=========================================== || || 22nd 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 also 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 *** With St George's Day looming [23rd] you may be lucky and spot a St George's Mushroom, Calocybe gambosa. http://www.kew.org/plants-fungi/Calocybe-gambosa.htm Fungi Recorder, Ray Halstead, will welcome reports of these and other spring species. A dry March has made the county a bit of a fungus desert. Hopefully recent rain will encourage an interesting flush of species. Contact: ray.halstead@tiscali.co.uk Roger *** Next LNU Event- all welcome *** 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 *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** Carolyn Lovely writes: On Saturday 28th April 2012 all are welcome to join us on a spring walk round Bradley and Dixon Woods near Grimsby, with leader Mick Binnion. These woods are really beautiful this time of the year and will be looking at spring flowers including bluebells and early orchids and listening for birds. Please meet at 2pm in the main car parking area (Grid ref: TA244058). Please wear suitable clothing and stout footwear. This is a free event but donations will be collected for the Trust. For further details please contact Mick Binnion - 07779899503 or Jennie Redpath 01472 502858. *** Lincoln's Commons *** Caroline Steel writes: City of Lincoln Council is producing management plans for the three commons in the city (West Common, South Common and Cow Paddle), all of which are Local Wildlife Sites. Botanical records are fairly comprehensive and the Council has commissioned great crested newt surveys this spring. However, records of other groups are far from comprehensive and would merit attention. Records of reptiles and breeding birds would be particularly welcome. Knowing how many skylark young survive each year, despite dogs and horses, would be interesting. There are reports of adders from both South and West Commons (including dogs having been bitten by them) – could there be any truth in these accounts? Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust has been heavily involved in developing the management proposals and would like to help establish a recording programme. Please contact Caroline Steel if interested in recording on any of the commons: and please could all readers with an interest in reptiles comment on whether adders could possibly be present. Contact: csteel@lincstrust.co.uk *** Moorhens and other beasties *** Jim Fish writes on 14th April: Saw our first swallow of the year Saturday 14th April at Welton near Lincoln. Keith Seaton writes: [Part of e-mail conversation about grey squirrels in owl boxes.] I have never had so many Squirrel dreys at the reserve as we have this year. They filled up my Barn Owl box but not the Tawny or Kestrel box this year. I had seen a Tawny in the Kestrel box but only roosting and yesterday it flew out of the Tawny box roosting again so perhaps a male. Expect a female nesting somewhere locally. I have one in the box at XXXXXXXX again for 3rd year with 3 eggs on 14th March but will not check it again until a month gone. *** Entomology - The Great Oil Beetle Hunt *** Repeat of 8th April/bit of 22nd message from Charlie Barnes: Oil beetles haven't been seen in Lincolnshire for decades, but it doesn't mean they're not still here! The Black oil beetle is the most likely to rediscovered in Lincolnshire. It is 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. 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 Note from Editor - a colony of Oil Beetles was found near Grantham as a result of this "heads up". Can we find more? Charlie added: If you would be interested in looking for oil beetles in your area you can either get in touch for more information or just take a camera with you when out walking and snap anything that's big and black! To get an idea of what you're looking for take a look at http://flic.kr/s/aHsjyUmfao *** Botany - Next Plant Hunt - Butterbur *** Paul Kirby suggested the Butterbur, Petasites hybridus, for our current "species hunt". Your reports, please. Paul wrote: See: Rogier van Vugt's Daisy family Photo gallery. http://www.pbase.com/rogiervanvugt/daisy_family_compositae In row 13 there are correctly labelled sharp close ups of both male & female flowers. Paul recommends we look at the photo of the female flower. Also: He has sent me a good picture of a male inflorescence plus a fine botanical illustration by Ross Craig that you may find useful. Please e-mail me if you would like a copy: rparsons@enterprise.net Paul kindly provided the following identification advice: Butterbur is dioecious i.e. there are