============================================ || || The Lincolnshire Wildlife News Bulletin || *** 8th March 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. Roger Goy's UK Wildlife Hotline 10. Notes about these wildlife reports 11. Bulletin publicity policy 12. Events Diary ....and finally..... ============================================ The Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Bulletin now goes to 870 addresses each week and we are keen to encourage even more readers to subscribe. Note: Views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union or any associated organisations. Please make contact via the LNU Website: http://www.lnu.org/ or e-mail wildlifenews@lnu.org, or contact the Editor to join up and contribute articles or reports. [Or cancel!] E-mail: rparsons@enterprise.net ============================================ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. Readers hints, tips and requests ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Editor Writes *** I hope readers are managing to cope with the website postings of Bulletins. It is not what I wanted to achieve, but is better than nothing. I am still trying to find out why it is suddenly so difficult to get the document out by email, but dial-up is now on the margins. Despite Government rhetoric, there are no plans to Broadband here in the foreseeable future. Grrrrrrr! You are warmly invited to come along to the LNU AGM, and the other events mentioned in the Bulletin need our support too. Roger *** LNU AGM *** Saturday 21 March 2009 Following the AGM, the LNU's President Colin Smith will talk on Moths and Moth Recording. At Whisby Education Centre Moor Lane, Thorpe on the hill Start 2pm For 2009 LNU meetings also see section 12 below or www.lnu.org/events.php *** Lincoln Area Mute Swan Census *** Anne Goodall writes: The next swan census is planned for the weekend of 14-15 March 2009. The survey area comprises the area between North Hykeham and Bardney on the River Witham, up to Langworth on the Barlings Eau, out to Odda on the Fossdyke and up the Main Drain from Fossdyke to Burton Pits, and includes all the rivers, delphs, drains, ponds, pools, pits and akes in this area. This includes the Witham Fens between the river/ South Delph, Nocton Delph and the Car Dyke. In addition to a count, with location, for any swans or groups found, this count will start the breeding survey. So we also need to identify any territorial pairs, and then follow them up to determine a) whether (and where) they nest; b) how many eggs are laid; and c) whether the eggs are incubated through to hatching (and if so, how many cygnets are hatched) or whether they are predated/taken etc. As for the last census, any offers of help will be very gratefully accepted, either to check a waterbody or stretch of water on the day, or to follow up and monitor a particular pair of swans. Basically, every sighting of swans between now and the end of April in the survey area is needed. Please help! Offers of help to me please: anne.goodall@esl-lincoln.co.uk records can be sent to the same address, or posted in the Bulletin. As for the last census, a short report will be posted in the Bulletin as soon as we have the results in. *** Ermine *** Chris J Manning Mammal Recorder writes: Two records of Stoats in Ermine received this week. Margot Charlton spotted one at TF366683 on 28 February, described as: Yesterday we had a wonderful sight; we watched a stoat stalk a hare and then crouch as if to pounce, before changing its mind and dashing off in a different direction. Ten minutes later we watched the stoat leaping and playing with a white stoat that was somewhat bigger! Mating season, and we suppose that the larger was the male; but are you able to explain why one was ermine coloured, winter coat, while the other was brown? I have never seen a white stoat before. Martin Common spotted one at Messingham Sand Quarry on 20 February, described as White body with black end to tail, is cohabiting with a stoat in a mound of grass cuttings, have got a series of shots (not very good quality) of it hunting around the parameter of a field it lives in. Photo available at http://www.lincsbirds.co.uk/album/displayimage.php?album=9&pos=1 Is this indicative of the low