============================================ || || 27th November 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 1025 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 *** Several readers have sent in useful, attractive or entertaining "links of the week". Many thanks for these. Keep them coming. Current thinking seems to be that the switch to winter will come about the second half of December. Must happen soon, surely? Keep visiting "TWO", as their Winter Forecast is due out next week. http://theweatheroutlook.com/ Don't forget: Saturday, November 26, 2011 Lincolnshire Peregrines Andrew Chick, Chairman of the Lincolnshire Bird Club will speak on these fascinating birds. Roger *** Next LNU Event *** For LNU meetings also see www.lnu.org/events.php See section 11 for full programme. 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, January 14, 2012 Joseph Banks, James Edward Smith and the Linnean Society Illustrated Lecture by Prof Mark Seaward. Emeritus Professor of Environmental Biology at Bradford University and Honorary Professor of Lincoln University. *** Seal News *** Rob Lidstone-Scott writes: Seal counts: 19 November 2011 13:10 Bulls 331, cows 975, pups 880 Readers of the Bulletin are urged to respect and support the advice and policy of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust in relation to access to seal breeding areas: to stay behind the fence in the viewing area and not to venture out onto the beach. By respecting Trust guidelines you reinforce the work to protect seals during the pupping season and ensure the safety of the visitors. Your good example throws into sharp relief the arrogance of those who choose to act otherwise and it might just shame them into more compliant behaviour. Maybe. See the Trust webpage: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/lwt/seals/index.php *** Waxwing Alert *** Reports of Waxwings are coming in. They are worth making an effort to see and photograph, so please pass on your sightings. See: http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/w/waxwing/ http://www.birdsofbritain.co.uk/bird-guide/waxwing.asp *** Great Grey Shrike Alert *** Quite a few reports of these this week. http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/g/greatgreyshrike/ http://birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=12207 *** Athous campyloides (Coleoptera: Elateridae) *** New to Lincolnshire Charlie Barnes writes: Last year the Bioblitz at Banovallum House organised by the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Biodiversity Partnership recorded 565 species over 24 hours. However one beetle specimen remained unrecognised… until now. I had my suspicions last year that this specimen was something different, however it wasn't until the specimen was looked at by the national expert that my suspicions were confirmed – it was indeed Athous campyloides, a new species for Lincolnshire. Doubts over my identification were due to the recorded national distribution of the species – it mainly occurs in the south east, with a few scattered records from the south and a few further north. Resembling a lighter, browner version of the much commoner Athous haemorrhoidalis, it reaches sizes of up to 11mm and like many other click beetles feeds on the roots of plants. Due to its national scarcity it is designated as "Nationally Notable B." *** FWAG In Administration - how will it survive? *** I caught a piece on the BBC Farming Today programme about FWAG going into administration. FWAG has done outstanding work and this serious development has been anticipated for some weeks. For more from FWAG's new Chairman, Philip Cook, listen to: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b017chpk/Farming_Today_23_11_2011/ *** Boston LWT Area Group *** Friday, 9th December at 7.30 p.m. SNIPE DALES NATURE RESERVE AND COUNTRY PARK James Forrester, the Assistant Warden, wil give us an illustrated talk on the Park, his work and the wildlife to be found there. The meeting will be held in the church hall of the Centenary Methodist Church in Red Lion Street, Boston - all welcome. Refreshments will be served. There will be a leaving collection. For more information, contact Brian Redman, tel. 01205 351406 *** South Lincs RSPB *** ILLUSTRATED TALK Thursday 15th December at 7.30 p.m. Sam Newsom Music Centre, Boston "Neil's Favourites" by local photographer Neil Smith. Members £2, non-members £3-50, children half price. *** Harlequin