iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Richard Chew @ss15birder.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Tonight! >>> www.youtube.com/live/lVNERuQ... Please follow and support >>> saveouressexswifts.weebly.com www.facebook.com/groups/80184... Please contact via saveouressexswifts@gmail.com if you would like some free Swift nestboxes and a call system to install. #EssexBirding

youtube.com

Swift Conservation

YouTube video by Essex Birdwatching Society

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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... @essexbirdnews.bsky.social

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

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Richard Chew @ss15birder.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

raptorpersecutionuk.org/2026/06/06/r... www.essex.police.uk/news/essex/n... We all need to be vigilant for any wildlife crime when we are out and about. At least PC Jed Raven is the Wildlife Crime Officer investigating 😊

raptorpersecutionuk.org

Raven shot in Essex: Police appeal for information

Press release from Essex Police (4 June 2026): COLCHESTER: APPEAL AFTER RAVEN SHOT IN SUSPECTED WILDLIFE CRIME We are appealing for information after a raven was shot dead in West Bergholt. It was …

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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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Richard Chew @ss15birder.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

Supporting cast at RSPB Canvey Wick yesterday …. Cetti’s Warbler x 5 singing males Common Buzzard 2 Green Woodpecker 2 Mediterranean Gull 4 Shelduck 2 Grey Heron 1 Red Fox 1 Peacock 4 Orange Tip 3 Brimstone 2

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Richard Chew @ss15birder.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

Excellent visit to RSPB Canvey Wick yesterday. Nightingale - 12 singing males, 2 seen including a very showy bird that didn’t get the “must skulk” memo Common Whitethroat - 7 singing males Willow Warbler - 1 calling bird Chiffchaff - 15+ singing males Blackcap - 15+ singing males #essexbirds

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Richard Chew @ss15birder.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

Visit to St. Nicholas Church local patch site yesterday. New for 2026 site list: Red Kite, Sparrowhawk, Grey Heron. Also Common Buzzard, 3 Blackcaps, 4 Chiffchaffs, pair of Stock Dove, Green Woodpecker and a very watchful Red Fox! ss15wildlifewatching.blogspot.com/2026/04/visi... #essexbirding

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Richard Chew @ss15birder.bsky.social · 29/03/2026

Short item on sound tracking Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers on BBC Breakfast this morning. Go to 2:27: 25 >>> www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis... Follows this talk on LSWs provided to the Essex Birdwatching Society on 9th January 2026 >>> www.youtube.com/watch?v=erl5... #essexbirding

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Richard Chew @ss15birder.bsky.social · 17/03/2026

Visit to St. Nicholas Church Laindon local patch yesterday. Blackcap pair, 2 singing Chiffchaffs, calling male Stock Dove, 2 Green and 2 G/S Woodpeckers ss15wildlifewatching.blogspot.com/2026/03/visi... #essexbirding

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Richard Chew @ss15birder.bsky.social · 15/03/2026

Visit to St. Nicholas Church patch yesterday. New for 2026 site list: Common Buzzard pair, Stock Dove pair, 2 Canada Goose, Pied Wagtail. Also 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Green and 1 G/S Woodpecker, Red Fox and Reeves’ Muntjac ss15wildlifewatching.blogspot.com/2026/03/visi... #essexbirding

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Richard Chew @ss15birder.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

Visit to my Noak Bridge Nature Reserve local patch yesterday. First site record for the year of a singing male Chiffchaff. I guess they hunkered down today in yet more wonderful spring weather (not). ss15wildlifewatching.blogspot.com/2026/03/visi... #essexbirding

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Richard Chew @ss15birder.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

After my first (early!) Blackcap of the spring on 25th February, my St. Nicholas Church local patch has now produced my first singing Chiffchaffs (3), year site record of Cormorant (3), very active GSWs (pair) and still c.5 Redwings. ss15wildlifewatching.blogspot.com/2026/03/visi... #essexbirding

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Richard Chew @ss15birder.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

Visit to St. Nicholas Church local patch site in Laindon yesterday. Stonechat (50th species for 2025 and 70th all time), Common Buzzard, Grey Heron, Goldcrest, Redwing, Green and G/S Woodpeckers, Reeves’ Muntjac #essexbirding ss15wildlifewatching.blogspot.com/2025/10/visi...

