============================================ || || The Lincolnshire Wildlife News Bulletin || *** 21st June 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 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Summer Solstice *** 21st June, the summer solstice, marks the halfway point of the year. For more information on what to look for in the night sky, see: http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/ataglance/48536737.html ** Finding the Bulletins *** LNU Wildnews Bulletins are available on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Each address contains the relevant date. *** 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/1097/painted_lady_butterfly.html *** LNU Meetings *** For details of all 2009 LNU Field meetings see section 12 below or visit www.lnu.org/events.php 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. *** Sheffield Hawk Moth *** Mike Clayton writes: Saturday 13th June 2009 18.00hrs. Resting on the leg of our patio table was a Lime Hawk Moth which departed at 22.15hrs. Is this unusual? I live in Sheffield S20 but I do not know who to contact over here. Any suggestions? *** Life on the Verge *** Mark Schofield writes: Free wild flower identification classes are now underway throughout June at Ancaster, Grimsthorpe and Rutland Water. For further details see www.lifeontheverge.org.uk or contact the Project Officer, Mark Schofield - mschofield@lincstrust.co.uk Mobile: 07825970930, Switchboard: 01507 526667. *** 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 *** June Events, Barton Area Group Lincs Wildlife Trust *** Viv Rowett Monday Evening Nature Walks - Summer 2009 These will be led by Martin Broadbridge (Tel: 01652 632895) and will aim to look at breeding birds as well as wild flowers. They normally start at 6.30pm and last for about 2 hours. Whilst they are not strenuous walks, stout shoes and waterproofs could be a good idea. 15th June Sat 27th June Identifying dragonflies and butterflies, introductory course at Far Ings NNR. 9.30-12 noon. To book your place, call Far Ings: 01652 637055. Sunday 28th June 2009 9am Field trip Chambers Farm Wood Leader- Martin Broadbridge (01652 632895) Chambers Farm Wood is Lincolnshire's premier butterfly site with over 30 different species seen across a full year. A visit at this time of year gives us a chance of seeing Marsh Fritillary, which is scarce in our area. The habitat is a rich mosaic of mixed woodland, field margins and meadowland. There will be up to 4 miles of level walking along mostly good gravel paths or well-worn field/woodland paths. Toilets and Info Centre. *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** On Saturday 27th June 2009 we have a visit to Legbourne Wood Reserve near Louth with leader Andrew Hutton, reserve manager. Please meet at he entrance at 2pm. Grid Ref. TF369832. Directions The wood is situated south of Legbourne and is reached by travelling west along Mill Lane then taking a sharp left hand turn into Wood Lane, a no through road. At the end of the road there is a small car park. Legbourne wood is one of the few remaining ancient woodlands in eastern Lincolnshire and the largest of the L.W.T.’s woodland reserves. The canopy is ash and oak with 60 species of wildflowers recorded including early purple orchid, sweet woodruff and wood sorrel. One of the largest heronries in the county is here. For further details please contact Carolyn Lovely on 01472 316882 or Jenny Redpath on 01472 502858. All are welcome to join us. *** Organic Farm Open Day 5th July *** Andrew Dennis, Woodlands Organic Farm, writes: We’re holding our annual Summer Open Day at Woodlands Farm on Sunday 5th July. Last year we had great success with the RSPB, Slow Food, bats, ferrets, apple press, spinning and so forth and over around 1200 people came. Information: www.woodlandsfarm.co.uk ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 13/6/09 LINCS male Golden Oriole. Donna Nook, 10.15am singing by RAF Station. 