=========================================== || || 12th 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 1095 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 *** This Bulletin is going out on 15th August. I encountered a few e-mail problems this week relating to my broadband data allowance. Sorry for the hold-up. Please note that I plan a Walkabout this weekend and there will definitely be a delay sending out the next Bulletin. Readers may not be aware that I live in a "broadband not- spot" and have to receive all data via a mobile broadband signal. This is one reason why I ask contributors to send information in a simple format i.e. text. I also ask that you do not send in reports by simply replying to previous Bulletins, please. It might be very convenient to do that, but it uses up 50+k of my data allowance for no purpose whatsoever, often for just a line or two of message! If you keep your e-mails as economical as you can, that in turn helps keep the Bulletin a free service. Thanks. 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. Note: access to the adjacent Math and Elsea Wood SSSI has now been agreed for the meeting. 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 *** Renewed call for volunteers - Life on the Verge *** Mark Schofield has contacted us 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 *** 2nd September 2012 - Revesby Estate Winner of the Community section of the Lincolnshire Environmental Awards 2012. David White writes: 4th Lincolnshire Firewood Fair 2nd September - Revesby Estate 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. Aveland 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 *** Bats and other wildlife *** Chris Manning writes: Mink Control Marsh Water Vole Project does undertake mink control on the grazing Marsh Area, and several IDBs, notably Welland Deeping, trap mink. Question from Malcolm Wardlaw At 9.25 a.m. today in Folkingham I saw a bat flying around. It was quite hot out (maybe over 20c) it seemed to be catching insects. I also saw a house martin keep flying up to it as if to shoo it away (It did not make contact with the bat but seemed to fly right up to it then veer away several times). Are either of these behaviours normal/common? *** 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. 3/8 Spoonbill, Curlew, Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point 4/8 Black Tern, Donna Nook 5/8 Black Tern, Curlew Sandpiper, Horseshoe Point 2 Wood Sandpiper, Frampton Marsh 2 Curlew Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, Gibraltar Point 5+ Yellow-legged Gulls NE of Crowle 6/8 3 Ruddy Shelducks between Cumberworth and Willoughby 2 Ruddy Shelducks, Alkborough Flats 7/8 2 Curlew Sandpiper, Mediterranean Gull, Tree Pipit, Redstart, Crossbill, Brambling, Gibraltar Point 3 Spoonbills, 6 Ruddy Shelducks, 300 Avocets Alkborough Flats 8/8 3 Spoonbills, 2 Ruddy Shelducks, Alkborough Flats Redstart, Lincoln, n of Swanpool Little Gull, 7 Arctic Skuas, Spotted Redshank, Horseshoe Point 9/8 Redstart, Lincoln, n of Swanpool Spoonbill, Gibraltar Point 10/8 2 Black Redstarts, SE of Brigg at Hougham Pied Flycatcher, Donna Nook, Pye's Hall Redstart, Lincoln, n or Swanpool 11/8 Honey Buzzard, Barton-upon-Humber Sooty Shearwater, past Gibraltar Point Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh 2 Spoonbills, Spotted Redshank, Wood sandpiper, Gibraltar Point 12/8 Honey Buzzard, Alnwick to North Kyme 5 Pied Flycatchers and Whinchat, Donna Nook Black-necked Grebe, Covenham Reservoir 13/8 Possible Pectoral Sandpiper, Harmston Quail, Garganey, 4 Pied Flycatchers, Whinchat, Wood Sandpiper, Donna Nook, Pye's Hall 14/8 Wood Sandpiper, Manby Flashes 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. July highlights for Whisby Nature Park and North Hykeham Pits. Phil Porter Grahame Hopwood Whisby Nature Park The undoubted highlight of the month was the first, but perhaps long