Ladybirds *** In the past week I have seen several Harlequin ladybirds. This is the time of year they creep into buildings to hibernate. Please keep looking for and reporting them. http://www.harlequin-survey.org/ *** Help Butterfly Conservation *** Peter Cawdell writes: The Lincolnshire Echo (now weekly Thursdays) are giving away £20,000 to up to 200 local charities - we at Lincs Butterfly Conservation are one. Coupons will be printed in this week's edition & every Thursday until Dec. 22nd. (some bonus coupons). The more coupons we collect the greater our share of the money! Please can you collect as many as possible (also forwarding this e-mail, or texting/communicating to your friends, family & anyone you know who takes or can beg/borrow copies of the Echo) to cut out the coupons and send to either myself at: Peter Cawdell 49 Tower Crescent, Lincoln. LN25QF or Derek Fox 'Lisheen', Barlings Lane, Langworth, Lincoln. LN35DA. Thank you. Peter Cawdell, Lincs Butterfly Conservation *** Gibraltar Point Jobs *** From time to time we get news of interesting local jobs. Here are a two on the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust website: Assistant Warden at Gibraltar Point http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/news/jobs.php?id=23 Education Officer at Gibraltar Point http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/news/jobs.php?id=24 Details are also available by contacting the Trust by e-mail info@lincstrust.co.uk or by telephone - 01507 526667. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2. Wildlife Highlights ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Bird News from Rare Birds Alert *** Rare Bird Alert has kindly given permission to reproduce reports. A big thank you from us all. Interested readers should have a look at the RBA website: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ Note: I am adapting my RBA pager information for the Bulletin by eliminating or summarising/consolidating repeated messages. When there is a lot of information I will stick to highlights. Please visit the RBA website for updates or fuller details. 18/11 Rough-legged Buzzard over Donna Nook 3 Hen Harriers, Short-eared Owl, Nocton Fen 18+ probably Bean Goose in distance, Donna Nook plus 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, 22 Lapland Buntings 2 Tundra Bean Geese over Saltfleet Haven plus Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 3 Ruddy Shelducks, Snow Bunting 2 Common Cranes over Anderby Creek 19/11 Grey Phalarope past Gibraltar Point 8 Lapland Bunting, 11 Snow Buntings, 30 Twite, Donna Nook 34 White-fronted Geese, Huttoft Pit Great Grey Shrike, Tetney Lock Hen Harrier, 4 Short-eared Owls, Baston Fen 9 Eurasian White-fronted Geese south of Donna Nook also 16 Whooper Swans, Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owl Black Redstart, Gibraltar Point 15 Short-eared Owls, Eurasian White-fronted Goose, Worlaby Carrs Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owl, Grainthorpe Haven Short-eared Owl, Nocton Fen Hen Harrier, Wroot 2 Tundra Bean Goose, Kirkby-on-Bain pits 60 Snow Buntings, Cleethorpes coast Great Grey Shrike, Burgh-le-Marsh 20/11 Great Grey Shrike, Wroot Black Redstart, Gibraltar Point Great Grey Shrike, Tetney Lock 21/11 Great Grey Shrike, Market Stainton 8 Eurasian White-fronted Geese, Westwoodside Hen Harrier male, 2 Short-eared Owls, 2 Bewick's Swans, Nocton Fen Black Redstart, Ocean Avenue, Skegness Snow Bunting, Toft Newton Reservoir 22/11 4 Short-eared Owls, Bonby Carrs Hen Harrier male, 2 Short-eared Owls, 6 Eurasian White- fronted Geese, 2 Bewick's, 7 Whooper Swans, Nocton Fen Ring-necked Duck, Whisby Snow Bunting, Saltfleetby 2 Hen Harriers. Saltfleetby St Clement Little Gull, Huttoft Pit 23/11 19 Eurasian White-fronted Geese, with Greylag and Canada Geese, Skegness 40 Snow Buntings, Saltfleetby of Brickyard Lane. 2 Tundra Been Geese, over Broughton Common also Scaup 10 Whooper Swan, 2 juv Hen Harriers, Short-eared Owl 2 Goosander 2 Tundra Been Geese between Whitton and West Halton, then flew east with Pink-footed Geese + 13 Eurasian White-fronted Geese. 