============================================ || || 23rd December 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 1090 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 *** To my chagrin I learned from several Bulletin readers that a flock of Waxwings has been busy along our road whilst we were away. Sighting details can be found below. There seems to be an exceptional influx this year. Waxwings are spectacular. Try to see some. See: http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/w/waxwing/index.aspx Readers may recall my message about lost e-mails in the last Bulletin. I now know why and can tell you that all lost material has now been located or re-sent. I'm still laughing at the story, which I shall now share with you. I check all my incoming e-mails on my "mailserver" and delete anything suspicious that I do not wish to download, spam, phishing etc. I did that and had started to copy incoming reports into this Bulletin. Usually I do this copying from "Outlook", but my usual pc was in for some servicing so I was using computer 2. Suddenly the inbox was empty! I could not understand how I had managed to delete 2 weeks worth of your e-mails. Quite a lot of them. Answer: my other pc had been switched on by its technical expert, who was busily upgrading my version of Outlook. All my e-mails disappeared because they were being down- loaded to my other pc - in Market Rasen! I found them waiting for me when I collected it on Monday. Naturally, I had been blaming myself. Well, you would, wouldn't you? I wish you all the very best for Christmas and the New Year. Hearty thanks are due to many regular contributors who keep the information flowing. Wonderful support. Please keep telling others about the Bulletin using the link at the end of your individual Bulletin. Thanks. Roger *** Next LNU Event - note correction *** For LNU meetings see www.lnu.org/events.php See section 11 for full programme. 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. ALL VERY WELCOME. NOTE ALTERATION TO DATE GIVEN PREVIOUSLY. 12th, NOT 19th. Saturday, January 12, 2013 The Marsh Moth Paul Waring will talk on his work on the Marsh Moth (Athetis palustris) in Lincolnshire, as well as other work around the county including Ancaster and the Bardney Limewoods. See: http://ukmoths.org.uk/show.php?bf=2392 *** Biodiversity Fellows - Field Studies Council *** Charlie Barnes sent in the following information: FSC Biodiversity Fellows taxonomic training courses. Next year at least 70 taxonomic training courses will be run on a range of difficult plant and animal groups and will be led by national and regional experts. Day courses will be free of charge to those biodiversity fellows who wish to attend whilst longer residential courses within the programme may be available at a discount of 50% of the published price. To qualify for these rates and to attend FSC biodiversity fellows courses participants must first register via the website and fill in the online form. http://www.field-studies-council.org/bio.fell The course list, which includes lichens, bryophytes, fungi, seaweeds, freshwater algae, charophytes, diptera, aculeate hymenoptera, arachnids, hemiptera, coleoptera, micro-lepidoptera and soil mesofauna such as earthworms, mites and springtails can also be found here. It is hoped that this network of biodiversity fellows made up of course participants, tutors, biological recorders, professional ecologists and site managers and others will help the FSC tackle some of the obvious problems with the provision of taxonomic training and resources in the future and be a strong and cohesive voice in championing these groups of taxa and their identification over time. Please become a biodiversity fellow with the FSC and support our work. Editor adds: You may be eligible for an LNU bursary towards the cost of residential courses - contact a member of the Executive Committee for further information. *** Seal News *** From all who visited the seals at Donna Nook this year, huge thanks to Rob Lidstone-Scott for his steady flow of information and the team of volunteer Seal Wardens at Donna Nook for their inexhaustible helpfulness and courtesy. For