============================================ || || 4th November 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 1088 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 *** As we enter the grey seal breeding season it will be good to have updates, please. Please try to avoid weekend visits when visitor numbers are often high. To check tides before you go, see: http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/ To check weather, see: http://www.wunderground.com/ For seal news see: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/index.php R Lidstone-Scott reports: Donna Nook numbers for Sat 27th: bulls 79, cows 29, pups 14 Ornithological Botany: a note for birders. When observing birds, is it ever possible to tell what they are eating? For example, if you are reporting the wonderful Waxwing, could you identify the plant(s) on which it is feeding as a separate botanical record? Rowan berries, Haws, Crab Apple, Mistletoe berries? Were you to record food species as a matter of routine, the botanical [and zoological?] information gathered could be a valuable by-product of your birding work. Worth a thought? Note for recorders: There will be no Bulletin on the 2nd and 9th December. This leaves a window for you to recommend some information-gathering over that period that can be reported on 16th December. Please would you have a think and see if any project suggests itself? e.g. You could call for reports, express thanks for records and suggest particular species or habitats that we might focus on in 2013. Please keep those comments and reports coming. Roger *** Next LNU Event *** For LNU meetings see www.lnu.org/events.php See section 11 for full programme. 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. Saturday, November 24, 2012 Buglife's 'Stepping Stones' Project Buglife's (The Invertebrate Conservation Trust) 'Stepping Stones' project on brownfield sites in Lincolnshire and beyond, plus a review of other work by the Trust. By Clare Dinham of Buglife *** BMS Fungus-collecting Code *** Responsible collecting is key to fungus protection and conservation. If you intend collecting fungi, please do your very best to follow the advice given on this website: http://www.britmycolsoc.org.uk/mycology/conservation/code-of-picking/ *** Have you seen Chalara In Lincolnshire Yet? *** Chalara dieback, caused by a fungus called Chalara fraxinea, has been found in Lincolnshire. I caught a local news piece this week which told of infected [imported] Ash trees at a nursery in Horncastle. These were destroyed, the report said. I could not find a link to the story to include here, so if you find it, please let me have the URL. Also see: http://www.itv.com/news/central/story/2012-10-29/ash-dieback-disease-alert/ If you think you have seen Chalara signs, please report it. Urgent now, as leaves will soon be off the trees completely. http://www.forestry.gov.uk/chalara This latest foreign disease outbreak makes me reflect on what the UK may be doing wrong about border biosecurity. Those of us who have visited Australia or New Zealand will be familiar with the stricter precautions taken by these island nations. An island is in an unique position to defend its borders from such incoming risks - if the political will is there. EU island countries could insist on stricter checks and measures to protect them from disease risks. Why not? I recall going through a passenger check at Brisbane, having been working on a farm, to be told: "Next time you come to Australia we will burn your *** boots!" The offending footwear was returned dipped and dripping. Quite right! http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/INFD-8LQGC2 http://www.defra.gov.uk/publications/files/pb13657-tree-health-actionplan.pdf Think about your own biosecurity contribution. A minor but worthwhile measure against the spread of Chalara spores would be to clean footwear between visits to woodland. *** Tree Planting *** Sturton By Stow Jubilee Wood, on Saturday November 17th from 9.00am at the Parish Field down Bransby Road off Tillbridge Road. Parishioners are going to plant 1350 trees. If you would like to help you will be most welcome, please bring spade and lump hammer. Due to the Chalara threat we have eliminated ash from the planting and have increased other species with a total of 14 different kinds to be planted. Further details from Rodge 01427 788623 or David 01427 787517 *** LWT Grantham Group *** Marion Ellis writes: Friday 9th November Birds of the West Indies Steve Keightley brings us the sights of Caribbean Birds, a reminder of warmer times during our cold winter nights. 