============================================ || || 12th June 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 *** It is a sobering thought that we are almost at the Summer Solstice! A lunar eclipse takes place on 15th June - for details see eclipse links on my website: http://rogerparsons.info/cosmic.html 20+ years ago I received a bat detector as a 40th birthday present. It has given me tremendous pleasure over the years. This year I have being looking for a present of similar potential. I have found it at last. Have a look. http://www.flyonthewall.uk.com/wildlife-trail-cameras-c-83.html *** Please watch out for and report *** 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 *** LNU Events *** For LNU meetings also see www.lnu.org/events.php See section 11 for full programme. 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 *** 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? *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT 18th June *** Carolyn Lovely writes: On Saturday 18th June 2011 you are invited to join us for a visit to Saltfleetby - Theddlethorpe National Nature Reserve and to walk with warden Roger Briggs. Please meet at the Rimac car park Grid ref: TF466916 at 1pm. Please wear suitable clothing and footwear. This is a free event but donations will be collected for the Trust. For further information please contact Jenny Redpath - Grimsby 502858 *** Tree Awareness Day 19th June *** Sara Bright writes: BURGHLEY ESTATE STAMFORD, LINCOLNSHIRE Sunday 19th June 2011 starting at 10.30am A unique opportunity to visit one of the great family estates of Europe in the company of the Head of Forestry, Parks and Gardens, and members of the Tree Awareness Group. The walk will take in the Lake and Deer Park and look at the history, landscape and management of the estate. Park and meet at the public car park at Burghley House - postcode PE9 3JY Look out for TAG signs. The walk will last about 2 hours and will follow uneven terrain. Please wear strong boots/shoes and wear appropriate clothing. Sorry no dogs except support dogs. The walk is free, but donations may be made to the Burghley House Preservation Trust. Please support the TAG raffle. Enquiries - telephone 01522 552360 *** Free Water Vole Workshop 21st June *** Jenni Hignett writes: I know it is not in Lincs, but pretty close to Gainsborough so may be of interest to people there. Tuesday 21st June 9:30 – 13:00 Chesterfield Canal, Misterton An exciting opportunity to look for field signs of the endangered water vole, as well as other riparian mammals such as mink. We will also look at the habitat suitability of the canal and give you the ability to survey your local stretch of waterway for water voles. The workshop will be run by British Waterways and Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust. The workshop will be funded by the Trent Vale Landscape Partnership and will be free of charge. Meeting place – car park off Station Road, approx. grid reference SK 776 948. Please bring sturdy boots or wellies and clothing appropriate to the weather. Spaces on this workshop are limited and therefore booking is essential. Please contact Jenni Hignett on 07896 954695 or jhignett@nottswt.co.uk for more information and to book a place. *** Life on the Verge is coming to the Wolds! *** Mark Schofield writes: The successful "Life on the Verge" project is coming to the Lincolnshire Wolds thanks to a recent £50k grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The project aims to recruit volunteers to look for wildflowers 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. Wednesday 15 June - Elsham Pasture and Village Hall Saturday 25 June - Elsham Pasture and Village Hall Saturday 2 July - Elsham Pasture and Village Hall 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. 4/6 2 Spoonbills Frampton Marsh 5/6 2 Spoonbill, Frampton Marsh 6/6 Red-backed Shrike male, Saltfleet, Howden's Pullover Montagu's Harrier, Worlaby Carrs Golden Oriole male singing, Alkborough Flats Long-tailed duck, Ruddy Shelduck, 4 Crossbills, Short-eared owl, Gibraltar Point 7/6 Common Crane, Saxby All Saints NW of Worlaby 8/6 Common Crane, Saxby All Saints NW of Worlaby White-tailed Eagle juv again 6.5 miles south of Louth 2 miles SW of A16 near Burwell at Ruckland in tree East of road. Also Osprey. 