=========================================== || || 10th June 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 1077 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 *** I was at the lighting of a Jubilee beacon on Monday evening at Tattershall Castle, a local National Trust property. The event had been hyped by someone who sent out information implying a beacon would be blazing from the battlements. I had said that there was no way the NT would approve this and so it turned out. NT bosses had stamped on the idea. Instead there was an 8 foot tall gas-fuelled pseudo-beacon that gave a modest "flare" on the castle lawn, effectively invisible as a beacon because of the surrounding trees. It was definitely not a replication of "Up Helly Aa". See: www.uphellyaa.org/ [Cousins in Kent described theirs as "a real Armada beacon".] There were three highlights to our evening, not counting a castle bat. On the way there we saw 2 barn owls in a heated territorial altercation at TF 2154. The rising Full Moon was stunning. On the way home there was a gathering of 6 brown hares on the road. Sadly there was no sign of the Sun on the morning of the 6th, so I missed the last stages of the Venus transit. I followed it on the NASA website and very interesting it was until the cut to their news slot, missing out the most fascinating bit of the transit, the "black drop effect" and exit of Venus from view. You would think space-people would be more savvy. The next transit will be Mercury in 2016, but you will need more than an eclipse viewer to see that. We have 4 years to order proper solar filters for our telescopes. Roger *** Next LNU Event *** For LNU meetings see www.lnu.org/events.php See section 11 for full programme. 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 *** Lincolnshire Show *** The Lincolnshire Show is looming - 20th/21st June. If you are going, please make a point of stopping by the LNU stand in the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust tent. The TWO weather forecast suggests that by then June will be warming up. Hope so. See: www.theweatheroutlook.com/ We hope any visiting readers will introduce themselves to us. The team will be pleased to have a chat and to advise you on identification and recording. *** Buzzards etc. *** Eddie Smith comment - abstracted from a longer article: Controlling birds of prey becomes an emotive subject. The statistics mentioned in the Bulletin regarding the damage buzzards cause looks inaccurate [to me]. Buzzards and other predators do kill a lot of wildlife. Pheasants are killed in thousands on our roads especially after release in late summer, so it's going to be a very rough estimate as to how many are killed by Buzzards. I have never been able to understand why Birds of Prey are so popular. They might be "magnificent birds", but they are cruel killers. It takes roughly two minutes for a Sparrowhawk to eat enough of a blackbird before it is silenced. Buzzards take larger prey and it can take longer. We accept this as part of survival but it is very unpleasant. Keepers/Shoot Managers/Farmers etc. want to keep within the law. That's why they were asking for legal ways to limit the numbers of Buzzards. We need to have a sustainable balance, wildlife has to be managed, now and for the future. I believe that Fields Sports put more money and effort into wildlife conservation than any other organisation. Whether you agree with game shooting or not, wildlife would be worse off without it. Editor adds: A neighbouring farmer tells me that he has noted a change in brown hare behaviour since the arrival of a pair of buzzards and a pair of marsh harriers here. Hares now lie up near his farm yard, where human activity deters raptors. We have seen more hares this year than ever before. 6 this week. [Mind you, we have seen fewer coursers thanks to Policing.] In contrast I note that rabbit numbers seem lower than usual, which is a good thing. It seems the buzzards are sorting them out at last. I think we have aired the Buzzard issue sufficiently now. Unless there are developments, no further comments, thanks. *** Identification of Non-Marine Molluscs - reminder *** 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 For ID of slug species please refer to the offer by Chris du Feu. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. 