============================================ || || 3rd April 2011 || || 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 Bardney 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 12. ...and finally..... ============================================ The Lincolnshire Naturalists Union Bulletin is being read by 935 people 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Editorial *** In the old days of the communist Soviet Union, people produced underground "samizdat" publications and these were passed from one reader to another so that information could flow freely and secretly. I like to think the Bulletin is a bit like that, it expands its network bit by bit as people mention it to one another. The Bulletin provides information for those interested in observing and recording Lincolnshire's wildlife. If you know of anyone who would enjoy receiving it, please send them the link below and encourage them to sign up. Remind them it is free, though all readers are asked to help in some way, so some send reports, news, questions, attend events or join the LNU. If you still owe us some help, why not help us reach the 1000th reader? Tweak them now! http://www.lnu.org/wildnews.php Note: I plan a walkabout over the school holiday. I will try to get out a Bulletin before I go but that rather depends on whether or not I have enough material. Normal service will resume in about a week. Thanks. Roger *** Sad News - Mark Crick *** From Ian Macalpine-Leny. Mark Crick, who was President of the LNU in 2002/3, was tragically drowned snorkelling in the Turks & Caicos Islands on Saturday 26 March, whilst working on an overseas project for the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC). He leaves a wife, Helga, Ben aged 14 and Tom aged 9. There are no other details available at the present time. Editor adds: many of us knew and respected Mark and will be shocked by this news. Our thoughts are with his wife and family. *** April Lyrids *** Paul Money's "Night Scenes 2011" reminds me that the April Lyrid meteor shower will be falling from 19th to 25th April, with a peak on the 22nd. The moon could spoil the seeing if the cloud doesn't, but make a mental note and let us know if you see anything. Meteor links can be found on: http://rogerparsons.info/cosmic.html *** LNU Events *** For LNU meetings also see www.lnu.org/events.php Unless otherwise stated, 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. See section 11 for full programme. April 17, 2011 Wilsford Heath Quarry SSSI (Private site) South of Ancaster 12.00 for 13.00 start. Meet in small on-site car park at SK985 413. Gate to site to be unlocked by land owner. Habitats: Woodland. Scrub, Calcareous grassland Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com *** Cloud Appreciation Society *** An item for your events calendar please, On 7th April 2011, it is the launch of the Coastal Country Park (CCP) Events Programme. The Coastal Country Park is a Lincolnshire County Council- led initiative set to feature along the Lincolnshire coast line from Chapel St Leonards to Sandilands. Through Heritage Lottery Funding a programme of events, led by the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust will see a variety of community activities this summer that use the landscape, wildlife and heritage to highlight its' significance. The launch location will be the Cloud Bar and car park near the beach at Anderby Creek. There will be a series of short presentations during the event, which will run from 3pm-9pm. Cloud Appreciation Society Founder, Gavin Pretor-Pinney, Cloud Appreciation Society Photo Gallery Editor, Ian Loxley, Astronomer Paul Money, and Rangers from the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust and Natural England will be among the attendees. For more information please contact The Coastal Country Park events Officer on Email info@lincstrust.co.uk Tel 01507 526667. *** Lincolnshire Environmental Awards *** The Lincolnshire Environmental Awards are coming up, so if you have a project to submit, now is the time to think about it. The deadline for applications is: 30 April 2011 See: http://www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk/ An on-line application form is available on: http://www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk/how-to-enter.php Bulletin readers will all be connected to likely projects. A good number of entries is always very encouraging to the organisers, so how about having a go? *** BTO 'Birding in Lincs & Notts' Conference *** Andrew Chick says this conference is now sold out! *** Far Ings Botany Course *** Buttercups and Willowherbs Saturday 16th. July 2011 A half day course looking at Ranunculus and Epilobiums. A friendly atmosphere, with tea and coffee. Suitable for the beginner or someone with an established interest. Indoor Talk Outdoor Walk Tutor: Mick Binnion Please contact Far Ings Visitor Centre to reserve a place Tel. No. 01652 637055 (You don't have to be a Brain Surgeon!) All welcome. Adult event. Price of