============================================ || || 21st February 2010 || || 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 Note: Each address contains the relevant date. 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Delay to Bulletin *** Sorry for the delay in the Bulletin this weekend. The power unit in my pc failed and had to be replaced. Fingers crossed, all is now back to normal. I did leave a message on the Bulletin Portal for anyone who might think to look. Roger *** LNU Events Diary - Please Come Along *** For all LNU meetings also see section 11 below and www.lnu.org/events.php NEW events posted in section 11. Some provisional. Indoor Meetings are held on Saturdays at the Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park, Moor Lane, Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln and start at 2pm. Saturday, February 27, 2010 Dragonflies Steve Brooks Dr. Stephen Brooks has worked in the Department of Entomology at the Natural History Museum in London for over 30 years. He specialises in research on a range of aquatic insects, but is perhaps best known for his extensive publishing on dragonflies, most recently Volume 106 (Dragonflies) in the Collins New Naturalist series, in collaboration with the late Philip Corbet. He is also the author of the Field Guide to the Dragonflies and Damselflies of Great Britain and Ireland published by British Wildlife Publishing and a leading member of the British Dragonfly Society. He has researched aquatic insects, including dragonflies, in all corners of the World. Saturday, March 13, 2010 Annual General Meeting & Presidential Address Mammal review, atlas update. A century of recording, progress and opportunities. *** Caution with Bird Reports *** As we approach the nesting season, can I ask everyone wanting to email in bird reports to send information on vulnerable species directly to the Bird Recorder and not the Bulletin. I was prompted to issue this reminder when I saw a buzzard near a known nesting site on Wednesday. Egg collectors are still active despite attempts to get them to stop stealing eggs. If you suspect eggs are being taken, please report this to the Police and ask for an incident number, so they don't ignore you. Thanks. Roger *** Barton Area Group Events *** Viv Rowett writes: Sunday 28th February 2010 Meet 9am Barton Market Place Rimac. Rimac is one of the central access points for the Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes National Nature Reserve just north of Mablethorpe on the Lincolnshire coast. There will be up to 5 miles of flat walking over sand dunes and coastal mudflats. No facilities. John Walker adds a correction: Re: Barton area group visit to Rimac on 28 02 2010, a chemical disabled facility toilet is sited in the car park and it is serviced weekly. *** Lincoln RSPB Local Group Events – February *** Jo Bramwell writes: COACH OUTING to Far Ings and Watersedge Country Park Sunday 28 February Depart Lincoln 9am. Depart reserve 4pm. Adults £12.50 (including £1 permit). NEW FOR 2010: With every adult, one child may travel free (permits etc. still payable). More information and booking: Mike Willey, 01526 321917. All are welcome at all RSPB events. For more information visit www.lincolnrspb.org.uk *** RSPB South Lincs February Events *** On Thursday 25th February, the Group have arranged an Illustrated Talk at the Sam Newsom Music Centre, Boston, starting at 7-30 pm. The talk, entitled "Spitzbergen" will be given by Ian Rowlands. Admission is £3-50 for non members, £2-00 for members, with children being admitted at half price. Light refreshments will also be available during the mid session interval. *** LWT Grantham Area Group *** Marion Ellis Writes: Barkston & Syston Village Hall A607 Friday 12 March 7.30pm "Life on the Verge" Mark Schofield Limestone Grassland Project Officer Project to identify the most important limestone grassland roadside verges Mark will share the vision of the LWT for the future of wildlife-rich limestone verges in SW Lincs, NE Rutland & E Leics Friday 9 April 7.30 pm Wildlife in the Philippines Rachel Shaw LWT Public Relatons Officer The Philipinnes is a sanctuary to an amazing variety of flora and fauna that are found nowhere else in the world. A dreamland for nature and animal lovers Sunday 25 April Field Meeting 2 - 4 pm Tortoishell Wood OS 130 SK963197 Guided walk with Reserve Manager The wood is a fine example of Kesteven boulder clay primary woodland Tea and cakes will be served weather permitting *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire link *** Lesley Robinson writes BC Lincolnshire Branch website. http://www.lincolnshire-butterflies.org.uk/index.html *** Whooper Swans *** Subject: Whooper Swans Those who enjoyed the spectacle of the seals at Donna