Richard Chew
@ss15birder.bsky.social
SS15 (Basildon) Essex-based birder passionate about all wildlife, nature and the environment. Long-standing member and supporter of Essex Birdwatching Society, Essex Wildlife Trust, RSPB, WWT, Badger Trust, Woodland Trust and World Land Trust.
Tonight! >>>
www.youtube.com/live/lVNERuQ...
Please follow and support >>>
saveouressexswifts.weebly.com
www.facebook.com/groups/80184...
Please contact via [email protected] if you would like some free Swift nestboxes and a call system to install.
#EssexBirding
www.youtube.com/live/lVNERuQ...
Please follow and support >>>
saveouressexswifts.weebly.com
www.facebook.com/groups/80184...
Please contact via [email protected] if you would like some free Swift nestboxes and a call system to install.
#EssexBirding
Swift Conservation
YouTube video by Essex Birdwatching Society
www.youtube.com
October 2, 2026 at 9:15 AM
Tonight! >>>
www.youtube.com/live/lVNERuQ...
Please follow and support >>>
saveouressexswifts.weebly.com
www.facebook.com/groups/80184...
Please contact via [email protected] if you would like some free Swift nestboxes and a call system to install.
#EssexBirding
www.youtube.com/live/lVNERuQ...
Please follow and support >>>
saveouressexswifts.weebly.com
www.facebook.com/groups/80184...
Please contact via [email protected] if you would like some free Swift nestboxes and a call system to install.
#EssexBirding
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
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
September 12, 2026 at 1:05 PM
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
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
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
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
September 12, 2026 at 1:04 PM
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
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
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 😊
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 😊
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 …
raptorpersecutionuk.org
June 6, 2026 at 6:53 AM
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 😊
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 😊
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
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
April 15, 2026 at 6:20 AM
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
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
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
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
April 10, 2026 at 12:34 PM
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
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
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
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
April 10, 2026 at 12:31 PM
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
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
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
ss15wildlifewatching.blogspot.com/2026/04/visi...
#essexbirding
April 3, 2026 at 8:53 AM
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
ss15wildlifewatching.blogspot.com/2026/04/visi...
#essexbirding
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
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
March 29, 2026 at 6:20 PM
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
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
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
ss15wildlifewatching.blogspot.com/2026/03/visi...
#essexbirding
March 17, 2026 at 9:30 AM
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
ss15wildlifewatching.blogspot.com/2026/03/visi...
#essexbirding
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
ss15wildlifewatching.blogspot.com/2026/03/visi...
#essexbirding
March 15, 2026 at 6:08 PM
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
ss15wildlifewatching.blogspot.com/2026/03/visi...
#essexbirding
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
ss15wildlifewatching.blogspot.com/2026/03/visi...
#essexbirding
March 12, 2026 at 5:44 PM
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
ss15wildlifewatching.blogspot.com/2026/03/visi...
#essexbirding
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
ss15wildlifewatching.blogspot.com/2026/03/visi...
#essexbirding
March 4, 2026 at 4:01 PM
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
ss15wildlifewatching.blogspot.com/2026/03/visi...
#essexbirding
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...
#essexbirding
ss15wildlifewatching.blogspot.com/2025/10/visi...
October 28, 2025 at 9:47 AM
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...
#essexbirding
ss15wildlifewatching.blogspot.com/2025/10/visi...
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
ss15wildlifewatching.blogspot.com/2025/08/visi...
#essexbirding
August 26, 2025 at 4:53 PM
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
ss15wildlifewatching.blogspot.com/2025/08/visi...
#essexbirding
RSPB Vange Marshes, RSPB Bowers Marsh and RSPB Wallasea Island featured in this video >>>
www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6KG...
#essexbirding
www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6KG...
#essexbirding
Landscapes of the future - how we're helping wetlands withstand the climate crisis | RSPB
YouTube video by RSPB
www.youtube.com
July 24, 2025 at 7:13 PM
RSPB Vange Marshes, RSPB Bowers Marsh and RSPB Wallasea Island featured in this video >>>
www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6KG...
#essexbirding
www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6KG...
#essexbirding
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.
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.
May 4, 2025 at 9:41 AM
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.
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.
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
#essexbirding
May 3, 2025 at 1:20 PM
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
#essexbirding
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
ss15wildlifewatching.blogspot.com/2025/04/visi...
#essexbirding
May 1, 2025 at 10:40 AM
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
ss15wildlifewatching.blogspot.com/2025/04/visi...
#essexbirding
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
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
Record breaking bird found in Norfolk
One of the oldest Oystercatcher bird recorded in the UK was found in Norfolk earlier this year.
www.edp24.co.uk
April 29, 2025 at 1:22 PM
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
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
…. 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...
#essexbirding
ss15wildlifewatching.blogspot.com/2025/04/trip...
April 23, 2025 at 6:55 PM
…. 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...
#essexbirding
ss15wildlifewatching.blogspot.com/2025/04/trip...