============================================ || || 18th and 25th September 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 980 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 *** The horrible burning smell was a failing PSU. I am back on line again and will patch together reports for 11th and 25th Bulletins. Sorry for the hold-up. Please keep your eyes open for late Indian Summer reports, insects in particular. Thanks. Roger *** Fungus links *** Ken Rowland's fungus page on the LWT website: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/species/fungi/index.php Wild About Britain http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/fungi Fungi World http://www.fungiworld.co.uk/ BMS Edible and Poisonous Fungi - important to read http://www.nifg.org.uk/edible_fungi.htm CABI/BMS Database and checklist http://www.fieldmycology.net/ British Fungi - keys http://www.fieldmycology.net/GBCHKLST/key.asp?KeyID=8 British Mycological Society http://www.britmycolsoc.org.uk/ Mushroom Pickers' Code http://www.britmycolsoc.org.uk/mycology/conservation/code-of-picking/ *** Next LNU Event - updated *** For LNU meetings also see www.lnu.org/events.php See section 11 for full programme. 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 *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** Carolyn Lovely writes: On Saturday 1st October you are invited to join us on a bird watching walk at extra high tide with John Nelson. Please meet at the car park near the Yacht Club at far end of Humberston Fitties at 9am. Please wear suitable clothing and footwear. This is a free event but donations will be collected for the Trust. For further details please contact group chairperson Jennie Redpath 01472 502858. *** Flickr Users - Beetles? *** Charlie Barnes writes: Do you use the Flickr website to display your beetle photographs? If so, read on! I've set up a Flickr group to showcase these photos http://www.flickr.com/groups/1779070@N22/ Photos added to this group on Flickr will be added to the county dataset of beetles. Ideally all photos need a location, date and the name of person who took the photo - an identification would be helpful, but this can be provided if not known! *** Cetacean-watching - help welcome *** Dave Miller writes: I am recruiting volunteers to do effort-based watches along the Lincs coast to get information on movements and patterns along our coast. Volunteers can spend as much or as little time as they like, it all helps building a picture. If you are interested please contact Dave Miller, Coastal Ranger, on 07919 326646 or dmiller@lincstrust.co.uk *** Gainsborough Group LWT *** Linda Woodward writes: Wednesday 28th September 2011 7.30pm Otters, water voles and other wildlife (from an Internal Drainage Board perspective) Chris Manning Morton Village Hall (just north of Gainsborough) Raffle and other fundraising items on sale A (minimum) donation of £1.00 includes refreshments People of all ages, Wildlife Trust members or not, are welcome. *** Wash Trips *** Steve Keightley writes: Here's a belated summary of the birdwatching "Pelagic" on board Mystere on Saturday 10th Sept. (highlights only) We headed out of Boston in a stiff westerly wind, so once out in the Wash we spent the majority of our trip in the Long Sand area where we found good protection from the wind and reasonable viewing conditions. Great views of Grey & Harbour Seals. The bird highlights included 2 Pom Skuas, 2 Gt Skuas, 20+ Arctic Skuas, 150 Gannets which gave great views, plunge diving alongside the boat, 2 Fulmars, 12 Manx Shearwaters, 4 Common Scoter, 2 Rb Mergansers, 1 Puffin, 5 Red t Divers, 20 + Guillemots, 2 Swifts and c 20 Curlew Sandpipers. There are still a few places left on the trip arranged for Sunday 9th Oct 2011. Depart Sluice Bridge, Boston at 0700. Full facilities on board. £30 per person. Please contact Steve Keightley for further details. 