============================================ || || *** The Lincolnshire Wildlife News Bulletin *** || 10th January 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MEETING CANCELLATIONS *** NOTE: All details of meetings DEPEND ON THE WEATHER and you may need to check locally to confirm that meetings are on. Can I ask that those who send in the information endeavour to get news of cancellations out on BBC Radio Lincolnshire, please? It helps if you give a contact method with your event details: phone, email or website. *** Editor writes*** We parked at Stixwould station for a walk along the Water Rail Way last week, an attractive stretch. Whilst sat in the car we watched a blackbird, redwing and several fieldfare feeding on a hawthorn bush within a couple of feet of us. Please keep an eye out for our winter visitors and let us have your reports. A big thank you to regular contributors. Roger *** MailFails This Week *** Some readers may need to change their anti-bulk-mail settings to flag my address as safe so the Bulletin is not blocked. Affected are Hotmail, also msn and Live. Meanwhile, if 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 *** LNU Events Diary *** For all LNU meetings also see section 11 below and 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. CANCELLED Saturday, January 09, 2010 Grisly Biology - an Introduction to Forensic Entomology This LNU meeting has been cancelled due to the difficult roads. The hope is it can be rescheduled and details will be put in the Bulletin. Richard Chadd writes: attempting to reschedule for 30th Jan, assuming our micro ice-age has finished by then! Watch this space. Saturday, February 13, 2010 Recorders' Meeting The annual reports from the LNU recorders for 2009. Always very good. All welcome. *** Berries *** Anne Goodall writes: On the subject of berries: I have a guelder rose in my garden 'woodland', grown from a local seedling, which has berried prolifically for the last 3-4 years since it has been large enough to do so. Disappointingly, the berries have scarcely attracted a single bird (an occasional blackbird has had a peck in the past and moved straight on) until about the middle of last month, since when they have been in huge demand. My first surprise was hearing squabbling starlings, a species we never normally see here, and finding that they were all over the bush. On Christmas day we saw two bullfinches, common in the woods but just about a first for my garden, eating avidly, and every day since there have been up to four feeding. Other species which I've seen on the bush this last week are redwing, greenfinch, robin, blackbird - 3-4 at a time, and great, blue and coal tits. Since this has been the coldest winter in the life of this bush, I wonder if these berries need a hard frost (like brussel sprouts) to render them palatable? REPORT ON LINCOLN AREA SWAN STUDY, 2008-2009 Anne Goodall The area covered by this study is based on the River Witham between North Hykeham and Southrey, the Fossdyke to Odder , the tributary rivers, drains, delphs and dykes joining these waterways, the adjacent fens and floodplain land bordering them, and the pits, ponds, lakes and reservoirs within this land. The study aims are fivefold, relating to the non-breeders, the breeding populations, their habitats, individual and population health, and collation of historical data. Some progress has been made in all of these areas during the year; this brief report provides just an outline of the first two, and a more detailed report will be provided in the next issue of the LBC newsletter. Full censuses of the area have been carried out in December 2008, March 2009, September 2009 and December 2009. The area is divided into: 1 the Lincoln core (the Fossdyke, River Witham from Newark Road Bridge to Stamp End including Brayford Pool, plus Burton Pits and the drains connecting the pits to the Fossdyke; Burton Waters, Boultham Park Lake, Sincil Drain, and the drains linking Sincil Drain and the Witham); 2: the SW waters (the River Witham Newark Road to North Hykeham, Whisby Pits, North Hykeham Pits, other Lincoln fishing pits and the floodland between); and 3 the Witham Fens (River Witham Stamp End to Southrey, North Delph, South Delph, Branston Island, River Barlings, Fiskerton Fen NR, Stainfield Fen, Washingborough