============================================ || || 13th March 2011 || || LNU Website: http://www.lnu.org/ || || News of Lincolnshire Wildlife || ============================================ In this issue..... 1. Readers hints, tips and requests 2. Wildlife Highlights 3. Wildlife reports from around the county 4. News from the Lincolnshire Coast NNRs 5. News from Far Ings NNR 6. News from Bardney Limewoods NNR 7. Sending in Reports - contributors please read! 8. Contact information 9. Notes about these wildlife reports 10. Bulletin publicity policy 11. Events Diary 12. ...and finally..... ============================================ The Lincolnshire Naturalists Union Bulletin is being read by 935 people and we are keen to encourage even more readers to subscribe. LNU Wildnews Bulletins are available on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Note: Each address contains the relevant date. Views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Lincolnshire Naturalists Union or any associated organisations. Please make contact via the LNU Website: http://www.lnu.org/ or e-mail wildlifenews@lnu.org, or contact the Editor to join up and contribute articles or reports. [Or cancel!] E-mail: rparsons@enterprise.net ============================================ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. Readers hints, tips and requests ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Can we make it to 1000? *** At 935 readers, we are well within striking distance of the dream target of 1000. If you know someone who would enjoy and appreciate the Bulletin, why not give them a tweak and suggest they sign up? Link: http://www.lnu.org/wildnews.php There are some great events coming up. We are hoping for a good turn out on the "Hoverflies" course. If you have not yet enjoyed an LNU Field Meeting, there is an interesting one near Ancaster this month. The birders have a BTO conference at Riseholme and Wash Cruises are still getting a mention! David Start is talking at Gainsborough, don't miss that, and David Robinson will be at Grimsby talking fossils and again at Lincoln. That will be good too. If you don't know about the God's Acre Project, Gordon Scott is doing a talk at Barkston & Syston Village Hall. Please don't forget you need to book if you want to attend an Alkborough Flats Event. Roger *** LNU Events *** For LNU meetings also see www.lnu.org/events.php Unless otherwise stated, Indoor Meetings are held on Saturdays at the Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park, Moor Lane, Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln and start at 2pm. See section 11 for full programme. April 17, 2011 Wilsford Heath Quarry SSSI (Private site) South of Ancaster 12.00 for 13.00 start. Meet in small on-site car park at SK985 413. Gate to site to be unlocked by land owner. Habitats: Woodland. Scrub, Calcareous grassland Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com *** Lincolnshire Environmental Awards *** The Lincolnshire Environmental Awards are coming up, so if you have a project to submit, now is the time to think about it. The deadline for applications is: 30 April 2011 See: http://www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk/ An on-line application form is available on: http://www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk/how-to-enter.php Bulletin readers will all be connected to likely projects. A good number of entries is always very encouraging to the organisers, so how about having a go? *** Identification Help, please *** Keith Skingle asks: I had a bird in my garden this morning which I have been unable to identify from any of my guide books. Can you help me please? The bird was similar in size to a sparrow it was grey brown streaked with a light grey underside with two triangular shaped black marks either side of its throat. It had distinguished yellowish streaks over its eyes. I also had a reed bunting visit this morning, something I have not observed before in my garden. *** BTO 'Birding in Lincs & Notts' Conference *** Andrew Chick writes: The upcoming BTO 'Birding in Lincs & Notts' Conference will take place on April 16, 2011 at Riseholme College Campus, University of Lincoln, Lincoln LN2 2LG. The