============================================ || || 29th May 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 nearly into June and 2011 seems to be flying by. It would be great to hit the 1000 reader mark this year. Please will you help by mentioning the Wildnews Bulletin to others? We only need to find 55 people - this must be possible. There are some interesting space events coming up which include a lunar eclipse on the evening of the 15th June and a somewhat unpredictable meteor shower, the Bootids, peaking on 26/27th June but probably spoiled by the Moon. Jupiter, Mars, Venus, Mercury and the Moon are visible in the early dawn, cloud permitting. You will already have noticed that the world did not come to an end on 21st May, though some of my GCSE pupils may be wishing by now that Harold Camping had been right! See: http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/ataglance/122257769.html Roger *** Egg Stealing *** We have a report this week of probable theft of bird eggs. Should you come across a case like this, report it via the Police non-emergency line of 0300 111 0300 or if a crime is taking place then dial 999. Don't put yourself in danger by approaching persons who may well become violent. Ask for an incident number so the Police cannot leave it on the back burner. Remember - be careful when submitting information about vulnerable species, rare birds or plants for example. If ever in doubt, send reports directly to the appropriate Recorder. We don't want to make life easy for the thieves. *** Please watch our for and report *** Hummingbird Hawkmoth: http://www.butterfly-conservation.org/sightings/1096/hummingbird_hawk_moth.html Painted Lady: http://www.butterfly-conservation.org/sightings/1097/painted_lady.html Tree Bumblebee: http://www.bwars.com/bombus_hypnorum_2011.htm Alan Phillips tells me Lincs records of this species are coming in nicely. UK records are already 700 for 2011. Harlequin Ladybird: http://www.harlequin-survey.org/ But 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 Recorders - is there anything in particular you would like readers to look out for? *** LNU Events *** For LNU meetings also see www.lnu.org/events.php See section 11 for full programme. Sunday, June 19, 2011 Great Eau - Theddlethorpe 12.00 for 13.00 start. Meet at TF454857 Healey Land, park on side of Road - note cattle may be grazing. Habitats: River, Marsh, Ditches. Leader: Chris Manning 07752 353303 chris@lincsdeer.info *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** Carolyn Lovely writes: On Saturday 4th June 2011 you are invited to join us for a bird walk - "Finding the Warblers" in Cleethorpes Country Park with bird expert Ray Hume. Please meet at the car parking area at 8am. Please wear suitable clothing and footwear. This is a free event but donations will be collected for the Trust. For further details please contact Ray 01472 320878 or Jenny Redpath Grimsby 502858 *** Alkborough Flats Event 6th June *** Landscape in Watercolour - 6th June 10am, £10 per person + lunch Develop your artistic skills with the help of a local artist. Different watercolour techniques will be covered and there will be plenty of opportunity to put these into practice. Lunch at the Paddocks tea room Booking is essential. Please call: 01724 721269 *** Sleaford LWT Trip 11th June *** Sleaford Area Group of the LWT Sat 11th June. Coach trip to RSPB Titchwell on the Norfolk coast, and Castle Acre Priory (English Heritage) and Castle. Take a picnic lunch. The cost will depend upon coach numbers. Meet Eastgate Car Park (Sleaford) at 8.30am. For details & bookings please ring Anthea Ashmore on 01529 413890. *** Tree Awareness Day 19th June *** Sara Bright writes: BURGHLEY ESTATE STAMFORD, LINCOLNSHIRE Sunday 19th June 2011 starting at 10.30am A unique opportunity to visit one of the great family estates of Europe in the company of the Head of Forestry, Parks and Gardens, and members of the Tree Awareness Group. The walk will take in the Lake and Deer Park and look at the history, landscape and management of the estate. Park and meet at the public car park at Burghley House - postcode PE9 3JY Look out for TAG signs. The walk will last about 2 hours and will follow uneven terrain. Please wear strong boots/shoes and wear appropriate clothing. Sorry no dogs except support dogs. The walk is free, but donations may be made to the Burghley House Preservation Trust. Please support the TAG raffle. Enquiries - telephone 01522 552360 *** Free Water Vole Workshop 21st June *** Jenni Hignett writes: I know it is not in Lincs, but pretty close to Gainsborough so may be of interest to people there. Tuesday 21st June 9:30 – 13:00 Chesterfield Canal, Misterton An exciting opportunity to look for field signs of the endangered water vole, as well as other riparian mammals such as mink. We will also look at the habitat suitability of the canal and give you the