============================================ || || *** The Lincolnshire Wildlife News Bulletin *** || 18th October 2009 || || LNU Website: http://www.lnu.org/ || || News of Lincolnshire Wildlife || ============================================ In this issue..... 1. Readers hints, tips and requests 2. Wildlife Highlights 3. Wildlife reports from around the county 4. News from the Lincolnshire Coast NNRs 5. News from Far Ings NNR 6. News from Lincolnshire Limewoods NNR 7. Sending in Reports - contributors please read! 8. Contact information 9.. Notes about these wildlife reports 10. Bulletin publicity policy 11. Events Diary ....and finally..... ============================================ The Lincolnshire Naturalists Union Bulletin is read by 890 people each week and we are keen to encourage even more readers to subscribe. LNU Wildnews Bulletins are available on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Each address contains the relevant date. Note: Views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Lincolnshire Naturalists Union or any associated organisations. Please make contact via the LNU Website: http://www.lnu.org/ or e-mail wildlifenews@lnu.org, or contact the Editor to join up and contribute articles or reports. [Or cancel!] E-mail: rparsons@enterprise.net ============================================ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. Readers hints, tips and requests ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Finding the Bulletins *** LNU Wildnews Bulletins are available on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Note: Each address contains the relevant date for that particular Bulletin. e.g. bulletin2009jul26.txt If you spot any typos, please let me know. Keep those reports coming. Thanks. Roger *** Extended Autumn *** The Indian Summer we have been enjoying has extended the autumn into November, but pay back time can not be far off now. The bonus has been the number of active insects still to be seen, bumblebees and dragonflies included. Fresh looking Painted Lady and Red Admiral butterflies have been reported, and several Commas too. Readers have commented on late swallows or house martins taking advantage of the continuing food supply. We are seeing foreign blackbirds in the garden, seeming larger and more combative than our resident birds, less at home and more nervous. As yet we have had no sign of redwings of fieldfares, but it will not be long now. At this time of year I remind readers of Mary Porter's invaluable advice to store away some of your windfall apples if you have any. These can be held in reserve for winter weather and thrown out for the fieldfares and other visitors to enjoy. Harlequin ladybirds may well try to come into your house to hibernate. Use the following website to report your records and drop a note to me for the Bulletin, please. The records for Lincolnshire look a bit thin on their distribution map. Harlequin Ladybird Survey To report your sightings: www.harlequin-survey.org/ Roger *** Heads Up For Orionids *** If you have not yet spotted an Orionid meteor, keep a look out this weekend. The shower lasts to 29th with a peak on the 21st. Reports please. *** LNU Field Meetings 2009 *** 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. All welcome. *** Gainsborough Group LWT *** Bird Ringing - The Centenary by Chris du Feu Wednesday 21st October, 7.30pm Morton Village Hall (just north of Gainsborough) Bird food on sale, raffle and other fundraising items A donation of £1.00 includes refreshments People of all ages, Wildlife Trust members or not, are welcome. *** RSPB South Lincs *** Saturday 31st October at 10-00 a.m. - Guided Walk at Boston Cemetery. Meet at the car park next to the Crematorium for a gentle stroll through the oldest parts of the cemetery, where mature trees should be displaying their autumnal colours, and birds as diverse as goldcrest and various woodpeckers may be found. Suitable clothing for the prevailing weather should be worn as there will be no shelter for the duration of the walk, which should last about 2 hours. Bring your own binoculars if you have any, but a limited number may be available for loan for the duration of the event. Members of the local group will be leading the walk and will help to locate and identify the various species of flora and fauna seen, and to point out some of the more interesting features to be found in this section of the cemetery. There will be no charge for this event, which is open to all, both members and non members. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 13/10/09 LINCS Yellow-browed Warbler. Donna Nook 15/10/09 LINCS Yellow-browed Warbler. Donna Nook, noon at Pyes Hall. LINCS Yellow-browed Warbler. Theddlethorpe, 1.45pm in sycamores by road 300m twds Crook Bank c/pk. 