============================================ || || 20th February 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** 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. Saturday, March 12, 2011 Annual General Meeting followed by the Presidential Address by Ken Rowland [Mainly for members, though others may attend but not speak or vote.] See section 11 for full programme. *** Editor's tip for the year - Botany """ Our ecosystems are based on plants, yet most of us are pretty shaky on plant identification. It would be great if we could all add a few more plant species to our personal repertoire and send in our records. There are loads of helpful books to get you started and recorders will give advice if you make a mistake. Why not choose a plant family and get to know it? *** Otters About *** Chris Manning writes: R A Brownlow's Otter road casualty at Broadholme, on the 10th February, builds on an unfortunate sequence with similar RTA at Spalding on the 9th February and Holton Le Clay on 27th January. In contrast a fortunate visitor to Frampton Marsh reported sighting an otter swimming in the River Witham on the 30th January. Bridge and structure design is often considered to reduce RTA by encouraging otters to pass through structures rather than across a road.  Yet many of our otter casualties are well away from water courses.  This tragic sequence of loss is hopefully signalling an increasing otter population in Lincolnshire, and at least via carcass recovery we can learn more about this fascinating species. Editor adds: I caught a piece on BBC Radio 4 about Barn Owl mortality this winter. It would be interesting to have some local input on this issue, please. "And the number of barn owl deaths has risen three fold this winter according to the British Trust for Ornithology. David Ramsden from the Barn Owl Trust explains the reasons for their demise." http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00yhvrg *** Government Forestry Sell-off on hold? *** Editor writes: There is widespread concern amongst naturalists at the proposed sell off of Forestry Commission property to the private sector. Charities have to tread with care when taking a position on such issues. However, the LNU does wish to encourage informed discussion in the light of potential impact on wildlife and biodiversity. Many of us also value the rich recreational resource that the FC has offered us for many years. Reports that the scheme is "on hold" does not remove the matter from the national agenda, as it may not have gone away for good. What do you think? Readers are welcome to submit both comments and useful websites to inform our thinking. Web links to get you started of your research: http://www.rspb.org.uk/media/ http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-12427961 http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/ *** LNU Recorders' Meeting *** Ian Macalpine-Leny writes: A very good LNU Recorders' Meeting was held at the Whisby Education Centre on Saturday 12 February attended by more than forty members. For the first time in thirty years this included a bird report, given by John Badley of the RSPB. John recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk is the new bird recorder for the south of the county and John Clarkson (who joined the LNU at the Recorders' Meeting) recorder_north@lincsbirdclub.co.uk is the recorder for the north of the county. The excellent newly published Lincolnshire Bird Report 2009 was on sale at the meeting, price £12. The LNU and the Lincolnshire Bird Club continue to work more closely together helped by observers on each other's executives, and held their first joint winter meeting in November. There will be another this year. Further details of the Bird Club can be found at www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk . The Recorders' Meeting, when the County Recorders give a preview of the highlights of the previous year which will appear in full in "Transactions" is one of the high lights of the LNU year. But many new members, and perhaps some old ones, believe that this is a meeting for recorders only. This is definitely not the case. In consequence, we are considering renaming the meeting. Suggestions please. "Meet the County Recorders" is one suggestion received……." *** Lincolnshire Bird Club Grantham Peregrine Project *** Andrew Chick writes: 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 *** Honeybee Foraging *** Editor writes: in response to a number of bee questions. I have added links to a couple of papers I found helpful/interesting. In the 1980s, Prof R S Pickard identified a list of key forage species for honeybees. I recall he gave a most interesting talk to beekeepers in Horncastle in the late '80s. A brief selection of [then] important garden and wild Spring species included: Celandine, Plum, Berberis, Anemone, Poplar, Ash, Pear, Willow, cherry, Blackthorn, Dandelion and Gorse. A quick identification of bee pollen loads can be carried out with the help of Stephen Hardy's handy colour chart, £1.30-ish, which shows