end of season seal news see: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/index.php Friday 8th November: Bulls 433. cows 427, pups 1018. Friday 30th November: Bulls 470, Cows 839, pups 1188 Friday 14th December: Bulls 204, cows 129, pups 677. Total pups born on the reserve this year now stands at 1523 (6% increase on last year) This story made BBC Look North on Thursday this week. See: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-20718785 *** Meteor Showers *** I managed to spot four decent Geminid meteors this year and hope to add some Ursids to this between 22nd - 24th December. The peak is the morning of the 23rd. [Cloud permitting.] The Quadrantids follow between 1st and 6th January 2013. This shower should peak on 3rd January. See: http://meteorshowersonline.com/ Paul Money has some 2013 Starnights coming up across the county. To find one near you, visit: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Home2.htm *** The British Myriapod & Isopod Group *** Imogen Wilde writes: The British Myriapod & Isopod Group (BMIG) will be having their Annual Field Meeting and AGM in Lincolnshire this year. The dates are Thursday 11th to Sunday 14th April 2013, and the group will be based at Scamblesby, Lincolnshire. Lincolnshire is relatively under-recorded for myriapods and isopods and this will be a good location for exploring under- worked areas, such as the Lincolnshire Wolds, the Limewoods, heaths near Market Rasen and Woodhall Spa and also coastal dunes. The AGM will be held on the evening of Friday 12 April. If you would like further information and a booking form for accommodation then please contact Imogen Wilde: imogen@imogenwilde.co.uk. All LNU members are very welcome, whether staying with the group in Scamblesby or making their own accommodation arrangements. *** Rural and Wildlife Crime *** Lincolnshire Police operate a network for rural areas in order to combat rural crime. This is known as Farm and Country Business watch. Join up and you will be kept up to date on a range of dodgy goings on. If you would like to support the Police Wildlife Crime officers and other rural crime-fighting initiatives, visit: http://lincs.police.uk/News-Centre/Campaigns/Farm-And-Country-Business-Watch/ *** EA Floodline *** The weather forecast looks rather wet at present. You also need to be aware of the risk of flooding from recent rain. We have just been placed on Flood Alert for the lower River Witham. The Environment Agency website gives information on flooding. You can register for the Floodline Warnings Direct service so you receive alerts and warnings. http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/default.aspx ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. 15/12 42 Waxwings flew south, Hen Harrier, probable Surf Scoter off Gibraltar Point. 20 Waxwings, Newton on Trent by A57 10 Waxwings, Knaith 23 Waxwings, Lincoln, Tentercroft St opposite Car Park. 15 Snow buntings. Cleethorpes Coast LNR 16/12 124 Waxwings flew south, Gibraltar Point 15 Waxwings, Knaith 20 Waxwings, 4 Lapland Buntings, 3 Short-eared Owls, Donna Nook 100 Waxwings west of Lincoln at Burton Waters 34 Waxwings west of Grimsby at Healing on Pine Walk 11 Waxwings, Toynton All Saints, south end of village 23 Waxwings, Lincoln, Tentercroft St opposite Car Park. Cetti's Warbler, Purple Sandpiper, m Hen Harrier Shorelark, Gibraltar Point 17/12 30+ Waxwings west of Lincoln at Burton Waters 22 Waxwings, Willingham By Stow 26 Waxwings, Gibraltar Point 10 Waxwings, Saltfleetby All Saints at Back Lane 27 Waxwings, Epworth, Forge Drive 30 Waxwings, Frampton Marsh 30+ Waxwings, Immingham, Woodlands Avenue 3 Waxwings, Saltfleetby St Peter, north side of Mar Dyke 13 Waxwings, North Somercotes Black Redstart, Covenham Reservoir 18/12 4 Waxwings, Boston between Redstone Estate and A52/A16 roundabout 4 Waxwings, Sleaford off London road, Nursery Court 30+ Waxwings, Newton on Trent 11 Waxwings, Conisholme 30+ Waxwings, Tetney Lock near Braybrook Farm 15+ Waxwings, Horncastle, Hemingby Lane 3 Waxwings, Cetti's Warbler, Gibraltar Point 279 Waxwings, Immingham, Clyfton Crescent 13 Waxwings, North Somercotes 20 Snow Buntings, Cleethorpes 2 Caspian