+=========================================== || || 11th March 2012 || || LNU Website: http://www.lnu.org/ || || News of Lincolnshire Wildlife || ============================================ In this issue..... 1. Readers hints, tips and requests 2. Wildlife Highlights 3. Wildlife reports from around the county 4. News from the Lincolnshire Coast NNRs 5. News from Far Ings NNR 6. News from Bardney Limewoods NNR 7. Sending in Reports - contributors please read! 8. Contact information 9. Notes about these wildlife reports 10. Bulletin publicity policy 11. Events Diary 12. ...and finally..... ============================================ The Lincolnshire Naturalists Union Bulletin is being read by 1065 people and we are keen to encourage even more readers to subscribe. LNU Wildnews Bulletins are available on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Note: Each address contains the relevant date. Views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Lincolnshire Naturalists Union or any associated organisations. Please make contact via the LNU Website: http://www.lnu.org/ or e-mail wildlifenews@lnu.org, or contact the Editor to join up and contribute articles or reports. [Or cancel!] E-mail: rparsons@enterprise.net ============================================ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. Readers hints, tips and requests ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Editor Writes *** Sky and Telescope says: "Jupiter and Venus are about to cross paths in the sky. From March 9th to 17th the two planets will be within 5 deg of each other, fitting in a single field of view through most binoculars." Read More at: http://www.skyandtelescope.com/community/skyblog/observingblog/Jupiter-Meets-Venus-141665443.html also see: http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/ataglance Do subscribe to their mailing if you are interested in space information and news. With the Sun now very active we may have opportunities to enjoy a display of the Aurora borealis. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-17311633 You can sign up for aurora alerts on: http://aurorawatch.lancs.ac.uk/ There are other useful Sun and Space links on my webpage: http://rogerparsons.info/cosmic.html At this year's LNU AGM I took over from Barrie Wilkinson as "President". As you would expect, Barrie gave a great AGM talk and is an impossible act to follow. When I look at the list of my predecessors I feel very much in their shadow. [One famous Lincolnshire scientist once wrote to Robert Hooke about: "..standing on ye sholders of Giants".] I was proposed because of my work on the LNU Bulletin, but good Bulletins would have been impossible to create without the contributions of many busy people - so thank you one and all. We should all feel encouraged and appreciated. It would be great to boost readership and move towards 1500+ readers, so please mention the Bulletin to anyone who might find it of interest. Tell them it is FREE! I retire from teaching this summer and am organising some long-anticipated natural history walkabouts. I therefore hope to find an amanuensis to whom I can delegate Bulletins for a few weeks from time to time. If you think you may have the time and inclination to have a go, do please get in touch. You should really be an LNU member with at least a bit of recording experience. If I cannot find a volunteer I shall just go "off line" for the duration. First likely date is November, so no rush. Roger p.s. Have a look at Chris Manning's Air Ambulance petition link at the end of the Bulletin, also brought to my attention by Dave Ellis. Thanks both. Seems a very good proposal to me. *** Next LNU Event *** For LNU meetings see www.lnu.org/events.php See section 11 for full programme. Sunday, April 29, 2012 Little Haw Wood (Forestry Commission site) Southwest of Castle Bytham 12.00 for 13.00 start. Park in turning area off track near west end of Clipsham Wood at SK9703 1705. Take minor road between Clipsham and Castle Bytham to reach Clipsham Wood. NB. There is about a 800m walk to Little Haw Wood from the parking spot. Habitats: Mixed Woodland. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com *** And Speaking of Castle Bytham... *** Cannabis Farm near Castle Bytham http://www.stamfordmercury.co.uk/news/crime/eleven_jailed_for_setting_up_cannabis_farm_near_castle_bytham_1_3574214 You can locate the spot via Google Maps Southeast of Tortoiseshell Wood off Morkery Lane. *** Amazing Fireball Report *** Alan Dale writes: Just in case you get any other 'cranks' advising you that they have see a UFO on Saturday night - it's not the beer talking, I was stone cold sober. At 21.41hrs to the west of overhead on a north south track, a flaming fireball cruised silently past. Normal meteorites appear as a streak of light but this really gave the impression of a substantial fireball spitting hot rubble! The size of it made it appear to be relatively low - on the other hand it might have been massive. It