Chris Millward
@chris4patches.bsky.social
900 followers 1.3K following 140 posts
Urban & farmland birder, passionate about Brum & connecting people with their #CityOfNature for happiness, health, wellbeing & prosperity. Free guest speaker to non-profits, active conservationist through Nature-friendly Farming #BrumBiosphere
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This is the 5th year that I’ve witnessed the return of winter finch & bunting flocks to @bibbeyswildfarms.bsky.social - it gets more and more exciting!

Nature Friendly Farming on this urban fringe has served thousands and thousands of birds in that time!

Time to roll it out around Brum! 🚜
Reposted by Chris Millward
A win for nature-friendly farmers! 🎉 The Govt has confirmed 1-year extensions to Countryside Stewardship Mid-Tier agreements - providing certainty for those delivering for food, nature & climate. 👉 “This was a key ask from NFFN, and it’s a strong signal,” says our CEO @linesmartin.bsky.social. #nffn
This morning’s gratitude was based on a sample of 3 bird species populations that are increasing on Brum’s urban fringe as a result of Countryside Stewardship that is being withdrawn on 31st December without a replacement!
Also Linnet, Skylark, Yellowhammer…
www.linkedin.com/posts/chris-...
This morning’s gratitude was based on a sample of 3 bird species populations that are increasing on Brum’s urban fringe as a result of Countryside Stewardship that is being withdrawn on 31st December without a replacement!
Also Linnet, Skylark, Yellowhammer…
www.linkedin.com/posts/chris-...
It’s fabulous to sense the growing connection with Brum’s birds and butterflies across the city and demand is growing!

42 bird species have been recorded during guided walks with the Friends of Swanshurst Park, and the local community are loving the boost to their happiness and wellbeing! 😎
2 Raven circling low over Colmore Row near Snow Hill Station earlier this afternoon.

A tick for this area of Brum and great to hear their gronking calls echoing around the buildings here
Congratulations guys and no surprise at all! Well deserved recognition for an amazing network of Brum’s “unsung heroes” who passionately and unconditionally give so much to our great city 👌👏👏👏👏👏

bsky.app/profile/bosf...
It’s a real honour to be nominated for a Community Inspiration Award in the Environmental category. This recognition belongs not just to BOSF, but to the hundreds of amazing #volunteers across #Birmingham who give their time, energy, and passion to care for our #parks and open spaces!

💚
Reposted by Chris Millward
Discover Nature in Autumn!
Join @wardendgftc.bsky.social & @chris4patches.bsky.social @brumcjc.bsky.social for a guided autumn Walk & Talk.

Explore the changing season, learn about local wildlife, & enjoy a morning in nature.

Sat 4th Oct
10am-12pm
Ward End Park, #Birmingham

Free and open to all!
An important Cuckoo host species, the Meadow Pipit is often overlooked but has huge character and claw!

Their “parachute” display is a delight to watch!

They are declining; Amber-listed and on the global IUCN “near threatened” list

Great to see 130+ @bibbeyswildfarms.bsky.social today 😎
Reposted by Chris Millward
The 5th Mobile Catering Services for Parks tender is now live on In-Tend. Deadline: 30 Sept 2025 (midday).

Details & docs (ref: PQ0614): www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/05232...

Covers pitches across Birmingham’s parks. Contracts run for 4 years. @bhamcitycouncil.bsky.social
Provision of Mobile Catering Services in Parks - Find a Tender
www.find-tender.service.gov.uk
The UK Spotted Flycatcher population has declined by 93% in my lifetime!

Friends of Stechford Hall Park enjoyed watching 2 during my guided walk today

Brum has a HUGE story to tell about its nature & how it improves the lives of its people!

Volunteers are the storytellers!
@bosfonline.bsky.social
Hi @thehairycrisp.bsky.social
Amazing return from first guided walk at this site mate! 😎😎😎
2 Spotted Flycatchers Stechford Hall Park spotted at noon today and still present with group of warblers on central area near playground #WestMidsBirds
I warmly invite you to join me and Friends of Stechford Hall Park tomorrow to enter the fascinating world of Brum’s birds & butterflies: 11am via Stechford Road B34 6AB

This is their 1st nature event so will also be cause for a great celebration of Brum community development
@bosfonline.bsky.social
Hi Catherine,

It was fabulous to meet you.
Best of luck to you and the @birminghamfoe.bsky.social team for tonight’s event and wishing you all a wonderful weekend 😎
Reposted by Chris Millward
Lovely to see & hear from so many people working with nature locally at @chris4patches.bsky.social's walking workshop today. Including @naomifisher.bsky.social & folks from @wittonlakes.bsky.social @bosfonline.bsky.social. The sunshine was great & slightly unexpected.
Reposted by Chris Millward
News just in! @keepbritaintidy.bsky.social and the Green Flag Award are working with the @universityofleeds.bsky.social and the Suzy Lamplugh Trust to support a new campaign: #SaferParks - #StandUpAgainstStreetHarassment
It’s always a pleasure and honour to work with you guys! Exciting times ahead 👍🙏
Reposted by Chris Millward
Great to be involved in the launch of the Life Sciences Festival in #Birmingham yesterday. Thanks to @chris4patches.bsky.social (@brumbiosphere.bsky.social) for the invite and the chance to host a stall - it was a brilliant opportunity to connect with organisations from across the West Midlands.
Reposted by Chris Millward
A huge thank you to Carl Chinn, Brummie Historian & Local Legend, for his brilliant @birminghamlive.bsky.social article on the history of the city’s open spaces - and for highlighting BOSF & our network of volunteers. He recently celebrated our 20th Anniversary with us & @chris4patches.bsky.social 💚
Reposted by Chris Millward
We're co-hosting a screening of ACTionism with the Plastic Free Gathering, Friday 19th Sept 7-9pm at @inthewarehouse.bsky.social
The film explores bringing people together for collective action. There'll be a Q&A with with the filmmaker and a chance to socialise.
actionnetwork.org/events/film-...
It was an absolute pleasure to lead a guided bird & butterfly walk with the growing number of Friends of Queens Park in Brum

Fantastic to record 21 bird species incl Chiffchaff, Green Woodpecker, House Martin, Sparrowhawk & Treecreeper and 5 butterfly species
#BrumBiosphere
@bosfonline.bsky.social
I warmly invite you to join me on Friday 19th September 2025 for my walking workshop, “Life with Nature”

Together we will explore how our region and its people can thrive by bringing nature into our daily lives and boardrooms

Register here:
wmlifesciencesweek.co.uk/event/life-w...
#LSW25
Reposted by Chris Millward
Today WERG are busy with @BrumRiverChamps activities & a touch of litterpicking @bosfonline.bsky.social 🙂