============================================ || || 26th 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 *** We are past the halfway point of the year, the summer solstice. Soon we shall see the sequence of harvest activity that leads up to Autumn. Before then there is time for a lot of summer natural history. Please keep those reports coming. There are quite a few reports of Crossbills this week. If you are unfamiliar with this striking bird, see: http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/c/crossbill/index.aspx I would be very interested to have some feedback on the trips and courses we have plugged in past Bulletins. Did anyone go to the Alkborough Flats events? What about the Tree Awareness Day at Burghley? The Water Vole workshop? The "Life on the Verge" plant identification workshops? It really will help to know how these went. Organisers are very welcome to provide feedback too. There may be space to get on further "Life on the Verge" sessions and on the Far Ings Botany course - but you should check with the organisers that they have room. Please come along to the next LNU Field Meeting if you are interested - 3rd July. All welcome. See below. Roger *** 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 *** Thanks to LNU Lincolnshire Show Team *** Ian Macalpine-Leny writes: A really big thank-you to Richard Chadd, Colin Smith, Chris Manning and Charlie Barnes for giving up a day to work on the LNU stand at the Show. Also Colin's friend Chris Dobson, who has more miles on the clock than any of us, and who spent the entire day on his feet at the front of the stand talking to the waves of kids that came round. As always the hawk moths had everyone entranced, once they realised that they were alive (apart from one middle aged lady who ran out of the tent!) and all age groups were caught pond dipping. We gained one new life member, one ordinary member and one senior member, and sold £30 worth of books including one Bird Report. Very worthwhile. A big thank you to the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust for allowing us to have space in their Tent yet again. It emphasises our shared interests in wildlife and conservation and the good working relationship between the Trust and the LNU. *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** Carolyn Lovely writes: On Wednesday 29th June 2011 you are invited to join us in a visit to Elms Conservation Farm at Swaby for a 2 hour walk with the farmer. Please meet at the farm, Grid ref: TF388770 at 6.30pm. 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 *** Open day at Messingham Sand Quarry *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust - Messingham Sand Quarry Nature Reserve Sunday June 26th 2011 from 10.00 a.m. - 4.00 p.m. The reserve lies to the east of the B1400 Messingham Kirton Lindsey road. The entrance is opposite Scallow Grove Farm (look for electricity pylon). A track leads from the entrance to the car park. The reserve has been created by the excavation of sand, which has left a series of lagoons of differing depths with fringing beds of reed rush. There is a small area of remnant heath supporting heather, petty whin and other heathland flora. Woodland, grassland and marsh add varied habitats and support a vast array of flora including 6 orchid species. The richness of wildlife reflects this diversity of habitat and includes more than 180 species of bird (over 70 of which breed), 20 species of butterfly, over 250 species of moth, more than 16 species of dragonfly and over 100 species of bee and wasp. Other attractions include; * East of England Optics - displaying & demonstrating binoculars & telescopes * Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust stall * Plant stall * Pond Dipping * Guided walks *** 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 *** 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 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. *** And finally ... repeated from last week *** I had some great comments on these vintage links. If you missed them, have a look. [I try to slot in an unusual link or two at the end of each Bulletin.] One reader wrote: I scrolled down to the end of the Bulletin to find an absolute gem - the "you tube" LWT films from the 1960's! I was a teenager living in Spilsby at the time and they brought back a lot of happy memories of places and faces. Starting with a very school- boyish Barrie Wilkinson at the Little Tern Colony and a host of others synonymous with Natural History in the County, it was an absolute joy. I would urge anyone to view the links - the "Cholmondly-Warner" narrative only enhances these historic views of the county! It is obvious that very much has changed but the view of the Short-eared Owl quartering the saltmarsh at Gibraltar Point could have been filmed yesterday. LWT in the 60s - A Blast from the Past! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yE06cD8lG4M http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUB0-bvoCu4&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0ieAJNOkeo&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fj6a-YtcOXA&feature=related ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. 