Fen, Heighington Fen, Branston Fen, Potterhanworth Fen, Nocton Fen, Bardney SBF Pits). So far as possible all of these areas are covered for each census, but it is a struggle at times, and more aid is always welcome! The totals counted, for adults and cygnets/imms (1st/2nd-year birds) for each area on each census are given in the table below: Census Adults cyg/imms Total Dec 2008 187 54 274 Mar 2009 222 81 303 Sep 2009 230 91 324 Dec 2010 193 64 259 Some of this difference is due to waters not having been counted, but it does show that numbers peak in late summer, with the young of the year entering the population, but see below. Even in a year some differences have emerged, showing that we have a lot to learn. On the December 2008 census date, the river was in spate and the number of birds on the main watercourses was low. Nearly two-thirds of the birds counted were on the river below Lincoln and particularly on the adjacent fens. In December 2009 the numbers on the fens were much lower (the Stainfield Fen herd has not yet appeared) but numbers were much higher SW of Lincoln, including a new herd location east of Aubourn and numbers on Apex Pit not recorded there since 1999/2000. There are also (not surprisingly) indications that cropping makes a difference, but with not all observers reporting crops, we haven't yet pinned this down. In summer 2009, in place of the June census, observers were asked to locate breeding pairs and follow them if possible through to the cygnets becoming independent. Just 14 pairs were followed in this way, and though egg counts proved not possible (or advisable) for most pairs, the 60 cygnets hatched between them had dwindled to 28 by September, and some pairs have lost further youngsters since. It seems likely therefore that annual recruitment is low, and if the census results prove typical for future years, Lincoln may actually be a sump population. Partly to examine this, as many as possible of the swans using the Brayford Pool have ringed (mainly while flightless in July-August) in the last two years, a total of 99 to date, with another dozen or so ringed by the RSPCA after having been taken into care. Of these, one has moved to Grantham and around 8 are known to have died, either as a result of oiling or collision with bridges or overhead wires in Lincoln, or killed within the study area by territorial swans, or taken into care by the RSPCA and put down by them. Huge thanks are due to the dozen or so regular observers. The next census will be held in March 2010, and offers of assistance will be very welcome. *** Alkborough Flats Events *** Sarah Pimm writes: 5th February, 4pm Winter Wonder See wildlife in a whole new light. An evening stroll out to the Trent bank to witness the magic of the winter wildfowl coming in to feed and roost. 6th February, 2pm Photography Capture the magic of the Flats and the surrounding area with the help of a local photographer. All levels and any camera welcome. Both events are free but booking is essential Call (01724) 721269 *** Barton LWT Area Group events *** Viv Rowett writews: Sat 9 January 2010 Barrow Haven Morning nature walk: Meet in the courtesy car park provided by Wm Foster & Sons Limited (TA062236) at 9.30 am. Wednesday 13th January Angie Neave will give an illustrated talk: "Planning for protected species". 7.30pm at the (New) Far Ings Visitor Centre, Far Ings Road, Barton-upon-Humber. Admission to all events is free (hat at the door for donations). Refreshments are available and the Trust Shop will be open. Everybody is welcome. The venue is suitable for wheelchair users. Sunday 17th January 2010 Field trip. Meet at 9am, Barton Market Place. Scarborough Leader – Nigel Medcalf (01469 533959) The morning will be spent exploring the Holbeck area of Scarborough, utilising the various tarmac/gravel paths along the cliffs from the car park down to the rock pools on the shore. The site is one of the most reliable to see Mediterranean Gull, whilst a variety of waders feed on the shore and wintering divers can often be seen in the bay. The distance covered this morning is short but some of the paths are steep. After lunch we will drive to the north side of Scarborough and park on Marine Drive. Here there is a chance of seeing Peregrine on the cliffs under the Castle and more gulls, waders and wildfowl