24 adult, 4 juv Eurasian White-fronted Geese, Winterton Carrs 6+ Short-eared Owls, Worlaby Carrs 3 Short-eared Owls, Bonby Carrs 4 Short-eared Owls, Nocton Fen 15 Lapland Buntings, Wheatear, 4 Eurasian White-fronted Geese, Hen Harrier, 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, Donna Nook 2 Tundra Bean Geese, 7 Eurasian White-fronted Geese, Snow Bunting, Covenham Reservoir 9 Tundra Bean Geese, Westwoodside 27 Eurasian White-fronted Geese, 30 Barnacle Geese, 2 Spotted Redshanks and Hen Harrier, Frampton Marsh 24/11 62 Tundra Bean Geese, 46 Eurasian White-fronted Geese, Wainfleet St Mary 20 Tundra Bean Geese, 4 mls SSW of Barton-upon-Humber 9 Eurasian White-fronted Geese, 11 Whooper 2 Bewick's Swans, Wroot 9 Tundra Bean Geese, Westwoodside with Greylag Geese Tundra Bean Geese, 7 Eurasian White-fronted Geese, Covenham Reservoir 2 Tundra Bean Geese, 23 Snow Buntings, 60 Twite and 3 Short-eared Owls, between Horseshoe Point and Tetney Haven 35 Eurasian White-fronted Geese, 35 Barnacle Geese, Hen Harrier, Frampton Marsh 5 Tundra Bean Geese, 7 Eurasian White-fronted Geese, Westwoodside 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. Paul Gee writes: Friday 18/11/11. 11.30am A18 near Medge Hall Full grown Buzzard on ground in scrub at side of field. This was no more than 30 foot from the main road. It was ignoring passing cars but flew off towards Sandtoft when an articulated lorry passed. Between there and Tudworth roundabout 5 Kestrels seen in air looking for prey. This stretch from Ealand to the Thorne area always has a healthy number of these excellent small falcons. Carol Thwaite writes: On Sunday 20th Nov we made our way through the Yorkshire fog to see the seals at Donna Nook. On our way we wondered if we would see anything but as we got towards Grimsby the sky cleared and the sun shone, we were in luck. What a fantastic sight to see so many bulls, cows and pups. Many of the pups were suckling, the mums rolling over for them and basking in the glorious sunshine. Some of the bulls starting to show signs of aggression as they stake out their territory for when the cows come back into season. To see them all so close was amazing. We also saw an incredible amount of birdlife, quite spectacular flocks in fact. A flock of fieldfare flew straight over our heads into the bushes, a large flock of lapwings, knot and brent geese along with many other species. What an absolutely wonderful wildlife spectacle. *** 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 23RD Nov Dave Miller White-fronted Goose in with a flock of greylags Cetti's Warbler calling CLAXBY area TF 122 933 Silvia Fowler 19.11.2011 Marsh Harrier ??? (awaiting confirmation) Buzzard Kestrel Red Campion in flower CONINGSBY Toby Ludlow Saturday 19th November 2011 2 butterflies seen flying today in Coningsby: 1 Red Admiral 1 Small Tortoiseshell DONNA NOOK Jeremy Hutchinson 19/11/2011 On the theme of unseasonal sightings, we went to Donna Nook today. At about 15.00 there was a Swallow flying back and forth hawking for insects! This is several weeks later than any I have seen in the past. Also seen: Little Egrets (6) Curlew - many Redshank - many Shelduck - 12 approx. Marsh Harrier - 1 Brent Geese - informed that there are 1500 all told HARLAM LOCK, SNITTERBY CARR TF020945 Patty Phillips 20 November 2011 Pair of short eared owls HOLYWELL LAKE 18 November 2011 12.30 – 13.30 Ian Misselbrook 1 Buck Fallow deer 10 Little grebes 1 Black swan 8 Mute Swans 32 Greylag Geese 62 Canada Geese 1 Pintail drake – a new bird for the site 2 Wigeon 10 Shoveler 14 Teal 83 Mallard 8 Gadwall 2 Pochard 25 Tufted Duck 65 Coot - a site record 28 Moorhen 37 Black-headed Gulls – another site maximum 1 Kingfisher 2 GS Woodpeckers 1 Red Kite Woodpigeons Blackbirds Fieldfares Pied Wagtail Dunnocks Wrens Great Tits Blue Tits Coal Tits Long-tailed Tits Goldcrest 11 Siskins Goldfinches Chaffinches I think the dredging of the lower lake has made it more attractive for coot, diving duck and gulls. The upper lake which has different owners is pretty choked up with weeds and water lilies. Gadwall are notably down again. LACEBY BECK 21/11/2011 Mick Binnion Whilst establishing Grey Wagtail feeding points (groups of large stones just above the water level) strategically placed on the riffles, in the riffle and pool systems, I'm pleased to say we have good numbers of Water Shrew. Only saw one, however, there is plenty of evidence, runs, holes, scat. Plus, we still have 'dark' minnow, which I thought we'd lost in 1976. LACEBY BECK 25/11/2011 Mick Binnion The first of our Fieldfares have arrived. And are they hungry! PINCHBECK Kay Heath 19.11.2011 Red Admiral butterfly flying around the garden before getting caught in a spiders web which I managed to retrieve unharmed. POTTERHANWORTH WOODS TF068668 John Nickson 25th