============================================ || || 18th 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 1090 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 *** It would have been nice to reach the 1111 reader mark by 11/11 but we can still get to that total by the end of the year with your help. Why not use the hotlink at the end of your Bulletin to send it to a friend who might also find it useful? Click on "Forward to a friend". Please don't unsubscribe yourself by mistake! You might just get lucky and see some meteors this month. The Leonids peak on the morning of the 17th to 18th, with a possible second peak on 20th. How do I know? I refer to Paul Money's "Night Scenes 2012". Night Scenes 2013 is now available and you can order it from Paul's Astrospace website shop: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Home2.htm or from Amazon. The perfect Christmas present? If not, how about a flight to see the Northern Lights? http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/nlights/nlights.html While you are making a note of this, note the date for the Geminid meteor shower peak, 13th December. This looks promising, cloud permitting. New moon. Please keep those comments and reports coming. The next Bulletin will probably be the last one until the 16th December. If you need to publicise events or activities in December, contact me now, please. Recorders - is there anything autumnal you would like us to look out for? Readers building up a reference library can find a selection of LNU publications listed on LNU website. See: http://www.lnu.org/publications.php 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 *** Seal News *** Grey seal breeding season: it will be good to have updates, please. Remember - try to avoid weekend visits when visitor numbers are often rather 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 Latest seal numbers: Donna Nook seal numbers for Saturday 10 November: Bulls 348, cows 642, pups 444 *** Possible WATCH Club, Coningsby/Tattershall area *** Roger Parsons writes: I am looking into starting a WATCH club in Coningsby or Tattershall. I would be pleased to hear from anyone with the relevant enthusiasms. In case you don't know, the 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 more adult Watch leaders so we have a team to share the tasks. If you think you might enjoy setting up and helping to run a Watch club, please contact me for further information. E-mail: rparsons@enterprise.net For background information see: http://www.wildlifewatch.org.uk/ http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/watch/index.php *** Chalara Die-back In Lincolnshire? *** Ash dieback is caused by a fungus called Chalara fraxinea. http://www.forestry.gov.uk/chalara Think about your biosecurity precautions. Clean your footwear well between visits to woodland - a minor but worthwhile measure against the transfer of Chalara or other potential pathogens. Doesn't hurt, might help. *** Tree Planting Reminder *** 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 *** Trichomonosis - clean your feeders too! *** Lesley Robinson writes with: A timely reminder to be vigilant for the Trichomonosis parasite in garden birds and encourage people to clean and disinfect their bird feeders and feeding stations on a regular basis. We have had a couple of affected Greenfinches and so currently have taken down all our feeders. Information from the BTO below: Trichomonosis is the name given to a disease caused by the protozoan parasite Trichomonas gallinae. It has been recorded in a number of garden bird species and is widely acknowledged to be the causal factor in the rapid decline of the British Greenfinch population that was first noted in late summer 2006. The disease is also known as ‘canker’ when seen in pigeons and doves, and as ‘frounce’ when seen in birds of prey. It has been known as a disease of cage birds for some time. Species affected: Although known from pigeons, doves and birds of prey for some time, the disease came to prominence in summer 2005, when it was first noted in British finches. Epidemics of the disease occurred in 2006 