============================================ || || 18th December 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 1035 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** End of Year Reporting *** If you intend to send in records for 2011 and have not yet done so, LNU County Recorders will be pleased to hear from you. For their individual contact details, please see: http://www.lnu.org/recorders.php The Bulletin is not the only way to send in reports, you can always communicate directly with recorders, who will do their best to encourage and advise you. Thanks for your help. Roger *** Next LNU Event *** For LNU meetings also see www.lnu.org/events.php See section 11 for full programme. 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. Saturday, January 14, 2012 Joseph Banks, James Edward Smith and the Linnean Society Illustrated Lecture by Prof. Mark Seaward. Emeritus Professor of Environmental Biology at Bradford University and Honorary Professor of Lincoln University. If you who have not heard Prof. Seaward speak, this is an event "Not to be missed". His knowledge and zest for learning is something to be experienced. His contribution to the work of the LNU over the years has been very considerable indeed. *** Donna Nook Seal News *** Rob Lidstone-Scott wrote on 13/12/2011 Subject: Seal numbers 10 December Bulls 292 Cows 326 Pups 927 Total pup count for the season thus far is 1419 Also see: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/index.php#380 *** Freebees on Amazon *** Alison Brownlow sent in the following useful information. The Bumblebee Conservation Trust have an association with Amazon which helps to raise money for Bumblebee Conservation without any cost to the purchaser. If you buy anything from Amazon click onto the site via Bumblebee Conservation Trust --Support us---Easyfund raising--Amazon. If you do this Amazon will donate 8% of the price paid to Bumblebee Conservation Trust. Link: http://www.bumblebeeconservation.org.uk/fundraising.html *** Identifying Wildfowl *** Can you distinguish a Bean Goose from a White-fronted Goose? Here are some useful Wildfowl identification links: http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/families/swans.aspx *** Waxwings - seen any yet? *** See: http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/w/waxwing/ http://www.birdsofbritain.co.uk/bird-guide/waxwing.asp *** Harlequin Ladybird Reports *** See: http://www.harlequin-survey.org/ *** Help Butterfly Conservation - last call *** Peter Cawdell writes: The Lincolnshire Echo (now weekly Thursdays) are giving away £20,000 to up to 200 local charities - we at Lincs Butterfly Conservation are one. Coupons will be printed in this week's edition & every Thursday until Dec. 22nd. (some bonus coupons). The more coupons we collect the greater our share of the money! Please can you collect as many as possible (also forwarding this e-mail, or texting/communicating to your friends, family & anyone you know who takes or can beg/borrow copies of the Echo) to cut out the coupons and send to either myself at: Peter Cawdell 49 Tower Crescent, Lincoln. LN25QF or Derek Fox 'Lisheen', Barlings Lane, Langworth, Lincoln. LN35DA. Thank you. Peter Cawdell, Lincs Butterfly Conservation Peter adds: The final coupon will be printed in the Echo out 15th Dec. and the final date for the Echo to receive them is 22nd Dec. so anyone posting them to us should allow for the Xmas post. It might be worth getting most to us well before the closing date to be on the safe side. *** Dem Bones *** Note from Quaternary Vertebrate Research Group: We are pleased to announce the launch of a new masters (MSc) in Osteoarchaeology (combining the study of animal and human bones) at the Dept. of Archaeology, University of Sheffield (UK) for the academic year 2012-13. Some details (including a downloadable flyer) can be found at the following web page: http://www.shef.ac.uk/archaeology/postgraduate/masters/courses-available/osteoarchaeology Those of you on Facebook may also want to have a look at this link (or simply type 'Osteoarchaeology' in the Facebook search tool) https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/MSc-Osteoarchaeology/111620625622727?sk=wall ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 my 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. 