============================================ || || The Lincolnshire Wildlife News Bulletin || *** 12th July 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 *** LNU Wildnews Bulletins are available on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Note: Each address contains the relevant date. Please keep sending in reports/articles/news. Thanks. Roger *** Hummingbird Hawk Moths *** Please keep a lookout over the summer for Hummingbird Hawk Moths. http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/species/hawkmoths/index.php Then 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 *** Lost Ladybirds? *** Keith Smith asks: Roger is it me or are there no Ladybirds this year? I have not seen any in my area (Boothby Pagnell) so far this year but plenty of Aphids. Catherine Wilson adds: Not a record but an observation. Has anyone seen any ladybirds lately? They seem suspiciously absent from my garden this year, and several neighbours says the same. Meanwhile black/green/white fly are having a field day! [Editor adds: Same here. Anyone else wish to comment?] *** Glow Worms *** Stuart Britton repeats his question. Has anyone got any information? Are you aware of any surveys in the county recently for Glow Worms? Last week (18th June) I visited Chambers Farm Wood and found 19 females and on 21st June found a further four at Linwood Warren. I have been told of recent records at Messingham Sand Quarry and 2 larvae found at Birchwood Nature Park in 2005. Has anyone any other confirmed sightings in the county as I suspect there must be many suitable sites? Stuart. *** Moth and Bat Night at Coningsby TF 230584 *** There will be a Moth and Bat night at The Pingle Local Nature Reserve in Coningsby on Friday 17th July, starting 9pm. Toby Ludlow [moths], Helen Scarborough and friends[bats]. All welcome, no charge. For more information contact Roger Parsons on rparsons@enterprise.net *** South Lincs Local Group R.S.P.B. *** The group have arranged an additional wildlife cruise from Boston on Saturday 1st August, departing at 13-30 from the Grand Sluice. The boat, Boston Belle, will cater for 60 people, but to allow plenty of space, the group's cruises are limited to 50 persons. The boat is very well equipped and light refreshments are available for the duration of the cruise. The cruise leaves the Grand Sluice and enters the tidal part of the river, heading downstream into the Wash, and then upstream along the River Welland for a short distance and will last between 4 a nd 5 hours. This gives a unique view of the RSPB reserves at Frampton and Freiston and can give superb close up views of much of the wildlife which is virtually invisible from the seabank. On previous cruises this year, upwards of 50 species of birds have been seen, along with views of seals also. The cost of the cruise for RSPB members is £11.50 for adults and £6.00 for a child, with non members being charged at £14.00 and £7.00 respectively. To check availibility and book your place, please telephone Barry and Christine Hancock on 01205 280057. *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** On Saturday 18th July 2009 we invite people to join us on a visit to the beautiful and interesting nature reserve of Messingham Sand Quarry near Scunthorpe with leader John Davison the reserve manager. Please meet at the entrance on the B1400 at 2pm. Grid Ref. SE908032. All are welcome. For further details please contact Jenny Redpath - 01472 502858. On Sunday 19th July 2009 we invite people to join us on a visit to Tetney Blow Wells Nature Reserve with reserve manager Clifford Jukes. Please meet outside Tetney Parish Church in Church Lane at 2pm for this 1 1/2 mile walk which will take about 90 minutes. We are hoping to see Water Violets in flower. Free event but donations will be collected for the Wildlife Trust funds. No dogs please. Wellies or boots recommended especially if it has been raining. The Church will be open from 3pm to 4.15pm with tea/coffee available at 50p for Church funds. *** Barton LWT *** Viv Rowett: Barton group Lincs Wildlife Trust event for July: Monday evening walk: 20th July Barton; Westfield Road, western end (6.30 pm start). Park on the verge at the end of metalled surface near the two disused quarries and large beech tree (TA007222). We will walk west along the track and right of way to Leggott's wood and Quarry and Barton Cliff. We will see Chalk flowers, birds and views over the Humber. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 10/7/09 LINCS Pectoral Sandpiper. Alkborough Flats, 1.30pm. LINCS Hobby. Coningsby, over at 7.34am. 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. 