Peregrine nesting success at Immingham

I remember about 20 years ago I was doing a Goose and Swan survey for the BTO and one of the tetrads they gave me was at Roxby Tip. I drove to the lane and it said in big letters NO ENTRY but below was a phone number at Lincoln I think, so being a awkward and stubborn person decided to ring them. For a start I got fobbed off but I was determined to get on the site come what may, even BTO said something like 'don't push it' obviously I didn't take much notice. I was told the number of the site manager and given a time to ring next day, so I did and what a pleasant chap, he listened to my details etc and invited me to go see him, which I did.  When I met the chap we had a chat about the survey and I told him how important it was that I got the info required, with that he gave me permission to come on the site on a certain day. That day arrived and I was armed with me gear and was met by the foreman who issued me with an hard hat and high vis jacket, I signed the visitor book and was told what areas were off limits etc and he asked if I needed any help to ask.

I went to the ponds first and then other areas, and finished off going to the big pond (Bagmoor) which is also off limits unless you have permission off the farmer (some birders have but I didn't) and someone said what you doing, I said am doing a survey for BTO and working in conjunction with ********** who ran the site, the person wasn't happy with me being there but I carried on anyway, glad I did cos found subject matter. 

At end of survey went to foreman's office and showed them my paperwork and was offered a mug of tea and had a laugh at the farmers expense lol. Deposited my hat and jacket and thanked them very much for helping the BTO and me. To finish my work I rang the head office and thanked them very much for allowing me on to their site etc. 

That's how you do it Phil lol.  BTW when I saw your name it reminded me of another Phil Jones but he had a group called the City Slickers back in the very old days  

John

You deserve some sort of a medal for getting a hard decision out of ABP, Phil  - something I have never managed to achieve.

Unfortunately, your "best birding credentials" probably don't carry much weight outside birding circles. Perhaps if you'd claimed to be an ex-bobby, you would have had a better chance.

Maybe, the best gambit would be to apply for a job as a roving port security officer. At the same time as looking out for ne'er-do-wells, you could do a bit of surreptious rarity-hunting - either while on duty or on coffee/lunch breaks (or both). 

 

I went on a public tour of Immingham docks last weekend Jim. The western end looked a decent birding spot and so I ended up submitting a formal request for access, citing my best birding credentials. But it was a firm no, firstly saying I'd have to be accompanied by security, then bizarrely adding that I'd told them I already bird part of the Rosper Road area, and they couldn't see why I would want to do more.

Whoever took the shot, maybe they could do same at North Killingholme Reserve?

Peregrine have again nested successfully at Immingham docks (compensating for their apparent absence this year from Grimsby dock tower).
In recent years, birds have been regular nesters on the roof of a silo close to one of the berths.
There is no public access to the docks, but port operator ABP has its own environmental division which contracts out survey work - mostly counting curlews, oystercatchers, godwits and other waders.
The huge and sprawling estate has many green patches - including a designated nature area and even an orchard - so it is likely to be quite important for nesting songbirds and passage migrants.
I have asked ABP if, one day, the company would be willing to host a vist by LBC members.The possibility has not been ruled out, but it is a working port  and, as it to be expected, the company is mindful of health and safety issues.