ability to survey your local stretch of waterway for water voles. The workshop will be run by British Waterways and Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust. The workshop will be funded by the Trent Vale Landscape Partnership and will be free of charge. Meeting place – car park off Station Road, approx. grid reference SK 776 948. Please bring sturdy boots or wellies and clothing appropriate to the weather. Spaces on this workshop are limited and therefore booking is essential. Please contact Jenni Hignett on 07896 954695 or jhignett@nottswt.co.uk for more information and to book a place. *** Life on the Verge is coming to the Wolds! *** Mark Schofield writes: The successful "Life on the Verge" project is coming to the Lincolnshire Wolds thanks to a recent £50k grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The project aims to recruit volunteers to look for wildflowers on roadside verges so that vital wildlife corridors can be identified and conserved on a landscape scale. For more information about "Life on the Verge" and how you can get involved visit: www.lifeontheverge.org.uk Free wildflower identification training days have been organised to provide beginners with the knowledge they need to take part in the surveys and help discover the best wild flower verges in the Wolds. Saturday 4 June - Red Hill & Badger Farm Sunday 5 June - Elsham Pasture and Village Hall Wednesday 8 June - Red Hill and Badger Farm Saturday 11 June - Elsham Pasture and Village Hall Wednesday 15 June - Elsham Pasture and Village Hall Saturday 25 June - Elsham Pasture and Village Hall Saturday 2 July - Elsham Pasture and Village Hall Saturday 9 July - Red Hill and Badger Farm Wednesday 13 July - Red Hill and Badger Farm Sunday 17 July - Red Hill and Badger Farm For further information and to book a place please contact: Mark Schofield e-mail: mschofield@lincstrust.co.uk mobile: 07825 970930 switchboard: 01507 526667 Each day lasts from 10am-2pm and involves both an indoor and outdoor session to familiarise beginners with the wild flowers they can expect to discover for themselves on the road verges. You don't have to join training days to take part in the surveys. Surveys should only take up to 2 hours and need only be done once. They are designed to assess conservation value by checking for only a shortlist of wildflowers even beginners can learn easily. *** Beetle to Watch For *** Charlie Barnes writes: Elater ferrugineus, the Rusty Click Beetle, is classified as endangered in the UK, with records restricted to a few areas in Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and London. This summer a nation-wide programme of "mark capture release" will be taking place to help establish the true distribution and status of the species. Volunteers will be required to monitor traps set to attract the beetle. If you're interested in taking part, contact Charlie Barnes charlie.barnes@lincsbiodiversity.org.uk for more information. *** Far Ings Botany Course 16th July *** Buttercups and Willowherbs Saturday 16th July 2011 A half day course looking at Ranunculus and Epilobiums. A friendly atmosphere, with tea and coffee. Suitable for the beginner or someone with an established interest. Indoor Talk Outdoor Walk Tutor: Mick Binnion Please contact Far Ings Visitor Centre to reserve a place Tel. No. 01652 637055 (You don't have to be a Brain Surgeon!) All welcome. Adult event. Price of the course £5. Includes booklet. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2. Wildlife Highlights ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Bird News from Rare Birds Alert *** Rare Bird Alert has kindly given permission to reproduce reports. A big thank you from us all. Interested readers should have a look at the RBA website: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ Note: I am adapting my RBA pager information for the Bulletin by eliminating or summarising/consolidating repeated messages. When there is a lot of information I will stick to highlights. Please visit the RBA website for updates or fuller details. 23/5 Pomarine Skua, Messingham Sand Quarry Quail male singing, Worlaby Carrs 2 Avocets, Little Egret, Bonby Carrs 2 drake Red-crested Pochard, Winterton Caspian Gull, Whisby Nature Park 5+ Yellow-legged Gull, North Hykeham, Apex pit Temminck's Stint. Kirkby on Bain gravel pits 24/5 2 Common Cranes adults, WSW between Winterton and Appleby Red-necked Phalarope, Frampton Marsh 25/5 Red-necked Phalarope, Frampton Marsh Honey Buzzard, Gibraltar Point 26/5 Red Kite over Mareham-le-Fen Purple Heron, Bicker Fen, South Forty-foot Drain Red-necked Phalarope, Frampton Marsh White-tailed Eagle juv still 6.5 miles south of Louth and 2 miles SW of A16 at Burwell at Ruckland. 27/5 Montagu's Harrier w of Skegness over Middle Marsh 2 drake Garganey, Little Stint, Frampton Marsh Red Kite, Crossbill, Spoonbill, Gibraltar Point White-tailed Eagle juv still 6.5 miles south of Louth and 2 miles SW of A16 at Burwell at Ruckland. 