temperatures we had this winter, it’s a nice idea, however the autumn moult was probably over before the cold weather began. *** More on Bats *** Jeremy Hutchinson writes: Further to Annette Faulkner 's bit about bats, she might be interested to know that I saw a pair of small bats (not sure of species) hunting at dusk on 17th February here in Carlton le Moorland. I cannot recall having seen bats so early, and I haven't seen them since! *** Lincolnshire Branch of Butterfly Conservation *** Lesley Robinson writes: Spring Indoor Meeting: On Saturday 4th April 2009 at 2.00pm “The Mothing Calendar” Speaker: John Clifton from Anglian Lepidoptera (John will be bringing along some sales items) It will be held in the Education Centre of Chambers Farm Wood, Wragby, near Lincoln. TF148738 *** Barton LWT Area Group Meetings *** Vov Rowett writes: Barton group of the Lincs Wildlife Trust: Saturday 7 March 2009 Far Ings NNR Short walk of 2-4 miles. Meet at NNR Visitor Centre (TA018233) 9.30 am. Wednesday 11th March 2009 John Dennis will give an illustrated talk on 'The Highs and Lows of Southern France' 7.30 Far Ings NNR Visitor Centre, far Ings Road, Barton. Sunday 22nd March 2009 9am Field trip: Alkborough Leader-Adrian White (Contact John 01469 588114) *** Scunthorpe Museum Society Talk *** Keith Scarrott writes Monday, 9th March, 2009. John Hounslow, Head of Licensing and Enforcement at the UK CITES Management Authority, Bristol, will give a brief history of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) and its implementation in the EU. As well as the species included in the Convention his illustrated talk covers some of the main threats in international trade and some local problems in Lincolnshire. Non-members are welcome and that meetings are held at the Scunthorpe Museum, starting at 7.15pm. *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT Meetings *** Carolyn Lovely writes: On Monday 9th March the speaker of the indoor meeting will be Eddie Gaunt, chairman of the Scunthorpe & Brigg group. He will be giving an illustrated talk about Messingham Sand Quarry, a beautiful reserve with large areas of open water as well as woodland, heathlands and reed beds. The meeting will be held in the Banqueting Room of Grimsby Town Hall at 7.30 pm. There will be a Trust sales stall, raffle and refreshments. Admission £2.00. All are welcome. On Sunday 15th March the group are providing a 1 and 1/2 mile guided walk at Tetney Blow Wells Nature Reserve. Please meet at the gate of Tetney Church, Church Lane Tetney. Grid ref. TA 316009 at 2pm forthe 1 - 1 1/2 hour walk. It will be wet under foot so please wear suitable clothing and footwear. The walk is free but donations may be given to the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. The church will be open to visitors from 3.00 pm - 4.15 pm. Tea and coffee will be available at 50p for Church funds. All are welcome but no dogs please. For further details please contact Clifford Jukes - 01472 814887 On Friday March 20th at 7.00 pm the group are holding a quiz night as part of the Trust's 60th Anniversary celebrations. It will be held at St.Giles' Church Large Hall, St. Giles' Avenue, Scartho, Grimsby. The quiz questions set will be on wildlife and general knowledge. Individuals and teams are equally welcome so come along and join in the fun! There will be a raffle and a Trust Goods stall including bird food. Admission is £2.50 to include light refreshments. For any further details please contact Carolyn Lovely - 01472 316882 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 2/03/09 LINCS 4 Whooper Swan. Dorrington Fen, + m.Merlin, Marsh Harrier, f.Peregrine. 3/03/09 LINCS Red Kite. Marston Swg Wks, 2pm over marsh then over Barkston. 4/03/09 LINCS Great White Egret. Thurlby Fen, 1pm on River Glaven. LINCS male Lapland Bunting. Freiston Shore RSPB 5/03/09 LINCS 31 Waxwing. Humberstone, 10.50am opp 40 Lisgard Road. LINCS 28 Whooper Swan. Messingham SQ, 2.48pm. LINCS 3 Little Egret. Baston & Langtoft GPs, + Green Sand. 6/03/09 LINCS 30 Waxwing. Humberstone, 7.05am on Lisgard Road then flew twds golfcourse. LINCS Green Sandpiper. Baston & Langtoft GPs, early pm + 2 L.Egret. 