Nov 2011 Sika Deer? Group of three. Not too spooked by our presence. Fair size dark colour distinct White rump. RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, near LOUTH TF 309 847 Silvia Fowler 12.11.2011 Red Admiral (in pristine condition) feeding on Hebe, also several large Bumblebees enjoying the mild, sunny weather (13º C) Tawny Owls (m + f) calling in late afternoon (still daylight) 30-40 Black-headed and Common Gulls feeding in meadow 20.11.2011 Red Admiral on window sill Wasp queen flying into greenhouse Bumblebees still active 7-spot Ladybirds crawling out of garden prunings RIPPINGALE TF09422 27716 20/11/2011 Pauline Warman We now have 4 Tree sparrows using our feeders. They seem to prefer the most expensive high- energy seed mix. SEACROFT MARSH SSSI 19th Nov D Norfolk Sparrowhawk 1 female Curlew 1 Redshank 1 Herring Gull 14 Magpie 9 Goldcrest 1 Blue Tit 1 Skylark 6 Wren 2 Blackbird 8 Song Thrush 1 Robin 3 Dunnock 4 Pied Wagtail 1 Meadow Pipit 2 Chaffinch 1 Greenfinch 4 Reed Bunting 4 SEACROFT MARSH SSSI 24th Nov D Norfolk Cormorant 4 Sparrowhawk 1 male Oystercatcher 3 Black-headed Gull 28 Common Gull 4 Lesser Black-backed Gull 2 Great Black-backed Gull 8 Carrion Crow 5 Starling 200 Stonechat 2 Rock Pipit 1 WAINFLEET CONSERVATION PONDS 21/11/2011 Roy and Kath Pearson Corn Bunting (1) was a new species for the site and a Common Buzzard sitting on a fence post was, I think, only the second record. It was very reluctant to leave and when approached merely flew round in a circle and settled again some four posts further along. There were some fifty Feral Pigeons flying around, no doubt tempted by some ploughing in a nearby field. They appear to be increasing in numbers rapidly. Ducks were in low numbers with only Teal (6) and Mallard (28) being recorded. Reed Buntings (6) were present, but are well down on their early autumn numbers. We received a report this week of a young Swallow ringed at roost here in mid- August which had been caught sixteen days later and 102km WNW near Doncaster. Clearly it needs to fine-tune its directional skills. WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. A & R Parsons 22/11 2 Tawny owls calling in garden - afternoon. Buzzard in area. WRANGLE COMMON 21/11/2011 Roy and Kath Pearson A very disappointing count today with very few passerines in evidence except for Blackbirds (21). A Great Spotted Woodpecker was very vocal and then turned to drumming. Maybe it's a consequence of the mild weather. The wet grassland has now dried out totally and, in consequence, we saw no waders other than the first Woodcock of the winter in a small belt of trees. It is most unusual not to find the Curlew flock feeding on the pasture at this time of year, but I wonder if the ground is too hard for them? A first site record was of two Roe Deer. I had heard they were around, but had not seen them until today when they courteously posed for us for some ten seconds at twenty-five metres. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 20/11/2011 Blackcap 2 Black Redstart 1 Chiffchaff 3 (Siberian 1) Spoonbill 1 Treecreeper 1 21/11/2011 Chiffchaff 1 (Siberian) Spoonbill Water Rail White-fronted Goose 1 SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE NNR. http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/nr/reserve.php?mapref=41 http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designatedareas/nnr/1006128.aspx Week ending 25th November 2011. John Walker, Roger Briggs, Peter & Janet Roworth. The relatively dry weather continues with only 2mm of rainfall recorded this week, giving a cumulative total for November so far being 14mm. A late sighting of 3 red admirals [2 over the salt marsh and 1 over the dunes] was made on the 20th. Fairly quiet for birds this week. Of note: 9 Snow Buntings and 4 Lapland Buntings on the foreshore. RSPB WASH Reserves - Frampton Marsh and Freiston Shore Reports for OCTOBER 2011 John Badley Recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Assisted by Grahame Hopwood and Colin Jennings RSPB Frampton Marsh http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh/index.asp RSPB Frampton Marsh Passage waders included Pectoral Sandpiper (until 9th), Jack Snipe, up to two Curlew Sandpipers and four Little Stints. Up to 50 Ruffs were also still in residence (6th). The Long-billed Dowitcher from Freiston put in a brief appearance (4th). First autumn/winter records included Water Pipit (23rd) and Twite (from 23rd). Unusual