2 Common Cranes WSW of Scunthorpe near West Butterwick Red-necked Phalarope, Quail singing, Frampton Marsh 28/5 Little Stint, Frampton Marsh 27 Crossbills near Caistor, over Nettleton Holiday park 2 Common Cranes WSW of Scunthorpe near West Butterwick 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. PRIORY FARM, NR BINBROOK TF193 943 15 May 2011 LNU field meeting in generally overcast and windy conditions led by Brian Hedley and attended by 17 people. Many thanks to Chris Dowse of Sutton Estates for allowing the visit. Over 150 plant species recorded including blunt-flowered rush, water avens, lesser water parsnip, brown sedge, great horsetail and two very large small-leaved lime pollards. Forty-one bird species noted including a tree sparrow colony, buzzards, lapwing, cuckoo and corn bunting. Beetle list from Charlie Barnes includes lesser stag beetle: Cantharis rustica (Cantharidae) Cantharis nigricans (Cantharidae) Cantharis decipiens (Cantharidae) Phyllobius maculicornis (Curculionidae) Phyllobius roboretanus (Curculionidae) Sitona lineatus (Curculionidae) Platyrhinus resinosus (Anthribidae) - Notable B Pterostichus niger (Carabidae) Dromius quadrimaculatus (Carabidae) Pterostichus vernalis (Carabidae) - 6th recent record for Lincolnshire Pterostichus melanarius (Carabidae) Bembidion quadrimaculatum (Carabidae) Bembidion aeneum (Carabidae) Badister bullatus (Carabidae) Leistus fulvibarbis (Carabidae) Agriotes obscurus (Elateridae) Athous haemorrhoidalis (Elateridae) Phaedon tumidulus (Chrysomelidae) Hydrothassa marginella (Chrysomelidae) - 6th recent record for Lincolnshire Scaphidema metallicum (Tenebrionidae) Mycetophagus atomarius (Mycetophagidae) Dorcus parallelipipedus (Lucanidae) Grammoptera ruficornis (Cerambycidae) Coccinella septempunctata (Coccinellidae) Aphodius fossor (Scarabaeidae) Common white wave moth Silver ground carpet Cock's-foot moth Red-tailed bumble-bee Common carder bee Honeybee Common Blue Butterfly Orange tip eggs Peacock Butterfly caterpillers Azure Damselfly Blue-tailed Damselfly Bronze sheild bug (mating) Common toad tadpoles Five mammal species noted including brown hare and brown rat. also Priory Farm, Orford TF194 945 Mosses recorded by C.Rieser and F. Lammiman 15.5.11 Amblystegium serpens Barbula convoluta Barbula unguiculata Bryum capillare Ceratodon purpureus Cratoneuron filicinum Dicranoweisia cirrata Didymodon insulanus Grimmia pulvnata Homalothecium sericeum Hypnum resupinatum Orthotrichum affine Orthotrichum diaphanum Rhynchostegium murale Syntrichia ruralis Mosses were very limited generally but these species were found on willow, horse chestnut or stone at waters edge *** 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 26th May Dave Miller Gannet 3 Grey Heron 1 Marsh Harrier 1 male Kestrel 1 Oystercatcher 3 Sanderling 3 Sandwich Tern 1 Cuckoo 2 Swift 5 Swallow 23 House Martin 15 Willow Warbler 1 Grasshopper Warbler 2 Spotted Flycatcher 1 Goldfinch 2 Yellowhammer 1 DEEPING ST NICHOLAS 13.05.11 Mick Todd Yellow wagtail disturbed in rape field, then sat in clear view for several minutes. GRANTHAM TO HARLAXTON. 22/05/2011. David Clarke. Blackbird 3 Chaffinch 7 Chiffchaff 2 Dunnock 2 Goldfinch 3 Kestrel 1 Mallard 5 Moorhen 2 Mute Swan 2 Robin 3 Rook 17 Swallow 7 Song Thrush 1 Whitethroat 1 Wood Pigeon 14. Botany. Bugle Common Speedwell Common Comfrey Dog Rose Field Pansy Ground Ivy Meadow Cranesbill Red Campion Red Clover Red Dead Nettle White Campion Woody Nightshade. GREETWELL HOLLOW Colin J Green 20 May 2011 Visited Greetwell Hollow NR hoping to see Green Hairstreak butterfly (my second visit ever and first this year) saw:- Common Blue - 55 and lost count Large White - 5 Small White - 1 Green-veined White - 1 Orange Tip (M) - 3 Small Heath - 7 (surprised to find these here) No Green Hairstreak seen and checked along edge of reserve. Many warblers seen and heard and a lovely view of a Kestrel hunting also a Skylark rose from the grass in the quarry. A most enjoyable morning! It would be a great shame to see this area built on. ROXTON WOOD 21/05/11 Mick Binnion Red Kite 2 STICKNEY 22.05.11 Mick Todd Lapwing chicks observed on beet field, while parents chased off gulls and crows. SPALDING 23.05.11 Mick Todd Common spotted orchids putting up flower spikes though not open yet. SPILSBY Joan Gunson All moths recorded in our garden using a 125W MV Robinson Trap (128 species recorded so far this year) To view my moth photos click on this link www.flickr.com/photos/angleshades 15.5.11 (68 moths of 21 species 5 new for year) 1 Brimstone Moth 1 Elephant Hawk-Moth NFY 7 Flame Shoulder 3 Setaceous Hebrew Character 5 Rustic Shoulder-knot 27 Heart and Dart 5 Shuttle-shaped Dart 1 Flame 1 Iron Prominent 2 Vine's Rustic 1 Hebrew Character 1 Pale Mottled Willow 1 Clouded-bordered Brindle 1 Green Carpet NFY 1 Clouded Silver NFY 