01205 290233 or 07887 656761. Some photos on Steve's website http://www.yellowbellybirdphotography.co.uk *** Harlequin Ladybirds *** Please keep looking for and reporting Harlequin ladybirds. http://www.harlequin-survey.org/ *** Request for help *** Hugh Poths write earlier: Your help please to identify a predator! Earlier this week, within 5 yards of our front door, we found a pile of pigeon feathers which must have been its entire compliment. The hapless bird had been caught, plucked completely and had disappeared except for one foot. The odd drops of blood and the entirety of the plucking suggests that the bird was eaten completely and not dragged away. We are on the outskirts of Louth and so within easy reach of fields. The plucking suggests a bird of prey: we are used to finding piles of blackbird feathers and have actually seen a sparrow hawk take a blackbird on the lawn in front of our eyes. This pigeon had been plucked on the ground and close to the house. Any thoughts please? Kind regards, Ken Baker writes in reply to Hugh Poths request for help: I have twice seen a female sparrowhawk take a feral pigeon from my office window. I have never witnessed 'the kill' but the sparrowhawk plucks its prey and then proceeds to devour it. On both occasions the hawk was disturbed. On the first occasion it was disturbed shortly after the kill, the hawk flew away and returned later to finish its meal. On the second occasion the hawk had eaten quite a lot of the pigeon and flew away with the remains of the carcass when it was disturbed. Walls of a building can make it difficult for a bird to evade capture when surprised by a hawk attack, In both of the above cases the pigeons were caught in a 'U' shaped area where two buildings are connected by a corridor. I would imagine a freshly killed pigeon would be too heavy for a sparrowhawk to move far away from a building before plucking and eating. I think the sparrowhawk you mention could well be the culprit. I hope this helps. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. No reporting included his week due to pc problem. 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. *** Your help please to identify a predator! *** Hugh Poths writes: Earlier this week, within 5 yards of our front door, we found a pile of pigeon feathers which must have been its entire complement. The hapless bird had been caught, plucked completely and had disappeared except for one foot. The odd drops of blood and the entirety of the plucking suggests that the bird was eaten completely and not dragged away. We are on the outskirts of Louth and so within easy reach of fields. The plucking suggests a bird of prey. We are used to finding piles of blackbird feathers and have actually seen a sparrow hawk take a blackbird on the lawn in front of our eyes. This pigeon had been plucked on the ground and close to the house. Any thoughts please? Moth Night at Holy Trinity Church, Tattershall - as part of the Bat and Moth night. Toby Ludlow writes: list of the macro-moths that we (Toby Ludlow and John Badley) trapped in the churchyard at Holy Trinity Church, Tattershall on Friday (09.09.2011) night: Blood-vein (Timandra griseata) Brimstone Moth (Opisthograptis luteolata) Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing (Noctua fimbriata) Brown-spot Pinion (Agrochola litura) Burnished Brass (Diachrysia chrysitis) Centre-barred Sallow (Atethmia centrago) Flame Shoulder (Ochropleura plecta) Flounced Rustic (Luperina testacea) Green Carpet (Colostygia pectinataria) Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba) Lesser