overdue, record of Great White Egret which graced Grebe Lake between 22nd and 23rd, and was often in the company of up to five Little Egrets and a Grey Heron which made for some excellent comparison. Up till the Great White Egrets arrival contender for of the month had gone to an eclipse male Red-breasted Merganser on the 6th, which was certainly most unexpected for the time of year. A very late pair of Ringed Plovers were discovered nesting on 6th, whilst returning migrant waders included up to three Common Sandpipers during the month and a single Curlew on the 9th. Gulls are always a feature of the area with an adult Mediterranean Gull on 2nd, a peak count of 150 Great Black-backed Gulls on 3rd, whilst on the 31st peak counts of 350 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and eight Yellow-legged Gulls. Also on this latter date diligent searching also revealed a first summer Caspian Gull. A single Nightingale on 21st was the last to be recorded for the year, whilst other notable passerines included Yellow Wagtail on 4th, two early Siskin on 11th, and single Spotted Flycatchers on 24th and 31st. Finally also of note were two Hobby on 22nd, which have been scarce in the area this summer and up to five Kingfishers all month. After a dismal early summer, butterfly numbers picked up to certain extent during July, but were hardly celebratory. A couple of the less well-known species were recorded; Essex Skipper and Purple Hairstreak but Brown Argus was notable by its absence, and there was no sign of migratory species. Many of the Diptera from the month still await identification but the monstrous horse-fly Tabanus autumnalis occurred for the third year running and so seems established. There was a new hoverfly species for the site, Meligramma triangulifera, and the highly distinctive long-legged fly Poecilobothrus nobilitatus enjoyed a good run of records. This metallic fly is rather tiny but the males can sometimes be noticed running on mud or marsh vegetation waving their wings in courtship. These are darkened with a clinching white tip. The display of wildflowers continued to the end of the month when sheets of harebells made an impressive show at Redland's old yard. Lady's Bedstraw started to take over from Bird's-foot Trefoil in turning Plover Beach yellow, with the added attraction of strong scent. Back at Redland's old yard, the uncommon rayed variety of Knapweed was seen for the first time in very many years. 19 Common Spotted Orchids graced the Wet Heath after recent colonisation and Field Scabious enjoyed a similar recent establishment at Redland's. The elegant spires of Dark Mullein have sprung up in a few places after being very hard to find in recent years. They repay close inspection with yellow petals and purple stamens. The classic neutral grassland community of Fleabane, Sneezewort, Devil's-bit Scabious and Betony is continuing a very slow increase at the Orchid Glade, but the Saw-wort that occasionally flowers there has not appeared this year. A highly miss-able element of the flora at Sandhills is the small composite Smooth Cat's-ear, but this year the plants are slightly larger and the flowers a bit more notice- able because of the dampness in the sand. Good numbers of Broad-leafed and Green-flowered Helleborines grew as usual, and a specimen of the chlorophyll-deficient, white leafed variant of the Broad-leafed species again appeared around Coot Lake. If the weather continues damp, it may flower here for the first time ever. Because the plants are totally dependant on their fungus partner for any nutrition, the generally dry summer conditions at Whisby cause them to shrivel quite quickly in a normal year. Finally two scarce marshland docks, Golden Dock and Marsh Dock grew side by side at Hidden Pond. The latter is particularly infrequent. *** 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. BOSTON 08/08/2012 Roy and Kath