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Roger Goy's Reports and News *** Roger Goy Wildlife Helpline National Service Tel 01522 544245 New Mobile 07880 528453 Website: www.wildlifehelpline.org.uk Recently 8 Black Swans flew north west over Hammeringham. Red Kite Fulletby area. 21/2 Ringed Plover RAF Waddington. 24/2 8 Common Buzzards Farforth Valley with a pair clasping talons and tumble diving 100 feet. 25/2 7 Spot Ladybird on a Snowdrop flower in Mablethorpe. At RAF Waddington:- Woodcock, 300 Fieldfare & 2 Redwing. 26/2 Blackbird singing Woodstock Street Lincoln. Great White Egret Baston/Langtoft Gravel Pits. 27/2 Adult female Rough Legged Buzzard Farforth Valley. 30+ Siskins in the top of I think Alder trees which I would believe to be in catkin at Boultham Park Lincoln. Robin taking nesting material into Ivy in Rigsby. Collared Dove actually nesting in conifers in Spalding. 28/2 Lapwings displaying Farforth Valley. White Pheasant Ingleby area. Frog Spawn Belton Lane Grantham. Bittern, Far Ings Barton- on-Humber. 1/3 7 Cormorants flew from North Hykeham towards the River Brant. Common Crane over Grainthorpe Haven towards North Somercotes. Lapland Bunting north of Pyes Hall with Reed Buntings. Adult Caspian Gull Leadenham by tip in field. 2/3 Long Tailed Tit feeding on bread on ground in Rigsby. 5 wrens roosting in a nestbox in Alford. Baby Rabbit found between Culverthorpe & Oasby. Small Hedgehog back feeding in a Waddington garden, first seen last year on 7/3. Oystercatcher regularly seen in the Burton Waters Roundabout and Burton Lane End fields area west of Lincoln. 3/3 Male Blackcap in a Fiskerton garden. Near a garden in Woodhall Spa on Horncastle Road a female Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, also 10 Bramblings on the lawn. Red Kite over Barkston village. 28/2 Small Tortoiseshell butterfly on Snowdrops in Mablethorpe. 3/3 2 Stoats 1 in ermine Spilsby area. 4/3 Adult male Brambling and a pair of Siskins all in summer plumage Kirkby Lane area Woodhall Spa, the male Siskin was feeding the female. Male Lapland Bunting Frampton Marsh on wet grassland also at least 5 White Fronted Geese. Male Hen Harrier Nocton Fen. Great White Egret Thurlby Fen on River Glen. 60 Fieldfares north over Maidenwell Top. 5/3 6 Waxwings in Scawby by B1207 south of Sturton Main Street. 15 Waxwings Humberston on North Sea Lane opposite the Trawlerman pub at caravan park entrance. *** 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. BELLMOUNT SK9438 01/03/2009. David Clarke. Blackbird 7 Buzzard 1 Blue Tit 6 Chaffinch 12 Carrion Crow 10 Fieldfare 4 Great Tit 5 Jackdaw 73 Jay 2 Long Tailed Tit 5 Magpie 5 Raven 2 Robin 6 Rook 22 Skylark 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker 2 Green Woodpecker 5. Snowdrops in profusion. BOSTON Michael Todd Saturday 28th February 2009 Frogs have been present in my pond for several weeks, first two pairs seen today along with several smooth newts. DODDINGTON oddington Park. Lincoln. M.Scott. 23-Feb.-01March 2009. The frogs are now back in my pond, a bit later than last year but who can blame them with the weather being as it was. Also to seen bumble bees. a big queen one, that nearly landed on my 4x4 bonnet, and 2 flying round the garden. In the garden lots of birds feeding from my bird station that I made. And bluetits looking at my nestboxes, also this year put a robin box up so will have to see what happens. LEA MARSH 815872 15.2.09 Bob Telford Egyptian Goose - a single bird which a dog walker told me had been there for the previous 2 days, and which was still present when I revisited on the 16th. Velvet Scoter - a flight of 3 flying upstream over the Trent. GAINSBOROUGH 825883 20.2.09 Bob Telford A Buzzard soaring high against grey clouds to the east of Lea Road Railway Station. NETTLEHAM 002755 24.2.09 Bob Telford A largish, brownish bat taking advantage of a dull, mild day to fly over the trees and lake in the grounds of Police Headquarters at lunchtime. Apart from 2 passes in quick succession at surface level, when it left a wake as it gathered a drink, it flew continuously at above treetop level. With John Altringham's New Naturalist series British Bats in hand I tentatively identified it as a Noctule - unless one of our expert bat contributors can tell me otherwise. ROBERTS FIELD 1/3/09 Dave Vandome 7 buzzards seen together over the reserve in the