Yellow Underwing (Noctua comes) Mouse Moth (Amphipyra tragopoginis) Sallow (Xanthia icteritia) Setaceous Hebrew Character (Xestia c-nigrum) Square-spot Rustic (Xestia xanthographa) Vine's Rustic (Hoplodrina ambigua) *** 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. BARDNEY ALLOTMENTS TF124 692 19/09/11 Steve Green 3 Knot grass caterpillars, two on creeping thistle, one on redcurrant. BASSINGHAM Jeremy Hutchinson 31/8/2011, 09.30 Female Hobby upsetting the local House Martins, but as far as I could see it had been unsuccessful. BLANKNEY HEATH Green Man Lane TF036589 Kevin Marshall 14 September 2011 Juvenile Wheatear CARLTON LE MOORLAND Jeremy Hutchinson 3/9/2011 Someone asked me whether I could identify a 'large round yellow thing' that he'd found climbing up something (I forget what) in his garden. It turned out to be the larva of the Death's Head Hawk Moth: what an impressive beast! It is the first that I've seen: I've taken some photos if anyone's interested. DEEPING LAKES NATURE RESERVE David Griffith 28/08/2011 10am Little Egret (11) House martin (100+) Swift (5) Buzzard 04/09/2011 9.15am Swallow (4) Willow warbler (1ad+4-5 Juveniles) Black tailed Godwit DEEPING LAKES NATURE RESERVE David Griffith. 18/09/2011 12pm Little ringed plover x3 Buzzard x4 Peregrine Sparrowhawk Willow warbles x4 (all juveniles) DEEPING ST NICHOLAS 08.09.11 Mick Todd At least 4 wheatears on freshly worked land FREISTON 09.09.11 Mick Todd Red kite with black and white wing tags, number J6, indicating it was born in Wales in 2002. FRAMPTON MARSH David Sheppard writes: After a lot of searching, a single larva of the Scarce Pug moth (Eupithecia extensaria) was found feeding on Sea wormwood (Seriphidium maritimum)at Frampton Marsh on September 8th.[2011] Identification, via a photo, was confirmed by Tony Davis and Mark Parsons of Butterfly Conservation. This is the first verified record of this species in Lincolnshire since 2007 and the first verified record outside of Gibraltar point. Full details have been passed to Colin Smith and Charlie Barnes. GRIMSBY 08/09/2011 Mick Binnion Whether it's the chemical changes within the leaves or an average temperature drop, it would appear to be Autumn here. Most of the Lime Hawkmoth/Mimas tiliae caterpillars are descending to pupate. (They know best.) *** Lime Hawk Moth Lore *** Mick Binnion adds: (Courtesy of one grandparent-born 1900, previously from his Aunt!) This one about Lime Hawk Moth and the connection to Autumn works here, it's indigenous observation going back 100 years to my knowledge, and possibly much further, but I do stress it is specific to this coastal district and latitude. Some readers may question it, as there are sometimes two broods on the south coast. HOLBEACH RANGE R & K Heath 1/9/11 The big tides flushed some good wader flocks. 2500 Blacktailed Godwits 1000 Curlew The usual 100s of gulls. 31 Little Egrets 2 Wheatear HOLYWELL LAKE WebS count Ian Misselbrook Dated 18/9/2011 1 Cormorant 11 Little grebes 9 Mute Swans 1 Black Swan 103 Greylag Geese 8 Canada Geese 122 Mallard 4 Gadwall 2 Shoveler 2 Teal 7 Tufted Duck 26 Coot 16 Moorhen Red-legged Partridges 1 Common Buzzard 1 Red Kite 1 Kingfisher GS Woodpecker Green Woodpecker 30 Swallows 4 Chiffchaffs Goldcrests Great Tits Blue Tits Coal Tits 1 Nuthatch Wren Dunnocks Robins Blackbirds Mistle Thrush Starling 4 Pied Wagtails Jackdaws Rooks Carrion Crow Magpie Stock Doves Wood Pigeons Collared Doves Goldfinches Chaffinches Red Admiral Grey Squirrels Rabbits HORKSTOW 4th September Jenny Haynes Hummingbird hawk moth spotted in my garden. It's the first I've seen here for a couple of years. HUTTOFT PIT Dave Miller 3rd September Gadwall 3 Teal 45 Mallard 210 Shoveler 5 Pochard 1 