7.30pm Barkstone & Syston Village Hall Members Free, Visitors suggested donation £2 *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** Carolyn Lovely writes: On Monday 12th November 2012 we invite you to join us at our next indoor meeting - "Life in the Wash" an power point presentation by Geoff Lee. This will be held at Grimsby Town Hall and starts at 7.30pm. Admission £2. There will be a Trust goods stall and raffle and tea and coffee will be available. For further details please contact Jennie Redpath 01472 502858 *** Gainsborough Area LWT *** Dave Stockley writes: Wed 21 November 2012: A Digital Year – Geoff Trinder From the garden to Japan and orchids to owls, come and see what one of our favourite speakers and photographers has been up to recently! 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 available if pre- ordered (tel: 01427 613128) 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 *** Report those Harlequin Ladybirds *** This is a good time of year for trying to "spot" these! For help distinguishing and identifying Harlequins and other ladybirds, or submitting a Harlequin report, see: http://www.harlequin-survey.org/ *** Police and Crime Commissioner Elections *** You will have received information about the forthcoming PCC election and may have an opportunity to speak with candidates before then. It will be interesting to see how seriously wildlife and rural crime issues are being addressed. Why not ask? More information: www.choosemypcc.org.uk *** Possible WATCH Club, Coningsby/Tattershall area *** I am looking into starting a WATCH club in my local area and would be pleased to hear from anyone local with the relevant enthusiasms. In case you don't know, Watch Clubs are the junior wing of the Wildlife Trusts. Watch meetings typically last 2 hours on a weekend, once a month. As a first step I need to find at least one other, preferably 2 other adult Watch leaders. If you can think of anyone who might enjoy setting up and helping to run a Watch club, please ask them to contact me for further information by e-mail on rparsons@enterprise.net For background information see: http://www.wildlifewatch.org.uk/ http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/watch/index.php *** Lincolnshire Moods and Stars *** I wonder if readers are aware of Janet and Peter Roworth's excellent portrait of the county, Lincolnshire Moods. It is a beautifully illustrated book. The authors are regular contributors to the Bulletin. See: http://www.halsgrove.com/proddetail.php?prod=EALLMDS Astronomer, Paul Money, has made a fantastic contribution to county astronomy. Each year he produces a handy month by month guide to the night sky. Night Scenes 2013 is just out and you can order a copy via Paul's website, Astrospace. http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Home2.htm If any other readers have published something likely to be of interest to us, please let me know. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. 27/10 2 Waxwings, m Ring Ouzel, Hen Harrier, Black Redstart, 5 Bearded Tits, Gibraltar Point 2 Little Auks in off sea with starlings, 2 Ring Ouzels, Gibraltar Point 2 Black-necked Grebes, Thurlby Pit Red-Necked Grebe, Kirkby on Bain gravel pits 2 Ring Ouzels, 2 Waxwings, Saltfleet, Toby's Hill 2 Pomarine Skuas past also 2 Sooty Shearwaters, 2 Long-tailed Ducks, 3 Ring Ouzels in Dunes, 2 Waxwings, Donna Nook 3 Ring Ouzels, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe 28/10 2 Waxwings, 4 Crossbills, Gibraltar Point Lesser Yellowlegs, Long-billed Dowitcher, Alkborough Flats Red-Necked Grebe, Kirkby on Bain gravel pits 3 Little Auks north past Trusthorpe Lapland Bunting, Ring Ouzel, Donna Nook Long-tailed Duck, Ring Ouzel, 10 Little Auks north past Gibraltar Point Little Auk in of sea, Cleethorpes coast Great Northern Diver, 2 Long-tailed Ducks Velvet Scoter, Red-necked Grebe on sea, 33 Little Auks past Donna Nook 29/10 Lesser Yellowlegs, Long-billed Dowitcher, Curlew Sandpiper, 5 Spotted Redshanks, Alkborough Flats Caspian Gull, 3 Yellow-legged Gulls, North Hykeham 2 Ring Ouzels, Jack Snipe, Short-eared Owl, 7 Crossbills, Gibraltar Point Red-Necked Grebe, Kirkby on Bain gravel pits 2 Snow Bunting, Cleethorpes country park 30/10 2 Waxwings, Cleethorpes country park 2 Waxwings, Scunthorpe, Rowland Road 2 Ring Ouzels, Gibraltar Point Lesser Yellowlegs, Alkborough Flats Red-Necked Grebe, Kirkby on Bain gravel pits 31/10 Ring Ouzel, Saltfleet Haven Ring Ouzel, Gibraltar Point 14 Waxwings, Grantham, Belton House 1/11 2 Caspian Gulls, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls, Gainsborough landfill 5 Ring Ouzels, 3 Short-eared owls, Gibraltar Point 3 Waxwings, Louth 2/11 2 Ring Ouzels, Rimac Ring Ouzel, Sea View Farm Ring Ouzel, Jack Snipe, 3 Crossbills, Gibraltar