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. *** Red Admirals *** Allan Binding writes: In reply to Ian Misslebrook's question: The fresh Red Admirals being seen this autumn will have newly emerged in early Autumn from local nettlebeds. Some of these butterflies may hibernate as adults over the winter period. *** 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. RIVER BAIN A & R Parsons 11/10/09 10.15hrs Large adult Watervole at approx TF 255686 crossing west to east bank. MARTON SK 843 821 Brian Hedley Moth trap out on the night of the 10th Oct 09 produced the following: Barred Sallow 1 (a site first here and also a new macro for me) Black Rustic 1 Beaded Chestnut 8 Green Brindled Crescent 3 Mallow 1 Red-line Quaker 2 Lunar Underwing 3 November Moth 2 Common Marbled Carpet 1 Pale Mottled Willow 1 Turnip 2 Square-spot Rustic 1 Willow Beauty 1 Light Brown Apple Moth 2 THEDDLETHORPE John Cowell 13 October 2009 16:42 Probable Sooty Shearwater flying low up the coast off Theddlethorpe Dunes about 10.15. Identified it by the dark underside compared to the Manx. Another lone late House Martin feeding on insects am on 13th. Return of a small family of Pied Wagtails, not seen for some time. WAINFLEET CONSERVATION PONDS Roy and Kath Pearson 11/10/2009 We did a count for Birdtrack this morning and were surprised both at the high numbers of Mallard on site - though large numbers are regular in winter - and the general paucity of other species. The count was:- Mallard c170 Blue Tit 1 Meadow Pipit 2 Reed Bunting 4 WELTON BY LIMCOLN Approx NGR TF 012 791 Amanda Jenkins Sunday 11 2009 8 house martins over William Farr School Field in Welton-by-Lincoln on the afternoon of October. WILDMORE FEN TF216534 A & R Parsons 11/10/09 Painted lady butterfly Red admiral Hurnbridge Road A & R Parsons 11/10/09 11.20 hrs Single swallow at approx TF 218545. 17/10/09 A Parsons Harlequin ladybird in house. TF 216534 H. axyridis conspicua WRANGLE COMMON Roy and Kath Pearson 12/10/2009 Further to the comments on disease and Greenfinches, we ringed 14 today and they were all quite healthy. One thing we have found this year is a higher than usual number of ticks that we have had to remove from birds. With regard to sightings of less usual birds today, we recorded Buzzard and Jay, whilst Tree Sparrows have now returned after a summer absence. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 15/10/2009 Blackbird 358 Blackcap 7 Brambling 40 Chiffchaff 5 Fieldfare 60 Goldcrest 7 Redpoll 36 Redwing 7675 Ring Ouzel 18 Siskin 20 Song Thrush 132 Woodcock 3 Woodlark 1 16/10/2009 Arctic Tern 3 Barnacle Goose Manx Shearwater Red-throated Diver Ring Ouzel Shag Sooty Shearwater Velvet Scoter 2 SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE NNR. http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/nr/reserve.php?mapref=41 John Walker Report expected shortly. 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 Recent sightings Lincs Wash Reserves Lincs Wash Reserves September 2009 sightings Freiston Shore Highlights were an eclipse drake King Eider off Witham Mouth from the 5th, a flyover Dotterel on the 7th, a Cory’s Shearwater on the 13th and a Red-breasted Flycatcher on the 17th. Seawatching mid month produced some excellent reserve records. On the 13th were two Leach’s Petrels, one Sabine’s Gull, 44 Pomarine Skuas, 12 Great Skuas, 19 Arctic Skuas, two Roseate Terns, 256 Manx Shearwaters and 65 Kittiwakes. The following day saw three Leach’s Petrels, 16 Pomarine Skuas, 21 Arctic Skuas, 14 Great Skuas, five Roseate Terns and five Arctic Terns go past, while on the 15th an impressive 11 Leach’s Petrels were logged. Other birds of note were a Pectoral Sandpiper and two Pied Flycatchers on the 5th and a peak of 16 Whinchats on the 9th. Frampton Marsh An eclipse drake blue-winged teal put in a brief appearance on the 4th, constituting the first reserve record. Other highlights included a Garganey on the 14th, up to three Little Stints from 2nd-10th and seven Whinchats on the 2nd. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. News from Far Ings NNR http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/far_ings/index.php ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Report expected shortly. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ With this wonderful Indian summer, how come everyone is not visiting the Lincolnshire Limewoods? SOUTHREY WOOD TF133 684 11/10/09 Steve Green Pale Tussock moth caterpillar ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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: csmith668@btinternet.com *** 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.] *** OTTERS *** Readers are reminded that all dead Otters should be reported to the Environment Agency on 0800 807060. Mammal records can reported to chris_j_manning@hotmail.com Mink reports also of interest and can be sent via the Bulletin. *** New Met Office Service *** The Met Office website now offers an email notification service for severe weather and other matters which may interest readers. Worth having a look and signing up. Be warned of the possibility of severe weather. See: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/corporate/pressoffice/2009/pr20090727.html *** Hummingbird Hawk Moths *** Had another in the garden this week. See: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/species/hawkmoths/index.php Send in your records to the Bulletin and to the Butterfly Conservation website. http://www.butterfly-conservation.org/sightings/1096/humming_bird_hawk_moth.html *** 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** LNU Field Meetings 2009 *** 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 the message "Contact me if you wish to continue to receive the Bulletin." Thanks. Roger Mailfails mick.kerry ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/