The Lincolnshire Bird Club

Had a pleasant walk round Messingham SQ today with Andrew Vaughan - this is one of the more attractive Lincs reserves. The grasses, wild flowers and insect life were spectacular. The highlight was four hobby above the reserve along with two common buzzards
A question for you - does anyone know what happened to the extensive feeding station that appeared last year?

RE: Feeding Station.

The new warden took it down, well it was destroyed actually.
Hygiene issue..
..Matt Blissett the old warden had given it his blessing for it to be put up.

Steve

Caused a bit of a stir as I recall. Notices said the feeders were drawing out birds, like the willow tit leaving it open to predation. I don't think I've seen a willow tit there since the feeders went. Also many older folks couldn't manage the rough ground around the reserve and used to just pull in and sit in their cars watching the birds on the feeders. Some local birders used to keep the feeders cleaned regularly. Seems funny that a Lincs Wildlife Trust reserve bins the feeders, whilst they have them at their flagship site.

You are right Mark.
I was one of the guys that used to spray the feeders once a week.
I changed my shift pattern and have stopped going so often.
They used be a nice trip out for older colleagues as you say and a lot of people kept the feeders topped up.
They gave a good indication of what was about.
Some said it was the best we did - Dinner at the Car Park before work or a Cuppa before you moved on or just an hour now and again.

I really miss it
Steve

Reading this has made me angry, who is the new warden Come back JD all is forgiven.

There is always someone out to spoil the enjoyment of others

I've not been for some time because I haven't had transport since last October. and when I did in the last few years thoroughly enjoyed sitting in the car watching the birds and especially the squirrel that most birders hate.

Why would the new warden destroy feeders, why didn't he take them home and use them or give them to people who would make good use of them. It sounds as if he has spoiled the enjoyment of many people including me.

What about those people that are disabled and I'm one of them who cannot go any further than the car park unless they have a mobility scooter or some form of transport, the WARDEN has spoiled it for them and me. I have difficulty walking these days and much prefer not to if at all possible because it is too painful!

I'll contact the LWT and see if the feeders can be re-instated, after all its their reserve and I'm a member.

Nearly all the reserves I've visited over the years had a feeding station, has Far Ings still got one. Of the RSPB reserves Blacktoft and Fairburn had them. So why can't my beloved MSQ?????????????????????????????????????? I know my mate SW looked after the feeders etc both here and elsewhere.

Regards

Max

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GETTING OLD HAS IT'S ADVANTAGES BUT I CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT THEY ARE lol

Rats can be a problem at feeders. They were abundant when I visited the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust's Potteric Carr reserve, near Doncaster, in February. I blogged some pictures at http://thewryneck.blogspot.co.uk/

Maybe they should put up a sign 'Owl feeding station' where there are many rats, then rat haters wouldn't get so uptight about them.

If only they had fluffier tails and cuter faces, it would be easier to warm to them.

I was once in a crowded compartment of a London tube train when a teenage girl pulled a pet rat out of her bag and let it run over her head and shoulders. There was almost a stampede for the exit when the train reached the next station.

To my credit, I stayed put.

But I was mightily relieved she didn't release ratty in my direction.