Failed emails expected today due to ISP problems. 10% of mailing failed last week for similar reasons. See Bulletin below. =========================================== || || 18th 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 *** Apologies to the 10% of readers whose Bulletin failed to arrive last weekend. I hope you remembered to pick it up via the "portal". http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html I am informed that this was due to Hutchison3G's IP address being on a Spam blacklist. I have contacted them and all seemed OK but now I am not so sure. We will see how it goes this week. If this happens again, or in the future, please check the portal as that way I can let you know the situation. Hope you are ready for WWF's Earth Hour on 31st March. http://earthhour.wwf.org.uk/ Another solar flare tweaked our magnetosphere this week. A blanket of cloud made it impossible to see any Aurora here. Did anyone get lucky elsewhere?? It would be nice if Earth Hour coincided with a display of the Northern Lights, or is that too much to hope for? Roger *** 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 *** "Save the Drift" petition still open - please sign *** Mark Schofield, Lincs Wildlife Trust, writes: Many thanks for including the link to the 'Save the Drift' petition in the last two Bulletins. We have now reached 875 signatures and will soon be in a position to submit this formally to the LCC committee. The mention of the 9th March deadline may have left people feeling they were too late. As the petition does not comment on the currently proposed amendments to the existing Traffic Restriction Order it is not bound by this deadline. We are therefore hoping to reach the psychologically significant number of 1000 signatures within the next 2 weeks. 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). Editor adds: Here are two Viking Way two-liners to support the campaign! Have you walked the Viking Way? No, I am quite happy to shuffle about as normal. I am going to walk the Viking Way this weekend. Has that rash been troubling you again? Similar contributions encouraged - not too rude please! Chris Manning sent in details of 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 *** 'Estuarine Elements - Humber' conference *** Jenny Haynes writes about this: A day's conference looking at, discussing and learning about the impact of renewable energy on coastal environments, rising sea levels, flood protection, wildlife and the geology of the Humber Estuary. A variety of topics will be discussed throughout the day, delivered by professional speakers from within the region, these topics will include the impact of renewable energy on coastal environments, rising sea levels, flood protection, wildlife and the geology of this unique environment. The conference is being run by CPRE and will take place on Saturday 26th May at Water's Edge Visitor Centre, Barton on Humber, North Lincolnshire DN18 5JR. BOOKING ESSENTIAL. Lunch and refreshments provided. Fee £10 payable on the day. Please contact Cath Farrell on 01652 633924 or e-mail cathfarrell@btconnect.com stating numbers of people and dietary and any other requirements by Friday 4th May 2012. *** 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 Saturday 24th March 2012 we invite you to join us on a spring walk around Snipedales Nature Reserve near Spilsby, Lincs. led by James Forrester. Please meet at the Country Park carpark. Grid ref: TF330682 AT 1pm. Please note some areas of the reserve are hilly. Please wear suitable footwear and clothing. This is a free event but donations will be taken for Trust funds. For further details please contact Jenny 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 *** Mistletoe Records *** Anyone got any more reports? *** 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. 