============================================ || || 3rd July 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 945 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Editor writes *** Many readers will know or at least know of the work of retiring Wildlife Crime Officer, Nigel Lound. His battle to stamp out wildlife crime is matched by his work to raise public understanding and awareness of it. That Lincolnshire Police is to continue to support a Wildlife Crime Officer is in no small way down to the internal campaigning of Nigel to raise awareness among his Police colleagues. He Writes: "On a personal note I would just like to say a big "Thank You" for the expert advice, assistance and support many of you have provided over the years. I would also like you take this opportunity to wish you all the best of luck in the continued fight against Wildlife Crime. Never lose sight of the fact that what you are doing is WORTHWHILE and appreciated by many! "For the time being, any Wildlife Crime related issues should be sent to PWCO Nick WILLEY who many of you will know already. Nick can be contacted on Nicholas.willey@lincs.pnn.police.uk or 01522 805746." On behalf of all Bulletin readers, thank you, Nige. *** Bombus hypnorum update *** Alan Phillips writes: The species is now widespread across the county with records from as far east as Saltfleetby and as far north as Barton. The current Lincolnshire total stands at just over 80 records with 65 of them from this year alone. For the UK as a whole, BWARS has received 1380 records so far for 2011, which has doubled the dots (10km resolution) on the map when compared to 2010. The species can be double-brooded so may have two generations a year. At the moment sightings have dropped-off as the first generation nests are coming to an end (all die except newly produced queens) and the new queens feed-up and at least some of them look for nest sites to start a second generation. In the next few weeks expect to spot fresh-looking workers again, though probably in lesser numbers when compared to the first generation. Thanks to all those who have sent in records/photos and please keep them coming. See: http://www.bwars.com/bombus_hypnorum_2011.htm *** A beetl-y piece *** Charlie Barnes writes: The common red soldier beetle, Rhagonycha fulva, will soon be putting in an appearance. There are over 200 records of this black-tipped orange soldier beetle in Lincolnshire, and it is widely distributed throughout the county. It frequents hogweeds, angelica and other umbellifers in search of food (which includes pollen and other insects) and mates. Records of Rhagonycha fulva in Lincolnshire are restricted to June - August, with most being recorded in July. I would be very interested in sightings of this beetle in 2011 to see what effect, if any, current weather is having on their emergence dates and flight times. Rhagonycha fulva is relatively easy to identify, but I would be happy to confirm any sightings or provide assistance - send photos and records to charlie.barnes@lincsbiodiversity.org.uk *** Next LNU Event 3rd July *** For LNU meetings also see www.lnu.org/events.php See section 11 for full programme. 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 Map link from Brian Hedley: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&sll=59.330001,18.069999&sspn=0.198944,0.324783&q=lincoln,+england&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Lincoln,+United+Kingdom&ll=53.142549,-0.645232&spn=0.004479,0.006298&z=17 Report of Previous Meeting from Chris Manning: Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Field Meeting, Grassland and Great Eau, Sunday 19th June. Hosted by Lindsey Marsh Drainage Board in conjunction with local landowners. The fields are against the Great Eau and within the Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marsh target area, but have not previously been surveyed. Flora of note included: Corn Parsley Petroselinum segetum and Knotted Hedge-parsley Torilis nodosa growing on the recently reprofiled bank of the Great Eau. Whorl-grass Catabrosa aquatica in the Board maintained Inlet Drain and Meadow Barley Hordeum secalinum in the grassland, Meadow Barley is an indicator species of old grassland. Twenty species of beetles were recorded including; Coccinellidae: Hippodamia variegata that appears to be becoming more common since the 1990s and the fourth Lincolnshire record for Curculionidae: Amalorrhynchus melanarius, a southern species on the northern edge of its range in Lincolnshire. The lower temperatures and overcast conditions almost certainly limiting the number of