separate 'male' and 'female' plants and since spread is predominantly vegetative, by rhizome fragments, individual colonies are almost invariably of one sex. The structure of the individual flower heads making up the inflorescence may initially appear quite confusing but once understood makes sexing the plant very easy. The source of the confusion is the presence of stigmas in both the male and female florets. First see Stella Ross-Craig's drawings of the plant. In 'male' plants the individual capitula [flower heads] are composed of 20 - 40 hermaphrodite florets. These are all tubular and the purple anthers can be seen below the 'furry' white club-shaped stigma, see the Baston photo. The stigma is sterile and so though hermaphrodite in structure the flower is functionally male. In 'female' plants the individual capitula are composed of about 100 very narrow tubular female flowers with a projecting forked style. Just to muddy the waters, in the female flower heads there are usually 1-3 hermaphrodite florets among the female florets (clearly visible in the van Vugt photo) and in the male flower heads there can be 0 - 3 female florets around the edge. From mid to late April onwards separating the male and female plants becomes much simpler. For as the season progresses the male inflorescence remain quite small (< 8ins tall) and compact and soon start to wither away and disappear below the expanding leaves. This is in striking contrast to the female inflorescence which elongate (can be > 2ft tall), become quite lax, persist and remain visible among and above the leaves and so can be spotted at a distance or while driving past at speed. [See the Roger Goy Column below for latest Butterbur reports.] *** 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 Time is running out if you want to submit a project for the annual Lincolnshire Environmental Awards. I am told a few have started to trickle in. 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. 13/4 Great Grey Shrike, 8 mls north of Scunthorpe, Alkborough Flats. 14/4 Ring-neecked Duck, West Ashby roadside pit Ring Ouzel male, Humberston 15/4 Black-winged Stilt, Willowtree Fen NR TF181213 Black Redstart, Rimac Hen Harrier, Freiston, over Marsh 16/4 Ring Ouzel male, Theddlethorpe Short-eared Owl, Grainthorpe 17/4 Black-winged Stilt, Willowtree Fen NR TF181213 Ring Ouzel, Hen Harrier, South Ferriby 3 Short-eared Owls, Holbeach St John's Red Kite, Spalding 3 Ring Ouzels, Little Bytham, Stanton's Pits TF 034173 18/4 Thayer's Gill, Brigg Little Gull, Deeping Lakes Ring Ouzel, NE of Woodhall Spa, paddock near Highall Wood Little Tern. Donna Nook 19/4 Short-eared Owl, Donna Nook 20/4 Message sent to Rare Bird Alert. Torrent of indecipherable messages! There has been a recent upswing of messy messages on the pager service. Lots of errors, gaps and crossings- out make it impossible to use the information with confidence. Can I put out a plea for care, please? Thanks. RP 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. Butterbur Records for Paul Kirby MAREHAM ON THE HILL TF 289677 Garry Steele 17 April 2012 Butterbur A155, EAST KIRKBY TF 337624 Garry Steele 17 April 2012 Butterbur Stuart Britton writes: They always say that historical records are extremely valuable, so how about this one! Garry Steele mentioned the Butterbur at what he called Raithby Bridge over the River Lymn. I am a native of Raithby and the Butterburr was there when I was a child in the early 1950's. Some of the leaves were so large that my mates and I used them as umbrellas when we were caught out by sudden showers! We knew it as Hagg Beck and caught many a sizeable Trout there but that's another story! Jenna Poole has a correction to report in Bulletin of 7.4.2012. "Butterbur on roadside entering Haltham (not Dalderby!) from Horncastle; on the right. TF250662 also seen the last two years (everyone's probably seen it). Flowerheads mostly over 14.4.12." RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF 309 847 Silvia Fowler 14.04.12 Do Sparrowhawks sometimes hunt in pairs?? We have a large pyracantha growing up a wall at right angles to a lounge window. Our house sparrows regularly shelter in it. This morning we were alerted by a couple of soft bird strikes at the window and noisy alarm calls. As I looked up, I just caught sight of a sparrowhawk flying off out of the pyracantha. I had disturbed a sparrowhawk earlier, probably a male from its smallish size, on the other side of the house where it appeared to have been watching a globe-type caged bird feeder that is in constant use by tits and finches. About half an hour later, I again caught sight of a smallish sparrowhawk flying out of the