9/12 2 Lapland, 140 Snow Buntings, Cleethorpes Coast Spoonbill, 61 Eurasian White-fronted Geese, Richard's Pipit, Gibraltar Point Great White Egret, over Kirkby on Bain pits 45 Eurasian White-fronted Geese over Gibraltar Point plus Red-necked Grebe on sea, + Great Northern Diver and 3 Velvet Scoter 22 Tundra Bean Geese, South Ferriby 22 Tundra Bean Geese over Scunthorpe 22 Tundra Bean Geese, Barton upon Humber 10/12 Richard's Pipit, Gibraltar Point Great White Egret, Kirkby on Bain pits Glaucous Gull past Humberston Fitties Smew, Far Ings Rough-legged Buzzard, Stainby 11/12 Great White Egret, Kirkby on Bain pits Black Brant, Donna Nook, with Dark- bellied Brent Geese and 3 Pale-bellied Brent Gees. Also 7 Lapland buntings and 3 Little Auk offshore 50 Eurasian White-fronted Geese, Huttoft Pit plus 5 Barnacle Geese, 43 Whooper swan Richard's Pipit, Spoonbill, Short-eared Owl Gibraltar Point 12/12 2 Black Brant, Donna Nook, with 400 Dark- bellied Brent Geese and Pale-bellied Brent Goose. Waxwing, Far Ings 28 Lapland Buntings, Grainthorpe Haven Great White Egret, Kirkby on Bain pits Richard's Pipit, Spoonbill, Lapland and Snow Bunting and Great Northern Diver, Gibraltar Point 4 Bean Geese, North Cotes 13/12 3 Tundra Bean Geese, 49 Eurasian White-fronted Geese, 5 Barnacle Gees, 56 Whooper Swan, 15 Pink-footed Geese, Huttoft Pits Water Pipit, Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point 6 Snow Bunting, Great Northern Diver on sea and 5 Little Auks past Freiston Shore Smew redhead, Frampton Marsh Great White Egret, Kirkby on Bain pits 14/12 Hen Harrier, 4 Bewick's Swans, Nocton Fen 2 Eurasian White-fronted Geese, Baston and Langtoft gravel pits. Hen Harrier, Baston Fen Great Grey Shrike, Wroot 2 Tundra Bean Geese, 12 Whooper Swans, Thoresby bridge 15/12 2 Common Scoter, Whisby Nature Park Great Northern Diver, Gibraltar Point 4 Tundra Bean Geese, 12 Whooper Swans, Thoresby bridge Spoonbill, 4 Whooper swans over south, Gibraltar Point 16/12 Rough-legged Buzzard, Withern. 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. Strongly recommended. [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. Re: Rats Marion Ellis writes: In response to the rat query. We were inflicted in the same way a few years ago. We observed them carefully and found that they had set up home in our stone outbuilding close by, happy to be fed on a regular basis. We stopped all ground feeding of birds and stuck to just peanuts and hanging fat balls for a while. But we also cleared out the shed completely, and stopped up with cement the holes there. We treated it all with Jeyes Fluid and then put down rat poison, sorry not very humane. You could try humane traps instead, but if you do you must take the rats a very long way away. We haven't seen any since. Don't rely on cats, if they're anything like ours they are much too lazy to move far from the boiler at this time of year. Cats aren't very humane either, of course. Hope this helps. Jenny Haynes, Horkstow, writes: In reply to Vicky Leighton about rats, I had the same problem a couple of years ago. I also agonised over how to deal with them, but, because they were finding ways of getting at the bird feeders as well as eating what was being dropped, finally had to get someone in to 'deal' with them as my cats were of no use! They increased from one to many in a very short time and even worked out how to get past squirrel-proof devices. I think you have to choose between birds and rats, Vicky. Vicky Leighton says: thank you. I think the birds have to come first. *** 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. BOURNE to Stamford Jerry Gunner Sent in 11 December 2011 04:18 Sad but interesting road kill on Monday morning [5th] on the road from Bourne to Stamford (A6121?), a freshly killed Otter at around 0900. CLEETHORPES Henry Wheatley Saturday 10th December at about 3.00pm whilst having a coffee in the main carpark at Pleasure Island Park at Cleethorpes we saw a white headed goose among some barnacle geese. Has anyone else seen this goose and if so what kind is it, please? FENTON SK844 772 Richard Fox 15th December 2011 Bullfinch 3 Fieldfare 30 Grey Partridge covey of 9 Lapwing 350+ Mute Swan 5 Redwing 12 Pied Wagtail 7 Wood Pigeon 300+ WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. A & R Parsons 13/12/11 05.30hrs 2 Tawny owls - classical calling. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 N report yet SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE NNR. http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/nr/reserve.php?mapref=41 http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designatedareas/nnr/1006128.aspx Week ending 16th December 2011. John Walker, Roger Briggs, Peter & Janet Roworth Noticeable increase in Lapwings and Golden Plover on local fields. Birds of note on NNR included c300 Curlew, c240 Teal, 440 Wigeon, occasional Siskin and mixed flocks of Long-tailed Tits, Blue Tits and Great Tits. A touch of 'raw' weather too with strong SW winds, a few heavy showers (helping to keep the freshwater marsh topped up) and a keen ground frost today (16th) with -2.0°C recorded; later in the day 'wet snow' and sleet observed for a brief time. Plenty of birds in the garden at the feeders and a Mistle Thrush gave the hint of a snatch of song at the end of the week. RSPB WASH Reserves - Frampton Marsh and Freiston Shore Reports for NOVEMBER 2011 John Badley Recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Assisted by Grahame Hopwood and Colin Jennings RSPB Frampton Marsh http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh/index.asp RSPB Frampton Marsh