============================================ || || 20th 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Editorial *** An interesting and well-attended AGM on Saturday concluded with a fascinating introduction to the Ascomycetes, an unfamiliar group of fungi, much studied by retiring LNU President, Ken Rowland. Ken is succeeded as President by Barrie Wilkinson, who most readers should know. Updated details of Officers, Executive Committee members and County Recorders can be found on the LNU website: http://www.lnu.org/officers_executive.php http://www.lnu.org/recorders.php It is worth reminding readers that the aim of the Bulletin is to boost county recording and spawn, if I may use the word, the next generation of LNU recorders. We really hope that those of you who have caught the recording bug will get to know the county recorders, perhaps on field meetings, and focus your interest on a specialisation. Despite past work, there is much still to be learned and discovered. If we are to make informed judgements about the best way to conserve species under threat we need to know what they are, where they are and how they function. Biological Recording is vital if we are to see the big picture. On behalf of Bulletin readers I would like to express thanks to LNU Officers, Executive members and Recorders for their work over the past year and wish them success for the coming one. I have very much appreciated their ongoing support for the Wildnews Bulletin, so thank you for that too. 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 *** Life On The Verge *** 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/ *** 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? *** Tree mortality after Hard Winter? *** Rodge Brownlow writes: After the severe winter I find all of our eucalyptus trees have died, I had hopes of them sprouting again from the root but now fear that will not happen. Looking around it seems a common occurrence. Does anyone have any definite survivors? *** Chinese Water Deer - Gibraltar Point *** Chris Manning writes: The first record of a Chinese Water Deer at Gibraltar Point was in April 2004, the record by the then Contract Warden, Graeme Garner, included a detailed description, that record was also verified by Norma Chapman. Since then 3 more records including an animal handled when it was trapped in the water- course that runs along the front of Skegness, this animal was identified as a male. The latest record on 10 March 2011 from Richard Doan includes a photograph which is an excellent way of verifying records. This animal is also a male, have we a breeding population or just one individual, seven years is within their life expectancy. Where did the deer come from? Colonisation from Norfolk/Cambridgeshire is possible and can account for occasional individual reports, but the persistence at Gibraltar Point might be due to a breeding population. More records would be appreciated and will help us answer these questions. Chris J Manning - Lincolnshire Mammal Recorder chris@lincsdeer.info *** 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? *** 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 *** Far Ings Botany Course *** 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. *** 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 *** Alkborough Flats Event *** Sarah Killick writes: Please Note - Booking is essential for all events, call 01724 721269 to book your place. 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. 13/3/11 12 Waxwings, Grantham, Kenilworth Road 2 Lapland Buntings, Frampton Marsh 14/3 Waxwing, Sleaford, near Monument 2 Avocets, Kirkby on Bain pits. Great White Egret, Mamby Flashes. Hooded crow, Donna Nook. Bittern, Far Ings. 15/3 22 Waxwings, Grantham, , Kenilworth Road Black Redstart, Mablethorpe Mealy Redpoll, 10 Lesser Redpolls, North Hykeham, Apex pit. 16/3 Ring-tailed Marsh Harrier, Spilsby, Monksthorpe 19 Waxwings, Grantham, Kenilworth Road Rough-legged Buzzard, South Ferriby 17/3 Red-crested Pochard, Far Ings Velvet Scoter, Frampton Marsh Black Redstart, Barton upon Humber, Waters Edge Rough-legged Buzzard, South Ferriby 18/3 2 Scaup, 10 Twite, Velvet Scoter, Frampton Marsh Smew, Avocet, Kirkby on Bain gravel pits 8 Waxwings Skegness, Beacon Way 19 Waxwings, Grantham, Kenilworth Road Firecrest, Great White Egret, Gibraltar Point Mealy redpoll, Smew, Boston, Langtoft gravel pits Black Redstart, Barton upon Humber, Waters Edge 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. SLEAFORD Diane Maltby Our garden, Boundary Pastures 18/3/11 1 male blackcap seen bathing in our 'artificial' stream. It was the 2nd sighting since mid February – also seen with a female on the previous occasion. I've also seen the female separately. I've never seen these birds in my garden before. Goldfinches have not been seen recently, though I have heard them nearby. This week I've seen 2 visiting the niger seed feeder again, also bathing