+=========================================== || || 26th 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 *** Have you noted the dawn chorus this week? Great! There are many signs of spring now, with one day close to record temperatures for February. Insects, such as the bees and moths, are likely to be noted and botanical records are always very welcome too. So is news of amphibians and reptiles. Thanks to everyone who sent in reports and comments about mistletoe - a very interesting topic. If you have not yet done so, please sign up for the Hedgehog project below. We are hoping for a good turn out at the AGM for Barrie Wilkinson's AGM talk on the 10th. 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 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. *** 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! *** Gainsborough Area LWT *** Dave Stockley writes: Wed 21 March 2012: "A wildflower walk in the Swiss Alps" Wendy and Geoff Handford - local wildlife enthusiasts Indoor meetings are held at Morton Village Hall, just north of Gainsborough, and begin at 7.30 pm. A (minimum) donation of £1.00 includes refreshments, and there is usually a raffle, bird food on sale, and other items for fundraising. People of all ages, Wildlife Trust members or not, are welcome. For more information, please ring Joy on 01427 628457 or E-mail Linda – L.Woodward@virgin.net *** 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-related Records *** Garry Steele writes: Having just sent you that record of a wintering blackcap in my garden, maybe I have help attract it through now providing mistletoe berries to feed on! Remember my piece last week about the speculation of wintering blackcaps increasingly feeding on mistletoe? It was interesting as well to read in last week's Bulletin of Pete Haywood reporting a Blackcap eating mistletoe berries in his garden. *** Theft of Copper Piping *** PC Nick Willey, Force Wildlife/Rural Crime Officer writes Theft of copper piping from the toilet block at Chambers Wood this happened the week before last but I was away on leave last week. All the copper piping from both male and female toilets were ripped out causing damage and rendering the toilets useless. Locations of such sites in Lincolnshire make them vulnerable to thefts and I would ask that people keep a watching brief for any suspicious people or vehicles whilst they are out enjoying the countryside Many thanks nicholas.willey@lincs.pnn.police.uk See Limewoods - section 6 - below. *** Hedgelaying Course - The Friends of Lea Park *** Jenni Hignett, Habitats Officer - Trent Vale Landscape Partnership, writes: An Introduction to Hedgelaying Saturday 10th March 10 – 3:30 Gainsborough Golf Course Booking is essential, please contact John Greenaway on 01427 612820 Free of charge as funded by Trent Vale Landscape Partnership *** 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 Ian McDonald adds: This is the first time that a survey has been carried out on the whole thorne/crowle site and will provide an up to date flora as a baseline to be studied for future generations. There have been many excursions to both moors in the past but the records have been patchy due to the remoteness of the sites and difficulty of access. I hope the Lincolnshire botanists will support the survey and be a part of History in the making. This year will see the conclusion of the surveying then we look forward to putting the information into a publishing format. If anyone would like further information could they please contact one of the organisers, either Matthew Blisset, for Crowle or myself, iannutwell@talktalk.net *** 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. 20/2 Iceland Gull, 5 Eurasian White-fronted Geese, 43 Pale- bellied Geese, 3 Spotted Redshanks, 3 Scaup, Frampton Marsh 2 Black Brants with Dark-bellied Brent Geese. 