Cormorant 1 Little Egret 1 Marsh Harrier 1 male Ruff 1 Snipe 2 Black-tailed Godwit 2 Curlew 1 Common Sandpiper 3 Greenshank 4 Sand Martin 7 Swallow 67 House Martin 32 Reed Warbler 1 Small Tortoiseshell 6 Speckled Wood 11 Green-veined White 6 Red Admiral 1 Small White 11 Large White 2 Migrant Hawker Ruddy Darter I have now entered Huttoft Pit into the BTO Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS). If you would like to participate in this survey please contact Dave Miller on 07919 326646 or dmiller@lincstrust.co.uk LACEBY BECK 13/09/2011 Mick Binnion Migrant Hawker/Aeshna mixta Grey Wagtail Pied Wagtail Kingfisher-catching a Stickleback, beating then carrying home. Must have a late or second brood as it was carrying head protruding. LACEBY BECK 24/09/2011 Mick Binnion Male and female Sparrowhawk hunting through the woods. The female is taking out Wood Pigeons and the male hunts the wood margins. Plenty of Red Admirals about. LINCOLN Janet Eastmead Swift over Lincoln at 20.00 hours on 3rd September 2011. LINCOLN John Farmer Back garden 14/9/11 2 juvenile Bullfinches with adult female feeding on niger seeds on the ground. 22/9/11 A Green Woodpecker paid two visits to the garden, each time going to the blue tits' nest boxes where it searched in all the crevices and entrances. Its tongue could be seen shooting out probing for food as it moved around. Heard many times in the area but never seen in the garden before. MARSTON STW SK902 426 Barry Johnson 8/9/2011 Roesel's Bush-cricket PINCHBECK 14.09.11 Mick Todd Kingfisher sat on culvert wall in Bluegate drain near Engine Museum, Flew off along drain when it saw me. SEACROFT MARSH SSSI Dave Miller 7th September Mallard 1 Curlew 2 Sandwich Tern 21 Swift 1 Wheatear 4 Siskin 5 Linnet 64 SPALDING 09.09.11 Mick Todd A group of 6 mistle thrushes chasing each other over the cemetery WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. A & R Parsons 4/9/11 Buzzards calling from Holland Fen. 5/9//11 Tawny owl seen in garden 6am and 7.30pm. Night of 6th/7th 2011 Entire family of swallows using nest site overnight, parents and 4 young, and young sitting out recent stormy weather. 11.9.11 All swallows have now left next site - 60 on wires today. 24/9 Field vole ad - cat kill 3 grass snake hatchlings on compost heap. 3+ juv goldfinches WILLINGHAM BY STOW Dave Fogg 9/9/11 Convolvulus Hawkmoth found resting on a fence panel WRANGLE COMMON 07/09/2011 Roy and Kath Pearson We braved the wind and showers today and had a profitable hour. Swallow and House Martin numbers were down and we recorded no warblers at all Three Marsh Harriers were busy hunting and being mobbed by Jackdaws. The Mute Swans that we have been watching all summer are down to one cygnet after having produced six. Each year, this pair has very poor success and we suspect that foxes may be to blame as the young spend a lot of time on a bank behind which is thick undergrowth and bushes which could give cover to predators, while a search has failed to reveal any corpses, which would be carried away to the den. Unfortunately, even the remaining cygnet is very small and under weight and this seems to be another annual problem. Discussing it with the farmer we came to the conclusion that the water may not be a particularly rich source of food. I also recall that during the hard frost of December last, the water was frozen for a considerable time and when the thaw came there was a huge fish kill and the entire area smelt strongly of hydrogen sulphide. A few waders are passing through and we recorded one Common Sandpiper, five Green Sandpipers and six Curlews. Good numbers of Reed Buntings (21) and Goldfinches (43), together with small numbers of Yellowhammers, Corn Buntings and Tree Sparrows were feeding on a section of land where the farmer has grown seed bearing plants especially to feed the birds. Huge numbers of Wood and Feral pigeons were making the most of the harvest. Canada Goose numbers were quite high (36) and there seems to be a steady increase in the population of Grey-lags (22). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 04/09/2011 Arctic Skua 2 Barred Warbler 1 Bar-tailed Godwit 19 Blackcap 2 Firecrest 1 Great Skua 1 Marsh Harrier 2 Redstart 1 Red-throated Diver 1 Sand Martin 17 Siskin 50 Spotted Redshank 1 Swallow 167 Tree Sparrow 10 Wheatear 2 Wigeon 6 Yellow Wagtail 3 05/09/2011 Black-tailed Godwit 138 Common Buzzard 1 Common Snipe 1 Curlew Sandpiper 2 Green Sandpiper 1 Little Stint 1 Marsh Harrier 1 Siskin 30 Spoonbill 4 Swift 2 Yellow Wagtail 4 07/09/2011 Crossbill 5 Curlew Sandpiper 1 Gannet 30 Goldcrest 3 Green Sandpiper 1 Marsh Harrier 2 Meadow Pipit 450 Siskin 100 Spoonbill 5 Spotted Redshank 2 Tree Pipit 1 Tree Sparrow 70 Wigeon 2 08/09/2011 Gannet 6 Goldcrest 2 Great Skua 1 Lesser Redpoll 1 Meadow Pipit 200 Siskin 104 Spotted Redshank 1 Swift 2 Tree Pipit 1 Wheatear 2 Whimbrel 1 Whinchat 3 Yellow Wagtail 3 09/09/2011 Osprey 10/09/2011 Common Snipe 1 Common Tern 19 Gannet 20 Golden Plover 72 Great Skua 2 Grey Wagtail 1 Guillemot 1 Manx Shearwater 1 Pectoral Sandpiper 1 Red-throated Diver 1 Sand Martin 37 Sandwich Tern 200 Siskin 57 Spoonbill 7 Spotted Redshank 1 Swallow 2500 Swift 7 Tree Sparrow 18 Wheatear 2 Whimbrel 2 Yellow Wagtail 14 11/09/2011 Black-tailed Godwit 166 Goldfinch 60 Greenshank 7 Green Woodpecker 1 Pectoral Sandpiper 1 Ruff 1 Sand Martin 40 Siskin 30 Spoonbill 5 Spotted Redshank 5 Swallow 2000 Swift 8 Teal 69 Wheatear 1 Whinchat 1 Wigeon 20 12/09/2011 House Martin 19 Kestrel 1 Peregrine 1 Sand Martin 22 Siskin 53 Spoonbill 7 Swallow 83 Swift 2 Teal 44 Wheatear 1 Whimbrel 2 14/09/2011 Chiffchaff 7 Corncrake 1 Crossbill 5 House Martin 1000 Knot 5000 Lesser Whitethroat 1 Pink-footed Goose 8 Redpoll 20 Ruff 1 Spoonbill 4 Spotted Redshank 2 Swift 5 Tree Pipit 4 Tree Sparrow 38 Turtle Dove 1 Whimbrel 1 Whinchat 11 Yellow Wagtail 17 15/09/2011 Balearic Shearwater 1 Barred Warbler 1 Common Redstart 2 Crossbill 4 Curlew 75 Fulmar 2 Gannet 200 Goldcrest 40 Hobby 1 House Sparrow 2 Knot 60000 Lesser Redpoll 20 Manx Shearwater 16 Marsh Harrier 3 Pink-footed Goose 200 Puffin 1 Redstart 4 Rook 8 Ruff 6 Sparrowhawk 3 Spotted Flycatcher 1 Spotted Redshank 5 Treecreeper 2 Tree Pipit 1 Wheatear 1 Whinchat 1 Whooper Swan Yellow Wagtail 2 18/09/2011 Barred Warbler 1 Manx Shearwater 1 Redstart 1 Spotted Redshank 2 Stonechat 1 19/09/2011 Barn Owl 1 Brambling 2 Carrion Crow 9 Goldcrest 12 House Sparrow 3 Lesser Redpoll 4 Marsh Harrier 2 Merlin 1 Short-eared Owl 1 Spoonbill 1 Water Rail 1 20/09/2011 Arctic Skua 10 Arctic Tern 2 Black Tern 3 Curlew Sandpiper 1 Green Sandpiper 1 House Martin 40 Marsh Harrier 1 Ruff 4 Siskin 5 Spoonbill 1 Stonechat 1 Tree Sparrow 14 Wheatear 1 21/09/2011 Chiffchaff 5 Crossbill 2 Goldcrest 4 Greenshank 2 Kestrel 1 Lesser Redpoll 20 Sabine's Gull 1 Short-eared Owl 1 Siskin 8 Sparrowhawk 1 Spotted Redshank 2 Stonechat 1 Swallow 5 Wheatear 5 Willow Warbler 1 Yellow Wagtail 2 22/09/2011 Barn Owl 1 Chiffchaff 1 Goldcrest 3 House Martin 600 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker 1 Linnet 200 Marsh Harrier 1 Merlin 1 Redstart 1 Siskin 70 Spotted Redshank 1 Swift 1 Tree Pipit 1 Tree Sparrow 23 Turtle Dove 1 Wheatear 4 Yellow Wagtail 3 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 Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR John Walker, Peter Roworth, Roger Briggs. Dated 10/9 A fairly quiet week with strong south-westerly winds accompanied by sunshine and showers. Hundreds of swallows