Gulls, Gainsborough landfill site Hen Harrier, Willow Tree Fen, Deeping St Nicholas Black Redstart, Covenham Reservoir 19/12 c120 Waxwings SW of Lincoln at Witham St Hugh's opposite old camp entrance near mini roundabout 9 Waxwings flew south, Lapland Bunting flew south, 2 Snow Bunting m, Hen Harrier, Gibraltar Point 10 Waxwings, Freiston Shore 33 Waxwings, Barton-upon-Humber, by footbridge near Tesco 20/12 70+ Waxwings, Grimsby at B&Q opposite Halford's 21/12 Ring-necked Duck, Kirkby-on-Bain gravel pits 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. Stockdove Question Max Winslow asks: When I was a schoolboy (long ago) and did my natural historying in the North Lincs wolds one of the commonest birds was the Stock Dove. Nowadays I rarely see one or hear them in my local woods, albeit in Rutland or Cambridgeshire. None of my natural history friends seem to be concerned. I also notice in your bulletin they are only reported infrequently. Are they in decline or is it just me? *** 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 experts. Thanks. ANDERBY CREEK 15th Dec 2012 Anderby Creek Dave Miller Blackbird 3 Black-headed Gull 17 Blue Tit 4 Canada Goose 26 Crow 18 Common Gull 11 Dunnock 4 Fieldfare 1 Great Black-backed Gull 4 Greylag Goose 13 Lapwing 7 Linnet 1 Magpie 9 Mallard 2 Red-throated Diver 1 flying S Sanderling 9 Stock Dove 1 Woodpigeon 10 ANDERBY CREEK 21st Dec Anderby Creek Dave Miller Black-headed Gull 5 Blue Tit 5 Crow 7 Common Gull 2 Cormorant 1 Dunnock 1 Great Black-backed Gull 6 Herring gull 11 Kittiwake 1 Little Egret 1 Long-tailed Tit 4 Magpie 5 Mallard 4 Oystercatcher 1 flying N Reed Bunting 2 Sanderling 6 Wigeon 19 flying N Woodpigeon 50 Grey Seal 1 BARDNEY GARDEN Mary and Phil Porter 12.12.12 A flock of approx. 20 waxwings at the top of a sycamore tree just outside the house. Quite late in the day. Didn't stay long. Tawny owls calling at night, sounded like two males. BASSINGHAM SK904598 Robert Walker 16/12/12 PIED WAGTAILS 4 Seen on the gravel filtration beds at the sewage works, riding around on the water spray booms, then picking insects off the gravel surface. Video clip taken. CAISTOR Wendy Handford Reports from contributors to Caistor records 3 Weeks beginning 23.11.12 Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 Fox, adult male, crossing meadow Adult rabbits(2) in wildflower meadow Buzzard mobbed by 2 Rooks Fieldfare on fallen apples Great spotted woodpecker(2) on orchard tree trunks Jackdaws(2) on birdfeeder Jay under birdfeeder Kestrel hovering over meadow Long-tailed tits(4) in silver birch Redwing(4) feeding on Hawthorn berries Redwing(12) working across lawn Siskins(20) feeding in Alder Yellowhammer, female, under feeder Fungi Common bonnet on conifer stump Velvet shank on dead Ash Hundon Farm TA 113 022 Brown hare Tawny owl Tree creeper Brigg Road garden TA 114 022 Red-legged partridges (6) under birdfeeder Mill Lane TA 119 012 Sexton beetle Necrophorus CARLTON LE MOORLAND SK 909 2581 16th December 2012, 15.00 Waxwings Looked through lounge window and saw a small flock of 15-20 Starlings fly over the garden: when one landed in the top of a cherry tree I could see that it was a Waxwing, so I presume that the other "Starlings" were too. I thought they must be after the remaining pyracantha berries, but by the time I had fetched my binoculars they were nowhere to be seen. This was the first occasion that I have seen Waxwings here in 35 years! CHAPEL PIT Chapel Pit TF558740 Dave Miller 13th Dec Blackbird 7 Black-headed Gull 11 Blue Tit 8 Canada Goose 2 Carrion Crow 1 Chiffchaff 3 Common Gull 3 Coot 6 (including 4 juvs!) Dunnock 1 Gadwall 2 Goldcrest 3 Goldfinch 1 flying over Great tit 8 LBB Gull 1 flying over Magpie 2 Mallard 21 Moorhen 1 Tufted Duck 6 Waxwing 2 flying over Woodpigeon 10 Wren 2 CHAPEL 6 MARSHES 15th Dec 2012 Chapel 6 Marshes Dave Miller Black-headed Gull 3 Blue Tit 2 Crow 3 Common Gull 4 Dunnock 3 Goldfinch 9 feeding on teasel Goosander 2 Great Tit 1 Herring Gull 3 Mallard 1 male Moorhen 1 Stock Dove 1 Wren 1 DEEPING LAKES Venue: Deeping Lakes LWT Reserve - TF187083 Observer: Ian Gordon Date: 07/12/12 Time: 0900 – 1045 Weather: Sunny periods, very cold and