=========================================== || || 5th August 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 1092 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 *** Follow the "Curiosity" Mars landing on 6th August via this link: http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/news/newsroom/ Will it work? Astronomers look forward to the "Glorious Twelfth" of August, when the Perseid meteor shower can be enjoyed - cloud permitting. Perseid meteors occur from the beginning of August through to about 21st. This year the shower peaks on the night of the 11/ 12th. There are a number of planets waiting to be spotted too, notably Venus and Saturn See Gary Kronk's Perseid webpage: http://meteorshowersonline.com/perseids.html Also http://www.imo.net/ and, if this long link transmits correctly: http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/highlights/Tour-Augusts-Sky-by-Eye-and-Ear-160005195.html Roger *** Next LNU Event *** For LNU meetings see www.lnu.org/events.php See section 11 for full programme. 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 *** Bioblitz 2012 - Whisby - 4/5th August *** LNU and LWT expert naturalists are running a "Bioblitz" at Whisby Nature Park this weekend. It starts at 8pm to "dark" on 4th August and runs from 10.30am to 4pm on 5th. The aim is to find, identify and record the Biodiversity of Whisby Nature Park and all are welcome to help for as long or short a time as you can spare. Please come along. Whisby is home to 2795 species. We hope to find more. See: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/news/press-release.php?article=519 *** Renewed call for volunteers - Life on the Verge *** Mark Schofield has contacted me to report that 306km of road verge have so far been 'claimed' by volunteer wild- flower surveyors this year; but that there has been a late start to the survey season making a sprint finish all the more important. Life on the Verge 2012 had been looking a little lacklustre until the sun finally came out this summer. As wayside petals have unfurled, veteran surveyors and new recruits alike have begun the vital work of spotting key wildflower species on our roadsides that could help us to identify the vital wildlife corridors of the future. No experience or training is necessary because surveyors only need to look for a shortlist of wildflowers. You can request a survey pack with a free, colour Wildflower ID Guide and a high visibility vest. See the following link for more information: www.lifeontheverge.org.uk or contact Mark on: mschofield@lincstrust.co.uk 01507 526667 07825970930 *** 4th Lincolnshire Firewood Fair *** Winner of the Community section of the Lincolnshire Environmental Awards 2012. David White writes: The event will start at 10 o'clock and run until 4 o'clock. This year in the auction there will be wood suitable for wood carvers and wood turners as well as firewood. This helps us make the best use of every tree that is felled. Exhibitors during the day should include Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service, Lincolnshire Tree Awareness Group, Lincs Bat Group and the Royal Forestry Society. There will be bird box building for children organised and overseen by the Horncastle Wildlife Watch Group. Avelland trees will be there for those wishing to purchase native trees many grown from local seed but if you fancy something more exotic then Mycorrhizal Systems Ltd will be there selling truffle impregnated trees. Demonstrations will include a Lincolnshire based horse logger, low impact woodland management equipment and firewood production. A beer tent will be there on the day as well as other refreshments like Lincolnshire Wild Venison. (eat a Muntjac and save a bluebell). Entry and parking free. Signs up on the day. See: www.lincolnshirefirewoodfair.co.uk *** Gibraltar Point Nature Reserve 60th Anniversary *** I expect every Bulletin reader knows Gibraltar Point and Ted Smith's unique role in its history. However, you may not have enjoyed the vintage footage of the "Lincolnshire Trust for Nature Conservation" that I posted in the Bulletin recently, so to celebrate 60 years as a Local Nature Reserve, here it is again for you to enjoy. Memorable days of the Trust "family". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yE06cD8lG4M http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUB0-bvoCu4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0ieAJNOkeo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fj6a-YtcOXA Plus a short film about Ted Smith and his work: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6r2FJDleT5E *** Dung Beetles and other wildlife *** Anita Quigley writes: Having 4 horses, I spend a lot of my time picking up droppings in my fields between Woodhall Spa and Horncastle). Normally every 2 or 3rd pile of droppings contains a dung beetle. This year, so far, I have seen none. I don't use ivermectin wormers and, in fact, haven't needed to worm my horses this year so I know it isn't that. Is it just the wet weather? Mink About? Editor writes: A local farmer who knows his ferrets reported mink at New York on Castle Dyke Bank, recently. He said they had killed 40 of a neighbour's chickens. I did mention the chicken kills to Chris Manning who said: Mink are about. Observation or tracks is better, they do take rabbits, even hares and duck so size- wise it's plausible. How were they killed? A bite to the back of the head/neck is typical for mink. Jo Bramwell adds: I was just starting to cross Five Mile Bridge at Fiskerton last Saturday (28/7/12) when I was startled to see two mink running towards me – actually on the bridge. They saw me in the same instant, and turned and fled noisily the way they had come, back across the bridge and down the zigzag on the far (north) side. The week before (21/7/12), a couple had told me they had seen what I took to be two mink further east along the cycle path towards the Fiskerton Fen area. Editor adds: Please report Mink signs or sightings. Are any efforts currently being made to control mink, given the potential impact on native wildlife? Bat record for Annette Faulkner: 1/7/2012 - 10am. Single bat echolocating at 55kHz - probably Pipistrelle. Would normally expect 2-3. Wildmore Fen TF216534 R. Parsons Proximity to water features: Garden pond – small but accessible. River Witham 100m "The Delph" 80m Small local dykes within 80-100m extending widely criss- crossing the agricultural landscape for miles. Hurnbridge Farm major drain leads to Howbridge Drain 750m *** Heritage Open Days 2012 *** Thursday 6th to Sunday 9th September 2012 http://www.lincsheritage.org/hod/ *** Rural and Wildlife Crime *** If you would like to play a more active part in the fight against crime you should consider joining Farm and Country Business Watch. It is free. You get regular intelligence and information on local crimes and concerns. http://www.lincs.police.uk/News-Centre/Campaigns/Farm-And-Country-Business-Watch/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. 28/7 Quail, Baston/Langtoft gravel pits Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Little gulls, Spotted Redshank Frampton Marsh Curlew Sandpiper, Donna Nook 2 Wood sandpipers, 3 Ruddy Shelducks, Cumberworth 29/7 Osprey, Deeping St James Pomarine Skua past Anderby Creek. also 3 Arctic Skua, 47 Arctic Terns Redstart, Whinchat, Donna Nook, + 3 Arctic Skuas offshore Pomaraine Skua, 3 Arctic Skua past Theddlethorpe Spoonbill, Gibraltar Point 30/7 Quail male singing, RAF Digby Bittern, 3 Ruddy Shelducks, Alkborough Flats Montagu's Harrier s of Louth at Haugham 31/7 Hybrid Mediterranean/Common Gull, between Skegness and Gibraltar Point 1/8 Black-necked Grebe, Kirkby on Bain gravel pits, also 7 Yellow-legged Gulls, Egyptian Goose Short-eared Owl, Whinchat, Donna Nook Black-necked Grebe, Whinchat, Whisby