The Lincolnshire Bird Club

Appendix 1 of the 2013 Lincolnshire Bird Report gives only two records of this species (3 individuals). There is a feral population in Nocton Big Wood, which was originally introduced about 40 years ago and which I have been aware of for at least 30 years.

Last night I did my April Grey heron nest count - 8 occupied nests - and saw 10 peafowl. The keeper, who accompanies me on the nest count estimates the peafowl population there at about 30.

Are there any other well established feral populations of this species in the County?

John

Two or three years ago, I was looking at a farm near Appleby where a population of maybe 20 (I didn't try to count them) was living around a near-derelict farmstead and some secondary woodland. I was told their history but have forgotten it: perhaps it was that they had been looked after by a former resident of the house nearby, or the keeper fed them. Maybe Graham knows more. Anyway, I didn't regard them as self-sustaining so didn't bother to report them to anyone. I would rather have Rose-ringed Parakeets half as old as time than Peafowl, but am relieved that I have neither.

Counted herons at Fiskerton earlier this week - they seem to be down to three nests from a peak of ten a few years back. I wonder if they've been moving to Nocton. But why are they declining county- and nation-wide?

Thanks Andrew,

I don't think Nocton has gained from Fiskerton's loss. I had 8 nests at Nocton last year, so no inflation there either.

John