breezy. Birds: Black-headed Gull Blue Tit Brent Goose Buzzard Canada Goose Carrion Crow Chaffinch Coot Fieldfare (200+ in groups) Cormorant Gadwall Goldeneye Goldfinch Golden Plover Great Crested Grebe Great Tit Green Woodpecker Greylag Goose Grey Heron Herring Gull Long-tailed Tit Magpie Mallard Moorhen Mute Swan Pied Wagtail Rook (large numbers of mixed Corvids on stubble field close to entrance) Pochard Redwing Red Kite Robin Shoveler Teal Tufted Duck Wigeon Wood Pigeon Others: Grey Squirrel (6) DUNHOLME Phil Busby 12:30 18th December Waxwing - 48+ Number counted on photograph of neighbours tree while flock had settled probably after Cotoneaster berries. More Waxwings nearby. DUNHOLME Phil Busby 09:15 19th December Waxwing - 40+ Probably same flock as yesterday (18th) returned for more berries. FILLINGHAM Fillingham Castle SK968855 Peter Morrell 28.11.12 Two Egyptian geese seen feeding close to the waters edge in a flooded field next to the A15 south of Fillingham Castle gatehouse. HADDINGTON SK908627 Robert Walker 16/12/12 LAPWINGS 100+ Circling, on the wing over arable fields HADDINGTON SK908626 Robert Walker 16/12/12 KESTREL 1 On power line near road HADDINGTON Robert Walker 16/12/12 SK912627 LINNET 2 (female) On tree branches HOLBEACH RANGE. NW END. R & K Heath 16/12/12 While doing our WeBs count we also had: Barn owl 1 hunting over the saltmarsh Peregrine 1 sat on a post until it went to flush the waders for us! Pinkfeet 46 on field Shorteared Owl 1 Stonechats a pair. Good wader numbers. A Merlin on the way home, just inland. HORNCASTLE TF261691 Robert Walker 13/12/12 LONG TAILED TITS 6 Seen on peanut feeder in my rear garden along with the usual Blue, Great and a single Coal Tit. HUTTOFT TF512 763 (my garden) JANE PENNINGTON Date: 27/11 Sparrowhawk 1 Greater spotted woodpecker 1 Thrush 2 Date: 29/11 Waxwings 15 (in hawthorn bushes) Chaffinch 1 Great tit 1 Date: 30/11 Greater spotted woodpecker 1 Long tailed tits 4 Then I had: Date 6/12 Rat 1 (a real surprise: eating breadcrumbs for the birds that I put on a ground level table) Date 7/12 Jay 1 Pheasant male 1 Date 9/12 Pheasant female 1 Date 10/12 Waxwings 8 13/12 Starlings 4 Two female blackbirds have been having quite vicious fights this week on each other's backs, which I have never seen before. I keep expecting to find a dead one in the garden. Is this common, do you know? HUTTOFT TF512 763 (my garden) JANE PENNINGTON Date: 18/12 Toad 1 (hibernating under cut grass but only disturbed for about 2 seconds) Jay 1 20/12 (presumably looking for his acorns) HUTTOFT TF512 763 (my garden) JANE PENNINGTON Date: 18/12 Sparrowhawk 1 The garden was very quiet and I knew why when I saw this beautiful bird in the old apple tree. HUTTOFT 21st Dec 2012 Huttoft Marsh Dave Miller Black-headed Gull 40 Crow 5 Common Gull 20 Herring Gull 11 Magpie 4 Pink-footed Goose 3 Stock Dove 2 RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF 309 847 Silvia Fowler 25.11.12 In response to Jeremy Hutchinson's observation (24.11.12): I had been wondering myself during the last couple of weeks, why some of my birdfood remained uneaten. I could see jackdaws, rooks, pheasants and pigeons in the surrounding fields and meadows, so I concluded that there was still plenty of natural food around, including berries. Indeed, I saw a few chaffinches feasting on yew berries. I've also been surprised at the absence of grey squirrels, whereas the rabbit is back. 15.12.12 The recent cold spell, however, changed all that and I had the usual crowd feeding in my garden with additional blackbirds, robins, numerous chaffinches, a song thrush and a pair of stockdoves. Also 2 magpies have been much in evidence and the sparrowhawk did not miss out. Squirrels and 2 rabbits have put in appearances, too. Winter's here! SEACROFT MARSH 17th Dec Seacroft Marsh SSSI Dave Miller Blackbird 6 Black-headed Gull 12 Crow 8 Common Gull 3 Cormorant 1 Curlew 2 Dunnock 6 Fieldfare 9 Great Black-backed Gull 16 Great Crested Grebe 1 Flying S Great Tit 2 Herring Gull 54 Linnet 8 Magpie 5 Pheasant 1 Redshank 6 Redwing 8 Reed Bunting 13 Rock Pipit 7 Sanderling 13 Skylark 3 Starling 4 flying S Wigeon 70 flying SE Wren 4 Grey Seal 1 