The Lincolnshire Bird Club

Note that news of an apparent Short-toed Eagle over Ruskington Fen appeared early afternoon, but was quickly identified as a hoax. The thread is on one of the Surfbirds Forums, summarised by Lee Evans as follows:

More fraudulent rarity news

This is another clear case of fraud. This guy (Joe Pell) phoned in and submitted photographs of a Semipalmated Plover yesterday which related to a Ringed Plover. Today, he decides to try it on with a Short-toed Snake Eagle, probably in retaliation. This is happening more and more and I am dealing with cases on a week-by-week basis. The latest scam is to photograph images already in one's collection so that the EXIF data and dates correspond to the claimed timings. I am filling up hard drive after hard drive of images captured from the net in an attempt to keep one step ahead of these fraudsters but to be honest, it is a losing game.
It is not only mega-rare birds that are being scammed - it is scarce migrants too or birds scrace at a county level. In fact, I am very reluctant to accept any record based just on a photograph submission now, particularly if we were not made aware of the record at the time of the putative sighting.


Phil Hyde

Just what is going on these days?fake this scam that,scam internet dating,another story-another time!!now Birds!!it makes your mad!!
rog.

The spurious report of the transatlantic vagrant- following on from the S T Eagle over Ruskington Fen.
Perhaps tomorrow this recorder will meet Oliver Cromwell's brother at Tattershall Castle having firstly established nearby breeding territory for the Oozlam bird. This is a bird that flew around in ever decreasing circles, I'm sure you know the rest and sums up very succinctly this individual and his wholly unacceptable attempts at mischief making.
Seriously though I agree with all that you have said and no doubt others will add their support. I am appauled that this goes on to the degree to which have described.

Kind regards

George

I am with Roger on this. I just do not see the motive. What satisfaction or excitement can be had from such activity? Has this person some grudge against twitchers in general. I know a lot of birders on here do not like them but this seems to be going too far! The person has to be unbalanced. I would hate to think it was the work of a calm, rational person.