The Lincolnshire Bird Club

Let's see if there's enough interest first. I met one of his relatives around the 70's when I did an article on him, she may remember and I will see if she knows where the mss is or if it still is !!

Cordeaux published a booklet entitled Birds of the Humber District in 1872 which I have a photo copy of but I am guessing this is not the book to which you refer Colin; the copy is available free to read online

http://openlibrary.org/books/OL7211164M
http://archive.org/stream/birdsofhumberdis00cordrich

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j& ... 5398,d.ZG4

Does anyone know if Caton Haigh's diaries are in the Lincoln Museum? I am guessing Steve and Keith saw them when compiling the county avifauna? --

As noted though CH added Radde's, Greenish and Bluetail to the British List at North Cotes, which was then over-shadowed by Spurn as it is today

Colin,
I don't know if this is the same but Google says the Ornithological and Rothschild Libraries of the Natural History Museum at Tring apparently hold 12 Manuscript Diaries of "Birds in Lincolnshire 1888-1946" by George Henry Caton Haigh.

Caton Haigh's diaries are in the British Museum collection at Tring. The Google dates that you quote, Stuart, are not right as Caton Haigh died in 1941. They began in 1888 and I believe they ran until 1936. Obviously hand-written, they are an enthralling read, but difficult to decipher in parts. The Birds of the Humber District by Cordeaux was published in 1872 and an updated work entitled A List of Birds belonging to the Humber District was published in 1899.

Hi James.
We weren't still in horseback 30 years ago and the numbers birders visiting and preferring Spurn to Linc's when fall conditions prevailed, was of a similar order to what we see today.[/quote]
Ha Ha Derek

At least Stuart knew what i meant and agreed.

James

The manuscript that Colin refers to will be the work with the grandiose title "Birds of a Lincolnshire Parish being a List of the Birds of North Cotes with Notes on the Autumn Migration". It is also deposited at the British Museum.

Hi Steve, yes I think "Birds of a Lincolnshire Parish being a List of the Birds of North Cotes with Notes on the Autumn Migration" probably was the title, couldn't quite remember.
Did you know Ron Baumber wrote a book on Low Farm Observatory called "Do You Remember Low Farm at Tetney?" Fascinating read and written in his own unique and witty style. What a great guy he was.

Apologies to Stephen et al - a mistake on my part - Google states 1888 - 1940. A freudian slip of the keyboard.
Stuart

Yes Colin, I do have a copy of Ron's excellent work. It certainly stirs a few memories and is a most enjoyable read. He was a one-off.

As an outsider but regular & long time Linc's birder. The more I read the very enlightening comments of local birders such as Stephen Lorand. The more confused I have become regarding the reality of migrant numbers on the Linc's coast. Why is this coastline perceived as the poor relation in regard to regular migrants found?

I still believe that overgrown buckthorn contributes to the lack of sightings but possibly to a lesser extent than I first thought. All things being equal and if indeed the habitat hasn't dramatically changed. Then what has?
It is surely apparent to any Linc's coast regular, that over the past decade at least, there has been an obvious absence of bird watchers along the Linc's coast. Apart from a few exceptions already mentioned in this thread, the dedicated patch worker is now as difficult to find as a Mega in Linc's.

During the past week I've mostly been birding around and between Humberston Fitties and Northcotes/Horseshoe point. (When not litter picking and engaging with dog walkers at Tetney RSPB) In those 7 days I met only two birders. Dave Bradbeer almost daily and on my last day a 2nd John Nelson (literally) on their bikes.
So is it any wonder that nothing much gets found/reported?

It has been mentioned that the majority now appear to be "electronic birders - waiting for their gadgets to tell them where other people have done the work and found the bird".
As a long time 'Electronic Birder' with a local patch in Notts. and my favourite site (Tetney) in Linc's. I can't entirely subscribe to that view.

_________________
Regards.
Del.

To err is human. To really louse things up takes a computer