=========================================== || || 1st April 2012 || || 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 1065 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 *** I hesitate to tell you this story in an April 1st edition of the Bulletin, but it is absolutely true. We have a Robomow, a computerised robot, that cuts our grass in an area marked out by a perimeter wire. When it boots up it plays a little electronic tune, like a mobile phone ring tone. On the 27th Anne heard a fragment of the Robomow tune in the garden. Knowing the mower was locked in the shed, she got her binoculars and went stalking the culprit. She expected one of our resident starlings to be responsible. In fact it was a blackbird, adding recognisable electronic Robomow trills to its song. Blackbirds are known to mimic but this seems an odd example, especially considering the bird can only have heard the sound a few times a week at most. Has anyone else got a good bird- mimic story to tell? Roger http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fh3c8zLpiWg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfL9aA9uXus ps Earth Hour - lights out for an hour Saturday - 8.30pm. http://earthhour.wwf.org.uk/ *** Next LNU Event *** For LNU meetings see www.lnu.org/events.php See section 11 for full programme. Sunday, April 29, 2012 Little Haw Wood (Forestry Commission site) Southwest of Castle Bytham 12.00 for 13.00 start. Park in turning area off track near west end of Clipsham Wood at SK9703 1705. Take minor road between Clipsham and Castle Bytham to reach Clipsham Wood. NB. There is about a 800m walk to Little Haw Wood from the parking spot. Habitats: Mixed Woodland. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com *** Botany - Next Plant Species Hunt *** Paul Kirby has sent us a big thank you for the Mistletoe records sent in via the Bulletin. He has suggested the Butterbur, Petasites hybridus, for our next "species hunt". It is now flowering. The plants in any one colony are invariably of one sex and if possible a note of this would be very useful. I have a map from Paul I can send to anyone keen. For identification help see: http://www.uksafari.com/butterbur.htm http://www.naturespot.org.uk/species/butterbur Please let us have your records. *** Oil Beetle Hunt *** Charlie Barnes writes: Oil beetles haven't been seen in Lincolnshire for decades, but it doesn't mean they're not still here! For the second year running, Buglife are promoting a national survey for the four species of oil beetle, although only two of them (the Black oil beetle and the Violet oil beetle) have ever been seen in Lincolnshire. The Black oil beetle is the most likely to rediscovered in Lincolnshire - easily recognised by it's large size (up to 3 cm) and shortened wing cases, they can be found from March to June in meadows and coastal grassland. They seek out bare ground to dig burrows in which the females lay their eggs and can often be found on footpaths where the soil has been compacted by walkers. Once the eggs hatch, the larva lay in wait on flowers where they hitch a ride on an unsuspecting bee. They get carried to the bee's nest where they disembark and proceed to eat the store of pollen and nectar and the bee's eggs. Records of oil beetles will help towards their conservation under the Biodiversity Action Plan - if you think you've seen one, let us know! Charlie Barnes County Recorder for Beetles charlie.barnes@lincsbiodiversity.org.uk Editor adds: see http://www.buglife.org.uk/getinvolved/surveys/Oil+Beetle+Hunt/Oil+Beetle+Hunt+-+The+Fab+Four http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyMgrosmbPo *** April Wash Cruise on Mystere - a few places left *** Steve Keightley writes: I have a couple of places left on a birding trip out into The Wash on board Mystere, 21st April 2012. Depart Sluice Bridge Boston at 0900. It is an 8 hr trip and as usual will be a having a good look around for birds and other wildlife. The cost is £37.50 per person. See photos from