============================================ || || 28th March 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 892 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** LNU Events Diary - Please Come Along *** For LNU meetings also see section 11 below and the website: www.lnu.org/events.php 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 *** MOTH RECORDS *** Colin Smith writes: I would like to thank everyone who has sent in moth records especially via the Bulletin. 2009 proved to be a reasonable year for moths, the 36,000 records being the most ever. This total is partly due to more recorders and partly to there being more common moths about, possibly linked to the previous hard winter. There were very few migrants about but there was a good variety of interesting species found reaching a total so far of 963. If anyone has any records they have not sent in it is not to late and I would be pleased to receive them. Colin Smith, County Moth Recorder: csmith668@btinternet.com *** Swan Group *** Anne Goodall writes: The March census was carried out last weekend (March 20-21st) and results received so far indicate that the swans are still out in the fields in wintering herds, although these are beginning to break up. Very few birds were recorded on the rivers, drains or delphs, but formation of territorial pairs is beginning. Not all of these will breed, but if anyone can keep a diary on a pair of swans, anywhere in the county this year, the following information would be very useful: Period over which they take up territory; First sign of nest-building and the period over which the nest is built; Description of the nest location (eg on bank, on island, in marginal vegetation away from the bank, etc); Number of eggs laid - but ONLY if this information can be obtained without disturbance; Date (approximate) of hatching and number of young hatched; Cause, if possible, of nest failure - desertion, predation, loss of pen, disturbance (and what/who by); Details of any reduction in numbers of cygnets through the prefledging period, and cause of death if known. Every single nest recorded in this way will help, and even partial records with some of this information, will be useful. Swan Group thanks to Central Networks, who have put swan diverters on the wires across Nocton Fen, in response to our requests, and to Russell Hayes and John Watt for monitoring and reporting deaths there. The wires run between the fens and the river/SBF settling pits, and at least 7 swans have died there in the last 2-3 months, including one whooper. Particularly pathetic was to see, last week, a live swan sitting beside a corpse under the wires. We have agreed with Central Networks to continue this monitoring and report back. *** LBC Garden Bird Survey *** Anne Goodall The winter survey ends next week, so if you have taken part, please remember to return your forms. The summer survey form is available for download from the Bird Club website. If you do the winter survey PLEASE carry on through the summer - we are increasingly aware that April-June is a critical period for many birds. If you don't (yet) take part, please start now! This is one of our main ways of monitoring common birds so its importance can't be over-estimated. *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** Carolyn Lovely writes: On Sunday 4th April 2010 the group invite you to join them on a guided walk around Tetney Blow Wells. Distance 1.5 miles in 1.5 hours. Park and meet outside Tetney Church at 2.00pm. Please wear suitable footwear such as boots or wellies as it will be wet underfoot. All are welcome but no dogs please. Free event but donations to the Trust will be gratefully received. The church will be open 3.00pm - 4.15pm for hot drinks at 60p towards church funds. Furthermore look out for primroses flowering in the churchyard. Contact walk leader Clifford Jukes - Grimsby 814887 for further details. *** RSPB BIRDWATCHING CRUISES 2010 *** The South Lincs Group of the R.S.P.B. have just released details of their 2010 programme for BIRDWATCHING CRUISES IN THE WASH. Each cruise will be aboard The Boston Belle and will last about four to five hours, departing from (and returning to) the Boston Sluice Bridge on the River Witham. After leaving the mouth of the Witham and entering the Wash for about one mile, the return journey will include parts of the river Welland which is boarded on both sides by saltmarshes, including the R.S.P.B. Frampton Marsh reserve. Apart from the many bird species which are usually seen, there are frequently good views of basking Common Seals. Refreshments, seating and toilet facilities are available on board. Further details including booking arrangements can be found on www.southlincsrspb.org.uk or by telehoning Group Leader Anne Algar on 01529-460877. The programme starts on April 10th and continue until October 14th. *** Sir Joseph Banks Society Annual Lecture *** Professor Mark Seward, well known to all LNU members, is giving this year’s Sir Joseph Banks Society Annual Lecture at 7.30 pm on Wednesday 5 May at Horncastle College entitled “Joseph Banks, James Edward Smith and the Linnean Society.” Note: I have been informed that non-members will be charged £3.00 to attend. Roger ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 25/3/10 LINCS Great Grey Shrike. Welbourne, 2.20pm on wires nr South Barn Cottage on Pottersgate Road. 26/3/10 LINCS Black Brant. Frampton Marsh RSPB, 9am from 360 Hide with DbBrents, 13 Barnacle Geese, 48 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. Frog News: Rodge Brownlow, Sturton by Stow Our frog activity started on 1st of March and numbers have been increasing ever since, but these only visible at night by torchlight. On 18th of March the frogs active during daylight hours with the first spawn in the day. Last year none of the frog spawn made it through to the frog stage, this year I intend to remove some of it to a tank where newts cannot eat it. More frog news below. *** 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. BOSTON 21.03.10 Mick Todd Went out into garden to find first two clumps of frogspawn have been laid overnight in my pond, smooth newts have been egg laying for about a week. I only have a small garden as I live in town and am amazed the frogs and newts keep appearing year after year. COLSTERWORTH VERGE.SK9124. 