=========================================== || || 29th July 2012 || || LNU Website: http://www.lnu.org/ || || News of Lincolnshire Wildlife || ============================================ In this issue..... 1. Readers hints, tips and requests 2. Wildlife Highlights 3. Wildlife reports from around the county 4. News from the Lincolnshire Coast NNRs 5. News from Far Ings NNR 6. News from Bardney Limewoods NNR 7. Sending in Reports - contributors please read! 8. Contact information 9. Notes about these wildlife reports 10. Bulletin publicity policy 11. Events Diary 12. ...and finally..... ============================================ The Lincolnshire Naturalists Union Bulletin is being read by 1090 people and we are keen to encourage even more readers to subscribe. LNU Wildnews Bulletins are available on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Note: Each address contains the relevant date. Views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union or any associated organisations. Please make contact via the LNU Website: http://www.lnu.org/ or e-mail wildlifenews@lnu.org, or contact the Editor to join up and contribute articles or reports. [Or cancel!] E-mail: rparsons@enterprise.net ============================================ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. Readers hints, tips and requests ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Editor Writes *** A surprising switch in the weather makes me wonder if St Swithin has been living up to his reputation! From autumn-like conditions we have moved into high summer. But not for long? http://www.theweatheroutlook.com/ We are adding readers slowly but steadily. A further 21 gets us to 1111. Please tell others about the Bulletin. Don't keep it a secret. http://www.lnu.org/wildnews.php The Horncastle Astronomy Weekend approaches and I have just received my booking instructions. Paul Money will be pleased to hear from you if you are interested. You may contact Paul via: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/ For more, The Horncastle Astronomy Weekend page is: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Home1.htm Watch out for increasing sunspot activity including numbers 1529-1532. For news of sunspots, solar flares, geomagnetic storms and the possibility of an Aurora, keep an eye on: http://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/ http://aurorawatch.lancs.ac.uk/ http://spacew.com/ Keep those reports coming! And you "silent watchers", how about a contribution before the end of the year? Roger *** Next LNU Event *** For LNU meetings see www.lnu.org/events.php See section 11 for full programme. 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 *** Flying ant season *** Alan Phillips writes: I would welcome specimens forwarded for identification and to generate records. Although they will most likely be Lasius niger, this common species (which most of us have in our garden) is woefully under-recorded. If you feel like you could send some, please e-mail me for a postal address: aculeates@gmail.com (They could also be handed to me at LNU field meetings - but please check with me beforehand to see if I'll be present). Thanks. See: http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/18674341 BATS IN TROUBLE? CAN YOU HELP? Annette Faulkner writes: Some of you will have seen some weeks ago, after Roger asked how bats were faring, I reported that pipistrelles have been having a hard time this year. I shan't have all the information regarding low weights 'til the end of the year, but a trend seems to be emerging to do with the difference between whether bats have had easy access to ponds and lakes, rivers and drains, where there will have been plenty of the invertebrates that they feed on, and those which have not - i.e. those that feed mainly on terrestrial insects appear to have been disproportionately affected. I may be totally wrong about this, but this is where I am asking for your help. Could I ask those of you who see bats regularly and know EXACTLY how many you normally see (no guesswork please!) to check on your bats this year and tell me a) whether there's no change, or b) whether there are fewer. E.g., if you normally see 2 are there still 2, or is there only one - or none? Please do this over several nights in good weather. Secondly, please could you work out roughly how close you are to a water feature (in kilometres or miles - whichever suits) with the location (this is important) and e-mail the result to me at info@lincsbatgroup.co.uk OWL PELLETS WANTED Mick Todd I am a leader with Boston Wildlife Explorers (Junior branch of the RSPB), we are running an owl pellet dissection activity at the Revesby show on 5th August. I was wondering if anybody in the Boston, Spalding, Sleaford or Spilsby area could donate us some owl pellets we would be most grateful. We are struggling to obtain a suitable amount, I would be able to pick them up. Please contact me at