The Lincolnshire Bird Club

The fact that many people were able to get to see the Wilson’s Phalarope today at Alkborough is due in no small part to the efforts of Wayne Gillatt. Wayne positioned himself on the public footpath in the hills overlooking the reserve early this morning and then spent over three hours patiently scanning the vast expanse below, before getting onto the small pale wader that was the Wilson’s - it was from this very position that GPC found the bird originally. At least ten other birders - myself & Linda included, were down on the reserve today searching from the footpaths but without success. Wayne not only found the bird at about 800 metres range but was also able to relay the location to me so that I was able to get others looking in approximately the right direction. He then contacted the warden to seek permission to spread the news – bearing in mind that the car park will only hold about 14 vehicles. Permission was granted. I put out the news and the warden later arranged for additional car parking in the village.
Wayne is one of three excellent birders that regularly check the Alkborough Flats area. The expertise
and dedication of these three people has resulted in several top class waders being found over the few years that the reserve has been open. As far as I know, nothing else of significance has been discovered by the many other birders that regularly visit this location. I am tired of the comments that are repeatedly being made about the ‘shortage of news’ of Alkborough birds and we should commend Graham, Wayne and Neil for the stirling efforts that they put to thoroughly check this most difficult of birding areas on such a regular basis. Without their input the rarities would be missed, so it is better to have the news a little late than to have no news at all.

Roy

hi,ive deleted my last submission,in respect of roy who i do not wish to fall out with.

Alkborough is a lovely place and inevitably it will attract lots of waders as it is ideally placed to do so. The 'road' down from the village is very poor, steep, single track and disintegrating rapidly and as Roy has stated the car park is big enough for only a handful of cars. When something good turns up and 200+ cars arrive there will be chaos and trouble. I hope those in charge have plans for dealing with it. Cheers. Rick

Roger,
What someone is supposed to have said to someone else about Alkborough rarities does not concern me, I am more interested in the facts.
With regard to the dissemination of information concerning the finding of rarities at Alkborough, I cannot pretend that the current situation is perfect, but it is getting better. I do not understand the use of the word ‘secrecy’ with regard to the finding of the Wilson’s Phalarope. The bird was seen from a distance late morning, then went missing. It was re-found about 6.30 p.m. and then flew off out of the reserve. News of this was put on the information service that evening. There was no secrecy. It could be argued that its brief presence in the morning should have been announced but that is debatable.
Alkborough has changed a lot since the Buff-breasted Sandpiper was spotted by Wayne on the first day that the estuary was breached and the reserve was not open. The footpaths and hides are in now in place, and the reserve has a warden. However, there are logistic problems that must be addressed.
The finding of even a minor rarity can result in astonishing influx of birders. Anyone finding a ‘mega’ at Alkborough has quite a responsibility on their hands and I think that it would be irresponsible to put out the news nationally without first discussing the situation with the warden. Incidentally, most people would have no idea of how to contact the warden who is not usually there. Those that check this site on a regular basis do have the relevant telephone number.
At the larger ‘twitches’ over 200 cars can descend upon a site in a very short space of time and dealing with this at Alkborough would be a nightmare. So Roger, when you spot the Willet out on the Flats, just think before you ‘phone the news to Birdguides!
My original point still stands, give credit to the finders of Alkborough rarities and lay off the criticism, it is counter-productive.

Roy

hi, not read your thing yet but deleted mine this minute in response to my respect for you.as i do wish us to fall out over this topic.i agree the parking is a problem i will say that,i should not get involved anymore as to be honest its a personal thing between two birders and me who do not want me to know about anything they find there(I had good communication with both birders -well one in particular about anything i saw,then alk flats came along and i was completley shut out,why i do not know,.
rog.