1 Silver-ground Carpet NFY 1 Common Pug 2 Cinnabar 1 Clepsis spectrana NFY 2 Epiblema cynosbatella 2 Celypha lacunana 16.5.11 (61 moths of 19 species 2 new for year) 1 Cinnabar 1 Green Carpet 19 Heart and Dart 6 Rustic Shoulder-knot 8 Shuttle-shaped Dart 1 Middle-barred Minor 2 Flame 5 Flame Shoulder 4 Treble Lines 1 Vine's Rustic 1 Pale Prominent 1 White Ermine 2 Clouded-bordered Brindle 1 Elephant Hawk-moth 3 Marbled Minor agg 1 Common Pug 1 Turnip Moth 2 Tawny Marbled Minor NFY 1 Rufous Minor NFY 17.5.11 (130 moths of 45 species 10 new for year) 1 Spectacle 4 Common Pug 2 Cinnabar 7 Flame Shoulder 8 Brimstone Moth 1 Figure of Eighty 35 Heart and Dart 1 Small Angle Shades NFY 3 Flame 2 Scalloped Hazel 12 Shuttle-shaped Dart 2 Clouded-bordered Brindle 4 Rustic Shoulder-knot 5 Setaceous Hebrew Character 1 Iron Prominent 3 Pale Mottled Willow 1 Swallow Prominent 2 Marbled Minor agg 2 Rivulet 1 Grey Dagger agg 2 Tawny Marbled Minor 1 Middle-barred Minor 1 Poplar Hawk-moth 3 Common Swift NFY 1 Brown Rustic 2 Treble Lines 1 Powdered Quaker 1 Peppered Moth 1 Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet 2 Common Marbled Carpet NFY 1 Garden Carpet 1 Least Black Arches 1 Willow Beauty NFY 1 Green Carpet 1 Green Pug NFY 1 Brindled Pug 1 Green Silver-lines 1 Coronet NFY (very green in colour) 1 Aspilapteryx tringipennella NFY 1 Aphomia sociella (Bee Moth) NFY 2 Celypha lacunana 1 Cydia pomonella NFY 1 Epiblema cynosbatella 2 Epipyas postvittana 2 Eurrhypara hortulata (Small Magpie) NFY 18.5.11 (78 moths of 24 species 1 new for year) 2 Brimstone Moth 2 Green Carpet 1 Buff Ermine 8 Rustic Shoulder-knot 13 Shuttle-shaped Dart 2 Rivulet 1 Cabbage Moth 27 Heart and Dart 5 Clouded-bordered Brindle 1 Common Swift 1 Dark Arches NFY 1 Scalloped Hazel 1 Vine's Rustic 1 Spectacle 1 Setaceous Hebrew Character 1 Shears 1 Lychnis 1 Garden Carpet 1 White Ermine 1 Pale Tussock 2 Common Pug 1 Epiblema cynosbatella 2 Epiphyas postvittana 1 Eurrhypara hortulata 19.5.11 (116 moths of 34 species 2 new for year) 1 Clouded Silver 3 Common Pug 1 Cinnabar 48 Heart and Dart 8 Marbled Minor agg 1 Silver-ground Carpet 1 Treble Lines 6 Setaceous Hebrew Character 1 Shears 1 Scalloped Hazel 7 Shuttle-shaped Dart 1 Pale Mottled Willow 1 Silver Y 1 Middle-barred Minor 1 Clouded-bordered Brindle 1 Spectacle 1 Pale Prominent 9 Rustic Shoulder-knot 1 Common Carpet 1 Flame 1 White Ermine 8 Flame Shoulder 1 Dark Arches 1 Bright-line Brown-eye 2 Common Wainscot NFY 2 Peppered Moth 1 Waved Umber 1 Brimstone Moth 1 Turnip Moth 1 Vine's Rustic 1 Agonopterix arenella NFY 2 Epiblema cynosbatella 3 Epiphyas postvittana 1 Eurrhyparra hortulata 21.5.11 187 moths of 30 species 7 new for year 3 White Ermine 5 Elephant Hawk-moth 3 Brimstone Moth 88 Heart and Dart 5 Flame 8 Flame Shoulder 17 Marbled Minor agg 9 Rustic Shoulder-knot 12 Setaceous Hebrew Character 7 Middle-barred Minor 2 Vine's Rustic 1 Shoulder-stripe Wainscot NFY 4 Scalloped Hazel 2 Common Pug 3 Clouded-bordered Brindle 2 Treble Lines 2 Shuttle-shaped Dart 1 Large Yellow Underwing NFY 1 Lesser Swallow Prominent 1 Spectacle 1 Herald NFY 1 Hebrew Character 1 Green Carpet 1 Small Angle Shades 2 Bright-line Brown-eye 1 Campion NFY 1 Coxcomb Prominent NFY 1 Mottled Rustic NFY 1 Ingrailed Clay NFY 1 Freyer's Pug NFY 1 Epiblema cynosbatella 25.5.11 296 moths of 42 species 1 new for year 1 Brimstone Moth 125 Heart and Dart 4 Common Pug 2 Tawny Marbled Minor 26 Rustic Shoulder-knot 31 Setaceous Hebrew Character 24 Marbled Minor agg 6 Mottled Rustic 3 Bright-line Brown-eye 7 Middle-barred Minor 4 Common Swift 10 Clouded-bordered Brindled 1 Blood Vein 1 Poplar Hawk-moth 2 Brown Rustic 6 Flame Shoulder 1 Large Yellow Underwing 2 Angle Shades 3 Dark Arches 5 Common Wainscot 3 Treble Lines 2 Silver-ground Carpet 2 Freyer's Pug 2 Turnip Moth 1 Pale Tussock 2 Shuttle-shaped Dart 1 Flame 1 Shoulder-stripe Wainscot 1 Cabbage Moth 1 Ingrailed Clay 1 Swallow Prominent 1 White Ermine 1 Clouded Silver 1 Garden Carpet 2 Common Marbled Carpet 1 Scalloped Hazel 1 Agonopterix arenella 1 Aphomia sociella 2 Celypha lacunana 4 Epiblema cyosbatella 1 Epiphyas postvittana 1 Evergestis forticalis (Garden Pebble) NFY TATTERSHALL THORPE Tattershall Thorpe Lakes 25.05.2011-26.05.2011 M&R Pocklington WATCH OUT - EGG THIEF ABOUT We have been watching a reed warblers nest with four eggs by Mirror Lake walkway every day. Some low person has stolen the nest and eggs - we know it was a person because the reeds are trampled, and we suspect other nests have gone, too. Last year three swan's eggs were taken from the same place. VERNATTS NATURE RESERVE 12.05.11 Mick Todd Small grass snake observed hunting in pond, reed warblers active on site. Several blackcaps seen and heard singing. WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. A & R Parsons 23/5 Pied wagtails have fledged. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 21/05/2011 Common Buzzard Crossbill 5 Little Ringed Plover Marsh Harrier Mediterranean Gull Wheatear 22/05/2011 Blackcap Cuckoo 4 Gadwall Great Spotted Woodpecker Little Egret Little Tern 20 Long-tailed Tit 7 Marsh Harrier 2 Mediterranean Gull 3 Pochard 25/05/2011 Fulmar 1 Glaucous Gull 1 Wheatear 1 26/05/2011 Common Buzzard Crossbill 15 Fulmar 3 Gannet 23 Greenshank 1 Swift 19 Turnstone 7 27/05/2011 Barn Owl Great Spotted Woodpecker Marsh Harrier Spoonbill 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 April 2011. No reports yet RSPB Frampton Marsh http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh/index.asp RSPB Freiston Shore http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore/index.asp ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. News from Far Ings NNR http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/far_ings/index.php ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Far Ings NNR Week ending 28.05.11 BIRDS Max. Numbers = avocet 30+ bearded tit blackbird 20 blackcap 2 black headed gull 20+ blue tit 12 bullfinch 2 Canada goose 6 carrion crow 4 chaffinch 13 chiffchaff 4 collared dove 2 common gull 30+ common tern 4 coot 30+ cormorant dunnock 4 gadwall 2 goldfinch 4 greenfinch 2 GC grebe 4 great tit 5 greenfinch 2 grey heron greylag goose 60+ herring gull house martin 6 house sparrow 10 kestrel lesser whitethroat little gull linnet little grebe magpie 2 mallard 20 marsh harrier M+F mistle thrush moorhen 20 mute swan 4 oystercatcher pheasant 3 pochard 10 reed bunting 4 reed warbler 14 robin 8 sand martin 20+ sedge warbler 10 shelduck 4 shoveler 2 song thrush sparrowhawk spotted flycatcher starling 4 swallow 30+ swift 80+ tufted duck 16 water rail 3 whitethroat 8 willow tit willow warbler 7 wood pigeon 6 wren 8 . Also: roe deer, water vole. Butterflies: GV white, small white, peacock, red admiral, speckled wood holly blue, common blue, small tortoiseshell, orange tip, small copper. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ News from the Limewoods. Dormouse box check, Saturday 20 May found 3 individuals, widely scattered and none in the boxes which held mice in April. Interestingly one of the mice was in the nest which had had the strange lump of marzipan(?) in April. The other two were in boxes with no nest at all, and both were quite low weight, so probably not long out of hibernation. One of these was in one of the new boxes, only put up last month in the coupe coppiced over last winter. There were a number of mouse nests, both dormouse and woodmouse, one of the latter occupied by a mum mouse and litter of very young babies. Most of the occupants this month were, as usual, avian; total of 95 blue and great tit pulli ringed on the day. Small Meadow: another example of the weather bringing flowers on. The meadow thistles are now in flower and very well worth visiting. Thanks to the March cut which removed all the over-wintering stems, particularly the rushes (which have invaded the whole meadow following several wet winters and springs) the patches of pale grey-green rosettes are very noticeable. Also noticeable, and for the same reason, are a wide scatter of single rosettes, with flower stems. This may indicate continuing spread, since I don't recall having seen this before. Anne Goodall Chambers Farm Wood 14.5.11 Adrian Royle Broad-bordered Bee Hawkmoth x2 Marsh Fritillaries x7 Dingy Skipper x2 Sloe Bug x15 Grammoptera ruficornis x2 Agapanthea villosoviridescens x1 Greater Butterfly Orchids x30 15.5.11 Cryptocephalus sexpunctatus x1 RDB2/UKBAP a small red and black leaf beetle, Six-spotted Pot Beetle First county record since 1956. Colin has since found another a couple of miles away. http://www.flickr.com/photos/adiroyle/5757923570/in/photostream Platystomus albinus x2 Centrotus cornutus - Horned Treehopper x3 21.5.11 Orange Tip x8 Common Blue x5 Marsh Fritillaries x3 Broad-bordered Bee Hawkmoth x3 Legnotus limbosus shieldbug x1 Green Shieldbug x7 Centrotus cornutus x2 Trachys minuta x2 Alosterna tabacicolor very common Poecilium alni x1 Rhagium mordax x2 Stenocorus meridianus x1 Wasp Beetle x7 Platystomus albinus x1 Oiceoptoma thoracicum x1 Hornet x2 Slender Groundhopper x1 22.5.11 Cuckoo x1 Ruby-tailed Wasp x1 Woundwort Shieldbug x11 Broad-bordered Bee Hawkmoth x1 out in the forest 2 miles from the butterfly garden + 3 in the garden seen by other observers. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7. Sending in reports to Roger Parsons ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The purpose of the Bulletin is to encourage biological recording in Lincolnshire using modern Information and Communication Technology. We hope to increase the number of people reporting observations to LNU Recorders and improve the quality of reports, as well as the quantity and the geographical coverage. [A backup e-mail address you can use if ever you experience problems with my "Enterprise" address is: aintree2@yahoo.co.uk] When sending in reports please follow Bulletin layout to save editing: Place Name: IN CAPITALS with Grid Reference if you have it. Your Name: Real names please, not aliases. Put it in each time, for each location Date: Species list [Alphabetical?] & numbers [and observations?] e.g. Blackbird - 24 [And please, no home-grown abbreviations. Names in full.