16/6/09 LINCS Spoonbill. Gibraltar Point NNR, 2.07pm. 17/6/09 LINCS PROB Terek Sandpiper. Gibraltar Point NNR, 1.03pm on Tennyson's Sands from Harrvey Hide. LINCS TEREK SANDPIPER GIBRALTAR POINT NNR 1.25PM ON TENNYSON'S SANDS FROM NORTH HIDE. 18/6/09 LINCS male Golden Oriole. Gibraltar Point NNR, singing on S.side of East Dunes (heard only), no sign Terek Sand by 6.30am. 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. Jerry Gunner writes from Wasps Nest: I saw a Barn Owl out hunting on Wednesday and Thursday lunch-time. It was amazing the way it could go from a clumsy sort of hover to a Falcon like dive in a split second and even though I watched it carefully for getting on for an hour I never saw it catch anything. The March Harriers are nesting now, hunting at low level across the fields which have filled up with peas now, completely hiding the ground which must please the Skylarks and Lapwings. Surprisingly I saw a Hen Harrier, maybe a pair because the second sighting was in silhouette, hunting on Metheringham Fen. I dont know how long they have been there but they were there last year. I had the best view of the handsome male, a stunning creature tracking along the hedge completely uninterested in the traffic. There are still lots of Painted Ladys out on the fen though very few in the garden. For the second year running a woodpigeon has built its nest right by the television room window, it watches me whilst I watch the cricket! The Robins that nested at the bottom of the driveway seem to be on their second brood, as there is a fresh batch of little brown spotty Robins much smaller than those that were there a month ago. I have had sunflower seed hearts in one of the bird feeders by the kitchen window and they are attracting Goldfinches which don't come for the mixed seed in the other feeder. All the birds seem to prefer the sun flower hearts but the Gold finches are the only ones who eschew the common or garden mixture. The blue tits are diligent enough to sort through the mixed seeds until they find the prized sunflower seeds, chucking the disdained varieties on to the ground for the waiting chaffinches. We have many more Green finches than in the winter, presumably a new batch. We had a single Peregrine very high over the garden yesterday but I lost it before I could track it away so I don't know where it came from or went to. There seem to be buzzards high up nearly all the time, often times only detectable from their cry and invisible to my naked eye at least. We have no House Martins nesting this year or Swallows though there are lots buzzing around and Swifts too. We do have lots of other butterflies, orange tips, hairstreaks, tortoiseshells and the occasional peacock. Very few cabbage whites. I have also seen my first dragonflies of the season, a large maroon/brown beast and is it me or are there more hornets around this year? I see one every day at least at the moment. *** 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. CARLTON LE MOORLAND Jeremy Hutchinson Sheld Duck flying just outside Carlton le Moorland Wed morning this week. The farm foreman told me the other day that on the land they rent from the MoD near the range at Beckingham they have at least 2 Curlews calling. (I was amazed 10+ years ago to find that they breed on this range. I thought they confined themselves to mountains and moorland for nesting. CHERRY WILLINGHAM - BARLINGS circular walk Jo Bramwell 18 June 2009 barn owls (2) blackbirds blue tits carrion crows chaffinches collared doves common whitethroats coots goldfinches greylags greenfinches house martins house sparrows jackdaws linnets magpies mallards moorhen reed bunting robins rooks skylarks song thrush starlings swallows tree sparrow woodpigeons wrens yellow wagtail yellowhammers ---- brown hare [The date _is_ correct - 5.30-9.30 this morning!] FISKERTON to BARDNEY via Water Rail Way Jo Bramwell & Vikki Sibilska 16 June 2009 Warm and sunny *Birds* barn owl (hunting, 12.45pm) blackbirds blackcap black-headed gulls blue tits carrion crows chaffinches chiffchaff