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Richard Chew

@ss15birder.bsky.social

180 followers 160 following 200 posts

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.

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Richard Chew @ss15birder.bsky.social · Sep 28

www.richardchewphotography.com

ss15wildlifewatching.blogspot.com

www.flickr.com/photos/14968...

Richard Chew photography - wildlife and landscapes

I am an amateur photographer and my principal interest is the wildlife and landscapes of the UK.

www.richardchewphotography.com

Richard Chew @ss15birder.bsky.social · 6d

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...

Richard Chew @ss15birder.bsky.social · Oct 2

"Rooks having own Conference Season" 🤣🤣 .... and I bet their Leader's speech made sense 🤣

Richard Chew @ss15birder.bsky.social · Aug 26

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

Richard Chew @ss15birder.bsky.social · Aug 10

RPSB Canvey Wick >>>

www.theguardian.com/environment/...

markavery.info/2025/08/09/c...

#essexbirding

‘Brownfields can be rich habitats’: the abandoned oil refinery where wildlife now thrives

Conservationists say Canvey Wick in Essex shows potential for brownfield sites as havens for nature

www.theguardian.com

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Richard Chew @ss15birder.bsky.social · Aug 3

Hi Joe. I have received your new book which I have just started reading. After reading the excellent "Bird Therapy" and meeting you at Birdfair a few years ago, I am very much looking forward this latest book from you.

Richard Chew @ss15birder.bsky.social · Jul 24

RSPB Vange Marshes, RSPB Bowers Marsh and RSPB Wallasea Island featured in this video >>>

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

Richard Chew @ss15birder.bsky.social · May 30

Well, that's an amazing "first"! A very difficult bird to hear let alone see!

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Richard Chew @ss15birder.bsky.social · May 4

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.

Richard Chew @ss15birder.bsky.social · May 3

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 · May 1

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

Richard Chew @ss15birder.bsky.social · Apr 29

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

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

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Richard Chew @ss15birder.bsky.social · Apr 27

Lovely! I knew one of them would step forward to the microphone 🤣 About the time you were recording this, I was listening to a constantly singing male at Westleton Heath and managed to get a brief view. Plenty of other birds singing too including Dartford Warbler, Woodlark and Yellowhammer 😊

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Richard Chew @ss15birder.bsky.social · Apr 26

It is always exciting when you get a "lifer" 😊 I have seen Dotterel several times in the UK but not since 2019 so if I get to see these birds it will almost be a "lifer" re-visited!

Richard Chew @ss15birder.bsky.social · Apr 26

Red-necked Phalaropes too 😊

Richard Chew @ss15birder.bsky.social · Apr 25

Link to my report in my previous post. Good luck!

Richard Chew @ss15birder.bsky.social · Apr 25

Hi David. If you can, get yourself down to RSPB Canvey Wick. The Nightingales will be falling over themselves to get in front of the microphone 🤣 11 singing males on Wednesday plus loads of other singing summer migrants
ss15wildlifewatching.blogspot.com/2025/04/trip...

Trip away from SS15 – RSPB Canvey Wick, Canvey Island, Essex – 22nd April 2025

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

ss15wildlifewatching.blogspot.com

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Richard Chew @ss15birder.bsky.social · Apr 23

…. 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 · Apr 23

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 · Apr 20

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

Richard Chew @ss15birder.bsky.social · Apr 19

So if I can get Garden Warbler on a walk to Asda, I wonder what a trip to Waitrose would produce 🤣

Richard Chew @ss15birder.bsky.social · Apr 19

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 · Apr 19

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 · Apr 19

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 · Apr 19

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

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.

www.yorkshirepost.co.uk

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Richard Chew @ss15birder.bsky.social · Apr 17

Well done Matt! I have never cracked a hirundine shot other than those that politely pose in non-flight.