pyracantha. This was immediately followed by another sparrowhawk emerging from the pyracantha, pausing for a moment and then flying off. I'm positive this was a female. Both birds flew off quietly, whereas any prey would have been making alarm calls. The garden remained quiet with a woodpigeon and two blackbirds keeping watch on top of the hedgerow opposite. Another half an hour later, I again spotted a sparrowhawk perched on a low fence near a bird table. It flew off when I came too close with my camera. Within minutes a blackbird started singing and the finches returned to the hanging feeders. It seemed to me as if the two sparrowhawks had clearly targeted our garden, which is always teeming with small birds. I have had sightings of single sparrowhawks before, but never two together, and I'm as surprised as the sparrows that they targeted the pyracantha which is dense and prickly and grows in such a confined space. Further sightings followed throughout the week. Any comments from other readers? 16.04.12 Brown hare feeding in meadow. 3 hares chasing each other. Sparrowhawk targeting bird feeders 19.04.12 Sparrowhawk (f) again on fence post patiently watching bird feeders in steady rain. 2 pied wagtails on electricity wire looking on. *** 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. BARROW Noel Loxley First Hedgehog. Infra red detectors in the garden area picked up our first Hedgehog visitor of the year at 0205 hours this morning. It was very active, looked in good shape and was quite a large specimen despite hibernation. Temperature was 1.0 C. We are on the south end of the B1206 in Barrow. BOSTON 17/04/2012 Roy and Kath Pearson Female Blackcap in garden today. 18/04/2012 Roy and Kath Pearson Willow Warbler singing in the garden today. DEEPING LAKES NR David Griffith 15/04/12 Black headed gull x90+ Blackbird x2 Blackcap x2 Blue tit x4 Buzzard x2 Canada goose x11 Carrion crow x5 Chaffinch x5 Chiffchaff x3 Common tern x1 Coot x 12 Cormorant x4 Goldeneye x3 Goosander Great crested grebe x3 Great tit x5 Green woodpecker x3 Grey heron x3 Greylag goose x33 House Martin x10+ Jackdaw x4 Kestrel Lapwing x10 Lesser black backed gull x4 Little grebe Magpie x2 Mallard x30 Moorhen x5 Mute swan x9 Oystercatcher x4 Pied wagtail Red kite Robin Sand Martin x2 Shelduck Song thrush Starling x9 Swallow x20+ Teal x8 Tufted duck x20 Wren x3 Garden warbler Long eared owl Mediterranean gull x2 LINCOLN SK972739 W/E 21/04/2012 Jayne Knight Brambling first observed foraging under feeders last Friday stayed around 'til Tuesday 17th, upgrading to eating sunflower hearts from one of the feeder ports and defending his perch from the bully-boy Goldfinches. 19/04 Spider Nuctenia umbratica guarding her egg-sac on the external kitchen wall. MARTIN Helen Whittle 14/4/2012 House Martin early morning. Upwards of 25 nests most years - let's hope this year is no different. SALTFLEET David Cressey 13 April 2012 Male redstart in garden TATTERSHALL THORPE lakes M&R Pocklington 14.04.2012 The sand martins are back today. Tattershall Thorpe M&R.Pocklington 19April 2012 3 swallows on telephone wire 2 skylarks singing VERNATTS NATURE RESERVE 17.04.12 Mick Todd A lunchtime walk revealed 2 single male grass snakes followed by a male and female together (possibly mating) entwined together. The female was a big snake, about 3 foot long! WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. A & R Parsons 14/4/2012 Common toad under log. Bee fly - dark individual. 16/4/12 Yellowhammer m 2 tawny owls calling in garden 16.30 hrs Swallow on wires, Hurnbridge Road [TF216535] 17/4/21 Brimstone butterfly 2 Swallows on wires in garden by next site TF216534 am 2 Swallows in flight, Dogdyke Road early pm 2 Swallows on wires, Hurnbridge Road TF216354 16.30 hrs 2 Housemartins feeding over garden. 18/4/12 2 swallows on wires by nest site TF21653 6.30am. Swallow overnighted in old nest in outbulding. 20/4 Yellowhammer m under feeder. Soaked buzzard on hedge on Hurnbridge Road. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 No report yet. 