first BTO conference in the area, this exciting event will combine talks and updates from national BTO surveys such as Bird Atlas 2007-11 and the Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) as well as fascinating insights into local RSPB Reserves, all you need to know about nesting and nest boxes, birds of prey in the area and what you might find in a ringers' mist net. This event represents a great way of meeting your local BTO Regional Representative, BTO staff from our headquarters in Thetford and BTO members and volunteers. There will also be stalls and displays from local bird clubs and conservation organisations and a first class raffle – how can you afford not to come! Conference tickets are great value, at only £14.00 per person which includes tea, coffee & biscuits and a buffet lunch so book soon to avoid disappointment! For more information and to book a place, please follow the link below: http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk/Articles/BTO_in_Lincs_&_Notts_Conference.pdf *** Gainsborough Group LWT *** Linda Woodward writes: Wednesday 16th March 2011 7.30pm Lincolnshire from the Air David Start (Director of Heritage Lincolnshire) Morton Village Hall (just north of Gainsborough) Raffle and other fundraising items on sale A donation of £1.00 includes refreshments People of all ages, Wildlife Trust members or not, are welcome. *** Grantham Area Group of the LWT *** Barkston & Syston Village Hall 7.30 p.m. Fri 8th April Churchyard Nature Reserves God's Acre Project at St. Swithun's Long Bennington Gordon Scott *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** Carolyn Lovely writes: On Monday 14th March 2011 you are invited to join us for an illustrated talk on "Fossils - What are they and Where to find them" presented by expert speaker David Robinson Hon secretary of LWT who is sure will enthral us knowledge of geology. This will be held in the banqueting room of Grimsby Town Hall and starts at 7.30 p.m.. Admission £2. There will be Trust goods stall, raffle and refreshments. All are welcome to join us. For further information contact Jenny Redpath Grimsby 502858 *** LWT Lincoln Area Group *** Denis Jones writes Thursday 17 March 2011 Rocking around Lincolnshire Illustrated talk by David Robinson Whisby Education Centre 7.30pm £2.50 inc Refreshments LWT Sales Stand plus Raffle *** Alkborough Flats Event *** Sarah Killick writes: Please Note - Booking is essential for all events, call 01724 721269 to book your place. 20th March - 9.30am & 11.30 am Minibus tours Join the site staff on a drive around the Flats visiting different parts of the site including the breach. Find out how the site has developed since it was breached and what our plans are. Cost: £2 12th April - 10am Family fun on the farm A brilliant morning out for all the family. See the newly born spring lambs, cows and calves. Learn what farm life is all about! Please wear suitable clothing and wellies. Cost: £2/child *** Wash Cruises *** Jeremy Eyeons writes: The South Lincs RSPB group have released details of their 2011 Wash Birdwatching Cruises programme. Each Cruise lasts about 4/5 hours and after boarding the boat at Sluice Bridge, Boston the trip follows the river Witham into the Wash, along the river Welland with views over the saltmarsh bordering the RSPB reserve before returning to Boston. During 2010 over 100 bird species were seen and seals are also seen on most cruises. There are 15 cruises starting 13th April and continuing until 22nd October. RSPB members £14 (children under 16 £8) and non-members £16-50 (£9). Further details on www.southlincsrspb.org.uk or call 07531495521. *** 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. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2. Wildlife Highlights ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Bird News from Rare Birds Alert *** Rare Bird Alert has kindly given permission to reproduce reports. A big thank you from us all. Interested readers should have a look at the RBA website: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ Note: I am adapting RBA pager information for the Bulletin by eliminating or summarising/consolidating repeated messages. When there is a lot of information I will stick to highlights. Please visit the RBA website for updates or fuller details. 