mick4todd@msn.com or phone 07904260142. Many thanks in anticipation *** Questionnaire for Botanists *** Sent in by Charlie Barnes. My name is Ryanne Matthias and I am currently completing an MSc in Plant Diversity at Reading University. I am trying to connect with any UK based plant naturalists out there who may be willing to help me with my research project by giving 4 minutes of their time to complete my online survey. The aim of this project is to investigate whether there is a supply of, and demand for, naturalists to offer private tuition in plant identification and associated field study skills to the general public. For further information and to fill in the online survey visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/naturalistsurvey28 *** Butterfly Conservation Events *** Have a look at their website: http://www.lincolnshire-butterflies.org.uk/ Next Events: SATURDAY 28TH JULY 2012 MOTH NIGHT AT CHAMBERS FARM WOOD Time: 21.30 until late... Meeting Place: Education Centre, Chambers Farm Wood, near Bardney, Lincoln Grid Reference: TF147739 Contact: Toby Ludlow Telephone: 01526 343910 Target Species: Moths SUNDAY 29TH JULY 2012 OPEN DAY AT CHAMBERS FARM WOOD (FOLLOWED BY LINCOLNSHIRE BRANCH AGM) Time: Open from 10.00 Guided Butterfly Walk at 11.00 (AGM Starts at 15.00) Meeting Place: Education Centre, Chambers Farm Wood, near Bardney, Lincoln Grid Reference: TF147739 Contact: Peter Cawdell Telephone: 01522 560646 Mobile: 07867 954770 Target Species: White Admiral, White-letter Hairstreak, Purple Hairstreak & Marbled White Keep those butterfly records coming in to Allan Binding: allan.binding@ntlworld.com And moth records to Colin Smith: csmith668@btinternet.com *** Hedgehogs, Warblers and other wildlife *** LOUTH – LEGBOURNE Rd 21/07/2012 Chris J Manning Hedgehog droppings in garden occasionally for the last month. Attempts to photograph it with a trail camera have been unsuccessful to date, however I now have lots of pictures of my cat! Last night I went for a pint, spotting one hedgehog on the way, on my return another hedgehog was in my garden. I am sure there is a moral to this? This summer with lots of slugs should provide plenty of food for hedgehogs which should give the young a good start in life. Warblers - Stuart Britton writes: In answer to Jacquie Harrison's query as to why Sedge Warblers were apparent on her visit to the Lower Ancholme and Reed Warblers absent, this may help. Sedge Warblers nest in thick, tangled vegetation about 2 or 3 feet from the ground. Importantly, this is often not over open water but in dyke banks or in wet area adjacent to rivers where the water level does not increase dramatically. Conversely, Reed Warblers invariably build their nest in Common Reed (Phragmites australis), often fairly close together, which is invariably over open water. The Lower Ancholme reed habitat would be seriously affected by substantially higher water levels. In this exceptionally wet breeding season, BTO nest recorders have reported many Reed Warbler nests have been flooded or the nests have been destroyed by torrential rain. I am only speculating but would suggest Sedge Warbler nest sites offer better protection from the destructive force of torrential rain and survival rates will be higher than for Reed Warblers. *** Rural and Wildlife Crime *** Readers will be aware that harvest time usually leads on to the season of illegal hare coursing. Lincolnshire Police have made good progress in controlling this activity, but support and encouragement is essential it they are to maintain this success. In our rural area there have been reports of thefts from farms and rural businesses, metal theft, drug dealing and other suspicious activity, including arson and antisocial behaviour. That parked-up car may be an innocent passer-by, but it could contain a hare courser or metal thief having a check around, a drug dealer waiting to make a sale or a fly tipper. Note the registration number and make that 101 call. If you would like to play a more active part in the fight against crime you should consider joining Farm and Country Business Watch. It is free. You get regular intelligence and information on local crimes and concerns. You can be a useful observer to help keep track of criminal activity. Remember, our involvement raises the profile of this area of crime prevention. It boosts the priority given to wildlife and rural crime. It stops incidents being ignored or binned. [You should always make a point of requesting an incident/ crime number when making a report, as it then qualifies as a statistic.] Have a look at: http://www.lincs.police.uk/News-Centre/Campaigns/Farm-And-Country-Business-Watch/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2. Wildlife Highlights ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Bird News from Rare Birds Alert *** Rare Bird Alert has kindly given permission to reproduce reports. A big thank you from us all. Interested readers should have a look at the RBA website: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ Note: I am adapting my RBA pager information for the Bulletin by eliminating or summarising/consolidating repeated messages. When there is a lot of information I will stick to highlights. Please visit the RBA website for updates or fuller details. 