=========================================== || || 19th February 2012 || || LNU Website: http://www.lnu.org/ || || News of Lincolnshire Wildlife || ============================================ In this issue..... 1. Readers hints, tips and requests 2. Wildlife Highlights 3. Wildlife reports from around the county 4. News from the Lincolnshire Coast NNRs 5. News from Far Ings NNR 6. News from Bardney Limewoods NNR 7. Sending in Reports - contributors please read! 8. Contact information 9. Notes about these wildlife reports 10. Bulletin publicity policy 11. Events Diary 12. ...and finally..... ============================================ The Lincolnshire Naturalists Union Bulletin is being read by 1065 people and we are keen to encourage even more readers to subscribe. LNU Wildnews Bulletins are 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 *** Fieldfares and blackbirds continued to flock to the orchard during the cold snap and the apples we put into storage have been a welcome treat for them. Flocks estimated at 200 birds were noted. Now it is down to about 50 individuals. With the back roads almost impassable, I walked a couple of snowy miles to the out apiary to check the hives. A winter danger is that hive entrances may become blocked by ice, snow or dead bees. It is a simple job to check each entrance and clear it if necessary, a lifesaving kindness for the bees. In the freezing fog I felt wonderfully isolated, even though I was only a mile or so from other humans. There was little sign of wildlife other than a few brown hares. No interesting tracks or sounds - all very still. Not a bee was to be seen as I checked the hives - which of course could be a good or bad thing! I shall visit again now that it is warmer to see if there is any action and heft each hive to assess the remaining stores. Regarding e-mails: I am on a 3G pay-as-you-go arrangement so I really appreciate economical e-mails. It would be helpful if, wherever possible, you do not re-mail the Bulletin to me when replying. Instead, please use Edit, Select All and Delete before you type your reply. It makes the difference between 3K and 34K! Thanks. There are some cracking training and survey opportunities in the Bulletin this week, Botany, Farmland Birds, Water voles and Otters - also calls for information on Hedgehogs, Mistletoe and Adders. There should be something here to interest everyone. Please don't forget to renew your LNU membership if you have not already done so. New members are always very welcome too. There is an excellent programme of Field Meeting listed below, have a look. Roger *** Next LNU Event *** For LNU meetings also 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. Saturday, March 10, 2012 AGM & Presidential Address Barrie Wilkinson's eagerly awaited Presidential Address. 2012 Field Meetings are listed in 11 below and are now up on the LNU Website. A very interesting-looking programme. http://www.lnu.org/events.php *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT Far Ings visit *** Carolyn Lovely writes: On Saturday 25th February 2012 we invite you to join us on a visit to Far Ings National Nature Reserve at Barton, for a guided walk led by the warden Lionel Grooby. Please meet at the Visitors Centre at 1pm. Please wear suitable clothes and footwear. This is a free event but donations will be taken for the Trust. All are welcome to join us. For further details please contact Jennie Redpath 01472 502858. *** LINCOLNSHIRE BIRD CLUB - Annual General Meeting *** Andrew Chick writes: Tuesday 20th March 2012 at The Admiral Rodney Hotel, Horncastle at 7.30pm Professor Ian Newton, Chair of the British Trust for Ornithology will be talking on Bird Migration. "Ian Newton is one of the most prolific ornithologists of the last 40 years and his fifth book The Migration Ecology of Birds deservedly won the BB/BTO Best Bird Book of the Year in 2008 (not the first time one of his books has been awarded that accolade)....." The talk is FREE to everyone and will be followed by the Annual General Meeting (members only). Andrew tells me Prof. Newton is a speaker not to be missed! *** Reminder - Hedgehog Survey *** Pat Morris is requesting help with a survey of dates of hedgehog emergence from hibernation. See: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-16597723 If willing to help, please register with the project on http://www.hedgehogstreet.org/pages/hibernation-survey.html *** More Mistletoe Records *** Pete Haywood writes: Female blackcap feeding on mistletoe berries in my garden. Lots of mistletoe berries in hough on the hill. Patch in Branston on main road nr hotel, Washingborough nr village hall on poplar. Mistletoe record Pauline Warman 15/02/2012 Langtoft TF125124 One clump seen from car on unidentified tree I am fairly sure there was much more in previous years. (then seen from the top of the bus) *** Grow-you-own Mistletoe *** Paul Kirby has kindly sent me an interesting link about this. http://www.mistle.co.uk/ Garry Steele adds: In connection with my piece re: establishing mistletoe in my own garden and your request for advice on establishing this species, In terms of getting it established, all we did was squash together several berries and pressed the resultant sticky mess into bark fissures of the trees in my garden. Possibly what was also critical was the timing - I seem to think we purposely did this in early January to coincide with when the berries were at their ripest and presumably at their most viable and at the time when Mistle Thrushes would be most attracted to them. I have read somewhere on this same subject that in times of old people