Ken Bate

‼️🚨have you lost your whippet/Lurcher on Dartmoor? This is from a Facebook post yesterday. 😢 🐾. Please share. 💓

Holes drilled ✅ Checked with endoscopes ✅ In the right places ✅ Boxes installed (correct height + orientation) ✅ Thank you @networkrail @AmcoGiffen_ & @HighPeakBC for being on site all day, proper top job. Photo credit: Emma B & Kathryn B Chapel Biodiversity Group

Right, let's get this straight. @networkrail has still not put up SWIFT BOXES after deliberately filling in the holes where swifts nest! This crime against nature took place near Chapel-en-le Frith (Derbyshire). The excuse given is that there were no evidence of swifts, hardly surprising considering they were not back from Africa but now they are! Network Rail stated it would install swift boxes but as of now, none have been put up. The question is when? NETWORK RAIL Swifts return to the same sites year after year so it is vital these holes are reopened or official swift boxes are installed. The numbers of swifts are plummeting and they are on the UK's Red List of Birds of Conservation Concern. We cant afford to let this go. Please make your concerns known to Network Rail.

1/1 The #swifts are relying on High Peak Borough Council and @networkrail working together to get planning permission granted. Unless a pragmatic approach is taken it's not looking good. We're doing everything we can on the ground #Saveourswifts #unblockthenests @WriterHannahBT

How much longer are you waiting to undo the damage YOU have done to the swift nesting holes on the viaduct in Derbyshire? Let me help You asign a couple of workers+tell them to open the cemented up holes-all done in half a day @networkrail #swifts Pull your finger out😠

Time is ticking. This should have been sorted out last week. Your inaction and lack of urgency is abhorrent. @networkrail These birds are on the conservation Red List. #Swifts #nests @ChrisGPackham @MeganMcCubbin @BBCNews @Natures_Voice

I delivered these #PeakBoxes to @SwizzelsMatlow sweet factory today #NewMills #Derbyshire. They want to help #swifts 💚 Adele gave the green light, Kornel's going up the ladder, sparks Ben and Bret are sorting out the caller. #Teamwork #dreamwork. Not all heroes wear capes.

The Swifts are on their way and closing in... what have you done about the blocked nest sites @networkrail ?

For goodness sake @networkrail, sort this out ASAP!!

1/4 @ProtectTheWild_ I've news. @networkrail CEO Jeremy Westlake hadn't even tasked anyone with checking if the holes are actually unblockable before Jake Kelly's statement to you last week. Site meeting today at viaduct. #Saveourswifts #Unblockthenests @WriterHannahBT

@networkrail have the chance to do something lovely here. Something kind to little scraps of life heading to what their instinct tells them will be their safe, traditional nesting places. Something to defend our diminishing wildlife and set an example to admire. Please act.

1/2 Dear @BBCBreaking @bbcemt Please correct this story. The distinction is important. Swift nest sites in stonework have had their entrances blocked, not swift boxes. Swifts are loyal to their nests. #saveourswifts #unblockthenests @WriterHannahBT

9 days ago #NetworkRail agreed to removing the mortar to unblock the swifts nesting sites. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE YET meanwhile swifts are returning home earlier than normal. 📧email CEO Jeremy Westlake asking him to unblock them: jeremy.westlake@networkrail.co.uk #SaveOurSwifts

Hey @networkrail how is it going unblocking the Swift nesting sites on the Chapel Milton Viaduct? You may wish to read this report by the @_BTO to give you an overview of why so many people are appalled. The bird on the cover is a Swift…

Day Six since @networkrail said they’d unblock the mortar in nest holes at #ChapelMilton. It’s not happened. #swifts spotted 21 miles away today. #saveourswifts #unblocktheholes @WriterHannahBT

Another five galgos, unwanted by their owners come to Galgos del Sol. Thank you everyone for supporting these dogs and helping them get the chance to go to another family. A family where they will be considered family and not replaced by a new litter!

Local campaigners spoke up. 12,800+ of you signed our petition. And now Network Rail is being forced to act. They’re now exploring reopening swift nesting holes that were previously blocked, something that wasn’t even on the table before.

TheTelegraph sums up the strength of feeling about swifts & the Network Rail swift saga is a lens to see the entire problem - of loss of nesting habitat. Until this government takes securing national scale nesting habitat seriously, these birds will continue to decline #swifts

Ralphy’s been waiting so long for his forever home that he’s nodded off! This gorgeous boy isn’t your typical long, pointy-faced LSOS boy, since he’s a Lurcher x German Shepherd, but he is an utter darling. Please share Ralphy so he can find his folks. 💛 lurchersos.org.uk/dogs-for-adopt…

Let's be clear @networkrail, #swifts cause no damage. They don't make their nest holes, they just find a crevice. They're a critically endangered urban nesting bird. Why have you blocked them out? #Arch3 #saveourswifts #unblockthenests @WriterHannahBT