============================================ || || The Lincolnshire Wildlife News Bulletin || *** 15th 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.. Notes about these wildlife reports 10. Bulletin publicity policy 11. 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 am sad to report the death of Roger Goy and have said more about this in section 3, where his reports usually feature. *** 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 Field meetings also see section 12 below or visit www.lnu.org/events.php *** Lincolnshire Environmental Awards *** The annual Lincolnshire Environmental Awards are with us once again, and applications are invited from anyone with an environmental project that might qualify. There have been some excellent applicants over the years, and both winners and runners-up benefit from the publicity of this scheme. The deadline for entries is 30 April 2009. See the website for details of categories and some useful background information for applicants: http://lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk/ *** Pictures in the Bulletin? *** One or two correspondents have raised the idea of use of pictures in the Bulletin now that I am using the webpage alternative. This is of course theoretically possible, but due to the additional work it would involve I am giving a firm no to the suggestion in the hope and expectation I can revert to the email method of delivery in due course. If lack of broadband makes it difficult for me to upload text, how much more difficult it would be to manage pictures as well? For sharing bird photos you can do no better than the Lincs Bird Club website. *** Stoats In Ermine *** John Beswick writes: Your correspondents reporting stoats in ermine reminded me of the following news report. Mount Grace English Heritage custodian Becky Wright did a Radio 4 interview where she gave a much more detailed resume as to what had been observed. Mount Grace Priory stoats predict a cold winter. 19/12/2008 12:57:14 Stoats get their winter coats well ahead of schedule December 2008. English Heritage has revealed that the ferret-sized creatures - who have made the 600 year-old monastery their home - are predicting a hard winter judging by an adult male whose fur is turning white ahead of schedule. Normally brown in colour on top and white underneath, stoats may turn completely white during the colder months to improve their camouflage against predators like owls and hawks when there's snow on the ground. But it's a hit and miss affair and certainly rare for one of Mount Grace's resident population to begin the transformation before Christmas. English Heritage Custodian Becky Wright, who is also a member of the Mammal Society, said: "Some of the stoats went white after the last New Year and stayed that way for much longer than we'd expected. Then we had a snowy Easter, showing that they have a sixth sense about these things. On that basis, the stoats could be offering a sign that we may need to wrap up warm for quite a few more months. Perhaps they know a white Christmas is on the cards." Ermine The stoat's winter coat is called ermine (also a winter name for the animal itself), much beloved by kings and nobles who wore it on their robes to signify purity and high status. The colour change is controlled by a pituitary gland in the animal which reacts to temperature and day length. Although the head and body may go white, the tip of the tail remains black. *** Never been to a Bee Auction? *** Annual Sale of Bees & Equipment. Next Auction: Saturday, 4th April 2009 The following information has been provided by Alan Campion: Sale Secretary, Lincoln District Beekeepers' Association » Sale of Bees and Equipment. » Saturday 4th April 2009. » County Showground, Scampton, just off A15 North of Lincoln. » Bees and equipment accepted from 3pm Friday 3rd April. » Viewing from 9am Saturday. Sale starts at 12 noon. » The sale has become one of the major sales in the country for bees & beekeeping items. » 5% Buyers premium - 12 1/2% Sellers Commission. » Extra special raffle with proceeds donated to 'Bees for Development Trust'. Further details from Alan Campion 01522 522679 campion133@btinternet.com J. Williams 01522 730365, Jonathan Korejko 01526 378222 *** Gainsborough LWT Area Group *** Chris Coleman. Wednesday, March 18th. Hill Holt Wood, Norton Disney. Managing an Ancient Woodland. ‘The Story So Far’. Proving the Value of Ancient Woodland in the 21st century. A chance to hear first hand how this area south of Lincoln is being sustained. Morton Village Hall. 7- 30 p.m. Admission £1-00 *** Lincoln LWT Area Group *** Indoor Meeting: Phenology – Nature’s Calendar” By Shaun Nixon of the Woodland Trust Subject: The Nature’s Calendar project, which records signs of Spring & Autumn throughout the UK. UK 7.30pm, Thursday 19th March The Education Building, Whisby Nature Park, Lincoln Admission £2, including refreshments. http://www.naturescalendar.org.uk/ *** 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: Sunday 22nd March 2009 9am Field trip: Alkborough Leader-Adrian White (Contact John 01469 588114) *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT Meetings *** Carolyn Lovely writes: 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 9/3/09 LINCS Red-crested Pochard. Lincoln, at Hartsholme CP + 2 Egyptian Geese, Goosander. 