thought that you could only established mistletoe using seeds that had passed through a Mistle Thrush first! But obviously my own success has seemingly proved this to be a fallacy! I have also subsequently read during the course of my researches how someone has speculated that the slowly increasing number of over-wintering Blackcaps in this country (which summer in central Europe but now migrate west to GB rather than heading southwards) may be an another bird species likely to cause the spread of mistletoe as, although essentially an insectivorous species, it is the switch to berries in late autumn and continuing through into winter that helps enable Blackcaps to survive the British winters, although I guess they might be struggling today! *** Botanical Survey dates for Crowle Moor *** Matthew Blissett writes: The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust will be running a number of botanical survey events at Crowle Moor NNR over the summer. The data will be used as part of the botanical survey work being conducted over the whole of the Thorne Moors complex by Ian McDonald and the Thorne and Hatfield Conservation Forum. The dates are confirmed as: April 7th, May 12th, June 9th and July 7th. For further details contact: Matthew Blissett North West Lincolnshire Warden 07717 660226 nwlincs@lincstrust.co.uk Matthew adds: Re: the Adder Surveys, we already have enough volunteers but any sightings of adders for Scotton Common or Laughton Forest would be much appreciated. Work here along with the Forestry Commission is looking into the declining populations of adder which appears to be the national trend. *** Request for Help: Farmland Bird research *** Henrietta Pringle writes: I am a PhD student at Imperial College London, embarking on my second year of research examining the impacts of biomass crops on farmland birds. Although research indicates that Miscanthus and SRC Willow appear to be generally beneficial for birds, I am particularly interested in how ground-nesting birds are affected. The project, in conjunction with the Game and Wildlife Trust, aims to investigate this by determining the breeding success of skylark and lapwing in biomass crops in comparison with those nesting in traditional arable crops. Having completed my first field season, selecting appropriate sites in Lincolnshire and collecting preliminary data, I am keen to maximise my chances of obtaining good sample sizes this year, and therefore wondered if any of your readers might be interested in volunteering their time to the project? This would involve assisting me in searching for skylark and lapwing nests across a range of sites. Ideally I would be looking for people who could make a regular commitment over the peak field season of late March to June, but any time would be greatly appreciated, with a minimum of 2-3 hours per session. Not only would volunteers be working in close proximity to these species and their normally unobserved nests, but they would also be actively contributing to a vital area of research during this time of rapid biomass expansion. Training would be given, and any help would be acknowledged in the final thesis and any papers that result from the project. If anyone would like any more information, please contact me at henrietta.pringle09@imperial.ac.uk *** Lincolnshire Environmental Awards 2012 *** February is a good time to start thinking of projects for the annual Lincolnshire Environmental Awards. Many Bulletin readers have been winners or runners-up over the years and the scheme is a very good thing and deserves our support. The deadline for submissions this year is 30th April 2012. The following website will remind you of what is involved. http://www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk/ *** Water vole and otter workshops in the Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes *** Elizabeth Biott writes: Introduction to water voles and otters Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve, near Skegness Sunday 11 March 2012 (9.30am - 12.30pm) A half day workshop providing the opportunity for enthusiastic beginners in the Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes area to learn about water voles and otters and how to identify and spot the signs of these species when out and about in the countryside. The workshop will explain the importance of the Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes for these species and how participants can help to build up a picture of where these species are in the grazing marshes area. For information on the Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes Project visit www.lincsmarshes.org.uk The workshop will be led by Chris Manning, Mammal Recorder for Lincolnshire, and will include indoor presentations and an outdoor walk to look for signs of water vole and otter. Tea and coffee will be provided. There is no charge for this workshop but places are limited and must be booked in advance by calling the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Headquarters on 01507 526667. Further information will be provided after bookings have been made. Surveying for water voles and otters Lindsey Marsh Drainage Board, Manby Sunday 25 March 2012 (9.30am – 4.00pm) The aim of this full day workshop is to train interested landowners and residents in the Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes area in survey methods for water voles and otters so that waterways within the area can be searched and monitored. The workshop will be led by Chris Manning, Mammal Recorder for Lincolnshire, and is aimed at beginners. It will start with presentations on water vole and otter ecology, identification and survey methods and will be followed by a site visit to practice survey skills. This workshop will provide all the information needed to become a water vole and otter surveyor so that attendees can contribute to a programme of surveys which will help monitor these species in the grazing marshes area. For information on the Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes Project visit www.lincsmarshes.org.uk Lunch and refreshments will be provided. There is no charge for this workshop but places are limited and must be booked in advance by calling the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Headquarters on 01507 526667. Please book by 16 March 2012 for catering purposes. Further information will be provided after bookings have been made. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. 11/2 Short-eared Owl, Moulton Marsh White Stork, Kirkby on Bain landfill site 11 Tundra Bean Geese, 9 Bewick's Swans, Wroot 60+ Snow Buntings Cleethorpes Coast LNR 12/2 White Stork, Sanderling, Kirkby on Bain landfill site 11 Tundra Bean Geese, Wroot 18 Bewick's Swans with Mute Swans, Frampton Marsh Waxwing west of Grimsby, Great Coots Road on Aylesbury Road near Albatross Drive Possible Kumlien's Gull, 2 Scaup, Frampton Marsh Smew redhead, Huttoft Pit 3 Smew redheads, Freiston Shore 13/2 11 Tundra Bean Geese, Wroot White Stork, Kirkby on Bain landfill site Possible Kumlien's Gull, Frampton Marsh Caspian Gull, North Hykeham, Butterley's Pit Great Grey Shrike, WSE of Louth near Louth Golf Club Waxwing west of Grimsby, Great Coots Road on Aylesbury Road near Albatross Drive Iceland Gull Grimsby near Homebase Iceland Gull, Donna Nook between Stonebridge and Pye's Hall 14/2 Possible Kumlien's Gull, 3 Scaup. 9 Pale-bellied Geese, 9 Ruff, Frampton Marsh Bittern, Far Ings White Stork, Kirkby on Bain landfill site 11 Tundra Bean Geese, 9 Bewick's Swans, Wroot 15/2 Eurasian White-fronted Goose with Greylag Geese, Short-eared Owl over, Killingholme Haven Iceland Gull, Frampton Marsh White Stork, Yellow-legged Gull, Red Kite, Kirkby on Bain landfill site 16/2 Iceland Gull ,Scaup, 6 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh Smew Redheads, Far Ings 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. Margaret Fyfe writes: Today we have been watching 3 hares boxing in the snowy field near to us, is this a bit early for this activity? Wonderful sight. Garry Steele writes: My count of 34 blackbirds is however somewhat rather behind the estimated 50 you recorded at your own place the other day! A Mistle Thrush has also joined the fray here this morning feeding on the apple halves. *** 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. ANDERBY CREEK 16TH Feb Dave Miller Teal 1 Goosander 1 Red-throated Diver 7 Great Northern Diver 2 Cormorant 19 Lapwing 3 Sanderling 6 Ruff 1 Black-headed Gull 27 Common Gull 36 Lesser Black-backed Gull 2 Herring Gull 170 Between BOSTON and BROTHERTOFT Helen and Laurie Whittle 12.2.2012 Flock of 40 fieldfares DEEPING ST JAMES NR PRIORY CHURCH David Griffith 11/02/2012 11.30am Treecreeper Blackcap (female) ELANOR WOOD, LINWOOD TF113853 C Smith 15/2/2012 Moths to Actinic light Chestnut 49 Dotted Border 1 Early Moth 2 Pale Brindled Beauty 4 Satellite 3 Spring Usher 17 Tortricodes alternella 57 Acleris notana 1 FRISKNEY TF 454547 Vince Hutchins 08/02/12 Red kite feeding on a goose? Has black /metallic green upper wings white underneath nothing else left to identify by. Also seen on the 9th and 10th in same location. GARTHORPE Paul Gee 13/2/12 08.00am 2 Marsh Harriers, (presumably a pair), quartering field within 500 metres of edge of village. Near Amcotts late afternoon Magpie seen carrying nesting material. GREAT WEST WOOD TF113762 C Smith 16/2/2012 Moths to Actinic light Chestnut 7 Dotted Border 1 Early Moth 2 March Moth 1 Pale Brindled Beauty 6 Satellite 1 Tortricodes alternella 35 HUTTOFT PITS 11TH Feb Nigel Lound Whooper Swan 50 Smew 1 female 12th Feb Nigel Lound WeBS count: Whooper Swan 1 Mallard 14 Pintail 3 (2 males & 1 female) Coot 3 16th Feb Dave Miller Brent Goose 2 Wigeon 90 Teal 5 Shoveler 2 Woodcock 1 Curlew 1 Pied Wagtail 1 LINCOLN - Redcar Close, LN6 8TA Keith Jobling 13 Feb 2012 Flock of about 70 - 80 Fieldfare around the gardens here. They have just settled in a tree. LINCOLN SK972739 W/E 18/02/2012 Jayne Knight Flock of around 50 or so Fieldfares seen regularly flying over the flat on their way to the various hedges edging the bypass that are producing berries. Great Tit, Chaffinch, Robin, Blackbird and Dunnock singing properly now. 15/02 Around 2.30pm Looked out when Starlings and Collared Doves spooked out the Ash tree and got an all too brief glimpse of a quite large bird of prey. Bigger than the regular visitors Kestrel and Sparrowhawk, have had a Buzzard over at times, but this was different in shape. Also had a very distinct forked tail. Red Kite? MARTIN garden Helen and Laurie Whittle 13.02.2012 Male blackcap PINCHBECK Kay Heath 13.02.12 The second day of the thaw at least 700 Fieldfare with a few Redwing were feeding on a grass field on the outskirts of the village, hopefully finding something! We only recorded single birds in our garden. RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF 309 847 Silvia Fowler 11.02.12 -11 deg C last night. In these harsh conditions I put lots of small piles of bird food on the ground about 1-2 ft apart to reduce the squabbling and give as many birds as possible a chance to feed. 14 blackbirds and 4 robins seen at the same time. Goldfinches are back, 7 at the last count. Fewer squirrels, jackdaws and woodpigeons than usual, but a rat has cottoned on. 12.02.12 About 150 woodpigeons flocking in adjoining meadow. 