invertebrates seen. *** Lincolnshire Biodiversity Action Plan *** Catherine Collop writes: Lincolnshire Biodiversity Action Plan Public Consultation: Public consultation on the draft 3rd edition of the Lincolnshire Biodiversity Action Plan is underway. Comments and suggestions on the document are needed to ensure the best outcome for wildlife across Lincolnshire. We had an excellent response from people at the Lincolnshire Show, with over 120 questionnaires filled in. But we still need to hear from more people. Anyone can have their say, and ten lucky people will get something back for their thoughts! A prize drawn for ten bottle-top bird feeders will be drawn at random from all respondents after the end of the consultation (29 July). You can download the document at www.lincsbiodiversity.org.uk where there is a short tick box questionnaire or a detailed response form. Or to speak to someone in person contact Catherine Collop at lbap@lincsbiodiversity.org.uk or 01507 528384. *** Watch out for... *** Hummingbird Hawkmoth: http://www.butterfly-conservation.org/sightings/1096/hummingbird_hawk_moth.html Painted Lady: http://www.butterfly-conservation.org/sightings/1097/painted_lady.html Tree Bumblebee: http://www.bwars.com/bombus_hypnorum_2011.htm Harlequin Ladybird: Please keep your regular reports coming in for the Bulletin or send them directly to LNU Recorders if you prefer. http://www.lnu.org/recorders.php *** John Marshall on Starlings *** John Marshall writes on 28/6 I am carrying out my annual starling ringing programme (juveniles). My effort has proved disappointing, as to date 28 June have caught and ringed only 40% of the previous year's figures. The RSPB have indicated that there is large drop in this species. It has certainly proved correct in my case. Have not seen a starling in my garden trapping area for over four days. Normally I trap approximately 10 birds daily during last week of June. Editor adds: Anyone with further information to offer? *** Come Beach combing on 4th July *** 1700hrs at Huttoft Car Terrace. Come and join Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Officer Dave Miller for a 2 hour beach comb to see what has washed ashore. Eyes open for a message in a bottle! We will also be watching the sea for any passing porpoises and marine life as part of the run up to Sea Watch Foundation's National Whale and Dolphin Watch Weekend (August 6/ 7th). The Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park is a Lincolnshire County Council initiative set to feature along the coast from Chapel St Leonards to Sandilands. Through Heritage Lottery Funding a programme of events, led by the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, will see a host of community, wildlife and heritage days this summer – all free for you to enjoy! For a full listing of the events programme please visit: http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/countryside/section.asp?catId=32168 Or for more information please contact The Coastal Country Park events Officer: info@lincstrust.co.uk *** Life on the Verge. *** Mark Schofield writes: This project aims to recruit volunteers to look for wild flowers on roadside verges so that vital wildlife corridors can be identified and conserved on a landscape scale. For more information about "Life on the Verge" and how you can get involved visit: www.lifeontheverge.org.uk Free wildflower identification training days have been organised to provide beginners with the knowledge they need to take part in the surveys and help discover the best wild flower verges in the Wolds. Saturday 9 July - Red Hill and Badger Farm Wednesday 13 July - Red Hill and Badger Farm Sunday 17 July - Red Hill and Badger Farm For further information and to book a place please contact: Mark Schofield e-mail: mschofield@lincstrust.co.uk mobile: 07825 970930 switchboard: 01507 526667 Each day lasts from 10am-2pm and involves both an indoor and outdoor session to familiarise beginners with the wild flowers they can expect to discover for themselves on the road verges. You don't have to join training days to take part in the surveys. Surveys should only take up to 2 hours and need only be done once. They are designed to assess conservation value by checking for only a shortlist of wildflowers even beginners can learn easily. *** Far Ings Botany Course 16th July *** Buttercups and Willowherbs Saturday 16th July 2011 A half day course looking at Ranunculus and Epilobiums. A friendly atmosphere, with tea and coffee. Suitable for the beginner or someone with an established interest. Indoor Talk Outdoor Walk Tutor: Mick Binnion Please contact Far Ings Visitor Centre to reserve a place Tel. No. 01652 637055 (You don't have to be a Brain Surgeon!) All welcome. Adult event. Price of the course £5. Includes booklet. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. 25/6 White-tailed Eagle juv still 6.5 miles south of Louth 2 miles SW of A16 near Burwell, 1/2 miles south of Ruckland in tree south of ponds Osprey, Bonby and Saxby Carrs Wood Sandpiper, Frampton Marsh Osprey west of Wroot 26/6 Osprey, Appleby Carrs Osprey, Bonby Carrs Male Quail singing, Wroot Montagu's Harrier, Gibraltar Point 27/6 3 Spoonbills, Gibraltar Point White-tailed Eagle juv still 6.5 miles south of Louth 2 miles SW of A16 near Burwell, 1/2 miles south of Ruckland in tree south of ponds Caspian Gull, 10 Yellow-legged gulls, Whisby Nature Park Common Crane, Saxby All Saints 28/6 3 Spoonbills, Gibraltar Point White-tailed Eagle juv still 6.5 miles south of Louth 2 miles SW of A16 near Burwell, 1/2 miles south of Ruckland in tree south of ponds 30/6 2 Spoonbills, Willow Tit, Gibraltar Point White-tailed Eagle juv still 6.5 miles south of Louth 2 miles SW of A16 near Burwell, 1/2 miles south of Ruckland in tree south of ponds Red-necked Phalarope, Kirkby on Bain gravel pits. 1/7 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. RIVER WITHAM Colin J Green 26/6/2011 Subject: Walk on banks R. Witham from the Plough Bridge, Newark Rd to Roe's Farm On Sunday evening 26 June the family and I decided to stroll along the Witham banks as it was such a beautiful evening. We saw: Green-veined White 1, Ringlet 5, Meadow Brown 2, Large White 2, Large Skipper 1 and Small Tortoiseshell 8. Many warblers, Mallards, Song Thrush, Chaffinch and heard one bird which sounded like a crake. Banded Demoiselle (Fe) 1. As we neared the farm the sight of the setting sun playing around the outline of the horses grazing in the fields - a beautiful scene. Thumbs up from everyone for that walk! Took my son-in-law's car in for MOT the next morning so did the walk again with my camera. Blazing hot! Saw: Beautiful Demoiselle 8 (M x 6, Fe x 2), Ringlet 37, Meadow Brown 5, Skipper 8 (7 identified as Large) Green-veined White 2, Large White 5, Small White 2, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Banded Demoiselle 5 - (3 x M, 2 x Fe). Banded Demoiselle are common in this part of Lincoln and Swallowbeck but the Beautiful Demoiselle was a complete surprise! Also: Broad-bodied Chaser (M) and large Dragonfly bluish head and brownish body (seen from a distance other side of river). *** 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. BRACEBY Braceby TF015353 Marion Ellis on 30/6/11 We have 19 house martins' nests on the house that have been repaired or newly built, plus one new one on the garage which has never had a nest before. Several front and back have young in, but not all yet. The swallow's nest in the stone shed has 2, possibly 3 young. Our neighbour, a farmer, saw a tagged kite the other day, but not able to read tag. BRAMTON Brampton SK 842805 24.06.2011 Alison Brownlow Lots of Butterflies in the sunshine- Small Tortoiseshell, Ringlet, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown, Small Skipper, Large Skipper, Comma, Small White. Brampton SK 842805 27.06.2011 Alison Brownlow Odonata flying over some newly dug ponds-Common Blue, Azure and Blue-tailed Damselfly, Southern Hawker, Brown Hawker, Emperor, 4-spot Chaser, male and female Black-tailed Skimmer. CARLTON LE MOORLAND SK909580 25-26 June 2011 Jeremy Hutchinson 4 Large Skippers Comma Speckled Wood Chinese Character Moth Chiffchaff and Blackcap singing ? Beetle* Grasshopper Lesser Stag Beetle Barn Owl Hedgehog also Song Thrush's nest with very small nestlings, rather late I'd have thought. * Hope someone may be able to help. Large (25-30mm) beetle feeding on Sweet William blooms. Very slender, black abdomen with zigzag greenish gold pattern, strikingly beautiful. I can't find anything like it in my books, and am hoping a better entomologist than myself may be able to identify it. I was so awestruck by it, it flew away before I had memorised any other features. GREETWELL HOLLOW (LWT reserve), Lincoln TF00 72 Brian Hedley 29 June 2011 Marbled white 1 Small Tortoiseshell 1 Large skipper 3 Small skipper 12 Large white 3 Meadow Brown 10 Ringlet 50+ Silver Y 1 Six-spotted burnet 10 Narrow-bordered five-spot burnet 4 Bee orchid, stemless thistle, musk mallow and fairy flax all in flower. KETTLETHORPE Kettlethorpe SK 846754 01.07.2011 Rodger Brownlow Grass snake about 2ft long. MARTON SK842820 Brian Hedley 26 June 2011 Moth-trap out overnight in garden (MV lamp over Skinner trap) produced about 60 species including: 7 Elephant Hawk 1 Lime Hawk 4 Swallowtail 1 Coronet 1 Bee Moth 1 Yellowtail 1 Dot Moth 1 Light Emerald 1 Buff Arches 62 Dark Arches 1 Pseudargyrotoza conwagana 1 Aleimma loeflingiana 29 June 2011 Hummingbird Hawk nectaring at red and white valerian in early evening. NETTLEHAM Brenda Edlington TF 005756 TF 005756 2/7/2011 3 siskins on peanuts - 2 of them possibly juveniles. SPILSBY Spilsby Moths recorded in garden using a Robinson Trap 125W MV & 40W Actinic Skinner Joan Gunson There has been some ideal conditions with very large numbers in the traps. 