site, with 2+ juvs😊 so hopes for return next year. Also young Med Gull. Over 1,000 Curlew & 50+ Whimbrel Pics @bobknight.bsky.social @smp-seabirds.bsky.social 071
Murray Orchard @murrayorchard.bsky.social · 15/07/2026The KOS is organising a Family Bird Day at Dungeness RSPB on 16 August. Free for members and non-members. Several activities planned - see flyer. Please sign up via admin@kentos.org.uk. And do share with friends who might be interested. Thanks. 072
Murray Orchard @murrayorchard.bsky.social · 13/07/2026The BBC cancelling Winterwatch is such a shame, especially when we need to be connecting with nature more than ever. If we want people to protect our wildlife, we have to show them it! Add your name to ask the BBC to reconsider. you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/do...you.38degrees.org.ukTell the BBC: Save Winterwatch!The UK is losing its wildlife, and shows like Winterwatch are vital for connecting us to nature. The BBC's decision to cancel it makes no sense. Let's ask them to rethink this! Add your name here: 001
Reposted by Murray OrchardNational Trust @nationaltrust.org.uk · 02/07/2026It's been a record-breaking year for little terns at Long Nanny, Northumberland! A minimum of 126 breeding pairs are nesting at the site this season, far surpassing the previous record of 57 breeding pairs in 1994. They're the UK’s second rarest breeding seabird so this is good news. 416430
Murray Orchard @murrayorchard.bsky.social · 14/06/2026Evening twitch to Amwell for the 2 superb Black Terns - swooping and feeding over Hardmead Lake😊 Also 32 B/H Gull AON (2 near-fledged young), 7 Com Tern (1 AON on island, 2 AON on raft), 18+ Egyptian Geese, 2 LRP, 4+ Lapwing, m Shoveler, 16+ Cormorant nests, Sparrowhawk etc. @hertsbirds.bsky.social 010
Reposted by Murray OrchardSussex Ornithology @sussexornitholo.bsky.social · 12/06/2026We are really excited to be hosting the Honey-buzzard live stream on our new website. As seen on Springwatch 2026. tinyurl.com/42ubayu8 The Society part-funded this work, which should contribute much to our understanding of the species’ breeding ecology in Sussex. Thanks to all partners.tinyurl.comHoney-buzzards - The Sussex Ornithological SocietyHoney-buzzards have been studied and surveyed in Sussex since the early 1990s, with many chicks ringed at the nest as part of a wider project in Britain. 01611
Reposted by Murray OrchardCaroline Lucas @carolinelucas.bsky.social · 12/06/2026Good news! Ministers have finally given green light to new #NaturalHistory GCSE. We’ve campaigned so long for this! Big hats off to tireless advocate Mary Colwell 🙌 Now our young people will have a chance to get to know & love the natural world, to feel awe & wonder, & gain skills to protect it 🌷🌳🦡theguardian.comNatural history GCSE to teach teenagers to plant wildflower-friendly gardensLong-awaited course to examine human effects on natural world and explore everyday ways to aid biodiversity 391220372
Murray Orchard @murrayorchard.bsky.social · 11/06/2026My contribution to #WorldSaltmarshDay A harsh, changeable, vulnerable, scarce and declining habitat. Here, the saltmarsh of a Medway island on a spring high tide. Our gulls and terns breed on a knife edge. Photo by @Bknight_3 @smp-seabirds.bsky.social 0132
Reposted by Murray OrchardMassimo (mirror) @rainmaker1973-m.bsky.social · 10/06/2026Crested mynas, as many other birds, are born altricially, which means young are underdeveloped at the time of birth, therefore fed by parents. When they grow up, they have to learn that food doesn't simply jump into their beaks. [📹 Rebecca Gelernter] Original post 1783654513
Reposted by Murray Orchard@amybisinthewoods.bsky.social 🍄🍄🟫 @amybdogsandfungi.bsky.social · 05/06/2026We have to end his power in November. It is life or death. 700124845750