14.02.12 Live-trapped a shrew in the loft – first one ever. 16.02.12 +9 deg C and a few 7-spot ladybirds are emerging in the garden. Dunnock and robin singing. Birds are getting territorial again. Tawny Owl calling at 4 pm. RIPPINGALE TF09422 27716 12/02/2012 Pauline Warman Blackbird – 20 Blue tit – 4 Chaffinch – 14 Collared dove – 2 Dunnock - 2 Goldfinch – 4 Great tit – 4 Greenfinch – 2 Long-tailed tit – 1 Magpie – 1 Redwing – 1 Robin – 1 Starling – 2 Tawny owl – 1 Tree sparrow 20+ Woodpigeon – 3 SANDILANDS PIT 16TH Feb Dave Miller Tree Sparrow 2 SEACROFT MARSH SSSI 15th Feb Dave Miller Brent Goose 18 Redshank 3 Skylark 7 Reed Bunting 7 SNIPEDALES Mel Thorn 16/02/2012 Common Buzzard - 1 Teal - 6 (two male 4 female on Dragonfly pond) Lapwing - 7 Brambling - 8 Great Tit - 18 Blue Tit - 14 Willow Tit - 2 Coal Tit - 4 Long-tailed Tit - 6 Chaffinch - 19 Bullfinch - 5 Goldfinch - 2 Greenfinch - 4 Siskin - 6 Goldcrest - 1 Yellow Hammer - 1 Treecreeper - 2 (on same tree on Barn side of park) Great Spotted Woodpecker - 2 Green Woodpecker - 1 Pheasant - 4 Red-legged Partridge - 2 Wren - 2 Robin - 3 Fieldfare - 15 Blackbird - 8 Tree Sparrow - 2 Wood Pigeon - many on site numerous over Crow 5 on site many over Rook numerous over Jackdaw many over Black-headed Gull - 30+ over Common Gull - 2 over RIVER WELLAND. SPALDING TO DEEPING LAKES R & K Heath 12/2/12 The river was 99% frozen with only 10 clear pools in the 11 miles. These were packed with duck, indicating what stress these birds are under in this weather. 21 species were recorded in our WeBS count. They included: Bewick Swan 4 Goosander 45 Mallard 275 Mute Swan 270. Not on the fields now. Teal 120 Tufted 575 Wigeon 256 A red headed Smew Many gulls WAINFLEET CONSERVATION PONDS 12/02/2012 Roy and Kath Pearson Very little about today, but Water Rails are leaving the reed beds to feed on spilt seed around the side of the site. WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. A & R Parsons 11/2/12 4 Brown hares in general area. 12/2/12 1 Redwing - first seen in garden this winter, in with mixed flock of Fieldfares, Blackbirds, plus chaffinches, robins, dunnocks. 16/2/12 Tawny Owls crooning in evergreens in garden - 5.30pm. 17/2/12 8 tawny owl pellets collected. Tawny owl's roosting place in garden confirmed with sighting! White finch-sized bird seen along Hurnbridge Road 10am on 17/2 Species unconfirmed, but seemingly with greenfinches/sparrows. Starling-sized or smaller. i.e. Not as big as a blackbird. WINTERTON Alice Nunn Report from the Vicarage garden in Winterton N Lincs. Every day since Monday 6th Feb I have had flocks of around 20/30 fieldfare, foraging on a rather spindly looking cotoneaster (?) tree, which I had been thinking of removing, having never seen anything eating the berries before. I've changed my mind now. This afternoon (11th Feb) I noticed a snipe feeding, on snow free grass under a deodar Cedar tree, like the one mentioned in today's bulletin. However it stayed for at least 2 hours and only finally flew off when a neighbour's cat started to stalk it. It seemed healthy and was wary, though I was able to photograph it surreptitiously through an open window. Was pleased to see goldfinches feeding on teasels. Fieldfare and snipe are both new birds for my garden WRANGLE COMMON 12/02/2012 Roy and Kath Pearson Nuthatch present today. First record for an area where we have been recording for forty years. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 01/02/2012 Hen Harrier Peregrine 1 Redwing 9 02/02/2012 Barn Owl 1 Corn Bunting 16 Crossbill 5 Fieldfare 2 Marsh Harrier 1 Merlin 1 Redwing 3 Woodcock 1 03/02/2012 Corn Bunting 13 Crossbill 1 Kingfisher 1 Red-throated Diver 389 Woodcock 4 Harbour Porpoise 1 04/02/2012 Snipe 2 Woodcock 3 12/02/2012 Buzzard 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull 1 Merlin 2 Goosander 3 Great Skua 1 Merganser 20 Red-throated Diver 200 Teal 360 Wigeon 860 White-fronted Goose 1 Woodcock 16 16/02/2012 Goosander 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull 1 Long-tailed Duck 1 Pale-bellied Brent Goose 1 Slavonian Grebe 1 Snow Bunting 9 17/02/2012 Black Brant 1 Brent Goose 1000 Pale-bellied Brent Goose 4 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 February 2012. John Walker, Roger Briggs, Peter & Janet Roworth What a difference a rise in temperature makes! The last couple of daytime maximums have been 11.5°C and all the snow had thawed by mid-week. Bird song has been strong with Great Tit, Robin, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Dunnock and Mistle Thrush all vocal in areas of scrub on or near the dunes and in and around the local villages. It is nice to see and hear several Skylarks in song over the salt marsh. Great Spotted Woodpeckers have been heard drumming in Theddlethorpe churchyard and in gardens near Sea View. In the latter case, during the cold spell, a male bird decided to attack the wooden louvre sides of a meteorological Stevenson's Screen in search of food. Some damage caused...owner not best pleased! The WeBS count last weekend included 364 Curlew, c240 Teal and a single Merlin and Hen harrier. RSPB WASH Reserves - Frampton Marsh and Freiston Shore Reports for December 2011 John Badley Recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Assisted by Grahame Hopwood and Colin Jennings RSPB Frampton Marsh http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh/index.asp RSPB Frampton Marsh A juvenile Spoonbill seen at the beginning and end of the month w as the same as had been at Gibraltar Point in between