in the stream – I haven't seen them use it before. Blackbirds have been observed collecting nesting materials, particularly last Saturday when it was warm and sunny. From the calls I've heard I suspect some already have young. Frogs are still very vocal in our neighbours' pond but sadly not in ours! *** 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. BUCK BECK ~ Waltham 09/03/11 Mick Binnion Moorhen Survival Strategy Whilst clearing a blockage on Buck Beck at Waltham, I was surprised to see what I thought was a float, maybe attached to an eel or something. It wasn't. It was a moorhen submerging and hiding from an intrusion to its privacy. It came up 3 times to breathe, just its beak showing. On pulling it out of the blockage, on inspection it appeared undamaged, but gasping. The moorhen was placed on the bank, where it rested for a moment. It didn't fly off, but entered the water and swam, submerged for more than 20metres. My guess? It's enough to outmanoeuvre a fox. SPILSBY TF40766O (My garden) Joan Gunson Moths 12th March 2011 6 Clouded Drab 8 Common Quaker 1 Early Grey 6 Hebrew Character 13th March 2 Clouded Drab 3 Common Quaker 4 Hebrew Character 1 Pale Pinion 15th March 4 Clouded Drab 16 Common Quaker 5 Hebrew Character 1 Red Chestnut WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. A & R Parsons 13/3/11 Tawny owls calling 6.30am. 2 stockdoves under feeder. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 10/03/2011 Avocet 2 Eider 29 Merlin 1 Siskin 11/03/2011 Avocet 4 Barn Owl 2 Brambling 12 Chaffinch 300 Crossbill 2 Hen Harrier 3 Pintail Whooper Swan 2 Woodlark 12/03/2011 Black Brant Chiffchaff 2 Common Redpoll Corn Bunting 9 Crossbill Gannet Kingfisher Lapland Bunting Merlin Pale-bellied Brent 3 Pintail 2 Red-breasted Merganser 3 Red-throated Diver Shorelark 10 Treecreeper Woodcock 15/03/2011 Hawfinch reported SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE NNR. http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/nr/reserve.php?mapref=41 John Walker. w/e 19/3/11 Several large bumblebees on Friday 18th. also 2 frogs, but no spawn seen as yet. Otherwise rather quiet. 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 FAR INGS NNR  Week ending  19.03.11 BIRDS Max. Numbers =    avocet 9 bearded tit 2 bittern blackbird 20+ black headed gull 100+ blue tit 11 bullfinch canada goose 8 carrion crow 4 chaffinch 12 chiffchaff collared dove 2 common buzzard common gull 10+ coot 60+ cormorant 2 curlew 4 dunnock 6 gadwall 4 goldeneye 30 goldfinch 12 greenfinch 4 GC  grebe 4 great tit 10 greenfinch 3 grey heron greylag goose 20+ herring gull house sparrow 20 jackdaw 6 linnet little grebe long tailed tit 8 magpie 10 mallard 20 marsh harrier  F moorhen 20 mute swan 4 pheasant 2 pochard 12 red crested pochard redshank 12 reed bunting 12 robin 10 shelduck 12 shoveler 2 skylark 2 song thrush 2 sparrowhawk starling 10 tawny owl teal 8 treecreeper 2 tree sparrow 8 tufted duck 30 water rail 2 willow tit 2 wood pigeon 6 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/ Chambers Farm Wood 18.3.11 Adrian Royle The promise of a pleasant afternoon enticed me out to the Limewoods. Again the main target was Grass Snakes and I managed to find 9, a big improvement on last Saturday. Also 3 Common Lizards were seen or heard scurrying through the leaf litter. A few more insects out and about, loads of 7 Spot Ladybirds, one Hawthorn Shieldbug and one Small Tortoiseshell. Four Roe Deer were a nice surprise along the edge of the wood and 3 Muntjacs were seen. Chambers again today. 19.3.11 Adrian Royle Double digit temperatures make a huge difference.  Butterflies; Comma 9 Brimstone 4 Peacock 1 Common Toad 1 in the new Butterfly Garden pond. They must be due to emerge in large numbers soon. Chiffchaff 1 my first migrant of the season. Redpolls also calling. Grass Snakes showing well again. Common Lizards sunbathing and others scurrying about the leaf litter. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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, 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 *** 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 *** 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. *** 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. 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: none 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 *** Don't Dump That *** Free recycling is a popular current trend to combat pointless waste. Lincolnshire has an website to do this, but it is very under-utilised. On the basis that "if we don't use it we could lose it," why not pay it a visit? Sign up and give it a try. If 900+ of us could use it to clear out the loft and garage we could have quite an impact! Roger http://www.dontdumpthat.com/forum/welcome.php *** "Big Moon" Saturday Night *** A local Werewolf story to go with this: http://rogerparsons.info/werewolf.html ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/