last years trips on my website http://www.yellowbellybirdphotography.co.uk Cick on the Mystere tab at top of page. *** Moorhens and other beasties *** Stuart Britton writes: In answer to Val Nuttall's query, Moorhens generally nest on the ground but are known to nest in bushes and trees up to 8 metres above the ground. Re: M. Scott's report of a Cuckoo calling at Doddington Park on 21st March. I looked up a paper in "Bird Study" by Huin and Sparks on the Spring Arrival Pattern of Cuckoo, Nightingale and Spotted Flycatcher in the UK dated 29th March, 2010. Their research dating from records as far back as 1843 note that the mean arrival date for Cuckoos is 22nd April. As far as I can find out, there have never been any confirmed records in March. Collared Doves can sound remarkably like Cuckoos! Jeremy Hutchinson writes: re. Val Nuttall's query about Moorhen nests in trees, I once (and only once) came across one, which bewildered me at the time. It was in the early 1970s on the edge of a small wood on the top of the Lincolnshire Ridge about 1/2 south of Wellingore. I had just entered the wood when a large black bird flew noisily out of an old 'standard' hawthorn: I didn't see what it was, but a small black fluffy chick landed at my feet, and I was amazed to see that it was a very small Moorhen chick. There was (and is) no water anywhere near, so why they had chosen this site for nesting has always been a mystery to me. I carried the chick home and returned with a ladder. With my father's help we returned it to the nest. I have not come across such a nest site again in the 40-odd years since! PS: Chiffchaff singing in Carlton le Mooorland today. Dave Ellis adds: I don't know about Moorhens in trees, but about 3 years ago we had one nesting on top of a Hawthorn hedge between our garden and next door. The nest was successful and three young were reared and then the family moved to a nearby pond. Photos available. *** Action for Dormice *** Anne Goodall writes: 'Action for Dormice' day on 17th March was a great success. A good turnout of members completed the last coppicing session of the year and created a huge length of dead hedge into the bargain. Meanwhile, the Limewoods Wildlife Watch group, plus mums, dads, grandads and other helpers got garbed up and painted a huge pile of new dormouse nest boxes with a water-based wood treatment. Those completing a box wrote their names inside the lid to sponsor it, and will receive news of any dormice or other small mammals using their box. Later in the summer the group are also coming out to the wood to see where their boxes have been put and who knows, hopefully perhaps to meet a live dormouse. Star of the day though was Hector the horse, who has been working away, forwarding the tree-trunks from the first coppice coupe too big for us to handle. Look out for further news of the day in the Echo. Next month we shall be putting up the new boxes and starting the monthly box-checking. We shall also be putting nesting-tubes out into the hedges to monitor spread, and to the same end, starting a fur-clipping project, a simple, painless and temporary way to mark individual animals so that we can recognise them again, at least until they moult. The Dormouse Group now has its own Facebook page, so devotees can 'follow' what is happening. The link to find us is https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?id=512177600&tid=370025779698200&fre cId=false&skipClustering=true&qn=1332156887&success=2&failure=0&set=oa.3 70029419697836#!/groups/370025779698200/ *** "Save the Drift" petition *** Editor adds: When I looked on Sunday the Target of 1000 had been reached, but there is nothing stopping you adding your signature to express your support. www.petitionbuzz.com/petitions/savethedrift Mark Schofield sends his thanks. Very many thanks for helping us with the final push. I will be putting together a formal covering letter and summary statistics for the attention of Councillors at LCC this week. BBC Look North have just confirmed that they want to film a recorded interview on site tomorrow morning [Wednesday 27th]. This will probably be shown tomorrow evening or on Thursday. Thank you to readers of the Wildnews Bulletin! Mark. *** Rusty Click Beetle survey going ahead again this year *** Last plug - I shall remove this notice next week. 