times. Whooper Swans roosting on the Reedbed declined from November to a peak of 14 birds. Good numbers of geese persisted with up to 100 Pink-footed, 25 White-fronted, 3000 Dark-bellied Brent, one Pale- bellied Brent and one Black Brant. The numbers of ducks was also very high with up to 1000 Wigeon and record counts of 1090 Teal and 242 Pintail. A redhead Smew (13th to 31st) was a first for the reserve, it was joined by a second bird for one day (18th). Birds of prey included up to two Hen Harriers, two Marsh Harriers and three Peregrines, which were seen to take ducks on several occasions. Waders included up to 3000 Golden Plovers, a Little Stint (6th), up to 23 Ruff and two Spotted Redshanks. Up to eight Lapland Buntings were seen, but they were generally quite elusive. Water Pipits were reported on two dates. RSPB Freiston Shore http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore/index.asp RSPB Freiston Shore Up to seven White-fronted Geese were on the grassland with 1000 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, eight Whooper Swans and 3300 Golden Plovers. A late Sandwich Tern (1st) would not have appreciated the attentions of a Pomarine Skua on the same date. An Arctic Skua (29th) was very unseasonal. A good variety of birds offshore throughout the month also included up to five Little Auks, 35 Guillemots and 53 Razorbills. Single Black-throated Diver, Great Northern Diver and Slavonian Grebe were also seen, while six Snow Buntings were on the lagoon islands. ALSO: Gibraltar Point NNR Forty Tundra Bean Geese (6th) were presumably part of the flock of 100 or so nearby at Wainfleet. An excellent count of 70 White-fronted Geese was also made (22nd). Three Velvet Scoter were offshore (8th). Other records from the sea included single Great Northern Diver (8th – 15th) , up to two Little Auks (two 11th and one on 18th), Shag (12th), both Pomarine and Great Skuas (on 11th and 12th respectively) and Red- necked Grebe (8th). A Spoonbill for much of the month was also seen at Frampton Marsh. Wader highlights were 4000 Golden Plovers and a lone Avocet. A Hooded Crow was seen on two dates (22nd and 31st), Waxwings were also seen on two dates (22nd and five on 30th) while a late Swallow (3rd) was more unexpected. A Black Redstart (1st) was a good winter find, as was presumably the same Richard's Pipit seen on two dates (9th and 22nd). Water Pipits were reported on two dates and there was a peak of nine Lapland Buntings (22nd), but there have been no Shorelarks so far this winter and only one Snow Bunting was seen in December (12th). Whisby Nature Park and North Hykeham Pits Two Ravens over (23rd) would be only the second record if confirmed, otherwise two Common Scoter (15th) were the rarest birds during the month. Other wildfowl included eight Goosanders (8th-20th) and a single Red-crested Pochard (20th). Gulls included three Caspian Gulls (3rd- 14th) and a single Mediterranean Gull (12th). Peak counts during the month included 30 Lesser Redpolls (9th), 24 Tree Sparrows (25th) and 17 Siskins (25th). Other notable birds included wintering Little Egrets (two) Water Rails (two) and Chiffchaff (one). Other sites Nocton Fen held both Bewick's and Whooper Swans, with up to 12 of the former and 14 of the latter. Forty eight White-fronted Geese and four Hen Harriers were also seen here. A Black Brant and Pale-bellied Brent Goose joined the Dark-bellied Brents at Nene Mouth (14th). 107 Twite there (14th) was an excellent count of now uncommon passerine. Eight Red-crested Pochards at Thurlby Sand Pit was a good county count. A single Black-necked Grebe was also present there. A Great White Egret at Kirkby Pits is becoming an increasingly regular occurrence at this site and 17 Red Kites at Colsterworth Landfill also shows the change in fortune for this species in the county. A Rough-legged Buzzard was reported at Stainby, near Colsterworth (10th), while a 1st winter Glaucous Gull at Skegness (28th) was also only seen on one date. Six Short-eared Owls were at Dunsby Fen during the month with an impressive 11 at Nocton Fen. Great Grey Shrikes were seen at Folkingham and Braceby and a single Waxwing was at Lincoln (23rd & 24th). John Badley Recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Assisted by Grahame Hopwood and Colin Jennings ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. News from Far Ings NNR http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/far_ings/index.php ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FAR INGS NNR Week ending: 17.02.12 BIRDS Max. Numbers = bar tailed godwit bittern blackbird 30+ black headed gull 30 blue tit 8 bullfinch 2 carrion crow 7 chaffinch 8 common gull 16 coot 155 cormorant curlew 2 dunlin 50 dunnock 4 fieldfare 4 gadwall 4 goldeneye 4 GC grebe great tit 5 greenfinch 2 grey plover herring gull 2 house sparrow 22 kestrel knot 7 lapwing 50+ long - tailed tit 6 magpie 5 mallard 14 moorhen 6 mute swan 6 pheasant 3 pochard 6 redshank 7 redwing 6 reed bunting 2 robin 10 shelduck 17 smew F sparrowhawk F starling 4 teal 16 tufted duck 27 water rail wigeon 2 willow tit wood pigeon 2 wren 6 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6. News from Bardney Limewoods NNR http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/Limewoods/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Reports from the following locations will now be posted here to give an overview of Limewoods ecology. The NNR includes the following sites: Chambers Farm Wood (please detail specific area when reporting e.g. Ivy Wood, Little Scrubbs Meadow etc...); College Wood, Cocklode & Great West Woods, Hardy Gang