LINCOLNSHIRE BIRD CLUB KEEPS UP HIGH STANDARD WITH NEWLY-PUBLISHED ANNUAL REPORT

Male ruff as seen at RSPB Frampton Marsh

RUFFS in breeding plumage are seldom seen in breeding plumage, but a splendid photograph (by Neil Smith) of a bird seen at RSPB Frampton Marsh is featured on the front cover of the just-published Lincolnshire Bird Report for 2018.

Over the years,  Lincolnshire's annual report has developed a reputation for excellence, and the latest keeps up the high standard.

The comprehensive species list, plus annual ringing report,  is preceded by a review of the year in which author James Siddle identifies the 2018 highlights as having been:

* Stilt sandpiper
* Snowy owl
* Pallid swifts
* Arctic warbler
* Long-billed dowitcher
* Olive-backed pipit
* American wigeon 
* Balearic shearwater

Oh yes, and there was also a white-billed diver, but, alas, that was found dead.

Among the special features are ones on :

* The invasion of Hawfinches, 2017-18 (Phil Hyde)
* A History of The Status of the Hooded Crow in Lincolnshire and Kent (Andrew Henderson)
* Icelandic Redwings in Lincolnshire (George Gregory)

There are also finder's reports on two particular rarities - stilt sandpiper (Paul Buxton) and pallid swift (Steve Routledge)  - and an account by Gibraltar Point nature reserve warden Kev Wilson of the occurrence on nearby saltmarsh of a short-staying snowy owl.

The report is published at £15 by the Lincolnshire Bird Club which has just celebrated its 40th anniversary.

More details are available from the club's sales officer, Bill Sterling, at:
wbsterling@hotmail.com