Swift bricks are fantastic biodiversity enhancements: as universal nest bricks, they provide cavities for a number of species of birds, and in Herts we campaign extensively for them. Here are my thoughts on why the announcement that they will be required on all new homes is not as good as it seems:

The importance of Middlewick Ranges in Essex youtu.be/Ku-eD0J42as?...

I’m trying to educate the ecologically illiterate users on this app with this ‘nature facts for nature haters’ series. This episode tackles those that think they can live without nature and fly off to a new planet after this one dies. Hopefully this will save you time responding

Legacy of a Labour Baroness who voted against Swift Bricks @hannahbournetaylor.bsky.social

Essex Naze this morning, Long eared Owl in what might be the most easterly Hawthorn bush in Essex, Woodcock and Brambling, usual fuzzy pic.

Much talk about Swift bricks right now. Here is a reminder of the evidence that they are universal nest bricks used by a variety of red-listed species of birds

I am very upset to report that a colony of House Martins have had their nests blocked by scaffolding in Standon,Hertfordshire today. The building containing the Post Office has 8 to 10 nests under the eaves, some of which contain chicks that will die if the birds cannot reach them. #hertsbirds 1/2

First garden Hummingbird Hawkmoth of the year this evening.

Mega! 2 Death's-Head Hawk-moth caterpillars found in the In-laws garden today in Sleights, North Yorkshire. @savebutterflies.bsky.social @bcyorkshire.bsky.social @migrantmothuk.bsky.social @msj99.bsky.social

Wow! An epic sight of 100+ Rajah Brooke’s Birdwing today by our group on tour in Malaysia. A lot bigger & a lot easier to identify than a Southern Small White in England!

I spoke too soon about Jersey Tiger numbers being lower this year. A record 460 +/- this morning in my VC 20 garden plus 2 wasps causing mayhem. Never wish for a Jersey Tiger! #teammoth @bc-hertsmiddx.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social @wjrpb.bsky.social

PLEASE HELP by keeping an eye out, sharing & letting me & the #police know if you see this car…My black #AlfaRomeo #Giulia, reg (if not changed) OE67 DCF, was #stolen from Aylesbury, #Bucks last night - the car I don’t care about but I’d really like back my #birdwatching #optics hidden in the boot.

Wood Warbler in a Tit flock at Weald country park this morning, in Silver Birches at the Sandpit lane entrance

7 Clouded Yellow on the Lucerne fields north of Hadham road, west of Bishops Stortford lunchtime.

There's still up to 5 purring male TURTLE DOVES at Fingringhoe Wick EWT nature reserve at the moment so well worth a visit if you fancy seeing these great birds! #essexbirding #turtledoves #birds #essexwildlife #nature

Pleasant morning at Rainham RSPB ,with @andygoodey.bsky.social ,Brown Hairstreaks, Wall and Jersey Tiger.

Blog of my week of insect wonders at Beth Chatto Gardens www.chrisgibsonwildlife.co.uk/the-wild-sid... #NatureWriting

Local Night Herons are not ten-a-penny, unfortunately my pic is two-bob 🤷‍♂️, thanks @alanharrisbirdart.bsky.social for getting the news out ,Ryemeads.

Hertfordshire Swift Nest Survey 2025 Swift groups have been working hard with surveys in 2025, and I am pleased to say that we have just passed our target of recording 1000 Swift nests in the county A final count and some more details of the survey will follow later on in the year. #hertsbirds

Three grounded Swifts were found in Herts yesterday and taken to specialist rehabbers. Heat is causing chicks to leave the nest too early All grounded Swifts need the help of a specialist rehabber Post on the Swift and Swallow SOS Facebook group with a photo and your postcode and someone will help

Silver Washed Fritillary is having one of it's better years at Hatfield Forest after a shocker in 2024, 50+ seen on my long walks, not up to 2018 numbers yet though.

We have had a few cancellations for the walk at Cassiobury Park tomorrow (29th June) - a chance to see specialist woodland butterflies, even a Purple Emperor if you are lucky. If you are quick book a place on this free walk. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/butterfly-... @savebutterflies

Hanningfield Res this pm - 4 Common Sands, 10 RC Pochard but little else as yet. However, a small pond there held 6 Lesser Emperor, Norfolk & Southern Migrant Hawker, Scarce Chaser, Willow Emerald, sev Small Red-Eyes & Marbled White - that would have been unthinkable even 10 years ago! #essexbirding

19 sightings of Purple Emperors at Hatfield Forest, 11.30-15.30 15 definite individuals, 12 territorial males, one ride side male and 2 females.