STICKFORD TF357602 Garry Steele 10 December 2012 Dunnock - 1, somewhat ahead of time, in repeated full song in my garden over the last two days WAINFLEET Dave Miller 21st Dec 2012 Wainfleet Flats Black-headed Gull 7 Brent Goose 90 Curlew 9 Lapwing 30 Redshank 8 Rock Pipit 3 Shelduck 30 Skylark 28 WILLOUGHTON Willoughton SK931931 Peter Morrell 05.12.12 While in the loft getting down the Christmas decorations from the loft I noticed a starling or two have been roosting on the overflow pipe from my central heating header tank which runs to the eaves (they had nested in the loft space during spring). A line of the usual droppings was below the pipe on top of the insulation, but also there were a number of straw coloured pellets/castings, up to 15mm in length and about 8mm wide. They looked to be made of husks and bits of straw/grass but the odd small snail was mixed in as well. Do starlings regularly produce these? I don't think I have come across this before. 09.12.12 Young hedgehog foraging on the lawn at 22.30, temperature about 7 degrees. Readily ate cat food when it was offered. 10.12.12 Hemswell SK933910 Peter Morrell Hedgehog road kill on B1398 close to Hemswell village. The warm spell obviously brought out other hedgehogs looking for food. Unfortunately this one did not make it back. 13.12.12 A15 Riseholme College SK974760 Peter Morrell Barn owl hunting along verges of A15 22.30 hrs WAINFLEET CONSERVATION PONDS First half of December 2012 Roy and Kath Pearson The Ponds are very quiet at the moment with few ducks present and no roosting birds other than a few Reed Buntings. The occasional Water Rail can be heard in the reed beds and Woodcock have been recorded in the ditches surrounding the ponds where hedgerows give cover. The hedges have proved productive for Blackbirds and a few Fieldfares, though most berries have now disappeared and numbers of these birds are falling. A small party of Long-tailed Tits put in an unusual appearance on the 2nd and a Merlin gave a brief moment of excitement on the 11th - a first for the site. Its quarry (unidentified) managed to escape it by diving into the reeds. A Barn Owl hunts over the pits most days. Water levels are now the highest we have recorded leading to flooded ground which held 2 Snipe on 15th. and revealing leaks in my long disused thigh boots. RIVER WELLAND River Welland, Spalding tidal beyond Roman Bank lock gates 16th December 2012 K J Seaton 6 Goosander, 3 male, 3 female WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 14/12/2012 2 little egrets at TF 228552 – 11am. 20/12/2012 Fox 22.15hrs probably "worming" near flooded land at TF 218535. WILLOW TREE FEN Willow Tree Fen Grid Ref: T181213 Date: 18/12/2012 Time: 0915 – 1130 Weather: Sunny, cool, light winds Observer: Ian Gordon Birds: Blackbird Carrion Crow Chaffinch Coot Fieldfare Gadwall Great Tit Hen Harrier Kestrel Magpie Mallard Mute Swan Pheasant Pochard Redwing Robin Rook Shoveler Starling Teal Wood Pigeon WOLLA BANK 17th Dec Wolla Bank Pits Dave Miller Crow 3 Dunnock 2 Herring Gull 1 Magpie 1 Reed Bunting 3 Woodcock 1 Woodpigeon 8 WOLLA BANK 19th Dec Wolla Bank Reedbed Dave Miller Black-headed Gull 1 Dunnock 1 Little Egret 1 Mallard 9 Wren 1 WOODHALL SPA TF193642 Robert Walker 2/12/12 WAXWINGS 11 Seen on oak tree branches preening in full sunshine - video clip taken. WRANGLE COMMON First half of December 2012 Roy and Kath Pearson Again, things are very quiet. The hedgerow hawthorns have been largely stripped of berries now and the month's count for the Winter Thrush Survey on 15th revealed only singles of Fieldfare and Redwing and several Blackbirds, which have now taken to feeding on rosehips and ivy berries. Raptors have been absent save for the occasional Buzzard. A few Curlew have been recorded, but there is an absence of Snipe despite large areas of wet and now unfrozen ground. Mixed flocks of Blue and Great Tits are combing the trees for food, occasionally joined by Long-tailed Tits, whose presence encourages a few Goldcrests to join the flocks. Mallard numbers have increased now the watercourses are unfrozen but no Teal are present at the moment. The family party of eight Mute Swans is now showing signs of breaking- up, with the male increasingly taking exception to the presence of the young, but the increased wetland is offering them a wider range of feeding places. An unusually large flock of Chaffinches, some thirty in total, flew off some seeded land and worked along a nearby hedgerow, attracting the attentions of a male Sparrowhawk, which also caused consternation among the local Blackbirds. We are recording the occasional Woodcock, though most of the ditches are now too full of water to permit them to lie-up during the day. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/nr/reserve.php?mapref=22 Katherine Bocock No report yet. SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE DUNES 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: 14th December 2012. John Walker, Roger Briggs, Steve Hall, Cliff Morrison, Peter & Janet Roworth. During the last 14 days there have been 11 ground frosts (-8.25°C on the 6th) and 11 air frosts (-5.5°C on 13th). Day time max. reached 9.5°C on the 9th but on the bitterly cold 12th it only made 1.0°C! Recent bird sightings of interest have included Waxwing – up to 8 seen around Sea View and 13 around Brickyard, Wigeon c300+ on Rimac lagoon, Yellowhammer 2 feeding on the tide line near Crook Bank on the 4th, Twite 132 with 4 Snow Buntings feeding amongst Salicorinia near Churchill on the 11th. Several small flocks of Lapwing and larger numbers of Curlew (100+) have been flying over the dunes between the grazing marshes and the salt marsh. An imm Goldeneye was on the Sea View washlands on 29th November. On 11th December a Little Egret flew off the saltmarsh bearing above the knee a red colour ring on the left and yellow on the right, with no visible digits. Raptors hunting over the dunes and saltmarsh have been single Peregrine, Merlin and Short-eared Owl and there are up to 4 Hen Harriers in the locality. In earlier reports mention was made of the hunting antics of Merlin and Sparrow Hawk. A male Hen Harrier was observed flying over the salt marsh on the 29th November. It was late afternoon, good light with a brisk south westerly and the bird was flying low, following the line of one of the creeks. Although Meadow Pipits were around and being disturbed, no attempt was made to catch anything. The Harrier continued towards Churchill where the saltmarsh ends but then it turned around and flew back over the area following the same route. But now the behaviour was different; it was obviously in 'hunting mode'. Wing beats were slower and actions controlled as it tried to flush out an unsuspecting prey item. When it sensed an opportunity the bird suddenly increased its wing beats and flipped around 180° to drop to ground level at a pipit, but it had missed. This behaviour was repeated but it was an unsuccessful foray. The original flight seemed almost to be a receé and the return was the hunt, and it was interesting to compare with the energetic chase by the Merlin and purposeful fly-through by the Sparrowhawk. Week ending 21st December 2012. John Walker, Roger Briggs, Steve Hall, Cliff Morrison, Peter & Janet Roworth From keen ground frosts last week to heavy rainfall with 30.1mm recorded at the NNR base during the past couple of days. The flooded Sea View washland has attracted small numbers of Teal 32, Wigeon 46, Canada geese 84, Curlew 38 and Lapwing 18. Again we seem to have escaped the worst of the rainfall but not on the Lower Derwent Valley NNR south of York. Craig Ralston, the Senior Reserve Manger said it had been a terrible year for flooding, in fact there had been a flood every month see their blog site http://ldvnnr.blogspot.co.uk/ Up to 13 Little Egrets have been feeding on the saltmarsh and surrounding grassland. The coloured ringed bird seen last week was observed again and 'scoped which gave C red // L yellow and it was ringed near North Somercotes on 13th May 2012. Interesting counts from the recent WeBS included Curlew 347, Grey Plover 27, Shelduck 44, Dunlin 310, Sanderling 78, Twite 132 and Skylark 61. There have been short bursts of sub-song from Wren, Great Tit, Blue Tit and Robin. RSPB WASH Reserves - Frampton Marsh and Freiston Shore Reports for November 