sightings included two Cranes (23rd) and a Spoonbill (24th). A single Red Kite was seen (1st) with more regular raptor sightings of up to two Marsh Harriers, four Hen Harriers, three Merlins and a Peregrine. A Great Grey Shrike was along the Haven (from 31st). Winter swans started to increase with up to four Bewick's and 26 Whoopers on the Reedbed. Brent Geese increased to 1,100 by the end of the month. RSPB Freiston Shore http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore/index.asp RSPB Freiston Shore The Long-billed Dowitcher from September remained until 4th. Although the winds were generally not favourable Arctic Skuas were seen on three dates. Also offshore were single Puffin and Razorbill and six Common Scoter (24th) with a Velvet Scoter (25th). Just one Short-eared Owl was seen (23rd), but two Barn Owls and Merlin were more regular. Also: Gibraltar Point NNR A Pectoral Sandpiper stayed at least four days (7th to 10th), Jack Snipe (8th & 9th) and up to 44,000 Knots were recorded at high tide. A Spoonbill was seen on two dates (27th & 30th). Red-breasted Flycatcher, two Yellow-browed Warblers, Firecrest, Ring Ouzel and three Bean Geese (13th), with Great Grey Shrike, Lapland Bunting and Long-eared Owl (14th), A much sought after trio of Pallas's Warbler, two Yellow-browed Warblers and Firecrest (25th). Black Redstarts were seen on two dates (25th & 29th), but Redstart on just one (12th). Passage finches late in the month included good numbers of Bullfinches along with a Hawfinch (30th). A Rough-legged Buzzard (26th) put in a brief appearance. The sea was very quiet, with four Velvet Scoters (13th) and Little Gull (30th) the highlights. Whisby Nature Park and North Hykeham Pits The highlights during the month were a Hawfinch (27th), a Reserve first, a brief juvenile ringtail Harrier, either Montagu's or Pallid (4th) and a Red Kite (23rd). Four Red-crested Pochards (27th) and peak counts of four Little Egret (4th) and 15 Tree Sparrows (25th) were supplemented by the first returning winter migrants, with 30 Redwings (8th), Woodcock (14th), two Goldeneye and 30 Fieldfare (both 24th). A single Swallow and Chiffchaff (both 12th) were the last of the summer migrants. Other sites The highlights from other sites in the south of the county included a Ring-necked Duck at Kirkby on Bain Pits, Black-necked Grebe and Mandarin at Thurlby Sand Pit, a Gannet inland over Gonerby Moor (29th), Sabine's Gull at Skegness (24th), Osprey at Fulbeck (1st), an American Golden Plover at Anwick Fen (18th), Great Grey Shrike at Haverholme Park (29th), Cetti's Warbler at Marston STW (28th), and Yellow-browed Warbler at Sutton Bridge (11th). John Badley Recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Assisted by Grahame Hopwood and Colin Jennings ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. News from Far Ings NNR http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/far_ings/index.php ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Week ending: 25.11.11 BIRDS Max. Numbers = bittern blackbird 15 black headed gull 34 blue tit 6 bulfinch carrion crow 2 Cetti's warbler chaffinch 5 common gull 50+ coot 92 cormorant 2 curlew 61 dunnock 3 gadwall 75 goldeneye GBB gull GC grebe 4 great tit 5 greenfinch grey heron 2 greylag goose 14 GS woodpecker house sparrow 10 kestrel lapwing 6 little grebe long tailed tit 3 magpie 4 mallard 18 marsh harrier F moorhen 11 mute swan 12 pheasant 2 pied wagtail 2 pochard 42 redshank 2 redwing 2 reed bunting 2 robin 6 shelduck 7 short eared owl shoveler 2 song thrush sparrowhawk F starling 100+ teal 22 tufted duck 25 water rail wigeon 17 willow tit wood pigeon 10 wren 6 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ Reports needed, please. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7. Sending in reports to Roger Parsons ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The purpose of the Bulletin is to encourage biological recording in Lincolnshire using modern Information and Communication Technology. We hope to increase the number of people reporting observations to LNU Recorders and improve the quality of reports, as well as the quantity and the geographical coverage. [A backup e-mail address you can use if ever you experience problems with my "Enterprise" address is: aintree2@yahoo.co.uk] When sending in reports please follow Bulletin layout to save editing: Place Name: IN CAPITALS with Grid Reference if you have it. Your Name: Real names please, not aliases. Put it in each time, for each location Date: Species list [Alphabetical?] & numbers [and observations?] e.g. Blackbird - 24 [And please, no home-grown abbreviations. Names in full.