The Lincolnshire Bird Club

There is good news and not so good news about local peregrines.
As many of you will know, there is a new vicar at Louth St James Church. For the past fortnight we have been in discussion and he has been looking at the situation regarding the opportunities for peregrines to nest on the walkway. With regret he has decided that the nesting tray will not be installed this year or in the future. Regular readers of the forum will know the background to this long running saga. The main reason for the decision is that the church wishes to retain year- round access to the tower walkway for visitors.
This is for two reasons. Firstly, St James Church earn a reasonable income for charging visitors to go up the tower. Secondly, and this is very important to them, many visitors travel a long way to do this. A considerable number come from abroad on a holiday that has been planned for years. They visit the Louth Museum to view the superb Louth Panorama, which shows an all round view of the town as seen from the spire of the church in the 1840s. Visitors then want to see this view for themselves by climbing to the walkway.
I propose that we draw a line under this situation, respect the wishes of the church and not ask for the tray to be installed in the future.
On a positive note, Alan Ball and I installed the tray at St Wulframs earlier this week and all looks well for the 2013 season. Amongst the prey items collected were 10 Teal and 9 Golden Plover. A full list will go on the LBC peregrine web page next week. The TV screen is working if any of you are passing and want to check it out. The web camera will be up and running shortly.
Last week Alan and I also installed a new tray for peregrines on the walkway of St Mary’s Church, Bottesford. This tray, on the tallest church spire in Leicestershire, will hopefully complement the Grantham, Nottingham and Derby peregrine nests.

Bob Sheppard.

I think the vicar's decision is appalling, though he's probably been counselled by those who work at the church. They would obviously prefer getting a couple of quid from visitors, who have been seen / heard to shout abuse at those below, throw rubbish and urinate over the side of the tower.
On a technical point, the view shown on the Panorama is from high on the spire, well above the tower, so disappointment there already!
Has anyone done the costings to compare income at St Wulframs before and after the coming of the peregrines?
A well-written piece for the local paper would let the locals know the attitude of the new church boss!

Geoff

Bob and Alan, thank you for your efforts over the last few years in trying to encourage peregrines to attempt nesting at Louth Church. If the church doesn't support it there is no chance it will ever happen and its been looking doubtful for the last 3 years. So heres hoping the old malt kiln, the next highest building in Louth might attract nesting peregrines at some point before its demolished.

For anyone who hasn't been up the church it is an amazing view and it would make a great vismig spot if anyone fancies a project. The only requirement is to keep your flies up and if you can't, take a bottle.

Whilst disappointing we must remember that, unlike Lincoln Cathedral, Boston Stump and Grantham Church where there is no public access to where Peregrine trays have been erected, the situation is different at Louth. There is considerable public pressure to access the tower and unfortunately we cannot accommodate both public and Peregrines which the church would prefer. Any public outcry regarding the difficult decision the church have taken may be counter-productive, as other potential site owners may be put off.

Alan