Point 2 Hen Harriers, 25 Twite, Saltfleetby 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. NORFOLK Geof Lee writes: On Sunday, 28th October we went to Snettisham RSPB and saw and photographed 20 waxwings near the car park. CAISTOR Wendy Handford Reports from contributors to Caistor records Week beginning 27.10.2012 Hundon Farm ponds TA 113 022 2 adult Cormorants recorded on 10.09.12 (new to Caistor list) 4 coots Grey heron Brigg Road garden TA 114 022 Grey squirrel 2 Buzzards circling Great spotted woodpecker Jay visiting daily 6 Long-tailed tits Sparrowhawk Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 Two new farm cats now roaming garden Common shrew in greenhouse Fieldmice in garage eating nyjer seed Young adult Fox chasing juvenile Rabbit 2 Buzzards flying at low level across garden; believed to be roosting in our wood Flocks of Fieldfares Jay Mistlethrushes feeding on Guelder rose berries 3 male Pheasants Flock of Redwing Ivy in flower Ragweed, Ambrosia artemesifolia, new to Caistor list Fungi: Brown rollrim on lawn under Silver birch Fly agaric under Silver birch by stream Stump puffballs associated with buried Cupressus leylandii stump Sycamore tarspot on fallen sycamore leaves Water Hills TA 123 017 Skein of 20 Canada geese Brigg Road farmland TA 109 029 Pair of Bewick swans (new to Caistor list) Fishing pond TA 109 023 Osprey *** 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 experts. Thanks. BRACEBY TF015353 M Ellis 28/10/2012 Putting up the birdfeeders again about a week ago has led to the frequent sight of greater spotted woodpeckers, coal tits, & goldfinches as well as the sparrows. Barn owl perched on a pole for some time in daylight last week. DEEPING LAKES Venue: Deeping Lakes - TF187083 Observer: Ian Gordon Date: 02/11/12 Time: 0930 – 1115 Weather: Sunny, breezy and cold Birds: Blackbird Black-headed Gull Blue Tit Chaffinch Gadwall Collared Dove Coot Cormorant Crow Goldfinch Fieldfare Great Crested Grebe Green Woodpecker Greylag Goose Grey Heron Goldeneye Herring Gull House Sparrow Lapwing Lesser Black-backed Gull Little Egret Long-tailed Tit (Heard) Little Grebe Mallard Magpie Mute Swan Pochard Rook Shovelor Teal Tufted Duck Wigeon Wood Pigeon FULLETBY TF 295 732 Silvia Fowler 29.10.12 Clear view of Barn Owl flying along hedgerow at 4 pm LINCOLN City Centre LN5 8NB Nikki Wilson 27/10/2012 Sparrowhawk took a sparrow out of the buddlea bush in garden, landed on the lawn 5 ft from me, prey in claw, then flew off. LINCOLN SK972739 W/E 03/11/2012 Jayne Knight 27/10 10 Whooper Swans flew south, middle of the morning, calling as they went. 17/10 Around a dozen Long-tailed Tits foraged through the apple tree in the front garden. A few Spider records from clearing out the greenhouse and garden shed: Amaurobius fenestralis Amaurobius similis Dysdera crocata Enoplognatha ovata Araneus diadematus and different members of Tegenaria but too busy to really study and identify PINCHBECK 26.10.12 Mick Todd The Russians are coming! As I drove on West Marsh Road towards the Engine museum a flock of 30 fieldfares flew from a walnut tree and landed on a field of stubble. Later in the day a work colleague came to me with a request to rescue a swan stuck in a beet field. the young bird, still with grey feathers, was sat in a beet field obviously unable to take off. After a bit of hissing and posturing (from the swan not me!) the bird was persuaded to sit quietly on my knee as my colleague drove us to the nearby drain. After a quick check of legs and wings for injuries, the uninjured but still indignant juvenile was released and swam off with a wag of the tail. RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF 309 847 Silvia Fowler 28.10.12 Buzzard 11 male and 14 female Pheasants feeding together in meadow Black-headed gulls feeding in meadow Very few Wasps, Hoverflies, Ladybrids and Lacewings seen this autumn Surprisingly few finches on bird feeders 29.10.12 Family of Long-tailed tits Ivy flowering profusely in hedgerow 31.10.12 Female Sparrowhawk on fence SPALDING CEMETERY 27.10.12 Mick Todd I have read with interest the various comments about jays and lack of acorns. There is an oak tree, in the corner of the cemetery, that overhangs the yard where I work, at this time of year I would expect the ground to be covered with fallen acorns, but this year there as not been a single acorn. Is this due to the wet year we have endured? Fortunately I still get frequent views of jays, so they must have an alternative food source. WALCOTT TF127569 w/e 02/11/2012 Chris Lunn (Casual Records while gardening) 30/10 1 Wren 1 Robin Starlings (small feeding group) House sparrows (small feeding group) 1 Green Woodpecker (heard, not seen) 1 Blue tit various corvids Honey Bee foraging in honeysuckle which still has a few flowers Still some diptera around (sorry, can’t identify) One tortoiseshell butterfly (still) on the wing WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 27/10/2012 Grey Heron over 9am. Fieldfares 50-100 ranging through fen. 29/10 2 Grey herons over 7am. 2/11/2102 Trail camera video of tawny owl inspecting nest box. WILLOW TREE FEN Venue: Willow Tree Fen – TF181213 Observer: Ian Gordon Date: 30/10/12 Time: 0945 – 1130 Weather: Cloudy and Cold Birds: Blackbird Blue Tit Chaffinch Coot Fieldfare Goldfinch Herring Gull Jay Long-tailed Tit Mallard Magpie Mute Swan Pochard Robin Rook Song Thrush Sparrowhawk Starling Teal Wood Pigeon ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 DUNES 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: 2nd November 2012. John Walker, Roger Briggs, Steve Hall, Cliff Morrison, Peter & Janet Roworth A quiet week compared with the nice but rather brief spell of migrating winter thrushes, Goldcrests and Robins, which all occurred in good numbers together with a few other interesting species during the last week of October. On the 29th near Churchill Redwing 80+, Fieldfare 20+, Blackbird 40+ and Ring Ouzel 2 were still busily feeding in hawthorn bushes, but by the 2nd November most of these birds have moved on. Several flocks of Starlings have been flying south over the dunes near Sea View to an evening roost and on the 29th 2500+ were seen which was quite a sight against a background of deep pink evening sky. In an earlier note we described the aerial agility of the Merlin as it desperately tried to catch a Meadow Pipit over the saltmarsh. What a contrast this was to a female Sparrowhawk which, although potentially as agile, was observed flying low over the saltmarsh in very late evening light. The bird glided, assisted by a few wing beats, almost at the height of the seed heads of sea aster, hoping to catch unawares a Meadow Pipit or Goldfinch. It passed by, unsuccessful, and out of sight to the south along the edge of the dunes. Several Woodcock have been seen flying over the dunes at dusk. Blustery spells of wind particularly on the 27th and 28th have blown many leaves off the small stands of sycamore and ash. Although there is never a good autumn colour from Sea Buckthorn there are a few orange berries and the leaves are beginning to fall, but there are still some bright red hips and haws that have evaded the attention of the winter thrushes. The main colour seen on the dune grassland comes from the purple-red colours of dew- berry leaves which stand out from the mix of pale yellows and browns of the surrounding grasses and dry seed heads. RSPB WASH Reserves - Frampton Marsh and Freiston Shore Reports for September 2012 John Badley Recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Assisted by Grahame Hopwood and Colin Jennings RSPB Frampton Marsh A good month for waders with peak counts of six Little Stints, Gibraltar Point NNR Other sites John Badley Recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Assisted by Colin Jennings ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. News from Far Ings NNR http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/far_ings/index.php ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Far Ings News W/E 02.11.12 BIRDS Max. nos. bittern blackbird 14 black headed gull 30+ black-tailed godwit 2 blue tit 8 carrion crow 5 Cetti's warbler chaffinch 8 collared dove 4 common gull 8 coot 94 cormorant 7 curlew 6 dunnock 3 fieldfare 10 gadwall 8 golden plover 200+ goldfinch 22 GC grebe 3 GS woodpecker great tit 6 greenfinch 2 grey heron 2 greylag goose 30 herring gull house sparrow 15 kestrel kingfisher lapwing 21 little grebe 3 long tailed tit 4 magpie 3 mallard 18 moorhen 6 mute swan 7 pheasant 2 pink footed goose 65 pochard 5 red-crested pochard F redshank 10 redwing 15 reed bunting 2 robin 6 shelduck 2 shoveler 11 skylark snipe sparrowhawk starling 400+ teal 39 tufted duck 24 water rail wigeon 8 willow tit 2 wood pigeon 10 wren 9 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ Colin Green has produced the following video about visiting Southrey Wood. Well worth a look. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1SpBvd9Ib0 Can we have some reports, please? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7. Sending in reports to Roger Parsons ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The purpose of the Bulletin is to encourage biological recording in Lincolnshire using modern Information and Communication Technology. We hope to increase the number of people reporting observations to LNU Recorders and improve the quality of reports, as well as the quantity and the geographical coverage. [A backup e-mail address you can use if ever you experience problems with my "Enterprise" address is: aintree2@yahoo.co.uk] When sending in reports please follow Bulletin layout to save editing: Place Name: IN CAPITALS with Grid Reference if you have it. Your Name: Real names please, not aliases. Put it in each time, for each location Date: Species list [Alphabetical?] & numbers [and observations?] e.g. Blackbird - 24 [And please, no home-grown abbreviations. Names in full.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 8. Contact Information & Useful Websites ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please let me know ASAP if any of these weblinks fail! *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Website *** A full list of LNU Country Recorders is given here. http://www.lnu.org/ LNU e-mail: info@lnu.org If you are not yet a member, the LNU needs good naturalists like you! Anyone interested can get membership application forms from Wilma Gammon at the Lincs Wildlife Trust office, e-mail wgammon@lincstrust.co.uk LNU publications [listed on LNU website] may be ordered via: Ian Macalpine-Leny macalpine@doddington.demon.co.uk *** iSpot *** The LNU is now represented on the popular iSpot website: http://www.ispot.org.uk/node/275032 A full list of the organisations, recording schemes and societies represented is here: http://www.ispot.org.uk/representatives This is a project run by The Open University as part of Open Air Laboratories (OPAL), where you can "Learn more about wildlife, share your interest with a friendly community and get help identifying what you have seen." The project is essentially in the business of helping people learn how to identify the wildlife they encounter, and encouraging them to get involved in biological recording. *** Contacts List *** *** Rural Crime Officer *** Pc 160 Nick Willey Force Wildlife, Rural Crime Officer Force Dog Training Establishment Lincolnshire Showground. Grange-De-Lings. Lincoln nicholas.willey@lincs.pnn.police.uk OFFICE: 01522-731897 MOBILE :07768-501895 PAGER : 07654-330877 *** Spiders *** Imogen Wilde writes: I have recently agreed to take on the roles of Regional Co- ordinator (RC) and Mentor for Lincolnshire for the British Arachnological Society (BAS). I will be organising a few field meetings to hunt for spiders and other arachnids in due course, but if any LNU members wish to get in touch in the meantime then please contact me on my e-mail address: Imogen@imogenwilde.co.uk *** 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/ *** OTTERS *** Readers are reminded that all dead Otters should be reported to the Environment Agency on 0800 807060. *** Hedgehog Survey *** http://www.hedgehogstreet.org/pages/hibernation-survey.html *** Mammal Records *** Mammal records can reported to Chris Manning E-mail: chris@lincsdeer.info Mink reports also of interest and can be sent via the Bulletin. *** Grow-you-own Mistletoe *** http://www.mistle.co.uk/ *** Met Office E-mail 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/about-us/guide-to-emails *** LNU Moths Gallery *** There is a moth page on the LNU Website, to promote the recording of moths across the county. http://www.lnu.org/ Also see: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/species/hawkmoths/index.php *** Slug ID Help *** Chris du Feu will help with slug identification. You can telephone him on: 01427 848400 or e-mail: chris@chrisdufeu.force9.co.uk *** Identification of Non-Marine Molluscs *** John Redshaw is still available to identify specimens of non- marine shelled molluscs, including brackish marsh species. For larger and medium sized species (down to 1cm) a digital image will usually suffice. For smaller species it may be possible, in some cases, to ID specimens from digital images, but usually actual specimens will be required. If providing specimens, they may be enclosed in old film pots (which photographic shops are usually glad to get rid of). Details of location where specimen found, (with grid reference if known), date and finder's name should be provided. If specimen is provided this information should be noted on a label stuck to the outside of the pot. Please be aware that it is illegal to send live specimens through the post. For further details please contact John by e-mail on ejred7fen@tiscali.co.uk *** Mollusc Identification *** David Feld has also kindly offered to assist readers to identify molluscs, both terrestrial and aquatic. Please e-mail him a description and he will advise you whether and where to send a photograph or an actual specimen. Contact: drf@dfeld.freeserve.co.uk *** Lincolnshire Badger