The first ever Bittern for the reserve was seen (14th) by a dozen lucky visitors exactly 887 days after the first reeds were planted! More common was a Great White Egret (11th) and Spoonbill (13th). Swan numbers remained consistent, with up to 45 Whooper Swans and eight Bewick's Swans. Geese included up to 35 White-fronted and Barnacle Geese, and single Black Brant and Pale-bellied Brent Geese in with 1200 Dark-bellied Brent Geese. Single Curlew Sandpiper and Little Stint were seen on two and one date respectively. Twite reached 17 and Lapland Bunting five (17th), while the only Snow Bunting was seen on the Visitor Centre roof! The Great Grey Shrike from October remained for the first week. RSPB Freiston Shore http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore/index.asp RSPB Freiston Shore Interesting goose & allies sightings included up to 10 Barnacle Geese, four White-fronted Geese, a Ruddy Shelduck (3rd) and a Black Brant (6th). A Quail was an unseasonal find mid-month (17th). Offshore single Slavonian Grebe and Razorbills were seen (27th). Gibraltar Point NNR Records from the sea included Grey Phalarope (19th), 408 Little Gulls (13th), 3 Little Auks (15th), Great Northern Diver (29th), Slavonian Grebe (9th & 19th) and Velvet Scoter (17th & 29th). Both Arctic and Great Skuas were also reported. A good variety of land migrants was seen passing through including Shore Lark (4th & 8th), Siberian Chiffchaff (13th), Waxwings (10th & 12th), Black Redstart (5 dates), Hawfinch (17th), Lapland Bunting (2 on 17th) and Snow Buntings (9th and 3 on 15th). A Spoonbill was seen on four dates. White-fronted Geese were regular, with up to 37 and six Bean Geese were also seen. Whisby Nature Park and North Hykeham Pits Wildfowl records included the third record of Ring-necked Duck (22nd), a single Egyptian Goose (1st–14th) and 300 Pink-footed Geese over (5th). Waders included single Woodcock (6th and 18th) and peak counts of 13 Snipe (9th) and 170 Golden Plover nearby at Thorpe-on-the-Hill (22nd). Other notable birds included a Red Kite (17th) a Caspian Gull (14th) and up to 3 apparent Nordic Jackdaws (14th). Other sites A late Swallow was seen at Skegness (18th), while unprecedented numbers of up to 100 Bean Geese were seen at Wainfleet. Family groups were seen at Langtoft Pits and Kirkby Pits. Two Quail were flushed at Nocton Heath (4th). A Great White Egret was at Kirkby Pits (30th). Great Grey Shrikes were a feature of the month with sightings from Boston, Brothertoft, Kelby, Orby, Rauceby Warren and Wilsford. A Cetti's Warbler was at Marston STW (21st). The highlights from other sites in the south of the county included a Ring-necked Duck at Kirkby on Bain Pits, Black-necked Grebe and Mandarin at Thurlby Sand Pit, a Gannet inland over Gonerby Moor (29th), Sabine's Gull at Skegness (24th), Osprey at Fulbeck (1st), an American Golden Plover at Anwick Fen (18th), Great Grey Shrike at Haverholme Park (29th), Cetti's Warbler at Marston STW (28th), and Yellow-browed Warbler at Sutton Bridge (11th). John Badley Recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Assisted by Grahame Hopwood and Colin Jennings ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. News from Far Ings NNR http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/far_ings/index.php ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Week ending FAR INGS NNR Week ending 16.12.11 BIRDS Max. Numbers = bittern blackbird 40+ black headed gull 30 blue tit 6 carrion crow 3 chaffinch 5 common gull 30+ coot 143 cormorant curlew 2 dunnock 3 gadwall 20 goldeneye 2 goldfinch 6 GBB gull 2 GC grebe 5 great tit 6 greenfinch 2 grey heron 2 greylag goose 10 grey plover house sparrow 20 kestrel lapwing 20 little grebe long tailed tit 22 magpie 4 mallard 20 marsh harrier F moorhen 9 mute swan 10 pheasant 2 pink footed goose 53 pochard 19 redshank 3 redwing 14 reed bunting 2 robin 7 shelduck 18 short eared owl shoveler 4 smew M sparrowhawk F starling 60+ teal 15 tree sparrow 2 tufted duck 14 water rail waxwing wigeon 11 willow tit wood pigeon 11 wren 5 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. Photo site update :- Bardney Limewoods 2008 - http://www.flickr.com/photos/adiroyle/sets/72157604757394558/ Bardney Limewoods 2009 - http://www.flickr.com/photos/adiroyle/sets/72157616635241942/ Bardney Limewoods 2010 - http://www.flickr.com/photos/adiroyle/sets/72157623488040369/ Bardney Limewoods 2011 - http://www.flickr.com/photos/adiroyle/sets/72157626361531988/ From time to time we get reports for the Lincolnshire Limewoods, but far fewer than we had hoped for. It is almost as if people do not know that we have a woodland NNR on our doorstep, with its associated wildlife. Take a look at the following links and see if you can boost our records with a visit. Don't forget: tracks and signs are important records, so examine muddy patches and if we get some snow look out for deer slots and paw prints etc. A good website about this is: http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/animals/wildbritain/field_guides/ For the Limewoods, see: http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/publications/limewoods-walks/ http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/about/conservation/bardney-limewoods-nnr/ http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designatedareas/nnr/1006846.aspx ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 from Wilma Gammon at the Lincs Wildlife Trust office, e-mail wgammon@lincstrust.co.uk LNU publications [listed on LNU website] may be ordered via: Ian Macalpine-Leny macalpine@doddington.demon.co.uk *** Contacts List *** *** Rural Crime Officer *** Pc 160 Nick Willey Force Wildlife, Rural Crime Officer Force Dog Training Establishment Lincolnshire Showground. Grange-De-Lings. Lincoln nicholas.willey@lincs.pnn.police.uk OFFICE: 01522-731897 MOBILE :07768-501895 PAGER : 07654-330877 *** 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 *** 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 *** Mollusc Identification *** David Feld has kindly offered to assist readers to identify molluscs, both terrestrial and aquatic. Please e-mail him a description and he will advise you whether and where to send a photograph or an actual specimen. Contact: drf@dfeld.freeserve.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 *** Secretary - Robert Carr secretary@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Membership Secretary - Mike Harrison: michael@michaelharrison1.wanadoo.co.uk 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 *** Wash Estuary Project Contacts *** Jeff Goodley - Wash Estuary Project Officer jeff.goodley@washestuary.org.uk Vivien Hartwell - Wash Biodiversity viv.hartwell@washestuary.org.uk *** 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: john.badley@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 recorded in my garden 2011: www.flickr.com/photos/angleshades Alan Dale's Bugs and Weeds http://www.bugsandweeds.co.uk/ Mike Binnion writes: Common Butterflies 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 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. Saturday, January 14, 2012 Joseph Banks, James Edward Smith and the Linnean Society Illustrated Lecture by Prof. Mark Seaward. Emeritus Professor of Environmental Biology at Bradford University and Honorary Professor of Lincoln University. Saturday, February 11, 2012 Recorders Meeting Overview and highlights of the past year's recording provided by the county recorders. Saturday, March 10, 2012 AGM & Presidential Address Barrie Wilkinson's eagerly awaited Presidential Address. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Bee Photographs *** Requesting photos: Can anyone help me with photos to illustrate a paper, please? I am hoping to use readers' photos of honeybees and other pollinating species "in action", and will be grateful if you will also permit me to use them in an LNU Powerpoint presentation. This will make it much more interesting than if I use my own or "borrowed" photos. [Yours will be acknowledged.] The flower species being worked is as important as the species working it for pollen or nectar, but if you can't identify the flower or pollinator involved, please don't worry. [Best warn me if you are going to e-mail something huge.] I would also welcome observations of particular associations you may make over the course of next year, e.g. specific wild flowers and their pollinators. Comments and anecdotes are welcome too. I will also welcome reports of wild/feral honeybee colonies in trees, walls etc. Note them now and then see how they are surviving next Spring. For more bee information see: http://rogerparsons.info/bees.html Thanks. Roger. *** 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: included johnklejna - mailbox unavailable bakes - mailbox full stourton-mark - maildir over quota. chrisjpotts - domain does not exist dud - domain does not exist lisandy - invalid recipient colinjohnharvey - does no have an account *** Link of the Week *** Thanks for the following: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/glanceview/207016/seal-pup-wanders-into-nz-home.glance ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/============================================ || || 11th December 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 1035 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Reminder *** Total Lunar Eclipse 10th December The Moon rises in eclipse 15.51 hrs, with end of totality at 16.18 hrs. Final end of penumbral eclipse: 17.31 hrs. [Info Paul Money's Nightscenes] Look out for it. Roger *** Next LNU Event *** For LNU meetings also see www.lnu.org/events.php See section 11 for full programme. 