Murray Orchard @murrayorchard.bsky.social · 06/06/2026I'm calling on the Government to make sure developers deliver for nature through Biodiversity Net Gain! action.rspb.org.uk/page/192593/...action.rspb.org.ukMore exemptions proposed for Biodiversity Net GainNew proposals offer developers even more exemptions when it comes to delivering for nature. 000
Murray Orchard @murrayorchard.bsky.social · 27/05/2026Out on Medway, doing Redshank survey. Landed on Nor Marsh (with permission) where nesting B/H Gulls. A check of other islands produced 390 Med Gulls & 170 Sandwich Terns😊 The latter in new nesting area following abandonment of usual beach. So Kent’s only colony survives!?🙏 @smp-seabirds.bsky.social 094
Murray Orchard @murrayorchard.bsky.social · 24/05/2026Back from Devon and straight into delayed WeBS and SMP visits. Utterly grim at Cliffe RSPB, with the low water levels resulting in almost total loss of breeding season for gulls, terns and waders. However, a pair of LRP with 4 chicks😊, and one small BHG colony (83 AON) @smp-seabirds.bsky.social 110
Reposted by Murray OrchardMichelle says: Be kind. Always. ❤️ @snarkysillysad.bsky.social · 24/05/2026Inca tern of Peru and Chile: #AGoodPlace Source: www.reddit.com/r/Damnthatsi... 934380588
Reposted by Murray Orchard🦌 The Deer Whisperer 🦌 @thedeerwhisperer.bsky.social · 18/05/2026Mt St Helens May 18, 1980 I just cannot imagine what seeing this would've been like. The person who took this photo had to abandon their car and escape with the motorcycle. 📸Richard Lasher 35355141018
Reposted by Murray OrchardMark Hamill @markhamillofficial.bsky.social · 16/05/2026You're entitled to your own opinion. You're NOT entitled to your own facts. #BelieveTheScience What he said 💯 👇 👇 👇 594249436703
Murray Orchard @murrayorchard.bsky.social · 15/05/2026PHEW!! Much better results on May Medway Islands WeBS than expected, after April survey. 320+ Med Gulls, 30 Little Terns and…..100 Sandwich Terns at new site😄 (usual beach abandoned). Also 3,500+ B/H Gulls & 35 Com Terns An unexpected Shag to finish!🤔 Pics by @Bknight_3 @smp-seabirds.bsky.social 030
Murray Orchard @murrayorchard.bsky.social · 02/05/2026Has anyone got our Med Gulls? North Kent has seen a major decline in breeding Med Gulls last two years. From 850 pairs in 2024, to about 150 last year and now none (so far) this year? Any other sites missing birds?, or with greatly increased numbers? @smp-seabirds.bsky.social @ukrbbp.bsky.social 373
Murray Orchard @murrayorchard.bsky.social · 19/04/2026Busy couple of days in Kent. Three WeBS counts & Redshank survey in N Kent and Bittern survey at Stodmarsh on Friday evening. Great to “put in”💪 Still found time for scope-filling views of the Crane at Seasalter RSPB!😂 @rspbengland.bsky.social @naturalengland.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social 040
Murray Orchard @murrayorchard.bsky.social · 19/04/2026Medway Islands WeBS. First returning Little Terns, but no activity at Sandwich Tern site - beach looks scoured/abandoned🙁- just 7 birds in estuary. B/H Gulls in low nos, mostly one main island. Very few Meds, but 3 prs GBBG? Lots of Brents! Pics by @bobknight.bsky.social @smp-seabirds.bsky.social 020
Murray Orchard @murrayorchard.bsky.social · 06/04/2026Happy Easter! Bright but cold & windy! - did a couple of local greenspace surveys. My first use of the App in the field (the 17/3 was a test run). Just so quick and simple! Good to provide data for assessing our public greenspaces. Singing Greenfinches at both sites👍😊 @btobirds.bsky.social 120
Murray Orchard @murrayorchard.bsky.social · 04/04/2026Stop Royal Caribbean from Bulldozing the Maya Jungle! action.eko.org/a/stop-royal...action.eko.org 000