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. *** Farewell to Roger Goy *** I was sad to learn of the death of Roger Goy last Friday. Roger was a rare character, a genuine and selfless man who lived for his interest in Lincolnshire's Wildlife. He liked nothing better than to encourage others to set out on that journey of discovery, to understand and share his delight in Nature. I walked round my garden after hearing the news, thinking of a visit he made here years back, of his wacky sense of humour, his pleasure in a drink shared with friends, and for his stalwart support, week by week, with information for the Bulletin. He gave us ten years of help and never let us down. He will be missed in many ways, not least his voice on Radio Lincolnshire. I would very much like to continue his “slot” in the Bulletin for those contributors who take the trouble to put in longer narrative reports. There are a few regulars who do this and it is always interesting and refreshing to read what they have to say. May I invite readers with the ability to turn out a bit of wildlife prose to let me have something not-too-long for Roger’s column over the course of the year. In that way we can celebrate his work to bring the love of wildlife to a wider public. He would have appreciated that. As I would say in my emails to him. "Thanks, Roger. Roger [of that Ilk]" *** 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. BRACEBY Marion Ellis 7/03/09 Braceby TF015353 7 buzzards wheeling together above us yesterday mid-morning. There are buzzards around daily. Skylark singing above road between Braceby& Sapperton daily. DEEPING LAKES Dave Vandome Sunday 8 March Deeping Lakes Red Kite flew over the reserve (pm) one little egret seen Small mammal survey with Bourne Wildlife Watch Group in boathouse area. 17 longworth traps set overnight, 4 woodmice and 4 bank voles caught, good trapping success for so early in the year, so probably healthy population of both. DODDINGTON PARK Lincoln M. Scott. 13-03-09. As I reported last week, that the frogs, were back in my garden pond, well this morning, 6, clumps of frog spawn, and they are still at it as I write this report. So that the fish don’t get all of it, I have another little pond, that I put it in and from that we get lots of little frogs. Last year it was the 16 March when I had frog spawn, so looking at it not to far out with the date, even though we have had some very cold weather. Mixture of birds still coming and feeding not seen the blue tits starting to nest build yet. But the blackbird has found his voice, and it is really nice to hear him again singing. GIBRALTAR POINT NR Malcolm Johnson Gibraltar Point Nature Reserve 12th March between 11.30 and 16.00. Black Headed Gulls 20+ Brent Geese 400+ (came from the South together at Lunch time-still there at 4) Canada Geese 17 Chaffinch 2 Common Gulls 5 Coots 40+ Curlew 10 Greylags 5 Little Grebe 1 Mallards 6 Mute Swans 2 Pheasant 2 Red Shanks 7 Shellducks 13 Shovallers 8 Tufted Ducks 11 Wigeon 4 And then on the Tide Line Bar Tailed Godwit 1 Curlew 10 Comerants 8 Dunlin 50+ Grey Plovers 20 Oyster Catchers 12 Ringed Plovers 20+ Sanderling 100+ HOLYWELL LAKE Ian Misselbrook WeBS Holywell Lake Little Grebes 4 Mute Swans 4 - including a pair on the pond on the Castle Bytham road. Greylag Geese 3 Canada Geese 33 Mallard 18 Teal 7 gadwall 6 Pochard 1 drake Tufted Duck 19 Moorhen 28 Coot 9 Lapwings 2 - pair displaying on SSSI grassland Red Kite 1- becoming regular. Kestrel 1 Woodpigeons Blackbird Mistle Thrush Song Thrush Robin Dunnocks Wrens Grey wagtails - pair. Will they nest? Great Tit Blue Tit Coal Tit Goldcrests Skylarks Carrion Crows Rooks Jackdaws Greenfinch Goldfinch Chaffinch MOULTON village Gill Cook Sunday, 8th Msarch 2009 Frog spawn - garden pond STURTON BY STOW Rodge Brownlow Sturton by Stow, frogspawn laid during the week several clumps started on March 12th, but quantity much reduced from previous years. Brampton Marsh, Yellow dung fly, the first I have seen this year. Also widgeon and 60 greylag, odd oyster catcher, snipe, mute swans, cormorant. SUDBROOK Sudbrooke TF0429 7659 Ian Dunn 1st bat of the year (unidentified) evening of 12th March Blackbirds Chaffinches (really colourful cock birds, I suspect in mating plumage?) Collard doves Daffodils opened 11th March Dunnock Jackdaw Mallards Pheasant Pied Wagtail Rabbits Robin Song thrushes Woodpigeon WELTON Welton SK9944 7957 Ian Dunn 1st bumble bee 7th March Coot Crow Hare House sparrows Magpie Moorhen Rabbits Rooks Starlings Woodpigeon Highlight of the week was seeing 4 song thrushes working the paddocks within a few feet of one another, as they seemed so few in numbers last year. The tawny owls have been very vocal in the woods in Sudbrooke Park this week, both evenings and mornings. WILDMORE FEN - TF 216534 R & A Parsons 8/03/09 Stoat hunting along hedgerow of grass field TF 217539. 12/3/09 2 barn owls hunting in area. 13/3/09 Toad in pond but no signs of mating/spawning yet. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 08/03/2009 Great Spotted Woodpecker 3 Green Woodpecker 1 Grey Partridge 2 Hen Harrier 1 12/03/2009 Avocet 19 Barn Owl 2 Bar-tailed Godwit 120 Brent Goose 590 Corn Bunting 25 Dunlin 1000 Eider 500 Fieldfare 3 Goldeneye 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 Green Woodpecker 1 Grey Plover 1000 Knot 2000 Little Egret 6 Marsh Harrier 1 Merlin 1 Redshank 85 Red-throated Diver 28 Redwing 11 Snipe 6 SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE NNR. http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/nr/reserve.php?mapref=41 John Walker w/e 12/3/09 Majority of wintering thrushes left over recent days,barn owls seen frequently hunting, and lots of bird song and some nesting activity with tits entering nest boxes and song thrush seen with nest material. 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 13.3.09 BIRDS Max. Numbers = bittern 2 blackbird 50+ black headed gull 50+ blue tit 14 bullfinch carrion crow 4 Cetti's warbler chaffinch 10 chiffchaff collared dove 2 common gull 6 coot 120+ cormorant 5 curlew 3 dunlin 20 dunnock 5 fieldfare 4 gadwall 6 goldfinch 10 GBB gull GC grebe 2 G S woodpecker 2 great tit 8 greenfinch 2 grey heron greylag goose 120+ herring gull house sparrow 9 little grebe 4 long tailed tit 4 magpie 10 mallard 40+ marsh harrier M+F meadow pipit mistle thrush moorhen 30+ mute swan 4 pheasant 2 pochard 22 redshank 2 reed bunting 6 robin 12 shelduck 20+ shoveler 8 song thrush 2 sparrowhawk starling 10 teal 4 treecreeper tree sparrow 11 tufted duck 30+ water rail 4 willow tit 2 wood pigeon 20 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. Notes about these wildlife reports ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We do our best to ensure accuracy in our reporting but these records are sent in by a variety of reporters, from complete beginners to professionals. They therefore vary in reliability and in certain cases they are impossible to verify. If further information is needed on locations or reporters, or if you wish to question/confirm any of these records, contact: rparsons@enterprise.net For the more general wildlife information coming via Roger Goy: roger@wildlifehelpline.org.uk Bulletins are sent to Biological Recorders at the Lincs. Wildlife Trust, Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. [Note: Where plants are reported, this is usually because they have been seen "in flower".] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10. The Bulletin's publicity policy ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We will not be giving precise details of the location of rare or endangered species. Please point out any sensitive or "tricky" reports of this kind. We ask that you respect the interests of wildlife and site owners if you report to national networks. Make a point of explaining site sensitivity and any restrictions on access. An interest in wildlife is not a licence to act irresponsibly/thoughtlessly to landowners, who may well be partners in important conservation work. [Remember - views expressed in the Bulletin do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions on the LNU or associated organisations. In particular this applies to such agencies, especially charities, taking a political stance.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11. LNU Events Diary For LNU meetings also see www.lnu.org/events.php ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** LNU AGM and Field Meeting 2009 *** 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 Sunday, April 26, 2009 South Thoresby Pit followed by South Thoresby Warren LNR West of Alford. 12.00 for 13.00 start. From A16 at ?5 ways? (TF399 753) take road to S.Thoresby, go straight though village, then turn left for Belleau and park immediately on right on wide verge above entrance to pit. For the LNR go back into village and turn right then left for A16. Park on lay-by on left just before A16. S.Thoresby Pit is at TF406776 and S. Thoresby Warren LNR at TF392762 Habitats: Diverse mixture from including wet areas and grassland. Leader: Christine Rieser christine.rieser1@virgin.net Tel 01507 607205 with Brian Hedley brian_hedley@hotmail.com Saturday, May 16, 2009 BioBlitz - South Rauceby LNU members and the public are invited to this event. Sunday, May 31, 2009 Robert's Field Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Reserve SW of Bourne. 12.00 for 13.00 start. Parking at TF 000 150 (on roadside?). See Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust website for details http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/nr/reserve.php?mapref=75. Habitats: Limestone grassland Leader: Annette Faulkner a.faulkner@care4free.net 01775 766286 and possibly Dave Vandome (site warden) 07775 566586. Sunday, June 07, 2009 High Barn SSSI, Oxcombe. In Wolds between Louth and Horncastle. Private site. 12.00 for 13.00 start. Park on road verge along Blue Heath Road at TF325 761 near where track leads north to site. Habitat: Calcareous grassland on steep slopes. Leader: Brian Hedley 01427 718320 brian_hedley@hotmail.com with Paul Kirby. Saturday, July 04, 2009 Crowle Moor Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Reserve Crowle Moor LWT 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 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 Saturday, August 01, 2009 River Glen Details and date to be confirmed. 12.00 for 13.00 start. Meet at car park at ?? Habitats: Open water, marginal vegetation, Leader: Ian Cappitt 01778 440725 Ian.cappitt@environment-agency.gov.uk 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 Theheatlies Simonbaxter Kkenyon ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/