============================================ || || The Lincolnshire Wildlife News Bulletin || *** 26th April 2009 *** || || LNU Website: http://www.lnu.org/ || || "News of Lincolnshire's Wildlife" || ============================================ In this issue..... 1. Readers hints, tips and requests 2. Wildlife Highlights 3. Wildlife reports from around the county 4. News from the Lincolnshire Coast NNRs 5. News from Far Ings NNR 6. News from Lincolnshire Limewoods NNR 7. Sending in Reports - contributors please read! 8. Contact information 9.. Notes about these wildlife reports 10. Bulletin publicity policy 11. Events Diary ....and finally..... ============================================ The Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Bulletin now goes to 876 addresses each week and we are keen to encourage even more readers to subscribe. Note: Views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union or any associated organisations. Please make contact via the LNU Website: http://www.lnu.org/ or e-mail wildlifenews@lnu.org, or contact the Editor to join up and contribute articles or reports. [Or cancel!] E-mail: rparsons@enterprise.net ============================================ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. Readers hints, tips and requests ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Back copies of Bulletins *** Web-hosted Bulletins can be found on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletin2009feb15.txt http://rogerparsons.info/bulletin2009feb22.txt http://rogerparsons.info/bulletin2009mar01.txt http://rogerparsons.info/bulletin2009mar08.txt http://rogerparsons.info/bulletin2009mar15.txt http://rogerparsons.info/bulletin2009mar22.txt http://rogerparsons.info/bulletin2009mar29.txt http://rogerparsons.info/bulletin2009apr05.txt http://rogerparsons.info/bulletin2009apr12.txt http://rogerparsons.info/bulletin2009apr19.txt http://rogerparsons.info/bulletin2009apr26.txt Just cut and past the address into your browser. Now you know the system, if your email does not arrive you can work out what the URL will be! Next week it should be: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletin2009may03.txt Thanks. Roger *** LNU Meetings *** For details of all 2009 LNU Field meetings see section 12 below or visit www.lnu.org/events.php Sunday, April 26, 2009 South Thoresby Pit followed by South Thoresby Warren LNR West of Alford. 12.00 for 13.00 start. From A16 at "5 ways" - the local name for the junction - (TF399 753) take road to S.Thoresby, go straight though village, then turn left for Belleau and park immediately on right on wide verge above entrance to pit. For the LNR go back into village and turn right then left for A16. Park on lay-by on left just before A16. S.Thoresby Pit is at TF406776 and S. Thoresby Warren LNR at TF392762 Habitats: Diverse mixture including wet areas and grassland. Leader: Christine Rieser christine.rieser1@virgin.net Tel 01507 607205 with Brian Hedley brian_hedley@hotmail.com *** Winter Garden Bird Survey, 2008/09 *** Anne Goodall writes: With about 60 completed survey returns received and input, a most striking change seems to be emerging. The survey has now been running for 23 years, since 1985/86, and in that time the percentage of gardens visited by herons has normally been in the range 5-10%, exceeding 10% in only two previous winters. Similarly, the proportion of survey weeks when herons are recorded is normally 0.5-1.5%. Last winter 20% of gardens reported visiting (marauding?) herons, present in just over 2.5% of survey weeks. The only other time this has occurred was the winter of 1990/91, which was a hard winter, which last year was not. Is it just that more gardens now have ponds, providing easy fishing, or is this a symptom of a wider country side change? With about half the returns still to come, it will be interesting to see if this finding holds for the whole sample. If you completed the survey last winter and haven't yet returned your form, please do so, as soon as you can. If you didn't take part last year, or in fact have never taken part but would be interested in doing so, please let me know. The summer survey has now started, but it isn't too late to take part; survey forms can be downloaded from the Lincs Bird Club website, or I can email one to anyone interested. *** Car Crime at Nature Reserves *** Horncastle Police write: We would like people to be aware of an increase in vehicle crime at local beauty spots in the area. These include Snipe Dale, Chambers farm, and Ostlers