1. A Buzzard encounter at Grasby Roy Harvey, Grasby. A few days ago I had a call from a friend in the village to tell me that two ‘large birds of prey’ had been seen in the small field behind his house and to ask whether I might be interested in taking a look. On arrival, one of the birds, a Common Buzzard, was still present and it lifted up from the field as soon as it saw us but then settled in a tree nearby. The attraction for the Buzzard was soon apparent as the field had been cut for hay the previous day which meant that small mammals living in the grass now had little cover. After returning to my car to get telescope, tripod and video camera I concealed myself in an adjacent orchard and awaited developments. The Buzzard was using small trees in the hedge around the field as vantage points from which to look for prey items and when it spotted a movement would swoop down and try to grab the mouse or vole in its talons. Despite being regularly observed on the wing throughout Lincolnshire the Buzzard is not often to be seen on the ground and I was delighted to be able to watch, and film, this second-year individual feeding at a range of about 200 metres. As the light faded the Buzzard flew off, but I was then treated to a fly-past by a Barn Owl just before I returned home. The following day the hay was turned and baled and the Buzzard was not seen again. 2. Potterhanworth Wildlife on 6th and 7th July Jerry Gunner writes: I managed to keep clear of the rain by some miracle and spent a pleasant hour around Potterhanworth woods. Lots of Peacock caterpillars walking on the road, though I couldn't find them on the stinging nettles lining the tarmac. I am no good at butterflies but there were certainly Skippers of more than one variety along the Carr Dyke and in to the woods, Large Whites in abundance, only one Peacock, and a few Orange-tips. Out of the woods there were what I believe to be Gatekeepers and Meadow Browns were very common in and out of the wood. I noticed a trail of tiny black ants carrying their tinier eggs across the dust to the middle of the track where they disappeared into the ground. The white line created by their frantic scurrying is what caught my eye. A thing which I haven't been able to identify was perched on some fresh bracken. A bright yellow thing around the size of a ladybird but with the mouth parts of a tick and a segmented soft body. Looking more closely there was what appeared to be another of the type on the same leaf although this was a darker brown in colour and slimmer, more beetle like. Haven't got a clue what it was and I've never seen anything like them before. They weren't a beetle in that they didnt seem to have any wings or wing cases. There were a number of damselflies and dragonflies. One of the larger ones was a Broad-Bodied Chaser, which I must say is a brilliant name! I never got a good enough look at the damsel flies but they were all blue. I have seen at least one Hornet every day near the Carr Dyke recently so I imagine that they are nesting somewhere nearby. Willow Warblers are still singing in the wood but not as noticeably as the Chiff-Chaffs which were in full song. I've noticed a very smart male White throat in the woods in the same place for a week or so, singing lustily. The woods were also home to Long-tailed, Blue and Great tits and Wrens are omnipresent. On the Carr Dyke itself there are still Moorhens and their chicks but it's hard to see in because the nettles are so high. There were lovely yellow irises growing at the side of the stream but they are finished now. As for birds of prey, I was lucky to see a Tawny Owl in daylight yesterday. It flew ahead of me and perched and then flew off again until the ride we were in ended and he double back into the woods. I dont see Tawnys very often in daylight, if at all. Lots of Barn Owls about and I was lucky enough to have two hunting in the garden on Sunday evening when I was sitting quietly reading. The Marsh Harriers are still out on the fen and one is noticeable in that there is something different about its legs. It looks like it is carrying something all the time but I think there is something caught around one of its legs. A local farmer's wife is very upset with them because they are predating ducklings from her lake. Kestrels and Buzzards are still very noticeable and one of the Kestrels seems to think that it is a Sparrowhawk because it has taken to flying along the edge of the wood following its contours very closely, clearly trying to sneak up on things. The biggest surprise for me was the first sighting this year of a solitary Red Kite. I spoke to the aforementioned lady farmer and she confirmed that there were two. I only saw the one on Monday and it didn't reappear on the Tuesday. In the garden I am pleased to say that there are a great many Greenfinches on the bird feeders. Numbers had reduced alarmingly, so much so that for months I didn't see any. I've just seen a female Blackbird on the lawn spreading her wings along the ground. I cant get a close look because she always sees me and flies off, but, she comes back to the same place. I wonder if she is being groomed by ants? There would be no need to return to the same place if she was just drying her wings. *** 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. CROWLE MOOR LWT RESERVE SE75 15 4 July 2009 12.00 - midnight LNU meeting led by