Group Update *** Ally Townsend of the Weirfield Wildlife Hospital, writes: If you would like to give people the Lincoln number 01522 530428 a member of staff will record the sighting or RTA. Or use the Weirfield website: http://www.weirfield.co.uk/ where a reporting page can be used to send in reports. *** Lincs Bird Club *** Secretary - Robert Carr secretary@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Membership Secretary - Mike Harrison: michael@michaelharrison1.wanadoo.co.uk LBC County Bird Recorders County Bird Recorder, covering the south of the county recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk for John Badley recorder_north@lincsbirdclub.co.uk for John Clarkson Bird Club Website: www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk *** Other Useful Websites *** Key links are now being posted on the LNU website. http://www.lnu.org/ This should save space in the Bulletin, Suggestions for other useful Websites are welcome. Natural England http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ Still includes SSSI Information and "Nature on the Map" Lincolnshire Environmental Awards http://www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk/ Lincs. Wildlife Trust Website http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/ Useful emergency numbers for wildlife crises. http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/factsheets/ Lincs Environmental Records Centre The Lincolnshire Biodiversity Partnership (of which LERC is a part) Contact: Charlie Barnes, charlie.barnes@lincsbiodiversity.org.uk or for more general queries: info@lincsbiodiversity.org.uk The Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes Project (LCGMP) To learn more about the project or to find out how to get involved, please visit www.lincsmarshes.org.uk Tornado and Storm Research Organisation www.torro.org.uk Contact Ian Loxley on colarain@tiscali.co.uk *** Interesting Weather radar website *** Noel Loxley recommends the following interesting website. http://www.raintoday.co.uk/ RSPB Contact Details RSPB Website: www.rspb.org.uk www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh John Badley, Site Manager for RSPB Lincolnshire Wash reserves e-mail: john.badley@rspb.org.uk Bardney Limewoods www.limewoods.co.uk limewoods@lincolnshire.gov.uk The Sir Joseph Banks Society Contact 01507 528223 or by e-mail: enquiries@joseph-banks.org.uk. www.joseph-banks.org.uk EasyTide Check tide times on Admiralty EasyTide: http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx TWO - The Weather Outlook Check the weather forecast for the location or postcode: http://www.theweatheroutlook.com/ Joan Gunson's Moths recorded in my garden 2011: www.flickr.com/photos/angleshades Alan Dale's Bugs and Weeds http://www.bugsandweeds.co.uk/ Mike Binnion writes: Common Butterflies http://www.grimsbywildlife.co.uk/otherattractions.htm http://www.grimsbywildlife.co.uk/ Youtube videos by Colin Green. Little Scrubbs Meadon http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inqCJLrTQmg&feature=relmfu Greetwell Hollow http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QmzLFrbjFU&feature=plcp Rimac http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s02O5JJoilQ&feature=plcp *** 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. Indoor meetings: Saturday, November 24, 2012 Buglife's 'Stepping Stones' Project Buglife's (The Invertebrate Conservation Trust) 'Stepping Stones' project on brownfield sites in Lincolnshire and beyond, plus a review of other work by the Trust. By Clare Dinham of Buglife Saturday, January 19, 2013 Talk - details to follow Saturday, February 16, 2013 Recorders' Meeting & Annual Exhibition Note - watch for details of early start to give us all additional talking-time. Saturday, March 09, 2013 AGM & Presidential Address by Roger Parsons Subject: The Ecology of Pollination and Pollinators ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 Enterprise mailfails: Mostly due to bad reputation of "3" IP address? Mainly affects my thankyous/replies to e-mails. If I have not replied or said thank you - I did - but my reply was blocked! This issue should not affect the Mailchimp mailing. If you are having difficulties with spam folders etc please make sure you "Whitelist" my address as given in the Bulletin. *** And Finally ... Jayne Knight sent in: heliganwild.com/webcams has a lovely pair of Barn Owls roosting in a box. Find it so relaxing watching them snooze... ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/ Note: the links below allow you to unsubscribe, send a copy of the Bulletin to a friend or modify your profile/change your e-mail address. N.B. Each reader sees only their own address.