Murray Orchard @murrayorchard.bsky.social · 03/03/2026Great BTO Conference yesterday in Northampton. Packed programme of talks from Nightjars, Bird Atlas 2027-31, results of WinGS and Blackbirds/Usutu virus to tracking seabirds & Birds in Greenspaces 2026. Good networking with staff/attendees and good catering. Thanks BTO! @_BTO 010
Murray Orchard @murrayorchard.bsky.social · 24/08/2025Bribery!😉 My contribution for Seabird Sunday. Sandwich Terns in the Medway (Kent) earlier this year. Pic by Bob Knight. #SuperSeabirdSunday @smp-seabirds.bsky.social 050
Murray Orchard @murrayorchard.bsky.social · 05/08/2025Very enjoyable Naturalists Picnic Lunch at Upper Mystole Park Farm, hosted by Keith & Jenny Dugmore. Nice to say hello to long time birding colleagues and have tour of new wetland habitats. A drive through Denge Woods afterwards produced a flock of 14 Crossbills. @kentwildlife.bsky.social 030
Reposted by Murray OrchardAlexander Lees @alexanderlees.bsky.social · 05/08/2025The current position of Natural England is that (re)introduction of White Storks should not be supported. Evidence for their historical presence here is sketchy and it is difficult to rule out historical remains as not pertaining to regular vagrancy. Cultural evidence is weak at best #UKbirding 1/2 97528
Murray Orchard @murrayorchard.bsky.social · 20/07/2025Enjoyable visit to Dover White Cliffs on Thurs despite the sea fret. A few nice flowers, a Chalk Hill Blue, pair of Stonechats, then the superb path down to the beach. A Black Redstart & Rock Pipits on the cliffs on way down. Ended with Raven flying over into the mist. @whitecliffsdover.bsky.social 020
Murray Orchard @murrayorchard.bsky.social · 09/07/2025Donald Trump wants to open the spectacular deep Pacific Ocean to drilling and mining. It's a global emergency: resistors in the government say we need to flood the public comment process before it’s too late! action.eko.org/a/trump-atta...action.eko.orgStop Trump's attack on our oceans!Donald Trump just announced he’s going to open the Pacific Ocean to deep sea mining!That means his friends will get permits to vacuum up the ocean floor, destroy irreplaceable marine life, and make bi 000
Murray Orchard @murrayorchard.bsky.social · 08/07/2025Did my annual farm walk around Braughing/Bozen Green N Herts to check local Corn Bunts. Four pairs, plus 3 R/Bunt, 13 YH, Linnet, lots of Skylarks and a juv Y/Wagtail. Been like this for 20+years. Farmer/s here getting it right👏 In one 50m stretch got CB, RB, Y. S. LI & YW!😊 @hertsbirds.bsky.social 010
Murray Orchard @murrayorchard.bsky.social · 06/07/2025A collection of pics from Anglesey last week for Super Seabird Sunday😊 #SuperSeabirdSunday @smp-seabirds.bsky.social 1203
Murray Orchard @murrayorchard.bsky.social · 06/07/2025🌳 Dame Judi Dench is calling for the return of ancient woodlands. Will you sign the petition to help restore the Ghost Woods and protect our green spaces for future generations? you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/br...you.38degrees.org.ukBring back the ancient woodlands smothered beneath your timber plantationsAncient woodlands are vanishing – and with them, some of our most loved and endangered wildlife. Forestry England manages over 100,000 acres of land that used to be ancient woodland - that’s bigger th... 000
Murray Orchard @murrayorchard.bsky.social · 31/05/2025Lovely morning for Late BBS visit to TL3336, Therfield, N Herts. Pleased to get singing Corn Bunting and Willow Warbler, both present on Early visit too. A surprise fly past Grey Partridge, L/Whitethroat, several Skylarks, Linnets & Yellowhammers. Song Thrush on the up? @bbs-birds.bsky.social 131
Murray Orchard @murrayorchard.bsky.social · 31/05/2025Medway Islands WeBS/SMP count 26/5. Count of adults - B/H Gull 3,443, Med Gull 336, Sandwich Tern 155, Little Tern 25, but virtually no Com Terns. Sandwich Tern nesting beach deserted…although some birds have moved elsewhere. Effect of the earlier cold NE winds? Pics by @Bknight_3 @smp_seabirds 020