5/3 Rough-legged buzzard, South Ferriby 3 Smew, Kirkby on Bain pits 6/3 Great White Egret, Common crane, Woodhall Spa pits 3 Smew, Kirkby on Bain pits Common crane over Theddlethorpe Rough-legged buzzard, South Ferriby 7/3 Great White Egret, Kirkby on Bain pits Also given as Woodhall Spa airfield pits. Mediterranean Gull, Whisby 8/3 Great White Egret, Lapland Bunting, Frampton Marsh 2 Waxwings, 2 Long-tailed ducks, Barton on Humber Rough-legged buzzard, Freiston Shore Rough-legged buzzard, South Ferriby Rough-legged buzzard, Manby Mediterranean Gull, Whisby 4 Smew, Kirkby on Bain pits 9/3 Rough-legged buzzard, South Ferriby Bittern, Kirkby on Bain pits 11/3 Bittern, Far Ings Rough-legged buzzard, South Ferriby Woodlark, 4 Crossbills, Gibraltar Point Bird Alert website: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ Here you can register free to use the site and get free trials of their subscription services. [Please mention the Bulletin if you decide to subscribe.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3. Wildlife news from around the county ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** The Roger Goy Column *** Remembering Roger Goy's wildlife information work. KIRKBY ON BAIN AREA MONDAY 7 MARCH Denis Jones writes Forecast for a sunny day decided on visit to see if I could find the rare Great White Egret and the Smews that had been seen in the area. Buzzard seen on the way circling over Metheringham Heath. Looked promising a couple of cars were parked opposite the entrance to the working Gravel Pits on the Coningsby to Kirkby on Bain road. A great start as the Gt White Egret was clearly seen stood on the edge of the pit and was quite happy to pose there for the next hour. Lovely clear sunny day the yellow eyes of the Tufted Ducks really shone in the sun. A second bonus the Smews were also showing well with 1m and 3f all constantly diving. A good spot to stay for the next hour as 2 Great Crested Grebe were performing their courtship dance. Other sightings included Oystercatchers, Redshank, Goldeye, Egyptian Geese, Pochard, Lapwings. Moved on a few hundred yards to the Hide on the LWT Kirkby Pits Reserve. A Little Egret with 2 Oystercatchers were on the opposite embankment. A good selection of water fowl on the pits including Shelduck, Shoveler, Gt Crested Grebe, Teal, Tufty, Coot, Pochard, Wigeon, Gadwall, Heron, Mallard. The highlight was the sight of 8 Buzzards at the same time circling between the pit and Haltham Woods. A Sparrowhawk also passed over. Onto the final stop at LWT Moor Farm Reserve hoping to see Adders. Not to be disappointed as an Adder was soon spotted sunning on the path side, a 2nd Adder and Slow Worm were seen. This is one of my favourite reserves with a mix of Heathland, Woodland, Ponds and wet areas. Other sightings here inc Buzzard, Kestrel, Jay, Gt Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Goldcrest, Mistle Thrush. Kirkby on Bain area is an ideal area to spend what was a splendid day out. GARDEN BIRDS Denis Jones writes For those who read my article last week on my Lincoln garden re attracting Goldfinches and other birds to my apple tree feeders, this week I had my first Goldcrest taking my record to 31 species in my Garden. Up to 6 Redpolls have also been visiting 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. BASSINGHAM Jeremy Hutchinson 20/2/2011 Stoat BRANSTON, VALLEY ESTATE W/C 7/3/2011 Janis Wright Spotted a wren hopping in and around the base of a clump of oxeye daisies. It kept coming up with a very small leaf which it then appeared to eat. Thought it might be an over wintering caterpillar for a start but definitely leaves. BUSLINGTHORPE WOOD TF079843 C Smith 8/3/2011 Moths to Actinic light Yellow Horned 1 Shoulder Stripe 7 Clouded Drab 57 Hebrew Character 59 Chestnut 10 Early Grey 3 Red Chestnut 1 Small Quaker 2 Twin-spotted Quaker 4 Common Quaker 4 Dark Chestnut 1 Early Moth 1 Tortricodes alternella 1 CARLTON LE MOORLAND Jeremy Hutchinson SK 909 2581 24/2/2011 - Brimstone butterfly (first this year) 3/3/2011 Barn Owl HOLYWELL LAKES 11/03/2011 11.15 – 12.30 Holywell Lake Ian Misselbrook Little grebes 6 Mute Swans 2 Greylag Geese 8 Canada Geese 70 Mallard 22 Gadwall 20 Teal 14 Tufted Duck 25 Coot 22 Moorhen 9 Black-headed Gull 1 Common Buzzards 2 Woodpigeons Great Spotted Woodpeckers 2 Blackbirds Robins Dunnocks Wrens Marsh Tits 2 Great Tits Blue Tits Coal Tits Long-tailed Tits 4 Siskins 2 Goldfinches Chaffinches Nearby a Muntjac deer at Little Bytham. LINCOLN John Farmer My back garden 5/3/11 3 Bullfinch 2m ,1f Muntjac female making barking calls. 