Nature Park 2/8 3 Ruddy Shelducks, Alkborough Flats Sacred Ibis, North Torksey 3/8 Osprey over Humberstone plus 7 Crossbills 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. Colin Green on Butterflies seen: 27 Aug. 12 1130 hrs. Very sunny light breeze In my garden near the church 1 x Holly Blue (Fe) Walking along Newark Road from Swallowbeck Church, to Forum @ junction of Tritton Road: Holly Blue (M) x2 (all in pristine condition) Comma x1 whites x7 (3 Large Whites others too far away to id) 24 Aug. 12 day visit to Southrey Wood: numerous Ringlets and Meadow Brown Purple Hairstreak x 5 (in three locations) Comma x 1 Large Whites x 7 (highest figure seen from one position 2) Green-veined whites x 2 Small Whites x 4 Many others seen but unable to id - most seen from one position 4 Small Skipper x 4 (most seen from one position x2) Large Skipper x1 (tatty) Silver Washed Fritillary x 9 (at last saw two together. Always thought was seeing same one over again. Tiny bit of aerial combat and they went separate ways) White Admiral x 6 (numbers hugely down on last year). Speckled Wood x 2 Red Admiral x1 *** 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. ALLINGTON MEADOWS SK872 399 Barry Johnson 04/07/2012 Forester Moth Yellow Shell Moth Meadow Plant Bug Leptoterna ferrugata 21/07/2012 Six-spot Burnet Moth Green Capsid Lygocoris pabulinus Hoverfly Helophilus trivittatus Tachinid Fly Gonia divisa 27/07/2012 Long-legged Fly Poecilobothrus nobilitatus x 3 males These were fantastic to watch. One was frantically displaying with it's white-tipped wings as the other two grabbed bloodworms from the surface of a puddle as they came up for air. BARROW B1206, Wold Road, Barrow upon Humber. Noel Loxley. W/e 28.7.12. My wife and I were, this week, bemoaning the very noticeable lack of butterflies (and moths) this year in our (rural) garden. To date & this week, with a twelve feet high (and wide) buddleia in full bloom and some much welcomed sunshine, we have had one Humming Bird Hawk Moth, one Comma, one Red Admiral, one Small Tortoiseshell also 2 Cabbage Whites, 2 Small Whites and a Green- Veined White. BARTON-UPON-HUMBER List of Wildlife Seen at Waters' Edge Reserve, Barton Wednesday 01/08/2012 Julie Ellison & Andrew Taylor Birds: Blackbird Blackcap Black-Headed Gull Bullfinch Canada Goose Carrion Crow Chaffinch Collared Dove Coot Dunnock Feral Pigeon Goldfinch Great Tit Greylag Goose House Sparrow Lesser Black-Backed Gull Little Grebe Long-Tailed Tit Magpie Mallard Moorhen Mute Swan Potchard (in eclipse) Reed Warbler Swallow Swift Tufted Duck Willow Warbler Wood Pigeon Wren Butterflies: Gatekeeper Holly Blue Large White Ringlet Small White Wild Plants in Flower: Aster (Sea) Bartsia (Red) Bindweed (Hedge) Bird's-Foot-Trefoil (common) Black Medick Bramble Bristly Oxtongue Buttercup (Creeping) Buttercup (Meadow) Campion (White) Charlock Chickweed sp Clover (Haresfoot) Clover (Red) Clover (White) Common Mouse Ear Cranesbill (Cut-Leafed) Cranesbill (Dove's Foot) Dandelion Dock (Clustered) Dock (Curled) Dock (Broad-leafed) Fool's Watercress Forget-Me-Not (Field) Gispywort Goat's beard Hawksbeard (smooth) Hedge Parsley Knapweed (Common) Knapweed (Rayed) Lettuce (Great) Loosestrife (Purple) Mayweed (Scentless) Meadowsweet Melilot (Tall) Mugwort Mullien (Great) Nettle (Common) Nettle (White Dead) Oxeye Daisy Pansy (Field) Pimpernel (Scarlet) Plantain (Ribwort) Ragwort (Common) Rowan - in berry Selfheal St John's Wort (Perforate) Storksbill Teasel Thistle (Creeping) Thistle (Spear) Trefoil (Hop) Vetch (Tufted) Vetchling (Meadow) Viper's Bugloss Wild Carrot Wood Avens (Herb Bennet) Yarrow Yellow Iris Yellow Rattle Water Mint Weld Willow Herb (Great) Willow Herb (Rosebay) Other Records: Keeled Skimmer Dragonfly Brown Hawker Dragonfly Blue-Tailed Damselfly Toadlets Cinnabar Caterpillars BUTTERWICK 25/07/2012 Roy and Kath Pearson On Wednesday we did the first of our annual Wider