disappeared before reaching the horizon but that might have been due to cloud cover in the south. I've been told that someone in Aberfeldy has reported much the same thing. I reported it to Lincs police and was advised that they had had another local report that they were looking into. Do you have any contacts at Nettleham, or perhaps heavenly body enthusiasts that could confirm it? Editor adds: See this news story from Yahoo: http://uk.news.yahoo.com/meteor-mystery-flashes-across-british-skies-030837839.html Paul Money writes: As per usual I managed to miss it - kept checking the sky on and off as it was supposed to be completely clear - not! Yes all the reports and video I've seen this morning seems to confirm it was a particularly bright Fireball. Alan was lucky to have seen it. No doubt the nutters out there would prefer to think it was a UFO! Alan updates me as follows: .... from the reports, it's remarkable how different people have reported seeing different images. My previous experience of meteorites is that all one sees is a momentary bright streak. And enlarged photographs show them as fuzzy white footballs with tails. I thought this one was quite unique. First and foremost it was much larger and better defined and it was in my field of view for say 2 seconds - certainly much longer than I would have expected. From that I deduce that it was much higher and must have been ginormous. In that time I changed my mind several times as to what it could be. I reckon I had it in view over a 110 degree segment of sky. Initially as it approached, I thought - terrestrial fire work. Then, abreast of me with bits flying off, I thought aircraft on fire. And then as it silently receded it dawned on me that it was a probably a meteorite. Rather than being ball shaped I'd have said it was arrow shaped, intense white point, then bright fiery red/orange and spitting off fiery 'sparks' in it's wake. I was not aware of a significant tail. It also appeared brighter as it approached than as it receded. And as I said previously, it faded out before reaching the horizon but that could just have been cloud cover or the increasing density of the atmosphere with distance. Definitely spectacular. I've since discovered that the reporter up in Aberfeldy timed the passing at 21.41hrs. I looked at my watch and timed it at 21.41hrs! Of course we have no way of knowing if our watches were synchronised. *** Rusty Click Beetle survey going ahead again this year *** Charlie Barnes writes: Elater ferrugineus, the Rusty Click Beetle, is classified as endangered in the UK, with records restricted to a few areas in Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and London. Following on from last year, Deborah Harvey from Royal Holloway University of London is again running a nation-wide programme of "mark capture release" to help establish the true distribution and status of the species. Volunteers will be required to set traps in areas where there are old trees (preferably , but not necessarily, in a woodland with deciduous trees) and monitor traps on a regular basis. The beetle is very easy to identify and using the trap requires no special expertise. If you're interested in taking part, contact Charlie Barnes charlie.barnes@lincsbiodiversity.org.uk for more information. *** LINCOLNSHIRE BIRD CLUB - Annual General Meeting *** Andrew Chick writes: Tuesday 20th March 2012 at The Admiral Rodney Hotel, Horncastle at 7.30pm Professor Ian Newton, Chair of the British Trust for Ornithology will be talking on Bird Migration. "Ian Newton is one of the most prolific ornithologists of the last 40 years and his fifth book The Migration Ecology of Birds deservedly won the BB/BTO Best Bird Book of the Year in 2008 (not the first time one of his books has been awarded that accolade)....." The talk is FREE to everyone and will be followed by the Annual General Meeting (members only). [Andrew tells me Prof. Newton is a speaker not to be missed!] *** Lincolnshire Branch - Butterfly Conservation *** Lesley Robinson writes: Spring Indoor Meeting - 31/03/12, 2pm for 2:30pm At Chambers Farm Wood education centre, Wragby (TF 148738) Speaker: Dave Wainwright (Project Officer for BC) Topic: "The North Yorkshire Moors and Morecambe Bay areas for butterflies" Dave is the project officer for these areas. Light refreshments will be available i.e. hot/cold drinks and biscuits. Any queries please contact Lesley Robinson, tel: 01724 845018 (branch secretary) *** Gainsborough Area LWT *** Dave Stockley writes: Wed 21 March 2012: "A wildflower walk in the Swiss Alps" Wendy and Geoff Handford - local wildlife enthusiasts Indoor meetings are held at Morton Village Hall, just north of Gainsborough, and begin at 7.30 p.m.. A (minimum) donation of £1.00 includes refreshments, and there is usually a raffle, bird food on sale, and other items for fundraising. People of all ages, Wildlife Trust members or not, are welcome. For more information, please ring Joy on 01427 628457 or E-mail Linda – L.Woodward@virgin.net *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** Carolyn Lovely writes: On Monday 12th March 2012 we invite you to join us at our indoor meeting where herbalist, Debbie Lincoln will give an illustrated presentation on Hedgerow Medicine. She will trace the journey of medicinal plants from a 60,000 grave in modern Iraq to the green fields and hedgerows of Britain. Debbie will share history, folklore and modern uses of some of our wild plants. The meeting will be held in Grimsby Town Hall and starts at 7.30 p.m.. Admission is £2 and all are welcome. There will be a Trust goods stall, raffle and tea and coffee will be available. For further details please contact Jennie Redpath 01472 502858. *** Reminder - Hedgehog Survey *** Pat Morris is requesting help with a survey of dates of hedgehog emergence from hibernation. See: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-16597723 If willing to help, please register with the project on http://www.hedgehogstreet.org/pages/hibernation-survey.html *** More Mistletoe-related Records *** PUNCHBOWL LANE, BOSTON 03.03.12 Mick Todd As I was driving down Punchbowl Lane I noticed clumps of mistletoe growing in the willow on the drain side near Mayflower playing field. Not sure how many clumps or species of willow but mistletoe has been there several years. *** Cruising in the Wash *** Jeremy Eyeons writes: The Wash is an incredibly important place for birds and you can get a unique close up look at them on one of the South Lincs RSPB regular cruises. Starting at the Grand Sluice bridge Lock in Boston aboard the 50 seater Boston Belle, they are designed for both avid birders and those with a more casual or general interest in nature. In 2011 more than 100 species were seen, averaging 60 per cruise (which lasts 4/5 hours). The 2012 programme runs from April to October. For more information e-mail slincsbirdcruises@btinternet.com call the cruise hot line 07531495521 or visit www.southlincsrspb.org.uk *** Lincolnshire Environmental Awards 2012 *** DEADLINE 30th APRIL It is time to start thinking of projects for the annual Lincolnshire Environmental Awards. Many Bulletin readers have been winners or runners-up over the years and the scheme is a very good thing and deserves our support. The deadline for submissions is 30th April 2012. The following website will remind you of what is involved. http://www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.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. 1/3 13 Eurasian White-fronted Goose, Wroot White Stork, 2 adult Caspian Gulls, Kirkby on Bain 37 Barnacle Geese over Theddlethorpe 5 Short-eared owls, Worlaby Carrs 2/3 Lapland Bunting, 25 Twite, Scaup, 19 Whooper Swans, Frampton Marsh 3/3 Rough-legged Buzzard south over Gibraltar Point Hen Harrier, Dunsby Fen 2 Smew, Kirkby on Bain Scaup, Far Ings 4/3 2 Smew, Kirkby on Bain Cetti's Warbler, Water's Edge country park 6/3 Great Grey Shrike, Hemingby Smew, Kirkby on Bain gravel pits 7/3 2 Smew, Kirkby on Bain gravel pits Caspian Gull, Gainsborough landfill site 8/3 Hen Harrier, 3 Short-eared owls, Dunsby Fen 6 Eurasian White-fronted Geese, Far Ings 2 Common Cranes, Wroot 9/3 3 Glossy Ibises, in field at Saltfleet Haven 7.55am 3 Glossy Ibises SW over Rimac 10.15am 3 Glossy Ibises S over Gibraltar Point 11.30am 6 Eurasian White-fronted Geese, Far Ings Black Brant with Dark-bellied Brent Geese, Horseshoe Point 2 Smew, Kirkby on Bain gravel pits 50+ Snow Buntings. Cleethorpes Coast LNR 10/3 3 Glossy Ibises, Saltfleet Haven 11.40am Red-throated Diver, Covenham Reservoir Smew drake, Far Ings Bird Alert website: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ Here you can register free to use the site and get free trials of their subscription services. Strongly recommended. [Please mention the Bulletin if you decide to subscribe.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3. Wildlife news from around the county ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** The Roger Goy Column *** Remembering Roger Goy's wildlife information work. Re requests for bat sightings Pat Heath writes: Although outside your area, my wife and I have Just come back from a week in North Norfolk staying in Thornham, village next to Titchwell - several bats seen flying at dusk 29 February, 1 and 2 March - not able to identify these unfortunately. *** 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. CAISTOR Wendy Handford CAISTOR AREA 2012 'BIG GARDEN BIRDWATCH' SUMMARY Caistor Primary School and 41 residents from sites in and around Caistor did their own version of the RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch recently. Total number of each species seen Highest first Woodpigeon 163 Blackbird 155 House sparrow 148 Goldfinch 113 Blue tit 101 Collared dove 86 Starling 80 Jackdaw 74 Chaffinch 70 Tree sparrow 60 Great tit 58 Robin 52 Long-tailed tit 43 Dunnock 40 Greenfinch 39 Carrion crow 27 Coal tit 27 Wren 25 Pheasant 13 Moorhen 12 Magpie 11 Red-legged