21/7 White-rumped Sandpiper, Frampton Marsh, also 2 Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, Little Gull and Black-necked Grebe Curlew Sandpiper, Horseshoe Point 22/7 White-rumped Sandpiper, Frampton Marsh Great White Egret, Whisby Nature Park 23/7 Montagu's Harrier, Manby airfield Great White Egret, Whisby Nature Park flew off 12.30 Great white Egret, over Fiskerton Fen Osprey SW of Scunthorpe 24/7 Osprey, Susworth over River Trent from Black Bank White-rumped Sandpiper, Frampton Marsh 5 Yellow-legged Gulls, North Hykeham, Lincoln Tip 25/7 White-rumped Sandpiper, Frampton Marsh White-winged Black Tern, Black-necked Grebe, Curlew Sandpiper, Frampton Marsh 5 Little Gulls, Cleethorpes 26/6 Caspian Gull, 3 Yellow-legged Gulls, Kirkby on Bain Gravel Pits Red-necked Phalarope, Frampton Marsh lagoon 27/6 Pied Flycatcher, Short-eared Owl, Donna Nook, Stonebridge car park 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. HOLTON LE CLAY Holton le Clay (Elysium Nature Reserve) TA298 009 Joint LNU and British Dragonfly Society field meeting to this private site led by Brian Hedley and Chris Manning. Attended by a total of 15 people on a partly sunny day. 15 July 2012 Dragonflies/Damselflies Azure damselflies 10 Common blue damselflies 100's Blue-tailed damselflies 100's Banded demoiselle 5 Emperor 1 Black-tailed skimmer 10 Common darter 2 Butterflies Large skipper 5 Large white 2 Small tortoiseshell 1 Red admiral 1 Peacock 1 Comma 1 Speckled wood 2 Meadow brown 20 Ringlet 30 Birds Thirty six bird species were noted including little egret, buzzard, oystercatcher, yellow wagtail, reed warbler, linnet and reed bunting. Mammals Rabbits and signs of water vole and brown rat. Amphibians Common toad Moths Yellowshell Elephant hawk Common grass veneer From Alan Phillips: Apart from bumblebees, there were not many aculeates about, but the best find was the solitary bee Lasioglossum malachurum. Several females were swept from mayweed Tripleurospermum sp. Second county record and first for VC54. This record is thought to be the most northerly for the species in the UK. Passaloecus gracilis, Mimumesa dahlbomi and Bombus barbutellus were also good finds. Solitary wasps: Mimumesa dahlbomi Passaloecus gracilis Crossocerus podagricus (These 3 wasps were found nesting in a logpile). Mason wasp: Ancistrocerus trifasciatus Solitary bees: Lasioglossum malachurum Hylaeus communis Bumblebees: Bombus terrestris Bombus lucorum s.l. Bombus lapidarius Bombus pascuorum Bombus pratorum Bombus hortorum Cuckoo bumblebees: Bombus barbutellus Bombus bohemicus Bombus rupestris Bombus vestalis *** 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. BARTON-UPON-HUMBER List of Wildlife Seen at Waters' Edge Reserve, Barton Thurs 26/07/2012 Julie Ellison Birds: Blackbird Blackcap Black-Headed Gull Canada Goose 8 Carrion Crow 5 (family group) Collared Dove 2 (1 juvenile) Common Tern Coot Dunnock Goldfinch Great Crested Grebe Great Tit Greylag Goose 40+ House Martin House Sparrow Lesser Black-Backed Gull Magpie Mallard (about 30 juveniles on pond by visitor Centre) Mistle Thrush 1 Moorhen Mute Swan 2 Pied Wagtail 2 Reed Warbler Sedge Warbler Swallow Swift Tufted Duck 13 Wood Pigeon Butterflies: Gatekeeper 4 Ringlet 2 Skipper 4 (not near enough to tell if large or small) Cinnabar caterpillars Wild Plants in Flower: Bindweed (Hedge) Bird's-Foot-Trefoil (common) Black Medick Bramble Bristly Oxtongue Buttercup (Creeping) Buttercup (Meadow) Campion (White) Clover (Red) Clover (White) Cranesbill (Dove's Foot) Daisy Dandelion Forget-Me-Not Knapweed (Common) Meadowsweet Nettle (Common) Nettle (White Dead) Oxeye Daisy Plantain (Ribwort) Ragwort Scarlet Pimpernel Selfheal Teasel Thistle (creeping) Vetch (Tufted) Vetchling (Meadow) Viper's Bugloss Wild Carrot Wood Avens (Herb Bennet) Yarrow Willow Herb (Rosebay) Other Records: Grasshopper (sp. instar) Damselfly (Common Blue) 1 Rabbit 1 Domestic cat 2 BOSTON Week Ending 21/07/2012 Roy and Kath Pearson An unusual sight in the garden this week was of three Magpies attempting - successfully - to eat the fat balls we put out for tits and finches, by clinging to the fat ball holders. Both Starlings and Blackbirds can make inroads into the food, but not on the scale of the Magpies. A few more weeks of this and I will be bankrupt. Butterflies have been few in number recently, but it was nice to see a Comma in the garden during the week. BOSTON 26.07.12 Mick Todd I regularly see between 5 and 8 swifts flying over our house, in central Boston, but today the sight of in excess of 30 was quite spectacular, not to mention noisy! Hopefully a sign of