Countryside Butterfly Surveys on our BTO Breeding Bird Survey square between Butterwick and the first sea bank in perfect weather conditions. The result was very disappointing. It was only recently that we recorded the highest count nationally, when acres of brassicas produced hundreds of 'whites' inflating the figures enormously with Small White producing that year's highest count for a single species. It was our highest species this year, but with only 45 individuals on the entire square. In fact the total butterfly count was as low as 95, with a total of only seven species, far below normal counts. Although agricultural activities influence the count quite markedly here, this result will be quite serious if reflected nationally. Totals were: Large White 31 Small White 45 Red Admiral 2 Small Tortoiseshell 1 Meadow Brown 9 Ringlet 7 CAISTOR Wendy Handford Reports from contributors to Caistor records. Week beginning 21.7.12 Local wildlife enthusiasts have commented generally that plants are flowering up to a fortnight later than normal. There are significantly fewer butterflies, wasps and moths but more ants and damselflies this year. Bumble bee numbers are as normal. In addition, the keen frosts in late May mean that orchard trees will bear very little fruit: in one small orchard, only one of eleven trees has any fruit at all. Caistor Wildlife Area TA 111 015 Great willowherb Brigg Road garden TA 114 022 Mole killed overnight, probably by farm cat Brigg Road wildlife garden A 111 026 Three Common shrews behind bricked-up wooden door Green woodpecker Juvenile yellowhammer under bird feeder Common darter Bay polypore on cherry stump Brown rollrim under silver birch Fool's watercress Greater knapweed Hedge parsley Hemp agrimony Brigg Road farmland TA 106 036 Tawny owl Grimsby Road garden TA 118 012 Adult and two juvenile Common toads Spa Top verge TA 123 016 White stonecrop CONINGSBY – Dogdyke Road TF220572 approx. Roger Parsons 29th July 2012 - 9am Dead juv. hedgehog – roadkill. HUTTOFT TF512 763 (my garden) JANE PENNINGTON Date: 29/7/2012 Robin 1 Catching Green-veined White 1 in mid-flight. I was watching the butterfly and was amazed to see the robin catch it. It happened very quickly! LINCOLN SK972739 W/E 04/08/2012 Jayne Knight 01/08 Small Copper butterfly sunning itself in the back garden on the Ivy. 02/08 While enjoying an al fresco coffee outside the new Starbucks on Brayford Quays observed, opposite, a mix of flowering plants seemingly growing straight out of the water around a mooring post for the Barge on the Brayford. There was a lovely spray of Meadowsweet, a Willowherb, Dock and a plant I couldn't see clearly enough to identify, pale green leaves with small white flowers close to the stem. LONG BENNINGTON SK822461 Barry Johnson 01/08/2012 Fox 1 Lesser Stag Beetle 1 Southern Hawker 1 SOUTH WITHAM VERGES NATURE RESERVE COMMON BIRDS CENSUS 2012 Terry Mitcham Visit Dates (all mornings). A - 25th March (1hr 2mins) F - 2nd June (1hr 6mins) B - 1st April (1hr 7mins) G - 10th June (1hr 5mins) C - 10th April (1hr 5mins) H - 19th June (1hr 2mins) D - 22nd April (1hr 2mins) J - 24th June (1hr 5mins) E - 16th May (1hr 3mins) K - 1st July (59mins) Species Recorded: Red-legged Partridge P (-) Blackcap 4 (7) Pheasant P (P) Lesser Whitethroat 2 (P) Kestrel P (P) Whitethroat 2 (4) Woodpigeon 26N (31N) Wren 7 (6) Turtle Dove 1 (1) Blackbird 4 (6) Magpie 2 (2) Song Thrush 4 (2) Carrion Crow 1N (1N) Robin 8 (12) Goldcrest P (P) Dunnock 4 (4) Blue Tit 4 (5) Chaffinch 25 (27) Great Tit P (5) Greenfinch 1 (1) Coal Tit P (P) Goldfinch 1 (1) Swallow P (P) Linnet 1 (1) Long-tailed Tit 2 (1) Bullfinch 2 (7) Chiffchaff 5 (5) Yellowhammer P (2) Willow Warbler 9 (17) 2011 Status in Brackets. No. of Species holding Territory: 21 (24) Key: 5 - No. of Territories 1N - No. of Nests P - Present, not holding Territory (30) GREETWELL HOLLOW LWT Reserve TF 00 72 Brian Hedley 1 August 2012 