the course £5. Includes booklet. *** Grantham Area Group of the LWT *** Barkston & Syston Village Hall 7.30 p.m. Fri 8th April Churchyard Nature Reserves God's Acre Project at St. Swithun's Long Bennington Gordon Scott Sunday 17th April 2.30-4.00pm Tortoiseshell Wood & Porter's Lodge Meadow Walks Location OS: 130 GR: SK963197 Guided walk with expert around the reserve Bring binoculars and wear strong footwear *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** Carolyn Lovely writes: On Monday 11th April 2011 you are invited to join us for an illustrated talk entitled "Cutters, masons and bumbles" This is about social and solitary bees and is presented by invertebrate expert Dr. David Sheppard. This will follow the group's AGM which starts at 7.00pm. This will be held in the banqueting room of Grimsby Town Hall. Admission £2. There will be Trust goods stall, raffle and refreshments. All are welcome to join us. For further information contact Jenny Redpath Grimsby 502858 *** Alkborough Flats Event *** 12th April - 10am Family fun on the farm A brilliant morning out for all the family. See the newly born spring lambs, cows and calves. Learn what farm life is all about! Please wear suitable clothing and wellies. Cost: £2/child Dawn Chorus Walk and Breakfast - 7th May 4.30am, £5 per person A leisurely walk followed by hot drinks and breakfast at the Paddocks Tea Room Bird Walk - 28th May 8.30am, £2 per person A relaxed stroll around Alkborough Flats with help identifying any birds seen Photography - 28th May 2pm, £10 per person Capture the magic of Alkborough Flats and the surrounding area with the help of local photographer Lee Beel. www.lee-beel-photography.co.uk All levels of ability and any camera welcome Landscape in Watercolour - 6th June 10am, £10 per person + lunch Develop your artistic skills with the help of a local artist. Different watercolour techniques will be covered and there will be plenty of opportunity to put these into practice. Lunch at the Paddocks tea room Booking is essential for all events, please call: 01724 721269 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2. Wildlife Highlights ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Bird News from Rare Birds Alert *** Rare Bird Alert has kindly given permission to reproduce reports. A big thank you from us all. Interested readers should have a look at the RBA website: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ Note: I am adapting RBA pager information for the Bulletin by eliminating or summarising/consolidating repeated messages. When there is a lot of information I will stick to highlights. Please visit the RBA website for updates or fuller details. 26/3 60+ Waxwings, Lincoln, south on Doddington roundabout. Probably Rough-legged buzzard, Wroot 39 Waxwings, Grantham, Kenilworth Road 27/3 Hooded crow, Donna Nook, Stonebridge Car Park 28/3 Rough-legged Buzzard, Bonby Carrs 2+ Garganey, Frampton Marsh 29/3 7 Waxwings, Skegness, Deacon Way Great Grey Shrike, Worlaby Carrs 3 Lapland Bunting, Gibraltar Point 22 Waxwings, Grantham, Kenilworth Road Redstart. Mablethorpe Hooded Crow, Donna Nook on saltmarsh 30/3 2 Continental Black-tailed Godwits, Mamby Flashes Black Redstart, Cleethorpes Country Park 7 Waxwings, Skegness, Deacon Way 31/3 2 Black Redstart, Cleethorpes 1/4 5 Waxwings, Skegness, Deacon Way Firecrest m singing, Far Ings Garganey, Covenham Reservoir Bird Alert website: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ Here you can register free to use the site and get free trials of their subscription services. [Please mention the Bulletin if you decide to subscribe.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3. Wildlife news from around the county ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** The Roger Goy Column *** Remembering Roger Goy's wildlife information work. Swallows: Barry & Christine Hancock Yesterday (28th) one of our swallows returned. A male feeding high over Anton's Gowt all afternoon until finally it went to roost in our garage. We had the camera set up already and it clearly knew its way around. We have created an oversize letter box slot in our garage quarter window. It showed no hesitation and flew straight in whereas a stranger would probably perch at the entrance first. Its return is a day earlier than the first arrival last year and eighteen days earlier than in 2009. Later we will catch it and get the ring number. Jayne Knight writes: Spent a glorious day at Whisby Nature Park on Monday 28th March and was very pleased to see a number of Swallows and House Martins hawking over the Thorpe Lake. Then went for a walk around Grebe Lake and counted at least 6 Chiffchaff calling, with very good close-up sightings of one in a willow tree. *** 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. BARKSTON HEATH Geoff Brown 26th March 2011 Over western edge of Barkston Heath airfield 11 am Two red kites circling above airfield. BRACEBY TF015353 24th March 2011 Brimstone butterfly, many ladybirds, common dog violets purple, pink & white, cowslips in bloom. 