Nook may also enjoy seeing the Whooper Swans at Welney in Norfolk. Another stunning experience, if a somewhat longer drive. See: http://new.wwt.org.uk/visit-us/welney *** Bird of Prey Photography Days *** Lewis Phillips the photographer says: I am running local Bird of Prey Days again. All the info is on my new website at www.wildshots.org.uk *** Request for Help *** Chris Manning passed on the following request to LNU members from Nathan Roberts Survey Methods for UK Woodland Mammals Various approaches may be taken to study wildlife populations in the UK, and woodland mammals are no exception. Traditionally, mammals such as foxes, badgers and otters, are studied by recording the tracks and signs they leave behind, and particularly for those species which are more active during the day, we try to spot them whilst walking along transect lines. Today, camera traps offer an alternative approach, which automatically take photographs when they detect an animal passing in front of the camera. It is important to review current survey methods to ensure that resources are being used most efficiently and that data is as accurate as possible. Field tests are currently being conducted in Cumbria, investigating the efficiency and success of both methods, to evaluate if either is more efficient than the other. If you have ever conducted transects and/or used camera traps to study mammals (excluding small mammals, bats and marine species), I would appreciate it if you would kindly support my undergraduate dissertation project by participating in a short questionnaire, which aims to investigate experience and attitudes towards these survey methods, as well as what the future holds for mammal surveying in the UK. The questionnaire can be found online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/surveymethods and will take approximately 15-20 minutes to complete. If you have any questions about my project or encounter any problems with the questionnaire, please do not hesitate to contact me: Nathan.Roberts@Cumbria.ac.uk or visit http://njr304.wordpress.com. Thank you. Nathan Roberts BSc. (Hons) Animal Conservation Science Student (Year 3) Centre for Wildlife Conservation University of Cumbria ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 14/2/10 LINCS 2 Waxwing. Boston, am at end of Rowley Road in swimming pool c/pk. 16/2/10 LINCS 2 Waxwing. Boston, pm at end of Rowley Road nr swimming pool. 19/2/10 LINCS 2 Lapland Bunting. Frampton Marsh RSPB, from 360 Hide + 10 Snow Bunting, 20 Twite. 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. BOSTON Boston swimming pool Mick Todd 13th February A pair of waxwings could be seen feeding in a crab apple tree at entrance to swimming pool car park. They were totally indifferent to people walking on path just a few feet below them.I understand that they have been there since Thursday 11th Feb. *** 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. BARDNEY Record from last week. Catherine Wilson Further to the note on sighting of Goosanders on Water Rail Way, I saw 3, 2 males and one female near to Bardney Lock on 07.02.10 HORNCASTLE SPILSBY ROAD (TF 267 605) Rachel Scopes 13/02/10 Bullfinch, male, in garden. First seen here since February 2009. KIRKBY ON BAIN Gravel Pits 20/02/10 Malcolm Johnson Blackbird - 1 Black-headed Gull - 19 Blue Tit - 2 Buzzard - 1 Canada Goose - 4 Common Gull - C50 Coot - 33 Cormorant - 7 Gadwell - 25 Great Black-backed Gull - 2 Grey Heron - 1 Greylag Goose - 79 Great Crested Grebe - 1 Gull Roost - C500 (Mainly B/Headed but some Common) Little Grebe - 5 Magpie - 1 Mallard - 8 Mute Swan - 3 Pochard - 30 Shoveller - 12 Tufted Duck - 39 Wigeon - 54 WAINFLEET CONSERVATION PONDS 14/02/2010 Roy and Kath Pearson Black-headed Gull 11 Blackbird 1 Canada Goose 2 Mallard 16 Reed Bunting 2 Teal 4 Wigeon 12 Woodpigeon 5 Wren 1 WILDMORE FEN TF216534 A & R Parsons TF 218534 approx 08.30, 16/02/2010 Little Egret. Pair in dyke alongside road up to Hawthorn Hill, at approx TP215546. Both A and RP saw them independently. We have had one in the area over the past couple of years towards Mill Lane TF 244534 and Castle Dyke Bank TF 248520 and as near TF 220533. WRANGLE COMMON 14/02/2010 Roy and Kath Pearson Black-headed Gull 1 Blackbird 17 Blue Tit 9 Canada Goose 41 Carrion Crow 3 Chaffinch 11 Collared Dove 1 Coot 2 Curlew 4 Dunnock 1 Goldfinch 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 Great Tit 5 Greylag Goose 3 House Sparrow 1 Jackdaw 8 Magpie 1 Mallard 5 Moorhen 3 Pheasant 4 Song Thrush 1 Sparrowhawk 1 Tree Sparrow 4 Woodcock 6 Woodpigeon 243 Wren 1 Muntjac - hoof marks in mud. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. Lincolnshire Coast NNRs including RSPB Wash Reserves See: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/species/birds/index.php http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/lwt/seals/index.php ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GIBRALTAR POINT N.N.R. http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/gib/index.php Katherine Bocock 14/02/2010 Common Scoter 1800 Corn Bunting 50 Merlin Pale-bellied Brent Goose 32 Peregrine 3 Red-breasted Merganser 5 Red-throated Diver 75 Stonechat 3 Woodcock 7 15/02/2010 Smew 18/02/2010 Avocet SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE NNR. http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/nr/reserve.php?mapref=41 THEDDLETHORPE John Walker 19/2/2010 SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE NNR John Walker Snowdrops now flowering. Birds include, stonechat, brambling, snowbunting, hen harrier, barn owl, singing birds this week, mistle and song thrush, great and blue tit, dunnock, chaffinch, robin, Haven't heard wren and suspect this prolonged cold spell has considerably reduced their numbers. 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 John Badley RSPB Lincs Wash Reserves sightings January 2010 RSPB Frampton Marsh The new year started off well with a Water Pipit on 1st and 3rd and the peak monthly count of Snow Buntings with 30 on 1st. Lapland Buntings continued to show well, with a maximum of 12 on 3rd. A Black Brant was present with up to 950 Dark-bellied Brent Geese on 3rd. Up to 23 Whooper Swans and two Bewick’s Swans were regularly roosting on the Reedbed at night. The reserve’s first Black-necked Grebe visited briefly on 11th, and a single White-fronted Goose was present from 16th to 24th. Birds of Prey were seen regularly, with up to three Hen Harriers (31st), two Marsh Harriers (27th), three Merlins (24th), three Peregrines (12th), three Short-eared Owls (12th) and three Barn Owls (3rd). Twite peaked at 130 on 12th. RSPB Freiston Shore The cold conditions at this time may have been responsible for a record count of 121 Common Snipe and a Woodcock (3rd) and two Water Pipits (4th). Offshore a Red-necked Grebe was present on 3rd. North-East winds on 6th produced seven Great Northern Divers (one of which was on the lagoon), three Red-throated Divers, Puffin, 14 Kittiwakes, two Great Skuas, five Scaup, Velvet Scoter and four Common Scoters. While just off the reserve single Little Auk and Black Brants were seen. On 9th a Guillemot and two Fulmars were offshore plus Little Gull and Puffin out on the Wash. The Black-necked Grebe seen at Frampton on 11th was present on the lagoon from 13th onwards. Other sightings included Lapland Bunting 3rd, a good count of 650 Black-tailed Godwits and a Snow Bunting on 4th. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. News from Far Ings NNR http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/far_ings/index.php ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FAR INGS NNR  Week ending  20.02.10 BIRDS Max. Numbers = barn owl bittern 2 blackbird 30+ black headed gull 100+ blue tit 9 bullfinch 2 carrion crow 4 chaffinch 10 collared dove 2 common gull 4 coot 100+ cormorant 2 curlew 16 dunnock 5 gadwall 5 goleneye 8 goldfinch 12 GBB gull GC grebe 2 great tit 4 greenfinch 4 grey heron greylag goose 35 herring gull house sparrow 10 little grebe 4 long tailed tit 7 magpie 4 mallard 30 marsh harrier 1M mistle thrush moorhen 30+ mute swan 4 pheasant pochard 20 redshank 7 reed bunting 6 robin 12 shoveler 11 snipe 2 song thrush sparrowhawk starling 10 tawny owl 2 teal 8 tree sparrow 10 tufted duck 10 water rail 3 willow tit 2 wood pigeon 10 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) Adrian Royle's website for photos of species from the Limewoods. http://www.flickr.com/photos/adiroyle/sets/72157616635241942/ CHAMBERS FARM WOOD Mary Porter Feeders and around Centre wb 15th Feb 2010 siskin long tailed tits blue tit great tit coal tit willow tit chaffinch goldfinch tree sparrow great spotted woodpecker collared dove blackbird robin bullfinch dunnock sparrowhawk kestrel buzzard (overhead,mewing on a SUNNY MORNING) muntjac deer grey squirrel ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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) 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@lincsdeer.info 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 *** 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. 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 The Lincolnshire Biodiversity Partnership (of which LERC is a part) Contact: Charlie Barnes, cbarnes@lincstrust.co.uk or for more general queries: info@lincsbiodiversity.org.