Lunchtime wander in generally overcast but warm conditions produced: Holly blue 2 Speckled wood 1 Green-veined white 3 Large white 1 Small skipper 15 Gatekeeper 20 Meadow brown 5 Small heath 1 Ringlet 4 Plus the usual moths there (6-spot burnet, shaded broad-bar, cinnabar caterpillars and Udea lutealis). Bullfinch 8 Migrant hawker 1 Stemless thistle, musk thistle, fairy flax, greater knapweed and wild mignonette MARTON SK842 820 Brian Hedley 29 July 2012 Pine Hawk moth 1 Privet Hawk moth 1 Migrant hawker 1 Lesser stag beetle 1 Green shieldbug 1 Early bumblebee 1 Red-tailed bumblebee 3 White-tailed bumblebee 1 Common carder bee 3 Small tortoiseshell 1 Small white 1 Swift 40+ (moving west mainly) Yellow wagtail 2 west 1 August 2012 Moth-trapping in garden overnight with 15w actinic lamp produced about 41 species including: Scarce footman 2 Small blood-vein 1 Silver Y 1 Dusky sallow 1 Red Twin-spot carpet 2 Clay 1 Short-cloaked moth 1 White satin moth 1 V-Pug 1 White-line dart 3 Meal moth 1 Endotrichia flammealis 5 Epiblema foenella 1 Lozotaeniodes formosana 1 Ypsolopha dentella 1 Monopis weaverella 2 TRENT PORT, MARTON SK834 813 Brian Hedley 28 July 2012 Common sandpiper 1 (first returning one noted) Sedge warbler 2 Whitethroat 4 Blackcap 1 Willow warbler 2 Chiffchaff 1 Buzzard 1 Common gull 1 (adult) fairly unusual here at this time of year. Lapwing 22 Tree sparrow 20 WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 28/7/2012 Giant Puffball Red Admiral 1 Common frog disturbed in mowing. Young Tawny? owls calling in evening [garden]. 29/7 Butterflies: Large white Small white 3 Meadow Brown Ringlet 30/7 Common frog Speckled Wood butterfly. Barn owl hunting in area. 1/7 Common toad - 05.30hrs. 2/7 Common frog Small owlet, probably Tawny, based on call, 02.30hrs, calling from side of cottage, outside bedroom window! Perched on our dongle aerial - the very one which sends you the Bulletin! Observed - in silhouette - from a distance of 1 metre. WRANGLE COMMON 29/07/2012 Roy and Kath Pearson A count today produced only 31 species despite all paths being open. Many common species were not recorded as singing has largely ceased. Large numbers of Goldfinches were feeding on thistles and other weeds were attracting both Reed and a pair of Corn Buntings and Yellowhammers. Once again no waders were recorded despite much water on the wet grassland. Among butterflies recorded were Large and Small Whites, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Ringlet and Small Skipper. Two Roe deer were seen and in two places we found areas where the grass was flattened, presumably where they had lain. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 30/07/2012 Common Sandpiper 2 Goldcrest 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 Crimson Rosella 1 escapee Ruff 2 Short-eared Owl 1 Wheatear 1 Willow Warbler 3 Yellow Wagtail 3 31/07/2012 Ruff 2 Spoonbill 1 01/08/2012 Cuckoo 1 Green Sandpiper 2 Greenshank 2 Hobby 1 Ruff 1 Spoonbill 2 Whimbrel 4 Willow Warbler 1 02/08/2012 Black-tailed Godwit 24 Redstart 1 Ruff 3 Spoonbill 2 Wheatear 1 03/08/2012 Black-tailed Godwit 6 Crossbill 22 Curlew Sandpiper 1 Green Sandpiper 1 Greenshank 20 Knot 20000 Little Ringed Plover 1 Marsh Harrier 2 Montagu's Harrier 1 Ruff 3 Short-eared Owl 1 Spoonbill 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 3rd August 2012. John Walker, Roger Briggs, Steve Hall, Cliff Morrison, Peter & Janet Roworth During the week there has been some southerly movement of Swifts with a few Swallows and House Martins in the Sea View area; no big numbers just observations of small flocks of birds passing over. Recently cut and baled hay fields adjacent to the NNR have attracted Whimbrel and Curlew with Starling and Black-headed Gulls. Blackbirds have been more evident with a mix of young and adult birds between Sea View and Paradise. Five Mistle Thrushes flew over Rimac on the 3rd. Other bird sightings have