on the seaward side of the wall. There will be up to 3 miles of flat promenade walking this afternoon. Toilets & refreshments are available in Scarborough Harbour. *** Grimsby and Cleethorpes LWT Area Group Events *** Carolyn Lovely writes: Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT have their meeting on Monday 11th January 2010 expert photographers Phil and Gwen Philips will be giving an illustrated talk on "Flowers and where they choose to grow." The meeting starts at 7.30pm and takes place in the Banqueting Room of Grimsby Town Hall. Admission £2.00. Trust stall, raffle and tea/coffee available. All are welcome. Contact Jennie Redpath - 01472 502858 for further details. Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT On Friday 22nd January 2010 brush off your cobwebs and join us at our Wild Life Quiz. This will be held at St.Giles Large Church Hall, St. Giles Avenue, Scartho, Grimsby and will start at 7.30 pm. There will be a raffle, stall and literature about the Trust. Admission is £2.50 to include tea/cofee. All are welcome. Contact Jennie Redpath - 01472 502858 for further details. *** South Holland Area Group of the LWT *** Colin Faulkner writes with dates for your diary. Tuesday January 12th 2010 Mr. Colin Smith will give us “An Introduction to Moths” Editor adds: In view of the weather, please check and confirm meeting is on. Tuesday February 9th 2010 Mr. D. Bromwich will inform us about “Nature Reserves of the Woodhall Spa Area” Tuesday 9th March 2010 Mr D J Rackham will tell us of the “History of the Landscape of the River Witham” Tuesday 13th April 2010 when the Annual General Meeting followed by “The Nature Reserves of South Holland”. The wardens of these reserves will give us an overview of them. *** RSPB Lincoln Local Group Events – January *** Jo Bramwell writes: BIRDWATCHING FOR BEGINNERS In view of the weather, please check and confirm meeting is on. LINCOLNSHIRE WILDLIFE: illustrated talk by Geoff Trinder Thursday 14 January, 7.30pm The Lincoln Suite, The Lawn, Union Road, Lincoln, LN1 3BJ. RSPB gifts and bird food and feeders on sale. RSPB members and students £3, other adults £4, accompanied children free. Parking charge at The Lawn. All are welcome at all RSPB events. For more information visit www.lincolnrspb.org.uk Editor adds: In view of the weather, please check and confirm meeting ARE on. *** 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 4/01/10 LINCS 6+ Lapland Bunting. Frampton Marsh RSPB, from 360 Hide + 100+Snow Bunting, 50 Twite, Water Pipit. 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 Whisby Nature Reserve, Lincoln. Colin J Green, Lincoln Fri 01 Jan 10. Returning to the carpark with camera and long lens after a fruitless search for the kingfisher (lakes were frozen and littered with debris thrown by people onto the ice), came to the bridge over the Pike Drain. Kingfisher still not seen but in the distance was a patch of brilliant white. Worked my way along the top of the drain to see a Little Egret fishing. The bird was oblivious to people walking past above it (opposite side to me) the other side of a fence and low hedge. Took flight at the appearance of two dogs off lead (dogs can be walked off-lead in that area). Memorable sight of a beautiful bird and a nice photograph too! Brian Cocksedge writes on 4/01/10 A friend and I were watching a Kingfisher on Pike drain at Whisby Nature Reserve. He was perched above a pair of mallards as they fed, then diving into the drain as they disturbed the fish out of the reeds. Not seen this cooperation before. *** 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. BASTON Ian and Sue Misselbrook 3rd January 2010 Baston and Langtoft GP 9 (6m and 3f) Red Crested Pochard BILLINGBOROUGH Ian and Sue Misselbrook 4th January Billingborough - sprinwells A pair of Common Pochard on this small area of open water BOSTON 02/01/2010 Roy and Kath Pearson Recorded a small flock of 14 Redwings in the garden today, the first this winter. BOSTON 03/01/2010 Roy and Kath Pearson The overnight snowfall saw a large number of birds feeding in our garden today. Several of them are extremely unusual here and are marked thus*. Counting maximum numbers at any one time we obtained, House Sparrow 1 Long-tailed Tit 12 *Brambling 1 *Redwing 6 Blackbird 6 Collared Dove 6 *Fieldfare 1 