=========================================== || || 27th May 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 1075 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 *** Buzzards for the Chop? You may have noted news stories to the effect that the protection of buzzards is to be relaxed in order to reduce predation of game birds. For perspectives on this issue, including defra and Lincs Bird Club, see: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-18183204 http://www.rspb.org.uk/news/314516-rspb-stunned-by-defra-plan-to-imprison-buzzards http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/rspb-voices-shock-at-buzzard-plans-7784548.html http://www.scottishgamekeepers.co.uk/content/gamekeepers-welcome-defra-buzzard-research http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2012/05/24/myth-bust-reports-that-defra-is-proposing-to-cull-buzzards/ Must say, the defra webpage is especially awful! I hope their grasp of conservation is better than their sense of design. http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=16956 If any readers have an inside track on this story and can talk us through it, please write in. Roger *** Venus Transit - 5/6th June 2012 *** National Schools' Observatory writes: In case you haven't heard, Venus will transit the Sun on the 5th and 6th of June - depending on where you are in the world. In the UK, we will only manage to observe (weather permitting) the final hour of the transit shortly after sunrise on the morning of the 6th June. This will be the last Venus transit for another 105 years. Safety is important - do not try to observe the Sun without adequate filter protection. Don't risk eye damage. For more background on the transit, times, observing tips etc. and for links to live feeds from observatories around the Pacific region (who will see the whole event), please go to the following link: http://www.schoolsobservatory.org.uk/news/2012/vt2012 *** Next LNU Event- SUNDAY! *** For LNU meetings see www.lnu.org/events.php See section 11 for full programme. 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 *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** Carolyn Lovely writes: On Saturday 2nd June 2012 we invite you to join us on a morning bird walk in Cleethorpes Country Park with Ray Hume. This will be a 2 hour ramble around some of the less well known areas of the park looking for newly fledged birds and their parents. Please meet in the car park at 9am (Grid ref: TA 307066.) Please wear suitable clothing and footwear. For further details contact walk leader Ray Hume 01472 320878 *** LWT Wildlife Workshops at Willow Tree Fen *** Alan Phillips sent in the following: An Introduction to Entomology - Monday 28 May, 10am - 4pm Bird Survey Techniques Course - Wednesday 30 May from 10am - 4pm Water vole and otter workshop - Friday 1 June, 10am – 4pm Further details: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/news/press-release.php?article=511 Editor adds: Do check out the website because you will need to contact the Trust and book a place. The workshops are free! *** Life on the Verge *** Mark Schofield writes: With days lengthening and flowers opening, the survey season is now upon us! Most grassland wildflowers will be most easily recognisable from the start of June until probably the end of September. You can be a perfect novice at botany because a free Wildflower ID Guide is available and you only need to look for a shortlist of species. Now's your chance to visit the Life on the Verge website at www.lifeontheverge.org.uk and search through the survey maps which show roads near you that have yet to be explored. You can use the website to claim sections of road to survey and you will be e-mailed maps and satellite photos you can print out as well as survey forms. Results maps displaying the wildflower discoveries of the previous 3 years will help you to identify possible hotspots to aim for! Top tip: Try using Google Maps Street View (drag and drop the little yellow man on the Google Maps website) to check what roadsides look like superficially before you claim them. If the verges look wider than a metre and not just swamped in scrub or nettles, you may find more flowers. Surveys should take no longer than 1-2 hours and only a single visit is necessary. If have been beaten to it by the lawn mower or plants appear to be late flowering simply return a month later. From personal experience, you can cover much more ground once you 'have your eye in'. We are only 57% complete on the Limestone in North and South Kesteven and 29% complete on the Chalk in the Wolds. There are still some gems out there that really deserve to be discovered! Contact: mschofield@lincstrust.co.uk *** Hedgehogs and other beasties *** Hedgehog roadkill, 17/5/2012 Thorpe Road junction, Tattershall approx. TF219582 Also sent to "Hedgehog Street" survey: http://www.hedgehogstreet.org/pages/hedgehog-street.html *** Liverfluke and TB - a link? *** For the BBC story see: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-18118124 Another defra denial! http://www.farmersguardian.com/home/livestock/defra-dismisses-claims-over-liver-fluke-role-in-spreading-tb/47197.article and some discussion http://farmingforum.