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. Saturday, January 14, 2012 Joseph Banks, James Edward Smith and the Linnean Society Illustrated Lecture by Prof. Mark Seaward. Emeritus Professor of Environmental Biology at Bradford University and Honorary Professor of Lincoln University. For those who have not heard Prof. Seaward speak, this is an event "Not to be missed". His knowledge and zest for learning is something to be experienced. His contribution to the work of the LNU over the years has been very considerable indeed. *** Seal News *** Rob Lidstone-Scott wrote on 3/12/11 "Lack of time meant only abbreviated count this week. 1170 pups. Seals have settled down after the trauma of the surge tide but they are scattered far and wide along the coastline – people should be wary walking anywhere on the coast between Saltfleet and Horseshoe Point. Pup mortality will undoubtedly be higher this year; we may never know the full extent of the damage done. There has been a constant flow of abandoned pups into the hospital at the Mablethorpe Seal Sanctuary and this establishment now needs support – treating and rearing seal pups is not a cheap business!" See: http://www.thesealsanctuary.com/ Also: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/index.php#380 Rachel Shaw writes: Donna Nook is now open again for visitors and we'd like to thank everyone who did stay away from the reserve over the past week. The majority of seals have recovered remarkably well from the trauma of the tidal surge. The seal pup count on Friday 2 December was 1,170 pups. However, these numbers hide the impact of the high tide. With pups still being born, it is extremely difficult to know how many pups have been lost. The best guess currently is 50-75 pups. A number of abandoned pups have been rescued and taken to the seal sanctuaries but it is likely that there are still solitary pups within the colony. Unfortunately it is virtually impossible to identify which are abandoned or to remove them without causing more disturbance to other pups and adults. Donna Nook remains a very safe beach for grey seals. The tidal surge was a very unusual occurrence that scattered the seals, moving them into different areas of the beach and separating pups from their mothers. Elsewhere on the coast: please be vigilant for the presence of seals. Please do not get too close to any seals including pups, they may bite if approached. Keep to paths. If possible do not bring dogs or keep them on a short lead and under close control. Do not bring dogs to Donna Nook. *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** Carolyn Lovely writes: On Monday 12th December 2011 our next indoor meeting is held at Grimsby Town Hall where the Chief Executive Paul Learoyd will give an illustrated presentation - " A future for Lincolnshire Wildlife". There will be festive refreshments, Trust goods stall and raffle. The evening starts at 7.30pm and admission is £2. All are welcome. *** Identifying Wildfowl *** Can you distinguish a Bean Goose from a White-fronted Goose? Here are some useful Wildfowl identification links: http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/families/swans.aspx *** Waxwings - seen any yet? *** See: http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/w/waxwing/ http://www.birdsofbritain.co.uk/bird-guide/waxwing.asp *** South Lincs RSPB *** ILLUSTRATED TALK Thursday 15th December at 7.30 p.m. Sam Newsom Music Centre, Boston "Neil's Favourites" by local photographer Neil Smith. Members £2, non-members £3-50, children half price. *** Harlequin Ladybird Reports *** See: http://www.harlequin-survey.org/ *** Help Butterfly Conservation *** Peter Cawdell writes: The Lincolnshire Echo (now weekly Thursdays) are giving away £20,000 to up to 200 local charities - we at Lincs Butterfly Conservation are one. Coupons will be printed in this week's edition & every Thursday until Dec. 22nd. (some bonus coupons). The more coupons we collect the greater our share of the money! Please can you collect as many as possible (also forwarding this e-mail, or texting/communicating to your friends, family & anyone you know who takes or can beg/borrow copies of the Echo) to cut out the coupons and send to either myself at: Peter Cawdell 49 Tower Crescent, Lincoln. LN25QF or Derek Fox 'Lisheen', Barlings Lane, Langworth, Lincoln. LN35DA. Thank you. Peter Cawdell, Lincs Butterfly Conservation Peter adds: The final coupon will be printed in the Echo out 15th Dec. and the final date for the Echo to receive them is 22nd Dec. so anyone posting them to us should allow for the Xmas post. It might be worth getting most to us well before the closing date to be on the safe side. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 my 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. 