partridge 9 Song thrush 8 Mistlethrush 5 Feral pigeon 5 Bullfinch 3 Sparrowhawk 3 Tree creeper 3 Great spotted woodpecker 2 Mallard 2 Fieldfare 1 Grey heron 1 Redpoll 1 1440 sightings of 33 species is very encouraging! It is good to see so many House sparrows, Tree sparrows and Dunnocks. Perhaps the most worrying of the figures is the low number of Song thrushes. The survey was organised by Wendy Handford of the local environmental group, Sustainable Caistor. Contact: sustainablecaistor@caistor.net MARTON SK842 820 Brian Hedley 9 March 2012 Moth trap (15w actinic lamp) in garden overnight produced: Early Grey 1 Common Quaker 6 Small Quaker 1 March Moth 1 Dotted Border 1 Hebrew Character 5 Clouded Drab 4 Early Moth 1 Diurnea fagella 1 Common Plume moth Emmelina monodactyla 1 Engrailed 1 Burying beetle Nicrophorus humator 1 10 March 2012 Harlequin ladybird 1 Red-tailed bumblebee 1 Buff-tailed bumblebee 2 RIVER WELLAND River Welland, High Bridge Spalding K J Seaton 02-03-2012 Pair of Great Crested Grebe's displaying R WELLAND. SPALDING to DEEPING LAKES R & K Heath 10/03/12 Still winter birds about: Bewick Swans 10. Goosander 18. The 177 Mute Swans were all on a rape field! The Great Crested grebes are back on the river, we had 35. I don't know how they will get on as a powerful speedboat was being launched and I have had reports of speeding of boats. VERNATTS NATURE RESERVE 09.03.12 Mick Todd During a lunchtime walk around the reserve, I noticed that there were Dog Violets in flower and also encountered 2 grass snakes, I think both were males. WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. A & R Parsons 3/2/12 Queen wasp in house. Chocolate Labrador in panic! 10/3 B. leucorum queen in garden. Dead adult toad on road. WINTERTON Julie Ellison SE 932 186 - garden in Winterton Max numbers week 24/02/12-01/03/12 Blackbird F4 M4 Blue Tit 4 Chaffinch F3 M3 Coal Tit 2 Collared Dove 16 Dunnock 6+ Feral Pigeon 14 Goldfinch 3 Great Tit 2 Greenfinch 5 House Sparrow 8 Jackdaw 4 Long-Tailed Tit 2 Pheasant F1 Robin 2 Starling 11+ (feeding in moss at the bottom of garden) Stock Dove 2 Swan 5 overflew gardens to north of mine, heading west Tree Sparrow 4 Yellowhammer 30+ Wood Pigeon 4 Wren 1 Hedgehog: I've not seen them but I have found food in their feeding station eaten all mornings except 25th; also found droppings by a bird feeder; and heard one crashing about in the border on the evening of Mon 27th. Red-Tailed Bumble Bee 1 on 25th & 1 on 28th White-Tailed Bumble Bee 2 on 28th 7-Spot Ladybird huge numbers. They are everywhere in the garden I look. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 02/03/2012 Avocet 21 Siskin 3 Woodcock 1 04/03/2012 Barn Owl 1 Black Brant 1 Grey Partridge 1 Marsh Harrier 1 Siskin 6 Woodcock 2 Yellowhammer 1 06/03/2012 Avocet 2 Barn Owl 1 Buzzard 1 Corn Bunting 14 Crossbill 2 Kestrel 1 Short-eared Owl 2 Siskin 5 07/03/2012 Pintail 2 Siskin 3 08/03/2012 Bar-tailed Godwit 600 Brambling 1 Bullfinch 1 Buzzard 1 Coal Tit 1 Crossbill 1 Curlew 200 Dunlin 150 Grey Plover 500 Knot 10000 Redshank 300 Short-eared Owl 1 Siskin 6 Treecreeper 1 09/03/2012 Crossbill 26 Firecrest 1 Glossy Ibis 3 Goldcrest 5 Merlin 2 Peregrine 1 Pintail 1 Red-breasted Merganser 4 Red-throated Diver 20 Shoveler 30 Treecreeper 1 Woodcock 3 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 Weekending 9th March 2012. John Walker, Roger Briggs, Steve Hall, Peter & Janet Roworth The promised rain fell all day on the 4th and gave a welcome 24hr total of 35.1mm. Showery days followed resulting in 38.3mm of ppt for the week. Much more rain is needed because water levels in ditches and the fresh water marsh are still well down and if we get another dry year then things could be serious again. The bright green coloured leaves of spring beauty are showing well under dense areas of scrub and coltsfoots are coming into flower along some of the ditch sides near Sea View. Garden bird song remains buoyant and our local Great Spotted Woodpecker is as active as ever. However the highlight of the week must be the 3 Glossy Ibis seen by local birders on Friday morning, flying from Saltfleet Haven, south over Rimac. The birds were later reported flying over Gibraltar Point and beyond to Norfolk. RSPB WASH Reserves - Frampton Marsh and Freiston Shore Reports for February 2012 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 The juvenile Spoonbill remained until the beginning of the month (2nd). Waterbird numbers continued to impress with up to 18 Bewick's Swans, 23 Whooper Swans, five European White-fronted Geese, Black Brant (19th & 25th), up to nine Pale-bellied Brent Geese and 2000 Dark- bellied Brent Geese. A record 357 Pintails were counted (12th) and three Scaups were present throughout. A probable Kumlien's Gull was seen (5th onwards) with two Iceland/Kumlien's Gulls seen together on one date (23rd). Waders included up to three Spotted Redshanks and 20 Ruffs. The first returning Avocets arrived (from 21st). A Rough-legged Buzzard was seen