2012 John Badley Recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Assisted by Grahame Hopwood and Colin Jennings RSPB Frampton Marsh Gibraltar Point NNR Other sites John Badley Recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Assisted by Colin Jennings ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. News from Far Ings NNR http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/nr/reserve.php?mapref=67 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Far Ings News W/E 30.11.12 BIRDS Max nos. blackbird 16 black-headed gull 40+ black-tailed godwit 3 blue tit 6 bullfinch 3 carrion crow 3 Cetti's warbler chaffinch 8 collared dove 2 common gull 17 coot 106 cormorant 8 curlew 38 dunnock 5 ferruginous duck fieldfare 110 gadwall 21 goldeneye 4 golden plover 40 goldcrest 5 goldfinch 2 GBB gull 2 GC grebe 4 GS woodpecker great tit 6 greenfinch 5 grey heron greylag goose 43 herring gull 6 house sparrow 20 kestrel kingfisher lapwing 25 little grebe 2 long-tailed tit 13 magpie 10 mallard 32 moorhen 3 mute swan 5 pheasant 2 pied wagtail 2 pochard 11 red-crested pochard F redshank 5 redwing 28 reed bunting 4 robin 5 shelduck 4 shoveler 17 smew M song thrush sparrowhawk starling 5000+ tawny owl teal 23 tufted duck 42 water rail 3 wigeon 60 willow tit 2 wood pigeon 180 wren 10 W/E 07.12.12 BIRDS Max nos. bar-tailed godwit 13 bittern blackbird 22 black-headed gull 100+ blue tit 6 bullfinch carrion crow 4 chaffinch 6 collared dove 2 common gull 110 coot 93 cormorant 6 curlew 2 dunnock 3 fieldfare 1500+ gadwall 28 goldeneye 2 golden plover 4 goldcrest goldfinch 12 GBB gull 2 GC grebe 4 great tit 6 greenfinch 5 grey heron greylag goose 120 herring gull 4 house sparrow 20 kestrel kingfisher lapwing 120 LBB gull 5 little grebe long-tailed tit 6 magpie 7 mallard 17 marsh harrier M moorhen 3 mute swan 4 pheasant 2 pied wagtail 2 pochard 6 red-crested pochard F redshank 12 redwing 200+ reed bunting 2 robin 6 shelduck 4 shoveler 2 sparrowhawk starling 5000+ tawny owl teal 18 tufted duck 29 water rail 2 waxwing 8 wigeon 26 willow tit 2 wood pigeon 18 wren 7 W/E 14.12.12 BIRDS Max nos. bar-tailed godwit 4 bittern 4 (Ness Pit 13th) blackbird 30+ black-headed gull 40 blue tit 5 carrion crow 2 chaffinch 6 collared dove 2 common gull 20 coot 120 cormorant 4 curlew 3 dunnock 3 fieldfare 2000+ (weekend 8th & 9th) gadwall 12 goldeneye 2 goldcrest goldfinch 2 GC grebe 3 great tit 6 grey heron greylag goose 100 herring gull 3 house sparrow 15 kestrel kingfisher lapwing 33 LBB gull 3 little grebe long-tailed tit 4 magpie 3 mallard 24 marsh harrier M moorhen 3 mute swan 4 pheasant 2 pochard 4 red-crested pochard F redshank 12 redwing 200+ reed bunting 2 robin 6 shoveler 4 sparrowhawk 4 starling 5000+ tawny owl teal 3 tufted duck 30 water rail 2 waxwing 14 wigeon 14 willow tit 2 wood pigeon 10 wren 7 W/E 21.12.12 BIRDS Max nos. bittern 2 blackbird 30+ black-headed gull 30 blue tit 5 carrion crow 6 chaffinch 6 collared dove 2 common gull 12 coot 90 cormorant 2 curlew 3 dunnock 3 fieldfare 45 gadwall 6 goldeneye 4 goldcrest goldeneye 3 goldfinch 6 GC grebe 2 great tit 6 grey heron greylag goose 80 herring gull 3 house sparrow 24 kestrel kingfisher lapwing 23 LBB gull little grebe long-tailed tit 10 magpie 3 mallard 22 marsh harrier M moorhen 4 mute swan 4 pheasant 2 pochard 2 red-crested pochard F redshank 12 redwing 50 reed bunting 6 robin 6 shoveler 6 smew M sparrowhawk 2 starling 2000+ tawny owl teal 8 tufted duck 15 water rail 2 wigeon 6 willow tit 2 wood pigeon 100+ 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/ Colin Green has produced the following video about visiting Southrey Wood. Well worth a look. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1SpBvd9Ib0 Reports always welcome. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 http://lnu.org/publications.php ian@macalpine-leny.