2 Mediterranean Gulls, Long-tailed Duck, 2 Garganey, Gibraltar Point Quail male singing, Donna Nook 9/6 Spoonbill, Alkborough Flats 2 Quail singing, Donna Nook Osprey, North Willingham 60 Crossbills, Gibraltar Point 10/6 Common Rosefinch, Gibraltar Point White-tailed Eagle juv again 6.5 miles south of Louth 2 miles SW of A16 near Burwell at Ruckland in tree East of road. Spoonbill, Long-tailed Duck, 30 Crossbills, Gibraltar Point 11/6 White-tailed Eagle juv still 6.5 miles south of Louth 2 miles SW of A16 near Burwell at Ruckland 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. John Badley Recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Assisted by Grahame Hopwood and Colin Jennings May 2011 reports: Gibraltar Point NNR A superb month for unusual sightings with Red-rumped Swallow (6th), Collared Pratincole (8th & 9th), Calandra Lark and Serin (10th) and Short-toed Lark (12th) being the highlights. Raptors included Black Kite (3rd, 12th & 31st), Red Kite (5 dates), Honey Buzzard (9th & 11th), Montagu's Harrier and Rough-legged Buzzard (both 10th) and Osprey (10th & 11th). Other sightings included two Spoonbills (9th to 11th) with one from 27th to 29th), Golden Orioles (11th & 31st), Great White Egret (12th), Temminck's Stint (14th), Storm Petrel (29th), Glaucous Gull (29th & 31st), eight Manx Shearwaters and up to 75 Crossbills (all on 31st). Whisby Nature Park and North Hykeham Pits Breeding records included 14 singing male Nightingales, 540 pairs of Black-headed Gulls and 25 pairs of Common Terns. Turtle Doves were the last summer visitors to return (13th), although only one pair appears to be nesting. Cuckoo are doing well with four singing males. Scarce migrants included Garganey (9th to 15th), Little Egret (22nd), Caspian Gull and Arctic Tern (both 23rd). Other sites At Kirkby Pits a Little Gull (2nd), two Garganey (2nd to 4th), Black Tern (4th) Temminck's Stint (22th) and Black Kite (31st). Ospreys were seen passing over both Grantham and Spalding (3rd), Wood Sandpipers were at Marston STW (two on 4th & 5th) and Blackmoor Bridge (5th & 8th). At RSPB Freiston Shore two Ring Ouzels were recorded (5th & 6th). While a 1st summer Purple Heron was a great find at Helpringham Fen (26th). *** 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. Bit thin this week - perhaps everyone is cutting the grass! Please keep those reports coming. Thanks. Roger HAGANBY FEN E.A. WETLAND RESERVE TF 342597 Garry Steele Noteworthy ornithological sightings & maximums, May 2011 Teal 5 (with a pair remaining to month's end) Mallard 27 Tufted Duck 11 Buzzard 2 Avocet 2 (pair on 17th) Lapwing 2 Common Sandpiper 2 (4th); 1 (8th) Whimbrel 1 (on 1st & 8th); followed by 2 (10th) Black-headed Gull 23 Common Gull 21 Lesser Black-backed Gull 5 Common Tern 4 (8th) Mammals: Muntjac 1; Roe Deer 1; Fox 1 WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. A & R Parsons 5/6/11 White Myxomycete on old pear tree, glooped out of a hole and took on an organised texture, two days later turning black and by the 11th turning to dust. If anyone is good at identifying these we have photos. For similar-looking species see: http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/914784 http://quosac.blogspot.com/2008/07/found-slime-mould-fuligo-septica.html I can send you before and after pictures if that would help. 12/6/11 - 5am Local cuckoo still calling with noticeable "change of tune". ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 this week. SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE NNR. http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/nr/reserve.php?mapref=41 John Walker. Report 10/6/2011 2 bird nest boxes in a garden near Rimac have been colonised by tree bumblebees. The drought continues to stunt growth in all but the low lying areas, and water levels have decreased considerably over the past 3 weeks. flowers include. vipers buglosss, flag iris, pyramidal and southern marsh, orchids, yellow rattle ,lady's bedstraw, sea lavendar, meadow sweet, Butterflies include, large and small skippers, common blue, speckled wood, small heath, red admiral, dragonflies include, hairy, emperor, four spotted and broad- bodied chasers, azure blue damsel, emerald green damsel, large red damsel, blue tailed damsel. 