collared doves common whitethroats coots cuckoo, male, calling, seen flying curlews goldfinches great crested grebes great tits greenfinches house martins house sparrows jackdaws kestrels lapwings long-tailed tits magpies mallards marsh harrier (Bardney Lock area) moorhens mute swans pied wagtail red-legged partridges reed buntings reed warblers robin rooks sedge warblers skylarks song thrush starlings swallows swifts tufted ducks willow warblers wood pigeons wrens yellowhammers *Butterflies* brimstone large white painted ladies small tortoiseshells speckled woods GIBRALTAR POINT Dave Miller Highlights for the week: Garganey 12/06 Jacksons Marsh Scaup 2 13/06 Red-backed Shrike 9 11/06 Little Stint 07/06 Tennysons Sands LRP 11/06A couple of black terns have been reported offshore 14/6/09. KIRKBY ON BAIN RESERVE Sunday 7 June 2009 Jacquie Harrison In pouring rain still lots of activity Avocet - only one on scrape - huddled, unsure if incubating Blackbird singing loudly Common terns - at least 25 Cormorants House martins feeding near trees rather than over water Gadwall Great crested grebes Greylag geese - 50 + Grey heron Herring gull - one adult, one juvenile Jackdaws Mallards Moorhens with young attacked by two male ruddy ducks as well as coots Oystercatcher left two young for a long period but they were not attacked by either terns or black headed gulls Pochard Reed buntings Sand Martins - very few compared to house ones Swallows Swifts concentrated near tip Tufted ducks Wigeon MARTON (Nr Gainsborough) SK843 821 Brian Hedley 18 June 2009 Moth-trapping overnight using 15w actinic lamp over Skinner trap produced: Elephant Hawk 1 Silver Y 1 Bee Moth 1 Figure of Eighty 1 Iron Prominent 1 Large Yellow Underwing 1 Common Footman 1 Burnished Brass 1 Poplar Grey 1 Grey Pug 1 Double Square-spot 1 Garden Pebble 1 Buff Ermine 3 Garden Carpet 3 Brimstone 1 Flame Shoulder 4 Flame 2 Marbled Minor type 4 Dark Arches 5 Willow Beauty 1 Small Magpie 1 Mottled Rustic 1 Clouded-bordered Brindle 1 Scoparia ambigualis 1 OXCOMBE [Repeated from last week in case you missed it] TF 32 76 7 June 2009 LNU Meeting led by Brian Hedley and Paul Kirby Attended by 10 people despite heavy rain. One of the unexpected high-lights of the meeting was a gall found on salad burnet which was later confirmed by Graeme Clayton as being made by Aceria sanguisorbae. This is likely to be the first record for Lincolnshire (to be confrimed). Plantwise, high-lights included five orchid species, milkwort, common restharrow, autumn gentian, stemless thistle, meadow fescue, meadow oat-grass, carline thistle and oval sedge (not all of these were in flower). Bryophytes noted by Christine Rieser and Frank Lammiman were: Amblystegium serpens Barbula convoluta Calliergonella cuspidata Eurhynchium praelongum Hypnum resupinatum Orthotrichum affine Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus Scleropodium purum Metzgeria furcata Birds included calling quail plus buzzard, bullfinch and yellowhammer. Common blue butterflies REEPHAM Jo Bramwell 14 June 2009 Yellow wagtail calmly walking across the fast Reepham to Fiskerton road! Fortunately it made to the verge just before a car whizzed past. ROBERTS FIELD Annette Faulkner LNU visit to Roberts Field, Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust reserve, 31/5/09 10 members and one potential new member attended this field trip. Being right on the SW county boundary it is a long way for many people to come - but well worth the trouble. Until the late 1950s this large area of limestone grassland was classed as the best site for butterflies in the county, and was a SSSI, but the then owner insisted it should be planted up with conifers by the Forestry Commission, and all attempts at saving the site failed. As a special concession a one and a half acre strip was left at the top of the slope, but the site lost its SSSI status and the remaining grassland was looked after, under a management agreement, by the Wildlife Trust. With changes in FC policy and the reduced demand