plantation. Items are being left on display in vehicles, which has lead to items being stolen, and vehicles damaged. When leaving your vehicle please be sure nothing is left on display. *** RSPB Frampton *** Malcolm Johnson writes: Visited Frampton Marsh on the 21st. They have certainly been working hard this past winter. The site was unrecognisable from last September. The Visitor Centre and the Hides are top class. There is still work to be done but this is mainly cosmetic. The Birds are there in a vengeance and we had the best Birding Day that we have had for a long time. Altogether we had seven firsts. Please understand that there were other birds that we did not see, and hundreds of Gulls, mainly Black Heads and Common. See section 4 for report. *** Parking at Whisby - Comments *** Paul Gee writes: The 'token' charge of £1 is a very small price to pay for the extensive and extremely high quality facility that is Whisby. Anyone who considers this to be a 'problem' when in reality you can get a £1.25 return needs to find alternative higher quality facilities that they can visit for FREE. *** Fieldfares *** Stuart Britton writes: Re Jim Fish's comment about "late" Fieldfares. April is a very interesting month when we see the last of the winter visitors and the first summer migrants. Late Fieldfares have been recorded infrequently into early May. Yesterday (19/4) there was a flock of c40 adjacent to the Bluestone Heath Road near Stenigot mast, nearly all in summer plumage. Apparently they've been there for nearly a week so they should be on their way to Scandinavia shortly. *** Swallows *** Jenny Haynes On the topic of swallows, we were walking near Elterwater in the Lakes on 2nd April and saw two swallows. This is much earlier than I've ever seen them in Horkstow! *** Coningsby - The Pingle LNR Events *** Roger Parsons writes: Events for 2009 Slug Hunt: Saturday 9th May 2pm – 4.00pm Leader: Chris du Feu with Roger Parsons All welcome. Moth & Bat Night. Friday 17th July 9.00pm Helen Scarborough. Toby Ludlow. All welcome. For more info contact: rparsons@enterprise.net *** Lincolnshire Environmental Awards Deadline Approaches *** The annual Lincolnshire Environmental Awards are with us once again, and applications are invited from anyone with an environmental project that might qualify. There have been some excellent applicants over the years and both winners and runners-up benefit from the publicity. The deadline for entries is 30 April 2009. See the website for details of categories and some useful background information for applicants: http://lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk/ *** South Lincs Local Group R.S.P.B. *** Sam Newsom Music Centre, Boston Thursday 30th April at 7-30 p.m. Illustrated Talk entitled "Neil's Digital World" by local wildlife artist and photographer Neil Smith, who is making a welcome return to the group. Using his own photographs, Neil will be showcasing the wildlife to be found on the local reserves at Frampton and Freiston, and also from further afield. His unique style of presentation will make for an interesting and amusing evening. Admission - Members £2-00, non members £3-50, children at half price. This event will be preceded by the Group's Annual General Meeting, at which some important changes to the Committee will be introduced. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2. Wildlife Highlights ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Birdnews from FOCALPOINT *** UPDATED DETAILS. Sign up for local and national news for only £15 p.a. with text messaging also available, details of this and other services at www.fpoint.co.uk 20/4/09 LINCS fem Brambling. Willingham by Stow, 9.10am in Garden 23/4/09 LINCS Wryneck. Donna Nook, at S.end in willows at N.end of flashes. 24/4/09 LINCS ad Black Brant. Frampton Marsh, 11am in flds with 500 DbBrents, 3(2drk) Garganey, fem Hen Harrier. We are very grateful to FOCALPOINT for allowing us to reproduce Lincolnshire Birdcall reports, and strongly encourage keen birders to sign up to receive these on a regular basis. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3. Wildlife news from around the county ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** The Roger Goy Column *** Remembering Roger Goy's wildlife information work. KATE'S BRIDGE 24th APRIL 2009 Roy Goff Lots of ladies smock and cowslips flowering in the garden this year and also a little bit on jack by the hedge so plenty of natural food plants for the orange tips to lay upon. I have planted some extra buckthorn during the winter and although they are less than two feet high, brimstone butterflies have already laid eggs on most of them. I watched a female last Tuesday as she hunted down a small tree with a very slow flight very much like that of one of the 'browns' it appears she could smell the tree but not see it until very close but as soon as she found it she landed and started egg laying immediately. Other butterflies in the garden:- small tortoiseshell, peacock, comma, small white, green veined white, large white, speckled wood and holly blue. Summer migrant birds have made their presence in the garden this past week with swallows, chiffchaff, blackcaps and common whitethroat all singing at some point. No sign of any willow warblers yet though which is very unusual, I haven't seen or heard any willow warblers at all yet, even around the hedgerows. Buzzards are still regularly seen over the garden and we have a pair of great spotted woodpeckers at the nut feeders most of the time now. I was able to solve the woodpecker v squirrel problem by using a squirrel proof feeder and bashing in the sides a bit so that the woodpecker could reach through to the nuts, but the squirrels still seem foiled. They got their revenge however by nesting in my tawny owl box! *** County Wildlife Reports From Readers *** Please keep your reports coming, We rely on you to send in your observations and We welcome information from all readers, be they beginners or professionals. Thanks. ARNOLDS MEADOW Nature Reserve 19th April 2009 K J Seaton Butterflies recorded 8 or more Speckled Wood Orange Tip Green veined White Small White Peacock Small Tortoiseshell BRACEBY TF015353 Marion Ellis Seen today: First swallow of the year House martin inspecting a nest on our house Interested to read about Rookery count in north of county. As we have a long-established rookery in our village, I wonder if any count has been done in south Lincs. I'm afraid I'm not offering to do it! CALLAN'S LANE WOOD 23rd April 2009 19.45 - 21.15 Ian Misselbrook Forestry operations have thinned and opened out the wood considerably which has already benefited the flora. A carpet of Bluebells are already fully in flower and there are some very impressive clumps of Bugle. However, I fear the operations have driven off the breeding Woodcock as for the first time in 23 years I failed to find any roding. Flora:- Lady's Smock Coltsfoot Bluebell Bugle Dog Violet Primrose Cowslip Hybrid of above Mammals Badger - 1 sow out in full daylight at 20.10 hrs 3 Muntjac - one of which stood and barked at me! 3 Fallow Deer 3 Brown Hares 1 Rabbit 1 Grey Squirrel Birds One Cuckoo Mallard - pair Pheasant 1 Common Buzzard Tawny owls - at least 5 including 3 hooting males. One seen well. Little Owls 2 calling to each other Woodpigeons Song Thrush 4 singing Blackbird 3 singing Robins Nightingale - 1 singing in same place as last year. Dunnocks Wrens Great Tits Blue Tits Coal Tits Marsh tits - a pair Chiffchaff - 2 singing Willow warblers 5 singing from birch and willow scrub in the clearings that used to have grasshopper warblers Blackcaps - at least 5 pairs Carrion Crows Magpies Chaffinch COWBIT By-Pass Old A16 works site near new road works for Cowbit bypass. 20-04-2009 K J Seaton 2 male Wheatear in breeding plumage COVENHAM Malcolm Johnson Covenham April 18th 15.00 to 16.30 Coot - 10 Great Crested Grebe - 11 Mallard 20 Sand Martins - 35+ Shell Duck - 6 Swallow - 6 Tufted Duck - 10 Wheatear - 1 Also had 3 Siskins on our Feeders (1st in our Garden) DUNSBY FEN 22nd April 2009 Ian and Sue Misselbrook Two small to medium sized bats hunting over the Carr Dyke from the bridge about dusk. Possible daubenton's bats? Other mammals 2 Brown Hares. Grasshopper W and in same area a pair of sedge warblers reeling in bed of Reed Canary Grass. Also:- 2 Grey Herons 2 pairs of Mute Swans on 40 ft 1 Canada Goose 1 Pair Mallard 2 Coot 3 Moorhens 2 Barn Owls 5 Kestrels 4 singing Whitethroats 5 singing Reed Buntings 10+ yellowhammers 6+ Tree Sparrows 2 pairs of Lapwings and 2 nests Linnets Goldfinches Chaffinches GREETWELL HOLLOW, LINCOLN TF000 722 Brian Hedley 21 April 2009 Green-viened White 8 Large White 6 Brimstone 3 Orange tip 1 Speckled Wood 4 Peacock 2 Small Tortoiseshell 1 Holly Blue 1 Lesser Whitethroat 2 singing Bullfinch pair Sand martin 4 north MARTON SK 843 821 Brian Hedley 21 April 2009 Moth-trapping overnight in garden produced: Early Thorn 1 Powdered Quaker 1 Iron Prominent 1 Red Twin-spot Carpet 1 Hebrew Character 6 Early Grey 2 Streamer 1 Common Plume 1 Burying beetle Nicrophorus humator 1 Large orange Ichneumon wasp, probably Netelia testacea. WILDMORE FEN - TF 216534 R & A Parsons 18/4/09 Andrena fulva - Tawny Mining Bee Peacock butterfly 20/4/09 Holly blue Large cabbage white Peacock Small tortoiseshell 21/4/09 Speckled wood Holly blue Small tortoiseshell 22/4/09 Butterflies interacting – love or hate? Holly blue Small white Peacock 24/4/09 2 swallows watching possible nest site from wires. 