============================================ || || 29th January 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 1060 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 *** There is discussion as to whether February will continue mild or switch to a very cold snap. Whichever way it goes, the trend will be reflected by our wildlife. So please keep your observations coming in. Clear nights will allow us to enjoy the continuing spectacle of Jupiter and Venus - and it is worth turning your spotting scopes or binoculars on these to see if you can make out Venus as disc or see Jupiter's Galilean moons. Saturn can be seen in the early mornings. You may even spot Mars later in the month, http://www.spacestationinfo.com/phases-of-venus.htm http://astronomyonline.org/solarsystem/galileanmoons.asp Don't forget to watch for auroras. Once seen, never forgotten. See: http://aurorawatch.lancs.ac.uk/ http://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/ http://spacew.com/ Roger *** 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 *** 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, February 11, 2012 Recorders Meeting Overview and highlights of the past year's recording provided by the county recorders. ALL welcome - meeting is not just for recorders. *** Mistletoe Spotting *** Paul Kirby writes: Mistletoe is very easy to spot at this time of the year. I wondered if you would put out a request in your next Bulletin for records? *** Mistletoe Reports *** Marion Ellis Ropsley Grid Ref SK9934 There is a tree in the garden of 18a High Street, Ropsley that has prolific amounts of mistletoe every year including Dec 2011, which is sold for local charities. Does this count as a sighting? Jeremy Hutchinson Grid Ref SK9246 Hough on the Hill In response to Paul Kirby's request, the only place where mistletoe grows in my part of Lincs (mid west) that I know of is Hough on the Hill where it is abundant on a number of species, notably Lime (Tilia). It seems to be confined to the village itself; I can't recall seeing it elsewhere in the area. Chris Howes - Grimsthorpe Park Ranger writes: Paul Kirby asked for records of Mistletoe – lots in Grimsthorpe Park Scottlethorpe Road TF045204 – 30+ bunches on Hawthorns Park Coach Road TF031201 – 1 bunch on Horse Chestnut Lake TF040218 – several bunches on Poplar Steels Riding TF030203 – several bunches on Lime Avenue New Quarry TF047205 – 2 bunches on Sycamore Editor adds: Langrick Grid Ref TF263485 Does anyone know the mistletoe at Langrick? There were clumps at Armtree Cottage/in trees in the opposite parkland, south of the B1184 - i.e. at the T-junction of the B1184 and B1192. I cannot recall the host species. Maybe someone could have a look and report, if the plants are still there. Roger Keep those reports coming! *** Willow Talk - sounds interesting *** Mel Banham writes: Rodney Cousins, willow historian, is giving a talk at Sturton by Stow village hall on Wednesday February 15th at 7.30. Only £1 entry. Arranged by Sturton & Stow History Society as part of their talks programme. All welcome. Rodney is an engaging speaker who knows his stuff. Should be interesting. Doors open from 7ish. Parking on roadside outside the hall (High Street) or in The Red Lion car park. Village hall is about 150 yards from both The Red Lion and The Plough. Good beer in both pubs. *** Grantham Branch LWT - Grimsthorpe Wildlife *** Marion Ellis writes: Friday 10th February 7.30pm Barkston & Syston Village Hall Wildlife of Grimsthorpe Park Chris Howes Trust Stall, Raffle & Refreshments *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT - Humberston Fitties walk *** Carolyn Lovely writes On Saturday 4th February 2012 we invite you to join us on a bird walk around the Humberston Fitties area with bird expert Ray Hume. Please meet in the car park at the far end of the Fitties for the walk to start at 9.00am. Please wear suitable clothing and footwear. This is a free event but donations will be collected for The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. For further information please contact Ray - 01472 320878 *** Zooarchaeology: a short course *** The Sheffield Zooarchaeology Team writes: Registration is now open for our short course: *Understanding zooarchaeology: a short course for archaeology and heritage professionals