Up The Mariners!The tree-loving bird that wears the same playing strip as Grimsby Town FC

 

All Town Aren't We! The great spotted woodpecker knows which football club to support

WHAT do Grimsby Town FC have in common with a bird called the great spotted woodpecker?

The answer comes in a strange-but-true observation  in an entertaining and informative new book - Birds of Louth. 

Writes author and longstanding Town fan Phil Espin: "With its striking black, white and red plumage, this popular woodpecker recalls the colours of Grimsby Town Football Club."

Phil, who used to work as a tax consultant, changed career to become a bird surveyor and researcher for windfarm operators, farmers and other commercial and private clients.

He is also in demand both as a writer and speaker on ornithological subjects.

As well as in Louth, great spotted woodpeckers  also dwell in some parts of North East Lincolnshire - for instance, Weelsby Woods and Bradley Woods.

Sometimes, when food is in short supply, they fly into gardens where they like to feast on peanuts and  scraps on the bird table.

Could Town change their nickname from The Mariners to The Woodpeckers?

Not much chance of that, even though some other clubs have birds for  their nicknames - the likes of Crystal Palace (eagles), Cardiff City (bluebirds), Norwich City (canaries) and Brighton (seagulls). 

Birds of Louth is on sale, price £12, at St James' Church, Louth and Louth Museum or online via www.lincsbirdclub/sales.

Profits will be donated to Brain Tumour Research in tribute to the author's longtime birdwatching pal, John Clarkson, whose stunning photographs illustrate the book.

Sadly, John died a few months before the book was published.                                                

On sale in the shop in St James' Church - the new book