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 20th April 2012. John Walker, Roger Briggs, Steve Hall, Peter & Janet Roworth A cold, raw week with a couple of keen ground/air frosts but a wet one too with a welcome 14.4mm of ppt recorded giving a cumulative monthly total of 55.3mm. These sort of figures haven't been seen since 2000 and 2001 when April's totals were 84.0mm and 75.1mm respectively. Bird observations for the week have included single Ring Ouzel, Lesser Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler and 2 Common Whitethroats in the Churchill area. Grasshopper Warbler heard and seen at Rimac; Willow Warbler and Blackcap seen and heard near Sea View. There have been occasional sightings of Little Egrets and a fine close view of a Short-eared Owl hunting over the saltmarsh was made on the 18th. The highlight of the week was the female Black Redstart which remained near Sea View Farm until Wednesday. Lady's smock is coming into flower in the marsh areas at Rimac. Of the butterflies, only single sightings of peacock and green-veined white have been recorded. RSPB WASH Reserves - Frampton Marsh and Freiston Shore Reports for March 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 Whooper Swans peaked at 76 (14th) with just one Bewick's (21st). White-fronted Geese dwindled to just two, with a Black Brant being seen on one date (3rd). A single Scaup remained (until 10th). Two Goshawks were seen flying south over the reserve (28th). Avocets increased to 24 (31st) with up to 22 Ruffs (28th) and one Greenshank (6th). A 2nd winter Iceland Gull (14th) was also recorded at Boston Tip. Other sightings included Water Pipit (21st), Up to 30 Twite (14th), but just one Lapland Bunting (2nd). The first Wheatear was late this year (21st). RSPB Freiston Shore http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore/index.asp RSPB Freiston Shore No reserve report. ALSO: Gibraltar Point NNR The highlight was three Glossy Ibis reported flying south (9th). Raptors included Rough-legged Buzzard (3rd) and Red Kite (24th), the same day as a fly-over Crane. Migrants were very late to arrive, with two Wheatears and four White Wagtails (24th), followed by Chiffchaff and up to two Black Redstarts (from 25th). Lapland Buntings were seen on two dates (3rd and 28th), while Avocets peaked at 64 (29th). Two Treecreepers were seen at the end of the month (29th). Whisby Nature Park March traditionally brought the first summer migrants with Chiffchaff (13th), Sand Martin (19th), Blackcap (26th and early this year) and two Willow Warblers (29th). Gull sightings included up to four Yellow-legged Gulls, three Mediterranean Gulls and a single Caspian Gull (21st). Other birds of note included 45 Whooper Swans west (25th) and a single Peregrine (26th). Other sites A Garganey was at Denton Reservoir (19th), further South Lincs first migrants sightings included a Little Ringed Plover at Blackmoor Bridge (20th) and Swallow at Sloothby (28th). Red- crested Pochards were seen at Swanholme Lakes and up to four at Baston Fen. Bittern (23rd) and Crane (28th) were good finds at this site. The White Stork at Kirkby Pits remained until the beginning of the month (3rd), while the two Smew stayed a little longer (until 19th). Two Caspian Gulls were at Kirkby Pits (1st) and Iceland and Kumlien's Gulls were seen at Boston Tip (14th and 16th). A Rough-legged Buzzard was at Sloothby (27th). 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 20.04.12 BIRDS Max. Numbers = avocet 33 blackbird 12 blackcap 4 black headed gull 15 blue tit 10 bullfinch canada goose 14 carrion crow 2 Cetti's warbler chaffinch 10 chiffchaff 9 collared dove 2 common buzzard common gull 8 common tern 2 coot 50 cormorant 2 curlew 31 dunnock 6 gadwall 6 goldfinch 8 GC grebe 5 GS woodpecker great tit 6 greenfinch 2 grey heron greylag goose 55 house martin 6 house sparrow 17 kestrel linnet 6 long - tailed tit 4 magpie 4 mallard 12 marsh harrier M+F mistle thrush moorhen 7 mute swan 5 oystercatcher 2 pheasant 3 pied wagtail 2 pochard 4 reed warbler 2 redshank 2 redstart M reed bunting 6 robin 9 sand martin 14 sedge warbler 3 shelduck 25 short-eared owl shoveler 2 sparrowhawk F starling 2 swallow 24 tawny owl teal 12 tufted duck 20 water rail willow warbler 5 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/ 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. *** Hedgehog Survey *** http://www.hedgehogstreet.org/pages/hibernation-survey.html *** 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: Jeremy.Wright claire.weaver *** Link(s) of the Week *** Jayne Knight writes: am wasting many hours watching the Osprey nest at Rutland Water www.ospreys.org.uk/webcam/ and Bald Headed Eagles in Iowa www.ustream.tv/decoraheagles That one is also fascinating for the very voluable colony of House Sparrows that seem to either spent a lot of time disporting themselves around/on the nest or actually live in it. Not so much activity now the eaglets are growing up, but when Mrs BE was incubating the sparrows were quite blasé about sitting on the edge of the nest near her. Squirrel and Duck Carlsberg advert. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6fpUZk7kgo And Seal http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYwwdqU-I2M ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/