Graham Knight
@grahamknight10.bsky.social
Hertfordshire Swift conservation, including Sawbridgeworth Swifts, Herts Bird Club, counting rookeries for a long time
Great to be at the Swifts Local Network conference in Lancaster today, hearing so many interesting talks and meeting fellow Swift conservationists.
Events like this really provide inspiration for more Swift conservation work in the future - a big thank you to the organisers
Events like this really provide inspiration for more Swift conservation work in the future - a big thank you to the organisers
November 8, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Great to be at the Swifts Local Network conference in Lancaster today, hearing so many interesting talks and meeting fellow Swift conservationists.
Events like this really provide inspiration for more Swift conservation work in the future - a big thank you to the organisers
Events like this really provide inspiration for more Swift conservation work in the future - a big thank you to the organisers
Reposted by Graham Knight
Legacy of a Labour Baroness who voted against Swift Bricks
@hannahbournetaylor.bsky.social
@hannahbournetaylor.bsky.social
November 5, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Legacy of a Labour Baroness who voted against Swift Bricks
@hannahbournetaylor.bsky.social
@hannahbournetaylor.bsky.social
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
This survey is the best evidence of the universal nature of Swift bricks: 49% of 1289 occupied across Duchy of Cornwall developments, with House Sparrows, Starlings and particularly House Martins all benefitting
nansledan.com/project-news...
nansledan.com/project-news...
Duchy of Cornwall's nest box initiative marks 10 years of success - Nansledan
A pioneering Duchy of Cornwall initiative to boost biodiversity in its developments by encouraging wild birds to nest in buildings is marking 10 years of
nansledan.com
October 18, 2025 at 7:48 AM
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
Reposted by Graham Knight
Swift conservationists seem to be pretty much unanimous: 2025 was an excellent year for nest numbers, brood productivity, and activity levels around colonies.
The main reason seems to be long spells of warm weather without much rain.
The main reason seems to be long spells of warm weather without much rain.
September 21, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Swift conservationists seem to be pretty much unanimous: 2025 was an excellent year for nest numbers, brood productivity, and activity levels around colonies.
The main reason seems to be long spells of warm weather without much rain.
The main reason seems to be long spells of warm weather without much rain.
Swift conservationists seem to be pretty much unanimous: 2025 was an excellent year for nest numbers, brood productivity, and activity levels around colonies.
The main reason seems to be long spells of warm weather without much rain.
The main reason seems to be long spells of warm weather without much rain.
September 21, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Swift conservationists seem to be pretty much unanimous: 2025 was an excellent year for nest numbers, brood productivity, and activity levels around colonies.
The main reason seems to be long spells of warm weather without much rain.
The main reason seems to be long spells of warm weather without much rain.
Reposted by Graham Knight
Bar-tailed Godwit with it’s own parking space at Tesco Car Park Stevenage today
September 11, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Bar-tailed Godwit with it’s own parking space at Tesco Car Park Stevenage today
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
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
August 29, 2025 at 7:05 PM
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
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
I am very pleased to have recorded 34 Swift nests in Sawbridgeworth this year (26 in 2024).
Probably better knowledge of nest sites and more time spent surveying rather than a genuine increase, but it still seems to have been a really good breeding season (as elsewhere in the UK) #hertsbirds
Probably better knowledge of nest sites and more time spent surveying rather than a genuine increase, but it still seems to have been a really good breeding season (as elsewhere in the UK) #hertsbirds
August 10, 2025 at 9:41 AM
I am very pleased to have recorded 34 Swift nests in Sawbridgeworth this year (26 in 2024).
Probably better knowledge of nest sites and more time spent surveying rather than a genuine increase, but it still seems to have been a really good breeding season (as elsewhere in the UK) #hertsbirds
Probably better knowledge of nest sites and more time spent surveying rather than a genuine increase, but it still seems to have been a really good breeding season (as elsewhere in the UK) #hertsbirds
Reposted by Graham Knight
Common Swift with a very full crop #CommonSwift #Bolus #Birdsinflight #Birdphotography
@rspb.bsky.social @rspbengland.bsky.social
@rspb.bsky.social @rspbengland.bsky.social
July 25, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Common Swift with a very full crop #CommonSwift #Bolus #Birdsinflight #Birdphotography
@rspb.bsky.social @rspbengland.bsky.social
@rspb.bsky.social @rspbengland.bsky.social
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
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
July 17, 2025 at 5:55 PM
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
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
The Hertfordshire 100 Club!