1 Firecrest flitting through the bushes very brief views, not seen since. MARTON SK842 820 Brian Hedley 5 March 2011 Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) nectaring in garden. Golden Plover 280 swirling overhead, probably landing in the Stow Park area. 6 March 2011 Whooper Swans 24 NW @ 08.50 calling loudly. Dead woodmouse in garden 9 March 2011 Moth-trap in garden overnight produced: Single clouded drab, common quaker and hebrew character moths. RAF WADDINGTON Brian Eke 10/03/11 Tree sparrows nest material gathering Yellowhammer 60 Buzzard House sparrow 40 Stonechat cracking male 1st of year   Common groundsel   Hares 20+ doing there spring manoeuvres   11/03/11 Blue tit Buzzard interacting with Red kite (No wing tags) which was chased north west towards Bracebridge heath by Crows at 1020 Grey partridge 3 Oystercatcher 3.   Over the past 2 shift blocks we have picked up the rear legs of 2 Hares, we haven't managed to find the front 3/4s of the bodies!  We are thinking that possibly some one is using the bodies as bait or something is killing them and bringing them onto the airfield and leaving them as the bits we get are too neat to be road kill. SEACROFT Seacroft Marsh SSSI Tues 8th March Dave Miller & Jon Haines Canada Goose 3 Teal 2 Redshank 19 Jackdaw 3 Rook 3 Skylark 5 Reed Bunting 1 TETFORD Jeremy Hutchinson 27/2/2011 Primrose, and Violets (both white and ordinary) beginning to bloom (seems early to me). WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. A & R Parsons Tawny owl calling in garden 3.30pm. Answered from Witham Bank. 10 pellets collected in garden today, plus 1 f adult Woodmouse, dead, on ground under regular owl perch. On this occasion I reckon owl kill, not a cat kill. 8/3/11 and 9/3/11 Barn owl hunting in area 4.30pm and 5.30pm. 10/3/11 m Sparrowhawk almost crashed into me on its attack run while I was topping up bird feeders at 7am today. 11/3/11 Short-tailed vole, probably a cat kill by the look. 12/3/11 4 2-spot ladybirds sunvbathing on the front of a beehive today at about 11am. Bees active too. WILLOW TREE FEN 7/3/11 R & K Heath Plenty of water on the western half of the fen which held the following waders: Curlew 2 Dunlin22 Golden Plover 320 Lapwing 150 Redshank 15 On the river were: Goosander 2 Heron 2 Mallard 6 Mute Swan 10 Teal 70 Widgeon 120 On the dryer eastern half were: Fieldfare 350 Kestrel 1 Skylark 1 singing WILLOWTREE FEN NR, GUTHRAM, John Redshaw 10 March 2011 On flooded fields: 120 Teal, 15 Redshank, 8 Dunlin, 3 Ruff, 3 Oystercatchers. On R. Glen: 60 Wigeon.  WOOLSTHORPE-BY-BELVOIR SK8334. (Section of Grantham Canal.) David Clarke. 06/03/2011. Blackbird 6 Blue Tit 4 Buzzard 2 Chaffinch 6 Coal Tit 1 Coot 4 Carrion Crow 3 Canada Goose 10 Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 Great Tit 3 Greenfinch 1 Jackdaw 19 Kestrel 1 Magpie 1 Mallard 4 Mistle Thrush 1 Mute Swan 4 Moorhen 2 Robin 5 Rook 32 Skylark 1 Wood Pigeon 12 Wren 3. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 05/03/2011 Spoonbill Treecreeper 08/03/2011 Avocet 3 Black Brant Brambling 1 Bullfinch 3 Buzzard 3 Short-eared Owl 1 10/03/2011 Avocet 2 Eider 29 Merlin 1 Siskin 5 SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE NNR. http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/nr/reserve.php?mapref=41 John Walker. No report yet. RSPB WASH Reserves - Frampton Marsh and Freiston Shore John Badley February 2011. RSPB Frampton Marsh http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh/index.asp No report yet. RSPB Freiston Shore http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore/index.asp No report yet. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. News from Far Ings NNR http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/far_ings/index.php ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FAR INGS NNR Week ending 12.02.11 BIRDS Max. Numbers = bearded tit 2 bittern blackbird 20+ black headed gull 40+ blue tit 11 bullfinch carrion crow 4 chaffinch 8 collared dove 2 common buzzard common gull 10+ coot 60+ cormorant 2 curlew 2 dunnock 5 gadwall 6 goldeneye 35 golden plover 30 goldfinch 4 greenfinch 4 GC grebe 2 great tit 10 greenfinch 2 grey heron greylag goose 40+ herring gull house sparrow 20 linnet 11 little grebe long tailed tit 3 magpie 12 mallard 20 marsh harrier M & F moorhen 13 mute swan 4 peregrine pheasant 2 pochard 12 redshank 2 reed bunting 4 robin 10 shoveler 2 skylark 2 smew M + F song thrush 2 sparrowhawk starling 10 teal 8 tree sparrow 6 tufted duck 30 water rail 2 willow tit 2 wood pigeon 10 wren 8 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6. News from Bardney Limewoods NNR http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/Limewoods/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Reports from the following locations will now be posted here to give an overview of Limewoods ecology. The NNR includes the following sites: Chambers Farm Wood (please detail specific area when reporting e.g. Ivy Wood, Little Scrubbs Meadow etc.); College Wood, Cocklode & Great West Woods, Hardy Gang Wood, Newball Wood, Scotgrove Wood, Southrey Wood, Wickenby Wood Other woods included in the NNR but without public access: Stainfield Wood; Stainton & Fulnetby Woods (access by public bridle way only) Adrian Royle's website for photos of species from the Limewoods. http://www.flickr.com/photos/adiroyle/sets/72157616635241942/ Anne Goodall writes on 11/3/11 plus update 12/3 This last week: Hawthorn and honeysuckle buds have broken, clumps of wild arum and lesser celandine leaves are emerging along every path and ride; Masses of primrose rosettes along the Minting Park boundary walk and bank; 3 clumps of primroses just in flower on the Chambers orchid ride, 12th. Many more should break bud today. Within the old woodlands, bluebell, wood anemone, wood sorrel and wild strawberry leaves are steadily appearing; All the resident birds are now in song and defending territory, though there are still flocks of migrant thrushes (fieldfares, redwings and blackbirds), chaffinches, siskins and redpolls in most woods; Tree sparrows at the Chambers colony are now being given individual colour rings as part of a BTO RAS (Ringing Adults for Survival) project - please check over feeding birds at the wood centre - or anywhere else in the woods - and leave a note of any colour combinations you record; Records of territorial behaviour by any of the scarcer woodland birds - turtle doves, lesser spotted woodpeckers, spotted flycatchers, willow tits or lesser redpolls would also be very welcome this year, from anywhere in the Bardney woods. Name of the wood is needed, and if possible a 6-fig grid reference; the MAG is anxious to plan management to assist these species if possible. 12.3.2011 Adrian Royle writes: My first visit since September to Chambers today. The main reason was to check on the Grass Snakes, with the recent spell of warmer weather and some sunshine I expected to see some. Starting at 10am no luck but a couple of hours later the temperature had increased enough and the Sun was peeking through so there had to be some out and about. A regular solo male had been seen a few times during the week but I managed 4 males, surprisingly quite active. As for insects still quiet apart from ladybirds and flies but a couple of Brimstone butterflies were seen in the Butterfly Garden today. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7. Sending in reports to Roger Parsons ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The purpose of the Bulletin is to encourage biological recording in Lincolnshire using modern Information and Communication Technology. We hope to increase the number of people reporting observations to LNU Recorders and improve the quality of reports, as well as the quantity and the geographical coverage. [A backup e-mail address you can use if ever you experience problems with my "Enterprise" address is: aintree2@yahoo.co.uk] When sending in reports please follow Bulletin layout to save editing: Place Name: IN CAPITALS with Grid Reference if you have it. Your Name: Real names please, not aliases. Put it in each time, for each location Date: Species list [Alphabetical?] & numbers [and observations?] e.g. Blackbird - 24 [And please, no home-grown abbreviations. Names in full.