Song Thrush 1 Wren 2 Chaffinch 2 Woodpigeon 3 Greenfinch 2 Black-headed Gull 6 Goldfinch 8 Starling 12 Blue Tit 2 Robin 1 Sparrowhawk 1. The latter successfully emptied the garden of birds and has probably ensured there will still be some holly berries left for the Redwings tomorrow. The absence of Great Tits was extremely worrying. DONNA NOOK John Beswick on 02/01/10 Just had the pleasure of twice visiting the seals at Donna Nook and find a score or so of weaned pups still orientating to their new status, a single pre-moult nursing pup and a single [ aging ] bull in residence. An observation from a review of the breeding success recorded since 1984 posed the question as to whether the ever upward success curve is in anyway related to the arrival and continuation of increasingly severe fish quotas in the North Sea. SWANS and BADGERS: I counted a group of 23 swans plus a separate resident pair grazing rape adjacent to the A1031 outside Marschapel. Would these winter flockers be of any interest to the Lincoln Swan recorders? Our badgers have arrived a good month earlier this year than last, taking up residence in mid-December as opposed to the more usual mid-January. DUNSBY Ian and Sue Misselbrook 2nd January Dunsby/Haconby Fen 5 Whooper Swans GARTHORPE Paul Gee Garthorpe, Lincs Sunday Morning 3/1/2010 Species seen in garden in morning Blackbirds (Turdus merula) Approx 30, many coming very close and ignoring your presence seeking food, one female following footsteps like a tame dog. Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) 20+ Robins, (Ericathus rubecula) 4, including 2 seen vighting very aggresively Pied Wagtails (Motacilla albayarellii) - 3 Chaffinchs (Fringilla coelebs) - 4 Luecistic Female CHaffinch - 1 Dunnocks ((Prunella modularis) - 2 House Sparrows (Passer domesticus) - Approx 6/8 Wren ((Troglodytes troglodytes) - 1 Collared Doves, (Streptopelia decaocto) - 2 Wood pigeons, (Columba palumbus) - larger flocks flying over area in in field opposite house. GRANTHAM HALL'S HILL GRANTHAM. SK9235. David Clarke. 03/12/2009. Blackbird 45 Blue Tit 4 Chaffinch 5 Carrion Crow 7 Dunnock 3 Fieldfare 52 Great Tit 5 Jackdaw 12 Kestrel 1 Magpie 15 Robin 3 Song Thrush 2 Starling 9 Wren 2. Mammals. Rabbit 10 Weasel 1. KIRKBY UNDERWOOD Ian and Sue Misselbrook 4th January Callan's Lane Wood, nr Kirkby Underwood 1 Fallow Deer 1 Grey Squirrel 1 GS Woodpecker drumming at noon! Very early in the year but it was a beautiful sunny day, though still covered in snow and below freezing. 4 Nuthatches 14 Marsh Tits - a high count 2 Willow Tits 20+ LT Tits Coal Tits Great Tits Blue tits Wrens Dunnocks Robins 2 Redwings 4 Fieldfares 2 Mistle Thrushes 3 Song Thrushes Blackbirds Jays Jackdaws Magpies Carrion Crows 1 Buzzard 1 Kestrel 4 Bullfinches Goldfinches Chaffinches Woodpigeons KIRTON WOOD C J Manning 2nd January 2010 Stoat in ermine, just the nape of the neck and over the shoulders were brown. NETTLEHAM TF 005756 26 and 28 December 2009 3 yellowhammers on lawn eating bird seed Brenda Edlington WAINFLEET CONSERVATION PONDS 02/01/2010 Roy and Kath Pearson We then went on to the Conservation Ponds, but they too were frozen and most birds had moved over to the adjacent River Steeping, which was ice free. In all we counted:- Little Egret 2 Kestrel 1 Blackbird 2 Magpie 1 Heron 1 Robin 1 Mistle Thrush 1 Herring Gull 1 Mute Swan 4 Wigeon 90 Black-headed Gull 2 Great Tit 1 Reed Bunting 2 THE WASH BOAT TRIP FROM WISBECH TO THE GAT CHANNEL IN THE WASH Geof Lee Saturday, 02/01/2010 HIGHLIGHTS Red necked grebe 4 Great crested grebe 14 Black throated diver 5 Guillemot 6 Eider 10 Heron 8 Large flocks of waders, gulls and geese. Many common seals around the boat and on the sandbanks. WILDMORE FEN TF216534 A & R Parsons TF 218534 approx 8/1/10 Mixed flock of estimated 150 Blackbirds and Fieldfares in orchard. Extraordinary Weather phenomenon. 