18/03/2010. David Clarke. Five brown hares 'boxing'. David Clarke 21/03/2010. We observed five kestrels hovering above The A1 between Grantham and South Witham. GRIMBLETHORPE TF239863 C J Manning 20-03-2010 Dead Barn Owl on the A157, no ring on it. As many will know Lincolnshire has a good barn Owl population, thanks to an ongoing program installing nest boxes. Many of the boxes are subsequently monitored and the chicks ringed so it is always worth checking dead owls for rings, that should be reported to the BTO. HECKINGTON Julie figures writes: Yesterday (Sat 20th March) while walking along Sleaford Road, Heckington (in the rain) I saw 3 small clumps of Frog Spawn (looked viable with black embryos in the centre of the jelly, not quite swollen to spherical shape) on the pavement. There are no ponds in the gardens alongside the pavement at this point and no obvious place for it to be washed from. I have never come across this before. Anyone care to comment? Roger LINCOLN Doddington Park. M.Scott. 20 Mar 2010. More pairs of frogs now coming to the pond. Doves looking in the conifers to nest. Woodpigeons nesting there also. LINWOOD WARREN TF129876 Colin Smith 17/3/10 Moths to actinic light trap 6 Chestnut 6 Clouded Drab 2 Dotted Border 7 Oak Beauty 1 Pale Brindled Beauty 1 Red Swordgrass 1 Satellite 5 Twin-spotted Quaker 30 Yellow Horned 2 Tortricodes alternella 2 Acleris notana/ferrugana MORKERY WOOD SK9518. 21/03/2010. David Clarke. Blackbird 7 Blue Tit 19 Buzzard 4 Chaffinch 8 Chiffchaff 2 Coal Tit 2 Jay 2 Kestrel 1 Greenfinch 2 Long Tailed Tit 4 Pheasant 22 Robin 8 Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 Wood Pigeon 7 Wren 5. Mammals. Grey Squirrel 2 Muntjac 1 Butterflies. Small Tortoiseshell 1. Insects. Bumble Bee. 2 WILDMORE FEN TF216534 A & R Parsons TF 218534 approx 21/3/10 Small tortoiseshell in garden. Tawny owl calling 4pm. Bat, probably Pipistrelle, 7pm, seen and detected echolocating at 55KHz. 22/3/10 Redwing, 2 feeding on lawn, 7.30am. Also: tree sparrow 20+ house sparrow 12+ dunnock 4 chaffinch 16+ greenfinch 4 goldfinch 4 great tit 8 blue tit 6 long tailed tit 6 yellowhammer m + f stockdove m + f woodpigeon - many ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. Lincolnshire Coast NNRs including RSPB Wash Reserves See: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/species/birds/index.php http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/lwt/seals/index.php ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GIBRALTAR POINT N.N.R. http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/gib/index.php Katherine Bocock 23/03/2010 Blackcap Black Redstart 2 Brambling 2 Firecrest 2 Jack Snipe Merlin Short-eared Owl Snipe 4 Wheatear Woodcock 24/03/2010 Brambling 3 Chiffchaff 5 Firecrest 5 Marsh Harrier Redwing 8 Snipe 1 Tree Sparrow 1 25/03/2010 Firecrest 4 26/03/2010 Brambling 4 Chiffchaff 5 Firecrest 2 Hen Harrier 1 Merlin 2 Sand Martin White Wagtail SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE NNR. http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/nr/reserve.php?mapref=41 THEDDLETHORPE John Walker w/e 26/3/10 Small tortoiseshell, peacock and comma also several 2 and 7 spot ladybirds and 3 species of large bumblebees. Most of the frog spawning completed and common toads active. Migrant birds, chiffchaff, blackcap, wheatear, marsh harrier, whooper swan, goldcrest and black redstart. 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 No current report. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. News from Far Ings NNR http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/far_ings/index.php ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FAR INGS NNR  Week ending  26.03.10 BIRDS Max. Numbers = barnacle goose bearded tit 3 bittern blackbird 20+ black headed gull 60+ blue tit 14 bullfinch 2 canada goose 17 carrion crow 4 Cetti's warbler chaffinch 13 chiffchaff 3 collared dove 4 common gull 6 coot 50+ cormorant 2 curlew 32 dunnock 6 gadwall 14 goldeneye 5 goldfinch 4 GC grebe 4 great tit 4 greenfinch 4 grey heron greylag goose 50 grey wagtail herring gull 2 house sparrow 8 kingfisher little egret  24.03.10 little grebe 4 long tailed tit 6 magpie 20+ mallard 18 marsh harrier 1M +1F mistle thrush 2 moorhen 25 mute swan 4 oystercatcher 2 peregrine pheasant pochard 20 redshank 25 reed bunting 6 robin 8 sand martin 50+  (1st on 20.03.10) shelduck 40 shoveler 16 snipe song thrush 2 sparrowhawk starling 6 swallow   1st on 25.03.10 tawny owl 2 teal 11 tree sparrow 7 tufted duck 14 water rail 4 willow tit 2 wood pigeon 9 wren 9 pipistrelle  bats ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ Limewoods: Anne Goodall reports on 25/3/2010 My first records of winter visitors, a singing chiffchaff and a passing sand martin on Monday March 22. Both later than usual, probably due to the very cold weather in preceding weeks. The dormouse group had an excellent meeting on March 19th, with 14 volunteers helping out for all or part of the day. Quite a number of dormouse boxes were (re-)erected, more old ones were brought back in for renovation, the first 20 new boxes to our own design are under construction, and new sites were cut out in the 2006-7 coppice coupe for the first 10 boxes there. The next meeting will be in April when we shall carry out a box check for early emerging mice, and also hope to carry on getting boxes and tubes put up further afield. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 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. NEW INFORMATION Park at fishermans car park at SE8476 0630. To reach car park follow track off Chapel Lane in East Butterwick at sharp bend. 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. *** 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 *** Interestiong Webcams *** If you come across any webcams of interest, let us have the details, please. Natural History Museum bugcams: http://www.nhm.ac.uk/kids-only/naturecams/index.html ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/