Wood, Newball Wood, Scotgrove Wood, Southrey Wood, Wickenby Wood Other woods included in the NNR but without public access: Stainfield Wood; Stainton & Fulnetby Woods (access by public bridle way only) Adrian Royle's website for photos of species from the Limewoods. Photo site update :- Bardney Limewoods 2008 - http://www.flickr.com/photos/adiroyle/sets/72157604757394558/ Bardney Limewoods 2009 - http://www.flickr.com/photos/adiroyle/sets/72157616635241942/ Bardney Limewoods 2010 - http://www.flickr.com/photos/adiroyle/sets/72157623488040369/ Bardney Limewoods 2011 - http://www.flickr.com/photos/adiroyle/sets/72157626361531988/ *** Call for LIMEWOODS Reports *** Take a look at the following links and see if you can boost our records with a visit. Don't forget: tracks and signs are important records. Examine muddy patches and if we get some snow look out for deer slots and paw prints etc.. A good website about this is: http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/animals/wildbritain/field_guides/ For the Limewoods, see: http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/publications/limewoods-walks/ http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/about/conservation/bardney-limewoods-nnr/ http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designatedareas/nnr/1006846.aspx ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7. Sending in reports to Roger Parsons ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The purpose of the Bulletin is to encourage biological recording in Lincolnshire using modern Information and Communication Technology. We hope to increase the number of people reporting observations to LNU Recorders and improve the quality of reports, as well as the quantity and the geographical coverage. [A backup e-mail address you can use if ever you experience problems with my "Enterprise" address is: aintree2@yahoo.co.uk] When sending in reports please follow Bulletin layout to save editing: Place Name: IN CAPITALS with Grid Reference if you have it. Your Name: Real names please, not aliases. Put it in each time, for each location Date: Species list [Alphabetical?] & numbers [and observations?] e.g. Blackbird - 24 [And please, no home-grown abbreviations. Names in full.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 8. Contact Information & Useful Websites ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please let me know ASAP if any of these weblinks fail! *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Website *** A full list of LNU Country Recorders is given here. http://www.lnu.org/ LNU e-mail: info@lnu.org If you are not yet a member, the LNU needs good naturalists like you! Anyone interested can get membership application forms from Wilma Gammon at the Lincs Wildlife Trust office, e-mail wgammon@lincstrust.co.uk LNU publications [listed on LNU website] may be ordered via: Ian Macalpine-Leny macalpine@doddington.demon.co.uk *** Contacts List *** *** Rural Crime Officer *** Pc 160 Nick Willey Force Wildlife, Rural Crime Officer Force Dog Training Establishment Lincolnshire Showground. Grange-De-Lings. Lincoln nicholas.willey@lincs.pnn.police.uk OFFICE: 01522-731897 MOBILE :07768-501895 PAGER : 07654-330877 *** Lincs Amphibian and Reptile Group *** The Lincolnshire ARG (Amphibian & Reptile Group) For further details please contact ashleybutterfield@btinternet.com tel. 07984 66 5847 *** Limestone Grassland Project *** Mark Schofield, Limestone Grassland Project Officer, mschofield@lincstrust.co.uk Mobile: 07825970930, Switchboard: 01507 526667. To find out more and to become involved with the survey and management of Lincolnshire's limestone grassland on road verges see: See: http://www.lifeontheverge.org.uk/ *** Local Bat Helpline *** Grounded bats, bat problems, advice and information? Contact Annette and Colin Faulkner on 01775 766286 or e-mail: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** Bat Recorder *** You may send confidential bat records direct to Annette Faulkner on: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** Butterfly Conservation Recorder *** Allan Binding asks contributors of butterfly records to the Bulletin to include their address or contact telephone or e-mail address and Grid Reference if possible. e-mail: allan.binding@ntlworld.com See: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/species/bfly/index.php *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire link *** http://www.lincolnshire-butterflies.org.uk/index.html *** LNU Bees, Wasps and Ants Recorder *** Alan Phillips Willing to examine specimens or check photos (but bear in mind only a relative few of the 300+ species in the county are identifiable using photos). Aculeates only please, no parasitic wasps such as Ichneumons. If in doubt please contact for advice: aculeates@gmail.com *** Whisby's Bee and Wasp List *** Dr Michael Archer and Alan Phillips have put together an impressive list. Have a look and see how many species you recognise by name! http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/whisby/index.php?id=73 Also see: http://norwegica.wordpress.com/author/norwegica/ Could this be the year you learn to identify bees and wasps? *** OTTERS *** Readers are reminded that all dead Otters should be reported to the Environment Agency on 0800 807060. *** Mammal Records *** Mammal records can reported to Chris Manning Email: chris@lincsdeer.info Mink reports also of interest and can be sent via the Bulletin. *** New Met Office Service *** The Met Office website now offers an e-mail notification service for severe weather and other matters which may interest readers. Worth