============================================ || || 24th 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 961 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 *** Reports are somewhat thin this week, so please try to get something in for next week if you can. It would also be good to get some feedback on the many events and activities we have mentioned in the LNU Bulletin. Readers will have noted that there is to be a new test of badger culling as a means of controlling TB in cattle. If you are interested in this topic, here are some links giving you some contrasting points of view. The official DEFRA perspective http://www.defra.gov.uk/animal-diseases/a-z/bovine-tb/ DEFRA Next Steps http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2011/07/19/next-steps-to-tackle-bovine-tb-in-england-2/ Badger Trust - counter argument http://www.badgertrust.org.uk/Content/Home.asp NFU - the farmer perspective http://www.nfuonline.com/Home/bTB-announcement/ Wildlife Trusts - a conservation angle http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/news/2011/07/19/culling-not-cure LRSN - a countryside view http://www.lrsn.co.uk/Farming_News It is unlikely that the LNU will express a view on this controversy, as it mostly falls outside the charity's area of work. However, as many individual members of the LNU and other organisation will be following the debate, you are welcome to send in web links that may be of interest. As someone who has waited anxiously for TB results in beef and dairy cattle, and who also has a great admiration for badgers, I can debate the issue on my own! I expect there will be quite a range of views amongst Bulletin readers, so I do not intend hosting a full blown discussion. Instead I will post links to interesting articles you send in, leaving you to draw your own conclusions. Whatever your views, I hope you will make them known in some way. A letter to your MP perhaps? Input from readers with specialist knowledge of the subject is always welcome. Roger *** Next LNU Event *** For LNU meetings also see www.lnu.org/events.php See section 11 for full programme. 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 *** More on Bumblebee Deaths *** Alan Phillips writes: Following on from Mick Binnion's comment. Parasitized bumblebees, due to the affects caused by the parasite in question (Conopid larvae etc.), often act in a haphazard or lethargic manner, often crawling about the ground. This is more likely the main reason they're targeted by birds - though they'll often pick-off healthy bees as they enter/exit the nest. Any parasite eaten along with the rest of the bee's contents may then simply be a bonus. The best explanation I've seen for reports of dead bumblebees around Tilia is the following from the BWARS messageboard, 2009, which I'm sure Andrew wouldn't mind me including here: "Most lime tree flowers are attractive to a wide range of bees and other insects without producing adverse effects. The type of lime that is known to be harmful to bees is Tilia 'Petiolaris', which is a relatively late flowering lime tree. It produces its highly fragrant blossom in late July – early August in the south of England. This cultivar is said to be harmful to honeybees but in my experience of this tree at Wisley Garden it is only bumble- bees that are affected. There may be a weather component to the problem as in some years there may be significant numbers of dead and dying bees under this tree but in other years none are seen. This is in spite of the tree flowering profusely every year and being visited by both honeybees and bumblebees. "An explanation that was published in Bee World 1977 vol 58 p129- 130, states that the problem is due to the nectar and pollen of certain limes containing mannose as one of the sugars produced by this plant. Most animals, including man, can metabolise this sugar but bees lack the necessary enzymes to complete the digestive breakdown of this sugar. It becomes irreversibly locked onto the bees' enzymes to the extent where there are no longer any free enzymes available for the digestion of this or other sugars. The bees seen crawling in a drunken fashion under a lime tree are starving, even though their stomachs may be full of