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 11.06.11 BIRDS Max. Numbers = avocet 40+ bearded tit 5+ blackbird 20 blackcap 8 black headed gull 20+ blue tit 10 bullfinch 2 carrion crow 2 chaffinch 10 chiffchaff 7 collared dove 2 common gull 20+ common tern 4 coot 20+ cormorant 2 cuckoo dunnock 4 gadwall 2 goldfinch 3 grasshopper warbler 2 GC grebe 4 great tit 4 greenfinch 2 grey heron 2 greylag goose 50+ herring gull 2 house martin 10 house sparrow 8 lesser whitethroat linnet 2 little grebe little gull 2 long tailed tit 8 magpie 2 mallard 22 marsh harrier M+F mistle thrush moorhen 22 mute swan 6 oystercatcher 2 pheasant 2 pied wagtail pochard 8 reed bunting 3 reed warbler 74 (singing males) robin 5 sand martin 10 sedge warbler 12 (singing males) shelduck 4 skylark song thrush 2 sparrowhawk starling 3 swallow 30+ swift 80+ treecreeper 3 tufted duck 12 turtle dove water rail 2 whitethroat 7 willow tit 2 willow warbler 6 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/ Limewoods: Anne Goodall writes: Thanks(?) to a wet end to the month, rainfall for May totalled 27mm - or a fraction over an inch. Almost all of this actually fell over just three days spread across the month, with a quarter in one torrential downfall lasting just half an hour. Whether related or not, roding woodcock numbers in Ivy Wood (one of the BTO's national monitoring sites) are also the lowest in 9 years of monitoring. Average clutch numbers for both blue and great tits in the nestboxes were lower this year by about 2 eggs, but pullus survival is higher - swings and roundabouts! Seems to be hopeful that crossbills bred, with a sighting of a small party last month, and a much bigger party in the butterfly garden last weekend. Just needs somebody to get a good luck and confirm that there are juveniles among them please. Muntjac numbers seem to be increasing again; a walk in the woods without seeing 1-2 is rare. Unfortunately, so is the potential damage they do; our great flowering of greater butterfly orchid has been curtailed by mammals unknown (in fairness, could also be hares) which have nipped off every flower. In general though it's a great year for orchids, with droves of common spotted on most rides. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7. Sending in reports to Roger Parsons ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The purpose of the Bulletin is to encourage biological recording in Lincolnshire using modern Information and Communication Technology. We hope to increase the number of people reporting observations to LNU Recorders and improve the quality of reports, as well as the quantity and the geographical coverage. [A backup e-mail address you can use if ever you experience problems with my "Enterprise" address is: aintree2@yahoo.co.uk] When sending in reports please follow Bulletin layout to save editing: Place Name: IN CAPITALS with Grid Reference if you have it. Your Name: Real names please, not aliases. Put it in each time, for each location Date: Species list [Alphabetical?] & numbers [and observations?] e.g. Blackbird - 24 [And please, no home-grown abbreviations. Names in full.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 8. Contact Information & Useful Websites ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please let me know ASAP if any of these weblinks fail! *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Website *** A full list of LNU Country Recorders is given here. http://www.lnu.org/ LNU e-mail: info@lnu.org If you are not yet a member, the LNU needs good naturalists like you! Anyone interested can get membership application forms via Tori Sandilands at the Lincs Wildlife Trust Horncastle office, e-mail vsandilands@lincstrust.co.uk LNU publications [listed on LNU website] may be ordered via: Ian Macalpine-Leny macalpine@doddington.demon.co.uk *** Contacts List *** PC Nigel LOUND Wildlife Crime Officer - Community Safety Police HQ Deepdale Lane Nettleham Lincs LN57PH Tel 01522 558684 e-mail: nigel.lound@lincs.pnn.police.uk or Nige LOUND Wildlife Crime Officer County Police Station Sea Lane Ingoldmells Lincs PE24 44XX Tel: 01522 558684 e-mail: nigelound@btinternet.com *** Lincs Amphibian and Reptile Group *** The Lincolnshire ARG (Amphibian & Reptile Group) For further details please contact ashleybutterfield@btinternet.com tel. 07984 66 5847 *** Limestone Grassland Project *** Mark Schofield, Limestone Grassland Project Officer, mschofield@lincstrust.co.uk Mobile: 07825970930, Switchboard: 01507 526667. To find out more and to become involved with the survey and management of Lincolnshire's limestone grassland