and enthusiasts* University of Sheffield, 18th-20th April 2012 Over three days our team of zooarchaeologists will introduce participants to the methods that can be used to gather infor- mation from archaeological animal bones and the relevance of these remains to wider archaeological study. Zooarchaeology is the study of animal remains from archaeo- logical sites. Animal bones and teeth are among the most common remains found on archaeological sites. This material can contr- ibute valuable information to our understanding of how people lived in the past. Among other things animal bones can help to tell us about diet, farming, cooking and eating, trade and industry, social status, ethnicity, beliefs and environment in the past. The course is designed for people with little or no previous experience in zooarchaeology, and is an ideal introduction to the field for archaeologists, museum curators and other heritage professionals who come across animal bones and/or zooarchaeo- logical reports in their professional capacity. Through short lectures, discussions and hands on practical workshops, the course will give the participants practical experience of zoo- archaeological methods and will help you to understand the archaeological potential and limitations of zooarchaeology, enhancing your ability to critically interpret archaeological animal bone data. For students the short course will provide a firm basis for further training and is a great opportunity to improve your employability by broadening the types of archaeological evidence you have skills in and experience using. Zooarchaeologists at the early stages of their careers may also be interested. Tuition fees for the course are £150 waged, £100 unwaged/student/retired. For more information and to register, please visit our website: http://www.shef.ac.uk/archaeology/research/zooarchaeology-lab/short-course or e-mail us on: zooarch-shortcourse@sheffield.ac.uk ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. 21/1 Iceland Gull, 2 ad Mediterranean Gulls, Grimsby docks 11 Tundra Bean Geese, 3 Bewick's Swans, Hen Harrier, 72 Whooper Swans, Alder fen, Wroot Glaucous Gull past Donna Nook 22/1 11 Tundra Bean Geese, 71 Whooper Swans, Alder fen, Wroot Iceland Gull, Boston tip 2 Eurasian White-fronted Geese, Baston and Langtoft gravel pits Iceland Gull, Grimsby docks Smew, Kirkby on Bain gravel pits Spoonbill, Frampton Marsh Black Brant, Gibraltar Point Rough-legged Buzzard, Claythorpe 23/1 Iceland Gull, Grimsby docks Iceland Gull, Boston, Skirbeck west 96 Snow Buntings, Short-eared Owl, Cleethorpes Coast Great Grey Shrike, Folkingham 2 Smew, 2 Red-crested Pochard, 2 Eurasian White-fronted Geese, Mealy Redpoll, Baston and Langtoft gravel pits 11 Tundra Bean Goose, 66 Whooper Swans, Wroot 24/1 Smew redhead, Deeping High Bank Great White Egret, Kirkby on Bain gravel pits Iceland Gull, Boston Glaucous Gull, c90 Snow Buntings, Cleethorpes Coast Dark-bellied Brent Geese SW of Woodhall Spa, Martin Fen 25/1 Iceland Gull, Boston Iceland Gull, Grimsby docks Great White Egret, Saltfleetby 11 Tundra Bean Geese, Wroot Rough-legged Buzzard, Claythorpe 2 Eurasian White-fronted Geese, Baston and Langtoft gravel pits 26/1 Iceland Gull, Boston, on River near landfill site Rough-legged Buzzard, Claythorpe by Great Eau between Withern and Aby Smew redhead, Killingholme Haven pits Iceland Gull, Grimsby docks of roof of Arctic Breeze Great White Egret, Kirkby on Bain gravel pits 23 Eurasian White-fronted Geese, Between Fillingham and Glentworth 27/1 6 Short-eared Owls, Worlaby Carrs Short-eared Owl, Martin Fen Spoonbill, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh Smew redhead, Deeping High Bank Green-winged Teal, with 450 Teal, Alkborough Flats 2 Smew, Baston and Langtoft gravel pits Iceland Gull, Grimsby docks 13 Snow Buntings, Mablethorpe Beach opposite outflow 28/1 Rough-legged Buzzard, Claythorpe at Withern 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. Willow vs Marsh Tits Stuart Britton writes: In response to Marion Ellis' query re whether the Marsh Tits at her bird table could be Willow Tits, she may find this helpful:- "The difference between Marsh and Willow Tits is notoriously difficult to confirm by sight and is challenging even for ringers when the bird is in the hand, although their calls