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. Following on from last year, Deborah Harvey from Royal Holloway University of London is again running a nation-wide programme of "mark capture release" to help establish the true distribution and status of the species. Volunteers will be required to set traps in areas where there are old trees (preferably , but not necessarily, in a woodland with deciduous trees) and monitor traps on a regular basis. The beetle is very easy to identify and using the trap requires no special expertise. If you're interested in taking part, contact Charlie Barnes charlie.barnes@lincsbiodiversity.org.uk for more information. *** Hedgehog Survey *** I am about to move this to section 8. If willing to help, please register with the project on http://www.hedgehogstreet.org/pages/hibernation-survey.html *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** Carolyn Lovely writes: On Saturday 7th April 2012 we invite you to join us on a short wheelchair-friendly bird watching amble around the lake at Cleethorpes Country Park where we might see or hear some first migrants. Please meet at 9am in the carpark - Grid ref: TA307066. Please wear suitable footwear and clothing. For further details please contact walk leader, bird expert Ray Hume - 01472 320878. *** Cruising in the Wash *** Jeremy Eyeons writes: The Wash is an incredibly important place for birds and you can get a unique close up look at them on one of the South Lincs RSPB regular cruises. Starting at the Grand Sluice bridge Lock in Boston aboard the 50 seater Boston Belle, they are designed for both avid birders and those with a more casual or general interest in nature. In 2011 more than 100 species were seen, averaging 60 per cruise (which lasts 4/5 hours). The 2012 programme runs from April to October. For more information e-mail slincsbirdcruises@btinternet.com call the cruise hot line 07531495521 or visit www.southlincsrspb.org.uk *** Lincolnshire Environmental Awards 2012 *** DEADLINE 30th APRIL - 30 days to the deadline! It is time to start thinking of projects for the annual Lincolnshire Environmental Awards. Many Bulletin readers have been winners or runners-up over the years and the scheme is a very good thing and deserves our support. The deadline for submissions is 30th April 2012. The following website will remind you of what is involved. http://www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. 24/3 Hooded Crow, White Wagtail. 5 Short-eared owls, Donna Nook. 20 Whooper swans over Woodhall. Short-eared Owl, m Hen Harrier, Gibraltar Point. Willow Warbler, Beckingham. 25/3 2 Whooper Swans, Toft Newton Reservoir Willow Warbler, Kirkby on Bain gravel pits Black Redstart. 3 White Wagtails, +15 Crossbills flew south Gibraltar Point 26/3 2 Black Redstart, 2 Short-eared Owls, 3 While Wagtails, 10 Crossbills, Gibraltar Point 27/3 Rough-legged Buzzard, NW of Skegness. Black Redstart, Gibraltar Point. 28/3 Firecrest, Donna Nook Short-eared Owl, Frampton Marsh 2 Long-eared owls, Deeping Lakes 30/3 6 Short-eared owls, Worlaby Carrs 3 Short-eared Owls, Hen Harrier, Bonby Carrs Garganey, Black Redstart, Gibraltar Point 31/3 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. It is time for me to remind readers to get in spring fungus records to Fungus Recorder, Ray Halstead. ray.halstead@tiscali.co.uk or via the Bulletin. If you can, please include location details and sufficient habitat information and associated species [e.g. trees] to clarify/support your identification. Early fruiting bodies of morels or St George's mushrooms could add to the body of information relating to climate change. I have received a report of morels this week. *** County Wildlife Reports From Readers *** Please keep your reports coming, We rely on you to send in your observations and We welcome information from all readers, be they beginners or professionals. Thanks. ALMA WOOD & LONDONTHORPE WOOD. SK9437 & SK9538. 