4/12 7 Eurasian White-fronted Geese, Short-eared Owl, Wroot Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owl, 47 Eurasian White-fronted Geese, 5 Barnacle Geese, 56 Whooper Swans, Huttoft 4 Hen Harriers, 3 Short-eared Owls, Nocton Fen Short-eared Owl, east of Wroot 22 Whooper Swans over Theddlethorpe 15 Whooper Swans over Scunthorpe 5/12 Water Pipit, Baston/Langtoft gravel pits Great Northern Diver, Thurlby gravel pits Spoonbill, Gibraltar Point 6/12 Great Northern Diver, Thurlby gravel pits Great White Egret, over Kirkby on Bain pits 40 Bean Geese, Gibraltar Point 15 Whooper Swans over Cleethorpes 7/12 Water Pipit, Baston/Langtoft gravel pits Great White Egret, over Kirkby on Bain pits 6 Tundra Bean Geese, Water Pipit, Gibraltar Point 2 Tundra Bean Geese, with Pink-footed Geese, Winterton 8/12 Spoonbill, Red-necked Grebe on sea, + Great Northern Diver and 3 Velvet Scoter, Gibraltar Point Great White Egret, Grimsby 9/12 2 Lapland, 140 Snow Buntings, Cleethorpes Coast Spoonbill, 61 Eurasian White-fronted Geese, Richard's Pipit, Gibraltar Point Great White Egret, over Kirkby on Bain pits 45 Eurasian White-fronted Geese over Gibraltar Point plus Red-necked Grebe on sea, + Great Northern Diver and 3 Velvet Scoter 22 Tundra Bean Geese, South Ferriby 22 Tundra Bean Geese over Scunthorpe 22 Tundra Bean Geese, Barton upon Humber 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. Strongly recommended. [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. Rats! Vicky Leighton asks: Would anyone please be able to advise us as to how to get rid of rats? We have lived in our house for 18 years, it is adjacent to a large field and we have quite a large garden. During this time we have seen one rat, many years ago and it was at the far side of the house near the field. Recently one rat appeared briefly at the other side of the house under our bird table which is just a few feet from our kitchen window, it was joined a couple of days later by another rat and since then they are outside several times during the day. Where I wonder are the neighbours trespassing cats when we need them? We know the statistics re. the proximity of rats to humans but I don't like seeing them so close on a daily basis. Is there a humane solution to this problem? We have been advised to stop feeding the birds but I spend a lot of time in the kitchen and they give us such pleasure. Any helpful suggestions would be most welcome, Thank you, *** 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, Glen Drive, Geof Lee Saturday, 3rd December, 2011. Our local sparrowhawk arrived on my front lawn, about 4 metres from my window having caught and killed a collared dove, which it proceeded to dismember and eat. The whole process took more than an hour, during which time I took 87 photos through the window. It then flew off leaving the usual mess of feathers. FENTON SK844 772 Richard Fox 5th December 2011 Barn Owl hunting at 1530hrs (first in area since last winter) Bullfinch (pair) Buzzard feeding on worms in pasture field Fieldfare 30 Gt Spotted w/pecker KIRKBY GREEN TF104584 05-12-11 John Nickson Stoat The stoat can easy be told from the weasel by the simple fact that his tail is black and his figure is slightly the bigger. RIPPINGALE TF09422 27716 09/12/2011 Pauline Warman In our garden today (greatest number of each spp at any one time) Blackbird - 2 Blue Tit – 3 Chaffinch – 4 Coal Tit – 1 Collared Dove – 7 Dunnock – 2 Goldfinch – 4 Great Tit – 3 Greenfinch – 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker – 1 House Sparrow – 30+ Pheasant – 1 Robin – 1 Siskin – 1 Starling – 2 Tree Sparrow – 4 Wood Pigeon - 2 TETNEY MARSHES 06/12/2011 Mick Binnion Dark Bellied Brent Geese at least 400+ Quite a spectacle. They flew right over the top of us, at less than 20 foot. All chatting to each other, moving from the beach to the shelter of a winter wheat field. WASPS NEST - NOCTON FEN Pat Hughes writes on 6th Dec 2011 At Wasps Nest, Nocton Fen - during the last couple of days in the field beside our house we have been watching 2 short eared owls being attacked by a hen harrier and one of the owls saw the hen harrier off on one occasion. The short eared owls are back again today hunting across the field. A heron has also been seen hunting in the field. WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. A & R Parsons 3/12/2011 Buzzard over, being pestered by Carrion Crow. WRANGLE COMMON 05/12/2011 Roy and Kath Pearson A disappointing count today. A flock of 40 Fieldfares was very high for this area and as was a flock of 7 Redwings. There appears to be a small, but regular number of Grey Partridges around and 9 were counted. Woodcock was recorded again, but only one bird, which is much less than in previous years. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 01/12/2011 Peregrine Spoonbill 02/12/2011 Barn Owl 2 Brambling 3 Short-eared Owl 1 Snow Bunting Whooper Swan 18 9/12/2011 Whooper Swan Pink-footed goose 600 White-fronted Goose 38 Great Northern Diver Richard's Pipit SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE NNR. http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/nr/reserve.php?mapref=41 http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designatedareas/nnr/1006128.aspx John Walker writes on 8/12/2011 With some decent rain this week we have already equalled the November total of 18mm here at Theddlethorpe. The wild geese flock at Huttoft comprising 51 whitefronts, 5 barnacles and 7 pinkfoot and 56 whooper swans were there Mon/Tues. Weekending 9th December 2011. John Walker, Roger Briggs, Peter & Janet Roworth. The recent surge tide did cause some damage to the edge of the foredunes creating abnormal 'cliff edges' and the saltmarsh remains wetter than normal. Recent bird sightings have included southerly movement of several skeins of Pink-footed Geese and a single herd of Whoopers going through. Individual sightings of raptors have included Barn Owl, Short-eared Owl, Hen Harrier, Merlin, Peregrine. A walk over the saltmarsh produced a mix of several hundred Skylark and Meadow Pipit. RSPB WASH Reserves - Frampton Marsh and Freiston Shore Reports for OCTOBER 2011 John Badley Recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Assisted by Grahame Hopwood and Colin Jennings RSPB Frampton Marsh http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh/index.asp RSPB Frampton Marsh Passage waders included Pectoral Sandpiper (until 9th), Jack Snipe, up to two Curlew Sandpipers and four Little Stints. Up to 50 Ruffs were also still in residence (6th). The Long-billed Dowitcher from Freiston put in a brief appearance (4th). First autumn/winter records included Water Pipit (23rd) and Twite (from 23rd). Unusual sightings included two Cranes (23rd) and a Spoonbill (24th). A single Red Kite was seen (1st) with more regular raptor sightings of up to two Marsh Harriers, four Hen Harriers, three Merlins and a Peregrine. A Great Grey Shrike was along the Haven (from 31st). Winter swans started to increase with up to four Bewick's and 26 Whoopers on the Reedbed. Brent Geese increased to 1,100 by the end of the month. RSPB Freiston Shore http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore/index.asp RSPB Freiston Shore The Long-billed Dowitcher from September remained until 4th. Although the winds were generally not favourable Arctic Skuas were seen on three dates. Also offshore were single Puffin and Razorbill and six Common Scoter (24th) with a Velvet Scoter (25th). Just one Short-eared Owl was seen (23rd), but two Barn Owls and Merlin were more regular. Also: Gibraltar Point NNR A Pectoral Sandpiper stayed at least four days (7th to 10th), Jack Snipe (8th & 9th) and up to 44,000 Knots were recorded at high tide. A Spoonbill was seen on two dates (27th & 30th). Red-breasted Flycatcher, two Yellow-browed Warblers, Firecrest, Ring Ouzel and three Bean Geese (13th), with Great Grey Shrike, Lapland Bunting and Long-eared Owl (14th), A much sought after trio of Pallas's Warbler, two Yellow-browed Warblers and Firecrest (25th). Black Redstarts were seen on two dates (25th & 29th), but Redstart on just one (12th). Passage finches late in the month included good numbers of Bullfinches along with a Hawfinch (30th). A Rough-legged Buzzard (26th) put in a brief appearance. The sea was very quiet, with four Velvet Scoters (13th) and Little Gull (30th) the highlights. Whisby Nature Park and North Hykeham Pits The highlights during the month were a Hawfinch (27th), a Reserve first, a brief juvenile ringtail Harrier, either Montagu's or Pallid (4th) and a Red Kite (23rd). Four Red-crested Pochards (27th) and peak counts of four Little Egret (4th) and 15 Tree Sparrows (25th) were supplemented by the first returning winter migrants, with 30 Redwings (8th), Woodcock (14th), two Goldeneye and 30 Fieldfare (both 24th). A single Swallow and Chiffchaff (both 12th) were the last of the summer migrants. Other sites The highlights from other sites in the south of the county included a Ring-necked Duck at Kirkby on Bain Pits, Black-necked Grebe and Mandarin at Thurlby Sand Pit, a Gannet inland over Gonerby Moor (29th), Sabine's Gull at Skegness (24th), Osprey at Fulbeck (1st), an American Golden Plover at Anwick Fen (18th), Great Grey Shrike at Haverholme Park (29th), Cetti's Warbler at Marston STW (28th), and Yellow-browed Warbler at Sutton Bridge (11th). John Badley Recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Assisted by Grahame Hopwood and Colin Jennings ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. News from Far Ings NNR http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/far_ings/index.php ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Week ending 09.12.11 BIRDS Max. Numbers = bittern blackbird 50+ black headed gull 80 blue tit 6 carrion crow 2 chaffinch 5 common buzzard 2 common gull 30+ coot 90 cormorant 4 curlew 6 dunnock 3 gadwall 29 goldeneye 4 goldfinch 15 GBB gull 2 GC grebe 4 great tit 7 greenfinch 3 grey heron greylag goose 6 house sparrow 16 kestrel lapwing 200+ little grebe long tailed tit 2 magpie 6 mallard 20 marsh harrier F moorhen 10 mute swan 7 pheasant 2 pochard 22 redshank 2 redwing 20 reed bunting 2 robin 7 shelduck 35 shoveler 18 song thrush sparrowhawk F starling 60+ teal 8 tree sparrow 2 tufted duck 18 water rail wigeon 16 willow tit wood pigeon 11 wren 4 