having a look and signing up. Be warned of the possibility of severe weather. See: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/corporate/pressoffice/2009/pr20090727.html *** LNU Moths Gallery *** There is a moth page on the LNU Website, to promote the recording of moths across the county. http://www.lnu.org/ Also see: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/species/hawkmoths/index.php *** Slug ID Help *** Chris du Feu will help with slug identification. You can telephone him on: 01427 848400 or e-mail: chris@chrisdufeu.force9.co.uk *** Mollusc Identification *** David Feld has kindly offered to assist readers to identify molluscs, both terrestrial and aquatic. Please e-mail him a description and he will advise you whether and where to send a photograph or an actual specimen. Contact: drf@dfeld.freeserve.co.uk *** Lincolnshire Badger Group Update *** Ally Townsend of the Weirfield Wildlife Hospital, writes: If you would like to give people the Lincoln number 01522 530428 a member of staff will record the sighting or RTA. Or use the Weirfield website: http://www.weirfield.co.uk/ where a reporting page can be used to send in reports. *** Lincs Bird Club *** Secretary - Robert Carr secretary@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Membership Secretary - Mike Harrison: michael@michaelharrison1.wanadoo.co.uk LBC County Bird Recorders County Bird Recorder, covering the south of the county recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk for John Badley recorder_north@lincsbirdclub.co.uk for John Clarkson Bird Club Website: www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk *** Help BBCT with Amazon *** The Bumblebee Conservation Trust have an association with Amazon which helps to raise money for Bumblebee Conservation without any cost to the purchaser. If you buy anything from Amazon click onto the site via Bumblebee Conservation Trust - Support us - Easy fund raising - Amazon. If you do this Amazon will donate 8% of the price paid to Bumblebee Conservation Trust. Link: http://www.bumblebeeconservation.org.uk/fundraising.html *** Wash Estuary Project Contacts *** Jeff Goodley - Wash Estuary Project Officer jeff.goodley@washestuary.org.uk Vivien Hartwell - Wash Biodiversity viv.hartwell@washestuary.org.uk *** Other Useful Websites *** Key links are now being posted on the LNU website. http://www.lnu.org/ This should save space in the Bulletin, Suggestions for other useful Websites are welcome. Natural England http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ Still includes SSSI Information and "Nature on the Map" Lincolnshire Environmental Awards http://www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk/ Lincs. Wildlife Trust Website http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/ Useful emergency numbers for wildlife crises. http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/factsheets/ Lincs Environmental Records Centre The Lincolnshire Biodiversity Partnership (of which LERC is a part) Contact: Charlie Barnes, charlie.barnes@lincsbiodiversity.org.uk or for more general queries: info@lincsbiodiversity.org.uk Tornado and Storm Research Organisation www.torro.org.uk Contact Ian Loxley on colarain@tiscali.co.uk *** Interesting Weather radar website *** Noel Loxley recommends the following interesting website. http://www.raintoday.co.uk/ RSPB Contact Details RSPB Website: www.rspb.org.uk www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh John Badley, Site Manager for RSPB Lincolnshire Wash reserves e-mail: john.badley@rspb.org.uk Bardney Limewoods www.limewoods.co.uk limewoods@lincolnshire.gov.uk The Sir Joseph Banks Society Contact 01507 528223 or by e-mail: enquiries@joseph-banks.org.uk. www.joseph-banks.org.uk EasyTide Check tide times on Admiralty EasyTide: http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx TWO - The Weather Outlook Check the weather forecast for the location or postcode: http://www.theweatheroutlook.com/ Joan Gunson's Moths recorded in my garden 2011: www.flickr.com/photos/angleshades Alan Dale's Bugs and Weeds http://www.bugsandweeds.co.uk/ Mike Binnion writes: Common Butterflies http://www.grimsbywildlife.co.uk/otherattractions.htm http://www.grimsbywildlife.co.uk/ *** Other Useful E-mail Addresses *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union: info@lnu.org Gibraltar Point: gibpoint@lincstrust.co.uk Far Ings: farings@lincstrust.co.uk Whisby Nature Park: whisbynp@lincstrust.co.uk NEW Syke's Farm: lwt@sykesfarm.org.uk Lincs. Trust HQ: The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust main e-mail address: info@lincstrust.co.uk Lincolnshire FWAG: lincoln@fwag.org.uk If you would like your e-mail listed here, please let me know. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9. Notes about these wildlife reports ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We do our best to ensure accuracy in our reporting but these records are sent in by a variety of reporters, from complete beginners to professionals. They therefore vary in reliability and in certain cases they are impossible to verify. If further information is needed on locations or reporters, or if you wish to question/confirm any of these records, contact: rparsons@enterprise.net Bulletins are sent to Biological Recorders at the Lincs. Wildlife Trust, Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. [Note: Where plants are reported, this is usually because they have been seen and identified in flower.