pollen colours seen in the honeybee "pollen baskets" as they return from their foraging. Spring species listed 2010: Winter Heath, Snowdrop, Hazel, Blue crocus, Gorse, Yew, Willow, Poplar, Red deadnettle, Plum, Wild cherry, Dandelion and Apple. Underpinning this information is a mountain of academic research into the foraging preferences of the honeybee and every beekeeper can add something to this from their own observations. Some beekeepers are interested enough to get into the microscopy of pollen identification, so there is no shortage of information on this subject, academic or anecdotal. We used to keep beehives in our little orchard in the 1980s. In apple-blossom time the trees roared with the sound of bees. We later moved the hives to an out-apiary and were surprised to see bees back on the blossom the next year. We had assumed we were too far away for a visit. In fact the visitors came over the River Witham from an out-apiary in Holland Fen, a journey of a 1-2 miles as the bee flies. Bees are 'said' not to cross water! At one stage in the 1980s we experimented with bright yellow New Zealand queens, with huge stocks of docile yellow workers, easy to distinguish from other bees. A fellow beekeeper working at the other end of the fen rang to say he had seen our bees foraging while he had been having his packup. From TF 2153 to TF 2351, this is a trip of 2+ miles. No other yellow-bee colonies were in the area at that time. See: http://lasi.group.shef.ac.uk/pdf/rbeeimpr2000.pdf It is evident that bees vary their pollen and nectar foraging for a number of reasons, weather, species available, temperature, timing of nectar release, volume of yield, nectar quality and flower morphology/ease of nectar access. I would expect these factors to apply to all nectar and pollen feeders and foragers to some extent. Furthermore, there is an evolutionary angle to all this. As I understand it, the anatomy of some insects is adapted to the working of particular flowers. Flowers in turn are adapted to attract/maximise the pollinating potential of insect visitors. Thus I see Andrena spp working our blackcurrants, but not Apis. It is tempting to assume that "the nearer the hive the greater the bee-foraging activity". Line-of-flight observations often contradict this and show that bees have selected a particular blossom for attention, oil-seed rape, beans, pheasant cover etc., further away than perfectly good food sources close to the colony. See: http://cis.uws.ac.uk/research/journal/v9/v9n3/bees.pdf To help me research this fascinating area, please see if you can make the following observations: [Date? Time? Place?] 1. Honey bees working any of the species listed above. 2. Honeybees working pumpkin or courgette flowers. 3. Honeybees on linseed. 4. Honeybees working white clover. I think you may find these observations illuminating. Hope so. When reporting, please also let me know if you are aware of any nearby bee colony and the approximate distance to it. News of wild or feral colonies is especially welcome. Thanks. Roger *** Identifying Hoverflies *** 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. *** Identifying Thai dragonflies *** Roy Harvey writes: Whilst on a birding trip to Thailand recently, we encountered several species of butterfly and a couple of dragonflies that we cannot identity. Peter Cawdell is kindly having a look at the butterflies for me, could you suggest a person that I might contact about the dragonflies? Many thanks. Editor adds: Can anyone offer Roy some help? *** Grantham Area Group of the LWT *** Barkston & Syston Village Hall 7.30 p.m. Fri 11th March Nature Reserves in NE Leicestershire & Rutland Fri 8th April Churchyard Nature Reserves God's Acre Project at St. Swithun's Long Bennington Gordon Scott *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** Carolyn Lovely writes: On Sunday 20th February 2011 we invite you to us on a guided walk around Tetney Blow Wells Nature Reserve. Grid reference TA316009. This is a 1.5 mile walk in about 1.5 hours. Please park and meet at Tetney Church at 10am. Wellies or boots may be necessary if there has been recent rain. No dogs please. Free event but donations to the Trust will be gratefully received. The church will be open to visitors 3.00 - 4.15 p.m. with light refreshments on sale for church funds. For further details please contact walk leader and reserve manager Clifford Jukes 01472 814887 *** Alkborough Flats Event *** Sarah Killick writes: Please Note - Booking is essential for all events, call 01724 721269 to book your place. 20th March - 9.30am & 11.30 am Minibus tours Join the site staff on a drive around the Flats visiting different parts of the site including the breach. Find out how the site has developed since it was breached and what our plans are. Cost: £2 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 *** 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. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. 