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 *** Spiders *** Imogen Wilde writes: I have recently agreed to take on the roles of Regional Co- ordinator (RC) and Mentor for Lincolnshire for the British Arachnological Society (BAS). I will be organising a few field meetings to hunt for spiders and other arachnids in due course, but if any LNU members wish to get in touch in the meantime then please contact me on my e-mail address: Imogen@imogenwilde.co.uk *** 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/ *** OTTERS *** Readers are reminded that all dead Otters should be reported to the Environment Agency on 0800 807060. *** Hedgehog Survey *** Not yet sure if this will extend to the current autumn/winter. 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/ *** Met Office E-mail 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/about-us/guide-to-emails *** 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: http://www.lnu.org/ www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk *** Other Useful Websites *** Key links are now being posted on the LNU website. http://www.lnu.org/ This should save space in the Bulletin, Suggestions for other useful Websites are welcome. Natural England http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ Still includes SSSI Information and "Nature on the Map" Lincolnshire Environmental Awards http://www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk/ Lincs. Wildlife Trust Website http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/ Useful emergency numbers for wildlife crises. http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/factsheets/ Lincs Environmental Records Centre Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership (of which LERC is a part) Contact: Charlie Barnes, charlie.barnes@glnp.org.uk or for more general queries: info@glnp.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 http://www.lincsmarshes.org.uk/ Tornado and Storm Research Organisation http://www.lnu.org/ 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: http://www.lnu.org/ www.rspb.org.uk www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore http://www.lnu.org/ www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh John Badley, Site Manager for RSPB Lincolnshire Wash reserves e-mail: john.badley@rspb.org.uk Lincoln RSPB http://www.lincolnrsp.org.uk./ Bardney Limewoods http://www.lnu.org/ 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. http://www.lnu.org/ 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: http://www.lnu.org/ 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 videos by Colin Green. Little Scrubbs Meadon http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inqCJLrTQmg&feature=relmfu Greetwell Hollow http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QmzLFrbjFU&feature=plcp Rimac http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s02O5JJoilQ&feature=plcp *** 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. Indoor meetings: Saturday, January 12, 2013 NOTE ALTERATION TO DATE GIVEN PREVIOUSLY. 12th, NOT 19th. The Marsh Moth Paul Waring will talk on his work on the Marsh Moth (Athetis palustris) in Lincolnshire, as well as other work around the county including Ancaster and the Bardney Limewoods. Saturday, February 16, 2013 Recorders' Meeting & Annual Exhibition Note - watch for details of early start to give us all additional talking-time. Saturday, March 09, 2013 AGM & Presidential Address by Roger Parsons Subject: The Ecology of Pollination and Pollinators ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 Enterprise mailfails: Mostly due to bad reputation of "3" IP address? Mainly affects my thankyous/replies to e-mails. If I have not replied or said thank you - I did - but my reply was blocked! This issue should not affect the Mailchimp mailing. If you are having difficulties with spam folders etc. please make sure you "Whitelist" my address as given in the Bulletin. *** And Finally ... Oiseau intelligent utilise l'appât pour pecher http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COfX0FdhGeU Foxes Jumping on my Trampoline http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8xJtH6UcQY Magic mushrooms & Reindeer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4AEONifci4 ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/ Note: the links below allow you to unsubscribe, send a copy of the Bulletin to a friend or modify your profile/change your e-mail address. N.B. Each reader sees only their own address.