25/4/09 Tawny owl calling 7.15am Speckled wood - 2 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. Lincolnshire Coast NNRs including RSPB Wash Reserves See: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/species/birds/index.php http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/lwt/seals/index.php ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GIBRALTAR POINT N.N.R. http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/gib/index.php Katherine Bocock 19/04/2009 Avocet 30 Black Redstart Common Whitethroat Crane 5 Fieldfare Short-eared Owl Swallow White Wagtail 21/04/2009 Jay Whimbrel Yellow Wagtail 22/04/2009 Jay Lesser Whitethroat Reed Warbler Sedge Warbler Tree Pipit Turtle Dove Whitethroat Yellow Wagtail SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE NNR. http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/nr/reserve.php?mapref=41 John Walker No report yet received. RSPB WASH Reserves - Frampton Marsh and Freiston Shore http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh/index.asp http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore/index.asp Lincs Wash Reserves Frampton Marsh 21st April 11.30 to 17.30 Malcolm Johnson Avocet - 16 Black tailed Godwit - 1 Curlew - 1 Gadwell - 4 Garganey - 2 (Thanks to the person who let me look through his Scope) Fieldfare - 1 Linnets - Whole flock of them. Little Stint - 1 (Again thanks to the Scope) Little Egrets - 3 Pintail - 2 Red Shank - 3 Ruff - 1 (understand that there was another but didnt see it) Shelduck - 20+ Shovellers - 14 Swallows - 2 Swans (Mute) - 6 Tufted Ducks - lots Willow Tit - 1 Whimbrel - 17 Yellow Wagtails - 8+ (Didnt see them but was assured that they were there) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. News from Far Ings NNR http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/far_ings/index.php ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FAR INGS NNR Week ending 24.4.09 BIRDS Max. Numbers = bittern 2 blackbird 30+ blackcap 4 black headed gull 10 black tailed godwit 4 blue tit 13 bullfinch 2 canada goose 2 carrion crow 4 Cetti's warbler chaffinch 12 chiffchaff 5 collared dove 4 common gull coot 120+ cormorant cuckoo curlew 6 dunnock 4 gadwall 2 goldfinch 8 GC grebe 4 GS woodpecker great tit 6 greenfinch 4 grey heron greylag goose 30+ herring gull house martin 2 house sparrow 6 lapwing 2 lesser whitethroat linnet 7 little grebe 5 little ringed plover long tailed tit 6 magpie 7 mallard 20+ marsh harrier M+F meadow pipit 5 moorhen 30+ mute swan 4 peregrine pheasant 2 pied wagtail 3 pochard 8 redshank 2 reed bunting 4 reed warbler 6 ringed plover 5 robin 14 sand martin 30+ sedge warbler 5 shelduck 4 shoveler 4 skylark 3 snipe song thrush 2 sparrowhawk starling 6 swallow 10 tree sparrow 5 tufted duck 14 turtle dove water rail 4 whitethroat 4 wigeon willow tit 2 wilow warbler 6 wood pigeon 7 wren 12 yellowhammer 2 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6. News from Bardney Limewoods NNR http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/Limewoods/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Reports from the following locations will now be posted here to give an overview of Limewoods ecology. The NNR includes the following sites: Chambers Farm Wood (please detail specfic area when reporting e.g. Ivy Wood, Little Scrubbs Meadow etc); College Wood, Cocklode & Great West Woods, Hardy Gang Wood, Newball Wood, Scotgrove Wood, Southrey Wood, Wickenby Wood Other woods included in the NNR but without public access: Stainfield Wood; Stainton & Fulnetby Woods (access by public bridleway only) No reports this week. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7. Sending in reports to Roger Parsons ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The purpose of the Bulletin is to encourage biological recording in Lincolnshire using modern Information and Communication Technology. We hope to increase the number of people reporting observations to LNU Recorders and improve the quality of reports, as well as the quantity and the geographical coverage. In return for this FREE service, we ask you to provide reports, questions, news or relevant articles from time to time. Descriptive pieces are welcome - you don't have to stick to lists! Mailing times vary, depending on what I am doing. The Bulletin usually goes out on Sundays. Please e-mail in your contributions as early as possible to ensure they are included, to: rparsons@enterprise.net [A backup e-mail address you can use if ever you experience problems with my "Enterprise" address is: aintree2@yahoo.co.uk ] When sending in reports please follow this layout to save reediting: Place Name: IN CAPITALS with Grid Reference if you have it. Your Name: Real names please, not aliases. Put it in each time, for each location Date: Species list [Alphabetical?] & numbers [and observations?] e.g. Blackbird - 24 [And please, no home-grown abbreviations. Names in full.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 8. Contact Information & Useful Websites ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please let me know ASAP if any of these weblinks fail! *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Website *** A full list of LNU Country Recorders is given here. http://www.lnu.org/ LNU e-mail: info@lnu.org If you are not yet a member, the LNU needs good naturalists like you! Anyone interested can get membership application forms via Tori Sandilands at the Lincs Wildlife Trust Horncastle office, e-mail vsandilands@lincstrust.co.uk LNU publications [listed on LNU website] may be ordered via: csmith@countrywidefarmers.co.uk *** Contacts List *** PC Nigel LOUND Wildlife Crime Officer - Community Safety Police HQ Deepdale Lane Nettleham Lincs LN57PH Tel 01522 558684 e-mail: nigel.lound@lincs.pnn.police.uk or Nige LOUND Wildlife Crime Officer County Police Station Sea Lane Ingoldmells Lincs PE24 44XX Tel: 01522 558684 *** Lincs Amphibian and Reptile Group *** The Lincolnshire ARG (Amphibian & Reptile Group) has assembled a committee in order to access funding sources, develop training courses and survey for reptiles and amphibians in Lincolnshire. For further details please contact ashleybutterfield@btinternet.com tel.07984 66 5847 *** The Lincolnshire and Rutland Limestone Grassland Project *** We need as many volunteers as possible over the next two summers to help us survey roadside verges in your area. You will not need previous experience as a wild flower ID guide and training will be provided. Contact: Mark Schofield, Limestone Grassland Project Officer, Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, Banovallum House, Manor House Street, Horncastle, LN9 5HF, mschofield@lincstrust.co.uk, Mobile: 07825970930, Switchboard: 01507 526667. *** Local Bat Helpline *** Gounded bats, bat problems, advice and information? Contact Annette and Colin Faulkner on 01775 766286 or e-mail: A.Faulkner@care4free.net *** Bat Recorder *** You may send confidential bat records direct to Annette Faulkner on: A.Faulkner@care4free.net *** Butterfly Conservation Recorder *** Allan Binding asks contributors of butterfly records to the Bulletin to include their address or contact telephone or e-mail address and Grid Reference if possible. e-mail: allan.binding@ntlworld.com See: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/species/bfly/index.php *** LNU Bees and Wasps Recorder *** Dr Michael Archer 17 Elmfield Terrace, Malton Road, York YO31 1EH. [Willing to check or identify any aculeate wasp or bee specimen. Such a specimen usually has to be relaxed and mounted on a pin before it can be examined. If more than a few specimens are sent in, they must be mounted.] *** LNU Moths Gallery *** There is now a moth page on the LNU Website, to promote the recording of moths across the county. http://www.lnu.org/ Also see: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/species/hawkmoths/index.php *** LNU Plant Galls Recorder *** Graeme Clayton 2 The Dene Nettleham Lincoln LN2 2LS g.clayton@ntlworld.com Willing to check or identify any plant gall material. Recording forms www.british-galls.org.uk *** Slug ID Help *** Chris du Feu will help with slug identification. You can telephone him on: 01427 848400 or e-mail: chris@chrisdufeu.force9.co.uk *** Lincolnshire Badger Group *** If you have important information about badger activity or badger road casualties please e-mail the information to: Ian Frudd, e-mail address Fruddfolk@tiscali.net *** Bird Club Recorder *** LBC County Bird Recorder Steve Keightley: steve.keightley@btinternet.com *** Other Useful Websites *** Key links are now being posted on the LNU website. http://www.lnu.org/ This should