============================================ || || The Lincolnshire Wildlife News Bulletin || *** 31st May 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 876 people 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Recent Bulletins *** Until I resolve my dial-up connection problems, Bulletins will continue to be posted on my webspace on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Please bookmark that page and keep coming back. Thanks. Roger *** Mass Migration of Painted Lady Butterflies *** Allan Binding reports: There is a mass migration of Painted Lady butterflies coming from Southern Europe to the United Kingdom in progress this week. Please continue to report sightings to me, the records are very welcome. allan.binding@ntlworld.com For help with butterfly identification, visit: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/species/bfly/index.php If you have more time to spare perhaps you could join in Butterfly Conservations Painted Lady day, the details are below. *** Butterfly Conservation UK-wide count of Painted Ladys 30th May 2009 *** In the UK millions of Painted Lady butterflies have arrived in recent days and more are likely to arrive with sunny weather and favourable winds forecast over the coming weekend. There is a unique opportunity to get better information on the nature and scale of this spectacular and unprecedented migration by taking part in a UKwide count. Butterfly Conservation are inviting interested recorders to carry out a two hour sample count from 11:00 to 13:00 UK time on Saturday 30th May. This will enable objective comparison with all other sites recorded in the same way. The data can be entered online at the Butterfly Conservation website. http://www.butterfly-conservation.org/sightings/1097/painted_lady_butterfly.html Simply record the total number that you see flying through your set search area over the full two hours of observation, including the 10% or more that are likely to stop briefly to feed before carrying on migrating. Your search area will either be your garden or over a 20 wide strip of countryside, 10m either side of where you stand stationary for the two hours. Pick somewhere with a good view and do not record beyond 20m. If you do not see any add a zero count, negative records are equally important. In the comments box of the sightings form add in this information, with a new line for each 1. Confirm that you carried out a full sample count by adding in the time 11:00-13:00. 2. Add OK to confirm that the weather was suitable for butterfly flight. 3. Add your count area either as My Garden or 20m wide strip for all other counts in suitable open terrain 4. Add the direction of migration eg NW for flying northwest. Please continue to enter all other counts separately on the same website, including any counts made from 11:00 to 13:00 if the weather was not suitable for butterfly migration e.g. cold, very windy and counts made over different time periods and recording bands. A small number of sites are needed for more intensive recording. If you are interested in taking part over a longer time period, 6 hours or more, please email migrants@butterfly-conservation.org with the subject header Painted Lady Count. *** BBC Springwatch Cuckoo Survey *** Viewers of Springwatch will know of the survey to map cuckoo records this year, and you can add your information too, the location and date of your first sighting/hearing, via the Springwatch website. It would be good to make sure Lincolnshire is well covered. Visit: http://www.bbc.co.uk/springwatch/ [We heard one on 26th April, 5 days earlier than usual.] *** LNU Meetings *** For details of all 2009 LNU Field meetings see section 12 below or visit www.lnu.org/events.php 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. *** 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 Far Ings N.N.R. (6.30 pm start). Meet at Ness End Farm car park (The Old Visitor Centre). We will be looking for water and reedbed birds as well as nesting warblers (7 breeding species). We should also see a diverse range of wild flowers including orchids. Sun 21st June Midsummer fair, Far Ings Visitor Centre. 