10 Pale- bellied Brent Geese, Gibraltar Point White Stork, Kirkby on Bain landfill site 10 Tundra Bean Geese, 10 Bewick's Swans, Wroot 21/2 2 Black Brants, 1500 Dark-bellied, 15 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Great Northern Divers flying South Gibraltar Point Iceland Gull, Frampton Marsh White Stork, Kirkby on Bain landfill site 45 Tundra Bean Geese, 34 Eurasian White-fronted Geese, Read's Island 22/2 Iceland Gull, Frampton Marsh White Stork, Kirkby on Bain landfill site 23/2 11 Tundra Bean Geese, 8 Bewick's Swans, Whooper Swan, Wroot 2 Iceland Gull, Frampton Marsh White Stork, 2 Red Kites, Kirkby on Bain landfill site Woodlark, Gibraltar Point 3 Smew, Baston Langtoft gravel pits 24/2 Iceland Gull, 2+ Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh 2 Smew, Kirkby on Bain gravel pits White Stork, Kirkby on Bain landfill site Rough-legged Buzzard, Claythorpe, between Withern and Aby Woodlark, Theddlethorpe 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. Correction from Alice Nunn With regard to my report last week from Winterton Vicarage garden (11 Feb) I can now confirm that the "snipe" turned out to be a woodcock when I checked the pictures I'd taken and read up on their behaviour. It was still a "first" for my patch, so I was still pleased. *** On your marks, get set, Bumblebees *** Alan Phillips writes: 23/02/2012 Banovallum House NR Charlie Barnes reported the first Bombus hypnorum of 2012 when this week he spotted a queen sunning on a wooden fence at the LWT Headquarters. The species was first recorded in Lincolnshire in 2008. The stats are as follows: 2008 - 1 record 2009 - 3 records 2010 (13 records). 2011 - 72 records Wonder if we can beat last years total? *** 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. BARDNEY Bardney Garden 23/2/12 Mary & Phil Porter I had a meeting postponed today (Thursday 23rd Feb) and so was working from home. Saw many honey bees, hoverfly sp, and the first brimstone (male) butterfly for the year! Very warm in the sunshine. Dawn chorus includes: robin, blue tit, great tit, chaffinch, dunnock, collared dove, wood pigeon. And for the first time this year this morning, song thrush and blackbird. BOSTON 18.02.12 Mick Todd While stood in Boston market place talking to a friend this morning, a bird could be heard chirping in the bushes near the memorial next to the Stump. To our surprise when we looked, it was a juvenile blackbird, with a stumpy tail (pardon the pun) and spotted plumage. It could only have been a few weeks old! FRAMPTON/WITHAM MOUTH Mel Thorn 17/02/2012 Mute Swan Whooper Swan Brent Goose Canada Goose Greylag White-fronted Goose Barnacle Goose Goldeneye Mallard Wigeon Teal Pochard Pintail Tufted Duck Shoveler Shelduck Gadwall Scaup Eider Coot Moorhen Heron Cormorant Little Egret Little Grebe Great Crested Grebe Slavonian Grebe Redshank Black-tailed Godwit Bar-tailed Godwit Lapwing Golden Plover Dunlin Turnstone Oyster Catcher Knot Ruff Snipe Yellow Hammer Reed Bunting Meadow Pipit Skylark Chaffinch Greenfinch Goldfinch Wren Great Tit Blackbird Fieldfare Linnet Twite Magpie Crow Starling Black-headed Gull Herring Gull Greater Black-backed Gull Common Gull Iceland Gull Kestrel Peregrine Hen Harrier Pheasant Red-legged Partridge GIBRALTAR POINT Mel Thorn 23/02/2012 Brent Goose Canada Goose Pintail Pochard Tufted Duck Goldeneye Teal Mallard Shelduck Gadwall Common Eider Cormorent Coot Moorhen Little Egret Curlew Redshank Black-tailed Godwit Knot Dunlin Sanderling Ringed Plover Oyster Catcher Lapwing Golden Plover Skylark Meadow Pipit Reed Bunting Twite Chaffinch Blue Tit Great Tit Long-tailed Tit Crow Rook Jackdaw Magpie Wood Pigeon Starling Black-headed Gull Herring Gull Greater Black-backed Gull Lesser Black-backed Gull Common Gull Barn Owl Short Eared Owl LACEBY BECK Mick Binnion 