The Lincolnshire Bird Club

2 SE Owls flying at 1320 Baston Fen NR

At least 25 Red Crested Pochard on Baston GP - probably more as I was only viewing from the road.

Driving through the lanes west of the A15 produced a good list of raptors including 5 Kites.

A flock of more than 40 Linnets down Dunsby Fen.

Ian

Hi Ian, any sign of Harriers or SEOs at Dunsby this winter? I enjoyed some good days there last year?
Cheers,
Oliver

Hi Oliver,

No I went on to Dunsby fen directly after Baston and only noteable sighting was a large flock of Linnets. Most of the area favoured by the owls last winter has been ploughed by the farmer (Andrew Atkinson) in retaliation for the "invasion" of birders and photographers, some of whom did misbehave, blocking the road with cars and wandering in to his game cover areas.

There are some decent areas left so it is worth keeping an eye out. As it is only a mile or so from my house I visit it regularly anyway.

Best of luck and happy new year.

Ian

Thanks Ian,
it's a shame that a few spoil it for the respectful Birders amongst us; the views from the road were more than acceptable so the need to go wandering onto private land is beyond me and blocking roads is just crass ignorance. If there are people reading this who undertook this activity last year then i hope they realise that their selfish ambitions have spoiled what was a great set aside area.

Oliver.

I was getting paranoid then by saying my name (hopefully namesake unless I'm living the dream) similar to worlaby..ploughing in October..rapeseed oil....ooh arr..get off moi larnd.

Well said Oliver. Andy, I don't know whether I've misread your response but I think you'll find farmers have to plough in October by necessity. They are perfectly entitled to ask people to "get off their land" unless it is a public right of way!

Yes..I was joking about having same name as farmer(get off moi land) I will work on my comedy routine..I was also referring to famous owl site worlaby carr's being ploughed..

I got your humour Andy

In reply to Stuart, The small patch of land at Worlaby is not worked by the local farmer and has been part of a Countryside Stewardship Agreement with DEFRA which runs out in 2013. The local farmer has intimated that in October 2013 this land is going to be ploughed and a crop of rape seed is to be laid down. This is what Andy was referencing. Very sad that DEFRA couldn't renew or update this agreement as there will be some disapointed Owls next winter.

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http://anthonybentleywildlifephotography.blogspot.com/

UK life list 310 (Harlequin Duck)
Lincolnshire List 246 (Puffin)
Village (Brigsley) list 99 (Shelduck)

Thanks Anthony

Thankyou Anthony..i am appearing at the o2 very soon..see you there..anglian water also planning lots of work rail end..probably buying land where people park

I have replied to both Andy and Anthony by private message re my comment.