and 2007, with smaller scale mortality events noted in subsequent years. Greenfinches and Chaffinches are the species that have been most frequently affected, but the disease has also been documented in other garden bird species, including House Sparrow, Dunnock, Great Tit and Siskin. What you can do: Follow sensible hygiene precautions as a routine measure when feeding garden birds and handling bird feeders and tables. Clean and disinfect feeders and feeding sites regularly. Suitable disinfectants that can be used include a weak solution of domestic bleach (5% sodium hypochlorite) or other specially-designed commercial products. Always rinse feeders thoroughly and air-dry before re-use. Rotate positions of feeders in the garden to prevent the build up of contamination in any one area of ground below the feeders. Empty and air dry any bird baths on a daily basis. You may wish to consider stopping feeding if you have an outbreak of the disease at your feeding station, in an attempt to force the birds to feed elsewhere at a lower density (although in reality they may end up visiting another feeding station and possibly one where no hygiene measures are in place. Further information can be found on the BTO website http://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/gbw/gardens-wildlife/garden-birds/disease/trichomonosis *** Grimsby & District RSPB *** Julie Harrison writes: On Monday 19 November 2012 the Grimsby & District RSPB Local Group invite you to join us at our next Indoor Meeting. This will be held at Corpus Christi Community Centre, Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes DN35 7AE and starts at 7-30pm. Admission is £3 only, you don't have to be a member to join us, everyone is welcome. It promises to be a great evening with wildlife photographer and author Dr Mike Leach. Last year Dr Leach filled the Concorde Suite at the Humber Royal Hotel with his illustrated talk on "Owls of the World". If you love hearing about the Natural World - don't miss out on his illustrated talk "It's a Funny Way to Make a Living". For more information call Julie Harrison 01472 507705 *** 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/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. 10/11 4 Waxwings, Barton-upon-Humber, Waters' Edge 23 Waxwings, Cherry Willingham, Lady Meers Road Black-throated Diver, past Huttoft 3 Crossbills, East Keal 3 Water Pipits, Velvet Scoter, Gibraltar Point 7 Short-eared Owls, Worlaby Carrs 11/11 4 Waxwings, Far Ings 21 Waxwings, Cherry Willingham, Lady Meers Road 28 Waxwings, Short-eared Owl, 2 Crossbills, Crossbill, Snow Bunting m, Hen Harrier, Gibraltar Point Rough-legged Buzzard, Mablethorpe - later posted as Common Buzzard. Rough-legged Buzzard, Hen Harrier, Frampton Marsh 2 Short-eared Owls, Dorrington Fen Smew drake, Far Ings, Bridge Pit 12/11 11 Waxwings, Grimsby Golf Club 6 Waxwings, Grimsby, A46 Weelsby Road Smew drake, Snow bunting flew west, Far Ings, Bridge Pit Yellow-browed Warbler, Willow Warbler, Ring Ouzel, Donna Nook Whooper Swan with 3 Mute Swans, Kirkby-on-Bain Gravel Pits Snow Bunting, 3 Slavonian Grebes offshore, Gibraltar Point Rough-legged Buzzard, Frampton Marsh 13/11 24 Waxwings, Cherry Willingham, Lady Meers Road 20 Waxwings, Lincoln, Crofton Road Industrial Estate 7 waxwings, Skegness Industrial Estate 30 Waxwings, Lapland Bunting, Saltfleetby St Peter Long-billed Dowitcher, Alkborough Flats 6 Bewick's Swans SSW over Friskney Fen 4 Short-eared Owls, Hen Harrier, Worlaby Carrs Snow Bunting west over Wainfleet St Mary's Fen Avocet, Kirkby-on-Bain Hide Pit 14/11 Glaucous Gull, over Horkstow Wolds 12 Snow Buntings, Frampton Marsh Hawfinch over Gibraltar Point 15/11 18 Waxwings, Long-eared Owl, 5 water pipits, Snow Bunting, Firecrest, 18 Snow Buntings, Gibraltar Point 22 Waxwings, Marston Sewage Works 16/11 9 Waxwings, Marston Sewage Works 41 Waxwings over, 5 Snow Buntings, 2 Crossbills, Great Northern Diver, Hen Harrier, Gibraltar Point 9 Waxwings, Chapel St Leonards 17/11 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. Paul Preston writes on 9th November: GRIMSBY - another large flock of geese over