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Richard Chew @ss15birder.bsky.social · 26/08/2025

St. Nicholas Church local patch site. Very quiet for birds this summer but exceptional for butterflies. But today, my first site record of Red Kite! Plus Common Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Green Woodpecker, Muntjac ss15wildlifewatching.blogspot.com/2025/08/visi... #essexbirding

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Richard Chew @ss15birder.bsky.social · 24/07/2025

RSPB Vange Marshes, RSPB Bowers Marsh and RSPB Wallasea Island featured in this video >>> www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6KG... #essexbirding

youtube.com

Landscapes of the future - how we're helping wetlands withstand the climate crisis | RSPB

YouTube video by RSPB

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Richard Chew @ss15birder.bsky.social · 04/05/2025

Today is International Dawn Chorus Day. I set my alarm for stupid o’clock and left home at 4 a.m. for a walk around my St. Nicholas Church local patch site. 13 species recorded, most notably the usual male Lesser Whitethroat plus at least 8 singing males of both Blackcap and Chiffchaff.

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Richard Chew @ss15birder.bsky.social · 03/05/2025

My first 5 Swifts of the year "screaming" past Basildon railway station at 12:00 whilst waiting for my delayed train. I wouldn't have seen them if the train had been on time. Thank you c2c! #essexbirding

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Richard Chew @ss15birder.bsky.social · 01/05/2025

Visit to my St. Nicholas Church local patch yesterday. Lesser Whitethroat, 5 each of Chiffchaff/Blackcap, Green and G/S Woodpecker plus first Wall, Holly Blue, Orange Tip, Peacock, Red Admiral and Speckled Wood of the year at the site. ss15wildlifewatching.blogspot.com/2025/04/visi... #essexbirding

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Richard Chew @ss15birder.bsky.social · 29/04/2025

www.edp24.co.uk/news/2511306... …. 40+ year old Oystercatchers! This further demonstrates the value of ringing (such as that undertaken regularly by x.com/SouthEssexRG) and projects such as Nightingale tracking supported and sponsored by @essexbirdnews.bsky.social #essexbirding

edp24.co.uk

Record breaking bird found in Norfolk

One of the oldest Oystercatcher bird recorded in the UK was found in Norfolk earlier this year.

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Richard Chew @ss15birder.bsky.social · 23/04/2025

…. 5 Cetti's Warbler, 4 Marsh Harrier, 4 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Little Egret, 2 Egyptian Goose, 1 Green Woodpecker plus loads of common residents 2/2 #essexbirding ss15wildlifewatching.blogspot.com/2025/04/trip...

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Richard Chew @ss15birder.bsky.social · 23/04/2025

Superb spring/summer migrant festival at RSPB Canvey Wick yesterday: 1 Cuckoo, 11 Nightingale, 9 Lesser Whitethroat, 22 Common Whitethroat, 8 Blackcap, 12 Chiffchaff, 4 Reed Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 4 Swallow plus >>> 1/2 #essexbirding

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Richard Chew @ss15birder.bsky.social · 20/04/2025

Very quiet visit to my St. Nicholas Church local patch this morning but singing male Lesser Whitethroat again seen after first record on BCBW Sunday plus 7 Chiffchaffs, 1 Blackcap, Sparrowhawk, Green and “drumming” G/S Woodpecker. ss15wildlifewatching.blogspot.com/2025/04/visi... #essexbirding

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Richard Chew @ss15birder.bsky.social · 19/04/2025

Butterfly season has also arrived at Noak Bridge NR …. 2 each of Orange Tip, Speckled Wood, Green-veined White, Small White #essexbirding

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Richard Chew @ss15birder.bsky.social · 19/04/2025

Visit to my Noak Bridge NR local patch yesterday. 10 Chiffchaffs, 6 Blackcaps, 1 each G/S and Green Woodpecker, 1 Stock Dove, Moorhen pair plus 4 juveniles ss15wildlifewatching.blogspot.com/2025/04/visi... #essexbirding 1/2

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Richard Chew @ss15birder.bsky.social · 19/04/2025

