The Lincolnshire Bird Club

Bank works underway between Grainthorpe Haven and North Cotes (pics posted in 'birders and birding'). Another swathe of coastal scrub habitat for locals and cover for drift migrants appears to be doomed. Does anyone know if any replacement planting between the new soke dyke and bank is proposed?
On a happier note, a fine osprey was fishing over the Humber from 08:15 to 08:35 subsequently bringing its catch to a 'block' on the shore off Pye's, where it stayed until at least noon. a green sand and 4 greenshank in Grainthorpe Haven, another 3 greenshank in Somercotes Haven and a Whinchat by the seabank at the northern end of the new Donna Nook realignment site.

Ian, If your refering to the scrub c 100m south of Horseshoe car park, no the scrub will not be removed,you may have noticed the machines are working either side of it.
I noticed a comment from Terry Whalin, the piles of muck out from Pyes Hall on the Donna Nook site are actually sand piled up for use on covering breeding bird islands which will then have shingle like stone scattered on the 8 islands currently in construction.
There will also be other wildlife habitats created between the new seabank and the old a total of c 9 acres of meadow pools and some
native trees and bushes planted, the new seabank will be seeded with native grasses and some nectar plants .
A great deal of thought and planning has gone into this scheme over the past 5 years, but rember it has had much local oppostion and had to pass planning laws.
And finally remember this was intensive arable farming untill this scheme was financed by the Environment Agency, as part of the overall sea defence improvements along the coast.
I would hope to see some support from local naturlists,( and some have expressed great delight with progress so far) as i have heard enough from the whinging fraternity.
John Walker site ecologist

regards John.

Many thanks for the info John. I was referring to all the scrub currently remaining between North Cotes and Grainthorpe Haven. Looking at work done on the banks nearest to Grainthorpe Haven yesterday, and the position of the diggers next to the nearest scrub, I feared the worst. I'm truly delighted to hear that the scrub will remain at least largely unscathed by the current bank works. We both know, having worked river corridor/seabank surveys in the past, that such care has not always been taken by EA or their predessessors.
As for the Donna Nook scheme, I've always been excited by the huge potential benefits of the development, for local wildlife. It's going to be fascinating to see how the place develops over the next decade and beyond. Indeed that's the main reason I've just forked out for new transport to get me to the area more easily/often.

i was there at grainthorpe 1.30 till 4 ish had a word with the chaps who explained things a bit, all the spoil dug out at grainthorpe has been left to dry a bit before being used as infill of the old dyke, was invited to have a look around from the yard at donna nook end to explain things. decent chaps was ask if i knew you john. he said the padlocked area north of horseshoe point has been done by the wildfowlers and nothing to do with them. he eased my concerns somewhat and its always darkest just before dawn but no sign of the sun yet. he also stated they hope to finish this year, we shall see !! lots to do weather permitting,

terry whalin

Donna Nook has been my local patch for many years now and thus I'm seeing first hand the developments that are taking shape there. The habitat being created is something we have been crying out for in the north of the county and I'm really hopeful this is going to provide some excellent mixed habitat for wildlife. A question not yet asked in this thread is who will be responsible for the management and maintenance of this vast area that will include bird islands, scrapes, trees, bushes, areas for Natterjack toads etc? Can you shed any light on this John?

regards

Chris

I've heard it said (from someone who ought to know) that the new marshland being created will dry out between high tides allowing foxes and the like to walk out and predate the birds nesting on the new islands. Presumably this has been taken into consideration.

Geoff

Hope it's RSPB that get the job of managing this site Chris and not the 'Wildelife Trust' I've heard mentioned.

_________________
Regards.
Del.

To err is human. To really louse things up takes a computer

I understand Linc's Wildlife Trust is in the frame to 'manage' this site but no decisions made yet and so may not be.
Pye's has been my haunt since the 70's, if they turn this into a Frampton I think it will be a mega site.

Hope your right about the Frampton part of your mail at least Colin. Unfortunately and no matter what the EA do, or how much money they spend. If it's not managed well it will very soon deteriorate.
Anyone know how one could influence any decision on who gets the management of this important site?

I had also heard that LWT's involvement at this site in meeting and greeting joe public and selling stuffed seals, may have a bearing and possibly them one of the front runners to manage this area but hopefully nothing is set in stone.
No disrespect to the Linc's Wildlife Trust as I don't know much about them but i do hope RSPB get the job.

With experience of being involved with another county 'Wildlife Trust' and their wetland sites for over 2 decades. The RSPB are far better qualified for wetland management believe me!
I know from painful experience that the wildlife is not always at the top of the Wildlife Trust agenda either, they told me so. People and dog walkers are though!
Only recently I was informed by a very senior Wildlife Trust employee. "You forget that the trust are not like RSPB Derick. Birds, wildlife and conservation is not everything for us. Inclusivity of people is!

That said it all for me

_________________
Regards.
Del.

To err is human. To really louse things up takes a computer

Well if inclusivity of people is top of their agenda they wont mind us putting our hides up

Would that be a photographic hide Colin

_________________
Regards.
Del.

To err is human. To really louse things up takes a computer

No, I thought I would use one of those Cherry Kearton cow hides

Did he use them here?

http://www.wildfilmhistory.org/film/41/ ... ungle.html

_________________
Regards.
Del.

To err is human. To really louse things up takes a computer

Hahaha, even I wasn't around then.

Back to reality for a moment folks.
Any ideas who makes the decision about giving tbe nod to take over management of the new Donna nook/Pyes hall area?

_________________
Regards.
Del.

To err is human. To really louse things up takes a computer