"Lincolnshire"

Page last revised:
2nd October 2004

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Birdwatchers, who had gathered at a Grimsby industrial estate to get a glimpse of the songbird, could only look on in horror as a sparrowhawk swooped in and devoured her.

There have been very few sightings of the American robin in Britain. Its red breast makes it a very attractive and photogenic bird, but also makes it a prime target for predators. American robins are about the same size as a British blackbird. They have black wings and tails and eat insects, worms and fruit.

Over 95% of a sparrowhawk's diet consists of smaller birds. They will also eat small mammals even and insects when food is short.

(Source: BBC News and Ananova - 9th March 2004)

Written by: Steve Jones

File: 2000-45
Ref No: 1079

If anyone sees the snake, Mr Verlaine suggests covering it with a heavy cloth weighted down with stones, then call him out to catch it straight away. He said: "The thing to do is not to panic, and certainly not to kill it. "It could well turn out to be a grass snake and they are a protected species and should not be killed or touched." The police advised public that they stay back and not to try to catch it. If anyone spots the snake they should contact Grimsby Police and Mr Verlaine.

There's has been some real monkey business of recent at The Jungle in Grimby with it's new welcomed arrival, staff and visitors alike have been going ape over Sasha, a Capuchin Monkey. Sasha, may be a South American native, but he's hoping to monkey around in Cleethorpes Jungle, and soak up some of that summer sun.
What Sun?

(Source: Grimsby Telegraph -13th August 2002)

File: 2002-33
Ref No:

An RSBP spokesperson, Graham Madge, said he was appalled by the shooting. The Osprey is one of Britains rarest birds of prey, having been rendered extinct in 1916 by continued persecution. 50 years after their return the peresecution continues.

(Source: BBC News 18th May 2004)

Contributed By Lisa Willow, 18/05/04
Writen By Paul Williams 16/08/04, http://wehrwulf.fcpages.com

Ref No: 1247

There is variation in squirrel coat colour both locally and regionally. The general pattern of brown/grey on top and white below is considered the wild type from which other variations arose. These wild types, like most mammals, have dark eyes. The brown, grey, or even black colour comes from the production of a pigment called melanin. Variation in coat colour can arrive from change in either the genes that control the production of melanin itself, or of genes that control the pattern of melanin production.

The white squirrel is in fact an Oriental Trees Squirrel of which its scientific name is Callosciurus of which means a “beautiful squirrel”, these are found in Thailand and many other parts of South East Asia. There have also been more sightings of these white squirrels in this country whether they are colour mutations or the Oriental trees squirrel that has been introduced to this country it is not known but south of the country seems to be awash with them as there has been many photos taken of them.

Back in June 2003 in Peckham boys playing footballs accidentally dislodged a nesting box from a tree and when they looked in to see there was two white squirrels inside, a member of the public had then taken them London Wildlife Centre , they were around five weeks old as they had started to eat solid foods, both were a little confused but recovered from the fright in no time. Both will remain with They will stay resident squirrel pen at the London Wildlife Centre , where they may live for up to eight years which significantly higher than the life expectancy in the wild because of their anti camouflage colourings. Although very rare in Britain in Canada and America they are a very popular tourist attraction where people come from miles around to see the beautiful creatures.

Comments:
If next time you see one of these beautiful White squirrels please don’t hesitate to take a snap shot of it as we would love to have one for our website.

29th September 2004

Contributed & Written by: Cher Jenkins

File: 2004-254
Ref No: 1746

It is unclear how Jake escaped, as the park can find no holes in the fence and he is highly unlikely to have been able to jump the 6ft necessary to clear it. The two remaining wallabies seemed undisturbed.

Wallabies eat grass, so food is not a problem for them. The real danger is from traffic should the animal wander into a road.

(Source: Spalding Today - 25th July 2002)

(Source: Central News -Oct 2003)

Written by: Steve Jones

File: 2002-120
Ref No: 1078

WALLABIES
Two Wallabies escape from a Gardening Centre in Western, Scalford, during July 2002, one was of the most unfortunate males was killed when it was hit by a car on the A151 between Scalford and Holbeach, Lincolnshire. the second futgitve marsupial named Jake had been on the run for months before he was eventually caught and returned safely back in it's enclosure.

(Scorce: Spalding Today - July 2002)

(Source: BBC News 18th May 2004)

Contributed By: Lisa Willow, 15/08/04
Written By: Paul Williams 16/08/04, http://wehrwulf.fcpages.com

File: 2004-163
Ref No: 1246

Yr 2000
Contributed by: Rebecca and Lizzie

File: 2000-45

Mr Hyams said: "It gave me a bit of shock when I opened the box. "The first thing I saw was a huge set of teeth - I thought it was a rat. "There's no way it could have climbed in on its own... someone must have pushed him in there."

The chinchilla was traumatised and suffering from a badly injured leg. Mr Hyams took it to his local Blue Cross animal hospital in Grimsby, Lincolnshire. The injuries to the chinchilla's leg were so severe that veterinary staff at the hospital had to amputate the limb.

'Love at first sight'
Alison Livesey, a vet at the animal hospital, said: "It's hard to tell whether the chinchilla hurt his leg while in the post box, or if someone put him in there with the injury. "Whatever the circumstances, it is unbelievable that someone could be so cruel."

The Hyams family have decided to adopt the chinchilla and have named him Postie. Mr Hyams said his two daughters, aged four and two, "fell in love with Postie at first sight". "After all the awful things he's been through we decided to give him
a new home with us."

(Source: BBC News - 17th December 2003)

Contributed by: Lisa Willow

File: 2003-93
Ref No: 953

An Eagle Owl was reported to be seen by several witnesses flying around the town of Scunthorpe attacking their pigeons and even domestic cats and became a talking point for the townsfolk there. My attention was brought to this by one of our members on Wednesday 23rd January 2004 and was immediately was on the telephone to the Scunthorpe Telegraph whom I found very helpful in allowing me to appeal to the locals there, I also regularly in contact with one of the birds first witnesses Mr Smart whom I found to be very helpful indeed as he had local knowledge of the area and the people in there. When the reports came flooding in I was soon able to draw up a regular flight-path the bird was using, then on a Friday evening I recieved a phonecall from Mr Toyne, the owner himself who requested any help from us in the recovery of his valued raptor.

finally the bird was recovered on Sunday 25th January 2004 when a unamed lady put out her arm and the Owl flew straight on to it, all I can say i I hope she was wearing protective clothing!

All in all I recieved some 13 calls regarding this incredible story and would like to thank all thoughs who helped me with this.

This photograph was taken by: Michael Smart of Scunthorpe Lincolnshire, when the Owl landed on their neighbours chimney around dusk.

Chris Mullins
Beastwatch UK

File: 2003-104
Ref No: 1010

N.B. We at Beastwatch UK pride ourselves for trying to write only truthful accounts of all events, if you know of any reports here to be incorrectely presented then please accept our appologies and contact us immediately letting us know the true facts behind the report, as it is not our intention to write any untruths here.

If you have any further information on any of these, or any other reports for this or other areas, then please let us know

Thank you

Chris Mullins
Co-ordinator
BEASTWATCH UK
info@beastwatch.co.uk