The Lincolnshire Bird Club

This evening after looking in at Manby Flashes and Levee Doors with nothing of note I carried on the road from Gt Carlton to Theddlethorpe All Saints. A number of fields were flooded reminding me of the camargue except without the birds, but saying that I did see the following.
A few Shoveler and Shelduck, 1 pr with 2 ducklings.
500 ca. Lapwing.
9 Golden Plover,
1 Ringed Plover,
5 Greenshank
1 Common Sandpiper.
I guess ther are many sites like this around Lincs at the present time, all worth a look at.
Geoff

In a flooded field at Cumberworth I had:

Black tailed Godwit - 18
Tufted Duck - 23
Shelduck - 7
Pochard - 2
Little Grebe - 2

Other fields this week have had Greenshank, Green Sand, Curlew, Whimbrel.

In the same flooded fields today at 1145 am were 18 8lack-tailed Godwit and 1 Greenshank.
Geoff

A quick spin around the Lincs Camargue today produced several hundred B H Gulls, 20 Shelduck and over 500 Lapwings but no other waders.

Manby Flashes water level is still high and 1 Little Egret on levee doors

Evening visit to the not so much Lincs Camargue, it's drying up, produced.
1 Marsh Harrier,
1 Green Sandpiper,
1 Black-tailed Godwit,
5 Oystercatcher,
1 Yellow Wagtail and the usual Lapwing and Black-headed Gull flocks.
Geoff

Two visits to 'the petit camargue' today.
There was a report on RBA this morning of Wood Sand, Ruff, Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Greenshank, Marsh Harrier and 1st summer Med Gull on flooded fields just SW of Saltfleetby. I presume it's the same place.
However my first visit only produced the usual flock of gulls and Lapwings until a Red Kite flew through heading south, quite a surprise.
Evening visit showed all change with 30 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Wood Sand, 1 Green Sand, 2 Dunlin, 7 Golden Plover, 2 Curlew and surprised to see 2 Cormorants roosting in trees, but I think they were more to do with the nearby ' Willows Farm fishing lakes' which you can't see from the road unfortunately.
It's hard to believe these are just two flooded fields, just imagine if there was a bird reserve in the area. pity the two NNR's nearby are not bird reserves.
Geoff

The 2 non bird NNRs as you describe them Geoff are some of the best
WILDLIFE sites in the country, as well as having over 300 bird species recorded on them, Saltfleetby Theddlethorpe is the main site in the country for 3 nationally rare species and another 4 scarce species as well as a whole assembledge of coastal habitats, and many naturalists are not especially interested in birds,you clearly have little understanding of conservation of natural habitats and the regulations within which we as site staff have to manage them., John.

Hi John,
It's good to get a reaction to a note.
Please don't take it personally but I was having a dig at the bigwigs in the NNR's who generally don't consider birds as important as plants and insects on their reserves. I'm sure if they did we would be seeing Marsh Harrier, Bittern, Bearded Tit plus many species of wader and terns breeding on these two reserves. I like to walk around Rimac and look at the orchids but birdwise it can be boring.
If you remember, I did praise you on this forum for creating the Paradise Pool and it's still worth checking it out regulary.
We had a problem with Upton Warren nature reserve in Worcs. until a commitee of birders were appointed to look after it. It then became one of the best reserves in the midlands and still holds a good variety of plants and insects. If a site is good for birds then it should be good for all wildlife.
I'm sure you would like to leave a legacy of wildlife including birds when you retire, so that young birders will say 'That John Walker was a jolly good fellow' or words to that affect. See what you can do.
I could have sent a private message but it would be interesting to see what others think.
Geoff

Here's what I think. I think you're out of order. John Walker IS a 'jolly good fellow' who has devoted a large part of his life to maintaining and improving an important nature reserve which has produced a host of rare birds over the years. He has worked tirelessly to this end, often in his own time and I find your criticism petty and selfish.

John

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Well said John. I agree and feel that Rimac is very well managed for birds. I owe many of my Lincs birds to Rimac and thoroughly enjoy all the times I spend there. Keep up the good work John (Walker).

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Regards,

Andy.

Sorry Geoff but I'm with John on this one. I think we have enough reserves that seem to be managed solely for the sake of Bitterns, seemingly to the exclusion of anything else.
Like you I've spent many visits to the Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe NR, not seeing any birds and wondering why I bothered. I can find the answer by looking through my old notes. Quite simply, I've seen more birds species at this reserve than any other and the "blank" days are, surely, just part of birding. The reserve as a whole has a wide variety of habitats, suitable for a range of bird species and it has attracted many rarities. I'm sure that the patch lists of regulars like Mike Tarrant and Barry Clarkson would bear comparison with many, more famous reserves.
On the days when birds are thin on the ground (and in the air !) it's a great place for wildflowers, butterflies, dragonflies and even the odd mammal or amphibian.
I think the test is, we all keep going and, in all honesty, would your regular (and welcome !) forays from the Midlands be as worthwhile without it ! Try missing it off your itinerary for one Autumn and see how long you can bear it ! No reserve is ever going to be everyone's idea of perfect but, nowadays the alternative would probably be yet another caravan park to blight the Lincs coast. I'm sure that thought makes you shudder as much as me !
I know you weren't having a go at Mr. Walker et al, and this isn't an attack on you either. Maybe a day's frustrating birding got the better of you. God knows we've all had those ! Have a look at your own past lists of birds you've seen at the reserve and I'm sure you'll agree with me.
Look forward to seeing you next time at Rimac (!!!!)
Cheers, Terry W.

Geoff, I am sure it was not your intention to upset anyone with your comments and you could be excused if you decide to say ‘sod it’ and never put another post on this forum. I always read your posts with great interest and am very appreciative of the fact that, despite being living in the midlands, you spend far more time birding in Lincs. than many of us who live in the county. This is reflected in the number of good species that you turn up, and make public, so that others can enjoy them.
Keep up the good work !

Roy.

I thoroughly endorse Andy Sims and John Clarkson's comments. John Walker has done a tremendous amount for natural history in this county and is in charge of an area which is excellent for all forms of wildlife

John also seems to spend a good deal of time mending fences, removing rubbish and chasing undesirables. Not all his visitors are responsible, considerate and there for the same reasons that we are. He is entitled to our wholehearted support and gratitude. Cheers. Rick

This seems to have become a debate about whether John Walker is good or bad.
OF COURSE HE'S GOOD. I've known him for several years, he is an honest and a hardworking chap and I respect him.
It appears that everyone is happy with the reserve and they don't want any changes. However I would like it to be the best reserve in the country and I don't see why it shouldn't be.
When John retires, I forget when he said it happens, then I hope someone with his vision and passion for the place takes his place.
Geoff