Hitchin has become the second town in Herts to record 100 Swift nests in 2025, joining Hertford in the "100 Club"
The photo is of Mattocke Road, which has 11 Swift nests and also 13 House Martin nests
Another Herts town will hopefully joining the club very soon....
Hitchin has become the second town in Herts to record 100 Swift nests in 2025, joining Hertford in the "100 Club"
The photo is of Mattocke Road, which has 11 Swift nests and also 13 House Martin nests
Another Herts town will hopefully joining the club very soon....
July 12, 2025 at 4:11 PM
The Hertfordshire 100 Club!
Hitchin has become the second town in Herts to record 100 Swift nests in 2025, joining Hertford in the "100 Club"
The photo is of Mattocke Road, which has 11 Swift nests and also 13 House Martin nests
Another Herts town will hopefully joining the club very soon....
Hitchin has become the second town in Herts to record 100 Swift nests in 2025, joining Hertford in the "100 Club"
The photo is of Mattocke Road, which has 11 Swift nests and also 13 House Martin nests
Another Herts town will hopefully joining the club very soon....
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
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
July 12, 2025 at 2:01 PM
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
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
Reposted by Graham Knight
Great to see breeding success this morning with a Chiffchaff feeding fledged young at Farmhouse Channel.
Please submit records of confirmed breeding for all species to Herts Bird Club at....
www.hnhs.org/herts-bird-c...
..and use Breeding Status dropdown
#hertsbirds
Please submit records of confirmed breeding for all species to Herts Bird Club at....
www.hnhs.org/herts-bird-c...
..and use Breeding Status dropdown
#hertsbirds
June 15, 2025 at 8:10 AM
Great to see breeding success this morning with a Chiffchaff feeding fledged young at Farmhouse Channel.
Please submit records of confirmed breeding for all species to Herts Bird Club at....
www.hnhs.org/herts-bird-c...
..and use Breeding Status dropdown
#hertsbirds
Please submit records of confirmed breeding for all species to Herts Bird Club at....
www.hnhs.org/herts-bird-c...
..and use Breeding Status dropdown
#hertsbirds
In 2024, I found my first Swift nests on 7th May. This year, I have already recorded 35 nests!
May 7, 2025 at 7:01 AM
In 2024, I found my first Swift nests on 7th May. This year, I have already recorded 35 nests!
5 Swift nests found in Bishop's Stortford this morning without seeing a single Swift!
The call and response method is a great way to prove nests first thing in the morning, and the early arrivals mean I have been able to start a week earlier than last year #hertsbirds
The call and response method is a great way to prove nests first thing in the morning, and the early arrivals mean I have been able to start a week earlier than last year #hertsbirds
April 30, 2025 at 7:12 PM
5 Swift nests found in Bishop's Stortford this morning without seeing a single Swift!
The call and response method is a great way to prove nests first thing in the morning, and the early arrivals mean I have been able to start a week earlier than last year #hertsbirds
The call and response method is a great way to prove nests first thing in the morning, and the early arrivals mean I have been able to start a week earlier than last year #hertsbirds
Reposted by Graham Knight
April 20, 2025 at 4:14 PM
A new Facebook group for Swift enthusiasts in Hertfordshire: www.facebook.com/share/g/19rz... #hertsbirds
Redirecting...