a successful breeding season for the swifts. CONINGSBY R & A Parsons 22/7/12 at 16.00hrs approx.. Dead hedgehog on road - Silver St at approx.. TF 224579 GREETWELL HOLLOW LWT Reserve, Lincoln TF 00 72 Brian Hedley 17 July 2012 Muntjac 1 23 July 2012 Migrant hawker 2 Brown hawker 1 Gatekeeper 12 Meadow Brown 30 Ringlet 20 Small skipper 30 Large skipper 2 Green-veined white 2 Large white 2 Comma 3 Dingy footman 1 Shaded broad-bar 4 Field Vole 1 Treecreeper 2 HUTTOFT TF512 763 (my garden) Jane Pennington Date: 26/7 Wrens 3 fledglings (on my terrace) Date: 27/07 Wrens 5 (possibly the parents and fledglings in the hedgerow by the ditch) MARTON SK 842 820 21 July 2012 Brian Hedley Moth trap out overnight (with MV bulb). One of my better nights here with 350-400 moths of at least 85 species including: Coronet 1 Privet hawk 1 Elephant hawk 2 Silver Y 4 Purple thorn 1 Early thorn 2 Scarce footman 6 Shark 1 Coxcomb Prominent 1 Ruby tiger 1 Dot moth 2 Short-cloaked moth 2 Shaded broad-bar 1 Small dotted buff 2 Bordered Pug 1 Sycamore 1 Beautiful hook-tip 1 Possible Plain pug 1? Micros included: Diamondback 1 Evergrestis pallidata 1 Argyresthia bonnetella 1 Plus marsh harrier (juv) south at 6pm 22 July 2012 Whimbrel 1 west at 7am 25 July 2012 Speckled bush-cricket 1 Privet Hawk moth 1 White satin moth 1 NAVENBY Jennifer Playford On Friday night (20 July) I was walking the dogs at 11pm when I heard repeatedly a 'churring' sound which was new to me. The evening was incredibly still and quiet and I stood listening to this call for some time. I was in the Old Rectory gardens where there are lots of mature trees and rough undergrowth. I came indoors and 'Googled' Nightjar - as that seemed to me the only explanation of the sound I'd heard. Sure enough, when I discovered the call of the Nightjar - it was what I had heard. Just below the gardens is a hillside field of unimproved grassland. We rarely cut the field and many different grass varieties thrive, so we get loads of moths - although less this year due to the wet. When I read that Nightjars feed on moths - it all seemed to fall into place. NORTH CLIFTON [Notts record!] Between railway bridges Grid Ref: SK 826 716. Pete Haywood 25 July 2012 Several patches of wild liquorice & lots of hairsfoot clover on disused railway line. PICKWORTH/HOLYWELL ROBERT'S FIELD NATURE RESERVE NR.STAMFORD GR..TF001149 Max Winslow 26 July 2012 Dark Green Fritillary x2 Possibly 3 1600 hrs One seen at about the same time on the previous two days TATTERSHALL CASTLE [National Trust] A. Parsons 22/7/2012 Gipsywort in moat. WASH BOAT TRIP FROM FOSDYKE TO SKULL RIDGE Geof Lee Saturday, 21st July, 2012. Heron - 1 Little egret - 5 Sheld duck - 1 Avocet - 4 Great crested grebe - 8 Common sandpiper - 3 Little tern - 5 Common tern - many Sandwich tern - many Cormorant - many Whimbrel - 1 Barn owl - 1 at 6.00 P.M. with prey in its claws Black tailed godwit - large flock on the Roger sand Oystercatchers - many Redshank - many Peewit - many Common seal - many WASHINGBOROUGH: Willow Court Allan Binding writes Grass snake on the 18.07.2012 in our 5m square walled garden. It was not fully grown. We believe it may be living in our garden as for the first time this year we have had no frogs and toads in the garden. Annette saw a very young grass snake in the garden about the size if a large pencil a few years ago. WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 21/7 Hummingbird Hawkmoth on valerian - 16.30hrs 22/7 08.15hrs Walk in area TF2253 approx. 5 brown hares, 1 barn owl hunting. Canada Farm TF 223538 [Private land] Grass snake also male Marsh Harrier hunting in area. 24/7/2012 Hedgehog caught on webcam 00.30hrs. TF216534 3 Brown Hare, 2 very busy mating in horse paddock Mill Lane TF 233527 also Marsh Harrier hunting over paddock. 25/7 Large grass snake in compost heap, probably female adult. Midday. Buzzard calling in area 19.00hrs. 26/7 Buzzard over, calling 13.00hrs, Barn owl hunting over stubble of oil seed rape, 22.00hrs. WRANGLE COMMON 22/07/2012 Roy and Kath Pearson We were still unable to access the plantation owing to dense vegetation and our count was low on small woodland passerines, with no tits recorded at all. However we still managed a creditable 39 species, though no waders seem to be moving through the area at present. A first for our survey area was a male Garganey starting to go into eclipse. We'd had reports of this bird for several weeks, but this was the first time we had recorded it. Several Green-veined White butterflies were seen and Ringlets are increasing in numbers. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 Gibraltar Point: 26/07/2012 Black-tailed Godwit 5 Common Sandpiper 3 Crossbill 1 Cuckoo 1 Green Sandpiper 4 Greenshank 11 Little Gull 2 Ruff 2 Sandwich Tern 1300 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 July 2012. John Walker, Roger Briggs, Steve Hall, Cliff Morrison, Peter & Janet Roworth Day time temperatures reached a very hot 28.5°C on the 23rd but we are back to 18.0°C this morning (27th). This very brief spell of hot weather encouraged the butterflies and dragonflies to show themselves. Small skippers are in good numbers for this year and there are plenty of ringlets, meadow browns, some small heaths, the first hedge browns, red admirals, a comma on the 21st, but very few whites. During his butterfly monitoring survey on the 24th Steve H had a pleasant surprise when a marbled white flew over. This is the second record for the NNR as one was seen last year at a similar date. Dragonflies include good numbers of common darter, four-spotted chaser and ruddy darter. Emperors were seen over the pond at Rimac and there are azure damselflies around with fewer numbers of blue-tailed and emerald. Lesser meadow rue and bur chervil are now in flower and there are good displays of black knapweed. Marsh helliborines have done exceptionally well; a survey during the week gave a minimum of 7,800 flowering spikes. Interesting bird sightings for the week include several Arctic Skuas with one group of 2 light phase and 5 dark phase birds on the 21st harassing and unsettling a resting flock of Sandwich Terns, but after no 'free food' they flew off and out to sea. On the 26th along the beach from Brickyard there were 2 Spotted Redshanks with 17 Redshanks flying south, 7 Bar-tailed Godwit, 19 Turnstones in one flock and 5 Gannets flying south. Over the salt marsh a female Marsh Harrier, Short-eared Owl, Barn Owl, Sparrowhawk and up to 3 Kestrels have been seen hunting. Elsewhere the dunes are fairly quiet and as Cliff commented… "this, and yesterday morning [26th] were the first since April that no warblers were heard singing in the buckthorn. Many juvenile whitethroats present last week, have now left, so summer is moving on". RSPB WASH Reserves - Frampton Marsh and Freiston Shore Reports for June 2012 John Badley Recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Assisted by Grahame Hopwood and Colin Jennings RSPB Frampton Marsh The highlight was undoubtedly Lincolnshire's first Black-eared Wheatear (12th), a first-summer female, seen and photographed by just one fortunate observer. An adult Rose-coloured Starling (20th onwards) was a reserve first and also rather elusive during its stay. The Black-necked Grebe first seen in April showed better all month and up to two Garganey were seen. Raptors were well represented with Red Kite (2nd, 23rd and 24th), Montagu's Harrier (12th & 16th), Hobby, Peregrine and up to five Marsh Harriers. Waders were still passing through with up to two Little Stints (1st), up to two Curlew Sandpipers, up to four Ruff (16th), single Spotted Redshank and Wood Sandpipers (4th & 15th). Two Mediterranean Gulls (10th) popped in to the Black-headed Gull colony and up to 11 Little Gulls were also present. A Roseate Tern on the Reedbed (30th) was the third first for the reserve in June. RSPB Freiston Shore A pair of Roseate Terns on the lagoon (28th) were both ringed on both legs suggesting they originated from Coquet Island, Northumberland. Little Tern and several Sandwich Terns and 200 Common Terns were also present at the same time. A different Roseate Tern was seen two days later. Mediterranean Gulls were seen on a few dates. One Short-eared Owl (10th) was seen, but Barn Owls were more regular. Two Pink-footed and four Dark-bellied Brent Geese (24th) were rather unseasonal. Gibraltar Point NNR A Spoonbill was in residence for most of the month. Among the gulls were up to 23 Little Gulls (30th), a Mediterranean Gull on several dates and a Baltic Gull was reported (9th). Waders included single Curlew Sandpiper and Little Stint at the start of the month and Green Sandpiper nearer the end of the month. Sanderlings are always among the last waders to head north, but 1700 (6th) was an excellent count. The sea was generally quiet, but four Manx Shearwaters (4th) were the highlight. Birds of prey seen included Red Kite (4th), Hobby and both Short-eared Owl and Montagu's Harrier at the start of the month. Migrants included 17 Turtle Doves (2nd), a Hawfinch (4rd), up to 117 Crossbills (5th), and the highlight, a less than co-operative Common Rosefinch (20th). Other sites A Garganey was at Kirkby Pits (until 4th). Quail were reported calling from North Rauceby, Langtoft and RAF Coningsby. A Montagu's Harrier passed through Metheringham Airfield (7th) with an Osprey there two days later. An Osprey was also seen at Deeping Lakes (1st). Two Caspian Gulls were at North Hykeham Pits with up to 14 Yellow-legged Gulls (21st). John Badley Recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Assisted by Colin Jennings ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. News from Far Ings NNR http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/far_ings/index.php ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Report follows - shearing and hay making time. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6. News from Bardney Limewoods NNR http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/Limewoods/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Reports from the following locations will now be posted here to give an overview of Limewoods ecology. The NNR includes the following sites: Chambers Farm Wood (please detail specific area when reporting e.g. Ivy Wood, Little Scrubbs Meadow etc.....); College Wood, Cocklode & Great West Woods, Hardy Gang Wood, Newball Wood, Scotgrove Wood, Southrey Wood, Wickenby Wood Other woods included in the NNR but without public access: Stainfield Wood; Stainton & Fulnetby Woods (access by public bridle way only) For the Limewoods, see: http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/publications/limewoods-walks/ http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/about/conservation/bardney-limewoods-nnr/ http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designatedareas/nnr/1006846.aspx and Adrian Royle's superb Flickr photo-site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/adiroyle/collections/72157624803742908/ Reports needed for these wonderful woodlands. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7. Sending in reports to Roger Parsons ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The purpose of the Bulletin is to encourage biological recording in Lincolnshire using modern Information and Communication Technology. We hope to increase the number of people reporting observations to LNU Recorders and improve the quality of reports, as well as the quantity and the geographical coverage. [A backup e-mail address you can use if ever you experience problems with my "Enterprise" address is: aintree2@yahoo.co.uk] When sending in reports please follow Bulletin layout to save editing: Place Name: IN CAPITALS with Grid Reference if you have it. Your Name: Real names please, not aliases. Put it in each time, for each location Date: Species list [Alphabetical?] & numbers [and observations?] e.g. Blackbird - 24 [And please, no home-grown abbreviations. Names in full.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 8. Contact Information & Useful Websites ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please let me know ASAP if any of these weblinks fail! *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Website *** A full list of LNU Country Recorders is given here. http://www.lnu.org/ LNU e-mail: info@lnu.org If you are not yet a member, the LNU needs good naturalists like you! Anyone interested can get membership application forms from Wilma Gammon at the Lincs Wildlife Trust office, e-mail wgammon@lincstrust.co.uk LNU publications [listed on LNU website] may be ordered via: Ian Macalpine-Leny macalpine@doddington.demon.co.uk *** iSpot *** The LNU is now represented on the popular iSpot website: http://www.ispot.org.uk/node/275032 A full list of the organisations, recording schemes and societies represented is here: http://www.ispot.org.uk/representatives This is a project run by The Open University as part of Open Air Laboratories (OPAL), where you can "Learn more about wildlife, share your interest with a friendly community and get help identifying what you have seen." The project is essentially in the business of helping people learn how to identify the wildlife they encounter, and encouraging them to get involved in biological recording. *** Contacts List *** *** Rural Crime Officer *** Pc 160 Nick Willey Force Wildlife, Rural Crime Officer Force Dog Training Establishment Lincolnshire Showground. Grange-De-Lings. Lincoln nicholas.willey@lincs.pnn.police.uk OFFICE: 01522-731897 MOBILE :07768-501895 PAGER : 07654-330877 *** Lincs Amphibian and Reptile Group *** The Lincolnshire ARG (Amphibian & Reptile Group) For further details please contact ashleybutterfield@btinternet.com tel. 07984 66 5847 *** Limestone Grassland Project *** Mark Schofield, Limestone Grassland Project Officer, mschofield@lincstrust.co.uk Mobile: 07825970930, Switchboard: 01507 526667. To find out more and to become involved with the survey and management of Lincolnshire's limestone grassland on road verges see: See: http://www.lifeontheverge.org.uk/ *** Local Bat Helpline *** Grounded bats, bat problems, advice and information? Contact Annette and Colin Faulkner on 01775 766286 or e-mail: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** Bat Recorder *** You may send confidential bat records direct to Annette Faulkner on: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** Butterfly Conservation Recorder *** Allan Binding asks contributors of butterfly records to the Bulletin to include their address or contact telephone or e-mail address and Grid Reference if possible. e-mail: allan.binding@ntlworld.com See: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/species/bfly/index.php *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire link *** http://www.lincolnshire-butterflies.org.uk/index.html *** LNU Bees, Wasps and Ants Recorder *** Alan Phillips Willing to examine specimens or check photos (but bear in mind only a relative few of the 300+ species in the county are identifiable using photos). Aculeates only please, no parasitic wasps such as Ichneumons. If in doubt please contact for advice: aculeates@gmail.com *** Whisby's Bee and Wasp List *** Dr Michael Archer and Alan Phillips have put together an impressive list. Have a look and see how many species you recognise by name! http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/whisby/index.php?id=73 Also see: http://norwegica.wordpress.com/author/norwegica/ Could this be the year you learn to identify bees and wasps? *** OTTERS *** Readers are reminded that all dead Otters should be reported to the Environment Agency on 0800 807060. *** Hedgehog Survey *** http://www.hedgehogstreet.org/pages/hibernation-survey.html *** Mammal Records *** Mammal records can reported to Chris Manning E-mail: chris@lincsdeer.info Mink reports also of interest and can be sent via the Bulletin. *** Grow-you-own Mistletoe *** http://www.mistle.co.uk/ *** New Met Office Service *** The Met Office website now offers an e-mail notification service for severe weather and other matters which may interest readers. Worth having a look and signing up. Be warned of the possibility of severe weather. See: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/corporate/pressoffice/2009/pr20090727.html *** LNU Moths Gallery *** There is a moth page on the LNU Website, to promote the recording of moths across the county. http://www.lnu.org/ Also see: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/species/hawkmoths/index.php *** Slug ID Help *** Chris du Feu will help with slug identification. You can telephone him on: 01427 848400 or e-mail: chris@chrisdufeu.force9.co.uk *** Identification of Non-Marine Molluscs *** John Redshaw is still available to identify specimens of non- marine shelled molluscs, including brackish marsh species. For larger and medium sized species (down to 1cm) a digital image will usually suffice. For smaller species it may be possible, in some cases, to ID specimens from digital images, but usually actual specimens will be required. If providing specimens, they may be enclosed in old film pots (which photographic shops are usually glad to get rid of). Details of location where specimen found, (with grid reference if known), date and finder's name should be provided. If specimen is provided this information should be noted on a label stuck to the outside of the pot. Please be aware that it is illegal to send live specimens through the post. For further details please contact John by e-mail on ejred7fen@tiscali.co.uk *** Mollusc Identification *** David Feld has also kindly offered to assist readers to identify molluscs, both terrestrial and aquatic. Please e-mail him a description and he will advise you whether and where to send a photograph or an actual specimen. Contact: drf@dfeld.freeserve.co.uk *** Lincolnshire Badger Group Update *** Ally Townsend of the Weirfield Wildlife Hospital, writes: If you would like to give people the Lincoln number 01522 530428 a member of staff will record the sighting or RTA. Or use the Weirfield website: http://www.weirfield.co.uk/ where a reporting page can be used to send in reports. *** Lincs Bird Club *** Secretary - Robert Carr secretary@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Membership Secretary - Mike Harrison: michael@michaelharrison1.wanadoo.co.uk LBC County Bird Recorders County Bird Recorder, covering the south of the county recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk for John Badley recorder_north@lincsbirdclub.co.uk for John Clarkson Bird Club Website: www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk *** Help BBCT with Amazon *** The Bumblebee Conservation Trust have an association with Amazon which helps to raise money for Bumblebee Conservation without any cost to the purchaser. If you buy anything from Amazon click onto the site via Bumblebee Conservation Trust - Support us - Easy fund raising - Amazon. If you do this Amazon will donate 8% of the price paid to Bumblebee Conservation Trust. Link: http://www.bumblebeeconservation.org.uk/fundraising.html or try http://www.bumblebeeconservation.org.uk/products.html *** Other Useful Websites *** Key links are now being posted on the LNU website. http://www.lnu.org/ This should save space in the Bulletin, Suggestions for other useful Websites are welcome. Natural England http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ Still includes SSSI Information and "Nature on the Map" Lincolnshire Environmental Awards http://www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk/ Lincs. Wildlife Trust Website http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/ Useful emergency numbers for wildlife crises. http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/factsheets/ Lincs