save space in the Bulletin, Check it out. Suggestions for other useful Websites are welcome. English Nature is now "Natural England" http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ Still includes SSSI Information and "Nature on the Map" Lincolnshire Environmental Awards http://www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk/ Lincs. Wildlife Trust Website http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/ Useful emergency numbers for wildlife crises. http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/factsheets/ Lincs Environmental Records Centre Lincolnshire Environmental Records Centre newsletters can be downloaded from: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/ Development Officer, Margaret Haggerty's e-mail: mhaggerty@lincstrust.co.uk Tornado and Storm Research Organisation www.torro.org.uk Contact Ian Loxley on colarain@tiscali.co.uk RSPB Contact Details RSPB Website: www.rspb.org.uk www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh John Badley, Site Manager for RSPB Lincolnshire Wash reserves e-mail: freistonshore@rspb.org.uk South Lincs RSPB Local group's website address: http://www.southlincsrspb.org.uk/ Sub Regional Country Park North Kesteven District Council The concept of the Sub Regional Country Park (SRCP) is to create an easily accessible network of managed outdoor places by developing links and routes between existing green spaces and facilities, and exploring the opportunities for creating new, sustainable recreational facilities and supporting nature conservation objectives. This might include the restoration of old quarries; constructing new all purpose paths; or simply providing access to new areas of woodland, lakes and open land for countryside focussed activities. Contact: Luisa McIntosh Project Officer, Sub Regional Country Park North Kesteven District Council Tel: 01529 414155 ext 2469 Direct Line: 01529 308069 www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/subregionalcountrypark Bardney Limewoods www.limewoods.co.uk [New URL] limewoods@lincolnshire.gov.uk *** Harlequin Ladybird Survey *** To report your sightings: www.harlequin-survey.org/ *** Sir Joseph Banks *** The Sir Joseph Banks Society is based at the Sir Joseph Banks Centre in Horncastle and a programme of events has been arranged for both members and non-members. New members to the Society are always welcome. Contact 01507 528223 or by email: enquiries@joseph-banks.org.uk. Latest newsletter and related articles are available on: www.joseph-banks.org.uk *** Trent Aegirs *** Don't forget that the bore often comes up to half an hour before the expected time. www.environment-agency.gov.uk and go to Midlands link or search for 'Trent Aegir'. or try: http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/static/documents/Leisure/timetable_2-Trent.pdf *** Before You Set Out. *** Check tide times on Admiralty EasyTide: http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx Check the weather forecast for the location or postcode: http://www.theweatheroutlook.com/ *** Other Useful E-mail Addresses *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union: info@lnu.org Gibraltar Point: gibpoint@lincstrust.co.uk Far Ings: farings@lincstrust.co.uk Whisby Nature Park: whisby@cix.co.uk NEW Syke's Farm: lwt@sykesfarm.org.uk Lincs. Trust HQ: The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust main e-mail address: info@lincstrust.co.uk Lincolnshire FWAG: lincoln@fwag.org.uk Chambers Farm Wood NEW contact - Mary Porter Mary.porter@forestry.gsi.gov.uk Lincolnshire Bird Club Secretary - Janet Eastmead: janet.eastmead@talktalk.net Membership Secretary - Mike Harrison: michael@michaelharrison1.wanadoo.co.uk If you would like your e-mail listed here, please let me know. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9. Notes about these wildlife reports ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We do our best to ensure accuracy in our reporting but these records are sent in by a variety of reporters, from complete beginners to professionals. They therefore vary in reliability and in certain cases they are impossible to verify. If further information is needed on locations or reporters, or if you wish to question/confirm any of these records, contact: rparsons@enterprise.net For the more general wildlife information coming via Roger Goy: roger@wildlifehelpline.org.uk Bulletins are sent to Biological Recorders at the Lincs. Wildlife Trust, Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. [Note: Where plants are reported, this is usually because they have been seen "in flower".] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10. The Bulletin's publicity policy ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We will not be giving precise details of the location of rare or endangered species. Please point out any sensitive or "tricky" reports of this kind. We ask that you respect the interests of wildlife and site owners if you report to national networks. Make a point of explaining site sensitivity and any restrictions on access. An interest in wildlife is not a licence to act irresponsibly/thoughtlessly to landowners, who may well be partners in important conservation work. [Remember - views expressed in the Bulletin do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions on the LNU or associated organisations. In particular this applies to such agencies, especially charities, taking a political stance.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11. LNU Events Diary For LNU meetings also see www.lnu.org/events.php ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Field Meetings 2009 *** Saturday, May 16, 2009 BioBlitz - South Rauceby LNU members and the public are invited to this event. Sunday, May 31, 2009 Robert's Field Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Reserve SW of Bourne. 12.00 for 13.00 start. Parking at TF 000 150 (on roadside?). See Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust website for details http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/nr/reserve.php?mapref=75. Habitats: Limestone grassland Leader: Annette Faulkner a.faulkner@care4free.net 01775 766286 and possibly Dave Vandome (site warden) 07775 566586. Sunday, June 07, 2009 High Barn SSSI, Oxcombe. In Wolds between Louth and Horncastle. Private site. 12.00 for 13.00 start. Park on road verge along Blue Heath Road at TF325 761 near where track leads north to site. Habitat: Calcareous grassland on steep slopes. Leader: Brian Hedley 01427 718320 brian_hedley@hotmail.com with Paul Kirby. Saturday, July 04, 2009 Crowle Moor Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Reserve 12.00 for 13.00 start. Meet at visitors’ car park at SE756 137. Take minor road leading NW from Crowle village. See Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust website for details http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/nr/reserve.php?mapref=12. Later meeting at 20.30 for bats and moths. Habitats: Heathland, mire and willow scrub. Leader: Brian Hedley 01427 718320 brian_hedley@hotmail.com with Colin Smith later. Friday, July 10, 2009 BioBlitz - Banovallum House, Horncastle BioBlitz @ Banovallum House, Horncastle Times: 4pm to 4pm. Habitat: Large riverside garden. Contact: Margaret Haggerty 01507 526667 mhaggerty@lincstrust.co.uk Sunday, August 23, 2009 River Glen 12 for 1pm start. Park at TF144 176. This is the Car Park used for Baston Fen NR and is located on the minor road between Baston and Tongue End. Cross over concrete bridge and park along track to left. Do not park on track straight on from bridge. Habitats: River, drains and marsh. Leader Richard Chadd richard.chadd@environment-agency.gov.uk & Ian Cappitt ian.heidi@virgin.net Saturday, September 19, 2009 Humberstone Blow Wells + National Moth Night A small blow wells site just south of Humberston. Private site. 12.00 for 13.00 start. Later meeting at 19.00 for bats and moths. Park on verge of South Sea Lane at TA 313 048 near where track leads south to site (might be able to park closer depending on harvesting activity). Habitats: small woodland, ditches, marsh, pools and cattle pasture. Leaders: Brian Hedley (afternoon) 01427 718320 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Colin Smith (evening) csmith@countrywidefarmers.co.uk. Sunday, October 18, 2009 Fungus Foray - Roughton Moor Wood, Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Reserve Fungus Foray 12.00 for 13.00 start. Site located off Moor Lane, a minor road between Woodhall Spa and Kirkby on Bain. Restricted parking along Moor Lane (do not block tracks). Meet at site entrance at TF210 631. Habitats: Mixed Woodland and heathland. Leaders: Ken Rowland 01522 686900 and Ray Halstead. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails This Week *** The following address(es) gave an error message. I have deleted them from the mailing list. If you recognise any, please pass on a message - "Contact me if you wish to continue to receive the Bulletin." Thanks. Roger Mailfails vanessa.kennedy ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/