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 Contact: Project Officer, Luisa McIntosh 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 EasyTide 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Indoor Meetings are held on Saturdays at the Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park, Moor Lane, Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln and start at 2pm. As shown on LNU Website: LNU Events Programme Saturday, February 27, 2010 Dragonflies Steve Brooks Dr. Stephen Brooks has worked in the Department of Entomology at the Natural History Museum in London for over 30 years. He specialises in research on a range of aquatic insects, but is perhaps best known for his extensive publishing on dragonflies, most recently Volume 106 (Dragonflies) in the Collins New Naturalist series, in collaboration with the late Philip Corbet. He is also the author of the Field Guide to the Dragonflies and Damselflies of Great Britain and Ireland published by British Wildlife Publishing and a leading member of the British Dragonfly Society. He has researched aquatic insects, including dragonflies, in all corners of the World. Saturday, March 13, 2010 Annual General Meeting & Presidential Address Mammal review, atlas update. A century of recording, progress and opportunities Sunday 18th April Revesby Reservoir and adjacent woodland, SW of Horncastle. Private Site. 12.00 for 13.00 start. Use fisherman’s car park near Pumping Station at TF303 633. Signed off A1183 just north of Revesby. Gated track to reservoir: code needed for padlock (contact leader day before or during morning of 18th to obtain code). Habitats: Mixed woodland, Lake. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Saturday 22nd May Peacock Wood, Laughton Forest, N of Gainsborough. Forestry Commission site. 12.00 for 13.00 start. Park alongside minor road between Laughton and Morton at approx. SK831 963. Later meeting at 8pm for moths and bats. Habitats: Mixed Woodland, Pond. SSSI heathland nearby. Leaders: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com and Colin Smith 07595 414318 colin.smith@masstock.co.uk Sunday 27th June Joint meeting with British Dragonfly Society as part of National Dragonfly week Butterwick Common, SW of Scunthorpe. 12.00 for 13.00 start. Meet up at entrance track to site at SE8432 0629. A few cars could park carefully alongside narrow track here but best if most use recreation field car park back in village at approx SE 8407 0652 off Chapel Lane in East Butterwick. Habitat: Pond, Marsh, Ditches. Leaders: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com and Paul Kirby. Sunday 18th July Willow Tree Fen, between Bourne and Spalding. New LWT Reserve. Proposed Fenland recreation site. 12.00 for 13.00 start. Reserve located off the minor road between Pode Hole and Tongue End. Lots of parking at TF17438 22377 - access at TF18189 21280 (off the road near Bank House Farm). Habitats: Farmland, ditches, River Glen. Leader: Richard Chadd 07990 564519 richard.chadd@environment-agency.gov.uk Sunday 8th August. To be Confirmed. Thorpe Culvert area Nr Wainfleet 12.00 for 13.00 start. See LNU website for details. Habitats: Pasture, Marsh, Pond, River Leader: Chris Manning 07752 353303 chris@lincsdeer.info Sunday 12th September Sailors Home area, Wrangle, NE of Boston 12.00 for 13.00 start. Take Sea Lane off of A52 south of Wrangle and follow towards coast. Park on minor road verge at approx TF444 492. Take care to avoid blocking field entrances. Habitats: Saltmarsh, rough grassland and ditches. Leaders: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com and Paul Kirby. Sunday 10th October Hopland’s Wood and Willoughby Branch Line, South of Alford. Both LWT Reserves. Fungus Foray 12.00 for 13.00 start. Hopland’s Wood site first. This wood is found on the Willoughby-Claxby road, about 4 km (2.5 miles) south of Alford and 1 km (0.6 miles) west of the B1196 road. Park on verge at TF459 718. Willoughby Branch Line located at TF474 736. Habitats: Mixed Woodland, grassland, scrub, disused railway. Leader: Ray Halstead 07772 613640 ray.halstead@tiscali.co.uk ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails This Week *** I you hear of anyone bemoaning the lack of a Bulletin, please refer them to the Bulletin Portal where they will find it. http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Permanent errors: about to be deleted from list. darren.otoole julie.moore fiona.wilson If you recognise any of these, please ask them to contact me with a new address if they wish to continue to recenve the Bulletin. Thanks. ... and finally.... Hummingbird Hawkmoth and Painted Lady Survey results http://www.butterfly-conservation.org/text/2601/results_of_the_2009_survey.html Alan Phillips sent in the following: Thought you may be interested in this: http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/norfolk/hi/people_and_places/nature/newsid_8516000/8516903.stm ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/