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. Photo site update :- Bardney Limewoods 2008 - http://www.flickr.com/photos/adiroyle/sets/72157604757394558/ Bardney Limewoods 2009 - http://www.flickr.com/photos/adiroyle/sets/72157616635241942/ Bardney Limewoods 2010 - http://www.flickr.com/photos/adiroyle/sets/72157623488040369/ Bardney Limewoods 2011 - http://www.flickr.com/photos/adiroyle/sets/72157626361531988/ From time to time we get reports for the Lincolnshire Limewoods, but far fewer than we had hoped for. It is almost as if people do not know that we have a woodland NNR on our doorstep, with its associated wildlife. Take a look at the following links and see if you can boost our records with a visit. Don't forget: tracks and signs are important records, so examine muddy patches and if we get some snow look out for deer slots and paw prints etc. A good website about this is: http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/animals/wildbritain/field_guides/ For the Limewoods, see: http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/publications/limewoods-walks/ http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/about/conservation/bardney-limewoods-nnr/ http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designatedareas/nnr/1006846.aspx ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 from Wilma Gammon at the Lincs Wildlife Trust office, e-mail wgammon@lincstrust.co.uk LNU publications [listed on LNU website] may be ordered via: Ian Macalpine-Leny macalpine@doddington.demon.co.uk *** Contacts List *** *** Rural Crime Officer *** Pc 160 Nick Willey Force Wildlife, Rural Crime Officer Force Dog Training Establishment Lincolnshire Showground. Grange-De-Lings. Lincoln nicholas.willey@lincs.pnn.police.uk OFFICE: 01522-731897 MOBILE :07768-501895 PAGER : 07654-330877 *** 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 *** Mollusc Identification *** David Feld has kindly offered to assist readers to identify molluscs, both terrestrial and aquatic. Please e-mail him a description and he will advise you whether and where to send a photograph or an actual specimen. Contact: drf@dfeld.freeserve.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 *** Secretary - Robert Carr secretary@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Membership Secretary - Mike Harrison: michael@michaelharrison1.wanadoo.co.uk 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 *** Wash Estuary Project Contacts *** Jeff Goodley - Wash Estuary Project Officer jeff.goodley@washestuary.org.uk Vivien Hartwell - Wash Biodiversity viv.hartwell@washestuary.org.uk *** 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: john.badley@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 recorded in my garden 2011: www.flickr.com/photos/angleshades Alan Dale's Bugs and Weeds http://www.bugsandweeds.co.uk/ Mike Binnion writes: Common Butterflies 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 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. Saturday, January 14, 2012 Joseph Banks, James Edward Smith and the Linnean Society Illustrated Lecture by Prof. Mark Seaward. Emeritus Professor of Environmental Biology at Bradford University and Honorary Professor of Lincoln University. Saturday, February 11, 2012 Recorders Meeting Overview and highlights of the past year's recording provided by the county recorders. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Bee Photographs *** Requesting photos: Can anyone help me with photos to illustrate a paper, please? I am hoping to use readers' photos of honeybees and other pollinating species "in action", and will be grateful if you will also permit me to use them in an LNU Powerpoint presentation. This will make it much more interesting than if I use my own or "borrowed" photos. [Yours will be acknowledged.] The flower species being worked is as important as the species working it for pollen or nectar, but if you can't identify the flower or pollinator involved, please don't worry. [Best warn me if you are going to e-mail something huge.] I would also welcome observations of particular associations you may make over the course of next year, e.g. specific wild flowers and their pollinators. Comments and anecdotes are welcome too. I will also welcome reports of wild/feral honeybee colonies in trees, walls etc. Note them now and then see how they are surviving next Spring. For more bee information see: http://rogerparsons.info/bees.html Thanks. Roger. *** 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: included johnklejna - mailbox unavailable bakes - mailbox full stourton-mark - maildir over quota. chrisjpotts - domain does not exist dud - domain does not exist *** Link of the Week *** Thanks to all who sent in the following interesting links. Danny Macaskill - Edinburgh to Skye - by bike Wish I could do 1% of this. http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=Cj6ho1-G6tw&vq=medium ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/