Dan Richards
@danswiftr.bsky.social
Bird watcher, nature lover, Swift colony creater, also currently campaigning to save my local Country Park from unnecessary development.
Deal, Kent.
Deal, Kent.
Had an overtime shift yesterday. Although it never felt like work, but more a step back in time and a history lesson.
November 15, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Had an overtime shift yesterday. Although it never felt like work, but more a step back in time and a history lesson.
Plus a Grey Seal put in an appearance #kentnature
November 12, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Plus a Grey Seal put in an appearance #kentnature
Had a quick wander around Dover marina this morning, plenty there to keep me happy #kentbirding
November 12, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Had a quick wander around Dover marina this morning, plenty there to keep me happy #kentbirding
Bit of slow mo footage of a Humming-bird Hawk-moth seen in my garden yesterday. #Kentwildlife
November 10, 2025 at 6:41 PM
Bit of slow mo footage of a Humming-bird Hawk-moth seen in my garden yesterday. #Kentwildlife
I went to see the Spotted Crake this morning at Sandwich Bay, and as much as it was a pleasure to see it was the hirundines that gave me the most enjoyment. Thousands in the area with some feeding in large numbers just overhead.
October 2, 2025 at 5:31 PM
I went to see the Spotted Crake this morning at Sandwich Bay, and as much as it was a pleasure to see it was the hirundines that gave me the most enjoyment. Thousands in the area with some feeding in large numbers just overhead.
I was treated to the spectacle of thousands of hirundines while walking the dogs yesterday, video doesn't do them justice, as they stretched as far as the eye could see. Also Med Gulls, Ravens and Buzzards made for an interesting walk across what are normally barren fields.
September 28, 2025 at 9:58 AM
I was treated to the spectacle of thousands of hirundines while walking the dogs yesterday, video doesn't do them justice, as they stretched as far as the eye could see. Also Med Gulls, Ravens and Buzzards made for an interesting walk across what are normally barren fields.
Nice morning spent birding Sandwich bay. Caught up with the Glossy Ibis that are in the area, plus Great White and Cattle Egret, and always a pleasure to see the Grey Partridge. #kentbirding
September 26, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Nice morning spent birding Sandwich bay. Caught up with the Glossy Ibis that are in the area, plus Great White and Cattle Egret, and always a pleasure to see the Grey Partridge. #kentbirding
Had a brief sea watch from the end of Deal pier this morning. Not much on the bird front, but called the coastguard, after spotting a life raft drifting south down the channel.
September 22, 2025 at 10:56 AM
Had a brief sea watch from the end of Deal pier this morning. Not much on the bird front, but called the coastguard, after spotting a life raft drifting south down the channel.
My wife was after some driftwood, so where better than the beaches of Dungeness. While she searched for wood, I looked for birds, a win-win situation. An enjoyable sea watch was had, fittingly topped off by 3 Swift, battling the headwinds, on their journey south.
September 3, 2025 at 8:32 AM
My wife was after some driftwood, so where better than the beaches of Dungeness. While she searched for wood, I looked for birds, a win-win situation. An enjoyable sea watch was had, fittingly topped off by 3 Swift, battling the headwinds, on their journey south.
Two weeks ago, I had to remove two chicks from a box after both adults had failed to return for a number of days. Both were underweight and needed urgent care, so I drove them to my nearest rehabber in Reigate. The second was released today, at 46 days old, and flew of strong 🥰
August 20, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Two weeks ago, I had to remove two chicks from a box after both adults had failed to return for a number of days. Both were underweight and needed urgent care, so I drove them to my nearest rehabber in Reigate. The second was released today, at 46 days old, and flew of strong 🥰
My last two Swift chicks have had no adult contact since their last feed on the 14th. Hoping the adults have timed their departure right, and their weight isn't far off for fledging.
I've also been informed, the 1st of my rehabbed chicks was released successfully today😁
I've also been informed, the 1st of my rehabbed chicks was released successfully today😁
August 16, 2025 at 4:40 PM
My last two Swift chicks have had no adult contact since their last feed on the 14th. Hoping the adults have timed their departure right, and their weight isn't far off for fledging.
I've also been informed, the 1st of my rehabbed chicks was released successfully today😁
I've also been informed, the 1st of my rehabbed chicks was released successfully today😁
Pissed off to see the remains of a House Martins nest, that was situated on my Doctors surgery. It's been used the last two or three years, and this year was no exception, when I watched adults feeding young, on my last visit.