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?p=924808 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. 19/5 Golden Oriole male singing, male Red-backed Shrike, Black Redstart, 17 Whimbrel, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 3 Short-eared Owls, Spotted Redshank, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, Bonxie, Gibraltar Point Black Tern, Little Stint, Temminck's Stint, 15 Curlew Sandpiper, 3 drk Garganey, Black-necked Grebe, Frampton Marsh Bee-eater, Tydd Gote A1101 Sanderling, Kirkby on Bain Gravel pits Great White Egret, Holbeach over A17 20/5 Temminck's Stint, Black-necked Grebe, 7 Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Little stints, 15 Little gulls, Frampton Marsh Iceland Gull, Bonny Cars Garganey drk, Fiskerton Fen Short-eared Owl, Digby 21/5 Icterine Warbler, 2 Nightingales, Saltfleet Haven Temminck's Stint, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Little Gulls, 2 Short-eared Owls, Gibraltar Point Curlew Sandpiper, 3 Little Stints, Garganey, Frampton Marsh 22/5 Icterine Warbler, Saltfleet Haven Red-footed Falcon, Sleaford, Lidl Temminck's Stint, Garganey, Gibraltar Point 23/5 Bluethroat m singing, Tetney Lock 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. TREE BUMBLEBEE Bombus hypnorum Thorpe Rd Tattershall 21/5/12 David and Chrissie Robinson If you remember last year we had some Red Bottom Bumble bees take over a bird box. This year we have a different sort of bee which have taken over another bird box. They appear to have insulated it with soft fluffy material and on very cold days block up the hole up totally and appear to stay inside. Tonight they were very active going in and out as it was warmer. Alan Philips has confirmed these as Bombus hypnorum. He writes: Other than the wax they produce themselves, bumblebees don't collect nesting material as such, but rather utilise what's already in the nesting cavity, in this case feathers and moss collected by the previous bird occupants. Rather then using it to block the nest entrance they may have simply pushed it out in order to make the nest cavity bigger as the nest expands. Since they wouldn't venture out much in cold weather the comings and goings of the workers wouldn't have kept the entrance open. Overall a colony may last 2-3 months depending on conditions (the wet/cold April may have slowed them down somewhat). If the nest looks particularly active with plenty of bees coming in and out, they could be there maybe another month or so. You'll know when the nest is coming to an end when males and new queens start emerging from it. It's unlikely the nestbox will be used again this year as by the time the colony is finished it may be full of parasites, dead bees and rotten cells etc. So when the nest becomes inactive it's best to clean the box out. It's probably best to give the nest a wide berth as some colonies of this species can be slightly aggressive if continually disturbed. See: http://www.bwars.com/index.php?q=content/bombus-hypnorum-mapping-project Your reports To Alan, please, directly or via the Bulletin. Thanks. Roger SPALDING K J Seaton Spalding 19-05-2012 Seeing the post about zooarchaeology I thought this may be of interest. At the 18th century Chain-bridge blacksmiths forge in Spalding that I am involved with conserving we did find some old bones when digging out some of the old floor that were mostly chicken or other small animal. Above one door there are a number of the remains of Hare feet nailed to the door frame. Apparently these were considered to be good luck. I wonder if anyone has heard of this? *** 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. BOSTON Week Ending 19/05/2012 Roy and Kath Pearson Two hedgehogs have been visiting our garden this week feeding on scraps, with a marked partiality for peanut butter sandwiches. CAISTOR Wendy Handford Reports from contributors to Caistor records Week beginning 19/05/12 Caistor Wildlife Area TA 111 015 Common storksbill Meadow saxifrage Hundon Farm TA 