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 8. Contact Information & Useful Websites ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please let me know ASAP if any of these weblinks fail! *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Website *** A full list of LNU Country Recorders is given here. http://www.lnu.org/ LNU e-mail: info@lnu.org If you are not yet a member, the LNU needs good naturalists like you! Anyone interested can get membership application forms via Tori Sandilands at the Lincs Wildlife Trust Horncastle office, e-mail vsandilands@lincstrust.co.uk LNU publications [listed on LNU website] may be ordered via: Ian Macalpine-Leny macalpine@doddington.demon.co.uk *** Contacts List *** PC Nigel LOUND Wildlife Crime Officer - Community Safety Police HQ Deepdale Lane Nettleham Lincs LN57PH Tel 01522 558684 e-mail: nigel.lound@lincs.pnn.police.uk or Nige LOUND Wildlife Crime Officer County Police Station Sea Lane Ingoldmells Lincs PE24 44XX Tel: 01522 558684 e-mail: nigelound@btinternet.com *** Lincs Amphibian and Reptile Group *** The Lincolnshire ARG (Amphibian & Reptile Group) For further details please contact ashleybutterfield@btinternet.com tel. 07984 66 5847 *** Limestone Grassland Project *** Mark Schofield, Limestone Grassland Project Officer, mschofield@lincstrust.co.uk Mobile: 07825970930, Switchboard: 01507 526667. To find out more and to become involved with the survey and management of Lincolnshire's limestone grassland on road verges see: See: http://www.lifeontheverge.org.uk/ *** Local Bat Helpline *** Grounded bats, bat problems, advice and information? Contact Annette and Colin Faulkner on 01775 766286 or e-mail: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** Bat Recorder *** You may send confidential bat records direct to Annette Faulkner on: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** Butterfly Conservation Recorder *** Allan Binding asks contributors of butterfly records to the Bulletin to include their address or contact telephone or e-mail address and Grid Reference if possible. e-mail: allan.binding@ntlworld.com See: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/species/bfly/index.php *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire link *** http://www.lincolnshire-butterflies.org.uk/index.html *** LNU Bees, Wasps and Ants Recorder *** Alan Phillips Willing to examine specimens or check photos (but bear in mind only a relative few of the 300+ species in the county are identifiable using photos). Aculeates only please, no parasitic wasps such as Ichneumons. If in doubt please contact for advice: aculeates@gmail.com *** Whisby's Bee and Wasp List *** Dr Michael Archer and Alan Phillips have put together an impressive list. Have a look and see how many species you recognise by name! http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/whisby/index.php?id=73 Also see: http://norwegica.wordpress.com/author/norwegica/ Could this be the year you learn to identify bees and wasps? *** OTTERS *** Readers are reminded that all dead Otters should be reported to the Environment Agency on 0800 807060. *** Mammal Records *** Mammal records can reported to Chris Manning Email: chris@lincsdeer.info Mink reports also of interest and can be sent via the Bulletin. *** New Met Office Service *** The Met Office website now offers an e-mail notification service for severe weather and other matters which may interest readers. Worth having a look and signing up. Be warned of the possibility of severe weather. See: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/corporate/pressoffice/2009/pr20090727.html *** LNU Moths Gallery *** There is a moth page on the LNU Website, to promote the recording of moths across the county. http://www.lnu.org/ Also see: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/species/hawkmoths/index.php *** LNU Plant Galls Recorder *** Graeme Clayton Please note my new addresses for plant gall id etc:- 46 Sibthorp Street Lincoln LN5 7SH gclayton54@o2.co.uk Willing to check or identify any plant gall material. Recording forms www.british-galls.org.uk *** Slug ID Help *** Chris du Feu will help with slug identification. You can telephone him on: 01427 848400 or e-mail: chris@chrisdufeu.force9.co.uk *** Lincolnshire Badger Group Update *** Ally Townsend of the Weirfield Wildlife Hospital, writes: If you would like to give people the Lincoln number 01522 530428 a member of staff will record the sighting or RTA. Or use the Weirfield website: http://www.weirfield.co.uk/ where a