Grimsby. I presume they are coming in. Noisy and too high to be sure about species. Jennifer Playford writes on 10th November: Navenby garden (on the escarpment looking west over the Trent Valley) No thrushes eating our yew berries this year - only blackbirds, wood pigeons and squirrels. A jay was driven out of the beech trees by the irate jackdaw population. A large hedgehog spent a night in the garage but I removed it to the uninhabited chicken shed where it appears to be hibernating in old straw. *** 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. CAISTOR Wendy Handford Reports from contributors to Caistor records Week beginning 10.11.12 Caistor Wildlife Area TA 111 015 Rabbits, 2 adults, 2 juveniles feeding on grass Blackbirds, 4, feeding on Hawthorn berries Goldfinches, 10, 2 feeding on Dandelions Robin Treesparrows in hedgerow of Hawthorn and Ivy Woodpigeons, 6, feeding on Elderberries Daisy Dandelion Hedge parsley Hedgerow cranesbill Ivy Hogweed with 3 sp of fly Meadowsweet White dead-nettle Yarrow Hundon Farm TA 113 022 Storm-damaged Ash felled. Barnowl-box put on stump Brigg Road wildlife garden A 111 026 Buzzard perched in Aspen at 9am Kestrel mobbed by flock of Fieldfares 10am Male pheasants, 2 pairs, walking in parallel Black bean aphids on Cosmos Black garden ants feeding on aphids Acorn cached in molehill Cowslip Fungi Common funnel under Aspen Clouded agaric under Hawthorn Exidia plana on dead Alder (new to Caistor list) Poplar bracket on crack willow North Street TA 118 015 Starlings, 6, on lawn Ivy-leaved toadflax in flower Community Annual Meadow TA 113 009 Common poppy Corn chamomile Cornflower Corn marigold CORRINGHAM SK844905 Peter Morrell on 05/11/12 Female roe deer ran out in front of my car as I was driving towards Gainsborough on A631 at 9.30 am. Managed to avoid hitting it. DEEPINGS D. Griffith 14/11/12 Deeping St James Junction of Lynchfield Rd and Outgang Rd 12.15pm 5 Waxwings (2 seen by D Griffith, 5 seen by N Littler 15 minutes later) DEEPING LAKES Venue: Deeping Lakes LWT Reserve - TF187083 Observer: Ian Gordon Date: 13/11/12 Time: 1000 – 1145 Weather: Sunny periods and mild. Birds: Blackbird Black-headed Gull Blue Tit Chaffinch Collared Dove Coot Cormorant Crow Gadwall Goldeneye Great Crested Grebe Great Tit Green Woodpecker Greylag Goose Grey Heron Herring Gull Lapwing Little Grebe Long-tailed Tit Mallard Magpie Moorhen Mute Swan Pochard Robin Rook Shoveler Starling Teal Tufted Duck Wigeon Wood Pigeon Wren Other: Grey Squirrel PINCHBECK 08.11.12 Mick Todd Working near the Pumping museum this week the number of fieldfares has doubled to about 60, they seem to be feeding on a field with stubble on it, they do occasionally fly over the road to a row of hawthorn but don't appear to be eating the berries. there was also 31 swans flying in a "v" formation, heading in a southerly direction. Today (09.11.12) at same site, a buzzard was observed flying overhead on three occasions, being mobbed by a crow on one occasion, cormorants were also sighted at regular intervals, probably feeding in the Vernatts river. Highlight of the day was a grey wagtail which flew off the river bank a few yards from where I was working. WAINFLEET CONSERVATION PONDS 11/11/2012 Roy and Kath Pearson Things were very quiet on the site today. No winter thrushes were present, though there were a few Blackbirds in the hedges where few berries remain. Duck numbers were very low, with only Mallards recorded. Reed Bunting numbers likewise were very down. There is a small Starling roost that has started to establish itself and a Kingfisher was recorded - a young female. WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons No report this week. WILLOUGHBY TF468717 Robert Walker 11/11/12 Dead Badger Remains of carcass on road. WILLOUGHBY to HORNCASTLE Robert Walker Observation on journey back along B1196, A1104, A16 and A158 roads, 7 individual sightings of Kestrels and 1 Buzzard in late afternoon light conditions out hunting. WINTERTON 15/11/12: My garden SE 9319 1860 Julie Ellison First, solitary Redwing of the year, in a large Cotoneaster. Didn't see it eat any berries, but they