The Lincolnshire Bird Club

The Little Gulls Paul talked about were around this afternoon.

Another 'First Time' tick for me too - Common Tern. Two around lagoon for about an hour or so.

Other species seen:

9 Juvenile Canada Geese, with 7 adults
4 Tufted Duck
4 Little Egret
10 Shelduck
Usual Mallard
300 Oystercatcher
1 Redshank
20 Avocet
2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
5 Herring Gull with 2 Juveniles
Usual Black-headed Gulls
3 Pied wagtails
2 Sand Martins
15 Swallows
1 Meadow Pipit
15 Swifts
Possible Twite
2 Robins
1 Great Tit
3 Goldfinches
10 Blackbirds
2 Chaffinches (heard)
20 Starlings
Usual wood pigeons
Usual Collared Doves.

I am beginning to think that on all RSPB reserves, dogs should be kept on leads AT ALL TIMES. Walking out on the Spit today, I was barked at aggresively by a white dog with brown splotches. Being very nervous and frightened around dogs anyway (and having lesser control over emotions and behaviour under stress because of Asperger's), I lost control, screamed and shouted at the dog to go away as I was petrified it was going to attack me. But it just stood there, circling around me, barking. I had nowhere to go, was terrified, shaken and VERY upset at the whole thing. It is not the first time that this has happened. Eventually the owner caught up and took the dog roughly by the collar. To avoid these things, surely dog owners should be obliged to have their pets on leads?

It's time to stir the hornets nest



DOGS should be kept off ALL reserves at all times, unless they are working dogs!

I've nothing against dogs, except some of their owners let them c**p anywhere they like. Public footpaths are a prime example of dog owners letting their dogs c**p willy nilly. Wooded areas with trails also seem to be a favourite with the dog brigade. I have a nickname for Twigmoor and that is dog---- alley!

And what happened to Katherine is unforgiveable, especially on a RSPB reserve.

Add to that Hearing Dogs for the Deaf, Seizure Alert Dogs and also Dogs for the Disabled.....

You said "being around dogs makes me nervous and frightened", if thats the case I would have thought you wouldn't have wanted any dogs around you, whatever they are used for!

What I meant was, was that the aforementioned dogs are acceptable to me as well. They're usually trained and on the whole, not a threat.

I have to agree, ANY public place, ESPECIALLY wildlife reserves - dogs on leads at all times!

On the whole, from my own observations, Lincs dog owners appear to be a responsible lot - we too consider ourselves responsible dog owners having 5 Boxer dogs and the closest thing to a 'public' place they get to is the regular visit to the vet. We are fortunate in having approx. 3acres of land for the dogs to use but even so, only 1/3 acre is available to the dogs to roam without supervision, the rest is fenced in and set aside for wildlife - the dogs are exercised around this on a daily basis but ONLY on leads!

Oh no, here he goes again! Mr Angry from Tonbridge, how do we stop him, aaarrrrhh!!

Walking around Legbourne Wood LWT reserve today I noticed at least 4 please keep dogs on a lead notices, unfortunately the dog walkers there at the time were illiterate or blind and most certainly deaf. There used to be a no dogs policy for LWT reserves, I'm guessing that it no longer applies.

As for Lincolnshire dog walkers being responsible I have to disagree with you Mark. Thank you for keeping your dogs on a lead but there are vast numbers out there that are not, large numbers of them on coastal reserves, many of them leaving deposits on a daily basis.

I sympathise with Katherine, dogs are a menace and so are the ignorant owners, no apologies from me on this matter. There are too many ignorant macho types with zero consideration for other people in this overcrowded island, walking their four legged friends wherever they like, letting them do whatever they like, attack whoever they want. I didn't put up with it when I was running and now I attack first.

A few years ago while on a run along the dunes at Theddlethorpe a couple of deer hounds took a liking to me. The owner refused to keep them under control, so I ran the little bastards into the ground. I'm not sure if the owner saw his very expensive dogs again, certainly not for a few hours. Ask yourself this question "Am I bovvered?"

A recent Act of Parliament made owners responsible for their pets, it is quite obvious that the owners treat this Act with the disdain that they treat every other law. It seems to be yet another British problem; in Finland I could run by Rottweillers, Dodermans etc with complete ease because they were trained, as were the owners. Could I do that here? Not a chance! While I was in Canada recently all the dogs were under control. I'm told that in Lithuania all dogs have to be muzzled when taken for a walk. I'm sure similar rules apply in many other countries.

Before somebody else accuses me of hating dogs and dog owners I'll tell you now - I DO, totally, utterly, but only the irresponsible ones. The responsible ones will never have a problem with me. In fact I chat with several every day on my morning walk and am happy to play with their well behaved dogs.

Adi - have a nice day

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Agree with you Dipper. I do a lot of running and regularly run from Boston to Freiston shore, where I start near Finn Forrest wood yard the dog walkers here are a law unto themselves. This area is a new wildlife Haven, but only for dogs. If I see a dog I start to walk, if theowner doesn't put them on leads I think they are ok to run past? Silly me, No, they have no control and don't seem bothered about it invading your space.
I have had other encounters at other places but the more you get attacked the worse it becomes.
Not all dog owners are irresponsible, like not all football fans are hooligans, but you get put in the same catogery.
Dog owners get a grip and have some respect for the general public and wildlife, because your dog running around could disturb ground nesting birds, tread on nests or even kill the adults?

Hello Dipper,
I thoroughly agree with your comments. Do you know that when I arrive home after a long trek through the grasses, sedges and mud tracks of North Lincs without one single blob of canine crap on my shoes, I know I have had a Red Letter day.

Dave Johnson

Sent in by Syd Garton - Posted by Andrew Chick

Hello,

I read with interest the thread on the Lincs bird forum on the problem of being menaced by dogs. There is a product called a Dogdazer which is small enough to be carried in a pocket and emits a high pitched note which makes the dogs back away, whilst not harming them. Input Dogdazer into a search engine and all manner of options of availability come up. They are much used by travellers in remote parts and are known to be very affective. The noted world cycling tourist Josie Dew also recommends them in her many books.



Hope this is of help………….Syd Garton, Burton-o-T.

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Andrew Chick
Website: http://www.forktail.co.uk/

I have had a Dog Dazer for many years and it certainly saved the day on more than one occasion when confronted by feral (?rabid) dogs in the wilds of inland Southern Spain (1999-2001). Back in the UK, I have used it(including a newer model), indeed had to use it, on far more occasions. Although I NEVER go out on birding or butterflying trips without my Dazer, I must admit that some dogs do not respond and obviously they haven't read the advertising blurb. So by all means invest in a Dazer but be warned that it is not 100%effective.

Regards,

Freddy

Are these Dogdazers expensive? Where can I get one?

There is one on ebay for £34.95 inc. post

I did look into getting one a few years ago but when I discovered that the thick skulled breeds are not affected by it I decided not to bother but stick with a heavy boot instead.

Adi

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can I get a jet skier dazer ?

Dave Johnson