14 Purple Emperors at Rowney wood nr Saffron Walden this morning, 13 Sallow searching/ Oak edging males and 1 female, 2 Silver Washed Fritillary and 2 White Admiral, one of the Admirals was an aberrant with no white bands on the upper wing.

A long walk at Hatfield Forest this afternoon, 9 Purple Emperors, 8 territorial males and 1 newly emerged female.

Around Essex this afternoon, at Abberton reservoir at least 3 male Purple Emperors along the old road, Layer Heath 1 male at the territory and at Coneyfield wood (Tiptree) 4 males and 1 probable female.

Male Purple Empero on territory at the Roundings Hertford Heath this afternoon.

I had 92 Marbled Whites in the fields a short walk from the house, yesterday mid morning, probably could have got the 💯 but only covered 2/3 of the site, also ffy Ringlets and Small Skippers.

My first for the year and earliest ever by one day Purple Emperor at Havering country park today, a territorial male.

Yesterday @healrewilding.org.uk I led discussion groups about grasslands in rewilding reinforcing the point that grasslands are key components of natural landscapes and exploring issues around creating species-rich grasslands in rewilding projects

Labour are backtracking on a plan to help save birds: by blocking a new rule that would make developers put a £35 nest brick in every new home. They think it'll help win them votes - we need to show it would do the opposite. Sign the petition 38d.gs/ky2i

And while I’m on a downer I will say this. Since I began my natural history journey I am seeing far fewer birds, way fewer inverts and have to conclude that things are only going to get worse. You cannot ‘manage’ small pockets of ‘diversity’ and close your eyes and hope that they will all join up!

Today's rather smart Glossy ibis at Cornmill Meadows.

One of Three Reed Warblers singing along the river Stort this morning, still no local Groppers though.

Some lovely Curlew Sandpipers at Old hall this morning and a local rarity, a Temmincks Stint at Ryemeads this afternoon.

Drake Garganey and some summer plumage waders at Old Hall marshes this morning, also 2 Cuckoo, the Lapwings and Redshank are doing well with lots of young.

Early morning-ish around the south west,west and north west of Hatfield Forest on the 9th was fairly unproductive, a pair of Egyptian Geese at the Shell house were my first here... just singles of Lesser Whitethroat and Willow Warbler is a new low, 2-3 Reed Warbler at the lake and 11 Garden Warblers

Rescheduled to Sunday 11th. And there's still some places. Contact Ian for more info

One of 4 singing Male Garden Warblers along the Herts side of the Stort at Harlow this morning.

Pleasant walk up the east side of Glen Faba lunchtime, Cuckoo, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, my first Reed Warbler of the year characteristically singing from the bushes as they do when they first come in, one of 3 singing male Garden Warblers.

How do we stand a chance changing the course of species decline and habitat loss when in 2025, News outlets are still posting this utter garbage...

One old lady falls over after getting swopped by a gull (probably protecting its nest) and that means "people may die". Meanwhile in the rest of the world they live with bears, wolves, lions, tigers... Wildlife scapegoating and scaremongering know no bounds in the UK...

Please don’t leave your dog poo on The Common - dispose of it properly or take it home !

Common Warblers in at Abberton res, Sedge, 2 Willow and 3 Common Whitethroat, one of the Willow Warblers was singing in full view but decided to turn it's back as I took the photo 🤦‍♂️, 3 Little Gulls and 3 Yelloe Wagtail flycatching at Billets.

3 of the 8 or so Spoonbill at Abberton reservoir today.

Brief view of the summer plumage Red necked Grebe at Sheepcote lake Amwell, on Gt Hardmead lake 2 LRP and Common Tern, my first Orange tip butterfly of the year too.

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

Essex Naze yesterday, the Gorse is taking over which is OK by me, it smells lovely and the Green Hairstreaks love it, just some common migrants in, mid double figures singing Chiffchaffs, 3 Blackcap and an elusive Black Redstart in Louise close.