late in the month (26th). Twite peaked at 20 and Lapland Bunting two. RSPB Freiston Shore http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore/index.asp RSPB Freiston Shore Woodcock were seen on three dates and a Water Rail on one (11th). Offshore there were three Little Auks and 25 Razorbills (10th), Pomarine Skua, Great Northern Diver and 10 Razorbills (13th) and Red-necked Grebe (18th) The Lagoon had three redhead Smew (12th), 1360 Wigeons and four Snow Buntings (13th) and Scaup (from 18th). A Black Brant was seen on the mudflats (22nd). A count of 380 Linnets on the arable areas (13th) was noteworthy. ALSO: Gibraltar Point NNR the Dark-bellied Brent Goose flock also held up to 15 Pale-bellied birds and at least two Black Brants (21st). Crossbill (2nd) and Woodlark (23rd) were other notable sightings. Whisby Nature Park and North Hykeham Pits Highlights for Feb included Bittern (4th) Raven and two Smew (both 8th). The early signs of spring were also evident with the first returning Shelduck (8th) and Oystercatcher (17th), with other passage waders including three Dunlins (3rd-16th) and single Redshank (3rd-7th). Gulls included single Caspian (13th) and a Mediterranean (24th-29th). Single Peregrines were seen on three dates and up to two Little Egrets were present all month. Other birds of note included 12 Goosander (3rd-8th), three Water Rails (all month), Kingfisher (all month), wintering Chiffchaff (3rd), 14 Tree Sparrows (all month), 210 Greenfinchs (15th), 25 Goldfinchs (17th) and 54 Linnets (17th). Other sites Up to four Smew were seen at Baston-Langtoft Gravel Pits, with two males at Kirkby on Bain Gravel Pits. Also there was a Ring-necked Duck (4th), the Great White Egret continued to put in an appearance and a White Stork was most unseasonal. Up to three different Kumlien's/Icelands Gulls were present at Boston Tip. Two Cetti's Warblers and four Chiffchaff were wintering at Marston STW (23rd), while one or two Blackcaps were in Lincoln. 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 09.03.12 BIRDS Max. Numbers = barn owl bittern blackbird 11 black headed gull 12 blue tit 21 carrion crow 2 chaffinch 12 collared dove 2 common gull 6 coot 80 cormorant 2 curlew 4 dunnock 8 gadwall 8 goldeneye 6 goldfinch 27 GBB gull 8 GC grebe 5 GS woodpecker 2 great tit 12 greenfinch 3 greylag goose10 herring gull 10 house sparrow 42 kestrel LBB gull 2 linnet 5 long - tailed tit 2 magpie 9 mallard 20 marsh harrier M meadow pipit moorhen 5 mute swan 4 oystercatcher 2 pheasant 2 pied wagtail 2 pochard 15 redshank 15 reed bunting 2 robin 5 shelduck 53 siskin 2 shoveler 34 sparrowhawk F teal 9 tree sparrow 2 tufted duck 23 water rail 2 white - fronted goose 6 wigeon 2 willow tit wood pigeon 3 wren 5 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ For the Limewoods, see: http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/publications/limewoods-walks/ http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/about/conservation/bardney-limewoods-nnr/ http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designatedareas/nnr/1006846.aspx ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7. Sending in reports to Roger Parsons ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The purpose of the Bulletin is to encourage biological recording in Lincolnshire using modern Information and Communication Technology. We hope to increase the number of people reporting observations to LNU Recorders and improve the quality of reports, as well as the quantity and the geographical coverage. [A backup e-mail address you can use if ever you experience problems with my "Enterprise" address is: aintree2@yahoo.co.uk] When sending in reports please follow Bulletin layout to save editing: Place Name: IN CAPITALS with Grid Reference if you have it. Your Name: Real names please, not aliases. Put it in each time, for each location Date: Species list [Alphabetical?] & numbers [and observations?] e.g. Blackbird - 24 [And please, no home-grown abbreviations. Names in full.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 8. Contact Information & Useful Websites ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please let me know ASAP if any of these weblinks fail! *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Website *** A full list of LNU Country Recorders is given here. http://www.lnu.org/ LNU e-mail: info@lnu.org If you are not yet a member, the LNU needs good naturalists like you! Anyone interested can get membership application forms from Wilma Gammon at the Lincs Wildlife Trust office, e-mail wgammon@lincstrust.co.uk LNU publications [listed on LNU website] may be ordered via: Ian Macalpine-Leny macalpine@doddington.demon.co.uk *** Contacts List *** *** Rural Crime Officer *** Pc 160 Nick Willey Force Wildlife, Rural Crime Officer Force Dog Training Establishment Lincolnshire Showground. Grange-De-Lings. Lincoln nicholas.willey@lincs.pnn.police.uk OFFICE: 01522-731897 MOBILE :07768-501895 PAGER : 07654-330877 *** Lincs