Reposted by Murray OrchardRupert Evershed @rupertevershed.bsky.social · 30/05/2025Really sad to have to announce that Steve Blake @blakey9.bsky.social passed away last night after a long battle with illness. He will be greatly missed, not least as a good friend to many, a great birder and the man behind Herts Bird News @hertsbirds #hertsbirds #londonbirds 😢 463
Reposted by Murray OrchardDungeness Bird Observatory @dungenessbirdobs.bsky.social · 30/04/2025Another very long seawatch today, with plenty of gaps between birds but by the end of the over 15hr watch, a decent total of birds had passed, including the joint second highest spring Grey Plover count, as well as 45 Pomarine Skuas amongst a very good variety of species. #kentbirding 0172
Reposted by Murray OrchardEoghan Daltun 🌍 @irishrainforest.bsky.social · 26/04/2025Vast numbers of pheasants are released for shooting in Ireland too. Each one survives by constantly devouring native wildlife alive. They artificially boost fox/mink populations, impacting vanishing native ground-nesting birds. They help spread Lyme disease to people, etc. This madness MUST end. 9322129
Murray Orchard @murrayorchard.bsky.social · 15/04/2025Medway Islands WeBS - great to see 50 Sandwich Terns back at colony. Also 3 Com Tern & pr of GBB Gull on territory! Only 7 Med Gulls in the Estuary, but record 1,150 later at Cliffe Pools! Disturbance remains an issue. Pics by Bob Knight & me. @birdwise.bsky.social @theseabirdgroup.bsky.social 262
Murray Orchard @murrayorchard.bsky.social · 01/04/2025Mexico: save vaquitas! action.eko.org/a/mexico-sav...action.eko.orgGovernment of Mexico: Save VaquitasVaquitas are cute tiny porpoises that live only in the Mexican part of the Gulf of California. There are less than ten left in the wild and these shy and skittish mini-whales could be completely wiped 000
Reposted by Murray OrchardAmy R. @amythebirder.eurosky.social · 25/03/2025HOS are here! Details of the upcoming AGM and Members' Day below, with lots of interesting talks: #HantsBirds 041
Reposted by Murray OrchardDawn Balmer @debalmer.bsky.social · 25/03/2025Sad to find this pristine 3cy Common Gull dead on my patch this morning. Reported to Defra for possible collection and testing for HPAI and to @birdtrack.bsky.social for monitoring. Please report all dead birds you find to Defra/Daera AND to BirdTrack. #UKBirding 15435
Murray Orchard @murrayorchard.bsky.social · 22/03/2025All action in the garden this morning. Mrs Blackbird building a nest in our ivy hedge (Mr Blackbird having a bath), a couple of Rooks down for scraps, with a Jackdaw, 3 Magpies (still waiting for a girl to appear🤔) and 5 Starlings, plus Robin chasing a Dunnock! A few bees too😊 @bto-gbw.bsky.social 040
Murray Orchard @murrayorchard.bsky.social · 19/03/2025Salt Fleet Flats managed retreat, Cooling, Thames. WeBS count 16/3 - highlight 1,040 Avocets roosting then swim-feeding across bay on ebbing tide. Also 2,000 Dunlin roosted, plus 147 Oystercatcher, 72 Curlew and 30 Grey Plover. Group of 7 Corn Buntings on drive back. @WeBS_UK 040
Murray Orchard @murrayorchard.bsky.social · 15/03/2025N Herts: Puckeridge Pleased to see five Rooks nests in our village Oaks. A former regular site, the number of nests dwindled from 7 to none a few years ago. Nice to have them back!😊 @hertsbirds.bsky.social @grahamknight10.bsky.social 130
Murray Orchard @murrayorchard.bsky.social · 13/03/2025Great couple of days in Kent, staying at Red Lion, Stodmarsh. Talk to Thanet RSPB Mon night, day around Stodmarsh & Gorsley Wood Tuesday (checking for NJ habitat) and brilliant talk by Dave Lodge on Bitterns at Stodmarsh (in the pub) last night. More in Alt text. @kentishplover.bsky.social 030