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. *** 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 *** R.S.P.B. South Lincs Local Group – Events *** Sunday 7th June 2009 at 10-00 a.m. - Guided walk at Burghley House. Renowned for the Burghley Horse Trials, this magnificent stately home is a new venue for the group, and is set in over 2000 acres of parkland and gardens, much of which remains as originally designed by Lancelot "Capability" Brown in the 18th Century. The walk will take in part of the grounds and follow a route passing the lake, where it is anticipated, both woodland and water birds will be seen and heard. Members of the local group will be on hand to help to locate and identify the various species. The walk should last about 2 hours and suitable clothing for the prevailing weather and stout footwear are advisable. There is no charge for the event. To book your place, and receive details of the starting point, please contact the organiser, Robert Townhill, on Tel 01400 230445 or e mail robert.townhill@btinternet.com To complete your morning, lunch may be pre-booked at the Orangery restaurant. Thursday 11th June at 6-15 p.m. - Guided walk at Brickyard Farm, Wrangle, nr Boston. A much awaited return visit to George Danby's conservation award winning farm, for an evening stroll to look for and listen to the varied species of farmland bird which have been attracted by the conservation work done on the farm. Bearing in mind that this event, for which there is no charge, will last at least 2 hours, warm clothing may well be needed later in the evening, and stout footwear is advisable due to the uneven nature of part of the walk. Directions to the farm - turn off the A52 opposite Wrangle Chapel, down Broadgate, first right along Gold Fen Bank, past row of houses, Brickyard Farm is the First farm on the left. *** 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 24/5/09 LINCS Buff-breasted Sandpiper. Alkborough Flats, 10.30am but distant. 28/5/09 LINCS Red-necked Phalarope. Frampton Marsh, 11.11am on main scrape from Reedbed Hide. LINCS 2 Little Gull. Freiston Shore RSPB, noon. LINCS fem Red-necked Phalarope. Freiston Shore RSPB, 10.45am on saline lagoon from c/pk but no sign at noon. 29/5/09 LINCS Red-necked Phalarope. Frampton Marsh RSPB, 4.40am + Garganey. 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. WINTERTON Alice Nunn Maybug (cockchafer beetle) in my garden at Winterton (DN15 9PU) on Sunday 24th. Around 12.30pm I was curious to see what my cat was investigating on a weed on my patio. Closer inspection revealed a fine maybug, about the size of an acorn. Unfortunately I didn't have time to get my camera on it, before it had clearly had enough of my cat and flew off in a fuzz, towards a tree and I haven't seen it since. It is probably about 4 or 5 yrs since I last saw one & then it is usually in the evening and not very often. *** 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. BRANT BROUGHTON SK900538 Jeremy Hutchinson 24/5/2009 Numerous Painted Lady butterflies, first I've seen this year. Also the odd Orange Tip, various Whites and a couple of what looked to my inexpert eye like a Fritillary species. EASTON SK930265 Jeremy Hutchinson 25/5/2009, 15.30 Red Kite being pestered by a pair of Carrion Crows. HORNCASTLE Rachel Scopes in Horncastle I saw several Painted Lady butterflies passing over my Horncastle garden today, 29 May. Very few stopped and all were heading in a northerly direction. SOUTH SOMERCOTES TF 417 933 Chris J Manning 28/5/2009 3 x Painted Lady on drain bank SYSTON PARK. SK9340. A THREE MILES WALK AROUND THE WALL OF… David Clarke. 