nectar. "Andrew Halstead - Principal Entomologist, RHS Garden, Wisley" *** Moth Night - Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** Visit to Scotton Common On Saturday 30th July 2011 you are invited to join us on a visit to Scotton Common Nature Reserve for a walk led by the warden Roly Barber. Please meet in the car park at 1pm. Grid Ref.SK873985. Please wear suitable clothing and foot wear. This is a free event but donations will be collected for the Trust. For further details please contact Jennie Redpath 01472 502858. *** Chambers Farm Events *** Saturday 30TH July 2011 MOTH NIGHT AT CHAMBERS FARM WOOD EDUCATION CENTRE Time: 9pm to late See many of the moth species found in the lime woods Wear warm clothes and bring a torch Sunday 31ST July 2011 OPEN DAY AT CHAMBERS FARM WOOD (FOLLOWED BY LINCOLNSHIRE BRANCH AGM) Time: Open from 10.00 Guided Butterfly Walk at 11.00 (AGM Starts at 15.00) Contact: Peter Cawdell Telephone: 01522 560646 Mobile: 07867 954770 Target Species: White Admiral, White-letter Hairstreak, Purple Hairstreak & Marbled White *** Upcoming Events at Alkborough Flats *** Anna Moody sent in the following information: Sunday 7th August, 2pm. Butterfly and Dragonfly walk £2 per person Friday 26th August, 7.30pm. Bats and BBQ, £7 per person including BBQ Booking is essential for all events. Please call 01724 721269 to reserve a place. *** Red Soldier Beetle records *** 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 http://www.plantpress.com/wildlife/o252-commonredsoldierbeetle.php *** Please 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 Big Butterfly Count 16-31 July 2011 http://www.butterfly-conservation.org/text/4448/making_butterflies_count_with_m_s.html 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 *** Free BTCV Wildlife Identification Courses *** Sent in by Brian Hedley BTCV will be holding the following free one-day courses at Langford Lowfields, TARMAC Langford Quarry, Newark Road, Collingham, NG23 7RF Sunday 17 July – Dragonfly and Damselfly identification Sunday 14 August – Butterfly and moth identification From 10-4pm for 12 people. Booking essential. See: http://trentvale.wordpress.com/2011/07/07/free-wildlife-identification-courses/ *** Deer and People: Past, Present and Future *** Chris Manning sent in the following information: International Conference - Deer and People: Past, Present and Future Chris Manning sent in the following information This conference is taking place at Riseholme, Lincoln on the 8th – 11th September 2011. Themes include; Anthropology, Archaeology, Biology, Conservation, Deer Farming, Ecology, Geography, History, Landscape Management, Law, and Population Genetics. For further details http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/archaeology/research/conferences/deerandpeople/intro.aspx *** Brush Up On Bones *** Tom Collins sent in information on this interesting course: At the University of Sheffield we are running a Zooarchaeology Short Course in September (12-14th). It is ideal for anyone wanting to learn (or remind themselves of) animal bone identification and methods of analysis. For further details please use the link below: http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/archaeology/research/zooarchaeology/short-course.html *** Heritage Open Days - Lincolnshire *** Heritage Lincolnshire have put up their programme for Heritage Open Days 2011 - also on the weekend of 8-11th September. See: http://www.lincsheritage.org/hod/index.php *** Order Paul Money's "Night Scenes 2011" *** Paul Money's useful "Night Scenes" series will be know to many readers. Details of his latest edition are up on his website now. http://www.astrospace.co.uk/nightscenes/nightscenes.htm ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. 16/7 American Wigeon, Little Stint, Freiston Shore 74 Little Gulls, Cleethorpes 17/7 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 Honey Buzzard SW over New Holland Honey Buzzard NE of Scunthorpe at Appleby Carrs 18/7 Temminck's Stint, Gibraltar Point American Wigeon, Freiston Shore 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 19/7 Osprey, Bonby Carrs Caspian Gull, Kirkby-upon-Bain Caspian Gull, west of Winterton Common Crane, Saxby All Saints Carrs Spoonbill, Gibraltar Point also Curlew Sandpiper, Crossbill, Spotted Redshank. 