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10. The Bulletin's publicity policy ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We will sometimes withhold precise details of the location of rare or endangered species. Please point out any sensitive or "tricky" reports of this kind. Sensitive data should go directly to county recorders, please. We ask that you respect the interests of wildlife and site owners if you report to national networks. Make a point of explaining site sensitivity and any restrictions on access. An interest in wildlife is not a licence to act irresponsibly/thoughtlessly to landowners, who may well be partners in important conservation work. [Remember - views expressed in the Bulletin do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions on the LNU or associated organisations. In particular this applies to such agencies, especially charities, taking a political stance.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11. LNU Events Diary For LNU meetings also see www.lnu.org/events.php ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Field Meetings generally start at 12 noon for 1.00pm, but please check the website details for each event. Unless otherwise stated, Indoor Meetings are held on Saturdays at the Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park, Moor Lane, Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln and start at 2pm. Saturday, March 10, 2012 AGM & Presidential Address Barrie Wilkinson's eagerly awaited Presidential Address. Fixed Point Photography For better or for worse? Recording changes on Lincolnshire's nature reserves Sunday, April 29, 2012 Little Haw Wood (Forestry Commission site) Southwest of Castle Bytham 12.00 for 13.00 start. Park in turning area off track near west end of Clipsham Wood at SK9703 1705. Take minor road between Clipsham and Castle Bytham to reach Clipsham Wood. NB. There is about a 800m walk to Little Haw Wood from the parking spot. Habitats: Mixed Woodland. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Sunday, May 27, 2012 Oxgangs House Springs, Nettleton Top (Courtesy of Rachel Gibbons) South of Caistor 12.00 for 13.00 start. Take minor road south from Nettleton Top (road from Nettleton to Claxby) take first track on right side and park to side of track at first bend at TF113 979. NB. Steep slopes present so stout footwear recommended. Habitats: Spring, marsh, pasture and possibly some arable Leader: Richard Chadd 07990 564519 richard.chadd@environment-agency.gov.uk Sunday, June 17, 2012 Bridge Farm, Snitterby Carr (Courtesy of Patty Phillips) Northwest of Market Rasen 12.00 for 13.00 start. Park in yard of Bridge Farm at TF0187 9469 (DN21 4UU). Take minor road which connects A631 and B1205 on west side of River Ancholme. Follow Snitterby Carr Lane to end and turn right before river. Habitats: River Ancholme, ponds, ditches, pasture and arable. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Sunday, July 01, 2012 Farmland at Baston Fen (Courtesy of Nicholas Watts) Southeast of Bourne 12.00 for 13.00 start. Take minor road from Baston to Pode Hole. Park at TF1433 1598 on south side of road, opposite track to Home Farm (about 1km east of road which goes through Langtoft Gravel Pits). A meeting to particularly look for arable 'weeds'. Habitats: Arable and ditches Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Sunday, July 15, 2012 Joint Meeting with British Dragonfly Society Private Blow well site at Holton Grange (Courtesy of Mike Jex) South of Holton le Clay 12.00 for 13.00 start. Park near lake at TA298 009. Take Station Road off A16 towards Tetney, then take track on right just past dismantled railway crossing. Follow track for about 500m then take track on left towards lake. Habitats: Wooded blow well, lake, ponds, ditches, pasture and arable. Waithe Beck nearby. Leader(s): Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com and Chris Manning chris@lincsdeer.info Sunday, August 19, 2012 Elsea Park Meadows (Courtesy of Elsea Park Community Trust) South of Bourne 12.00 for 13.00 start. Meet in small car parking area at TF0968 1876 which is just off the A151 south of Bourne (about 400m west of junction with A15). Habitats: Meadows, woodland edge, ponds and ditches Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Saturday, September 08, 2012 Mayflower Woods (Courtesy of ConocoPhillips) This event is on Saturday. Northwest of Immingham 12.00 for 13.00 start. Evening moth/bat session starting at 7.30pm. Meet in car park at TA1593 1579. Take A160 off from A180, straight on past roundabout and then right turn at crossroads (with petrol station). Follow lane for about 450m, car park on left side. Habitats: Woodlands, grassland, ponds and stream. Leaders: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Sunday, October 21, 2012 Fungus Foray Rigsby Wood LWT Reserve. West of Alford 12.00 for 13.00 start. Turn north towards South Thoresby at the Miles Cross Hill crossroads on the A1104 road half way between Ulceby Cross and Alford. After 2 km, the wood will be seen set back from the road on the right. Park along roadside at TF419 761. 150m walk along field edge to wood. Habitats: Mixed Woodland Leader: Ray Halstead 07772 613640 ray.halstead@tiscali.co.uk ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails This Week *** If you hear of anyone bemoaning the lack of a Bulletin, please refer them to the Bulletin Portal where they will find a copy. http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Recent mailfails: included emma@baxters - Invalid recipient *** Link(s) of the Week? *** Owl Attacks? http://www.dogwork.com/owfo8/ Foxes and Trampoline! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8xJtH6UcQY&NR=1&feature=endscreen ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/