White-billed Diver Gavia adamsii Tattershall Bridge, Lincolnshire, March 1996 by Jonathan C Wasse

This immature bird was present on the River Witham in Lincolnshire. Although they are annual visitors to the UK, especially Scotland, they are very rare inland (possibly the 3rd ever inland record?). Unfortunately these pictures show the sad demise of this giant.

This visit was on a Saturday and with the bird still being present it obviously attracted a large amount of birders to the site. On this day a fishing match was also taking place along this stretch of the river. We arrived just before 11
am and the bird was swimming up and down the river. On one fatal occasion it took a fisherman's 'live' bait and it transpired that one set of the tripple hooks became lodged deep in its throat. As a result the bird got entangled in the line and the more it struggled the more badly entangled it became.

The Diver was "reeled in" to release the line and hooks.

The bird was clearly ill and a local wildlife centre was found to help out. The bird was taken away and sadly died a few hours later. One set of the hooks inside the bird could not be reached, and in order to remove them the sternum would have to be broken. Hence the bird would be rendered flightless.

Jonathan C Wasse (Click here to see more pictures of the White-billed Diver)

White-billed Diver Gavia adamsii Tattershall Bridge, Lincolnshire, March 1996. © Jonathan C Wasse

White-billed Diver Gavia adamsii Tattershall Bridge, Lincolnshire, March 1996. © Jonathan C Wasse

White-billed Diver Gavia adamsii Tattershall Bridge, Lincolnshire, March 1996. © Jonathan C Wasse

White-billed Diver Gavia adamsii Tattershall Bridge, Lincolnshire, March 1996. © Jonathan C Wasse

For the Latest Upload Images of Lincolnshire Birds Click Here

Lincolnshire Bird Club 2001 - 2005 - Website Forktail Design