============================================ || || The Lincolnshire Wildlife News Bulletin || *** 16th August 2009 *** || || LNU Website: http://www.lnu.org/ || || News of Lincolnshire 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 is read by 890 people each week and we are keen to encourage even more readers to subscribe. LNU Wildnews Bulletins are available on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Each address contains the relevant date. 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Finding the Bulletins *** I am posting this Bulletin early as I am offline next week. Please keep your reports coming and I will try to get them out next weekend in a bumper issue. Thanks. Roger LNU Wildnews Bulletins are available on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Note: Each address contains the relevant date for that particular Bulletin. e.g. bulletin2009jul26.txt *** LNU August Field Meeting *** 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 *** Transferable Skills for Birders *** If you are able to extend your reporting into other biological groups this would be of interest to many readers. Birders have lots of transferable skills. So how about branching out? Try: Butterflies.See: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/species/bfly/index.php Dragonflies and Damselflies [the birders insects]. See: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/species/dragonfly_damselfly/index.php ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 9/8/09 LINCS JUV WHISKERED TERN. FREISTON SHORE RSPB, 9.15AM THEN FLEW TWDS RIVERMOUTH. LINCS Pectoral Sandpiper. Frampton Marsh, am + 5 Wood Sand, Merlin, fem Montagu's Harrier over flds. 10/8/09 LINCS Pectoral Sandpiper. Frampton Marsh, am from Reedbed Hide + 4+Wood Sand, Spot Redshank, Whinchat. 11/8/09 LINCS fem Montagu's Harrier. Frampton Marsh, 8.45am + 2+Wood Sand. LINCS Pectoral Sandpiper. Frampton Marsh, 1pm from Vis Cntr. 12/8/09 LINCS fem Montagu's Harrier. Frampton Marsh, 10.10am on wet grassland + 2 Wood Sand on reedbed. 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. LINCOLN Wragby Road Allotments 7 August 2009 John Margetts Ladybirds again. I have seen an Adonis ladybird on a leek flowerhead on my allotment. Identity confirmed by UK Ladybird Survey recorder. Very small and thin ladybird. *** 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. TF015353 BRACEBY Marion Ellis This evening 9th August about 6pm there were a lot of gulls wheeling around above us - where we usually see the martins and swallows. They were either Black Headed or Little Gulls. Could we have seen Little Gulls? Today there has been a mass of ladybirds flying around. GRASBY Roy Harvey My wife found a Hummingbird Hawk-moth in our garden at Grasby on the morning of Aug. 11th. It was feeding from the flowers of Laurentia. This is the first 'Hummer' that we have had in the garden for several years. THEDDLETHORPE Theddlethorpe Beach John Cowell Thursday 5th August Goldfinch feeding on samphire tips out on the beach. Obviously a bird of taste! BOAT TRIP FROM WISBECH TO THE GAT CHANNEL Geof Lee Saturday, 8th August. Highlights Barn owl hunting on the riverbank - 9.00 A.M. Common sandpiper - 8 Ringed plover - 15 Heron - 7 Black tailed godwit - 40+ Little egret - 2 Common tern - 8 Sandwich tern - 4 Little tern - 4 Gannet - 1 Great crested grebe - 1 Eider duck - 6 Shelduck - still 6 pairs with ducklings - others gone to Holland to moult We were invaded by hundreds of hover flies, many butterflies, bumblebees and 1 German wasp. Many young common seals. WILDMORE FEN TF 216534 [unless otherwise stated] R & A Parsons 11/8/09 Hummingbird Hawkmoth on verbena – 5pm. And again on 12th August – this time at 11am. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 No report yet. SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE NNR. http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/nr/reserve.php?mapref=41 John Walker No report yet. 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 RSPB Frampton Marsh and Freiston shore sightings Simon Wilson. 9/8/09 Reedbed collared pratincole ruff 4 snipe 40+ little stint 2 green sand ringed plover 7 pec sand yellow wag wheatear dunlin redshank greenshank little grebe hobby Wet grassland wood sand 9 green sand 4 marsh harrier 3 teal 100+ garganey (with teal) merlin curlew montagu's f kingfisher Hedgerow barn owl yellowhammer redstart Saltmarsh marsh harrier 3 greenshank kestrel 7 short eared owl whimbrel redshank curlew whinchat Freiston lagoon high tide am dunlin 1500+ knot 500+ oystercatcher 400+ redshank 100+ curlew sand 3 common sand peregrine montagu's f Freiston reservoir little tern (not whiskered as previously reported) Paul French Monthly sightings from Lincolnshire Wash Reserves July 2009 Frampton Marsh A female Montagu's Harrier put in several appearances between 19th-23rd, and several Marsh Harriers were hunting the area. Hobby and