15.6 380 macro moths & 26 micro of 60 species with 7 new for year as follows: Light Arches Small Blood-vein Clouded Border Marbled Beauty Broad-barred White Pammene regiana Evergestis forficalis 20.6 400 moths of 52 species with 2 new for year: Small Dusty Wave Ditula angustiorana 22.6 384 moths of 60 species with 3 new for year: Poplar Grey Barred Yellow Enarmonia formosana 23.6 122 moths of 33 species with 3 new for year: Udea prunalis Elophila nympheata Lozotaenia forsterana 25.6 524 moths of 77 species with 7 new for year: Engrailed Small Dotted Buff Peach Blossom Orthopygia glaucinalis Agriphila tristella Epiblema uddmanniana Cnephasia communana 26.6 Amounts not counted as there were too many. An estimate would be 800. 81 species with 6 new for year: Yellow Tail Small Fan-footed Wave Scalloped Oak Common Heath NFG Heart and Club Pleuroptya ruralis 27.6 A very warm, humid night brought a huge catch. Estimate would be over 1,000. Also in the trap were lots of small black beetles (name unknown), nice Sexton Beetle (first this year), Rose Chafers, lacewings, Caddis Flies, and a Hawthorn Shield Bug. 106 species with 17 new for year. Sycamore Large Twin-spot Carpet Purple Thorn Bordered White Dingy Footman Clay Cnephasia stephensiana Neosphaleroptera nubilana Dipleurina lacustrata Bryotropha terrella Donacaula forficella Catoptria pinella Phycitodes binaevella Phlyctaenia perlucidalis Pandemis cerasana Acleris forsskaleana Pammene fasciana TRENT PORT, MARTON SK834813 Brian Hedley 29 June 2011 Grasshopper warbler 1 reeling Oystercatcher 1 Green woodpecker 1 Meadow Brown 25 Ringlet 10 Small skipper 6 Red Admiral 1 Comma 1 Large white 3 RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, near LOUTH TF 309 847 Silvia Fowler June 2011: Surprised to see how little effect the first 10 mm of rain on 30 May had after 3 months of drought. The rain had barely penetrated the top inch of soil, which was still dry below. A Blackbird brood, where feeding commenced around 9 June, still failed within its first week. Our Housemartins were more successful, though, and on 13 June 2 new nests were started as "semis" attached to existing nests and quickly completed. We are now back up to 9 active nests and can hear the chicks in the early ones, but they aren't visible yet. New last week were regular visits by 4 Swifts feeding alongside the housemartins and coming within a metre or so of the wall where they are nesting. Are there swifts in Louth? A total of 69 mm of rain throughout June has noticeably reinvigorated our local wildlife. Lots of young tits, finches and sparrows around, which have been less affected by the drought. Other sightings from our garden: Buzzard chasing jackdaws quite low above our patio, Hobby, Long-tailed Tits, Bullfinch and Stock Doves (both rarely seen). WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. A & R Parsons 26/6/2011 Temperature in high 20s - 26+ degC. Painted Lady on Valerian pm. Grass Snakes: 5+ adult grass snakes on compost heap. Probably 3+ females and 2+ males basking under black plastic covers. Fantastic. Explains our missing tadpoles. Then one further female adult the other side of the garden slipping into a flower bed not far from pond. Moved fast - but say at one time. See: http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/life/Grass_Snake Barn owl hunting along dyke 5pm. Tawny owls, one seen of electricity pole, one heard from Witham Bank, same time - 10pm. Cuckoo still calling on 26th, then not heard 27/28. 27/6/2011 - grass snakes still about - 2 seen. Cuckoo calling again 29th and 30th. 1/7 Painted Lady 2/7 Painted Lady WRANGLE COMMON 29/06/2011 Roy and Kath Pearson The sunshine today brought out the butterflies and our walk around the area produced:- Common Blue Comma Red Admiral Small Tortoiseshell Ringlet Meadow Brown Large White Small White. We were also fortunate to record two Quails, a most unusual occurrence. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. Lincolnshire Coast NNRs including RSPB Wash Reserves See: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/species/birds/index.php http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/lwt/seals/index.php ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GIBRALTAR POINT NNR. http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/gib/index.php Katherine Bocock No report yet. SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE NNR. http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/nr/reserve.php?mapref=41 John Walker. w/e 1st July 2011 In early may the chemical disabled access hire toilet at Rimac was burnt down, Natural England paid the £1600 cost and another was supplied in early June. This was also burnt out recently and again has had to be paid for. This has exhausted the budget and so there will be no replacement. The nearest public toilets are in the car park in Saltfleet or at the local pubs. With 64 mm of rainfall in June most of the vegetation is now fully recovered from the drought and the Rimac easy access trail is very colourful with a range of flowers and insects, including marsh helleborine, pyramidal orchid, vipers bugloss, restharrow, lesser meadowrue, lady's bedstraw, meadowsweet, scarlet pimpernel. RSPB WASH Reserves - Frampton Marsh and Freiston Shore John Badley May 2011 report RSPB Frampton Marsh http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh/index.asp A good variety of wetland species included Spoonbills (8th and two 28th to 29th) and up to three Garganey throughout the month. Mandarin (21st) and Ruddy Duck (from 26th) were both first reserve records. Waders were very well represented with two Red-necked Phalaropes (5th to 13th & 24th to 27th), up to three Little and an exceptional minimum of eight Temminck's Stints. Also seen were a peak of seven Wood Sandpipers (3rd) up to two Curlew Sandpipers (8th), Black Tern (1st and 5th to 6th), Whinchat (12th) and Redstart (21st). RSPB Freiston Shore http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore/index.asp No report for Freiston. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. News from Far Ings NNR http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/far_ings/index.php ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Far Ings NNR Week ending No report yet. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ CHAMBERS WOOD TF148738 Brian Hedley 26 June 2011 Broad-bordered Bee Hawk nectaring at lavender in butterfly garden. Marbled White 1 (Little scrubs Meadow) White Admiral 3 *** Limewoods and Further Afield - Help Needed *** Liz Fleurty writes: News from the Limewoods – Lincolnshire and further afield! I am in contact with the "Limewoods Working Group", a group of experts and enthusiasts from across the UK who have high- lighted two current research projects that I hope we in Lincolnshire can contribute to: 1) Collecting Tilia leaf samples for genetical analysis, action required now! 2) Collecting Tilia cordata fruits (from the ground) for research into seed fertility, linking it with climate data We obviously have a good number of woodlands to choose from; if anybody is interested in taking part please e-mail limewoods@lincolnshire.gov.uk with an idea of where you would like to collect from, and I will send you further information and liaise with woodland owners and Natural England (for permission to collect from SSSIs). With our tradition of involvement in pioneering woodland research (George Peterken's work in the 1970s) wouldn't it be great to keep our Lincolnshire woodlands in the spotlight? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 *** Wildlife Crime Officer, Nigel Lound, is retiring. For the time being, Wildlife Crime related issues should be sent to PWCO Nick WILLEY who many of you will know already. Nick can be contacted on Nicholas.willey@lincs.pnn.police.uk or 01522 805746. *** Lincs Amphibian and Reptile Group *** The Lincolnshire ARG (Amphibian & Reptile Group) For further details please contact ashleybutterfield@btinternet.com tel. 07984 66 5847 *** Limestone Grassland Project *** Mark Schofield, Limestone Grassland Project Officer, mschofield@lincstrust.co.uk Mobile: 07825970930, Switchboard: 01507 526667. To find out more and to become involved with the survey and management of Lincolnshire's limestone grassland on road verges see: See: http://www.lifeontheverge.org.uk/ *** Local Bat Helpline *** Grounded bats, bat problems, advice and information? Contact Annette and Colin Faulkner on 01775 766286 or e-mail: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** Bat Recorder *** You may send confidential bat records direct to Annette Faulkner