12/2 6 Short-eared owls, Worlaby Carrs Rough-legged buzzard, South Ferriby 13/2 Rough-legged buzzard, South Ferriby 37 Barnacle geese, Cleethorpes Tundra Bean goose with 100 pink-footed geese, South Ferriby + Greenland white-fronted goose. 14/2 2 Whooper Swans, Thorlby GPs 5 Long-tailed Ducks, Barton upon Humber 46 Waxwings, Lincoln, Witham St Hugh's 2 Water Pipits, Tetney Lock 13 Waxwing, Sleaford, Grantham Road Dipper, Theddlethorpe 15/2 3 Bewick's Swan, Nocton Fen 10 Eurasian White-fronted geese, Thoresby 10 Waxwing, Sleaford, Grantham Road 2 Waxwing, Woodhall Spa, Horncastle Road/Sandy Lane 16/2 Caspian Gull, Leadenham 7 Bewick's Swans, Wroot 21 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, Huttoft Pit 10 Waxwings, Sleaford, Boston Road. Rough-legged Buzzard, Frampton Marsh Cattle Egret, North Hykeham 17/2 5 short-eared owls, Worlaby Carrs Red-necked grebe, Westwoodside 10 Waxwings, Sleaford, Boston Road 5 Lapland Buntings, Frampton Marsh 18/2 Red-necked grebe, Westwoodside Also 20 Whooper Swans in field. 10 Waxwings, Sleaford, Boston Road Great white egret, Kirkby on Bain Rough-legged Buzzard, Hemingby 19/9 Rough-legged Buzzard, South Ferriby 2 Long-tailed Ducks, 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. [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. John Laws writes: Can anyone explain something for me? Up to last week I've never seen Goldfinches in my garden, but when I added a Niger seed feeder to my feeding area they arrived. Now were they here all the time but I never saw them. Did they fly over, look down, see the feeder and recognise 'that black seed is Niger seed and we love it?' Does anyone have ideas on this. {Or did they hear about it on Twitter] Alice Nunn writes: With regard to Daniel's comment I noted One Ladybird (didn't count spots) at Far Ings on the Humber bank near Far Ings early afternoon of 11 February. Worlaby Carrs - afternoon of 10th Feb, hunting short-eared owls showing well. Perhaps around 8 to 10. Whatever, more than I've ever seen in one go before. *** County Wildlife Reports From Readers *** Please keep your reports coming, We rely on you to send in your observations and We welcome information from all readers, be they beginners or professionals. Thanks. BOSTON 15.02.11 Mick Todd Following the discovery of two dead frogs in my pond after the thaw last month, it was good to find a live one in my pond tonight about 8pm, hopefully the first of many! No newts spotted yet. BRACEBY TF 015353 Marion Ellis 14 Feb 2011 A friend & I have just this morning watched a group of Red Kites just south of Braceby. Four close enough to see their tails, plus three others big enough to be kites. First noticed them being mobbed by rooks, then two of them landed in the field near us and spent some time poking around in the soil. We left them to it, they were in no hurry to fly off. Dave, who wasn't with us, commented that he thought red kites didn't spend time walking round fields, but they definitely were. DODDINGTON Doddington Park Lincoln M. Scott 18-02-2011 4 bluetits 2 blackbirds 2 collard doves 2 dunnocks 1 robin 4 starlings 4 woodpigeons The birds have been busy looking round the garden for nest sites. All so my frogs are in the pond and we have a pair, as the male is on her back. Only one I have seen dead, but that was in my little pond, none in the big one which had lots of snow on it, but I did have the pond heater on all the time when it was bad weather. Seen 3 snowdrops out at last, hope spring is soon on its way Just a seen a male blackcap feeding of my fat feeder, never seen one before, my RSPB Book, says Apr-Oct, so it is an Early Arrival. Great!!! LINCOLN John Farmer My back garden 15/2/11 1 Goldcrest 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers 1m ,1f 1 Muntjac male, eating the border plants MARSHCHAPEL John Beswick 7/2/2011 Report as sent to RSPB Garden Birdwatch 4 Blackbird 6 Blue Tit 6 Chaffinch 1 Coal Tit 2 Collared Doves 3 Goldfinch 2 Great Tit 4 Greenfinch 5 House Sparrow 2 Magpie 2 Robin 1 Wood Pigeon 7 Jackdaw 7 Moorhen 1 Wagtail 5 Pheasant 1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker REEPHAM Catherine Wilson On Tuesday 8th Feb. 2011 I was surprised to see a quite fresh looking Peacock butterfly flying round my garden at Reepham, TF041738. It was quite warm and I had the conservatory door open. The butterfly flew in, had a look round and went out again. I lost sight of it in the garden. On the same day a skylark was heard singing on the outskirts of Bardney village. RIPPINGALE 19 February 2011 Ian Misselbrook – my garden on a rainy Saturday. 2 male Bramblings 14 Chaffinches 7 Geenfinches 3 Goldfinches 3 Tree Sparrows 10 House Sparrows 3 Blue Tits 2 Great Tits 2 Coal Tits 2 Dunnocks 1 Robin 2 Song Thrushes 6 Blackbirds 7 starlings 2 jackdaws 2 Woodpigeons 2 Collared Doves 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 male Sparrowhawk 1 Goldcrest STURTON BY STOW SK 874799 15.02.2011 Alison Brownlow There has been an increasing number of approx. 