morning 2 red kites over the reserve in the afternoon (observations while hedge laying!) SOUTH CARLTON 958756 25.2.09 Bob Telford At 0845 a female Goshawk hunting over open, steeply sloping grassland alongside the B1398. Possibly the same bird which I saw a short distance away on 30.1.09 above the boundary trees of the Lincolnshire Showground alongside the A1500 (970781), which was making a stealthy approach to a rookery. TRENT PORT, MARTON SK834 813 Brian Hedley 5 March 2009 Fresh otter prints (whole set in mud alongside the Trent) Mink prints (a few as above) Jack Snipe 1 Common Snipe 36 Shoveler 1m Tufted Duck 1pair Teal 3 Tree Sparrow 32 Bullfinch 1pair Sparrowhawk 1 WELBOURN Rod Storer Frogs appeared in garden pond Feb 2. Seven counted so far but no spawn yet. Last year frogspawn noticed 23rd Feb. WHISBY 921668 25.2.09 Bob Telford A Little Egret among the Islands on Teal Lake at lunchtime. WILDMORE FEN - TF 216534 R & A Parsons 7 March 2009 Small tortoiseshell on wing. Landing on yellow crocus. Stockdove – pair Yellowhammer - pair Buff-tailed bumblebee queen on Wych Hazel flowers. WRANGLE COMMON 04/03/2009 Roy and Kath Pearson We did a count for BirdTrack this morning on our usual patch. Numbers of small passerines were down. Conferring with several ringers, I have got the impression that this is quite usual this winter and that birds that are caught are often adults, suggesting a poor breeding season last year for the second time running, which could have serious consequences for this summer. Numbers recorded over a half hour period were:- Blackbird 8 Canada Goose 17 Chaffinch 5 Coot 9 Dunnock 1 Green Woodpecker 1* Magpie 2 Moorhen 4 Reed Bunting 1 Skylark 1 Teal 2 Woodpigeon 3** Blue Tit 1 Carrion Crow 2 Collared Dove 1 Curlew 29 Great Tit 3 Greylag Goose 1 Mallard 9 Pheasant 4 Robin 1 Stock Dove 1 Woodcock 2 Wren 2 *First record **Amazingly low number We saw two bumble bees flying around a stand of pussy willows and alders festooned with catkins. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 01/03/2009 Avocet 10 Barn Owl 2 Blackcap 3 Brent Goose 600 Corn Bunting 39 Goldcrest 1 Goldeneye 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 Green Woodpecker 1 Green Sandpiper 1 Hen Harrier 1 Little Egret 30 Mediterranean Gull Pink-footed Goose 115 Redwing 4 Short-eared Owl 2 Siskin 7 Snipe 5 02/03/2009 Barn Owl 1 Green Woodpecker 1 Water Pipit 3 05/03/2009 Avocet 11 Barn Owl 2 Brent Goose 600 Merlin 1 SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE NNR. http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/nr/reserve.php?mapref=41 John Walker No report this week. 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 Paul French No report this week. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. News from Far Ings NNR http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/far_ings/index.php ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FAR INGS NNR Week ending 7.3.09 BIRDS Max. Numbers = bittern blackbird 50+ black headed gull 100+ blue tit 15 bullfinch 2 carrion crow 7 chaffinch 10 collared dove 4 common gull 6 coot 120+ cormorant 5 curlew 45 dunlin 30 dunnock 4 gadwall 6 goldeneye 2 goldfinch 14 GBB gull 2 GC grebe 4 G S woodpecker 2 great tit 7 greenfinch 6 grey heron 2 greylag goose 120+ herring gull house sparrow 9 lapwing 3 little grebe 5 long tailed tit 6 magpie 15 mallard 40+ marsh harrier M+F meadow pipit mistle thrush 2 moorhen 30+ mute swan 4 pheasant 2 pochard 22 redshank 2 reed bunting 4 robin 12 shelduck 50+ shoveler 20+ snipe song thrush 2 sparrowhawk starling 40 tawny owl teal 8 treecreeper tree sparrow 16 tufted duck 30+ water rail 4 willow tit 2 wood pigeon 60 wren 10 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6. News from Bardney Limewoods NNR http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/Limewoods/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Reports from the following locations will now be posted here to give an overview of Limewoods ecology. The NNR includes the following sites: Chambers Farm Wood (please detail specfic area when reporting e.g. Ivy Wood, Little Scrubbs Meadow etc); College Wood, Cocklode & Great West Woods, Hardy Gang Wood, Newball Wood, Scotgrove Wood, Southrey Wood, Wickenby Wood Other woods included in the NNR but without public access: Stainfield Wood; Stainton & Fulnetby Woods (access by public bridleway only) No report this week. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7. Sending in reports to Roger Parsons ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The purpose of the Bulletin is to encourage biological recording in Lincolnshire using modern Information and Communication Technology. We hope to increase the number of people reporting observations to LNU Recorders and improve the quality of reports, as well as the quantity and the geographical coverage. In return for this FREE service, we ask you to provide reports, questions, news or relevant articles from time to time. Descriptive pieces are welcome - you don't have to stick to lists! Mailing times vary, depending on what I am doing. The Bulletin usually goes out on Sundays. Please e-mail in your contributions as early as possible to ensure they are included, to: rparsons@enterprise.net [A backup e-mail address you can use if ever you experience problems with my "Enterprise" address is: aintree2@yahoo.co.uk ] When sending in reports please follow this layout to save reediting: Place Name: IN CAPITALS with Grid Reference if you have it. Your Name: Real names please, not aliases. Put it in each time, for each location Date: Species list [Alphabetical?] & numbers [and observations?] e.g. Blackbird - 24 [And please, no home-grown abbreviations. Names in full.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 8. Contact Information & Useful Websites ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please let me know ASAP if any of these weblinks fail! *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Website *** A full list of LNU Country Recorders is given here. http://www.lnu.org/ LNU e-mail: info@lnu.org If you are not yet a member, the LNU needs good naturalists like you! Anyone interested can get membership application forms via Tori Sandilands at the Lincs Wildlife Trust Horncastle office, e-mail vsandilands@lincstrust.co.uk LNU publications [listed on LNU website] may be ordered via: csmith@countrywidefarmers.co.uk *** Contacts List *** PC Nigel LOUND Wildlife Crime Officer - Community Safety Police HQ Deepdale Lane Nettleham Lincs LN57PH Tel 01522 558684 e-mail: nigel.lound@lincs.pnn.police.uk or Nige LOUND Wildlife Crime Officer County Police Station Sea Lane Ingoldmells Lincs PE24 44XX Tel: 01522 558684 *** Local Bat Helpline *** Gounded bats, bat problems, advice and information? Contact Annette and Colin Faulkner on 01775 766286 or e-mail: A.Faulkner@care4free.net *** Bat Recorder *** You may send confidential bat records direct to Annette Faulkner on: A.Faulkner@care4free.net *** Butterfly Conservation Recorder *** Allan Binding asks contributors of butterfly records to the Bulletin to include their address or contact telephone or e-mail address and Grid Reference if possible. e-mail: allan.binding@ntlworld.com See: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/species/bfly/index.php *** LNU Bees and Wasps Recorder *** Dr Michael Archer 17 Elmfield Terrace, Malton Road, York YO31 1EH. [Willing to check or identify any aculeate wasp or bee specimen. Such a specimen usually has to be relaxed and mounted on a pin before it can be examined. If more than a few specimens are sent in, they must be mounted.] *** LNU Moths Gallery *** There is now a moth page on the LNU Website, to promote the recording of moths across the county. http://www.lnu.org/ Also see: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/species/hawkmoths/index.php *** LNU Plant Galls Recorder *** Graeme Clayton 2 The Dene Nettleham Lincoln LN2 2LS g.clayton@ntlworld.com Willing to check or identify any plant gall material. Recording forms www.british-galls.org.uk *** Slug ID Help *** Chris du Feu will help with slug identification. You can telephone him on: 01427 848400 or e-mail: chris@chrisdufeu.force9.co.uk *** Lincolnshire Badger Group *** Geof White writes: If you have important information about badger activity or badger road casualties please e-mail the information to: kwibble@aol.com Alternatively telephone 01205 722355. *** 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/ Bardney Limewoods www.limewoods.co.uk [New URL] limewoods@lincolnshire.gov.uk *** Harlequin Ladybird Survey *** To report your sightings: www.harlequin-survey.org/ *** Sir Joseph Banks *** The Sir Joseph Banks Society is based at the Sir Joseph Banks Centre in Horncastle and a programme of events has been arranged for both members and non-members. New members to the Society are always welcome. Contact 01507 528223 or by email: enquiries@joseph-banks.org.uk. Latest newsletter and related articles are available on: www.joseph-banks.org.uk *** Trent Aegirs *** Don't forget that the bore often comes up to half an hour before the expected time. www.environment-agency.gov.uk and go to Midlands link or search for 'Trent Aegir'. or try: http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/static/documents/Leisure/timetable_2-Trent.pdf *** Before You Set Out. *** Check tide times on Admiralty EasyTide: http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx Check the weather forecast for the location or postcode: http://www.theweatheroutlook.com/ *** Other Useful E-mail Addresses *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union: info@lnu.org Gibraltar Point: gibpoint@lincstrust.co.uk Far Ings: farings@lincstrust.co.uk Whisby Nature Park: whisby@cix.co.uk NEW Syke's Farm: lwt@sykesfarm.org.uk Lincs. Trust HQ: The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust main e-mail address: info@lincstrust.co.uk Lincolnshire FWAG: lincoln@fwag.org.uk Chambers Farm Wood NEW contact - Mary Porter Mary.porter@forestry.gsi.gov.uk Lincolnshire Bird Club Secretary - Janet Eastmead: janet.eastmead@talktalk.net Membership Secretary - Mike Harrison: michael@michaelharrison1.wanadoo.co.uk If you would like your e-mail listed here, please let me know. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9. Roger Goy's UK Wildlife Hotline ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Telephone : 01522-544245 New Mobile 07880 528453 Website: www.wildlifehelpline.org.uk E-mail: roger@wildlifehelpline.org.uk A 24 hour service covering the British Isles. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10. Notes about these wildlife reports ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We do our best to ensure accuracy in our reporting but these records are sent in by a variety of reporters, from complete beginners to professionals. They therefore vary in reliability and in certain cases they are impossible to verify. If further information is needed on locations or reporters, or if you wish to question/confirm any of these records, contact: rparsons@enterprise.net For the more general wildlife information coming via Roger Goy: roger@wildlifehelpline.org.uk Bulletins are sent to Biological Recorders at the Lincs. Wildlife Trust, Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. [Note: Where plants are reported, this is usually because they have been seen "in flower".] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11. 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.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12. Events Diary ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** LNU Winter Meetings 2008 *** Saturday 21 March 2009 Following the AGM, the LNU's President Colin Smith will talk on the "Moths and Moth Recording". At Whisby Education Centre Moor Lane, Thorpe on the hill Start 2pm For 2009 LNU meetings also see section 12 below or www.lnu.org/events.php ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ....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 keithandjune *** A Few Credit Crunch Tips for Conservationists *** DON'T waste money buying expensive binoculars; simply stand closer to the object you wish to view. SAVE electricity by turning off all the lights in your house and walking around wearing a miner's hat. OLD telephone directories make ideal personal address books, simply cross out the names and address of people you don't know. SAVE on booze by drinking cold tea instead of whisky. The following morning you can create the effects of a hangover by drinking a thimble full of washing up liquid and banging your head repeatedly on the wall. SAVE a fortune on laundry bills. Give your dirty shirts to Oxfam, they will wash and iron them and you can buy them back for fifty pence. ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/