25/03/2012. David Clarke. Blue Tit 13 Buzzard 4 Blackbird 4 Carrion Crow 8 Chaffinch 6 Chiffchaff 3 Dunnock 3 Great Tit 6 Green Woodpecker 3 Goldfinch 7 Jackdaw 32 Jay 5 Kestrel 1 Magpie 7 Pheasant 4 Pied Wagtail 2 Raven 1 Reed Bunting 1 Red Kite 1 Robin 6 Rook 19 Skylark 2 Siskin 5 Wood Pigeon 12 Wren 2 Botany. Dog Violets Lesser Celandine. White Violets. ARNOLD'S MEADOW Arnolds Meadow Nature Reserve, Spalding Keith J Seaton 24-03-2012 First two pairs of Common Toad this year seen in the Mere BASTON FEN NR 23/3/2012 John Redshaw Mute Swan 3 pairs Mallard 20 Teal 40 Little Egret 1 Lapwing 10 Snipe 7 Curlew 2 Redshank 1 Chiffchaff 4 Reed Bunting 11 males singing Mammals: Roe Deer 2 BOOTHBY GREAT WOOD. SK9531. 23/03/2012. David Clarke. Two chiffchaff calling. One Tawny owl calling. Primroses. COLSTERWORTH BANK LWT. ROADSIDE NATURE RESERVE. SK9235. David Clarke. 26/03/2012. Blackbird 2 Blue Tit 2 Chaffinch 2 Great Tit 3 Jay 1 Kestrel 1 Red Kite 1 Skylark 2 Botany. Daisy Dog Violet Lesser Celandine. CONINGSBY 24/3/2102 Buzzard soaring over village 10.30hrs. DEEPINGS David Griffith Deeping Lakes NR 25/03/2012 11.45-2.00 Red Kite x 2 Chiffchaff Blackcap Oystercatcher x4 Snipe x4 Lesser black backed gull x4 Lapwing x10 Jackdaw x 14 Cormorant x 4 Canada goose x19 Greylag goose x99 Little grebe x2 Robin x3 Shoveler x 3 Teal x 22 Mute swan x 5 Goldeneye x6 Black headed gull x 120+ Fieldfare x8 Green woodpecker x 2 Magpie x4 Reed bunting x5 Goldfinch x2 Wren x3 Long tailed tit x2 Grey heron Goosander x4 Buzzard Wigeon x8 Great spotted woodpecker Great crested grebe x6 Mallard x 60+ Tufted duck x 60+ Coot x 40+ Moorhen Gadwall x2 Blackbird Chaffinch c10 Blue tit x7 Great tit x7 All sightings by D Griffith Also Deeping St James vicinity of Priory Church 26/03/2012 11am Chiffchaff singing HEIGHINGTON VILLAGE. John Nickson 9th March 2012 Bats flying around village as we walked to the pub. Expect pipistrelle. Not seen any since. LINCOLN Lincoln - Garden John Farmer 28/3/12 1 Blackcap singing and seen in the bushes 1 Goldcrest 1 pair of Bullfinches still visiting the feeders. 30/3/12 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker LINCOLN (East of Allenby Road Industrial Estate) TF003 714 Brian Hedley 26 March 2012 Grass Snake 2 adults Small white 1 Peacock 3 Small tortoiseshell 1 LINCOLN (Greetwell Hollow LWT Reserve) TF00 72 Brian Hedley 27 March 2012 Speckled wood 1 Brimstone 1 28 March 2012 Small white 1 Brimstone 2 Peacock 1 Small tortoiseshell 1 Chiffchaff 1 MARTON SK842 820 Brian Hedley 29 March 2012 Trap moth (15watt actinic lamp over Skinner trap) in garden overnight produced: Early Grey 3 Double-striped Pug 1 Clouded Drab 2 Common Quaker 6 Small Quaker 4 Hebrew Character 6 TRENT PORT, MARTON SK83 81 Brian Hedley 29 March 2012 Fieldfare, 900 feeding in cattle pasture and not a single redwing obvious with them. Chiffchaff 2. PINCHBECK SLIPE NR 26/3/2012 John Redshaw Wigeon 16 Teal 6 Tufted Duck 12 Butterflies: Brimstone 2 Peacock 4 Small Tortoiseshell 3 Large White 2 RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF 309 847 Silvia Fowler 29.03.12 Chiffchaff calling (not sure when it arrived as I've been away for 11 days) Buzzard over meadow behind house Approx. 