on: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** Butterfly Conservation Recorder *** Allan Binding asks contributors of butterfly records to the Bulletin to include their address or contact telephone or e-mail address and Grid Reference if possible. e-mail: allan.binding@ntlworld.com See: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/species/bfly/index.php *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire link *** http://www.lincolnshire-butterflies.org.uk/index.html *** LNU Bees, Wasps and Ants Recorder *** Alan Phillips Willing to examine specimens or check photos (but bear in mind only a relative few of the 300+ species in the county are identifiable using photos). Aculeates only please, no parasitic wasps such as Ichneumons. If in doubt please contact for advice: aculeates@gmail.com *** Whisby's Bee and Wasp List *** Dr Michael Archer and Alan Phillips have put together an impressive list. Have a look and see how many species you recognise by name! http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/whisby/index.php?id=73 Also see: http://norwegica.wordpress.com/author/norwegica/ Could this be the year you learn to identify bees and wasps? *** OTTERS *** Readers are reminded that all dead Otters should be reported to the Environment Agency on 0800 807060. *** Mammal Records *** Mammal records can reported to Chris Manning Email: chris@lincsdeer.info Mink reports also of interest and can be sent via the Bulletin. *** New Met Office Service *** The Met Office website now offers an e-mail notification service for severe weather and other matters which may interest readers. Worth having a look and signing up. Be warned of the possibility of severe weather. See: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/corporate/pressoffice/2009/pr20090727.html *** LNU Moths Gallery *** There is a moth page on the LNU Website, to promote the recording of moths across the county. http://www.lnu.org/ Also see: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/species/hawkmoths/index.php *** LNU Plant Galls Recorder *** Graeme Clayton Please note my new addresses for plant gall id etc. 46 Sibthorp Street Lincoln LN5 7SH gclayton54@o2.co.uk Willing to check or identify any plant gall material. Recording forms www.british-galls.org.uk *** Slug ID Help *** Chris du Feu will help with slug identification. You can telephone him on: 01427 848400 or e-mail: chris@chrisdufeu.force9.co.uk *** Lincolnshire Badger Group Update *** Ally Townsend of the Weirfield Wildlife Hospital, writes: If you would like to give people the Lincoln number 01522 530428 a member of staff will record the sighting or RTA. Or use the Weirfield website: http://www.weirfield.co.uk/ where a reporting page can be used to send in reports. *** Lincs Bird Club *** LBC County Bird Recorders County Bird Recorder, covering the south of the county recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk for John Badley recorder_north@lincsbirdclub.co.uk for John Clarkson Bird Club Website: www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk *** Lincolnshire Bird Club Grantham Peregrine Project *** The Lincs Bird Club is pleased to announce the return of the Grantham Peregrine Webcam. Images from the tower at St Wulfram's Church, Grantham can be seen at http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk/pegcam.html while details of daily activity can be found at http://pegcam.blogspot.com. Birds have already been seen in the nesting tray, so fingers crossed that they breed again successfully in 2011. Details of last year's successful breeding attempt can be download at http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk/Articles/2010_Peregrine_Blog.pdf *** Wash Estuary Project Contacts *** Jeff Goodley - Wash Estuary Project Officer jeff.goodley@washestuary.org.uk Maria Phipps - Wash Estuary Project Assistant maria.phipps@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: freistonshore@rspb.org.uk Bardney Limewoods www.limewoods.co.uk limewoods@lincolnshire.gov.uk The Sir Joseph Banks Society Contact 01507 528223 or by e-mail: enquiries@joseph-banks.org.uk. www.joseph-banks.org.uk EasyTide Check tide times on Admiralty EasyTide: http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx TWO - The Weather Outlook Check the weather forecast for the location or postcode: http://www.theweatheroutlook.com/ Joan Gunson's moths: http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v499/jsylvester/Moths%20in%20my%20garden%202010/ Alan Dale's Bugs and Weeds http://www.bugsandweeds.co.uk/ Mike Binnion writes: I've put all my decent photos of common