reporting page can be used to send in reports. *** Lincs Bird Club *** LBC County Bird Recorders County Bird Recorder, covering the south of the county recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk for John Badley recorder_north@lincsbirdclub.co.uk for John Clarkson Bird Club Website: www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk *** Lincolnshire Bird Club Grantham Peregrine Project *** The Lincs Bird Club is pleased to announce the return of the Grantham Peregrine Webcam. Images from the tower at St Wulfram's Church, Grantham can be seen at http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk/pegcam.html while details of daily activity can be found at http://pegcam.blogspot.com. Birds have already been seen in the nesting tray, so fingers crossed that they breed again successfully in 2011. Details of last year's successful breeding attempt can be download at http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk/Articles/2010_Peregrine_Blog.pdf *** Wash Estuary Project Contacts *** Jeff Goodley - Wash Estuary Project Officer jeff.goodley@washestuary.org.uk Maria Phipps - Wash Estuary Project Assistant maria.phipps@washestuary.org.uk Vivien Hartwell - Wash Biodiversity viv.hartwell@washestuary.org.uk *** Other Useful Websites *** Key links are now being posted on the LNU website. http://www.lnu.org/ This should save space in the Bulletin, Suggestions for other useful Websites are welcome. Natural England http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ Still includes SSSI Information and "Nature on the Map" Lincolnshire Environmental Awards http://www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk/ Lincs. Wildlife Trust Website http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/ Useful emergency numbers for wildlife crises. http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/factsheets/ Lincs Environmental Records Centre The Lincolnshire Biodiversity Partnership (of which LERC is a part) Contact: Charlie Barnes, charlie.barnes@lincsbiodiversity.org.uk or for more general queries: info@lincsbiodiversity.org.uk Tornado and Storm Research Organisation www.torro.org.uk Contact Ian Loxley on colarain@tiscali.co.uk *** Interesting Weather radar website *** Noel Loxley recommends the following interesting website. http://www.raintoday.co.uk/ RSPB Contact Details RSPB Website: www.rspb.org.uk www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh John Badley, Site Manager for RSPB Lincolnshire Wash reserves e-mail: freistonshore@rspb.org.uk Bardney Limewoods www.limewoods.co.uk limewoods@lincolnshire.gov.uk The Sir Joseph Banks Society Contact 01507 528223 or by e-mail: enquiries@joseph-banks.org.uk. www.joseph-banks.org.uk EasyTide Check tide times on Admiralty EasyTide: http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx TWO - The Weather Outlook Check the weather forecast for the location or postcode: http://www.theweatheroutlook.com/ Joan Gunson's moths: http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v499/jsylvester/Moths%20in%20my%20garden%202010/ Alan Dale's Bugs and Weeds http://www.bugsandweeds.co.uk/ Mike Binnion writes: I've put all my decent photos of common butterflies on the Grimsby website: See http://www.grimsbywildlife.co.uk/otherattractions.htm http://www.grimsbywildlife.co.uk/ *** Other Useful E-mail Addresses *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union: info@lnu.org Gibraltar Point: gibpoint@lincstrust.co.uk Far Ings: farings@lincstrust.co.uk Whisby Nature Park: whisbynp@lincstrust.co.uk NEW Syke's Farm: lwt@sykesfarm.org.uk Lincs. Trust HQ: The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust main e-mail address: info@lincstrust.co.uk Lincolnshire FWAG: lincoln@fwag.org.uk Chambers Farm Wood NEW contact - Mary Porter Mary.porter@forestry.gsi.gov.uk Lincolnshire Bird Club Secretary - Janet Eastmead: janet.eastmead@talktalk.net Membership Secretary - Mike Harrison: michael@michaelharrison1.wanadoo.co.uk If you would like your e-mail listed here, please let me know. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9. Notes about these wildlife reports ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We do our best to ensure accuracy in our reporting but these records are sent in by a variety of reporters, from complete beginners to professionals. They therefore vary in reliability and in certain cases they are impossible to verify. If further information is needed on locations or reporters, or if you wish to question/confirm any of these records, contact: rparsons@enterprise.net Bulletins are sent to Biological Recorders at the Lincs. Wildlife Trust, Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. [Note: Where plants are reported, this is usually because they have been seen and identified in flower.