1/6 Quail singing Grimoldby NNW of Manby Golden Oriole male, Donna Nook Marsh Warbler, Cleethorpes Osprey over Deeping Lakes towards Deeping St James 2/6 Garganey, Kirkby on Bain gravel pits Montagu's Harrier, 6 Little Gulls, Spoonbill, Gibraltar Point, Golden Oriole, 2 short-eared Owls, Donna Nook Marsh Warbler, Cleethorpes 3/6 Garganey, Kirkby on Bain gravel pits Montagu's Harrier, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Gull, Gibraltar Point Brambling, Fulbeck 4/6 Temminck's Stint, Alkborough Flats Marsh Warbler, Cleethorpes Garganey, Kirkby on Bain gravel pits Curlew Sandpiper, 11 Little Gulls, Frampton Marsh Montagu's Harrier, Hawfinch, Crossbill, Little Stint, 4 Little Gulls, 2 Short-eared Owls, Gibraltar Point 5/6 Pallid Harrier juv south of Barton upon Humber 117 Crossbills south over Gibraltar Point Caspian Gull, Brigg, east of Elsham m Quail singing, Saxby Wolds Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, Garganey, Frampton Marsh Common Rosefinch singing, Saltfleetby 6/6 9 Yellow-legged Gulls, North Hykeham, Lincoln tip Pallid Harrier juv south of Barton upon Humber and probable 1s Montagu's Harrier 17 Crossbills flew south, Gibraltar Point 7/6 Pallid Harrier juv south of Barton upon Humber Garganey, Kirkby on Bain gravel pits 2 possible Canvasbacks, Gibraltar Point 17 Crossbills over Gibraltar Point 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. Marion Ellis asks a bee question: Can anyone help with this? A friend living in Sleaford found her bathroom frequently had a bee in it. Concerned that there might be a nest she searched the bathroom. She keeps several hairbrushes in a pot and found that the bee had filled all the hollow handles with honey. Some had then been sealed with what looked to her like soil. She has washed the brushes and is keeping the window shut. Not being interested in bees she did not take a note of what type it was. Any ideas? Alan Phillips replies: My guess would be a Red mason bee - Osmia bicornis (old name O. rufa). She may have mistaken the often yellow pollen/nectar mix (used to provision the nest cells) for honey. They construct and seal the nest holes with mud. They've been known to nest in all sorts of places, including locks. See the following: http://www.bwars.com/index.php?q=bee/megachilidae/osmia-bicornis Editor adds: I was at Horncastle Memorial Hospital recently and noticed a small bee [Andrena spp?] mantling about on the floor. I offered it my finger, as any kind beekeeper would do, and it clung on. I took it outside where I spotted a raised flower bed with small pansy-like flowers. I put my finger/the bee against the flower and it immediately took to vigorous nectaring. It must have been hungry. It worked the flower from several angles and then stopped. I offered it my finger again. It jumped aboard. I moved it to another flower where it repeated the performance. Satisfied with my good deed for the day, I left it to its own devices. Roger *** 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 Wednesday 06/06/12 Julie Ellison Birds: Blackbird Black-Headed Gull Blue Tit Dunnock 1 Canada Geese (including 1 gosling) Carrion Crow Chaffinch Chiffchaff Common Tern 1 (on raft) Coot (including 2 chicks) Gadwall 1 Goldfinch Great Crested Grebe 1 Great Tit Greylag 1 only Heron 1 House Sparrow Long-Tailed Tit 3-4 juveniles Magpie Mallard 51 by visitor centre Mistle Thrush 1 Moorhen (inc 1 chick) Mute Swan Pied Wagtail Reed Bunting (males singing in 3 locations over site) Reed Warbler Robin Sedge Warbler Song Thrush 1 Starling 30+ around goat field area, near visitor centre Stock Dove 1 Swallow Swift Tufted Duck Willow Warbler Wood Pigeon Butterflies: Orange Tip 1 Small White (several - may have included Green Veined, but couldn't get close enough to see) Speckled Wood 1 Plants in Flower: Beaked Hawksbeard Bird's-Foot Trefoil (Common) Black Medic Bramble Buttercup (Celery-Leaved) Buttercup (Creeping) Buttercup (Meadow) Campion (White) Campion (Red) Cleavers Clover (Red) Clover (White) Comfrey (Common - both Purple and White) Cow Parsley Cranesbill (Dove's Foot) Cuckoo Flower Daisy Dandelion Dog Rose Elder Foxglove Fumitory (Common) Garlic Mustard (very last flowers) Groundsel Hawthorn Hoary Cress Nettle (Common) Nettle (Red Dead) Nettle (White Dead) Oxeye Daisy Plantain (Ribwort) Shepherd's Purse Speedwell (Germander) Vetch (Common) Wood Aven Yellow Iris Other: Grey Squirrel 1 CAISTOR Wendy Handford Reports from contributors to Caistor records Week beginning 2.6.12 Caistor Wildlife Area TA 111 015 Meadow saxifrage Southern marsh orchid Yellow flag iris Brigg Road garden TA 114 022 Goatsbeard Hundon Farm ponds TA 113 026 22 Canada geese Coot Brigg Road garden at TA 111 026 Tree sparrows fledge from nestbox Bullfinches feeding on dandelion clocks Green woodpecker Bush vetch Comfrey Dissected cranesbill Elder Foxglove Ground elder Guelder rose Hogweed Lesser stitchwort Long smooth-headed poppy Timothy grass White campion Water Hills TA 123 017 Field woodrush Hoary plantain Wold View verge TA 108 014 Shining cranesbill Brigg Road verge, disturbed, TA 111 026 Charlock Common fumitory Fiddleneck Lesser yellow trefoil Hedge mustard Silverweed White mustard Mill Lane garden TA 119 012 Yellow slug (new record for local wildlife list) Common winter cress (") Grimsby Road house TA 122 015 Five house martin nests HAGANBY FEN E.A. WETLAND RESERVE TF 342597 Garry Steele Noteworthy ornithological