Brian Hedley (afternoon) and Colin Smith (evening). Attended by 9 people during course of day/evening. A very warm day with occasional light rain towards dusk. A summary follows: Butterflies 14 species noted including 50-60 large heath, 50+ large skippers, red admiral, small copper and a brimstone caterpiller. Dragonflies / Damselflies 9 species noted including 3 common hawker, 40+ black darter, 2 common darter, 2 brown hawker and 8 southern hawker. Moths At least 170 species recorded using daytime searching methods and running 6 moth traps. Species included scallop shell, silver Y, miller, four-dotted footman, common lutestring, grey arches, beautiful yellow underwing, birds-wing, forester, six spot burnet, pine hawk, oak egger, broken-barred carpet, fen wainscot, striped wainscot, large emerald and diamond-back moth. Misc Invertebrates Green tiger beetle and a selection of shield bugs. Mammals 6 species noted including 4 red deer, 2 common pipistrelle bats and common shrew. Herptiles Common frog and common lizard. Birds 42 species noted including tree pipit, stonechat, cuckoo, garden warbler, willow tit, bullfinch and yellowhammer. Plants At least 143 species noted including some of the site specials (with thanks to Paul Kirby and Geoff Trinder for refinding them): Bog Rosemary, at least 10 plants some in flower Cranberry, a large patch with many plants in berry White sedge Greater Yellowrattle GIBRALTAR POINT Malcolm Johnson Wednesday 8th of July 10.30 to 16.30. Avocet - 30+ (With young) Black Headed Gulls - 20. Black Tailed Godwits - 20+ Common Gulls - 14. Coots - Lots, some with young. Cormorants - 10. Curlew - 1. Great Black Backed Gulls - 2. Kestrel - 1. Lapwings - 10+(With young.) Little Grebe - 2. Moorhen - 2. Ruff - 2. (Looking very Rough!!) Swallow - 6. (Nesting in the Boxes on the Centre) Tufted Ducks - 25+ 1 Grass Snake - about 4 feet long. Lots of Common Seals out on the Sand Banks. HORNCASTLE TF 253 700 26/06/09 Gary Hilton Moth trapping with a low energy black light over a skinner type trap the back garden produced Elephant Hawk-moth Deilephila elpenor 1 Riband Wave Idaea aversata 2 Figure of Eighty Tethea ocularis 1 Poplar Grey Acronicta megacephala 4 The Miller Acronicta leporina 1 Brown House-moth Hofmannophila pseudospretella 1 Heart & Dart Agrotis exclamationis 11 Single-dotted wave Idaea dimidiata 2 Barred Straw Eulithis pyraliata 1 Common Pug Eupithecia vulgata 2 Large Yellow Underwing Noctua pronuba 1 Grass Moth Chrysoteuchia culmella 1 Bee Moth Aphomia sociella 1 Heart & Club Agrotis clavis 1 The Coronet Craniophora ligustri 1 Light Arches Apamea lithoxylaea 1 Many thanks to Colin Smith for help with Identification. As someone relatively new to moth trapping the elephant hawk moth was the first hawk moth I have caught and it was really beautiful. The Bee Moth is interesting as as apparently the larvae feed on the comb of bees and wasp nests and there is a red tailed bumble bee nest in the garden. The next day on 28th June on the bridge over Horncastle Canal at by Horncastle swimming pool I saw at least male 6 Banded Demoiselle chasing around over the surface, under the bridge and resting on the reeds. There where also a number of red and blue dragonflies but I was unable to identify them. In the water where the usual roach/rudd shoals but I saw a small pike and as one of the fish flashed on its side it revealed the bars of a perch. A few minutes earlier looking over the Bridge in Bridge Street in centre of town an american signal crayfish was crawling in the shallows. RIPPINGALE TF049 273 Pauline Warman 5 July 2009 Maple Prominent 1 Flame Shoulder 5 Buff Ermine 5 Beautiful Hooktip 1 Marbled Minor 4 Dot Moth 3 Scalloped Oak 1 Early Thorn 1 Bordered Pug 1 Riband Wave 8 Burnished Brass 3 Clouded Silver 2 Elephant Hawkmoth 9 Privet Hawkmoth 10 Poplar Hawkmoth 3 Common Footman 9 Clouded Border 5 Cabbage Moth 2 Small Magpie 3 Coronet 2 Grey Dagger 5 Common Emerald 1 Yellowtail 1 Dark Arches 4 Common Wainscott 11 Setaceous Hebrew Character 7 Heart and Dart 5 Brown Line bright Eye 2 Spectacle 6 Flame 7 Large Yellow Underwing 1 Buff Arches 4 Bright Line Brown Eye 7 Peppered 1 White dot 2 Mother of Pearl 5 Broad Bordered Yellow Underwing 1 Poplar Grey 3 Light Arches 2 Clay 2 Willow Beauty 1 (and some more I have photographed but am yet to identify THE WASH Geof Lee Boat trip from Wisbech to the Gat Channel. Sunday, 5th July 2009. Highlights Barn owl 1 Little egret 2 Marsh harrier 1 female Gannet 1 Heron 5 Common scoter flock of 42 Sheld duck many families, largest 13 ducklings Common seal up to 100 pups WILDMORE FEN TF 216534 [unless otherwise stated] R & A Parsons 7/7/09 Hummingbird hawkmoth working Valarian. 