20/7 Black Redstart, Frampton Marsh Pectoral Sandpiper, Freiston Shore Common Crane, Saxby All Saints Carrs 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 21/7 Caspian Gull, 9 Yellow-legged gulls, Whisby Nature Park Curlew Sandpiper, Freiston Shore Spoonbill, Frampton Marsh 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 5 Black-tailed Godwits, Manby Flashes 22/7 Temminck's Stint, Freiston Shore Spoonbill, Frampton Marsh 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 13 Black-tailed Godwits, Manby Flashes Marsh Sandpiper, Alkborough Flats 7 Yellow-legged Gulls, Whisby Nature Park 23/7 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 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. Albino Hare Paul Hewitt Friday 15th July I spotted an albino hare at Utterby. It was not a fully mature creature and as far as I could see the only very slight trace of colour was on the ear tips. Chris Manning adds: They are unusual. See: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/picturegalleries/picturesoftheday/8058739/Pictures-of-the-day-12-October-2010.html?image=10 Swifts John Cowell writes: I understand that there is concern for the number of Swifts around. I want to report about 50 swifts flying in from the North East over the Dunes at Brickyard Lane Theddlethorpe. LN12 1NR. Not in a group but ones & twos. They went off inland in a more southerly direction towards the west end of Mablethorpe. See: http://blx1.bto.org/birdfacts/results/bob7950.htm http://www.bto.org/birdtrends2010/wcrswift.shtml *** Bee/Wasp Puzzle *** David Robinson wrote on 20/7/11 - with photographs: Today we watched leaf cutting bees/wasps taking leaf material into the cavity of the wall of a Frampton Marsh RSPB bird hide. Some of them looked like wasps and some more like bees. One of the entrances to the cavity above a viewing window was shared by a spider who had to keep coming out of the hole to let the bees out. When I told the warden he said he didn't know about them and had not seen them. From what I understand there aren't any leaf cutting wasps so they must be bees. ?? Alan Phillips, LNU Bee and Wasp Recorder, replies: One is indeed a leaf-cutter bee (Megachile sp.) and the other a mason wasp (probably Ancistrocerus sp.). Identification to species level impossible I'm afraid. They are probably using the same entrance (gap between boards etc.) to their respective nests which may be several inches deep and occasionally getting in each others way. The bee of course builds nest cells using cut pieces of leaf, and the mason wasp usually mud. The wasp provisions its nest with caterpillars (often green ones) which could be mistaken for leaves and so adding to the confusion. To identify them to species you'd need extremely good close-up [photos] of the bee to get anywhere and still not a be 100% sure, and as far as the wasp goes you'd need a specimen under the microscope. *** 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. BURNHAM, BARTON UPON HUMBER - DN186EE. Mr J. Barker 28th June 2011. 1342 hours. Privet Hawk moth was seen on a white Scabious in garden. Small resolution photograph available if needed. Colin Smith, Moth Recorder, says: Privet Hawk is one of our success stories and has steadily increased over the years and is now very common. See: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/species/hawkmoths/index.php HORNCASTLE M. Dowse Postcode: LN96EE Male stoat - cat kill - 22/7/2011 [Determined: Roger Parsons] Length nose to tail tip - 37cm Tail only = 12 cm Weight = 262g MARKET DEEPING 19.07.11 Mick Todd While working in rape field at least 1 pair of yellow wagtails were observed, with one sitting on top of the rape plants in full view for several minutes. 