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 8. Contact Information & Useful Websites ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please let me know ASAP if any of these weblinks fail! *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Website *** A full list of LNU Country Recorders is given here. http://www.lnu.org/ LNU e-mail: info@lnu.org If you are not yet a member, the LNU needs good naturalists like you! Anyone interested can get membership application forms via Tori Sandilands at the Lincs Wildlife Trust Horncastle office, e-mail vsandilands@lincstrust.co.uk LNU publications [listed on LNU website] may be ordered via: Ian Macalpine-Leny macalpine@doddington.demon.co.uk *** Contacts List *** PC Nigel LOUND Wildlife Crime Officer - Community Safety Police HQ Deepdale Lane Nettleham Lincs LN57PH Tel 01522 558684 e-mail: nigel.lound@lincs.pnn.police.uk or Nige LOUND Wildlife Crime Officer County Police Station Sea Lane Ingoldmells Lincs PE24 44XX Tel: 01522 558684 e-mail: nigelound@btinternet.com *** Lincs Amphibian and Reptile Group *** The Lincolnshire ARG (Amphibian & Reptile Group) For further details please contact ashleybutterfield@btinternet.com tel. 07984 66 5847 *** Limestone Grassland Project *** Mark Schofield, Limestone Grassland Project Officer, mschofield@lincstrust.co.uk Mobile: 07825970930, Switchboard: 01507 526667. *** Local Bat Helpline *** Grounded bats, bat problems, advice and information? Contact Annette and Colin Faulkner on 01775 766286 or e-mail: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** Bat Recorder *** You may send confidential bat records direct to Annette Faulkner on: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** Butterfly Conservation Recorder *** Allan Binding asks contributors of butterfly records to the Bulletin to include their address or contact telephone or e-mail address and Grid Reference if possible. e-mail: allan.binding@ntlworld.com See: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/species/bfly/index.php *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire link *** http://www.lincolnshire-butterflies.org.uk/index.html *** LNU Bees and Wasps Recorder *** Dr Michael Archer 17 Elmfield Terrace, Malton Road, York YO31 1EH. [Willing to check or identify any aculeate wasp or bee specimen. Such a specimen usually has to be relaxed and mounted on a pin before it can be examined. If more than a few specimens are sent in, they must be mounted.] *** OTTERS *** Readers are reminded that all dead Otters should be reported to the Environment Agency on 0800 807060. *** Mammal Records *** Mammal records can reported to Mink reports also of interest and can be sent via the Bulletin. *** New Met Office Service *** The Met Office website now offers an e-mail notification service for severe weather and other matters which may interest readers. Worth having a look and signing up. Be warned of the possibility of severe weather. See: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/corporate/pressoffice/2009/pr20090727.html *** LNU Moths Gallery *** There is a moth page on the LNU Website, to promote the recording of moths across the county. http://www.lnu.org/ Also see: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/species/hawkmoths/index.php *** LNU Plant Galls Recorder *** Graeme Clayton Please note my new addresses for plant gall id etc:- 46 Sibthorp Street Lincoln LN5 7SH gclayton54@o2.co.uk Willing to check or identify any plant gall material. Recording forms www.british-galls.org.uk *** Slug ID Help *** Chris du Feu will help with slug identification. You can telephone him on: 01427 848400 or e-mail: chris@chrisdufeu.force9.co.uk *** Lincolnshire Badger Group Update *** Ally Townsend of the Weirfield Wildlife Hospital, writes: If you would like to give people the Lincoln number 01522 530428 a member of staff will record the sighting or RTA. Or use the Weirfield website: http://www.weirfield.co.uk/ where a reporting