are easily distinguishable. Willow Tits have declined by 80% in the last 30 years and are now on the Rare Breeding Birds list. I have recently written the species report for both for the 2010 Lincolnshire Bird Report. From the sightings by many bird watchers, all but two reports of Willow Tits are north of Nocton/Bardney area. There were no reports of MarshTits north of the Sleaford area so it is highly unlikely that the birds in Marion's garden are Willow Tits." Mel Thorn recommends: http://www.xeno-canto.org/species/Poecile-palustris and http://www.xeno-canto.org/species/Poecile-montanus *** 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 Dave Miller 25th Jan 2012 Golden Plover 70 Stock Dove 2 Woodpigeon 1 Blue tit 5 Great Tit 3 CHAPEL PITS Dave Miller 25th Jan 2102 Mute Swan 2 Canada Goose 18 Gadwall 5 Tufted Duck 4 Goosander 1 FRAMPTON MARSH Mel Thorn 27/01/2012 59 species including: - Whooper Swan 13 Bewick Swan 10 Scaup 2 Spoonbill 1 13 species of wader including: - Grey Plover 3 Spotted Redshank 2 Greenshank 1 Also Hen Harrier 1 male Common Buzzard 1 Sparrow Hawk 1 Kestrel 2 GIBRALTAR POINT Mel Thorn 26/01/2012 49 Species including: - Common Scoter 15 Common Eider 9 - 6 males 3 females Great Northern Diver 1 Woodcock 1 Little Owl 1 8 species of wader & 8 species of duck HUTTOFT PITS Dave Miller 25th Jan 2w012 Teal 10 Kestrel 1 Water Rail 1 Moorhen 1 Snipe 3 Black-tailed Godwit 1 Green Sandpiper 1 LEGSBY WOOD Ray and Rachael Halstead 21.01.12 Fungi on rotten Oak branches: Bulgaria inquinans, Black Bulgar Stereum hirsutum Stereum sanguinolentum Snowdrops in flower Honeysuckle in leaf Adult male Fox fleeing from the local shoot Buzzard being mobbed by a solitary Crow MARSTON STW Mel Thorn 24 January 2012 Greylag 3/400 Bar-Headed Goose 2 juveniles (plumage spot on with small yellow bill and yellow legs - in with about 70 greylags) Mallard - 30-40 Wigeon 100+ Teal 20+ Shoveller 2 Tufted 1 pair Water Rail 1 seen / 6 or 7 heard Moorhen 11 Reed Bunting 5 Pied Wagtail 30+ Grey wagtail 2 Kestrel 1 Blue Tit, Great Tit and Long-tailed Tits + Regular corvids etc. RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF 309 847 Silvia Fowler 15.01.12, 15.45 hrs Mistle thrush singing at top of nearby ash tree 18.01.12 70-80 Fieldfares feeding in adjoining meadow 19.01.12 Pied Wagtail feeding in meadow, also a few fieldfares, starlings (quite rare in this area) and a mistle thrush. 20.01.12 Brief glimpse of a single Goldfinch. Ours have been absent this winter, in spite of nyger seed and sunflower hearts on offer. 24.01.12 Two robins feeding together without dispute – presumably paired up. 26.01.12 Large Bumblebee in greenhouse. Two 7-Spot Ladybirds active on compost bin. SEACROFT MARSH SSSI 22nd Jan 2012 Rob Watson Muntjac Badger 23rd Jan 2012 Dave Miller, Rob Watson, John Nicholson Mallard 3 Pheasant 2 Little Egret 1 Oystercatcher 8 Sanderling 4 Curlew 5 Redshank 10 Black-headed Gull 35 Common Gull 8 Lesser Black-backed Gull 2 Herring Gull 29 Great Black-backed Gull 3 Green Woodpecker 1 Magpie 6 Carrion Crow 17 Skylark 2 Wren 1 Blackbird 1 Robin 4 Stonechat 2 (pair) Dunnock 1 Rock Pipit 3 Linnet 120 Reed Bunting 38 SNIPEDALES Mel Thorn 19/01/2012. Greater Spotted Woodpecker 1 Green Woodpecker Heard twice Goldcrest 5 Siskin Mixed flock of 30-40 Goldfinch " Chaffinch 16 Bullfinch 25 in four separate groups - included males and females Treecreeper 1 Blue Tit Numerous Great Tit " Long-tailed Tit 20ish Willow Tit 3 Coal Tit 3 Song Thrush 1 Blackbird Numerous Robin 5 Wren 2 Crow 3-4 on site many over Rook Many over Jackdaw several over Magpie 2 Jay 2 Black-headed Gull Many over Common Gull several over Herring Gull 2 over Pheasant many Buzzard 2 Kestrel 3 STICKFORD TF 357602 Garry Steele 25 January 2012 A lamping check of my garden wildlife pond this evening revealed 2 returning common frogs and 5 adult male great crested newts. As usual, it is always the male great crested newts which return to the pond ahead of the females. Interestingly there were also two much smaller great crested newts 'tadpoles' present. These are quite fast moving and initially could easily be mistaken for fish fry. My pond is however fish-free and upon closer inspection you can see the external gills and still developing legs which tells you these are actually the product of