=========================================== || || 19th and 26th 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 *** Continuing issues with Hutchison 3G e-mail failures are now prompting me to explore the possibility of a webserver-based mailing to side-step these problems. Steve Gray has come up with a promising alternative which I shall test on a small list before I decide. I shall keep posting the on-line copies of the Bulletin for those who prefer this option. I am not sure how many use this, but it is a useful backup when we hit problems. http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html I am back from an interesting walkabout down south to an area I don't know much, taking in: Downe House [Darwin. English Heritage. Over interpreted?], Batemans [Kipling. NT. Good], Oare Marsh [KWT. Excellent], the National Fruit Collection, Brogdale and Flag Fen on the way home. Have been meaning to visit those for years. Welcomed back by a close view of our local male Marsh Harrier hunting some rough ground down the road. I was pleased to find Oare Marsh has an active blow well set up so visitors could collect drinking water. It was very tasty and very cold. Do readers know of Lincolnshire wells/springs where potable water is available for members of the public to collect? I now have a copy of the auction catalogue for the Lincolnshire Firewood Fair. See below. If interested, I can send you a copy. E-mail aintree2@yahoo.co.uk Roger Roger *** Next LNU Event *** For LNU meetings see www.lnu.org/events.php See section 11 for full programme. 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 *** 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 catalogue available *** I now have a copy of the auction catalogue. If interested, I can send you a copy. E-mail aintree2@yahoo.co.uk Roger 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 *** A response to the house martin/bat query from Folkingham, inter alia. Annette Faulkner writes: I think things are finally settling down in the bat world - at any rate calls are starting to slow down. At one stage they were averaging two or three a day, and we have had a lot of late-born juveniles in, some having been born as much as five weeks later than normal. Now we are starting to move into the autumn we are likely to get a lot of cat victims as we enter the mating season, the males being too preoccupied chasing females to eat enough and becoming grounded, or inexperienced juveniles running into trouble. The observation of the house martin and the bat (Bulletin 15/8) at Folkingham was interesting. Of course, we don't know what species the bat was, but would be most likely to be a pipistrelle, as they do sometimes forage during the day, though more often in winter, and if it was catching insects then all to the good. At that time in the morning it could also have been a juvenile in no hurry to go home - we've seen this outside a large roost at dawn, when the mothers had to call the young ones in - just like naughty children! But what was the house martin doing? It had probably never seen a bat before and was just curious, wondering what this strange bird was doing on its patch. At least that was the consensus when I discussed this with colleagues. Guillemot John Cowell writes: I thought you might like to know that last Sunday, as I was 'bravely' swimming in the North Sea off Brickyard Lane in Theddlethorpe, myself and two young Labrador puppies came to within a few feet of what must have been a juvenile guillemot. He was so laid back and we did not approach too closely but it almost felt that we could have picked him up out of the water. Perhaps a weary traveller, but only from Bempton Cliffs? *** 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. 