27th March First blackthorn in bloom COLSTERWORTH BANK. ROADSIDE NATURE RESERVE. SK9325. 25/03/2011. David Clarke. Some observations whilst litter picking. Chaffinch 2 Robin 1 Skylark 1 Yellowhammer. 1 Brown Hare 1 Muntjac 1 Early Dog Violet. Lesser Celandine. HUMBER BANK south Far Ings~Barton and Grimsby Area 27/03/11 Mick Binnion King Cup in full flower. KingCup or Marsh Marigold? There are two forms of Caltha palustris, Northern and Southern, We seem to be on the range limit here, having both forms. KingCup being fleshy and stunt growing with bold flowers. Marsh Marigold, the Southern form is more exuberant and can be 600m/m to 900m/m high. Worth looking for and recording. KIRKBY ON BAIN Kirkby-on Bain Pits NR Ian Misslebrook 29/03/2011 1700 hrs A very large Stoat- presumably male running along the bank away from the trust car park. Also a pair of Little Ringed Plovers displaying, a Common Ringed Plover, 2 Chiffchaffs singing and a patrolling Common Buzzard. LINCOLN SK972739 W/E 02/04/2011 Jayne Knight Saturday, 2nd April, 1215 pm Housemartin just flown over back garden. LONG BENNINGTON SK822 461 Barry Johnson 1/4/2011 Swallow 1 male back in farm buildings RIPPINGALE Observer's garden – Rippingale Ian Misselbrook 2nd April 2011. 1 Brimstone Butterfly 4 Common Frogs 1 Blackcap 8 Bramblings 2 Tree Sparrows 2 Yellowhammers plus the usual… Dunsby/ Rippingale 2nd April 2011. 2 badger cubs playing outside sett in mid afternoon (2.00pm) 1 Peacock Butterfly 2 singing Blackcaps 3 singing Chiffchaffs 1 Common Snipe (Rippingale beck) SLOOTHBY Sloothby Ings TF5070 George Rutter 27/3/11 Hen Harrier 1m Buzzard Reed Bunting Yellowhammer Meadow Pipit Linnet c40+ Mallard 4pr Curlew 11 Green Sandpiper Snipe Brown Hare 10+ Roe Deer 1m SPILSBY TF407 660 For pics of my 2011 moths www.flickr.com/photos/angleshades Joan Gunson Moths recorded in my garden using a Robinson 125W MV Trap 29.3.11 11 x Clouded Drab 6 x Common Quaker 1 x Early Grey 1 x Early Thorn NFY 21 x Hebrew Character 2 x Small Quaker 31.3.11 17 x Clouded Drab 1 x Common Quaker 1 x Early Grey 22 x Hebrew Character 2 x Small Quaker 1 x Twin-spotted Quaker NFY WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. A & R Parsons 1/4/11 Barn owl hunting at Hurnbridge - 7.30am. Brown hares - 2 2/4 Housemartin over 11am flying NW. Thought I caught a glimpse and trace of a call of a cuckoo today over the garden. Doubted my own eyes and ears on this but it may well have been, several weeks early if it was. I shall keep my eyes open now to confirm if I can and readers may like to do the same in case we are getting an early influx. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 NNR. 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 John Walker. 2/4/2011 Frog spawing began 21/03 and concluded 31/03 a total of 673 spawn clumps found which constitutes a steady decline over recent years (from 2008 1295, 2009 728, 2010 776.) Water levels are falling rapidly now with only 3.5mm of rainfall measured in March, and the dunes are very dry and plant growth very slow. Bird sightings this week, a male black redstart, several chiffchaffs, 3 wheatears, and at least 5 singing willow warblers this morning 0204. A fly-over red kite was reported in Theddlethorpe. RSPB WASH Reserves - Frampton Marsh and Freiston Shore John Badley February 2011. RSPB Frampton Marsh http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh/index.asp No report yet. RSPB Freiston Shore http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore/index.asp No report yet. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. News from Far Ings NNR http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/far_ings/index.php ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FAR INGS NNR Week ending 02.04.11 BIRDS Max. Numbers = avocet bittern blackbird 25 blackcap black headed gull 200+ blue tit 12 bullfinch carrion crow 4 chaffinch 11 chiffchaff 5 collared dove 2 common gull 6 coot 60+ cormorant curlew dunnock 6 firecrest (01.04.11) goldfinch 2 greenfinch 2 GC grebe 4 great tit 6 greenfinch 2 grey heron greylag goose 6 herring gull house sparrow 10 little grebe 2 long tailed tit 2 magpie 10 mallard 20 marsh harrier M+F moorhen 20 mute swan 4 pheasant 2 pochard 12 redshank 3 reed bunting 6 robin 10 sand martin 150+ shelduck 4 shoveler 2 skylark song thrush 2 sparrowhawk starling 6 tawny owl treecreeper tree sparrow 2 tufted duck 30 water rail 2 wheatear willow tit 2 willow warbler wood pigeon 10 wren 8 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 specific 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 bridle way only) Adrian Royle's website for photos of species from the Limewoods. http://www.flickr.com/photos/adiroyle/sets/72157616635241942/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. [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 Bulletin layout to save editing: 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: Ian Macalpine-Leny macalpine@doddington.demon.co.uk *** 