last year's breeding season for which the process of metamorphosis has been arrested and they are over- wintering as larvae. Over the years I have seen these overwintering newt tadpoles on several occasions, and suspect they are probably the result of later hatching individuals for which there has been insufficient time remaining for them to fully metamorphose and leave the pond to become terrestrial in late summer-early autumn. I should add that as an ecological consultant who regularly carries out surveys for this protected species I hold a Natural England great crested newt licence which allows me to undertake studies of the newts I am lucky enough to have in my own garden pond and which colonised it naturally. THEDDLETHORPE Mel Thorn 22/01/2012 Flock of 13 Snow Buntings on shore just South of Theddlethorpe at 3.00.pm. WAINFLEET CONSERVATION PONDS 23/01/2012 Roy and Kath Pearson A very poor count this week yielded a total of only 28 birds of 9 species. However a new bird for the site was a Short- eared Owl, which perched conveniently on a fence post at some ten metres distance, giving very good views. WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. A & R Parsons 22/1/2012 Good haul of Tawny Owl pellets in garden - 10+ Also - Tawny owls calling during day. 21/1 Barn owl entering local barn by window. 23/1 - Barn owl hunting in area WILLOWTREE FE NR 26.1.2012 John Redshaw On R. Glen Gadwall 4 Wigeon 230 plus 150 over On partly flooded fields: Jackdaw 60 Lapwing 115 Pheasant 14 Redshank 13 Rooks 300 Starling 200 Wigeon 10 WRANGLE COMMON 23/01/2012 Roy and Kath Pearson We recorded 24 species this week with Blue Tits (15) and Chaffinches (16) being in particularly large numbers. A single Bullfinch was still in residence and a good record was of 20 Golden Plover. A Swedish-ringed Black-headed Gull was found washed-up on the strand line at nearby Sailors' Home. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 23/01/2012 Black Brant Brent Goose 800 24/01/2012 Black Brant Hen Harrier Merlin Pale-bellied Brent Peregrine Pintail 3 Red-throated Diver 15 Short-eared Owl Sparrowhawk Water Pipit 25/01/2012 Fieldfare 10 Redwing 5 SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE NNR. http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/nr/reserve.php?mapref=41 http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designatedareas/nnr/1006128.aspx Week ending 27th January 2012. John Walker, Roger Briggs, Peter & Janet Roworth A really quiet week with few birds around. Same flock (presumably) of c90+ Twite around the foredunes area near Churchill, Skylarks showing some display flights and vocalisation on the saltmarsh. Tawny owls quite noisy near Sea View and good numbers of Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Great and Blue Tits at bird tables. An extra couple of points. One of us (PCR) had recently read Patrick Barkham's book The Butterfly Isles where he describes how he set out to see every one of Britain's 59 native butterflies in the 2009 Summer. It's a great read with a lot of useful ID tips and anecdotal bits of advice from his epic adventure. 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: Report follows ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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, January 14, 2012 Joseph Banks, James Edward Smith and the Linnean Society Illustrated Lecture by Prof. Mark Seaward. Emeritus Professor of Environmental Biology at Bradford University and Honorary Professor of Lincoln University. Saturday, February 11, 2012 Recorders Meeting Overview and highlights of the past year's recording provided by the county recorders. Saturday, March 10, 2012 AGM & Presidential Address Barrie Wilkinson's eagerly awaited Presidential Address. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 barber.james - e-mail account disabled stourton-mark - local delivery failed - mark.gordon please note twaccie- e-mail account disabled *** Link of the Week *** Thanks for the following: RSPB Big Garden Watch http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/16738036 Lyme Disease up http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-16706942 Solar Storms http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-16701407 ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/