on road verges see: See: http://www.lifeontheverge.org.uk/ *** Local Bat Helpline *** Grounded bats, bat problems, advice and information? Contact Annette and Colin Faulkner on 01775 766286 or e-mail: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** Bat Recorder *** You may send confidential bat records direct to Annette Faulkner on: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** Butterfly Conservation Recorder *** Allan Binding asks contributors of butterfly records to the Bulletin to include their address or contact telephone or e-mail address and Grid Reference if possible. e-mail: allan.binding@ntlworld.com See: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/species/bfly/index.php *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire link *** http://www.lincolnshire-butterflies.org.uk/index.html *** LNU Bees, Wasps and Ants Recorder *** Alan Phillips Willing to examine specimens or check photos (but bear in mind only a relative few of the 300+ species in the county are identifiable using photos). Aculeates only please, no parasitic wasps such as Ichneumons. If in doubt please contact for advice: aculeates@gmail.com *** Whisby's Bee and Wasp List *** Dr Michael Archer and Alan Phillips have put together an impressive list. Have a look and see how many species you recognise by name! http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/whisby/index.php?id=73 Also see: http://norwegica.wordpress.com/author/norwegica/ Could this be the year you learn to identify bees and wasps? *** OTTERS *** Readers are reminded that all dead Otters should be reported to the Environment Agency on 0800 807060. *** Mammal Records *** Mammal records can reported to Chris Manning Email: chris@lincsdeer.info Mink reports also of interest and can be sent via the Bulletin. *** New Met Office Service *** The Met Office website now offers an e-mail notification service for severe weather and other matters which may interest readers. Worth having a look and signing up. Be warned of the possibility of severe weather. See: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/corporate/pressoffice/2009/pr20090727.html *** LNU Moths Gallery *** There is a moth page on the LNU Website, to promote the recording of moths across the county. http://www.lnu.org/ Also see: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/species/hawkmoths/index.php *** LNU Plant Galls Recorder *** Graeme Clayton Please note my new addresses for plant gall id etc:- 46 Sibthorp Street Lincoln LN5 7SH gclayton54@o2.co.uk Willing to check or identify any plant gall material. Recording forms www.british-galls.org.uk *** Slug ID Help *** Chris du Feu will help with slug identification. You can telephone him on: 01427 848400 or e-mail: chris@chrisdufeu.force9.co.uk *** Lincolnshire Badger Group Update *** Ally Townsend of the Weirfield Wildlife Hospital, writes: If you would like to give people the Lincoln number 01522 530428 a member of staff will record the sighting or RTA. Or use the Weirfield website: http://www.weirfield.co.uk/ where a reporting page can be used to send in reports. *** Lincs Bird Club *** LBC County Bird Recorders County Bird Recorder, covering the south of the county recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk for John Badley recorder_north@lincsbirdclub.co.uk for John Clarkson Bird Club Website: www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk *** Lincolnshire Bird Club Grantham Peregrine Project *** The Lincs Bird Club is pleased to announce the return of the Grantham Peregrine Webcam. Images from the tower at St Wulfram's Church, Grantham can be seen at http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk/pegcam.html while details of daily activity can be found at http://pegcam.blogspot.com. Birds have already been seen in the nesting tray, so fingers crossed that they breed again successfully in 2011. Details of last year's successful breeding attempt can be download at http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk/Articles/2010_Peregrine_Blog.pdf *** Wash 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, 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, with reason: michael.brown - permanent error - does not like recipient *** Link of the Week *** BBC Springwatch Webcams: http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/uk/webcams/ ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/