12/3 7 Eurasian White-fronted Geese, Far Ings 13/3 2 Smew, Kirkby on Bain gravel pits Red-throated diver, Covenham Reservoir Rough-legged Buzzard, 2 miles west of Mablethorpe 5 Short-eared owls, Dorrington Fen 3 Stort-eared Owls, Bonby Carrs 14/3 2 Smew, Kirby on Bain gravel pits Iceland Gull, Boston Havenside opposite landfill site Iceland Gull, Frampton Marsh Red-throated diver, Covenham Reservoir 15/3 2 Smew, Kirkby on Bain gravel pits 16/3 Water pipit, m Wheatear, Rimac Kumlein's Gull, Boston Havenside Ctry Park opposite landfill site. 16 Twite, Saltfleet Haven 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. Alison Kennedy writes: Starfish I wondered if you were aware of why at Anderby Creek today we found (between there and Chapel St Leonards) 2 dead seal pups and hundreds upon hundreds of dead star fish (all different sizes and varying in completeness). All were fairly high up on the beach and the gulls were still catching starfish on the receding tide. Was it a particularly high spring tide? We visit about once a month but this all looked pretty fresh. We do normally walk the other way but I suspect the starfish would still have been evident. Alison adds: I'm afraid I couldn't be sure of the pups ages. I went on the fact the coat was mottled and still furry. One was about 3ft long (going by its size relative to our inquisitive springer spaniel) and reasonably slender. The other was older but not adult - maybe 4 ft but considerably heavier (as seen from a distance) and still with mottled markings. The first was closer to the Cloud Bar at Anderby, near the diagonal groin if I recall. The older one towards CSL where there are private gates onto the beach (hope this helps for anyone who might wander out to check). *** 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. CARLTON LE MOORLAND Jeremy Hutchinson 3rd March 2012 Violets (not sure of exact species) in bloom in sheltered corner of garden 11th March 2012 Brimstone, Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell butterflies on the wing Female Sparrowhawk with prey (unidentified) 5 Buzzards on thermal Pair Little Owls nesting in hole in Ash tree - seen mating early evening 20+ frogs in garden pond very active, but no spawn yet GARTHORPE Paul Gee 11/3/2012 Sighted in own garden today, (Sunday 11 March) Blackbirds (Male) 15+ ( Females) 10+ These are far lower than on a cold morning - a sign of more natural food available? 1 Blackbird following me all around front garden whilst cleaning the cars - looking for the mixed fruit they know I have in my pocket when outside Starlings 5+ Robins 2 Wrens 1 Mistle Thrush 2 separate Dunnock 1 House Sparrows - 8 Chaffinch 6 Blue Tits 3 in and out of all three nesting boxes all morning until around 10.30am Coal Tits 2 Long Tail Tits - approx. 10 - 15 in tree opposite house at front Woodpecker heard in trees a little further up the road Seven spot Ladybirds - too many to count Hedgehog droppings in garden Toads - 3 This week elsewhere 2 Buzzards, (pair) flying close to a a Farm near Thorne adjacent to the M180 1 Buzzard, (male) perched in a tree just north of Caenby Corner 2 Hares 'Sparring' in field just south of Caenby Corner Pair of Marsh Harriers field adjacent to Garthorpe - they are now on a regular basis. HOLYWELL LAKE WeBS Holywell Lake Ian Misslebrook 11/3/2012 10.40 – 11.50 1 Peacock Butterfly 2 Grey Squirrels Rabbits 11 Little Grebes 1 Black Swan 7 Mute Swans 32 Canada geese 13 Greylag Geese 36 Mallard 2 Gadwall 15 Teal 30 Tufted Duck 37 Coot 12 Moorhens 2 BH Gulls 4 Common Buzzards 1 Red Kite 2 Ravens – very vocal 2 Treecreepers 2 Marsh Tits 3 Siskins Plus all the usual common species. HUTTOFT PITS – monthly WeBS Sat 10th March Tim Bagworth Teal 2 Mallard 6 Shoveler 4 Pochard 3 Grey Heron 1 Moorhen 1 Coot 4 Black-headed Gull 19 Mediterranean Gull 1 Common Gull 14 Herring Gull 2 Crow 2 Pied Wagtail 1 Chaffinch 1 Reed Bunting 1 RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF 309 847 Silvia Fowler 04.03.12 35 mm rain & sleet today, almost double the amount we had in the whole month of February. 11.03.12 21C in the sun! 2 pied wagtails in meadow. Butterflies in garden: Brimstone, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell Lots of 7-spot ladybirds, only one live 2-spot ladybird seen. 2 buzzards causing commotion over rookery. Great spotted woodpecker drumming Tawny owl (m) calling at 6pm. Birds very vocal all day and around sunset Common daisy, dandelion and lesser celandine starting to flower. 