butterflies on the Grimsby website: See http://www.grimsbywildlife.co.uk/otherattractions.htm http://www.grimsbywildlife.co.uk/ *** Other Useful E-mail Addresses *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union: info@lnu.org Gibraltar Point: gibpoint@lincstrust.co.uk Far Ings: farings@lincstrust.co.uk Whisby Nature Park: whisbynp@lincstrust.co.uk NEW Syke's Farm: lwt@sykesfarm.org.uk Lincs. Trust HQ: The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust main e-mail address: info@lincstrust.co.uk Lincolnshire FWAG: lincoln@fwag.org.uk Chambers Farm Wood NEW contact - Mary Porter Mary.porter@forestry.gsi.gov.uk Lincolnshire Bird Club Secretary - Janet Eastmead: janet.eastmead@talktalk.net Membership Secretary - Mike Harrison: michael@michaelharrison1.wanadoo.co.uk If you would like your e-mail listed here, please let me know. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9. Notes about these wildlife reports ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We do our best to ensure accuracy in our reporting but these records are sent in by a variety of reporters, from complete beginners to professionals. They therefore vary in reliability and in certain cases they are impossible to verify. If further information is needed on locations or reporters, or if you wish to question/confirm any of these records, contact: rparsons@enterprise.net Bulletins are sent to Biological Recorders at the Lincs. Wildlife Trust, Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. [Note: Where plants are reported, this is usually because they have been seen and identified in flower.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10. The Bulletin's publicity policy ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We will sometimes withhold precise details of the location of rare or endangered species. Please point out any sensitive or "tricky" reports of this kind. Sensitive data should go directly to county recorders, please. We ask that you respect the interests of wildlife and site owners if you report to national networks. Make a point of explaining site sensitivity and any restrictions on access. An interest in wildlife is not a licence to act irresponsibly/thoughtlessly to landowners, who may well be partners in important conservation work. [Remember - views expressed in the Bulletin do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions on the LNU or associated organisations. In particular this applies to such agencies, especially charities, taking a political stance.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11. LNU Events Diary For LNU meetings also see www.lnu.org/events.php ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Identifying Hoverflies - have you registered yet? *** Information from Ian Macalpine-Leny Whisby Education Centre in conjunction with Roger Morris are holding an Introduction to Hoverflies event on 26th and 27th March 2011 and 24th September 2011 (3 day course). Roger Morris describes the course as follows:- An Introduction to Hoverfly Identification This course is designed to give the novice sufficient confidence to tackle these attractive and interesting flies. By the end of the second day most pupils can be expected to understand the critical parts of the keys that often cause trouble. The programme comprises a mixture of formal and informal sessions. Identification sessions use preserved material provided by the course tutors. Course literature has been designed to compliment the keys in Stubbs & Falk's British Hoverflies. A second session in September is scheduled to provide an opportunity for pupils to refresh their knowledge and have specimens confirmed. It will also give an opportunity to look at more challenging genera that often cause difficulties. Field Meetings generally start at 12 noon for 1.00pm, but please check the website details for each event. Unless otherwise stated, Indoor Meetings are held on Saturdays at the Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park, Moor Lane, Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln and start at 2pm. 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 with Yorkshire 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, with reason: None this week!. *** Links of the week *** Seagull films itself on stolen Video camera. http://uk.news.yahoo.com/seagull-%E2%80%98steals%E2%80%99-camcorder-and-films-french-riviera-.html RSPB web cams - not so interesting? http://www.rspb.org.uk/web cams/birdsofprey/index.aspx http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/t/toplodge/ ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/