included 3 Arctic Skuas and 1 Pomarine Skua, c300 peak Sandwich Terns and c70 'Comic' Terns, a single Wheatear, 3 Marsh Harriers, 1 Hobby and a young Green Woodpecker voraciously feeding off ants on a lawn near Sea View. The vegetation on the saltmarsh is looking very good with areas of flowering common sea-lavender amidst the different shades of green from sea-purslane, sea aster (in bud), lyme-grass and common saltmarsh-grass. On the saltmarsh edge/dunes it is the tall, late flowering species that dominate including rosebay willowherb, musk, spear and creeping thistle, common figwort, common ragwort, perennial sow-thistle and black knapweed. Butterflies remain in low numbers with the following seen on the BMS undertaken by Steve Hall on the 3rd: small/ Essex skipper 140, large white 1, small white 3, small copper 3 (very fresh markings), red admiral 1, gatekeeper 36, meadow brown 40, small heath 5, and ringlet 48 (many very faded and worn). RSPB WASH Reserves - Frampton Marsh and Freiston Shore Reports for June 2012 John Badley Recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Assisted by Grahame Hopwood and Colin Jennings RSPB Frampton Marsh The highlight was undoubtedly Lincolnshire's first Black-eared Wheatear (12th), a first-summer female, seen and photographed by just one fortunate observer. An adult Rose-coloured Starling (20th onwards) was a reserve first and also rather elusive during its stay. The Black-necked Grebe first seen in April showed better all month and up to two Garganey were seen. Raptors were well represented with Red Kite (2nd, 23rd and 24th), Montagu's Harrier (12th & 16th), Hobby, Peregrine and up to five Marsh Harriers. Waders were still passing through with up to two Little Stints (1st), up to two Curlew Sandpipers, up to four Ruff (16th), single Spotted Redshank and Wood Sandpipers (4th & 15th). Two Mediterranean Gulls (10th) popped in to the Black-headed Gull colony and up to 11 Little Gulls were also present. A Roseate Tern on the Reedbed (30th) was the third first for the reserve in June. RSPB Freiston Shore A pair of Roseate Terns on the lagoon (28th) were both ringed on both legs suggesting they originated from Coquet Island, Northumberland. Little Tern and several Sandwich Terns and 200 Common Terns were also present at the same time. A different Roseate Tern was seen two days later. Mediterranean Gulls were seen on a few dates. One Short-eared Owl (10th) was seen, but Barn Owls were more regular. Two Pink-footed and four Dark-bellied Brent Geese (24th) were rather unseasonal. Gibraltar Point NNR A Spoonbill was in residence for most of the month. Among the gulls were up to 23 Little Gulls (30th), a Mediterranean Gull on several dates and a Baltic Gull was reported (9th). Waders included single Curlew Sandpiper and Little Stint at the start of the month and Green Sandpiper nearer the end of the month. Sanderlings are always among the last waders to head north, but 1700 (6th) was an excellent count. The sea was generally quiet, but four Manx Shearwaters (4th) were the highlight. Birds of prey seen included Red Kite (4th), Hobby and both Short-eared Owl and Montagu's Harrier at the start of the month. Migrants included 17 Turtle Doves (2nd), a Hawfinch (4rd), up to 117 Crossbills (5th), and the highlight, a less than co-operative Common Rosefinch (20th). Other sites A Garganey was at Kirkby Pits (until 4th). Quail were reported calling from North Rauceby, Langtoft and RAF Coningsby. A Montagu's Harrier passed through Metheringham Airfield (7th) with an Osprey there two days later. An Osprey was also seen at Deeping Lakes (1st). Two Caspian Gulls were at North Hykeham Pits with up to 14 Yellow-legged Gulls (21st). John Badley Recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Assisted by Colin Jennings ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. News from Far Ings NNR http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/far_ings/index.php ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Far Ings News W/E  03.08.12   BIRDS Max nos.   blackbird 11 blackcap black headed gull 55 black tailed godwit 6 blue tit 8 Canada goose 30 carrion crow 6 chaffinch 7 chiffchaff collared dove 2 common gull 6 common tern 3 coot 25 cormorant curlew dunnock 5 golden plover 64 goldfinch 7 GBB gull GC grebe 5 GS woodpecker 2 great tit 6 greenfinch 2 grey heron greylag goose 93 herring gull 2 hobby house martin 3 house sparrow 10 kestrel kingfisher lapwing 26 linnet 2 magpie 4 mallard 28 moorhen 6 mute swan 5 oystercatcher 2 pheasant pied wagtail 2 pochard 4 reed bunting 4 reed warbler 6 robin 3 sedge warbler  4 shelduck 2 song thrush sparrowhawk M starling 8 swallow 20+ swift 6 tawny owl tufted duck 42 water rail 2 whitethroat 6 willow warbler 4 wood pigeon 40 wren  3 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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) 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 and Adrian Royle's superb Flickr photo-site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/adiroyle/collections/72157624803742908/ Reports needed for these wonderful woodlands. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 *** iSpot *** The LNU is now represented on the popular iSpot website: http://www.ispot.org.uk/node/275032 A full list of the organisations, recording schemes and societies represented is here: http://www.ispot.org.uk/representatives This is a project run by The Open University as part of Open Air Laboratories (OPAL), where you can "Learn more about wildlife, share your interest with a friendly community and get help identifying what you have seen." The project is essentially in the business of helping people learn how to identify the wildlife they encounter, and encouraging them to get involved in biological recording. *** 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 E-mail: 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 *** Identification of Non-Marine Molluscs *** John Redshaw is still available to identify specimens of non- marine shelled molluscs, including brackish marsh species. For larger and medium sized species (down to 1cm) a digital image will usually suffice. For smaller species it may be possible, in some cases, to ID specimens from digital images, but usually actual specimens will be required. If providing specimens, they may be enclosed in old film pots (which photographic shops are usually glad to get rid of). Details of location where specimen found, (with grid reference if known), date and finder's name should be provided. If specimen is provided this information should be noted on a label stuck to the outside of the pot. Please be aware that it is illegal to send live specimens through the post. For further details please contact John by e-mail on ejred7fen@tiscali.co.uk *** Mollusc Identification *** David Feld has also 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 or try http://www.bumblebeeconservation.org.uk/products.html *** 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 The Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes Project (LCGMP) To learn more about the project or to find out how to get involved, please visit www.lincsmarshes.org.uk or contact Joe Blissett on 01507613132 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/ Youtube video of visit to Rimac NR Colin Green. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s02O5JJoilQ&feature=em-share_video_user *** 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, 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: steve@rapidresponse redpoll r.jaggs-fowler lnu@stoy johnth@ckery apeel And finally..... RSPCA Call for ban on "Chinese Lanterns" - via Brian Eke: http://www.rspca.org.uk/getinvolved/campaigns/wildlife/chineselanterns#.UBMvFnUBEuY.gmail ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/