============================================ || || 28th 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Birds? What about everything else? *** I suspect most of us started off our interest in Natural History by observing birds, and a continuing interest is evident in the Bulletin reports. Birds have many definite advantages for both beginners and experienced naturalists, not least the range of books, equipment and advice available to help with identification. But species of equal charm and importance can go undiscovered, so one message of the LNU Bulletin is "What about everything else?" There are opportunities this year to exercise your skills outside your comfort zone with dragonflies, the birders insect, and other invertebrates, some botany [records always very welcome] and non- bird vertebrates. All readers are encouraged to come along to LNU events and meet the recorders and naturalists who build up the big picture of species in Lincolnshire. We are all keen to see people develop their identification and recording skills and play a part in work that has been going since 1893. So please have a look at the LNU programme and remember you are very welcome to come along. You might discover a life-changing scientific specialisation as many others have done through the LNU. Why not start on March 13th? Roger *** LNU Events Diary - Please Come Along *** For all LNU meetings also see section 11 below and www.lnu.org/events.php NEW events have been posted in section 11. 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, March 13, 2010 Annual General Meeting & Presidential Address Mammal review, atlas update. A century of recording, progress and opportunities. *** Caution with Bird Reports - Repeat *** As we approach the nesting season, may 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 *** First Signs of Spring? *** Spring sightings will reflect the impact of the winter weather. First reports of frog and toad activity are always of interest. So are observations of insects, butterflies and bumblebees for example. Flowering of hedgerow plants is another good thing to observe, as are the key woodland and meadow plant species. Already people are reporting plants like coltsfoot. See what you can report to build up the jigsaw. For help with identification, see the LWT species pages: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/species/index.php If you bookmark this you can keep going back as the amphibians and reptiles get going. Then on to butterflies, dragonflies and orchids as the seasons progress. Keep those records coming. Roger *** 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 *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** Carolyn Lovely writes: On Monday 8th March 2010 at the next meeting we will be holding a Slugs Workshop with Chris Du Feu and will include identification of live slugs. People attending the meeting are invited to bring along live slugs from their garden or any local area for identification. Full instructions for this can be obtained from contacting Jennie Redpath 01472 502858 The meeting will be held in the Banqueting Room of Grimsby Town Hall and starts at 7.30pm. Admission £2. Raffle, stall and refreshments. All are welcome. Editor adds: Chris Du Feu's Slug Workshops are well worth attending. *** 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 22/2/10 LINCS ad Caspian Gull. Whisby Nature Park, pm on Butterleys Pit + ad Med Gull, L.Egret, view from main track. 23/2/10 LINCS juv Glaucous Gull. 1.25ml W.of Winterton, pm on pit S.of B1430 Thealby Ln + 1w YlGull, 3 PfGeese. 2ad Med Gull Saxby Wolds. 24/2/10 LINCS Great Grey Shrike. Welbourne, 7.30am by A607 in hedge by grass paddock opp Temple Bruer & Welbourn Heath turn, pk in Welbourn & walk back to A697. LINCS Black Brant. Donna Nook, with DbBrents + 7 Water Pipit. 25/2/10 LINCS Great Grey Shrike. Welbourne, pm by A607 opp Temple Bruer & Welbourn Heath turn, pk in Welbourn & walk back to A607. 26/2/10 LINCS Great Grey Shrike. Welbourne, 8am pm by A607 opp Temple Bruer & Welbourn Heath nr 2nd turn by nursing home, pk in Welbourn & walk back to A607. 