Even a short walk to Asda has its birding opportunities 😊 My first Garden Warbler of the year. Unfortunately, I didn’t see it but the much more rapid and continuous song compared to Blackcap was diagnostic …. and Merlin agreed 😊 #essexbirding

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Richard Chew @ss15birder.bsky.social · 19/04/2025

www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/people/... At least in Essex we have a lot of knowledgeable and experienced birders 😊 …. unless someone wants to quietly share that they have “penguin” on their Essex list 🤣🤣 #essexbirding

yorkshirepost.co.uk

Coastguard called after ‘penguin’ spotted on Yorkshire beach

A coastguard team leapt in to action after reports from concerned members of the public that a 'penguin' had turned up on a beach in Yorkshire.

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Richard Chew @ss15birder.bsky.social · 03/04/2025

Visit to my St. Nicholas Church local patch this morning. 4 singing male Blackcaps, 11 singing male Chiffchaffs, 2 G/S and 3 Green Woodpeckers, unidentified silent pipit species flying high over and 1 Reeves’ Muntjac ss15wildlifewatching.blogspot.com/2025/04/visi... #essexbirding

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Richard Chew @ss15birder.bsky.social · 02/04/2025

Just when we thought that Turtle Doves were beginning to recover, including in Essex, we have this >>> www.theguardian.com/environment/... 😠🤬😠🤬 .... FFS!!! .... GIVE NATURE A CHANCE! #essexbirding

theguardian.com

Turtle doves to be shot for sport again across Europe as EU lifts hunting ban

Ban in place since 2021 has increased numbers of globally vulnerable pigeon species that is close to extinction in UK

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Richard Chew @ss15birder.bsky.social · 31/03/2025

Visit to my Noak Bridge NR local patch this morning. First Stock and Collared Doves at the site for the year plus 8 singing male Chiffchaffs, 4 singing male Blackcaps and a female, 1 Moorhen, 2 Mallards. ss15wildlifewatching.blogspot.com/2025/03/visi... #essexbirding

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Richard Chew @ss15birder.bsky.social · 30/03/2025

After returning home from my St. Nicholas Church local patch visit yesterday, I then had 3 Common Buzzards soaring and "mewing" in the sunshine but sadly no photos from my window this time. ss15wildlifewatching.blogspot.com/2025/03/reco... #essexbirding

ss15wildlifewatching.blogspot.com

Record from my flat - Common Buzzards

A blog to provide records of wildlife sightings and photographs from sites in the SS15 postcode area of Basildon in Essex.

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Richard Chew @ss15birder.bsky.social · 30/03/2025

Visit to my St. Nicholas Church local patch yesterday morning. First Blackcaps (2) at the site for the year, 9 singing Chiffchaffs, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Stock Dove, 2 G/S and 3 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Red Fox, 1 Reeves’ Muntjac ss15wildlifewatching.blogspot.com/2025/03/visi... #essexbirding

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Richard Chew @ss15birder.bsky.social · 27/03/2025

Back to Benfleet/Hadleigh Downs today for Adders. Success this time 😃 Spring warblers 😃…. Blackcap (5 singing males) and Chiffchaff (at least 15 singing males). Also Sparrowhawk and at least 3 each of Brimstone, Comma and Peacock. ss15wildlifewatching.blogspot.com/2025/03/trip... #essexbirding

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Richard Chew @ss15birder.bsky.social · 26/03/2025

I think it is actually spring despite the c.40 Redwings seen today! (2/2) #essexbirding

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Richard Chew @ss15birder.bsky.social · 26/03/2025

Visit to my St. Nicholas Church local patch this morning. Spring is here (9 singing male Chiffchaffs) but winter hangs on (c.40 Redwings)! Also 1 Mallard, 3 Green and 3 G/S Woodpeckers, loads of bird song and 1 Muntjac. ss15wildlifewatching.blogspot.com/2025/03/visi... #essexbirding More >>> (1/2)

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Richard Chew @ss15birder.bsky.social · 21/03/2025

Visit to my Noak Bridge NR local patch this morning. First Grey Heron, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Starling for the site in 2025 plus 2 singing Chiffchaffs, 3 Moorhens and 2 Mallards. ss15wildlifewatching.blogspot.com/2025/03/visi... #essexbirding