8am Cuckoo calling 4pm. [Voice breaking] Tawny owl calling 10pm. Juv swallows still using washhouse as base for sleeping. Their parents are showing signs of raising another brood. RIVER WITHAM, footpath FISKERTON to LINCOLN Jo Bramwell 4 July 2009, very warm and sunny Barn owls, 5 sightings, at least 3 birds Blackbirds Black-headed gulls Carrion crows Cuckoos, pair flying, male calling, landed and perched openly on bush. Chaffinches Coots, some with chicks. Dunnock, Goldfinches, Great crested grebes, pair Greenfinches, Grey herons, 2 pairs + 2 individuals House martins, House sparrows, Jackdaws, Kestrels, 1 individual + family of 3 Magpies, Mallard with ducklings, Moorhens, Mute swans, Pied wagtail, Rooks, Skylarks, Swallows, Swifts, Woodpigeons, Wrens, Warblers seen and/or heard: blackcap, chiffchaff, garden, common whitethroat, reed, sedge, willow. Numerous (and I mean numerous!) small tortoiseshells and meadow browns. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 28/06/2009 Cuckoo Green Sandpiper Greenshank Pintail Ruff Turtle Dove 03/07/2009 Black-tailed Godwit 10 Green Sandpiper 2 Greenshank 1 Ruff SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE NNR. http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/nr/reserve.php?mapref=41 John Walker w/e 11/7/09 Flowers inc, marsh helleborine, pyramidal orchid, vipers bugloss, restharrow, common centuary, ladys bedstraw, fairy flax, pignut, valerian, sea lavender. Dragonflies, emperor, common darter, ruddy darter, four spotted chaser, southern hawker. Butterflies inc, small and essex skippers, small copper, small tortoiseshell, red admiral, speckled wood, ringlet, small heath, meadow brown, hedge brown. Birds inc, sandwich tern, greater& lesser black back gull, common scoter, dunlin, sanderling, golden plover, whimbrel, curlew, grey plover, gannet 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 recent [April] sightings June sightings for Lincs Wash Reserves Paul French 8/7/09 Frampton Marsh Garganey were seen on just two occasions; a male on 20th and a juvenile on the early date of 22nd. Early returning waders were represented by wood sandpiper and whimbrel on 6th, six greenshank on 8th, 78 black-tailed godwits on 11th, three green sandpipers on 16th and a spotted redshank on 22nd. Two grey wagtails were seen, including a newly fledged juvenile on 5th, indicating successful breeding nearby. A hobby hunted the reserve, regularly causing havoc among the growing sand martin colony. This grew to over 60 occupied tunnels by the months end. The brood of barn owls began to fledge by the end of the month, with three chicks climbing out of the nestbox. Freiston Shore A quiet month, although the start of autumn migration was noted with three green sandpipers on 16th, followed by singles on 18th, 22nd and 25th. Four greenshanks moved through on 25th. Three little gulls on the 1st and five on the 3rd were good counts, and followed by singles on 11th, 16th and 25th. Two Mediterranean gulls on the 18th and one on the 25th were the only other decent good records. Offshore, four Manx shearwaters flew past on the 7th, while the only passerines of note were the single grey wagtails seen on 3rd and 7th. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. News from Far Ings NNR http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/far_ings/index.php ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FAR INGS NNR Week ending 11.7.09 BIRDS Max. Numbers = avocet 15 bearded tit 4 bittern blackbird 30+ blackcap 2 black headed gull 50+ blue tit 18 bullfinch 2 canada goose 20 carrion crow 4 chaffinch 12 chiffchaff 3 collared dove 4 common gull common tern 6 coot 100+ cormorant 7 dunnock 8 goldfinch 8 GBB gull 2 GC grebe 4 great tit 10 greenfinch 4 grey heron greylag goose 250 herring gull house martin 4 house sparrow 10 kingfisher lapwing 18 linnet little grebe 4 long tailed tit 8 magpie 7 mallard 20 marsh harrier 4 meadow pipit moorhen 20+ mute swan 14 oystercatcher 2 pheasant pied wagtail 2 pochard 11 reed bunting 15 reed warbler 100+ robin 10 ruddy shelduck 2 sand martin 2 sedge warbler 12 shelduck 4 song thrush 2 sparrowhawk starling 15 swallow 30+ swift 50+ tawny owl 2 + 3 juvs. tree sparrow 2 tufted duck 15 turtle dove 2 water rail 5 whitethroat 12 willow tit 2 wilow warbler 6 wood pigeon 10 wren 15 Butterflies: small tortoiseshell, meadow brown, ringlet, small white, red admiral. Also: pipistrelle and whiskered bat. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ CHAMBERS FARM WOOD Hugh Poths writes: I visited Chambers Farm Wood this morning and was delighted and rather surprised to find a good number of Marbled White butterflies in the butterfly meadow. We have visited the meadow many times in past and have never seen them before. My book indicates that they are now considered rare in Lincolnshire. I was also surprised to find no mention of them on the "notifications" board at the farm, in fact there was almost no one on the whole site. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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.] *** 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. *** 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 a message - "Contact me if you wish to continue to receive the Bulletin." Thanks. Roger Mailfails johnedavis ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/