113 022 Greylag goose Canada goose Pair of Mute swans Garden at TA 111 026 Pipistrelle bat flying at noon Great spotted woodpecker Pair of Stock doves Male Large red damselfly Water avens Ragged robin Jacob's ladder Common mousear Common vetch Hay rattle Field buttercup Spring fieldcap fungus Water Hills TA 123 017 Skylark Buzzard Brigg Road verge TA 114 006 Kestrel catches fledgling starling Greater celandine Hedgerow cranesbill Herb Bennet GREETWELL HOLLOW Colin J Green 25 May 2012 Visit to Greetwell Hollow NR, Lincoln in search of Green Hairstreak. None seen. Brimstone 2 Orange Tip Male 11, Fe 1 Green-veined White 3 Small White 3 Many other whites seen but not confirmed. first Common Blue of the year 2 first Small Heath of the year 2 plenty of Birdsfoot trefoil about and other flowers. plenty of martins feeding on insects over the grass, think they were sand martins - will check when I do video of trip later. Very hot day and the area is rapidly drying out. HIGHALL WOOD 20th May 2012, 11.30hrs R and A Parsons TF 2265 off Spa Trail, Highall Wood, Woodhall Spa. 1 Nightingale in full song, possible one in background. [Thanks, Jo!] Also Woodruff [Galium odoratum] along woodland ride. Quite a few deer slots to be seen. Miner's lettuce/Winter purslane [Claytonia perfoliata] along Spa Trail at approx TF 226502 RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF 309 847 Silvia Fowler Very interesting to read Mary and Phil Porter's (Bardney) account (2 weeks ago) of Sparrowhawk attacks, confirming that they do sometimes hunt in pairs. The concerted attacks in our garden only lasted about a week in mid April. I wonder if the extremely cold, windy and wet weather prompted them to seek out the easiest targets, though I only witnessed, or found evidence of, one successful hunt during that period. 12.-19.05.12 First pair of Housemartins starting to rebuild nest under S eaves, somewhat tentatively. 22.05.12 Goldcrest in conservatory – my first ever sighting and opportunity to take some photos. 23.05.12 A few Swifts and Housemartins over meadow. 23-25.05.12 Hawthorn and cow parsley coming into flower. 8-10 Housemartins now seen regularly around the house. Old nests being used for roosting. A few Swallows over meadow. 10 pm: Bat THEDDLETHORPE Coastguard Cottage garden Theddlethorpe. John Walker. 25/5/12 Considerable insect hatching weds through to Friday, in the first sunshine for over a week on the coast. A colony of honey bees with cukoo bees (thought to be Nomada fulvicornis) in lawn, and masonory bees with ruby tails on house wall. A large sawfly was also active but unable to identify it with my copy of Insects by Chinery. WATER'S EDGE - BARTON Waters' Edge Reserve Week ending Friday 25/05/12 Julie Ellison Birds: Mute Swan Canada Geese Greylag Geese Mallard (including pair with 6 small chicks) Gadwall (1 male) Tufted Duck Potchard Shell Duck Sparrowhawk Coot (including pair with 3 chicks) Moorhen Heron (a pair in the pond in the Viewing Area) Black-Headed Gull Lesser Blackbacked Gull Swallow Swift Pied Wagtail Blackcap Willow Warbler Chiffchaff Reed Warbler Sedge Warbler Robin Blackbird Mistle Thrush Blue Tit Chaffinch Wood Pigeon Carrion Crow Magpie Bats: Common Pipistrelle Soprano Pipistrelle Butterflies: Orange Tip Small White Wild Flowers: Black Medick Bulbous Buttercup Celery-Leaved Buttercup Creeping Buttercup Meadow Buttercup White Campion Red Clover White Clover Cowslip Garlic Mustard White Dead Nettle Daisy Oxeye Daisy Ribwort Plantain Common Field Speedwell Thyme-Leaved Speedwell Common Vetch Wood Avens (Herb Bennet) Yellow Iris Common Mouse Ear Cow Parsley Hawthorn Bluebells Rowan Hoary Cress Common Mallow Shepherds Purse Gorse WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. A & R Parsons 19/5/2012 Barn owl hunting road verges - approx 5pm 23/5 Grass snake - last year's young one - 8". 24/5/12 Cuckoo moving south along Witham bank.[AP] WRANGLE COMMON 20/05/2012 Roy and Kath Pearson Our count today showed that the usual summer visitors are all in and only one of the Curlew flock remains. Skylark numbers were the highest ever on the new wet grassland area where a Quail was calling. A single pair of Turtle Doves is nesting and two Common Buzzards were hunting in the area, but no Marsh Harriers which have been regular sightings in previous years, were recorded. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 19/05/2012 Curlew Sandpiper 1 Golden Oriole 1 Little Gull 1 Little Stint 1 Pink-footed Goose 2 Red-backed Shrike 1 Spotted Flycatcher 1 Wheatear 2 20/05/2012 Little Gull 2 Little Stint 1 Spotted Flycatcher 1 Temminck's Stint 1 Wheatear 2 21/05/2012 Garganey 1 Hobby 1 Stone Curlew 1 Temminck's Stint 1 22/05/2012 Garganey 1 Greenshank 3 Mediterranean Gull 2 Little Gull 1 Temminck's Stint 1 23/05/2012 Cuckoo 1 Eider 9 Mediterranean Gull 1 Little Gull 1 Wheatear 2 Yellowhammer 1 24/05/2012 Cuckoo 2 Turtle Dove 2 Wheatear 1 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 RSPB WASH Reserves - Frampton Marsh and Freiston Shore Reports for April 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 highlight of the month was a male Black-winged Stilt (19th until May). Other wader species noted included two Little Stints (30th), Jack Snipe (21st and 22nd), up to 30 Ruff and two Spotted Redshanks. Waterbirds included a male Scaup all month, up to three Garganey and a late Whooper Swan (24th). Several groups of up to 10 Arctic Terns passed through (from 24th). Little Gulls were seen on two dates. Raptors included Red Kite (6th) and Osprey (14th). Single Whinchats were seen on two dates and Water Pipits on four dates, while White Wagtails peaked at 10 (14th). A marauding Great Skua (from 30th) was seen to kill three Coots and a Lapwing. RSPB Freiston Shore http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore/index.asp RSPB Freiston Shore On the sea 50 Fulmar were seen (3rd), with a Great Skua and six Arctic Terns (28th). Short-eared Owls were more evident this month, with up to four (8th). Other bird of prey included Merlin, Hen Harrier and Marsh harrier. An impressive flock of 430 Linnets were in the game cover crop (4th). On the lagoon peak wader counts were 950 Oystercatcher and 55 Turnstone (8th). ALSO: Gibraltar Point NNR Raptor passage included Rough-legged Buzzard (12th), and Osprey (30th). Three Common Cranes (12th) also didn't stay for long. Other migrants included 3,000 Redwings (3rd), Hooded Crow (7th), Redstart (8th), Crossbill (11th), Firecrest (22nd), 40 Arctic Terns (24th) and a Red-rumped Swallow (30th). An excellent peak of 13 Ring Ouzels was recorded (24th). Treecreepers were seen on two dates. 500 Sanderling and 22,000 Knot (8th) were notable counts. Other sites Lincolnshire's second King Eider, a female, was seen on a boat trip in The Wash off Wrangle (21st), while a Black- winged Stilt seen previously in Leicestershire was at Willow Tree Fen, near Bourne (from 14th) before relocating to Frampton Marsh. Common Cranes were seen at Halton Holgate (two) and Kirkby Moor. A drake Ring-necked Duck at Kirkby Pits and West Ashby Pits and a Great Grey Shrike at Nocton Fen were both seen on and off. A Bittern was at Baston Fen (7th), three Caspian Gulls at Lincoln (19th) and two White Storks at Gosberton (23rd & 24th). A Sacred Ibis at Thurlby Pit and Spalding provoked interest as it may have been from a self-sustaining continental population and therefore potentially a future British tick! 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 25.05.12 BIRDS Max. Numbers = avocet 30+ adults + 5 broods of young bittern blackbird 13 blackcap 4 black headed gull 24 blue tit 12 canada goose 6 carrion crow 6 Cetti's warbler chaffinch 10 chiffchaff 5 collared dove 2 common gull 4 common tern 9 corn bunting cuckoo coot 40+ cormorant curlew dunnock 6 gadwall 2 goldfinch 3 GC grebe 3 prs with young GS woodpecker great tit 6 greenfinch 2 grey heron greylag goose 30+ hobby house martin 20 house sparrow 10 kestrel lapwing lesser whitethroat 2 linnet 2 little egret long - tailed tit 4 magpie 7 mallard 13 marsh harrier M+F moorhen 7 mute swan 6 oystercatcher 2 pheasant 3 pied wagtail 2 pochard 6 reed warbler 13 reed bunting 6 robin 6 sand martin 4 sedge warbler 8 shelduck 32 shoveler 2 F with broods sparrowhawk F starling 4 swallow 50+ swift 30+ tufted duck 11 turtle dove water rail wheatear whitethroat 10 willow warbler 7 wood pigeon 4 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) 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/ No reports - but it mist be wonderful in the limewoods just now. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 *** 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 or try http://www.bumblebeeconservation.org.uk/products.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, 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: Approx 150 e-mails to hotmail, live and msn addresses mostly. also - from second mailing ac_gr - account disabled or discontinued colin_moths - mailbox unavailable Colin@smith - recipient overquota hartsholmecp - Insufficient disk space *** Link(s) of the Week *** History of The Wildlife Trusts video: http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/100 ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/