12 clumps of frog spawn in pond (can't be exact as I've been away and the clumps are disintegrating) 2 pied wagtails 1 brown hare in meadow Lacewings leaving their wintering quarters in great numbers 30.03.12 Bombus terrestris queen Bombus lapidarius queen 1 2-spot ladybird STURTON BY STOW Place - Sturton by Stow Grid Ref - SK887804 Name - Sharron/Mel Banham Date 22nd March Sighting of Red Kite at 6.30am Same venue as above Date 27th March Adult Grass Snake 1.30pm WAINFLEET CONSERVATION PONDS 28/03/2012 Roy and Kath Pearson A count of seventeen species today was quite good and included a Buzzard - probably the one we saw earlier at Wrangle. Yellowhammer was in song and usually this site can be relied upon to produce one pair every year, in an area where they are particularly common. A surprise was one of the local Barn Owls hunting at midday. Normally we only see these birds at this time of day when it has rained the previous night and feeding time has been restricted. A Tufted Duck was on the adjacent River Steeping. WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. A & R Parsons 24/3/12 Brown hare crossing road. 27/3/12 Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock butterflies on wing. 28/3/12 Common buzzard in area 29/3 Bee fly Red admiral, Small tortoiseshell and Peacock butterflies. Bat hunting, echolocating at 55KHz - probably pipistrelle. WILLOWTREE FEN NR 26/03/2012 John Redshaw Teal 6 Shoveler 6 Oystercatcher 2 Lapwing 10 Redshank 2 Lapwing 10 reptiles: Grass Snake (a large one) WOLLA BANK 26th March Dave Miller Cetti's Warbler in song, although it was more of a sub-song. Linnet 6 Reed Bunting 1 WRANGLE COMMON 28/03/2012 Roy and Kath Pearson A Muntjac put in an appearance today, the first we have seen for quite some time. It was quite unafraid of us and stood and watched us for several minutes before running off. A Buzzard was present, but there was no sign of the Red Kite that was reported last week. Despite plenty of water, there were few waders in evidence, the only ones being recorded were singles of Lapwing and Golden Plover and eleven Curlews. Two Chiffchaffs were in song as were Mistle Thrush, Yellow- hammer, Wren, Chaffinch, Dunnock, Skylark, Blackbird and Reed Bunting. In fact a count of fifteen Reed Buntings here was unusually high. We had a solitary Long-tailed Tit, which might suggest its mate was on eggs, on the basis that you never otherwise see one of this species. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 23/03/2012 Chiffchaff 4 Grey Plover 350 Knot 11000 Marsh Harrier 1 Sand Martin 1 24/03/2012 Crane 1 Fieldfare 1 Short-eared Owl 1 Sparrowhawk 4 Treecreeper 1 25/03/2012 Black Redstart 1 Hen Harrier 1 Short-eared Owl 2 Stonechat 1 26/03/2012 Barn Owl 1 Black Redstart 2 Common Buzzard 3 Crossbill 10 Red Kite 1 Short-eared Owl 3 27/03/2012 Avocet 40 Black Redstart 1 Common Buzzard 2 Crossbill 6 Fieldfare 8 Red Kite 1 Treecreeper 1 28/03/2012 Barn Owl 1 Blackcap 2 Black Redstart 1 Corn Bunting 10 Lapland Bunting 1 Redpoll 2 Rock Pipit 4 Rook 12 Short-eared Owl 3 29/03/2012 Barn Owl 1 Black Redstart 1 Brambling 1 Garganey 1 Short-eared Owl 2 Wheatear 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 30th March 2012. John Walker, Roger Briggs, Steve Hall, Peter & Janet Roworth The warm dry week when daytime temperatures reached 19.5°C on Wednesday brought out a single green veined white and small numbers of commas and peacocks. Two fine male brimstones were observed near Sea View. At least 80 large bumblebees were seen around the willow and currant bushes in a garden near Churchill and in the same a rea 2 pipistrelle bats were flying around the house at dusk on Wednesday. Bird migrants still remain elusive but of note there have been 5 Chiffchaffs in song between Rimac and Brickyard, and a single Wheatear and 2 Swallows along the dunes on Friday. Field mouse-ear and ground ivy are now coming into flower. RSPB WASH Reserves - Frampton Marsh and Freiston Shore Reports for February 2012 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 The juvenile Spoonbill remained until the beginning of the month (2nd). Waterbird numbers continued to impress with up to 18 Bewick's Swans, 23 Whooper Swans, five European White-fronted Geese, Black Brant (19th & 25th), up to nine Pale-bellied Brent Geese and 2000 Dark- bellied Brent Geese. A record 357 Pintails were counted (12th) and three Scaups were present throughout. A probable Kumlien's Gull was seen (5th onwards) with two Iceland/Kumlien's Gulls seen together on one date (23rd). Waders included up to