Environmental Records Centre The Lincolnshire Biodiversity Partnership (of which LERC is a part) Contact: Charlie Barnes, charlie.barnes@lincsbiodiversity.org.uk or for more general queries: info@lincsbiodiversity.org.uk The Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes Project (LCGMP) To learn more about the project or to find out how to get involved, please visit www.lincsmarshes.org.uk or contact Joe Blissett on 01507613132 Tornado and Storm Research Organisation www.torro.org.uk Contact Ian Loxley on colarain@tiscali.co.uk *** Interesting Weather radar website *** Noel Loxley recommends the following interesting website. http://www.raintoday.co.uk/ RSPB Contact Details RSPB Website: www.rspb.org.uk www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh John Badley, Site Manager for RSPB Lincolnshire Wash reserves e-mail: john.badley@rspb.org.uk Bardney Limewoods www.limewoods.co.uk limewoods@lincolnshire.gov.uk The Sir Joseph Banks Society Contact 01507 528223 or by e-mail: enquiries@joseph-banks.org.uk. www.joseph-banks.org.uk EasyTide Check tide times on Admiralty EasyTide: http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx TWO - The Weather Outlook Check the weather forecast for the location or postcode: http://www.theweatheroutlook.com/ Joan Gunson's Moths recorded in my garden 2011: www.flickr.com/photos/angleshades Alan Dale's Bugs and Weeds http://www.bugsandweeds.co.uk/ Mike Binnion writes: Common Butterflies http://www.grimsbywildlife.co.uk/otherattractions.htm http://www.grimsbywildlife.co.uk/ Youtube video of visit to Rimac NR Colin Green. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s02O5JJoilQ&feature=em-share_video_user *** Other Useful E-mail Addresses *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union: info@lnu.org Gibraltar Point: gibpoint@lincstrust.co.uk Far Ings: farings@lincstrust.co.uk Whisby Nature Park: whisbynp@lincstrust.co.uk NEW Syke's Farm: lwt@sykesfarm.org.uk Lincs. Trust HQ: The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust main e-mail address: info@lincstrust.co.uk Lincolnshire FWAG: lincoln@fwag.org.uk If you would like your e-mail listed here, please let me know. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9. Notes about these wildlife reports ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We do our best to ensure accuracy in our reporting but these records are sent in by a variety of reporters, from complete beginners to professionals. They therefore vary in reliability and in certain cases they are impossible to verify. If further information is needed on locations or reporters, or if you wish to question/confirm any of these records, contact: rparsons@enterprise.net Bulletins are sent to Biological Recorders at the Lincs. Wildlife Trust, Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. [Note: Where plants are reported, this is usually because they have been seen and identified in flower.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10. The Bulletin's publicity policy ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We will sometimes withhold precise details of the location of rare or endangered species. Please point out any sensitive or "tricky" reports of this kind. Sensitive data should go directly to county recorders, please. We ask that you respect the interests of wildlife and site owners if you report to national networks. Make a point of explaining site sensitivity and any restrictions on access. An interest in wildlife is not a licence to act irresponsibly/thoughtlessly to landowners, who may well be partners in important conservation work. [Remember - views expressed in the Bulletin do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions on the LNU or associated organisations. In particular this applies to such agencies, especially charities, taking a political stance.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11. LNU Events Diary For LNU meetings also see www.lnu.org/events.php ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Field Meetings generally start at 12 noon for 1.00pm, but please check the website details for each event. Unless otherwise stated, Indoor Meetings are held on Saturdays at the Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park, Moor Lane, Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln and start at 2pm. 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: lynn@nocton And finally..... *** Heritage Open Days 2012 *** Thursday 6th to Sunday 9th September 2012 "Celebrate the rich and varied local heritage of Lincolnshire - over 100 special openings and events have been arranged across the county. "This year's theme is Trade and Travel in Lincolnshire which includes events such as guided tours of historic houses, living history and events celebrating the unique contribution that Lincolnshire has made to trade and travel." http://www.lincsheritage.org/hod/ ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/