usually do. The Redwings usually arrive a bit before the Fieldfares - Fieldfares started to come 4 years ago and numbers have increased each year. Also first pheasant of the year (male). Starlings 27, in a Sycamore at the west end of Cemetery Rd, Winterton, SE 9314 1856 (there are usually larger numbers to the west of Winterton) South end of Millennium Wood, Winterton SE 935 185 Collared Dove 3 Chaffinch (female) 1 House Sparrows (heard not seen) Blackbird (heard not seen) Northern end of Millennium Wood, Wnterton around SE 935 188 Blackbird 3+ (in overgrown Hawthorn hedge) Chaffinch 4+ (in overgrown Hawthorn hedge) Goldfinches 20+ (in overgrown Hawthorn hedge and hither and yon) Greenfinch 1 (in mixed thicket) Long-Tailed Tits (heard not seen) Jay 1 (in stand of young Birch) Robin (heard not seen) Rooks ribbon of 120-150 flew over, heading west ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 this week. 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: 16th November 2012. John Walker, Roger Briggs, Steve Hall, Cliff Morrison, Peter & Janet Roworth Day time temperatures reached an unseasonal 14.0°C on the 13th which may have encouraged a peacock butterfly to show itself but nothing was reported. Some of the dune plants have not lost all their flowers and vipers bugloss, ragwort, white campion and storksbill are still showing some colour. Bird sightings have included a single Willow Warbler at Sea View on the 9th, Whooper Swans 5 have been flying over the dunes and roosting on Rimac lagoon, Skylarks were quite vocal on the saltmarsh on the 13th. A minimum of 300 Curlew were at a roost near Churchill on the 16th and on the same day 60 Twite were feeding on samphire seed near Brickyard and 4 Bullfinches flew over the scrub. Small charms of Goldfinches continue to feed amongst ragwort and sea aster and 6 Siskin flew into alders near Sea View also on the 16th. 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 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 12.11.12 - may be subject to an update. BIRDS Max nos. bittern blackbird 12 black headed gull 50+ blue tit 8 carrion crow 5 Cetti's warbler chaffinch 7 coal tit collared dove 4 common gull 6 coot 90+ cormorant 4 curlew 2 dunlin 6 dunnock 3 fieldfare 4 gadwall 7 goldeneye 4 goldcrest goldfinch 11 GC grebe 3 GS woodpecker great tit 5 greenfinch 2 grey heron 2 greylag goose 160 herring gull house sparrow 12 kestrel kingfisher lapwing 9 little grebe 3 long tailed tit 4 magpie 3 mallard 18 marsh harrier M moorhen 6 mute swan 12 pheasant 2 pink footed goose 43 pochard 4 redshank 3 redwing 15 reed bunting 3 robin 6 shelduck 4 shoveler 2 siskin 6smew M snow bunting (12th) sparrowhawk starling 600+ teal 24 tufted duck 28 water rail 2 wawing 4 wigeon 4 willow tit 2 wood pigeon 8 wren 8 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 http://lnu.org/publications.php ian@macalpine-leny.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: http://www.lnu.org/ 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 Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership (of which LERC is a part) Contact: Charlie Barnes, charlie.barnes@glnp.org.uk or for more general queries: info@glnp.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 http://www.lincsmarshes.org.uk/ Tornado and Storm Research Organisation http://www.lnu.org/ 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: http://www.lnu.org/ www.rspb.org.uk www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore http://www.lnu.org/ 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 http://www.lnu.org/ 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. http://www.lnu.org/ 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: http://www.lnu.org/ 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 ... *** Australian Total Solar Eclipse on 13th *** The Web has some good footage of the 13th November Solar Eclipse as seen from Queensland. Have a look: http://www.space.com/18465-total-solar-eclipse-australia-2012.html http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITJXBilBTig ---------- ~ 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.