three Spotted Redshanks and 20 Ruffs. The first returning Avocets arrived (from 21st). A Rough-legged Buzzard was seen late in the month (26th). Twite peaked at 20 and Lapland Bunting two. RSPB Freiston Shore http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore/index.asp RSPB Freiston Shore Woodcock were seen on three dates and a Water Rail on one (11th). Offshore there were three Little Auks and 25 Razorbills (10th), Pomarine Skua, Great Northern Diver and 10 Razorbills (13th) and Red-necked Grebe (18th) The Lagoon had three redhead Smew (12th), 1360 Wigeons and four Snow Buntings (13th) and Scaup (from 18th). A Black Brant was seen on the mudflats (22nd). A count of 380 Linnets on the arable areas (13th) was noteworthy. ALSO: Gibraltar Point NNR the Dark-bellied Brent Goose flock also held up to 15 Pale-bellied birds and at least two Black Brants (21st). Crossbill (2nd) and Woodlark (23rd) were other notable sightings. Whisby Nature Park and North Hykeham Pits Highlights for Feb included Bittern (4th) Raven and two Smew (both 8th). The early signs of spring were also evident with the first returning Shelduck (8th) and Oystercatcher (17th), with other passage waders including three Dunlins (3rd-16th) and single Redshank (3rd-7th). Gulls included single Caspian (13th) and a Mediterranean (24th-29th). Single Peregrines were seen on three dates and up to two Little Egrets were present all month. Other birds of note included 12 Goosander (3rd-8th), three Water Rails (all month), Kingfisher (all month), wintering Chiffchaff (3rd), 14 Tree Sparrows (all month), 210 Greenfinchs (15th), 25 Goldfinchs (17th) and 54 Linnets (17th). Other sites Up to four Smew were seen at Baston-Langtoft Gravel Pits, with two males at Kirkby on Bain Gravel Pits. Also there was a Ring-necked Duck (4th), the Great White Egret continued to put in an appearance and a White Stork was most unseasonal. Up to three different Kumlien's/Icelands Gulls were present at Boston Tip. Two Cetti's Warblers and four Chiffchaff were wintering at Marston STW (23rd), while one or two Blackcaps were in Lincoln. 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FAR INGS NNR Week ending 30.03.12 . BIRDS Max. Numbers = avocet 2 blackbird 12 blackcap black headed gull 15 blue tit 10 bullfinch 4 Canada goose 2 carrion crow 5 Cetti's warbler chaffinch 7 chiffchaff 12 collared dove 3 common gull 3 coot 55 cormorant crossbill curlew 6 dunnock 3 gadwall 7 goldeneye F goldfinch 11 GC grebe 6 GS woodpecker great tit 4 grey heron greylag goose 28 house sparrow 12 long - tailed tit 2 magpie 8 mallard 12 marsh harrier M+F moorhen 5 mute swan 6 oystercatcher 2 pheasant 3 pied wagtail 2 pochard 16 redshank 5 redwing 5 reed bunting 5 robin 4 sand martin 6 (26th) shelduck 8 shoveler 2 skylark snipe 5 sparrowhawk F starling 11 tawny owl teal 7 treecreeper tree sparrow 2 tufted duck 27 water rail 2 wigeon 10 wood pigeon 10 wren 4 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ For the Limewoods, see: http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/publications/limewoods-walks/ http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/about/conservation/bardney-limewoods-nnr/ http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designatedareas/nnr/1006846.aspx ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. *** Grow-you-own Mistletoe *** http://www.mistle.co.uk/ *** 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 *** 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 *** Help BBCT with Amazon *** The Bumblebee Conservation Trust have an association with Amazon which helps to raise money for Bumblebee Conservation without any cost to the purchaser. If you buy anything from Amazon click onto the site via Bumblebee Conservation Trust - Support us - Easy fund raising - Amazon. If you do this Amazon will donate 8% of the price paid to Bumblebee Conservation Trust. Link: http://www.bumblebeeconservation.org.uk/fundraising.html *** 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. Sunday, April 29, 2012 Little Haw Wood (Forestry Commission site) Southwest of Castle Bytham 12.00 for 13.00 start. Park in turning area off track near west end of Clipsham Wood at SK9703 1705. Take minor road between Clipsham and Castle Bytham to reach Clipsham Wood. NB. There is about a 800m walk to Little Haw Wood from the parking spot. Habitats: Mixed Woodland. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Sunday, May 27, 2012 Oxgangs House Springs, Nettleton Top (Courtesy of Rachel Gibbons) South of Caistor 12.00 for 13.00 start. Take minor road south from Nettleton Top (road from Nettleton to Claxby) take first track on right side and park to side of track at first bend at TF113 979. NB. Steep slopes present so stout footwear recommended. Habitats: Spring, marsh, pasture and possibly some arable Leader: Richard Chadd 07990 564519 richard.chadd@environment-agency.gov.uk Sunday, June 17, 2012 Bridge Farm, Snitterby Carr (Courtesy of Patty Phillips) Northwest of Market Rasen 12.00 for 13.00 start. Park in yard of Bridge Farm at TF0187 9469 (DN21 4UU). Take minor road which connects A631 and B1205 on west side of River Ancholme. Follow Snitterby Carr Lane to end and turn right before river. Habitats: River Ancholme, ponds, ditches, pasture and arable. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Sunday, July 01, 2012 Farmland at Baston Fen (Courtesy of Nicholas Watts) Southeast of Bourne 12.00 for 13.00 start. Take minor road from Baston to Pode Hole. Park at TF1433 1598 on south side of road, opposite track to Home Farm (about 1km east of road which goes through Langtoft Gravel Pits). A meeting to particularly look for arable 'weeds'. Habitats: Arable and ditches Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Sunday, July 15, 2012 Joint Meeting with British Dragonfly Society Private Blow well site at Holton Grange (Courtesy of Mike Jex) South of Holton le Clay 12.00 for 13.00 start. Park near lake at TA298 009. Take Station Road off A16 towards Tetney, then take track on right just past dismantled railway crossing. Follow track for about 500m then take track on left towards lake. Habitats: Wooded blow well, lake, ponds, ditches, pasture and arable. Waithe Beck nearby. Leader(s): Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com and Chris Manning chris@lincsdeer.info Sunday, August 19, 2012 Elsea Park Meadows (Courtesy of Elsea Park Community Trust) South of Bourne 12.00 for 13.00 start. Meet in small car parking area at TF0968 1876 which is just off the A151 south of Bourne (about 400m west of junction with A15). Habitats: Meadows, woodland edge, ponds and ditches Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Saturday, September 08, 2012 Mayflower Woods (Courtesy of ConocoPhillips) This event is on Saturday. Northwest of Immingham 12.00 for 13.00 start. Evening moth/bat session starting at 7.30pm. Meet in car park at TA1593 1579. Take A160 off from A180, straight on past roundabout and then right turn at crossroads (with petrol station). Follow lane for about 450m, car park on left side. Habitats: Woodlands, grassland, ponds and stream. Leaders: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Sunday, October 21, 2012 Fungus Foray Rigsby Wood LWT Reserve. West of Alford 12.00 for 13.00 start. Turn north towards South Thoresby at the Miles Cross Hill crossroads on the A1104 road half way between Ulceby Cross and Alford. After 2 km, the wood will be seen set back from the road on the right. Park along roadside at TF419 761. 150m walk along field edge to wood. 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: xsargent - recipient address rejected *** Link(s) of the Week *** Pendulum Waves http://sciencedemonstrations.fas.harvard.edu/icb/icb.do?keyword=k16940&pageid=icb.page80863&pageContentId=icb.pagecontent341734&state=maximize&view=view.do&viewParam_name=indepth.html#a_icb_pagecontent341734 Save BBC 4 Petition. http://www.petitionbuzz.com/petitions/savebbcfour ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/