18/02/2012 Buff-tailed Bumblebee/Bombus terrestris queen on the wing. Good thing there is some 'Lungwort' in flower in the gardens as there isn't much else about. LINCOLN SK972739 W/E 25/02/2012 Jayne Knight While lunching yesterday, 20th, in one of the restaurants facing Brayford Pool, was very curious to note up to 3 Moorhen at a time drinking from a tiny puddle. They were only feet away from the Pool itself and, indeed, flew onto the concrete wall and back into the river when they had finished. We could not get right up to the puddle as it was behind the safety fencing put up while the old Harbourmaster's office is demolished, but it looked very cloudy as if contaminated with cement dust. (A piece of a Blue Circle cement sack was partially in the puddle.) What was the attraction? Were they after the lime? LINCOLN SK972739 W/E 25/02/2012 Jayne Knight 23/02 Brimstone butterfly very active in garden MARSTON Mel Thorn/John Farmer 14/02/2012 Greylag Canada Goose Mallard Teal Shoveler Wigeon Gadwall Tufted Duck Cormorent Coot Water Rail Moorhen Curlew Lapwing Chaffinch Goldfinch Greenfinch Chiffchaff Siberian Chiffchaff Blue Tit Great Tit Long-tailed Tit Blackbird Redwing Dunnock Wren Robin Reed Bunting Stonechat Great Spotted Woodpecker Crow Rook Magpie Starling Pheasant Black-headed Gull Kestrel MARTON SK842 820 Brian Hedley 23 February 2012 Buff-tailed bumblebee 1 White-tailed bumblebee 1 Seven-spot ladybird 50+ Early moth 1 Satellite moth 1 Acleris sp (micromoth) 1 24 February 2012 Tree Bumblebee 1 (first for garden) RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF 309 847 Silvia Fowler 20-24.02.12 A few Canada geese starting to fly over our house again S to N. Haven't seen/heard any since November. 24.02.12 Buzzard hunting over meadow. First Blackbird song. Robin, dunnock, chaffinch in song. First Bumblebee of the season – disappeared by the time I'd found my guidebook. Tawny owl (m) calling at 5 pm. RIPPINGALE TF09422 27716 21/02/2012 Pauline Warman Blackbird – 6 Blue tit – 4 Chaffinch – 7 Collared dove – 3 Dunnock - 2 Goldfinch – 4 Great tit – 4 Great spotted woodpecker - 2 Greenfinch – 6 Long-tailed tit – 2 Magpie – 1 Robin – 2 Sparrowhawk - 1 Starling – 1 Tree sparrow - 16 House sparrow - 1 Woodpigeon – 3 STICKFORD TF 357602 Garry Steele 23rd February 2012 Male Blackcap in my garden this morning, working its way around the wild bird feeders. First ever winter record for this species in my garden after 28 years of living here, although my neighbour some 50m across the way has twice seen them in his own garden in the past. THEDDLETHORPE Mel Thorn 20/02/2012 Curlew Oyster Catcher Knot Sanderling Little Egret Moorhen Canada Goose Common Gull Greater Black-backed Gull Herring Gull Black-headed Gull Chaffinch Blue Tit Great Tit Skylark Blackbird Tree Sparrow Goldfinch Pied Wagtail Starling Crow Rook Jay Jackdaw Magpie Wood Pigeon kestrel WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. A & R Parsons 19/2/12 Hen harrier 4pm Castle Dyke Bank 23/2 Barn owl calling, 4.30am. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 16/02/2012 Black Brant 1 Crossbill 2 Hen Harrier 1 17/02/2012 Snow Bunting 7 18/02/2012 Great Crested Grebe 20 Red-breasted Merganser 2 Red-throated Diver 50 21/02/2012 Black Brant 2 - 3 Crossbill 1 Goldeneye 2 Great Crested Grebe 62 Great Northern Diver 2 Pale-bellied Brent Goose 15 Red-throated Diver 60 23/02/2012 Buzzard 1 Crossbill 3 Goldeneye Hen Harrier 1 Siskin 2 Woodlark 1 Winter Aconites Snowdrops Field speedwell 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 24th February 2012. John Walker, Roger Briggs, Steve Hall, Peter & Janet Roworth The forecasters said we would have unusually high temperatures and we did, when yesterday (23rd) the air max reached 18.25°C at Sea View. We would have expected to see an early butterfly, possibly a small