16.03.12 First clump of frog spawn in pond. SALTFLEETBY TF412884 Chris J Manning At least 6 clumps of frog spawn in drain, several ½ eaten dead frogs. SEACROFT MARSH SSSI Sat 10th March Dave Miller Whilst carrying out our monthly strandline survey event I got a shout from one of the attending members of the public to go down to the sea's edge. I thought he had maybe found a sea gooseberry or jellyfish, as he shouted louder as I got closer I started to run and soon realised there was a porpoise at the water's edge facing up the beach. I managed to turn it around and with the help of a local camper walked it out to sea until we were about waist height whereupon the animal moved out of its own accord. We watched it swim away for a couple of minutes and then it turned south quite far out from the beach. A quite amazing experience! SPALDING Coronation Channel, Spalding K J Seaton 11-03-2012 Pair of Long-tail Tits building nest in bramble patch seen during WeBs count Home at Belgrave Road, Spalding first Brimstone butterfly of the year in garden WAINFLEET COMMON 11/03/2012 Roy and Kath Pearson Large numbers of Reed Buntings seem to have survived the winter and the males are now in full breeding plumage. All ducks apart from Mallard have now left the ponds and there was no evidence of Water Rails, the last being seen (2 individuals) a week ago flying over the water between two reed beds. Skylarks in the adjacent fields are now in full song and Canada Geese are gathering on the nearby river bank, one pair normally nesting on the ponds. WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. A & R Parsons 11/3/12 In general area 11 Brown hares seen - chasing and fighting displays. Never seen more than 6 here before. Also Buzzard in area. 2 mute swans. WRANGLE COMMON 11/03/2012 Roy and Kath Pearson Large numbers of Canada Geese (51) have taken-up residence on the wet grassland, together with Greylags (10). The winter flock of Curlews (18 counted, but we were told there were up to 70 around) was still in evidence. Two Green Sandpipers were counted, an increase of one on the normal count over the winter and the Teal that had deserted the area during the dry weather, have returned to the wet areas, with five being counted. There were also thirty- six Mallard with them. The Woodcock seem to have pulled out and no winter visitors were seen at all. Six Skylarks were in song flight and Reed Buntings were much in evidence. Large flocks of Woodpigeons were roaming around and we estimated at least 300 were seen. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 yet 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 16th March 2012. John Walker, Roger Briggs, Steve Hall, Peter & Janet Roworth After a pleasant sunny weekend when temperatures rose to 16.5°C and there were sightings of small tortoiseshell and peacock butterflies, the rest of the week slipped back to cool, raw days with low cloud and fog. A few flowering dandelions and common daisy have been seen and amongst the short turf of the dunes common whitlowgrass is coming into flower. Interesting bird sightings include two Tundra Bean Geese in a field near Rimac, pairs of Siskin, Yellowhammers and Reed Buntings, and a female Brambling visiting the feeding station at Sea View. Of note from the WeBS count there were 608 Herring Gulls and 314 Common Gulls feeding on a wash of starfish from the high tide opposite Churchill, 19 Red-throated Divers, 94 Oyster- catchers, 93 Grey Plover and 4 Great Crested Grebes. A number of common toads plus some strings of spawn, a single frog but several clumps of spawn and quite a few common newts have been seen in the ponds from Rimac to Sea View. The highlight of the week was the sighting of the first natterjack toads. 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 Week ending 16.03.12 BIRDS Max. Numbers = avocet 6 barn owl 2 blackbird 12 black headed gull 30 blue tit 21 bullfinch 2 carrion crow 2 chaffinch 12 collared dove 2 common gull 8 coot 80 cormorant 2 curlew 4 dunnock 6 gadwall 4 goldeneye 5 goldfinch 27 GBB gull 8 GC grebe 5 GS woodpecker 2 great tit 12 greenfinch 3 greylag goose 22 herring gull 4 house sparrow 22 linnet 2 long - tailed tit 6 magpie 3 mallard 12 moorhen 5 mute swan 4 oystercatcher 2 pheasant 2 pied wagtail 2 pochard 10 redshank 2 reed bunting 2 robin 6 shelduck 22 short - eared owl shoveler 25 siskin sparrowhawk F teal 2 tree sparrow 2 tufted duck 23 water rail 3 white - fronted goose 7 whooper swan willow tit wood pigeon 6 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) 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 10% massive mailfail due to blacklisting of ISP IP address. Claire Waters - not found *** Link(s) of the Week *** Kirkby Moor visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3n0vxs1xFiM ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/