3cm round holes in groups in the short grass on our lawn. We put down a live trap under a ground sheet, baited it with wheat and caught a field vole. TOFT 19 February 2011 Ian Misselbrook Toft TF073173 Weasel ran across the road with a mouse angling from its jaws. TUNMAN WOOD Denis Jones Writes Tunman Wood, LWT Reserve Monday 14 Feb Those not aware of recently acquired wood it is situated in a triangle between Morton Hall Prison/Eagle Barnsdale/Thorpe on Hill, only accessible by Public Rights of Way. As a LWT volunteer clearing vegetation during the Winter the wood has been very quiet. On Monday with the sun shining the woods were at last alive with birdsong. The highlight was a pair of very vocal Buzzards circling above us for 2 hours. Certainly distracted us from work. Will be interesting to see what evolves during the Spring as present there is little data regarding the wood. WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. A & R Parsons 14/2/11 2 dead frogs in pond, so not as awful as some report. 15/2/11 4 hares in area. 2 Marsh harriers in area. 16/2 2 marsh harriers and small flock of lapwings in area. 17/2 Herd of 5 swans near bridge. Much fieldfare and corvid activity. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 12/02/2011 Avocet Barn Owl Brambling Corn Bunting Peregrine Shorelark 21 Waxwing 3 Woodcock Recent Grey Partridge Hen Harrier 3 Marsh Harrier Merlin Short-eared Owl Siskin Twite Water Pipit SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE NNR. http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/nr/reserve.php?mapref=41 John Walker. No report yet. RSPB WASH Reserves - Frampton Marsh and Freiston Shore John Badley January 2011. RSPB Frampton Marsh http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh/index.asp RSPB Frampton Marsh European white-fronted Geese continued to show all month, with a peak of 28 (15th), but a Black Brant was seen on only one date (29th). Whooper Swans were regular, with up to 21, along with up to nine Bewick's Swans. A Yellow-legged Gull was unseasonal on 23rd. A wintering Spotted Redshank was seen on several dates, but up to six Ruff were regular. Four Waxwings were seen from 14th- 16th and a Water Pipit on 24th. Lapland Buntings and Twite peaked at 24 (19th) and 110 (23rd) respectively. RSPB Freiston Shore http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore/index.asp The year started off nicely with two Waxwings (1st), when there was also a Pale-bellied Brent Goose. A good count of 75 Common Scoter was made (23rd) and single Velvet Scoter, plus three Red- throated Divers were on the sea (28th). Raptors included up to two Marsh Harriers, Hen Harrier, two Peregrines, Merlin, Barn Owl and rarest of all a Little Owl (5th). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. News from Far Ings NNR http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/far_ings/index.php ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FAR INGS NNR Week ending 19.02.11 BIRDS Max. Numbers = bittern 2 blackbird 20+ black headed gull 20+ blue tit 11 carrion crow 4 chaffinch 6 collared dove 2 common buzzard common gull 100+ coot 60+ cormorant 2 curlew 2 dunnock 6 gadwall 6 goldcrest goldeneye 3 greenfinch 2 GC grebe 2 great tit 6 greenfinch 2 grey heron greylag goose 50+ herring gull house sparrow 16 linnet 2 long tailed tit 6 magpie 6 mallard 19 marsh harrier M mistle thrush moorhen 12 mute swan 4 peregrine pheasant 2 pochard 7 redshank 10 reed bunting 2 robin 10 shelduck 30 shoveler 2 song thrush sparrowhawk starling 10 tufted duck 22 water rail wigeon 8 willow tit 2 wood pigeon 6 wren 7 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. *** 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 and Wasps Recorder *** Dr Michael Archer 17 Elmfield Terrace, Malton Road, York YO31 1EH. [Willing to check or identify any aculeate wasp or bee specimen. Such a specimen usually has to be relaxed and mounted on a pin before it can be examined. If more than a few specimens are sent in, they must be mounted.] *** OTTERS *** Readers are reminded that all dead Otters should be reported to the Environment Agency on 0800 807060. *** Mammal Records *** Mammal records can reported to 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 *** 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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, March 12, 2011 Annual General Meeting AGM, followed by the Presidential Address by Ken Rowland 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: keith-warner- mail transport unavailable woodhallspa@uk - unknown user steve.french - rejected as spam by Content Filtering. jandchill - user doesn't have a btinternet.com account claire.waters - rejected as spam by Content Filtering. woodburns2 - permanent error If you recognise any failed address, please ask them to contact me with a new address if they wish to continue to receive the Bulletin. Thanks. Roger LINCOLN SK972739 W/E 15/01/2011 Jayne Knight Not actually a report of birds in Lincoln, but was intrigued last Sunday afternoon to hear a male Chaffinch singing quite clearly behind a World Service reporter speaking live from Cairo. ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/