tortoiseshell or brimstone, nothing reported but a couple of large Bombus sp were seen recently in a garden near Churchill. However bird song has been quite uplifting. All the commoner garden birds in some form of song with quite a bit of accompanying territorial activity particularly amongst Robins, Blackbirds and Greenfinch. Tawny Owls very vocal at Sea View and a pair of Barn Owls regularly sighted near Churchill. Out on the saltmarsh Skylarks have been well in song with at least 20 in the air at once on the 23rd. Other interesting reports for the week have included 348 Curlew roosting along high tide at first light on the 24th, a single Woodlark flushed from the dunes, roost of 48 Magpies, 90+ Twite on the edge of saltmarsh-foredunes south of Rimac and mid-week three ringtail Hen Harriers going to roost. 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 24.02.12 BIRDS Max. Numbers = bittern 4 blackbird 20+ black headed gull 20 blue tit 8 bullfinch carrion crow 5 chaffinch 6 common gull 6 coot 125 cormorant 3 curlew 14 dunnock 4 gadwall 10 goldcrest goldeneye 8 golden plover 40 GC grebe 4 GS woodpecker 2 great tit 8 greenfinch 4 greylag goose 15 herring gull 6 house sparrow 10 kestrel 2 lapwing 100+ LBB gull 2 little grebe 2 long - tailed tit 6 magpie 8 mallard 20 moorhen 7 mute swan 5 pheasant 3 pied wagtail 2 pintail 2M 1F pochard 54 redwing 2 reed bunting 10 robin 8 shelduck 6 shoveler 39 smew 2F sparrowhawk F starling 2 teal 8 tufted duck 55 water rail 2 wigeon 13 willow tit wood pigeon 200 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/ Adrian writes: 19.2.12 Had my first visit to the Limewoods since late August 2011. Been busy chasing athletes around muddy fields with my camera but today I dug out my macro gear, dusted it off, reminded myself how to use it and set off to enjoy a glorious sunny but cool day. After a long time away it is always good to check out any changes that have taken place; new clearings, future work, personnel changes. The log piles have been topped up ready for the reptiles to emerge any day soon especially if the weather this coming week is as warm as predicted. I wasn't expecting to find any interesting inverts but I did find one Sloe Bug and lots of 7 Spot Ladybirds. The bird life was concentrated around the feeders, lots of assorted tits including Long Tailed, 3 Redpolls, Goldfinches, Greenfinch, Tree Sparrows, all keenly watched by assorted photographers. One piece of bad news; a group of 6 young men with lurchers was on site making a lot of noise, possibly there for a spot of hare coursing! Something to watch out for from a safe distance. Other illegal activities recently include the theft of the toilet block copper piping. 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. *** Grow-you-own Mistletoe *** http://www.mistle.co.uk/ *** New Met Office Service *** The Met Office website now offers an e-mail notification service for severe weather and other matters which may interest readers. Worth having a look and signing up. Be warned of the possibility of severe weather. See: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/corporate/pressoffice/2009/pr20090727.html *** LNU Moths Gallery *** There is a moth page on the LNU Website, to promote the recording of moths across the county. http://www.lnu.org/ Also see: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/species/hawkmoths/index.php *** Slug ID Help *** Chris du Feu will help with slug identification. You can telephone him on: 01427 848400 or e-mail: chris@chrisdufeu.force9.co.uk *** 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 None this week. *** Link(s) of the Week? *** Dolphin Watching! http://www.dogwork.com/dolpvci8/ Worm watching! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tsa2Mtn5CsU&feature=youtu.be ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/