Lincolnshire Listers - Updated August 2025
Many birdwatchers keep lists, it’s part of the fun (and sometimes the obsession!) of the hobby.
There are countless types of lists, but the year list is the most common.
This page, however, is all about the Lincolnshire List and the birders who keep one.
A New Listmaster
Following the tragic death of John Clarkson in August 2023, the role of Listmaster became vacant. We’re pleased to share that Andy Sims, John’s long-standing birding companion, has kindly stepped in.
Andy is well-known across the county as a dedicated patch watcher at Boultham Mere. He also holds one of the most impressive tallies in UK birding — the largest British List of any Lincolnshire birder and the third biggest known Lincolnshire List. His knowledge of both the birds and birders of the county makes him the ideal person to take on John’s role.
What Does the Listmaster Do?
For some, keeping a county bird list is just a bit of fun. For others, it’s a serious challenge. The Listmaster’s job is to:
- Maintain a central spreadsheet of all birds seen in Lincolnshire by participating birders.
- Provide a benchmark so birders can see who’s seen what, and how they compare with others, including the current leader, Graham Catley.
- Record only species accepted by the British Birds Rarities Committee (BBRC) when it comes to rarities.
Not everyone takes part, and a few birders could easily be in the top ten if they chose to submit their lists.
How the List Works
John used to send out an annual update, but inevitably the list was soon out of date as birders added new species throughout the year.
If you’d like to join in:
- Email Andy Sims at a.c.sims@ntlworld.com.
- Andy will send you the spreadsheet, either to update your current list or to add a new column for you if you’re joining for the first time.
All entries from 200 species and above are welcome. Andy will compile the data, and we will publish in the newsletter and keep an upto date copy on the website.