18/6 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 Long-tailed Duck, Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point 19/6 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 20/6 Common Crane, Saxby All Saints Carrs Garganey, Fiskerton Fen 3 Spoonbills, Frampton Marsh 27 Crossbills, Market Rasen Golf Course Long-tailec Duck, Gibraltar Point 21/6 11 Crossbills, Dog Kennel Wood Crossbills at Messingham in plantation 5 Crossbills, Bourne Woods 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 Common Crane, Saxby All Saints Carrs Little Gull, 2 Ruddy Shelduck, Alkborough 22/6 Osprey, Bonby Carrs Osprey, Worlaby Carrs 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 5 Yellow-legged Gulls, Whisby Nature Park 4 Quail, Donna Nook 3 Yellow-legged gulls, Barton-upon-Humber 23/6 Osprey, Bonby Carrs to Saxby 24/6 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 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 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. Editor writes: With the coming of the rain I have noticed the local housemartins in a frenzy of mud collection. This seems very late and I wondered if the spring drought had set back nest building and consequently breeding. Are they simply catching up on a bit of nest maintenance? Has anyone been researching this? What is going on? A cuckoo has been heard calling here almost every day this summer. In contrast some people say that they have not heard one at all this year. It would be interesting to get a feel for the distribution of cuckoos in late June. Please let me know if you hear one this week. *** 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. ANDERBY CREEK 21st June Dave Miller & James Porter Great Crested Grebe 2 on the sea Marsh Harrier pair male made two feeding passes to female who went down to the suspected nest site. Kestrel 1 Cuckoo 2 Swift 21 flying South Sand Martin 5 flying south Ringlet 3 Grey Seal 3 Cinnabar moth 1 CHAPEL PITS 24th June Dave Miller Ringlet Small Tortoiseshell Speckled Wood LINCOLN (just east of Crofton Road Industrial Estate) TF003 714 Brian Hedley 20 June 2011 Grass Snake (1 adult and 1 imm.) Meadow Brown 10 Large Skipper 1 LINCOLN (Greetwell Hollow LWT Res) TF00 72 Brian Hedley 21 June 2011 Ringlet 10 Small Skipper 2 Large Skipper 3 Small Heath 7 Comma 1 Six-spot burnet 30+ Narrow-bordered five-spot burnet 1 MARTON (Nr Gainsborough) SK842 820 Brian Hedley 19 June 2011 Moth trap (15w actinic lamp over Skinner trap) out in garden overnight produced about 30 species including: Lychnis 1 Wormwood pug 1 Foxglove pug 1 Thistle ermine 1 Double Square-spot 1 Barred straw 2 Cinnabar 1 Short-cloaked moth 1 Large yellow underwing 1 Dark arches 8 Common footman 4 Bramble shoot moth 1 Marbled minor type 3 22 June 2011 A much better evening with at least 45 species noted including: Dwarf Cream Wave 2 Gothic 1 Freyer's Pug 1 Marbled White-spot 1 Cabbage 1 Scalloped Oak 1 Garden Pebble 1 Middle-barred Minor 1 Brown Rustic 1 Mottled Rustic 12 Double Square-spot 4 Elephant Hawk 2 Foxglove Pug 4 Poplar Grey 1 Peppered Moth 5 Burnished Brass 1 Buff Ermine 1 Celypha striana 3 Eudonia mercurella 2 Crambus lathoniellus 2 RIMAC Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes 18/06/11 Mick Binnion Freshly emerging Emperor and Four Spotted Chaser. Small Heath Common Blue Large Skipper Cinnabar Moth & Caterpillars 5 Spot Burnet Moth Common Twayblade Bee Orchid Southern Marsh Orchid Common Spotted Orchid &Hybrid Swarm Pyramidal Orchid And three of a scarcer species snapped and crushed by a photographer! SEACROFT MARSH SSSI 19th June Dave Miller & Rob Martyr Little Egret 1 Kestrel 1 Curlew 2 Cuckoo 1 SKEGNESS PE25 1TW Norman Lang 09-06-11 15.11hrs Damselfly Blue Tip M&F - 1+1 16-06-11 15.15hrs Darter Red Veined F - 1 WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. A & R Parsons 18 and 19/6/11 Grey squirrel - but not for long! 17/6 Tawny owl calling in garden. 18-24/6/11 Cuckoo calling throughout day, 5am to 8pm, 5 Swallow chicks ringed on Monday 20th. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 11/06/2011 Crossbill Long-tailed Duck Mediterranean Gull Montagu's Harrier Turtle Dove 12/06/2011 Crossbill Long-tailed Duck Turtle Dove 13/06/2011 Barn Owl Crossbill Little Gull Little Ringed Plover Long-tailed Duck Ruddy Shelduck Spoonbill 14/06/2011 Avocet 73 Common Rosefinch Common Sandpiper Gannet 3 Little Gull 9 Long-tailed Duck Marsh Harrier 2 Montagu's Harrier 1 Siskin Spotted Flycatcher Turtle Dove 1 SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE NNR. http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/nr/reserve.php?mapref=41 John Walker. w/e 25/6/2011 Flowers include: bee orchid, pyramidal orchid, common spotted orchid, mouse ear hawkweed, hop trefoil, marsh cinquefoil, marsh helleborine, marsh bedstraw, pignut, vipers bugloss, lady's bedstraw, meadowsweet, lesser meadowrue, restharrow, red/white campions, sea lavendar. Butterflies include: small and large skippers, small heath, common blue, peacock, meadow brown, ringlet, speckled wood. Dragonflies include: broad bodied and four spotted chasers, emperor, southern hawker, ruddy darter, azure and common blue damsels, large red damsel, emerald green 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 25.06.11 BIRDS Max. Numbers = avocet 10+ bittern blackbird 20 blackcap 6 black headed gull 30+ blue tit 10 bullfinch 2 carrion crow 2 chaffinch 7 chiffchaff 4 collared dove 2 common gull 20+ common tern 5 coot 25+ cormorant cuckoo dunnock 4 gadwall 2 goldfinch 6 grasshopper warbler GC grebe 6 GS woodpecker great tit 6 greenfinch 2 grey heron greylag goose 40 herring gull house martin 25 house sparrow 8 lesser whitethroat LBB gull linnet 2 long tailed tit 7 magpie 2 mallard 26 marsh harrier M+F mistle thrush moorhen 20 mute swan 8 pheasant 2 pied wagtail 5 pochard 6 reed bunting 4 reed warbler 70+ robin 4 sand martin 6 sedge warbler 10 shelduck 4 song thrush 2 sparrowhawk starling 2 swallow 30+ swift 40+ tufted duck 10 turtle dove 2 water rail 2 whitethroat 10 willow tit 5 willow warbler 7 wood pigeon 4 wren 9 Also: pipistrelle bats and harvest mouse. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 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 *** 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, 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: 20 emails to lincstrust zapped by spamassin/ scstechcolutions.co.uk Also several sky customers were affected. Sorry, everyone. These well-meaning anti-spam champions are almost as bad as the xyz# spammers. If there is any way to alter your security settings to let the Bulletin through, please do so. Otherwise, let me have your private emails or pick the Bulletin up on the Portal. *** Link of the week *** Mary Porter on Attracting Wildlife http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUIgCwT_Hgo ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/