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 15/8 Caspian Gull, 10 Yellow-legged Gulls, Gainsborough landfill site Black Tern, Whisby Nature Park 19/8 Red-necked Phalarope, Wood Sandpiper, Frampton Marsh Sooty Shearwater, Arctic Skuas, Little Stint, Theddlethorpe 20/8 Caspian Gull, 7 Yellow-legged Gulls, Gainsborough landfill site Red-necked Phalarope, 2 Little Stints Frampton Marsh 2 Wood Sandpiper, Fiskerton Fen 2 Wood Sandpiper, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh 21/8 Red-necked Phalarope, Wood Sandpiper, Frampton Marsh 22/8 Red-necked Grebe, Covenham Reservoir 23/8 Red-necked Phalarope, 5 Wood Sandpipers, 10 Curlew Sandpipers, 5 Little Stints, Osprey, 5 Garganey, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh Red-necked Grebe, Covenham Reservoir 2 Ospreys, 9 Crossbills south, Gibraltar Point 24/8 Black tern juv Boston, Arctic Skua, Witham mouth Pied Flycatcher, Spotted-redshank, Slatfleetby- Theddlethorpe dunes Red-necked Phalarope, Wood Sandpiper, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh Barred Warbler, Gibraltar Point 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. LINCOLN Colin J Green The Swallowbeck stream from Swallowbeck Church to Hykeham Road, Lincoln: 5 min walk 13 Aug 12 Holly Blue (M) x2 Gatekeeper x4 Large White x2 Small White x2 Small Copper x1 Ringlet x1 Meadow Brown x2 Brown Hawker x1 Common Darter x1 My garden (Newark Road near Swallowbeck Church, Lincoln) 14 Aug 12 Holly Blue (M) x2 (seen everyday in garden now - over a month since a Fe was seen though) both in beautiful condition Large White x7 (4 seen in garden at once) Small White x2 Small Copper x1 (first time ever seen in garden - been here 24 years) Peacock x5 (yes 5 all seen at once, last one seen early in year. They were on a small potted miniature buddelja which has been flowering for months and up till that moment attracted nothing but me, the bees and hoverflies - nature is so strange!) Brown Hawker Common Darter (both seen regularly as we are near the Swallowbeck and my garden is very sheltered and has plenty to attract insects and birds) *** 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. BRACEBY Map ref. 015353 Marion & Dave Ellis Report 24/8/2012 We have a pair of swallows feeding young in our stone shed, and one nest of housemartins still feeding young. BUTTERWICK 23/08/2012 Roy and Kath Pearson We did our second and final butterfly count on our BTO Breeding Bird Survey site between the village and the first sea bank, in almost perfect weather conditions. We encountered only four species, though an extra one - Speckled Wood - was seen later just out of the survey area and therefore could not be included. Large White x76 Small White x97 Green-veined White x1 Peacock x6 Whilst the grand total was nearly double that recorded in July, the species total fell by two. I cannot recall a worse year. CAISTOR Wendy Handford Reports from contributors to Caistor records Week beginning 11.8.12 Caistor Wildlife Area TA 111 015 Chiff chaff still calling Yellowhammer Woody nightshade Hundon Farm TA 113 022 Barn owl 2 Tufted ducks Brigg Road wildlife garden A 111 026 Seen while cutting and turning meadow: 3 Common shrews 3 Common voles 2 adult Common frogs 5 adult & 4 juvenile Common toads Field grasshoppers Also: Hedgehog (roadkill) Adult male & two juvenile Great spotted woodpeckers Adult & juvenile Green woodpeckers Gatekeeper butterfly (1st this year) Caper spurge (new on Caistor list) Brigg Road verge TA 113 020 Grey squirrel Evening primrose North Street TA 118 015 Swifts have departed Caistor bypass verge TA 12 01 Interesting species seen while doing 'Life on the Verge' survey: Cinnabar moth caterpillars Birds-foot trefoil Bladder campion (new on Caistor list) Common knapweed Creeping cinquefoil Marsh woundwort (new on Caistor list) Meadow vetchling Hairy tare Mill Lane TA 119 012 Dingy skipper (needs confirming) Forest bug Malachite beetle CAISTOR Wendy Handford Reports from contributors to Caistor records Week beginning 18.8.12 Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 Sparrowhawk catches Greenfinch at feeder On Hemp agrimony: Peacocks, Red Admirals, Small Tortoiseshells, Meadow Browns and Speckled Wood butterflies all at same time Watermint Brigg Road verge, disturbed, TA 111 026 Canadian fleabane Mill Lane TA 119 012 Swifts 2 on18.8.12 but have since left Butterfly last week was not a Dingy skipper South Street TA 119012 Moth trap results 27th June 2012 Beaded Chestnut Beautiful Golden Y Brimstone Cinnabar Clay Cloaked Minor Common Rustic Dark Arches Dot Moth Elephant Hawk Moth Figure of Eighty Flame Freyer's Pug Grey Dagger Heart & Dart Light Arches Marbled Minor Middle Barred Minor Plain Golden Y Purple Marbled Rufous Minor Silver Ground Carpet Small Engrailed Snout Sulphur Knapweed White Ermine Yellow Shell 28th July 2012 Buff Ermine Cabbage Moth Common Footman Common Rustic Coronet Dark Arches Dusky Pearl