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. WHISBY Phil Porter Received 25/2/10 The Whisby WeBS count took place on 19th giving a moderate result affected by an earlier general exodus in frozen weather; 11 Canada goose, 235 coot; 61 gadwall, 26 goldeneye, 1 great crested grebe, 41 greylag goose, 10 little grebe, 17 mallard, 12 mute swan, 7 pochard, 5 ruddy duck, 2 shoveler, 10 teal, 76 tufted duck, 2 wigeon. Much of the interest during February has been on our eastern border and beyond at the North Hykeham Pits which regularly attract interesting birds. There were 30 cormorants at Apex Pit on 20th. The following day, 350 great black-backed gulls and 450 herring gulls were counted in the complex. A partial summer plumage Mediterranean gull appeared first at Millennium Green Lake then at Butterley’s Pit 20th-22nd. This may well be the now regular summering bird from Grebe Lake arriving in the area. There was an adult Caspian gull and a Scandinavian herring gull at Butterley’s Pit on 22nd. The year’s first oystercatcher was seen at Thorpe Lake on 18th and a little egret was seen at Teal Lake and Butterley’s Pit 18th-21st. About 8,500 black-headed gulls roosted at Apex Pit on 22nd. A willow tit was heard at Magpie Walk on 18th, but these seem to have been hit hard by the weather this winter. Some flocks of around 5-6 bull finches still together on the Nature Park. 7 lesser redpolls at Butterley’s Pit on 22nd. The Whisby and North Hykeham Pits Bird Report for 2009 is now available either from the Natural World Visitor Centre, the Whisby Wardens’ office (when occupied), and the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust giftshop at Castle Square Lincoln at £1.00 for 20 pages of analysis on 135 species of birds identified in the area during the year. *** 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. AUBOURN/HADDINGTON Peter Wilson Saturday 20th February 1500 Hours Walking on bank of River Witham in above area we watched a barn owl hunting along the bank side. We then sighted another one further back in the field. The second one then landed in a tree in the middle of the field and disappeared, so we thought there must be a hole in the tree. The first owl then caught a vole and took it back to the same tree and also disappeared. They both reappeared later and flew around the hedgerows hunting. Tuesday 23rd February 0930 hours Walking again in the same area as above a buzzard flew over and landed in the next tree to where we saw the barn owls. It then flew back towards me and crossed the river to land in another tree on the east bank of the river. I also saw three hares in this field and several partridge and a heron. On the river bank footpath was a coltsfoot just come into flower. BLANKNEY and NOCTON FENS Kevin Marshall 23 February 2010 Blankney Fen TF137627 8 Whooper Swans (7 Ad + 1 Juv) I adult had a yellow coloured ring on its left leg and a metal ring on its right leg. 3 Bewick’s Swans (Ad) Nocton Fen TF115685 3 wintering Marsh Harriers (female) together in the sky above the sugar beet factory pits. CROWLE MOOR NNR Matthew Blissett 21/2/10 Roe Deer 3 Fox 1 EPWORTH TURBARY Matthew Blissett 21/2/10 Blue Tit 4 Chaffinch 6 Great spotted Woodpecker 1 - Drumming Great Tit 4 Long tailed Tit 12 Willow Tit 2 Fox 1 24/2/10 A milder evening brought several moths to the trap Chestnut 1 Pale Brindled Beauty 7 26/2/10 Woodcock 1 HAXEY TURBARY Matthew Blissett 23/2/10 Bullfinch 1 Great spotted Woodpecker 1 Jay 1 Redwing 15 24/2/10 Skylark 1 - Singing HOLBEACH RANGE. NW END. R & K Heath 21/02/10 Barn Owl 1 Hen Harriers 2 brown birds Marsh Harriers 2 Juvenile (?) birds Shorteared Owls 2 HOLYWELL LAKE WeBS 23 February 2010 0720-0830 Ian Misselbrook 1 Little grebe 2 Black Swans 1 Mute Swan 9 Greylag geese 44 Canada Geese 73 Mallard 11 Gadwall 10 Teal 16 Tufted Duck 21 Coot 13 Moorhen 1 Common Gull 2 Red Legged Partridge Pheasant Woodpigeons Stock Doves Blackbird Fieldfares Mistle Thrushes Song Thrushes Dunnocks 2 Treecreepers Long-tailed Tits Coal Tits Great Tits Blue Tits Carrion Crows Rooks Jackdaws 10 Siskins Goldfinches Greenfinches