for softwoods, in the early 90s the FC offered the site to the Trust on a very long lease - and the process of restoration began, with the site being cleared of trees and the limestone grassland restored. This is now complete. After an excellent introduction to the site by the Reserve Manager, Dave Vandome, who also provided us with a very useful species checklist, we spent the afternoon recording plants and other groups of species, according to the varying expertise of the recorders. The flora are impressive. In all 79 spp of flowering plants were recorded, including 7 new spp to add to the list - though it is quite early for some species, making identification difficult, and a repeat visit later in the season would surely add more to the list. Surprisingly, lepidoptera were thin on the ground, with only low single numbers recorded of painted lady, common blue, and peacock. At an earlier visit on 28/5/09 a green carpet and several ?brown silver-lines moths (identification awaiting confirmation) were recorded, with a small number of grass moth spp. It is quite a windy site, but even in sheltered areas there were few butterflies or moths to be found. SPALDING Disused March Line TF243217 - 242221 29/5/09 Annette Faulkner Painted lady 2 (probably 3 - a blur of orange as it shot over the fence at speed) Common blue 25 Speckled wood 4 Orange tip 4 m Mixed white spp 25 Peacock 2 Silver Y 1 This conservation area, now in positive management after years of neglect, and recently upgraded to Local Wildlife Site status, was once one of the best sites for common blues in the whole area. Since getting most of the site back into management last year the population went from 3 in last year's first generation to 11+ in the second, and as can be seen is continuing to increase. If anyone would like to visit there is full public access along the railway line, though not to the borrow pits alongside. Access is off Magellan Way. 6/6/09 (Not the best of weather) Butterflies Painted lady 1 Common blue 20 Speckled wood 4 White spp 2 Small tortoiseshell 1 Large skipper 1 Moths Burnet companion 1 - the last time I recorded this attractive little day-flying moth was on another part of the site, long destroyed, in 1991 or 2! 12/6/09 Butterflies Painted lady 1 Common blue 28 Speckled wood 3 Orange tip 1m Other white spp 3 Large skipper 2 Sm tortoiseshell 1 Moths Small magpie 1 Cinnabar 1 WADDINGTON A15 Sunday 15 June c 8pm Jacquie Harrison Large mixed flock of birds moved across from airfield to field behind viewing area by a peregrine. WILDMORE FEN - TF 216534 R & A Parsons w/e 20/6/09 Swallows busy feeding young. Starlings feeding second brood. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 14/06/2009 Black Tern Little Tern Scaup 2 Pyramidal Orchid 15/06/2009 Buzzard Green Sandpiper Swift 700 16/06/2009 Green Sandpiper Spoonbill 17/06/2009 Little Ringed Plover Marsh Harrier Terek Sandpiper 18/06/2009 Golden Oriole Whimbrel SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE NNR. http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/nr/reserve.php?mapref=41 John Walker 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 Paul French on 12/6/09 Recent sightings from Lincs Wash Reserves, May 2009. Frampton Marsh Highlights included two Spoonbills briefly on the 1st with another on the 2nd, single Temminck’s Stints on 9th to 14th and then on 19th and a female Red necked Phalarope on 28th to 29th. Two late Pink footed Geese were on the reedbed on 22nd, and the Pale bellied Brent was last seen on 17th. A pair of Egyptian Geese appeared on the reedbed on 13th to 15th, before relocating to Freiston Shore. A lone male Pintail stayed all month. Three drake Garganey were on the reedbed on 19th, with two drakes all month. At least four Red Kites were seen during the month, Hobby was regular and a 1st sum female peregrine was seen on 26th. A Quail called briefly on 30th. Three pairs of Little Ringed Plover settled in on the new scrapes. Other passage waders included Little Stint from 13th-22nd with