Pearson We had a Phylloscopus Warbler feeding in the garden today, probably a Chiffchaff, a species that has taken to nesting nearby in recent years. Butterfly numbers are very low, but we seem to have acquired a daily appearance at the moment of a Comma, one of the prettier species. CAISTOR Wendy Handford Reports from contributors to Caistor records Fortnight beginning 28.7.12 Caistor Wildlife Area TA 111 015 Seen when cutting meadow:- Common voles 4 Adult and 3 juvenile toads Banded snails Black slugs Leopard slugs Common green capsid bugs (new to Caistor list) Hundon Farm ponds TA 113 022 Purple loosestrife Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 Common vole nesting in flowerbed Adult and juvenile Hedgehog on lawn 8.30pm Housemartins investigating nesting site Sparrowhawk catches Tree sparrow at feeder Adult Common toad in orchard grass Cinnabar moth (new to Caistor list) Common darter Forest bug (new to Caistor list) Small copper (1st sighting this year) Shaggy parasol fungus in coniferous wood Brigg Road verge TA 113 020 Bindweed Black horehound Creeping cinquefoil Great burdock Water Hills TA 123 017 Six spot burnet Teasel Grimsby Road garden TA118 012 Ten swifts feeding at altitude North Kelsey Road TA 113 013 London plane (new on Caistor list) Mill Lane TA 119 012 Longhorn beetle (new to Caistor list) Running crab spider (new to Caistor list) Small fanfoot moth (new to Caistor list) EAST BARKWORTH TF167813 Chris J Manning 04/08/2012 Hedgehog Road Kill DEEPING LAKES nature Reserve 04/08/12 Ian Gordon 1000 – 1145hrs Birds: 1025 – Osprey heading SW 1030 – Osprey (same bird?) took a fish at NE end of lake. Flew SW across front of hide gaining height and being mobbed by 2 gulls Great Crested Grebe (5) Pochard (3) Cormorant (2) Grey Heron (3) Green Woodpecker (1) – by River Welland bank at far end of reserve Long-tailed Tit (2) Great Tit (3) Chiffchaff (1) Blackbird (1) Magpie (1) Tufted Duck (several) Mallard (4) Coot (many) Mute Swan (many) Common Tern (3( Butterflies: Gatekeeper Large White Small White Small Copper Painted Lady Peacock Meadow Brown Dragonflies: As a warm, sunny morning very large numbers of Common Hawkers and several Lesser Emperor Dragonflies Animals: Grey Squirrels (3) – by entrance Rabbit (young) HUTTOFT TF512 763 (my garden) Jane Pennington Date: 4/8 Grass snake 1 HUTTOFT TF512 763 (my garden) Jane Pennington Date: 4/8 Greater Spotted Woodpecker 1 Date: 5/8 Greater Spotted Woodpecker 1 Date: 8/8 Greater Spotted Woodpecker 1 Date: 10/8 Greater Spotted Woodpecker 1 Robin 1 feeding Robin fledgling 1 MARTON SK842 820 Brian Hedley 8 August 2012 Trap out in garden overnight produced about 53 species including: Chinese character 6 Elephant hawk 2 Poplar hawk 1 Silver Y 6 Dusky sallow 1 Oak Hook-tip 1 Marbled beauty 2 Dingy footman 1 Bordered pug 1 Ruby tiger 1 Orange swift 1 Plus a fairly good selection of micros including: Aethes smeathmanniana 1 Limnaecia phragmitella 1 Endotrichia flammealis 6 Monopis weaverella 4 Acleris holmiana 2 Acleris forskaleana 1 Catoptria falsella 1 Swammerdamia pyrella 2 Bud moth Spilonota ocellana 1 Acrobasis advenella 1 9 August 2012 Hobby (chasing local swallows) Garden butterflies mainly on buddleia: Brimstone 1 Peacock 6 Small tortoiseshell 3 Holly blue 1 Meadow brown 1 Small white 3 Large white 2 Green-veined white 1 NORTH GREETWELL TF019741 Chris J Manning 04/08/2012 Japanese Knotweed RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF 309 847 Silvia Fowler HOUSEMARTINS: 21.07.12 Chicks now visible at the entrance holes of 4 of the 6 northern nests. 25.07.12 Some chicks have fledged. 27.07.12 One broken egg on ground with dead chick inside. Seems too small to have just hatched, presumably dead in nest and removed by adults. 29.07.12 One nest on the ground, clearly ripped apart by force. Suspect the Tawny Owl. Think these chicks had fledged, though. None on ground. Only 5 active nests left (out of 8 this year), all still on their first broods. 