hunting over the freshwater marsh was a finer sight, many of which were seen to be taking rest in the scattered thorn bushes. There were the usual scattering of waders including bar-tail godwit, ringed plover, curlew, dunlin, turnstone knot and sanderling. Two little stints were flushed from the saltmarsh near Rimac. A fine female marsh harrier was seen hunting over the sand dunes and a great spotted woodpecker heard and seen along the willow edge adjacent to farmland at Rimac. Of the autumn migrants a wryneck and barred warbler have been reported. SALTFLEETBY-THEDDLETHORPE DUNES NNR John walker, Peter Roworth, Janet Roworth, Roger Briggs dated 19/9 Mondays SW gales gusted up to 56 mph and bought down 2 trees and a few branches, and lots of leaves. Few flowers now with only white yarrow, hawkbit sp and red clover evident. Late butterflies included red admiral, large and small whites, small tortoiseshell, small copper and common blue. Birds include, A roost of c6300 Black- headed gulls, c 800 Common Gulls, 215 Great Black-backed and 13 Lesser Black-backed and 1 Mediterranean Gull, 135 Sandwich Terns. Waders included 286 Ringed Plover, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Little Stints, 15 Ruff, 189 Curlew, single Green Sandpiper. There was a buff breasted sand out from Rimac on the 14th. Other sightings include 64 Common Scoter, single Merlin, Peregrine, Tawny Owl, Short-eared Owl, Little Egret and Whinchat. 3 Marsh Harrier, 2 Barn Owl, 2 Spotted Flycatcher and c 200 Siskin over. A mix of several hundred Swallows and House Martins regularly feeding over the site. A sight and sound of 4 skeins of Pink- footed Geese (c200 birds) over Theddlethorpe was nice towards the end of the week. The strong evening sun enhanced the wonderful mix of brown, red, yellow and green colours from the fen vegetation on the freshwater marsh and scrub from the dunes on Tuesday and as we approach Autumn, Summer now becoming just a memory and we look forward to the onset of bird migration and what surprises it may provide! SALTFLEETBY-THEDDLETHORPE DUNES NNR John Walker, Roger Briggs, Peter & Janet Roworth, Dated: 22.9 Mixed weather conditions this week brought a similar array of sightings from the NNR. 3 Buff-breasted Sandpipers and c20 Curlew Sandpipers feeding amongst Salicornia along with c40 Ringed Plovers was a nice sight. Also 5 Wheatears and small parties of Siskin passing through. Other observations include a single Merlin, 2 Common Buzzards, 3 marsh Harriers and a scattering of Hirundines over the freshwater marsh. Early signs of Autumn continue with several skeins of Pink- footed geese and flocks of Golden Plover and Lapwing overhead. Roger Briggs sent in an interesting observation which I would like to share with readers - Juvenile Sparrowhawk sat in tree (no leaves) near the top with about 15-20 blue tits/great tits all dispersed below. As the sparrowhawk moved around the top of the tree to get a better vantage point the tits all moved accordingly making it impossible for the sparrowhawk to have an opportunity of a clear strike. Obviously if any of them had fled the sparrowhawk would have chased them down but they all stayed put in the lower part of the tree. This strategy went on for 15-20 minutes until the sparrowhawk eventually gave up and flew away. John Walker adds: Flowers include, sea rocket , water mint, scabious, harebell, yet another good autumn berry crop with hawthorn, elder, and sea buckthorn fruit now ripe, Bird: 3 curlew sandpipers, 3 ruff, 1 adult hobby, RSPB WASH Reserves - Frampton Marsh and Freiston Shore John Badley 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 10.09.11 BIRDS Max. Numbers = bearded tit 2 blackbird 10 black headed gull 200+ black tailed