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Richard Chew @ss15birder.bsky.social · 20/03/2025

Visit to Benfleet/Hadleigh Downs yesterday for Adder photography. No Adders 😞but 3 Common Buzzards soaring on thermals, 10 singing Chiffchaffs, 3 G/S Woodpecker plus 5 Comma, 2 Peacock, 1 Brimstone, 2 Red Admiral and 1 Bee-fly. ss15wildlifewatching.blogspot.com/2025/03/trip... #essexbirding

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Richard Chew @ss15birder.bsky.social · 17/03/2025

Words fail me 🤬🤬🤬 www.echo-news.co.uk/news/2501386... At least, southessexwildlife.org provided their usual excellent response and care. Hopefully, the Mute Swan will fully recover and can be released in due course. #essexbirding

echo-news.co.uk

Swan found 'covered in blood' after 'catapult attack' at south Essex nature park

WILDLIFE hospital vets found a swan covered in blood with an "obvious head injury" after what they claim to have been a catapult attack

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Richard Chew @ss15birder.bsky.social · 17/03/2025

Visit to my St. Nicholas Church local patch yesterday morning. Singing male Mistle Thrush (first of 2025 anywhere in the UK), 2 singing male Chiffchaffs, Grey Heron over, 3 Green and 2 G/S Woodpeckers, 1 Red Fox. Still no Blackcap! ss15wildlifewatching.blogspot.com/2025/03/visi... #essexbirding

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Richard Chew @ss15birder.bsky.social · 14/03/2025

Visit to my St. Nicholas Church local patch this morning. First Grey Heron for 2025. Also 5 singing male Chiffchaffs, c.15 Redwings, 2 each of G/S and Green Woodpeckers plus Red Fox. Woody STILL hasn’t read the memo about trees 😀 ss15wildlifewatching.blogspot.com/2025/03/visi... #essexbirding

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Richard Chew @ss15birder.bsky.social · 12/03/2025

Methinks this won’t get past the @essexbirdnews.bsky.social Identification Panel and Recording Committee and appear in the Systematic List of the 2025 Essex Bird Report 😀 …. other than relegated to Appendix 2 as a Category E species 😀 www.echo-news.co.uk/news/2499878... #essexbirding

echo-news.co.uk

Rare bird of prey that 'shouldn't be out in the wild' spotted in Essex town

The red-tailed hawk, native to North America but usually kept in captivity in the UK, has chosen freedom after escaping from its owner

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Richard Chew @ss15birder.bsky.social · 11/03/2025

Visit to my St. Nicholas Church local patch this morning. 3 “firsts” for 2025 …. Stock Dove, L/B/B Gull, Starling. Also Hawfinch heard calling again, singing male Chiffchaff, calling Green Woodpecker, Cormorant over and 2 Red Foxes. ss15wildlifewatching.blogspot.com/2025/03/visi... #essexbirding

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Richard Chew @ss15birder.bsky.social · 11/03/2025

ss15wildlifewatching.blogspot.com

Visit to St. Nicholas Church and surrounding areas – 11th March 2025

A blog to provide records of wildlife sightings and photographs from sites in the SS15 postcode area of Basildon in Essex.

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Richard Chew @ss15birder.bsky.social · 10/03/2025

Visit to my Noak Bridge NR local patch yesterday. First singing male Blackcap and male Chiffchaff of 2025 plus 2 Goldcrest, 5 Redwing, Common Buzzard, Green Woodpecker, Jackdaw also new for 2025. Also 2 Mallard, 2 Moorhen and Red Fox. ss15wildlifewatching.blogspot.com/2025/03/visi... #essexbirding

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Richard Chew @ss15birder.bsky.social · 01/03/2025

Red Fox showing very well on my St. Nicholas Church local patch this morning! ss15wildlifewatching.blogspot.com/2025/03/visi... #essexbirding

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Richard Chew @ss15birder.bsky.social · 01/03/2025

Visit to my St. Nicholas Church local patch this morning. 3 new species for my 2025 site list: Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Collared Dove. Green and G/S Woodpeckers very vocal including “drumming” GSW on church spire. Also Goldcrest. ss15wildlifewatching.blogspot.com/2025/03/visi... #essexbirding

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