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 e-mail: nigelound@btinternet.com *** Lincs Amphibian and Reptile Group *** The Lincolnshire ARG (Amphibian & Reptile Group) For further details please contact ashleybutterfield@btinternet.com tel. 07984 66 5847 *** Limestone Grassland Project *** Mark Schofield, Limestone Grassland Project Officer, mschofield@lincstrust.co.uk Mobile: 07825970930, Switchboard: 01507 526667. To find out more and to become involved with the survey and management of Lincolnshire's limestone grassland on road verges see: See: http://www.lifeontheverge.org.uk/ *** Local Bat Helpline *** Grounded bats, bat problems, advice and information? Contact Annette and Colin Faulkner on 01775 766286 or e-mail: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** Bat Recorder *** You may send confidential bat records direct to Annette Faulkner on: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** 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 *** http://www.lincolnshire-butterflies.org.uk/index.html *** LNU Bees, Wasps and Ants Recorder *** Alan Phillips Willing to examine specimens or check photos (but bear in mind only a relative few of the 300+ species in the county are identifiable using photos). Aculeates only please, no parasitic wasps such as Ichneumons. If in doubt please contact for advice: aculeates@gmail.com *** Whisby's Bee and Wasp List *** Dr Michael Archer and Alan Phillips have put together an impressive list. Have a look and see how many species you recognise by name! http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/whisby/index.php?id=73 Also see: http://norwegica.wordpress.com/author/norwegica/ Could this be the year you learn to identify bees and wasps? *** OTTERS *** Readers are reminded that all dead Otters should be reported to the Environment Agency on 0800 807060. *** Mammal Records *** Mammal records can reported to Chris Manning Email: 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 e-mail 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 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 Please note my new addresses for plant gall id etc:- 46 Sibthorp Street Lincoln LN5 7SH gclayton54@o2.co.uk 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 Update *** Ally Townsend of the Weirfield Wildlife Hospital, writes: If you would like to give people the Lincoln number 01522 530428 a member of staff will record the sighting or RTA. Or use the Weirfield website: http://www.weirfield.co.uk/ where a reporting page can be used to send in reports. *** Lincs Bird Club *** LBC County Bird Recorders County Bird Recorder, covering the south of the county recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk for John Badley recorder_north@lincsbirdclub.co.uk for John Clarkson Bird Club Website: www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk *** Lincolnshire Bird Club Grantham Peregrine Project *** The Lincs Bird Club is pleased to announce the return of the Grantham Peregrine Webcam. Images from the tower at St Wulfram's Church, Grantham can be seen at http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk/pegcam.html while details of daily activity can be found at http://pegcam.blogspot.com. Birds have already been seen in the nesting tray, so fingers crossed that they breed again successfully in 2011. Details of last year's successful breeding attempt can be download at http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk/Articles/2010_Peregrine_Blog.pdf *** Wash Cruises *** Jeremy Eyeons writes: The South Lincs RSPB group have released details of their 2011 Wash Birdwatching Cruises programme. Each Cruise lasts about 4/5 hours and after boarding the boat at Sluice Bridge, Boston the trip follows the river Witham into the Wash, along the river Welland with views over the saltmarsh bordering the RSPB reserve before returning to Boston. During 2010 over 100 bird species were seen and seals are also seen on most cruises. There are 15 cruises starting 13th April and continuing until 22nd October. RSPB members £14 (children under 16 £8) and non-members £16-50 (£9). Further details on www.southlincsrspb.org.uk or call 07531495521. *** Other Useful Websites *** Key links are now being posted on the LNU website. http://www.lnu.org/ This should save space in the Bulletin, 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, charlie.barnes@lincsbiodiversity.org.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 *** Interesting Weather radar website *** Noel Loxley recommends the following interesting website. http://www.raintoday.