02.08.12 Saw Tawny Owl at 10pm targeting Housemartin nests, but intervened to chase it away. 03.08.12 Tawny Owl again seen near house. 09.08.12 No more owl attacks and all chicks have now fledged from the remaining 5 nest sites, still using them to roost each night. OTHER SIGHTINGS: 20.07.12 Froglet (about 1.2 cm) near pond edge. 21.07.12 Red Admiral (pristine condition) Large White Meadow Brown (Only about 10% of the butterflies I would normally expect to see in my garden this time of year) Pollen beetles Wren – 2 juv. 1-year-old Common Frog Buzzard 22.07.12 Swallows – 2 23.07.12 and ongoing Canada Geese (15-20) flying low over house daily as in previous years 24.07.12 Pheasant – young male Buzzard (daily sightings for the next 2 weeks) 25.07.12 Brown Hare feeding in meadow Chiffchaff has stopped calling 03.08.12 Pair of Blackbirds still feeding second brood in hedge. Lots of young House Sparrows. 05.08.12 Young Rabbit in garden, not at all frightened by human company. Common Toad, large adult Large White and Small White butterflies. Lots of large slugs including Limax flavus, Arion ater, possibly Arion rufus and (probably) Arion vulgaris (Spanish slug). Bracket Fungus on apple tree identified by Ray Halstead as Inonotus hispidus. 09.08.12 2 Small White butterflies courting Large White Gatekeeper Buzzard x 3 Robin back in (autumnal) song WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 6/8/2012 Brown rat adult in compost heap. Trap out! 7/8 Dead Brown rat. 8/8 Marsh Harrier over garden 8am. Buzzard calling 9am. Butterflies: Holly Blue, Small Tortoiseshell 3, Red Admiral, Large and Small White, Meadow Brown, Large adult Grass snake in compost heap. Bank vole and Common shrew. 9/8/2012 Tawny owl calling in garden 2.30am Butterflies: Large White 1 Small white 3 Painted Lady 1 Small tortoiseshell 2 Peacock 2 Ringlet 2 Gatekeeper 1 Meadow brown 2 11/8 09.30hrs 4 common buzzards circling and calling over garden. 10.00hrs 2 Marsh harriers, m and f, in area. 14/8/2012 - approx. 8.00hrs Muntjac deer- adult - TF 219533 Dead badger - roadkill B1192 Langrick Road TF 251515 15/8/2012 08.00 approx. Buzzard, Marsh Harrier, 100+ Golden Plover WRANGLE COMMON 05/08/2012 Roy and Kath Pearson With thick vegetation and little or no singing, today's count was quite low. However we recorded two Green Sandpipers and a single Buzzard. A count of over 50 Goldfinches was the highest of the year. They were feeding on thistles within a large patch of high seed yielding plants sown for the birds. This has also boosted bunting numbers, especially of Yellow and Reed, whilst Corn Buntings now put in a regular appearance, which was unheard of a few years ago. WRANGLE COMMON 12/08/2012 Roy and Kath Pearson We did an evening count this week rather than the morning count that is usual, in order to search for a possible Swallow roost, not having had a large roost here for several years. A few were gathering prior to roost, but we could not determine where, there being a variety of sites here. The count totalled thirty species, well down on the numbers a few months ago and no doubt an under-recording as there is little or no bird song at the moment and some species are missed. Goose numbers are high now with a good breeding season with both Canada and Greylags represented, the latter increasing in numbers. Green Sandpipers (3) were present and a Kingfisher was an unusual record. It was seen carrying a fish, which might indicate a late brood which, if it could be confirmed, would be a first breeding record here. A single Black-tailed Godwit was seen. I can only recall one previous record. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. 