sightings & maximums, May 2012 Avocet 2 Barn Owl 1 Common Sandpiper 1 Curlew 36 Grey Heron 1 Grey Partridge 2 Greylag Goose 8 House Martin 30+ Lapwing 3 Mallard 22 Shelduck 2 Teal 2 Wheatear 1 LINCOLN SK972739 W/E 09/06/2012 Jayne Knight 04/06 Two lots of Hedgehog droppings on the lawn, one much larger in size than the other so assuming there are two about. Also: Orange Tip, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock and Red Admiral noted feeding on flowers in the garden during the brief interludes of sunshine, along with a number of different Bumblebees. And the Yellow Ants (can't find their scientific name, sorry) have moved back into the bedroom! RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF 309 847 Silvia Fowler 27.05.12 Buzzard being mobbed by a single corvid. Masonry Bees laying eggs and sealing up old drill holes in SE facing house wall. Not sure of exact species but photos available. 28.05.12 Brimstone in fine weather. Didn't notice any other butterflies though there are plenty of flowers available. 01.06.12 Blackbird chicks begging noisily in Leylandii hedge. Bluetits seem to have fledged from tit box. Single young Tree sparrow foraging along verge and in garden. 06.06.12 2 adult Grey Partridges feeding for hours in meadow, taking turns to look out and watch. Couldn't see whether they had chicks with them in the long grass. House martins: First pair apparently sitting on eggs. 3 more old nests have been claimed and repair work has started. Numbers still less than half of previous years'. 07-08.06.12 House martins sheltering from prolonged rain in still uncompleted nests . RIMAC Colin J Green 4th June 2012 Butterflies seen at Rimac (Cold wind but warmer in the sheltered bits) Small Heath 30 Common Blue 7 Wall Brown 11 First time at this reserve - lovely place! WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. A & R Parsons 3/6/2102 Two barn owls in a heated territorial altercation at TF 215 - 21.30hrs. 6 brown hares in area - 22.30hrs. 5/6 Grey squirrel. Short-eared owl - 8.30am at TF216536. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 No report received. 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: 8th June 2012. John Walker, Roger Briggs, Steve Hall, Cliff Morrison, Peter & Janet Roworth More rain during the week which means the vegetation on the sand dunes and slacks is looking good. Of note the flowering southern marsh orchids are beginning to fill out and produce a range of colours from deep pink to pale salmon. Other plants now in flower include silver weed, lesser trefoil, bird's-foot trefoil, goat's beard, yellow rattle, red clover, hound's tongue and quaking grass. Hawthorn blossom is going-over, to be replaced by elder flowers. Spikes of common twayblade are now visible and a few bee orchids are showing well. It has been a relatively poor week for butterflies with just a few sightings of orange tip, green hair streak, common blue, wall brown, holly blue and small copper. Highlight of any bird observations was a male Common Rosefinch heard and seen midweek near Churchill late in the evening but alas not relocated next morning. RSPB WASH Reserves - Frampton Marsh and Freiston Shore Reports for May 2012 John Badley Recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Assisted by Grahame Hopwood and Colin Jennings 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 08.06.12 BIRDS Max nos. avocet 15 blackbird 10 blackcap 4 black headed gull 20 blue tit 12 Canada goose 40 carrion crow 4 chaffinch 10 chiffchaff 4 collared dove 2 common gull 7 common tern 6 coot 20+ dunnock 5 goldfinch 6 GC grebe 7 great tit 7 greenfinch 2 grey heron greylag goose 55 house martin 6 house sparrow 10 jackdaw 2 kestrel lesser whitethroat linnet 2 long - tailed tit 12 magpie 5 mallard 15 marsh harrier M+F moorhen 4 mute swan 6 oystercatcher 2 peregrine pheasant 2 pied wagtail 2 pochard 6 reed bunting 7 reed warbler 10 robin 6 sedge warbler 6 shelduck 8 shoveler 2 sparrowhawk F starling 8 swallow 30+ swift 70+ tree sparrow tufted duck 15 turtle dove water rail whitethroat 12 willow warbler 6 wood pigeon 50+ wren 4 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ . ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. *** Hedgehog Survey *** http://www.hedgehogstreet.org/pages/hibernation-survey.html *** 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 *** 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 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. 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: Skutter - mailbox unavailable ac_g - disabled or discontinued *** Link(s) of the Week *** BBC Science and Nature http://www.bbc.co.uk/sn/ Youtube video of visit to Rimac NR Colin Green sent in the following: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s02O5JJoilQ&feature=em-share_video_user ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/