www.facebook.com
April 20, 2025 at 7:52 AM
A new Facebook group for Swift enthusiasts in Hertfordshire: www.facebook.com/share/g/19rz... #hertsbirds
Reposted by Graham Knight
From the Herts WhatsApp group #hertsbirds #ukbirds #ukbirding @birdguides.bsky.social @rarebirder.bsky.social
April 13, 2025 at 9:34 AM
From the Herts WhatsApp group #hertsbirds #ukbirds #ukbirding @birdguides.bsky.social @rarebirder.bsky.social
Reposted by Graham Knight
Short clip of the male Garganey present with a female at Stanborough GPs this morning. If you listen carefully you can just hear its rattling display call. Lovely to see & see. @hertsbirds.bsky.social #hertsbirds
April 12, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Short clip of the male Garganey present with a female at Stanborough GPs this morning. If you listen carefully you can just hear its rattling display call. Lovely to see & see. @hertsbirds.bsky.social #hertsbirds
Reposted by Graham Knight
Just seen reports on a FB Swift group of an arrival of Swifts at a colony in Northern Ireland. Insanely early, his previous earliest birds arrived 16th April.
April 6, 2025 at 9:59 AM
Just seen reports on a FB Swift group of an arrival of Swifts at a colony in Northern Ireland. Insanely early, his previous earliest birds arrived 16th April.
Very pleased to put up another 30 Swift boxes in Sawbridgeworth and Bishop's Stortford on Friday, including 2 at the Bullfields Centre kindly donated by Bunzl Cleaning and Hygiene Supplies.
We have another box installation this Friday, 4th April!
#hertsbirds #swifts
We have another box installation this Friday, 4th April!
#hertsbirds #swifts
March 30, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Very pleased to put up another 30 Swift boxes in Sawbridgeworth and Bishop's Stortford on Friday, including 2 at the Bullfields Centre kindly donated by Bunzl Cleaning and Hygiene Supplies.
We have another box installation this Friday, 4th April!
#hertsbirds #swifts
We have another box installation this Friday, 4th April!
#hertsbirds #swifts
Reposted by Graham Knight
A short clip of the stunning male Blue-headed Yellow Wagtail at Stanborough GPs this morning. Also 1 White Wagtail, 2 Swallows, 7 Sand Martins, 2 Little Ringed Plovers & 7 Pintail. @hertsbirds.bsky.social #hertsbirds
March 27, 2025 at 3:10 PM
A short clip of the stunning male Blue-headed Yellow Wagtail at Stanborough GPs this morning. Also 1 White Wagtail, 2 Swallows, 7 Sand Martins, 2 Little Ringed Plovers & 7 Pintail. @hertsbirds.bsky.social #hertsbirds
The first in an occasional series: "How Not to Install Swift Bricks" starts with a development near Great Dunmow in Essex.
I shall be contacting the developer to point out the error
I shall be contacting the developer to point out the error
March 27, 2025 at 12:48 PM
The first in an occasional series: "How Not to Install Swift Bricks" starts with a development near Great Dunmow in Essex.
I shall be contacting the developer to point out the error
I shall be contacting the developer to point out the error
2025 Hertfordshire Rookery Survey: please submit nest counts from active rookeries in the county, full details here: www.hnhs.org/herts-bird-c... #hertsbirds
March 24, 2025 at 7:05 AM
2025 Hertfordshire Rookery Survey: please submit nest counts from active rookeries in the county, full details here: www.hnhs.org/herts-bird-c... #hertsbirds
Reposted by Graham Knight
Tyttenhanger GPs - Coursers Road GPs [TL193037]:
7 Little Ringed Plover, on landfill area & displaying over pits
2 Green Sandpiper
4+ Sand Martin
4 Lapwing
2+ Meadow Pipit, pair displaying
#hertsbirds
7 Little Ringed Plover, on landfill area & displaying over pits
2 Green Sandpiper
4+ Sand Martin
4 Lapwing
2+ Meadow Pipit, pair displaying
#hertsbirds
March 23, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Tyttenhanger GPs - Coursers Road GPs [TL193037]:
7 Little Ringed Plover, on landfill area & displaying over pits
2 Green Sandpiper
4+ Sand Martin
4 Lapwing
2+ Meadow Pipit, pair displaying
#hertsbirds
7 Little Ringed Plover, on landfill area & displaying over pits
2 Green Sandpiper
4+ Sand Martin
4 Lapwing
2+ Meadow Pipit, pair displaying
#hertsbirds