The Lincolnshire Bird Club

I fully endorse pauls comments about a statement from the manager upon policy and the future direction of alkborough. At least everyone would be clear and know where they are and perhaps all the fuss will then die down. Having said that i find it disturbing that a council appears to be involved via the enviromental team. The enviromental team at my council deals with dustbins, sewage, flooding and pollution, do you have to be a binman to get a permit ?. It does not concern me that people choose not to release records of sightings because records are a personnal thing but it probably tells you more about the people themselves if they choose not to or do so retrogade. I feel that i will not telephone the manager myself because there is a bigger audiance that is awaiting clarification about alkborough and perhaps we can put this subject to bed and get on with birding and conservation. Perhaps then there will be a sweeter smell in the air when people mention Alkborough Flats, i mean it would be terrible if newspapers picked up all this discontent that surrounds public bodies spending public funds and either cannot or will not explain things and be honest about the situation.

still scratching my thatch Terry Whalin

Hoping to visit tomorrow. Not been to Alkborough before. Should I park near the church and walk down the public r-o-w, or is there a dedicated route to a car park? Where is the Wilson's located in relation to the footpath?
Thanks

Geoff

Geoff,
Aim for Prospect Lane which is adjacent to the Church.
If no warden is on site to indicate otherwise, drive down Prospect Lane and park in the designated area at the bottom.
From the car park climb onto the bank and take the track that is in front of you, do not take the one to the right. Proceed about 200 metres beyond the hide and view the pools to the right.
The bird favours this area but can be very difficult to see because of vegetation & distance.
Good luck!

Roy.

hi all,Ive thought long and hard about all the relevant issues involved in this debate,and feel that the only solution is-a bigger car park!!!there is plenty of room for one.but i do feel that ive been a bit hard on the guys who find stuff there,they are entitled to not release things they find if they so wish and i should respect that-but my approach would be different,e.g.share and share alike,if im lucky enough to find any rarity down there-it seems according to R Harvey we have to ring the warden first,well ok,as long as we all know as lincs birders what to implement on finding a mega there.

Aaah, i see the first chink of light at the end of a long dark tunnel.
Firstly i was'nt getting at karen personally or any other person for that matter only trying to instigate discussion about what partially remains a foggy area.
It is good we have a recognition about personnal records being the property of the owner, perhaps just a little smidgen more of give and take a bit then we only have the matter of future policy to consider.
This can still only be cleared up by the people that actually run the site. I see the need for reporting rarities to the warden with a big please attached to it because personnal records are your property and it works both ways you cannot have entry to the reserve conditional upon release of info if it only apply's to some not all.
The need to report rarities to the warden would be based upon the need to cater for a possible mass visitation and the ability to cope with the situation.
Having very nearly put that side of the situation to bed we just need the policy clarification because on any reserve there will always be areas that are out of bounds to all but a selective few but it is about how you get those and manage the selective few.
So i feel we are getting close to kisses and cuddles all round ( but no tongues involved ) and just a smidgen more for olive branches to be exchanged and peace will reign.
Finally i say lets have a statement on policy, good or bad it does'nt matter but it will clear the air,
here is hoping' yours with optimism Terry Whalin

come on guys you can do it !!!

Hi Terry,common sense seems to be prevailing at last at Alkborough,on Saturday,the Phalorope was in an area out of view,and with a little bit of persuasion,the wardens decided to open up one of the gated out of bounds areas so that all visitors could see the bird,albeit a bit distant,but most welcome to those who had'nt seen the bird.They are supposed to be putting an action plan in place for future twitches,so watch this space.


Regards


Steve.

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Good news indeed Steve!
It sounds as if I should have been there again on Saturday.
A very welome change of heart by the wardens. Who did the 'persuading'?

Roy.

Hi Roy,Mr Drinkall and Myself just basically spoke to Sarah and explained that things could be organised a little better,as the bird was in an area which could be viewed easily,and would not cause any disturbance to the birds present.We also suggested that in the future,why not organise a collection of some sort for the local wildlife trust or a local charity,as is done in so many other birding counties.Another one of her concerns,was policing people in an opened up area like Saturday's,and we all offered our services as volunteers to help out in the future,so hopefully this will be the start of better things and access in the future when a rarity is found.


Regards


Steve.

_________________
http://www.brachytron.blogspot.co.uk

http://www.LincolnshireOdes.blogspot.com

http://www.flickr.com/photos/routy

steve and all
what great news ! excellent !, perhaps the end of the tunnel was closer than i thought the other day. Keep up the good work ,

terry whalin