24/05/2009. Blackbird 15 Buzzard 3 Collard Dove 4 Chaffinch 21 Chiffchaff 9 Carrion Crow 11 Dunnock 4 Goldfinch 7 Greenfinch 8 Jackdaw 17 Kestrel 1 Lapwing 3 Robin 11 Skylark 3 Swallow 20 Willow Warbler 3 Wood Pigeon 21. Yellowhammer 3 Mammals. Rabbit 7 Stoat 1. Butterflies. Brimstone 4 Orange Tip 9 Small White 27 Speckled Wood. Flowers. Birds-foot-Trefoil Bulbous Buttercup Common Field Speedwell Garlic Mustard Ground Ivy Herb Robert Meadow Buttercup Red Campion Red Clover White Campion. WILDMORE FEN - TF 216534 R & A Parsons 23/5/09 Brown hare 23/5/09 Butterflies: Orange tip Brimstone Wall brown 24/5/09 3 painted ladies displaying in the evening sunlight, 7.30pm, making dramatic flights up to 30 feet in the air, surprisingly fast, I would estimate over 30 mph. Rests between interactions on box and weeping willow trees in sunlight. Then made little excursion flights to challenge or attract others. What were we observing? Was it love or hate? Looked very territorial to me. Several seen in garden since. R Parsons 25/5/09 - 5.30am BST TF 21543 Roe deer Big upright ears, white rump, no antlers. Following Chris Manning's comment below, I would say a young buck. Chris Manning adds: No antler could be a young buck, the white rump is the winter coat. Was the white rump kidney shaped or did it have a white tush that can look like a very short tail? TF215540 Fox In general area R & A Parsons Brown hare - 2 29/5/09 2 adult brown hare and one half grown leveret in local bean field. Painted lady - 2 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 23/05/2009 Red Kite Serin 25/05/2009 Golden Oriole Hobby Marsh Harrier Tree Pipit Grass Snake SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE NNR. http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/nr/reserve.php?mapref=41 John Walker Waiting for report 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 – received 5/5/09 Waiting for report Frampton Marsh and Witham mouth. Malcolm Johnson 29th May 2009 Avocets with chicks Black Headed Gulls - lots Black Tailed Godwits - 4 Canada Geese 10 Common Gulls - lots Common Turns - 3 Coots with chicks Cormorant - Fishing at the Witham mouth. Greylags - 8 Lapwings - several. 1 with 2 chicks Little Ringed Plover Red Shanks - 4 Shelducks - lots Shoveller with chicks Swans - 11 Wagtail (Yellow) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. News from Far Ings NNR http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/far_ings/index.php ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FAR INGS NNR Week ending 30.5.09 BIRDS Max. Numbers = avocet 12 bearded tit 2 bittern 2 blackbird 30+ blackcap 4 black headed gull 20+ blue tit 14 bullfinch canada goose 10 carrion crow 4 chaffinch 14 chiffchaff 2 collared dove 4 common gull 6 common tern 4 coot 120+ cormorant 2 curlew 2 dunnock 5 gadwall 2 goldfinch 8 GBB gull 5 GC grebe 7 GS woodpecker great tit 6 greenfinch 6 grey heron greylag goose 60+ herring gull 2 hobby house martin 4 house sparrow 6 jackdaw 2 kestrel kingsisher 2 lesser whitethroat linnet 2 little grebe 3 magpie 6 mallard 30+ marsh harrier M+F meadow pipit 4 mistle thrush 2 moorhen 30+ mute swan 10 oystercatcher 2 pheasant 2 pied wagtail 2 pochard 20 reed bunting 6 reed warbler 30+ robin 13 sand martin 6 sedge warbler 12 shelduck 6 shoveler 4 skylark song thrush 2 sparrowhawk spotted flycatcher starling 30+ swallow 40+ swift 100+ tawny owl tree sparrow 4 tufted duck 15 turtle dove 2 water rail 4 whitethroat 7 willow tit 2 wilow warbler 6 wood pigeon 6 wren 11 Butterflies: wall brown, speckled wood, holly blue, small white, large white, green-veined white, peacock. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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) CHAMBERS FARM WOOD Chambers Farm Wood, approx TF 147735 Rachel Scopes & Jo Minchin 24/05/09 Broad-bodied Chaser - Libellula depressa (x1 male) Hornet - Vespa cabro (x2) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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.] *** 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 wildlife21237 *** August Mars Hoax *** You may have received the Mars hoax, which seems to be doing the rounds again. The planet Mars will not look as big/bright as the full Moon. This is an exaggerated hoax stemming from some years back when, in astronomical terms, Mars and Earth positions were somewhat closer than usual, with improved telescope observation a consequence. I recall marginally better views through my tele- scope, but nothing like the Moon. The opposition of Mars to which I refer was in 2003, when it did indeed look its biggest on 28th August. The hoax is still circulating 6 years later. Errrr. See: http://www.skyandtelescope.com/news/8708182.html ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/