August 1, 2025 at 9:26 AM
Pissed off to see the remains of a House Martins nest, that was situated on my Doctors surgery. It's been used the last two or three years, and this year was no exception, when I watched adults feeding young, on my last visit.
Found this moth sadly dead in my garden this morning, is it a Striped Hawk Moth? #moths #Kentwildlife
July 29, 2025 at 9:47 AM
Found this moth sadly dead in my garden this morning, is it a Striped Hawk Moth? #moths #Kentwildlife
Also any idea on this one 😅
July 26, 2025 at 9:10 AM
Also any idea on this one 😅
Anyone able to identify this bee for me? I found it using my bee hotel, the holes are 4mm for comparison #bees #Kentwildlife
July 26, 2025 at 7:48 AM
Anyone able to identify this bee for me? I found it using my bee hotel, the holes are 4mm for comparison #bees #Kentwildlife
Believe it or not, this Swift has just returned to feed its chicks.
But rather than nest in the box, they had found an old cavity that took them into my loft space. Which means a climb up and back down with every feed 😅
But rather than nest in the box, they had found an old cavity that took them into my loft space. Which means a climb up and back down with every feed 😅
July 12, 2025 at 9:14 PM
Believe it or not, this Swift has just returned to feed its chicks.
But rather than nest in the box, they had found an old cavity that took them into my loft space. Which means a climb up and back down with every feed 😅
But rather than nest in the box, they had found an old cavity that took them into my loft space. Which means a climb up and back down with every feed 😅
A serious amount of ladybirds in my garden these past couple of days. #kentnature
July 10, 2025 at 9:48 AM
A serious amount of ladybirds in my garden these past couple of days. #kentnature
The moment she clocks it and does a double take 🤣 however, sadly it was gone after she returned to get a picture.
July 9, 2025 at 10:04 AM
The moment she clocks it and does a double take 🤣 however, sadly it was gone after she returned to get a picture.
When you're at work and get a message from your wife about a large moth in the garden. So I've still never seen an Elephant Hawk Moth 🙄
July 9, 2025 at 10:04 AM
When you're at work and get a message from your wife about a large moth in the garden. So I've still never seen an Elephant Hawk Moth 🙄
On a more positive note, while at work this afternoon, we had a walk over Kearsney Abbey, and enjoyed watching some Tufted duck chicks just doing their thing 😊
July 8, 2025 at 6:55 PM
On a more positive note, while at work this afternoon, we had a walk over Kearsney Abbey, and enjoyed watching some Tufted duck chicks just doing their thing 😊
I was just trying to engage in some intelligent discourse, Kev. Something I'm already regretting sadly, although on the plus side I've learnt Swifts are not native to the Uk 🤣
July 8, 2025 at 4:14 PM
I was just trying to engage in some intelligent discourse, Kev. Something I'm already regretting sadly, although on the plus side I've learnt Swifts are not native to the Uk 🤣
Also posted on our Swift groups FB page and already people posting to justify domesticated cats 🤷♂️
July 8, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Also posted on our Swift groups FB page and already people posting to justify domesticated cats 🤷♂️
So I've been having a problem with a neighbours cat and despite my best efforts the bastard has still managed to get onto my outbuilding and take a prospecting Swift. When are owners going to take some responsibility for their pets, that constantly decimate our wildlife
July 8, 2025 at 11:40 AM
So I've been having a problem with a neighbours cat and despite my best efforts the bastard has still managed to get onto my outbuilding and take a prospecting Swift. When are owners going to take some responsibility for their pets, that constantly decimate our wildlife
These Swift chicks are less than a week from fledging, while other eggs at the colony have only just hatched. Which just shows the contrast between their breeding journeys.
Still a bumper year here, with all 14 pairs attempting to breed, and currently 25 chicks across the nests. #kentnature
Still a bumper year here, with all 14 pairs attempting to breed, and currently 25 chicks across the nests. #kentnature
July 7, 2025 at 7:20 PM
These Swift chicks are less than a week from fledging, while other eggs at the colony have only just hatched. Which just shows the contrast between their breeding journeys.
Still a bumper year here, with all 14 pairs attempting to breed, and currently 25 chicks across the nests. #kentnature
Still a bumper year here, with all 14 pairs attempting to breed, and currently 25 chicks across the nests. #kentnature