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 Bardney Limewoods www.limewoods.co.uk limewoods@lincolnshire.gov.uk The Sir Joseph Banks Society Contact 01507 528223 or by e-mail: enquiries@joseph-banks.org.uk. www.joseph-banks.org.uk EasyTide Check tide times on Admiralty EasyTide: http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx TWO - The Weather Outlook Check the weather forecast for the location or postcode: http://www.theweatheroutlook.com/ Joan Gunson's moths: http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v499/jsylvester/Moths%20in%20my%20garden%202010/ Alan Dale's Bugs and Weeds http://www.bugsandweeds.co.uk/ Mike Binnion writes: I've put all my decent photos of common butterflies on the Grimsby website: See http://www.grimsbywildlife.co.uk/otherattractions.htm http://www.grimsbywildlife.co.uk/ *** 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 and identified in flower.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10. The Bulletin's publicity policy ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We will sometimes withhold precise details of the location of rare or endangered species. Please point out any sensitive or "tricky" reports of this kind. Sensitive data should go directly to county recorders, please. 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Identifying Hoverflies - have you registered yet? *** Information from Ian Macalpine-Leny Whisby Education Centre in conjunction with Roger Morris are holding an Introduction to Hoverflies event on 26th and 27th March 2011 and 24th September 2011 (3 day course). Roger Morris describes the course as follows:- An Introduction to Hoverfly Identification This course is designed to give the novice sufficient confidence to tackle these attractive and interesting flies. By the end of the second day most pupils can be expected to understand the critical parts of the keys that often cause trouble. The programme comprises a mixture of formal and informal sessions. Identification sessions use preserved material provided by the course tutors. Course literature has been designed to compliment the keys in Stubbs & Falk's British Hoverflies. A second session in September is scheduled to provide an opportunity for pupils to refresh their knowledge and have specimens confirmed. It will also give an opportunity to look at more challenging genera that often cause difficulties. Field Meetings generally start at 12 noon for 1.00pm, but please check the website details for each event. Unless otherwise stated, 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. April 17, 2011 Wilsford Heath Quarry SSSI (Private site) South of Ancaster 12.00 for 13.00 start. Meet in small on-site car park at SK985 413. Gate to site to be unlocked by land owner. Habitats: Woodland. Scrub, Calcareous grassland Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Sunday, May 15, 2011 Priory Farm, Orford (Sir Richard Sutton Settled Estates) NW of Binbrook. 12.00 for 13.00 start. Park in yard of Priory Farm at TF194 945. Habitats: Waithe Beck, marsh, ponds, arable. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Sunday, June 19, 2011 Great Eau - Theddlethorpe 12.00 for 13.00 start. Meet at TF454857 Healey Land, park on side of Road - note cattle may be grazing. Habitats: River, Marsh, Ditches. Leader: Chris Manning 07752 353303 chris@lincsdeer.info Sunday, July 03, 2011 South Farm, Thurlby. SW of Lincoln. 12.00 for 13.00 start. Meet in yard of South Farm at SK907 614. Habitats: River Witham, ponds, grassland and arable. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Saturday, July 16, 2011 Hatfield/Thorne Moor NNR Joint Meeting withYorkshire Naturalists' Union Botanical Survey Habitats: Moorland and Heath Contact Ian McDonald at iannutwell@talktalk.net if interested Saturday, August 13, 2011 Alkborough Flats (North Lincs Council and Environment Agency) 12.00 for 13.00 start. Meet in car park at SE879 221. Take lane on left just pass church (if coming from south) and continue downhill. Evening moth/bat session starting at 8.30pm Habitats should be Saltmarsh, marsh, lagoons, ditches, pasture. Leaders: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com and Colin Smith (evening) 07595 414318 Saturday, September 24, 2011 Riseholme College, N of Lincoln, off A15 12.00 for 13.00 start. Meet in car park next to Conference Hall at SK981 756 Evening moth/bat session starting at 7pm. Includes an opportunity to investigate the LNU Collection and encourage students to use them. Habitats: Parkland, woodland, lake. Leaders: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com (afternoon) and Colin Smith (evening) 07595 414318 Sunday, October 23, 2011 Fungus Foray, Callan's Lane Wood (Forestry Commission site) Kirkby Underwood. North of Bourne 12.00 for 13.00 start. Meet at car park TF061 270 Habitats: Mixed Woodland Leader: Ray Halstead 07772 613640 ray.halstead@tiscali.co.uk ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails This Week *** If you hear of anyone bemoaning the lack of a Bulletin, please refer them to the Bulletin Portal where they will find a copy. http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Recent mailfails: Karen_Druery Note: I plan a walkabout over the school holiday. I will try to get out a Bulletin before I go but that rather depends on whether or not I have enough material. Normal service will resume in about a week. Thanks. Roger ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/