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 8. Contact Information & Useful Websites ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please let me know ASAP if any of these weblinks fail! *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Website *** A full list of LNU Country Recorders is given here. http://www.lnu.org/ LNU e-mail: info@lnu.org If you are not yet a member, the LNU needs good naturalists like you! Anyone interested can get membership application forms from Wilma Gammon at the Lincs Wildlife Trust office, e-mail wgammon@lincstrust.co.uk LNU publications [listed on LNU website] may be ordered via: Ian Macalpine-Leny macalpine@doddington.demon.co.uk *** Contacts List *** *** Rural Crime Officer *** Pc 160 Nick Willey Force Wildlife, Rural Crime Officer Force Dog Training Establishment Lincolnshire Showground. Grange-De-Lings. Lincoln nicholas.willey@lincs.pnn.police.uk OFFICE: 01522-731897 MOBILE :07768-501895 PAGER : 07654-330877 *** 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 *** Mollusc Identification *** David Feld has kindly offered to assist readers to identify molluscs, both terrestrial and aquatic. Please e-mail him a description and he will advise you whether and where to send a photograph or an actual specimen. Contact: drf@dfeld.freeserve.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 *** Secretary - Robert Carr secretary@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Membership Secretary - Mike Harrison: michael@michaelharrison1.wanadoo.co.uk 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 *** Wash Estuary Project Contacts *** Jeff Goodley - Wash Estuary Project Officer jeff.goodley@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: john.badley@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 recorded in my garden 2011: www.flickr.com/photos/angleshades Alan Dale's Bugs and Weeds http://www.bugsandweeds.co.uk/ Mike Binnion writes: Common Butterflies 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 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, January 14, 2012 Joseph Banks, James Edward Smith and the Linnean Society Illustrated Lecture by Prof Mark Seaward. Emeritus Professor of Environmental Biology at Bradford University and Honorary Professor of Lincoln University. Saturday, February 11, 2012 Recorders Meeting Overview and highlights of the past years recording provided by the county recorders. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Bee Photographs *** Requesting photos: Can anyone help me with photos to illustrate a paper, please? I am hoping to use readers' photos of honeybees and other pollinating species "in action", and will be grateful if you will also permit me to use them in an LNU Powerpoint presentation. This will make it much more interesting than if I use my own or "borrowed" photos. [Yours will be acknowledged.] The flower species being worked is as important as the species working it for pollen or nectar, but if you can't identify the flower or pollinator involved, please don't worry. [Best warn me if you are going to e-mail something huge.] I would also welcome observations of particular associations you may make over the course of next year, e.g. specific wild flowers and their pollinators. Comments and anecdotes are welcome too. I will also welcome reports of wild/feral honeybee colonies in trees, walls etc. Note them now and then see how they are surviving next Spring. For more bee information see: http://rogerparsons.info/bees.html Thanks. Roger. *** 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: included nicola@sparling - spamassassin-ed stephen.johnson - spamassassin-ed *** Scrap Metal petition! *** Several readers have kindly drawn my attention to the following petition, details circulated by Lincolnshire Police. Thank you. If interested, have a look and see if you wish to sign it. http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/406 *** Links of the Week *** Thanks to all who sent in the following interesting links. Birds Flocking: http://www.flickr.com/photos/yahooeditorspicks/galleries/72157628004533911/ Murmuration http://vimeo.com/31158841 Tsunami Footage: http://www.flixxy.com/japanese-tsunami-viewed-from-a-car.htm ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/