page can be used to send in reports. *** Lincs Bird Club *** LBC County Bird Recorders County Bird Recorder, covering the south of the county recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk for John Badley recorder_north@lincsbirdclub.co.uk for John Clarkson Bird Club Website: www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk *** 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 *** Other Useful Websites *** Key links are now being posted on the LNU website. http://www.lnu.org/ This should save space in the Bulletin, Suggestions for other useful Websites are welcome. Natural England http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ Still includes SSSI Information and "Nature on the Map" Lincolnshire Environmental Awards http://www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk/ Lincs. Wildlife Trust Website http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/ Useful emergency numbers for wildlife crises. http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/factsheets/ Lincs Environmental Records Centre The Lincolnshire Biodiversity Partnership (of which LERC is a part) Contact: Charlie Barnes, charlie.barnes@lincsbiodiversity.org.uk or for more general queries: info@lincsbiodiversity.org.uk Tornado and Storm Research Organisation www.torro.org.uk Contact Ian Loxley on colarain@tiscali.co.uk *** Interesting Weather radar website *** Noel Loxley recommends the following interesting website. http://www.raintoday.co.uk/ RSPB Contact Details RSPB Website: www.rspb.org.uk www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh John Badley, Site Manager for RSPB Lincolnshire Wash reserves e-mail: freistonshore@rspb.org.uk Bardney Limewoods www.limewoods.co.uk limewoods@lincolnshire.gov.uk The Sir Joseph Banks Society Contact 01507 528223 or by e-mail: enquiries@joseph-banks.org.uk. www.joseph-banks.org.uk EasyTide Check tide times on Admiralty EasyTide: http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx TWO - The Weather Outlook Check the weather forecast for the location or postcode: http://www.theweatheroutlook.com/ Joan Gunson's moths: http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v499/jsylvester/Moths%20in%20my%20garden%202010/ Alan Dale's Bugs and Weeds http://www.bugsandweeds.co.uk/ Mike Binnion writes: I've put all my decent photos of common butterflies on the Grimsby website: See http://www.grimsbywildlife.co.uk/otherattractions.htm http://www.grimsbywildlife.co.uk/ *** Other Useful E-mail Addresses *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union: info@lnu.org Gibraltar Point: gibpoint@lincstrust.co.uk Far Ings: farings@lincstrust.co.uk Whisby Nature Park: whisbynp@lincstrust.co.uk NEW Syke's Farm: lwt@sykesfarm.org.uk Lincs. Trust HQ: The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust main e-mail address: info@lincstrust.co.uk Lincolnshire FWAG: lincoln@fwag.org.uk Chambers Farm Wood NEW contact - Mary Porter Mary.porter@forestry.gsi.gov.uk Lincolnshire Bird Club Secretary - Janet Eastmead: janet.eastmead@talktalk.net Membership Secretary - Mike Harrison: michael@michaelharrison1.wanadoo.co.uk If you would like your e-mail listed here, please let me know. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9. Notes about these wildlife reports ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We do our best to ensure accuracy in our reporting but these records are sent in by a variety of reporters, from complete beginners to professionals. They therefore vary in reliability and in certain cases they are impossible to verify. If further information is needed on locations or reporters, or if you wish to question/confirm any of these records, contact: rparsons@enterprise.net Bulletins are sent to Biological Recorders at the Lincs. Wildlife Trust, Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. [Note: Where plants are reported, this is usually because they have been seen and identified in flower.