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 10th August 2012. John Walker, Roger Briggs, Steve Hall, Cliff Morrison, Peter & Janet Roworth Small numbers of young Great Tits, Blue Tits, Chaffinches, Green- finches, Trees Sparrows and House Sparrows, together with rather tatty looking adults are now being seen in and around areas of scrub and trees on the NNR. It looks as if there will be a very poor sea buckthorn berry crop this year and any other berry- bearing shrub will be a prime target as a food source. Already in a garden near Sea View a laden rowan bush has been stripped of berries by 8 Blackbirds and 3 Mistle Thrushes. A juvenile Cuckoo was seen on the 7th , a weak flier so possibly a local bird. During the recent high tides Cliff Morrison had the opportunity to observe waders and gulls from Churchill to the southern end of the NNR. Cliff commented: "The evening tides didn't come high up the beach this series of springs, but the samphire bed was flooded on mornings of 4th, 5th and 6th. These gave the highest counts, building from 200 waders on 4th and 5th, to 500 on the 6th, by which time the samphire was well wetted and held birds for a while. The mix consisted mainly of Sanderling, Ringed Plovers and Dunlin with peaks of each being 180, 160 and 150 respectively. By the 7th, with good weather, the sands and samphire were dry again, so most of the waders had moved on, although Sanderling had moved to the tide edge. A Great Skua was over the sea on the 8th and there have been 1-2 Arctic Skuas most days chasing the terns, which have numbered up to 550 sandwich terns, with common terns increasing, also on the 8th to 50+, with 16 Arctic, which flew south. At this time of year there are always small parties of Oystercatchers to be seen flying south; for example, there were 70 in 3 groups on 31st July from 1800 to 1900hrs, 56 between 0700 and 0740hrs on 6th August and 170 in 5 groups between 1700 and 1800hrs on the 8th, with lesser numbers on other days. Other birds of interest have included 3 Eiders on the 8th and there was a full breeding plumage Red-throated Diver on the sea on the 6th. Up to 20 gannets have been seen daily, fishing on the sea. Whilst the gull roost is now increasing, only one Kittiwake and one Little Gull have been seen, both on the 8th." Over the saltmarsh a female Marsh Harrier and Barn Owl were seen hunting on the evening of the 4th and a Hobby was hunting insects over Sea View on the 8th. Also on the 8th a Common Snipe was flushed near Rimac and 3 Greenshank flew over on the same day. Numbers of Curlew remain high, with c40 reported feeding on mown grass fields by a local farmer, and Whimbrel are regularly seen and heard over the saltmarsh. 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 10.08.12 BIRDS Max nos. avocet 4 bearded tit blackbird 10 blackcap black headed gull 25 black tailed godwit 4 blue tit 8 Canada goose 10 carrion crow 5 chaffinch 7 chiffchaff collared dove 2 common gull 10 common tern coot 35 cormorant curlew 2 dunnock 5 gadwall 6 goldfinch 4 GC grebe 4 GS woodpecker 2 great tit 6 greenfinch 2 grey heron greylag goose 60 herring gull 2 house sparrow 10 kestrel kingfisher lapwing 20 linnet 2 little grebe long tailed tit 5 magpie 5 mallard 20 marsh harrier 2 moorhen 6 mute swan 4 pheasant pied wagtail 2 pochard 4 reed bunting 4 reed warbler 6 robin 3 sedge warbler 3 shelduck 2 sparrowhawk M starling 9 swallow 15 swift 5 tawny owl tufted duck 40 water rail 2 whitethroat 6 willow warbler 3 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) 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/ CHAMBERS PLANTATION TF1573 Charlie Barnes 12/08 Butterflies: Comma Gatekeeper Meadow Brown Peacock Purple Hairstreak Ringlet Small Copper Small Skipper Small Tortoiseshell Small White Speckled Wood Mammals & Reptiles: Common lizard (juveniles) Grey Squirrel Muntjac Rabbit Beetles: Leptura quadrifasciata Oiceoptoma thoracicum Rhagonycha fulva Rutpela maculata Dragonflies: Common Darter Emperor Southern Hawker Moths: Yellow-tail Moth Hymenoptera: Hornet ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/