Peregrine were both seen occasionally. Wader passage was quite slow, but highlights included a Wood Sandpiper on 15th-25th, Curlew Sandpiper on the 26th, a peak count of 1400 Black-tailed Godwits on 24th-26th, a Spotted Redshank on 26th and at least 10 Ruff, nine Snipe and up to 14 Little Ringed Plovers by the months end. Also present were two Little Gulls on the 4th-5th. The Sand Martin colony increased exponentially, and there were approximately 67 occupied tunnels by mid month, with up to 600 birds feeding over the reedbed on overcast days. Two Kingfishers were back for the winter on the 29th. The Barn Owls successfully raised three chicks to fledging, and the could be seen throughout the day from the visitor centre. Freiston Shore A Roseate Tern flew south on the 4th. Wader passage began early, and peak counts for the month included 350 Bar-tailed Godwit on the 4th, 24 Greenshank on the 23rd, two Curlew sandpipers on the 23rd-24th, 14,000 Knot and 6,200 Dunlin on the 25th, and up to three Little Ringed Plovers on the reservoir from the 15th to the months end. An amazing count of 661 Whimbrel on the 25th was followed by 209 on the 26th. Seabirds began to move during the month, with Little Terns and Sandwich Terns building up at Witham Mouth, and single Arctic Terns flew south on 20th and 21st. A female Montagu's Harrier hunted over the wetland on 16th and 30th. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. News from Far Ings NNR http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/far_ings/index.php ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ No report yet. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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) Adrian Royle's website for photos of species from the Limewoods. http://www.flickr.com/photos/adiroyle/sets/72157616635241942/ More reports needed please. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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: csmith668@btinternet.com *** 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.] *** Bombus hypnorum the Tree Bumblebee *** Alan Phillips writes: BWARS in association with BBCT are again mapping the distribution of this relatively new bumblebee species to the UK. Although widespread in Europe, Bombus hypnorum, which has coined the name Tree Bumblebee because of its habit of nesting in tree cavities or bird nestboxes, was first found on the south coast of England in 2001. Since then it has gradually spread north as far as Northumberland (see map below). In Lincolnshire at present we have just one record for the species from Gosberton Clough near Spalding 2008. With records coming in from Yorkshire I'm sure its going unnoticed in this county so please keep an eye out especially in the south and west. So, have you seen one? Or possibly have a photo? If so, visit http://www.bwars.com/bombus_hypnorum_map.htm for further info on this bumblebee, how to recognise it, and details on how to report your sightings. Further photos here: http://www.bwars.com/bombus_hypnorum.htm *** OTTERS *** Readers are reminded that all dead Otters should be reported to the Environment Agency on 0800 807060. Mammal records can reported to chris_j_manning@hotmail.com Mink reports also of interest and can be sent via the Bulletin. *** New Met Office Service *** The Met Office website now offers an email notification service for severe weather and other matters which may interest readers. Worth having a look and signing up. Be warned of the possibility of severe weather. See: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/corporate/pressoffice/2009/pr20090727.html *** Hummingbird Hawk Moths *** Had another in the garden this week. See: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/species/hawkmoths/index.php Send in your records to the Bulletin and to the Butterfly Conservation website. http://www.butterfly-conservation.org/sightings/1096/humming_bird_hawk_moth.html *** 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: whisbynp@lincstrust.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 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 *** 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 the message "Contact me if you wish to continue to receive the Bulletin." Thanks. Roger Mailfails tubd Deejayknight Keithandjune lynne.emeny *** Play with the Spider *** Believe it or not you will play with this thing for a few minutes, the thing looks so real.......... A LIVING SPIDER! Poke and prod the spider with your mouse. Also 'grab' one of its legs with your mouse and drag it around the screen -- tell me it's not alive! click here: http://www.onemotion.com/flash/spider/ Also: anywhere on the map hit the space bar and it leaves little bugs where your mouse is, watch the spider go after them. This is totally crazy and creepy too! Obviously, engineered for special people! Enjoy! ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/