two on 14th, up to two Curlew Sandpipers throughout the month, Spotted Redshank on the 13th, up to five Ruff throughout and regular Greenshank peaking at four on 12th. A Wood Sandpiper was present 9th to 17th, and Black tailed Godwits peaked at 57 on 27th. An influx of 203 Dunlin on 8th increased to 320 the next day. A 1st sum Little Gull was on the reedbed on 20th to 25th. An influx of eight Black Terns on the morning of 13th increased to 10 later that evening, and then 11 on 14th. Four remained on 15th, with just a single on 16th. Up to three Short-eared Owls were hunting the saltmarsh up to mid month. Four White Wagtails were on the scrape on 9th, decreasing to one on 12th. Wheatears were present during the first half of the month, with a peak of four on 9th. Freiston Shore Bird of the month was an all too brief Caspian Tern that flew through the gull colony on 22nd. It flew inland and was not seen again, although as it had a damaged foot, it will be easy to trace if it should be refound. A female Red-necked Phalarope was on the lagoon for an hour or so on the morning of 28th before relocating to Frampton Marsh. An excellent count of 148 Eiders offshore was made on the 26th. One Sanderling on the lagoon on 26th increased to two the following day. A Wood Sandpiper was seen on 14th, while other waders included 12 Whimbrel on 1st, increasing to 18 on 7th. Single Little Gulls were seen on 10th, 14th and 22nd, with two there on 24th to 29th, increasing to three on 30th. A Grey Wagtail flew south on the 18th. A Garden Warbler sang from the hedgerow on 7th to 8th. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. News from Far Ings NNR http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/far_ings/index.php ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FAR INGS NNR Week ending 20.6.09 BIRDS Max. Numbers = avocet 25 bittern blackbird 30+ blackcap 3 black headed gull 20+ blue tit 12 bullfinch canada goose 20 carrion crow 4 Cetti's warbler chaffinch 12 chiffchaff 2 collared dove 4 common gull common tern 6 coot 80+ cormorant 4 dunnock 7 goldfinch 12 GBB gull 2 GC grebe 6 GS woodpecker great tit 10 greenfinch 4 grey heron 2 greylag goose 300 GS woodpecker herring gull house martin 30 house sparrow 10 jackdaw 3 kingfisher lapwing 17 lesser whitethroat linnet 2 little grebe 4 little gull 2 long tailed tit 5 magpie 7 mallard 30+ marsh harrier M+F mistle thrush 12 moorhen 20+ mute swan 14 oystercatcher 3 pheasant 2 pied wagtail 2 pochard 14 reed bunting 15 reed warbler 30+ robin 10 sand martin 6 sedge warbler 11 shelduck 15 shoveler 4 song thrush 2 sparrowhawk starling 6 swallow 30 swift 100+ tawny owl 3 tree sparrow 4 tufted duck 20 turtle dove 2 water rail 4 whitethroat 10 willow tit 2 wilow warbler 6 wood pigeon 11 wren 14 FAR INGS NNR Week ending 13.6.09 BIRDS Max. Numbers = avocet 18 bittern 2 blackbird 30+ blackcap 3 black headed gull 20+ blue tit 12 bullfinch canada goose 5 carrion crow 4 chaffinch 14 chiffchaff 2 collared dove 4 common gull 6 common tern 8 coot 90+ cormorant 6 cuckoo dunnock 7 goldfinch 12 GBB gull 2 GC grebe 6 GS woodpecker great tit 10 greenfinch 4 greylag goose 200+ herring gull 2 house martin 20 house sparrow 20 jackdaw 6 kingfisher 2 lesser whitethroat linnet 2 little grebe 4 magpie 8 mallard 30+ marsh harrier M+F moorhen 20+ mute swan 14 pheasant 8 pied wagtail 2 pochard 12 reed bunting 10 reed warbler 30+ robin 10 sand martin 4 sedge warbler 12 shelduck 14 shoveler 2 song thrush 2 sparrowhawk starling 6 swallow 12 swift 150+ tawny owl tree sparrow 4 tufted duck 22 turtle dove 2 water rail 4 whitethroat 10 willow tit 2 wilow warbler 6 wood pigeon 6 wren 16 Butterflies: speckled wood (numerous), painted Lady 2. Noctule bats: large number of individuals observed migrating eastward over Ness End Farm 8.6.09 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 *** 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, 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 None this week. ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/