Amphibian and Reptile Group *** The Lincolnshire ARG (Amphibian & Reptile Group) For further details please contact ashleybutterfield@btinternet.com tel. 07984 66 5847 *** Limestone Grassland Project *** Mark Schofield, Limestone Grassland Project Officer, mschofield@lincstrust.co.uk Mobile: 07825970930, Switchboard: 01507 526667. To find out more and to become involved with the survey and management of Lincolnshire's limestone grassland on road verges see: See: http://www.lifeontheverge.org.uk/ *** Local Bat Helpline *** Grounded bats, bat problems, advice and information? Contact Annette and Colin Faulkner on 01775 766286 or e-mail: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** Bat Recorder *** You may send confidential bat records direct to Annette Faulkner on: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** Butterfly Conservation Recorder *** Allan Binding asks contributors of butterfly records to the Bulletin to include their address or contact telephone or e-mail address and Grid Reference if possible. e-mail: allan.binding@ntlworld.com See: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/species/bfly/index.php *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire link *** http://www.lincolnshire-butterflies.org.uk/index.html *** LNU Bees, Wasps and Ants Recorder *** Alan Phillips Willing to examine specimens or check photos (but bear in mind only a relative few of the 300+ species in the county are identifiable using photos). Aculeates only please, no parasitic wasps such as Ichneumons. If in doubt please contact for advice: aculeates@gmail.com *** Whisby's Bee and Wasp List *** Dr Michael Archer and Alan Phillips have put together an impressive list. Have a look and see how many species you recognise by name! http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/whisby/index.php?id=73 Also see: http://norwegica.wordpress.com/author/norwegica/ Could this be the year you learn to identify bees and wasps? *** OTTERS *** Readers are reminded that all dead Otters should be reported to the Environment Agency on 0800 807060. *** Mammal Records *** Mammal records can reported to Chris Manning Email: chris@lincsdeer.info Mink reports also of interest and can be sent via the Bulletin. *** Grow-you-own Mistletoe *** http://www.mistle.co.uk/ *** New Met Office Service *** The Met Office website now offers an e-mail notification service for severe weather and other matters which may interest readers. Worth having a look and signing up. Be warned of the possibility of severe weather. See: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/corporate/pressoffice/2009/pr20090727.html *** LNU Moths Gallery *** There is a moth page on the LNU Website, to promote the recording of moths across the county. http://www.lnu.org/ Also see: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/species/hawkmoths/index.php *** Slug ID Help *** Chris du Feu will help with slug identification. You can telephone him on: 01427 848400 or e-mail: chris@chrisdufeu.force9.co.uk *** Mollusc Identification *** David Feld has kindly offered to assist readers to identify molluscs, both terrestrial and aquatic. Please e-mail him a description and he will advise you whether and where to send a photograph or an actual specimen. Contact: drf@dfeld.freeserve.co.uk *** Lincolnshire Badger Group Update *** Ally Townsend of the Weirfield Wildlife Hospital, writes: If you would like to give people the Lincoln number 01522 530428 a member of staff will record the sighting or RTA. Or use the Weirfield website: http://www.weirfield.co.uk/ where a reporting page can be used to send in reports. *** Lincs Bird Club *** Secretary - Robert Carr secretary@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Membership Secretary - Mike Harrison: michael@michaelharrison1.wanadoo.co.uk LBC County Bird Recorders County Bird Recorder, covering the south of the county recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk for John Badley recorder_north@lincsbirdclub.co.uk for John Clarkson Bird Club Website: www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk *** Help BBCT with Amazon *** The Bumblebee Conservation Trust have an association with Amazon which helps to raise money for Bumblebee Conservation without any cost to the purchaser. If you buy anything from Amazon click onto the site via Bumblebee Conservation Trust - Support us - Easy fund raising - Amazon. If you do this Amazon will donate 8% of the price paid to Bumblebee Conservation Trust. Link: http://www.bumblebeeconservation.org.uk/fundraising.html *** Wash Estuary Project Contacts *** Jeff Goodley - Wash Estuary Project Officer jeff.goodley@washestuary.org.uk Vivien Hartwell - Wash Biodiversity viv.hartwell@washestuary.org.uk *** Other Useful Websites *** Key links are now being posted on the LNU website. http://www.lnu.org/ This should save space in the Bulletin, Suggestions for other useful Websites are welcome. Natural England http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ Still includes SSSI Information and "Nature on the Map" Lincolnshire Environmental Awards http://www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk/ Lincs. Wildlife Trust Website http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/ Useful emergency numbers for wildlife crises. http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/factsheets/ Lincs Environmental Records Centre The Lincolnshire Biodiversity Partnership (of which LERC is a part) Contact: Charlie Barnes, charlie.barnes@lincsbiodiversity.org.uk or for more general queries: info@lincsbiodiversity.org.uk Tornado and Storm Research Organisation www.torro.org.uk Contact Ian Loxley on colarain@tiscali.co.uk *** Interesting Weather radar website *** Noel Loxley recommends the following interesting website. http://www.raintoday.co.uk/ RSPB Contact Details RSPB Website: www.rspb.org.uk www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh John Badley, Site Manager for RSPB Lincolnshire Wash reserves e-mail: john.badley@rspb.org.uk Bardney Limewoods www.limewoods.co.uk limewoods@lincolnshire.gov.uk The Sir Joseph Banks Society Contact 01507 528223 or by e-mail: enquiries@joseph-banks.org.uk. www.joseph-banks.org.uk EasyTide Check tide times on Admiralty EasyTide: http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx TWO - The Weather Outlook Check the weather forecast for the location or postcode: http://www.theweatheroutlook.com/ Joan Gunson's Moths recorded in my garden 2011: www.flickr.com/photos/angleshades Alan Dale's Bugs and Weeds http://www.bugsandweeds.co.uk/ Mike Binnion writes: Common Butterflies http://www.grimsbywildlife.co.uk/otherattractions.htm http://www.grimsbywildlife.co.uk/ *** Other Useful E-mail Addresses *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union: info@lnu.org Gibraltar Point: gibpoint@lincstrust.co.uk Far Ings: farings@lincstrust.co.uk Whisby Nature Park: whisbynp@lincstrust.co.uk NEW Syke's Farm: lwt@sykesfarm.org.uk Lincs. Trust HQ: The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust main e-mail address: info@lincstrust.co.uk Lincolnshire FWAG: lincoln@fwag.org.uk If you would like your e-mail listed here, please let me know. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9. Notes about these wildlife reports ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We do our best to ensure accuracy in our reporting but these records are sent in by a variety of reporters, from complete beginners to professionals. They therefore vary in reliability and in certain cases they are impossible to verify. If further information is needed on locations or reporters, or if you wish to question/confirm any of these records, contact: rparsons@enterprise.net Bulletins are sent to Biological Recorders at the Lincs. Wildlife Trust, Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. [Note: Where plants are reported, this is usually because they have been seen and identified in flower.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10. The Bulletin's publicity policy ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We will sometimes withhold precise details of the location of rare or endangered species. Please point out any sensitive or "tricky" reports of this kind. Sensitive data should go directly to county recorders, please. We ask that you respect the interests of wildlife and site owners if you report to national networks. Make a point of explaining site sensitivity and any restrictions on access. An interest in wildlife is not a licence to act irresponsibly/thoughtlessly to landowners, who may well be partners in important conservation work. [Remember - views expressed in the Bulletin do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions on the LNU or associated organisations. In particular this applies to such agencies, especially charities, taking a political stance.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11. LNU Events Diary For LNU meetings also see www.lnu.org/events.php ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Field Meetings generally start at 12 noon for 1.00pm, but please check the website details for each event. Unless otherwise stated, Indoor Meetings are held on Saturdays at the Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park, Moor Lane, Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln and start at 2pm. Sunday, April 29, 2012 Little Haw Wood (Forestry Commission site) Southwest of Castle Bytham 12.00 for 13.00 start. Park in turning area off track near west end of Clipsham Wood at SK9703 1705. Take minor road between Clipsham and Castle Bytham to reach Clipsham Wood. NB. There is about a 800m walk to Little Haw Wood from the parking spot. Habitats: Mixed Woodland. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Sunday, May 27, 2012 Oxgangs House Springs, Nettleton Top (Courtesy of Rachel Gibbons) South of Caistor 12.00 for 13.00 start. Take minor road south from Nettleton Top (road from Nettleton to Claxby) take first track on right side and park to side of track at first bend at TF113 979. NB. Steep slopes present so stout footwear recommended. Habitats: Spring, marsh, pasture and possibly some arable Leader: Richard Chadd 07990 564519 richard.chadd@environment-agency.gov.uk Sunday, June 17, 2012 Bridge Farm, Snitterby Carr (Courtesy of Patty Phillips) Northwest of Market Rasen 12.00 for 13.00 start. Park in yard of Bridge Farm at TF0187 9469 (DN21 4UU). Take minor road which connects A631 and B1205 on west side of River Ancholme. Follow Snitterby Carr Lane to end and turn right before river. Habitats: River Ancholme, ponds, ditches, pasture and arable. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Sunday, July 01, 2012 Farmland at Baston Fen (Courtesy of Nicholas Watts) Southeast of Bourne 12.00 for 13.00 start. Take minor road from Baston to Pode Hole. Park at TF1433 1598 on south side of road, opposite track to Home Farm (about 1km east of road which goes through Langtoft Gravel Pits). A meeting to particularly look for arable 'weeds'. Habitats: Arable and ditches Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Sunday, July 15, 2012 Joint Meeting with British Dragonfly Society Private Blow well site at Holton Grange (Courtesy of Mike Jex) South of Holton le Clay 12.00 for 13.00 start. Park near lake at TA298 009. Take Station Road off A16 towards Tetney, then take track on right just past dismantled railway crossing. Follow track for about 500m then take track on left towards lake. Habitats: Wooded blow well, lake, ponds, ditches, pasture and arable. Waithe Beck nearby. Leader(s): Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com and Chris Manning chris@lincsdeer.info Sunday, August 19, 2012 Elsea Park Meadows (Courtesy of Elsea Park Community Trust) South of Bourne 12.00 for 13.00 start. Meet in small car parking area at TF0968 1876 which is just off the A151 south of Bourne (about 400m west of junction with A15). Habitats: Meadows, woodland edge, ponds and ditches Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Saturday, September 08, 2012 Mayflower Woods (Courtesy of ConocoPhillips) This event is on Saturday. Northwest of Immingham 12.00 for 13.00 start. Evening moth/bat session starting at 7.30pm. Meet in car park at TA1593 1579. Take A160 off from A180, straight on past roundabout and then right turn at crossroads (with petrol station). Follow lane for about 450m, car park on left side. Habitats: Woodlands, grassland, ponds and stream. Leaders: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Sunday, October 21, 2012 Fungus Foray Rigsby Wood LWT Reserve. West of Alford 12.00 for 13.00 start. Turn north towards South Thoresby at the Miles Cross Hill crossroads on the A1104 road half way between Ulceby Cross and Alford. After 2 km, the wood will be seen set back from the road on the right. Park along roadside at TF419 761. 150m walk along field edge to wood. Habitats: Mixed Woodland Leader: Ray Halstead 07772 613640 ray.halstead@tiscali.co.uk ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails This Week *** If you hear of anyone bemoaning the lack of a Bulletin, please refer them to the Bulletin Portal where they will find a copy. http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Recent mailfails: included *** Link(s) of the Week - The Drift *** http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1685493 Editor writes - I have received details of an interesting petition from Cheryl Aggett. See what you make of it. Lots more information if you click on the link. I have signed it, only 64th to do so, so support is needed. I noted a number of familiar LNU names amongst the signatures. Cheryl writes: Online petition for Sewstern Lane Please consider signing an online petition which aims to build support for a permanent, year-round closure to all motor vehicles (only) which are currently damaging the green lane called the Drift (Sewstern Lane) between the A607 and Saltby Airfield. Precious local wildlife is disappearing from the local landscape and access for other users has become very difficult due to high levels of rutting and fly-tipping. The local authority has set a deadline of Friday March 9th for objections to the current situation which has allowed the damage to occur. The link to the online petition is here [lots more information] www.petitionbuzz.com/petitions/savethedrift There is also a Facebook Page which can be viewed here www.facebook.com/savethedrift (if you are on Facebook). Chris Manning writes about another worthy Petition to do with Air Ambulance services: Please may I bring to your attention a petition to encourage the Government to exempt Air Ambulance services from duty on the fuel they use in the same way as the Lifeboats (RNLI) are exempt. If we gain 100,000 signatures, Parliament is duty bound to debate the issue - currently we have over 17,000 signatures. See: http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/29349 ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/