Chaffinches NOCTON FEN Malcolm Johnson 23/02/2010 Barn Owl - 1 Carrion Crow - 7 Egyptian Goose - 2. (Very surprised to see these cropping Oil Seed Rape) Grey Heron - 1 Greylag Goose - 242. (On Sugar Factory Lagoon) Mallard - 10 Mute Swan - 11 (On Fields) Pochard - 229. (On Sugar Factory Lagoon) Pheasant - 1 Wood Pigeon - C150 Tufted Duck - 30. (On the Witham.) LANGHOLME WOOD Matthew Blissett 19/2/10 Green Woodpecker 1 Skylark 1 - Singing in near field LOUTH OS 3486 C Byatt 27 Feb '10 robins - 2 chaffinches -2 great tit -1 (garden birds much fewer this year compared with Feb '09). RUSH FURLONG Matthew Blissett 19/2/10 Skylark 1 - Singing RUSKINGTON 077513 NOEL HERBERT Tuesday 23rd February 12.45pm Normally we have a wren visit the garden regularly but during the Winter it stopped coming and we thought it had succumbed like it appears a lot of others have but suddenly we saw it in the garden and it came close to the patio doors looking for insects in the plant pots. WAINFLEET CONSERVATION PONDS 22/02/2010 Roy and Kath Pearson Numbers at the Conservation Ponds were abysmal today with no ducks present. As the ponds were frozen we expected to find them on the river, but this was almost equally devoid of birds. Black-headed Gull 1 Canada Goose 4 Fieldfare c40 Herring Gull 1 Meadow Pipit 1 Woodpigeon 15 WELBOURN Mike Clayton 24th February 2010 Great Grey Shrike Woodcock WILDMORE FEN TF216534 A & R Parsons TF 218534 approx 21/2/10 Wren in hedge on Hurnbridge Road. 24/2/10 Barn owl hunting 4.45pm. 27/2/10 Tawny owls calling 5.30am. WRANGLE COMMON 22/02/2010 Roy and Kath Pearson Probably the worst BirdTrack count of the winter today with many of our regular species missing. I suspect this is a response to the weather with food getting scarcer. Barn Owl 1 Blackbird 7 Blue Tit 3 Buzzard 1 Chaffinch 2 Coot 5 Dunnock 1 Great Tit 1 Greenfinch 1 Jackdaw 11 Long-tailed Tit 6 Magpie 1 Mallard 6 Moorhen 2 Pheasant 3 Redshank 3 Robin 2 Rook 1 Stock Dove 2 Woodpigeon 74 Wren 1 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 21/02/2010 Hen Harrier 3 23/02/2010 Great Spotted Woodpecker 2 Sparrowhawk 1 25/02/2010 Barn Owl 1 Brent Goose 500 Corn Bunting 60 Pale-bellied Brent Goose 6 Woodcock 1 26/02/2010 Woodcock 1 SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE NNR. http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/nr/reserve.php?mapref=41 THEDDLETHORPE John Walker No report yet. 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  27.02.10 BIRDS Max. Numbers = bittern 3 blackbird 30+ black headed gull 50+ blue tit 12 bullfinch 2 carrion crow 4 chaffinch 11 collared dove 2 common gull 4 coot 100+ cormorant 2 curlew 6 dunnock 10 gadwall 2 goleneye 2 goldfinch 6 GBB gull GC grebe 2 great tit 6 greenfinch 6 grey heron greylag goose 45 herring gull 2 house sparrow 40 lapwing 25 little grebe 4 long tailed tit 6 magpie 8 mallard 25 marsh harrier 1M +1F mistle thrush moorhen 30+ mute swan 4 pheasant pochard 42 redshank 4 reed bunting 6 robin 12 shelduck 32 shoveler 32 snipe 2 song thrush sparrowhawk starling 10 tawny owl 2 teal 15 tree sparrow 12 tufted duck 14 water rail 3 wigeon 50 willow tit 2 wood pigeon 8 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/ No reports yet. This area really could do with some coverage. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire link *** BC Lincolnshire Branch website. http://www.lincolnshire-butterflies.org.uk/index.html *** 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 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 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, 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. None this week. If you recognise any address, please ask them to contact me with a new address if they wish to continue to receive the Bulletin. Thanks. ... and finally.... *** Boosting Bulletin Readership *** At present we have just under 900 readers. I would love to get it up to the 1000 point. If you know anyone who might enjoy receiving it, please tell them about it. They can sign up via: http://www.lnu.org/wildnews.php ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/