godwit 5 blue tit 8 Canada goose 71 carrion crow 3 chaffinch 8 chiffchaff collared dove 2 common gull 12 coot 100+ cormorant 3 curlew dunnock 3 gadwall 2 golden plover 4 goldfinch 38 GBB gull GC grebe 5 GS woodpecker great tit 4 greenfinch 2 greenshank grey heron 2 greylag goose 35 marsh harrier 3 herring gull 3 house martin 6 house sparrow 6 kestrel kingfisher lapwing 130 LBB gull 3 little grebe long tailed tit 2 magpie 5 mallard 30 marsh harrier M moorhen 20 mute swan 7 pheasant 2 pied wagtail 2 pochard 14 redshank reed bunting 2 robin 6 ruff 5 sand martin 200+ shelduck 17 shoveler 4 snipe sparrowhawk starling 4 swallow 22 tawny owl teal 2 tufted duck 20 water rail 2 whitethroat willow tit 2 willow warbler wood pigeon 5 wren 7 yellow wagtail 17.09.11 BIRDS Max. Numbers = avocet 4 bearded tit 2 blackbird 8 black headed gull 100+ black tailed godwit 2 blue tit 8 Canada goose 21 carrion crow 2 chaffinch 8 collared dove 2 common gull 10 coot 100+ cormorant 2 curlew dunnock 3 gadwall 10 golden plover 6 goldfinch 6 GBB gull GC grebe 5 GS woodpecker great tit 5 greenfinch 2 grey heron 2 greylag goose 200+ herring gull 2 house martin 10 house sparrow 12 kestrel kingfisher lapwing 55 LBB gull 2 little grebe 2 long tailed tit 2 magpie 4 mallard 35 marsh harrier F moorhen 20 mute swan 9 pheasant pied wagtail 2 pochard 10 redshank reed bunting 3 robin 7 sand martin 50+ shelduck 6 shoveler 2 snipe sparrowhawk starling 6 swallow 30 tawny owl teal 2 tufted duck 22 water rail willow tit 2 wood pigeon 2 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/ Lincolnshire Limewoods Dormouse Project - ESL Webpage http://www.ecologicalservicesltd.com/research/about/the_lincolnshire_limewoods_dormouse_project/ Anne Goodall writes on 28/8/11 The Dormouse Group had its most successful monitoring session yet on Sunday 21st August, with no less than 16 animals handled, including litters of various ages. Nine years on from the release, this confirms that the dormice are now well established in central Lincolnshire, and as previous years have shown, continuing to spread. This was particularly useful since the trainees were due to be assessed, and this is always easier if they can handle lots of mice! As a result, three of the current trainees will be recommended for Natural England licences, and three more have been told that they are very close to achieving this. This being holiday time not all the trainees were able to be present, but assessments will continue at the remaining sessions this year. It is particularly important to have more licensed handlers since we need to extend the monitoring to more woods, and also prepare for, hopefully, the next release in 2012. There will be a change to the advertised date next month, when the session will take place on Sunday 18th September, NOT Saturday. We meet at 09.30 at Chambers Wood Centre and, as ever, anyone interested is welcome to attend. Sadly we can't guarantee another session like the last one, but autumn is typically the time when the young of the year start moving out and exploring their surroundings, so we never know where they will turn up! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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: 01522-527924 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 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: 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 Chambers Farm Wood contact - Mary Porter Mary.porter@forestry.gsi.gov.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. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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: included claire.weaver jward7@ colin_moths chezzagraves ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/