20.07.11 Mick Todd While working in the rape field (again!) we were sitting in our truck having a tea break, we were treated to the spectacular sight of a hobby flying past about 30 yards in front us at a height of no more than 15 feet above the ground. PINCHBECK John Redshaw 19th July 2011 Humming-bird Hawk Moth in garden today nectaring on pink Phlox and "Busy Lizzie" Begonias during light shower just before heavier rain. WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. A & R Parsons 16/7/11 Juv Linnet on lawn. 16th and 17th. Many froglets about after the heavy rain. 20/7/11 Brown hare in area - 2pm. Barn owl hunting in area, 7pm 21/7 Speckled Wood and 3 Red Admiral - 5pm. REPTILE RECORD A. Parsons 21.7.2011 Common lizard [5" long adult] in garden. WILLOWTREE FEN Chris Miller on 17/7/11 "Baby" Tawny Owl on the fence at Willow Tree fen nature reserve. We were able to get right up to it & took a photo, the parent we saw from a distance also. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 17/07/2011 Arctic Skua 3 Arctic Tern Barn Owl Black-tailed Godwit 51 Crossbill Green Sandpiper Sandwich Tern Spotted Redshank 1 Turtle Dove Essex Skipper Small Skipper White Letter Hairstreak 18/07/2011 Temminck's Stint 1 19/07/2011 Arctic Skua 8 Black-tailed Godwit 52 Common Buzzard 1 Common Scoter 4 Cormorant 136 Crossbill 1 Curlew Sandpiper 1 Gannet 13 Greenshank 21 Kittiwake 1 Knot 3265 Little Tern 14 Marsh Harrier 1 Ruff 1 Spoonbill 1 Spotted Redshank 1 Temminck's Stint 1 Turtle Dove 3 Whimbrel 4 20/07/2011 Crossbill 1 SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE NNR. http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/nr/reserve.php?mapref=41 John Walker. w/e 22/7/2011 Flowers include: pignut, tubular water dropwort, water mint, scabious, harebell, meadow vetchling, sea lavendar, prickly saltwort, meadowsweet, marsh cinquefoil, skullcap, Butterflies include: red admiral, peacock, small tortoiseshell, small copper, comma, hedge brown, ringlet, meadow brown, small heath, holly blue, large white, small skipper, speckled wood. Dragonflies include: emperor, black tailed skimmer, common darter, ruddy darter, southern hawker, four spotted chaser, broad bodied chaser. Birds seen include: arctic skua, gannet, guillemot, common scoter, sandwich tern, common tern, sanderling, dunlin, green sandpiper, common sandpiper, greenshank, knot, ringed plover, red kite, sparrowhawk, barn owl, marsh harrier, kestrel, grasshopper warbler, willow warbler, whitethroat, lesser whitethroat, blackcap, chiffchaff, linnet. Mammals: A weasel seen coming out my garden carrying a fledgeling house sparrow a sizeable prey item. Nuntjacs very vocal over past 2 weeks. RSPB WASH Reserves - Frampton Marsh and Freiston Shore John Badley June 2011 report awaited. RSPB Frampton Marsh http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh/index.asp 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 23.07.11 BIRDS Max. Numbers = avocet 3 blackbird 10 blackcap black headed gull 20+ blue tit 10 bullfinch 2 carrion crow 2 chaffinch 12 chiffchaff collared dove 2 common gull 20+ common tern 4 coot 50 cormorant 2 curlew dunnock 3 gadwall 2 goldfinch 4 GC grebe 4 great tit 4 greenfinch 5 grey heron greylag goose 100+ herring gull 2 house martin 7 house sparrow 10 lapwing 40 linnet 3 little grebe little gull 3 long tailed tit 6 magpie 4 mallard 24 marsh harrier 3 mistle thrush 2 moorhen 20 mute swan 6 pheasant 2 pied wagtail 2 pochard 8 reed bunting 3 reed warbler 20+ robin 6 sand martin 30+ sedge warbler 5 shelduck 6 shoveler 2 song thrush 2 sparrowhawk starling 2 swallow 30+ swift 10 tufted duck 40 water rail 2 whitethroat 6 willow tit 2 willow warbler 4 wood pigeon 6 wren 9 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ Lincolnshire Limewoods Dormouse Project - ESL Webpage http://www.ecologicalservicesltd.com/research/about/the_lincolnshire_limewoods_dormouse_project/ *** Limewoods - 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? http://herbariaunited.org/specimen/283080/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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, 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: Substantial mail failure of Sky mail customers. Another epidemic of anti-spam misidentification. Spamassassin strikes again. As bad as the spammers! You may need to Whitelist my address. Error message includes words: permanent error. also: johnbigland joylaidlaw tony.frith *** Links of the week *** Dog bites shark! http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/video/2011/jul/20/dog-bites-shark-australia-video ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/