8/1/2010 After overnight snowfall with high winds the field around us were scattered with balls of snow, some tennis ball sized, a few almost the size of footballs. They appeared to have been formed by the wind and then covered with further blown snow. We have photos if anyone is interested. WRANGLE COMMON 02/01/2010 Roy and Kath Pearson We took a walk in cold weather with a light dusting of snow today with the aims of doing a BirdTrack count and also viewing progress on the conversion of 28 acres of arable land into wet grassland, which should have great benefits to waders. All watercourses were frozen solid so we were restricted mainly to counting passerines. Nevertheless we had one of our better days with the following birds recorded:- Blackbird 41 Wren 2 Robin 2 Moorhen 2 Blue Tit 4 Chaffinch 2 Starling 1 Woodpigeon 10 Goldfinch 1 Reed Bunting 1 Carrion Crow 3 Pied Wagtail 1 Siskin 1 Snipe 2 Jackdaw 2 Mistle Thrush 2 Curlew 7 Meadow Pipit 1 Magpie 1 Pheasant 1 Rook 61 Common Gull 25 Black-headed Gull 2 Woodcock 3 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 No report yet. 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 RSPB Lincs Wash Reserves sightings December 2009 Paul French Frampton Marsh The reserves first Goosander was found on 2nd, then another joined it on 5th and both stayd until 6th. Three Bewick’s Swans on the 19th were a local rarity, and two White-fronted Geese came into roost on the 10th, with one of them staying until 16th. The Black Brant was seen on the 5th and 16th. Two Jack Snipes were seen on the 11th, and the first of several Woodcocks was seen on 20th. A total of 127 Rock Pipits were seen on the 11th. From the 360 hide, 12 Lapland Buntings were present from 12th, and increased to a possible 20 on 30th. Up to 19 Snow Buntings were also present by the months end. Freiston Shore The Black Brant was seen on the wetland on the 16th, and at least one Pale-bellied Brent was present. A Slavonian Grebe was offshore on the 5th, together with 51 Great Crested Grebes. A Long-tailed Duck was there the following day. On the wetland, at least three Jack Snipes were present on the 7th. Other sightings included a Snow Bunting and a Greta Northern Diver on the 5th, a Short-eared Owl on the 6th, a Great Skua on the 19th and a wintering Spotted Redshank on Christmas Day. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. News from Far Ings NNR http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/far_ings/index.php ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FAR INGS NNR Week ending 08.01.10 BIRDS Max. Numbers = bearded tit 4 bittern 4 (5th) blackbird 30+ black headed gull 100+ blue tit 10 bullfinch 6 carrion crow 4 Cetti's warbler chaffinch 12 collared dove 2 common gull 30+ coot 100+ cormorant 2 curlew 23 dunnock 12 fieldfare 12 goldeneye 3 goldfinch 8 GBB gull GC grebe 2 great tit 4 greenfinch 8 grey heron greylag goose 50 herring gull house sparrow 12 kingfisher lapwing 50+ little grebe 3 long tailed tit 10 magpie 8 mallard 20 marsh harrier M mistle thrush moorhen 20 mute swan 4 pheasant 2 pochard 10 redshank 3 redwing 2 reed bunting 6 robin 10 shelduck 4 shoveler 2 smew M (Target Lake) snipe 9 sparrowhawk 2 starling 10 tawny owl tree sparrow 2 tufted duck 10 water rail 2 wigeon 2 willow tit 2 wood pigeon 20 wren 9 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ Anne Goodall writes: Limewoods NNR volunteer working days this month: the Butterfly Garden working day planned for Jan 10th has been cancelled. Next date is Feb 9th. Friday Jan 15th, 10-12.30, dormouse box day: cleaning, repairing, re-treating boxes ready for the spring. Contact Anne Goodall, 01526 398182. Sunday Jan 31st, Southrey Wood, Coppicing for butterflies. Contact Steve Green, 07928 053335 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 *** 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 13, 2010 Recorders' Meeting The annual reports from the LNU recorders for 2009. Saturday, February 27, 2010 Dragonflies Steve Brooks Saturday, March 13, 2010 Annual General Meeting & Presidential Address Mammal review, atlas update. A century of recording, progress and opportunities Saturday, May 22, 2010 SW corner of Laughton Forest (woodland area known as Peacocks) More details to follow ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails This Week *** Some readers may need to change their anti-bulk-mail settings to flag my address as safe so the Bulletin is not blocked. Affected are Hotmail, also msn and Live. Meanwhile, if 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: now deleted from list. derek_pryce norma.davis maxwinslow [2nd address] john.mortemore ramsay.inglis mark.r68 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.... ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/