Grey Dagger Heart & Dart Lesser Yellow Underwing Single-dotted Wave White Satin Willow Beauty 10 August 2012 Broad-Bordered Yellow Underwing Common Grass Veneer Dark Arches Garden Rose Tortrix Large Yellow Underwing Lesser Broad-Bordered Yellow Underwing Lesser Yellow Underwing Marbled Beauty Mother of Pearl Pammene Fasciana Udea Lutealis 12 August 2012 Acleris Forsskalaena Broad-Bordered Yellow Underwing Catoptria Pinella Codling Moth Common Rustic Dark Arches Dun-bar Endothenia Quadrimaculana Endotricha Flammealis Flounced Rustic Grey Dagger Large Yellow Underwing Lesser Broad-Bordered Yellow Underwing Lesser Yellow Underwing Lozotaeniodes Formosanus (Orange Pine Tortrix - a nice little moth, not too sure how many have been seen around here!) Marbled Beauty Mottled Rustic Purple Thorn Red-Barred Tortrix Single Dotted Wave Small Fan Footed Wave Snout DEEPINGS Deeping Lakes Nature Reserve Ian Gordon Thursday 23/08/12, 1000 – 1200. Weather dry, sunny and warm. Birds: Black-headed Gull (2) Blue Tit (1) Canada Goose (1) Coot (20+) Cormorant (8) Crow (15+) Great Crested Grebe (10) Great Tit (3) Green Woodpecker (1) Grey Heron (1) Greylag Geese (5) Goldfinch (7) Herring Gull (2) House Martin (1) Lapwing (c.20) Long-tailed Tit (7) Magpie (4) Mallard (4) Mute swan (50+) Pochard (4) Reed Warbler (1) Robin (2) Sand Martin (5) Sedge Warbler (1) Swallow (1) Tufted Duck (20+) Willow Warbler (1) Wood Pidgeon (8) Wren (1) Butterflies: Gatekeeper Large White Meadow Brown Peacock Red Admiral Small White Others: Rabbit (1) Grey Squirrel (2) HORNCASTLE TF 2531 7004 18/08/2012 Gary Hilton Chris Manning was asking for Hedgehog records. We have one which has regularly visited our garden at dusk this season, We are obliviously on his rounds as he usually spend 10 mins to half and hour mooching around the lawn and flower beds then disappears. We also came across a hoglet (about 6 inches long) on the footpath in broad daylight (18:00) which was not moving, while we were on a walk in Horncastle (TF 25461 69590). After seeing that it was clearly still alive with no visible injuries, but was unlikely to survive on its own we took it home and followed the instructions on the Lincolnshire Hedgehog Rescue site (http://www.hedgehogcare.org.uk/). Unfortunately it did not survive the night Butterflies Saturday (18/08/2012) was the first time this year we saw butterflies in the garden in any numbers we noted Large Whites Holly Blue Comma Meadow Brown and Peacock without really trying LOUTH OS 3486 C Byatt 17 Aug 2012 Magpie moth – 1 (seen for the first time in our garden). RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF 309 847 Silvia Fowler 13.08.12 1 Brimstone, 5 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Peacock, 2 Small White, 1 Red Admiral 15.08.12 17 Swallows on power lines 4 Buzzards 2 Tawny Owls 16.08.12 2 small bats (pipistrelles?) – same as in previous years 17.08.12 Squirrel, young Rabbit still making himself at home in garden, Mole 21.08.12 12 Peacock butterflies on buddleia (all in pristine condition) Another Housemartin nest has come down (owl attack?), but only used for roosting now 24.08.12 2 Gatekeeper 1 Small Copper (a first for my garden) WAINFLEET CONSERVATION PONDS 18/08/2012 Roy and Kath Pearson Water Voles (2) - first record for site. WAINFLEET CONSERVATION PONDS 18/08/2012 and 20/08/2012 Roy and Kath Pearson We have had two attempts recently at ringing a Swallow roost at the ponds and succeeded in catching 154 Swallows - 153 to ring and one already carrying a ring. Of these only 6 were adults, the remainder, of course, being birds fledged this summer. This is not too dissimilar to last year. However the numbers of both Reed and Sedge Warblers are approximately half those of last year. WHISBY WHISBY NATURE PARK 16/8/12 John Farmer Black Tern from second hide on Grebe Lake Magpie Moth on path near hide. WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 21/8/2012 Marsh harrier hunting in area 2 tawny owls in garden, one complaining at the cat. 4 swallow checks - 2nd brood - have fledged and are beam hopping in old wash-house. 23/8 Pyrausta purpuralis 5 on Marjoram. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 17/08/2012 Black-tailed Godwit 33 Black Tern 1 Greenshank 1 Ruff 3 Spoonbill 5 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 17th August 2012. John Walker, Roger Briggs, Steve Hall, Cliff Morrison, Peter & Janet Roworth Day time temperatures have been warm during the week rising to 25.0°C on the 16th. This caused a flurry of butterflies, albeit in small numbers, with the second broods appearing for some species. Those seen included ringlet, peacock, red admiral, small skipper, common blue, wall brown, meadow brown, hedge brown and various whites. Small tortoiseshells remain very scarce with one being seen around Sea View on 16th, and a single comma was there on the 17th. A couple of southern hawkers were on the wing around Brickyard early in the week and common darters in small numbers between Sea View and Rimac. A high tide count of birds near Brickyard on the 16th included 94 Oystercatcher flying south in 4 groups and 7 on the beach, Knot 11 and Turnstone 1 both flying south, Sanderling 7, Whimbrel 4, Common tern 50+ and Sandwich Tern 70+ feeding out over the sea, single Arctic and Black Terns and a flock of 40+ Common Scoter. A Pied Flycatcher appeared in a garden near Brickyard on the 11th and a Spotted Flycatcher near Sea View on the 13th. Other bird sightings of note have included Marsh Harrier 1, Hobby 1, Turtle Dove 1 (no territorial calling for the first time in months), Swifts (9 on the 16th) and Wheatear 1. The water mint is now coming into flower on the freshwater marsh which gives this area its characteristic smell. Over 200 flowering spikes of greater water-parsnip have been counted in this area. RSPB WASH Reserves - Frampton Marsh and Freiston Shore Reports for July 2012 John Badley Recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Assisted by Grahame Hopwood and Colin Jennings RSPB Frampton Marsh The highlight was a White-rumped Sandpiper (7th to at least 25th). Other passage waders included up to two Curlew Sandpipers, three Wood Sandpipers and Little Stint. A Roseate Tern was seen on one date (1st) and a moulting adult White-Winged Black Tern for just 20 minutes (25th) while the Black-necked Grebe was more obliging and remained throughout. Up to four Little Gulls were present (15th) and Mediterranean Gulls were seen occasionally. RSPB Freiston Shore No report Gibraltar Point NNR A female King Eider (1st) was a first for the site and assuming it to be the same as one seen in the Wash in April, just the second for Lincolnshire. Up to 1700 Sanderling (31st) was a great count as was a peak of 31 Little Gulls (1st). Other waders included up to four Little Ringed Plovers (7th) and 14 Whimbrel (29th). Grasshopper Warblers were seen/heard on two dates and a Redstart on one (21st), while a Redwing on the same date was much less expected. Other sites At RSPB Freiston Shore up to two Roseate Terns were present (1st to 3rd). Caspian Gulls were seen at Kirkby Pits on two dates (13th & 26th). Quail were in short supply this year with just two reported; at Baston-Langtoft Pits (28th) and at RAF Digby (30th). A Great White Egret was at Whisby Nature Park (22nd & 23rd) and an Osprey at Deeping Lakes (29th & 31st). A Ring-necked Parakeet at Wyberton was only present for one day (13th) as was a White-rumped Sandpiper at Kirkby Pits (14th). 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 17.08.12 BIRDS Max nos. avocet 2 blackbird 10 blackcap black headed gull 35 black tailed godwit 2 blue tit 8 Canada goose 6 carrion crow 5 chaffinch 7 chiffchaff collared dove 2 common gull 8 coot 55 cormorant 4 curlew dunnock 5 gadwall 6 goldfinch 3 GC grebe 4 GS woodpecker great tit 4 grey heron greylag goose 50 herring gull 3 house sparrow 10 kestrel kingfisher lapwing 4 little grebe long tailed tit 4 magpie 3 mallard 30+ marsh harrier F moorhen 6 mute swan 4 pheasant pochard 6 reed bunting 4 reed warbler 3 robin 3 sand martin 30+ sedge warbler 2 sparrowhawk M starling 7 swallow 50+ tawny owl tufted duck 26 water rail whitethroat 3 willow warbler 2 wood pigeon 10 wren 5 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. 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: A massive 200+ last week! Sorry. And sorry for any blocked thank-yous too. And finally: Healing wells by Mysterious Britain - note the helpful map! If URL is incomplete, please type in the missing letters. http://www.mysteriousbritain.co.uk/england/lincoln/ancient-sites/healing-wells-at-healing.html ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/