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10. The Bulletin's publicity policy ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We will sometimes withhold precise details of the location of rare or endangered species. Please point out any sensitive or "tricky" reports of this kind. Sensitive data should go directly to county recorders, please. We ask that you respect the interests of wildlife and site owners if you report to national networks. Make a point of explaining site sensitivity and any restrictions on access. An interest in wildlife is not a licence to act irresponsibly/thoughtlessly to landowners, who may well be partners in important conservation work. [Remember - views expressed in the Bulletin do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions on the LNU or associated organisations. In particular this applies to such agencies, especially charities, taking a political stance.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11. LNU Events Diary For LNU meetings also see www.lnu.org/events.php ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Identifying Hoverflies - have you registered yet? *** Information from Ian Macalpine-Leny Whisby Education Centre in conjunction with Roger Morris are holding an Introduction to Hoverflies event on 26th and 27th March 2011 and 24th September 2011 (3 day course). Roger Morris describes the course as follows:- An Introduction to Hoverfly Identification This course is designed to give the novice sufficient confidence to tackle these attractive and interesting flies. By the end of the second day most pupils can be expected to understand the critical parts of the keys that often cause trouble. The programme comprises a mixture of formal and informal sessions. Identification sessions use preserved material provided by the course tutors. Course literature has been designed to compliment the keys in Stubbs & Falk's British Hoverflies. A second session in September is scheduled to provide an opportunity for pupils to refresh their knowledge and have specimens confirmed. It will also give an opportunity to look at more challenging genera that often cause difficulties. Field Meetings generally start at 12 noon for 1.00pm, but please check the website details for each event. Unless otherwise stated, Indoor Meetings are held on Saturdays at the Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park, Moor Lane, Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln and start at 2pm. Sunday, June 19, 2011 Great Eau - Theddlethorpe 12.00 for 13.00 start. Meet at TF454857 Healey Land, park on side of Road - note cattle may be grazing. Habitats: River, Marsh, Ditches. Leader: Chris Manning 07752 353303 chris@lincsdeer.info Sunday, July 03, 2011 South Farm, Thurlby. SW of Lincoln. 12.00 for 13.00 start. Meet in yard of South Farm at SK907 614. Habitats: River Witham, ponds, grassland and arable. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Saturday, July 16, 2011 Hatfield/Thorne Moor NNR Joint Meeting withYorkshire Naturalists' Union Botanical Survey Habitats: Moorland and Heath Contact Ian McDonald at iannutwell@talktalk.net if interested Saturday, August 13, 2011 Alkborough Flats (North Lincs Council and Environment Agency) 12.00 for 13.00 start. Meet in car park at SE879 221. Take lane on left just pass church (if coming from south) and continue downhill. Evening moth/bat session starting at 8.30pm Habitats should be Saltmarsh, marsh, lagoons, ditches, pasture. Leaders: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com and Colin Smith (evening) 07595 414318 Saturday, September 24, 2011 Riseholme College, N of Lincoln, off A15 12.00 for 13.00 start. Meet in car park next to Conference Hall at SK981 756 Evening moth/bat session starting at 7pm. Includes an opportunity to investigate the LNU Collection and encourage students to use them. Habitats: Parkland, woodland, lake. Leaders: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com (afternoon) and Colin Smith (evening) 07595 414318 Sunday, October 23, 2011 Fungus Foray, Callan's Lane Wood (Forestry Commission site) Kirkby Underwood. North of Bourne 12.00 for 13.00 start. Meet at car park TF061 270 Habitats: Mixed Woodland Leader: Ray Halstead 07772 613640 ray.halstead@tiscali.co.uk ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails This Week *** If you hear of anyone bemoaning the lack of a Bulletin, please refer them to the Bulletin Portal where they will find a copy. http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Recent mailfails, with reason: michael.brown - permanent error - does not like recipient *** Links of the Week *** If you have not yet visted the LBC Peregrine webcam, do so now! http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk/pegcam.html Nighthawking - Heritage Crime http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-13455837 http://www.lincs.police.uk/News-Centre/News-Releases/16-05-2011-Operation-to-Tackle-the-Nighthawkers.html ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/