Red Necked Phalarope

Michael Harrison · **Posted:** Tue Oct 02, 2012 12:20 pm

A juv/1st winter found at 1000 hrs. at Shearmans Wath, West Ashby.

Mike

Anthony Bentley · **Posted:** Tue Oct 02, 2012 2:42 pm

After seeing Russ's photo I am very temtped to go for this bird.
Where abouts is shearmans heath? On google maps I can see to ponds east of west ashby is the bird on one of these?

Russ Telfer · **Posted:** Tue Oct 02, 2012 7:15 pm

Anthony

It was in the Southern most pool to the east of the river bain. It was still there at 12:30 when I left.

Cheers

Russ T

Dean Eades · **Posted:** Wed Oct 03, 2012 7:08 pm

Superb Bird Many thanks ...

Michael Harrison · **Posted:** Fri Oct 05, 2012 4:28 pm

Still present this morning.

Mike

Freddy Johnson · **Posted:** Fri Oct 05, 2012 5:50 pm

Mike,

Could you clear up a potential problem for members wishing to view the Phalarope.

Trevor Gunby captioned his photos of 3rd Oct "Private Site" and Dean Eades captioned his of 3rd Oct "Private Farm". The word 'Private' can deter members from going. Is the site strictly private (with no public access) or is perhaps the bird easily viewable from eg., a public road or a public footpath?

Is it still at Map Ref TF 253719....the southernmost pool to the East of the River Bain?

Many thanks,

Freddy

James Siddle · **Joined:** Mon Aug 07, 2006 7:40 am **Posts:** 289

Bird still present at a 5.50pm this evening still on the pool to the south of the road, east of the river.

James

Russell Hayes · **Posted:** Sat Oct 06, 2012 8:57 am

Mike Harrison has asked everyone to stay out of the field and view only from the road

Geoff Mullett · **Posted:** Sat Oct 06, 2012 1:29 pm

Still present late morning. Distant views from road. No public access across field.

Geoff

Freddy Johnson · **Posted:** Sat Oct 06, 2012 3:09 pm

I arrived at the RN Phalarope stakeout as Mike Harrison was standing next to his 4x4 vehicle, by the locked gate to the cattle field (beyond which is the Phalarope pool, S of the minor road.) We engaged in conversation and then Mike said, "Come on; jump in!......I'll take you down to the Phalarope." How lucky was that??

We made our way across the cattle field.....and I then had excellent close views of the bird from the poolside (c. 1.00pm). It spent some time in spinning-feeding - a super bird to view so closely.

Many thanks to Mike for his thoughtful and kind action in enabling me to catch up with the Phalarope and enjoy such stunning views. Had I arrived a few minutes later, Mike would have probably already driven off...leaving me to 'scope the Phalarope from the minor roadside.......fair enough, but I was sooo lucky!

Freddy

Phil Hyde · **Posted:** Sat Oct 06, 2012 5:16 pm

Rare Bird News quote :
NB 10:30. Local landowner refusing all access now and birders have been asked to leave the site.
Comments ?
Phil

Russ Telfer · **Posted:** Sat Oct 06, 2012 6:06 pm

Phil
Since It was first seen the bird has remained on private land. For 3 days the landowner kindly kept his cattle from the field and allowed access to those that asked permission even giving people lifts to see it. However by Friday the cattle needed to be back in and so restrictions were needed. Unfortunately on Saturday people began entering the fields without permission so people were asked to view from road and not to enter the fields.

Hope this clarifies

Russ T

Geoff Mullett · **Posted:** Sat Oct 06, 2012 8:16 pm

Julia and I plus one other (whose name escapes me) viewed the bird from the road, not good views admittedly. Other 'birders' (I'm told from Wetherby) climbed the gate and fence ignoring advice, and walked down to the far side of the field to get close-up shots. We looked at the OS map and found a public footpath running NE from Thimbleby Mill. We figured that leaving the path and walking a field edge for 100 yards, we'd get good views from across the fence without disturbing the cattle etc. This proved to be the case and we took some good photos.
Mike Harrison arrived while we were there and told the other birders to leave, before coming to speak to us. Mike explained that he was too busy this weekend to accompany birders across the field to view the bird, and there was a H&S issue with the cattle in the field.
I think some birders will do anything, go anywhere to get their photos. It's a great pity that by alerting us to the bird, Mike now has to spend time policing the field to keep trespassers out!

Geoff

Dean Eades · **Posted:** Sun Oct 07, 2012 6:26 pm

Very good point Geoff . I have know Mike for some time, great chap, but when people disrespect his land especially with cattle in the field it really is not on. Mike is a very approachable man, but will soon lose faith in people ... I spoke to Mike yesterday morning and is annoyed with some of them which went in the field with no respect or permission at all, he was very disgusted with some birders, photographers etc which went in the field with out permission.

I do know that Mike will probably never put reports out again on his land, which would be a great shame for all concerned.

Russ Telfer · **Posted:** Mon Oct 08, 2012 3:50 pm

Guys

people are still trespassing on this site. It is not confined to 'outsiders' but Lincs birders as well ! Since the cattle have been back in, the field has had to be closed. There are no public rights of way through it and as it is enclosed, it is not covered by any 'right to roam'. Mike is a busy person and does not need to spend his day policing his land. It is for your own saftey and the safety of others.

If people are so desperate for a pic of the Phal, I am more than willing to give a higher res copy of any of my published images so long as:

1.Privacy of the site is respected.
2.A donation is made (big or small) to Baumber Church restoration, a cause I know that Mike is involved with.

Rant over

Russ

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Red Necked Phalarope

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