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10. The Bulletin's publicity policy ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We will sometimes withhold precise details of the location of rare or endangered species. Please point out any sensitive or "tricky" reports of this kind. Sensitive data should go directly to county recorders, please. We ask that you respect the interests of wildlife and site owners if you report to national networks. Make a point of explaining site sensitivity and any restrictions on access. An interest in wildlife is not a licence to act irresponsibly/thoughtlessly to landowners, who may well be partners in important conservation work. [Remember - views expressed in the Bulletin do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions on the LNU or associated organisations. In particular this applies to such agencies, especially charities, taking a political stance.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11. LNU Events Diary For LNU meetings also see www.lnu.org/events.php ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Field Meetings generally start at 12 noon for 1.00pm, but please check the website details for each event. Unless otherwise stated, Indoor Meetings are held on Saturdays at the Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park, Moor Lane, Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln and start at 2pm. Saturday, March 12, 2011 Annual General Meeting AGM, followed by the Presidential Address by Ken Rowland April 17, 2011 Wilsford Heath Quarry SSSI (Private site) South of Ancaster 12.00 for 13.00 start. Meet in small on-site car park at SK985 413. Gate to site to be unlocked by land owner. Habitats: Woodland. Scrub, Calcareous grassland Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Sunday, May 15, 2011 Priory Farm, Orford (Sir Richard Sutton Settled Estates) NW of Binbrook. 12.00 for 13.00 start. Park in yard of Priory Farm at TF194 945. Habitats: Waithe Beck, marsh, ponds, arable. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Sunday, June 19, 2011 Great Eau - Theddlethorpe 12.00 for 13.00 start. Meet at TF454857 Healey Land, park on side of Road - note cattle may be grazing. Habitats: River, Marsh, Ditches. Leader: Chris Manning 07752 353303 chris@lincsdeer.info Sunday, July 03, 2011 South Farm, Thurlby. SW of Lincoln. 12.00 for 13.00 start. Meet in yard of South Farm at SK907 614. Habitats: River Witham, ponds, grassland and arable. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Saturday, July 16, 2011 Hatfield/Thorne Moor NNR Joint Meeting withYorkshire Naturalists' Union Botanical Survey Habitats: Moorland and Heath Contact Ian McDonald at iannutwell@talktalk.net if interested Saturday, August 13, 2011 Alkborough Flats (North Lincs Council and Environment Agency) 12.00 for 13.00 start. Meet in car park at SE879 221. Take lane on left just pass church (if coming from south) and continue downhill. Evening moth/bat session starting at 8.30pm Habitats should be Saltmarsh, marsh, lagoons, ditches, pasture. Leaders: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com and Colin Smith (evening) 07595 414318 Saturday, September 24, 2011 Riseholme College, N of Lincoln, off A15 12.00 for 13.00 start. Meet in car park next to Conference Hall at SK981 756 Evening moth/bat session starting at 7pm. Includes an opportunity to investigate the LNU Collection and encourage students to use them. Habitats: Parkland, woodland, lake. Leaders: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com (afternoon) and Colin Smith (evening) 07595 414318 Sunday, October 23, 2011 Fungus Foray, Callan's Lane Wood (Forestry Commission site) Kirkby Underwood. North of Bourne 12.00 for 13.00 start. Meet at car park TF061 270 Habitats: Mixed Woodland Leader: Ray Halstead 07772 613640 ray.halstead@tiscali.co.uk ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails This Week *** If you hear of anyone bemoaning the lack of a Bulletin, please refer them to the Bulletin Portal where they will find a copy. http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Recent mailfails: If you recognise any failed address, please ask them to contact me with a new address if they wish to continue to receive the Bulletin. Thanks. Roger *** Big Moon *** Joan Gunson writes: I thought readers would be interested in this, if not already reported. http://uk.news.yahoo.com/38/20110309/tsc-world-to-see-biggest-full-moon-in-tw-98fda55.html ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/