=========================================== || || 7th October 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 *** Please keep those reports coming. A tenacious pair of stock doves has bred in our Tawny Owl box this year despite protests from ourselves and the owls! It astounds me how determined they have been. We have caught exasperated owl on our trail camera as it peered into the box to see what the doves were doing. Owls nil, Stock doves 2! A young sparrowhawk appeared in our vegetable patch on Monday. Signs were it has a wing injury. I was advised to ring the RSPCA and get it collected. This we did, but the prognosis was not good. Another inexperienced bird that had miscalculated, I think. I have finally chosen a title for my LNU Presidential Address next year: "The Ecology of Pollination and Pollinators" I hope to use my background in ecology and agriculture, together with my lifetime's interest in honeybees, to explain the important part played in Lincolnshire eco- systems by pollen and pollinators. If any reader has a particular interest or experience in working in this field I will pleased to hear from them. Already I have had some remarkable photos from several Bulletin readers. Invaluable help and much appreciated. Roger *** Next LNU Event *** For LNU meetings see www.lnu.org/events.php See section 11 for full programme. 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 *** Grimsby/Ckeethorpes LWT *** Carolyn Lovely On Monday 8th October 2012 you are invited to join the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust at their indoor meeting where John Watts of the Trusts Reserves Department will talk about Roadside Nature Reserves and the value of roadside verges as a wildlife resource. The venue is Grimsby Town Hall and the meeting starts at 7.30pm. There will be Trust Stall, raffle and tea/coffee available. For further details please contact Jenny Redpath - 01472 502858 or Jackie Kirk - 01472 316772 *** Apple Days in Lincolnshire 2012 *** Take along your unknown apples for identification. It might be a lost local variety with a history. Information from the website of: East of England Apples and Orchards Project http://www.applesandorchards.org.uk/ Sun 7th October The Town Hall, Louth Road, Wragby Lincs LN8 5PH TBA Tel: 01673 818272 A Lincolnshire Organic Gardeners' Organisation event www.logo.org.uk *** Barn Owls *** Alan Ball writes re the recent article about taking Barn Owl chicks into care when abandoned. The problem is that one does not know if the adults have abandoned them. If the weather is wet/windy the adults will not return to feed the chicks - they have not abandoned them and will return to feed them when the weather improves. It is not uncommon in periods of poor weather for adults to not return to the nest and feed the chicks at all in a 24/48 hour period, so if watching them one may be drawn to the conclusion that they have been abandoned. Editor adds: The Contacts in the following link will no doubt express similar concerns and advise caution. Contacts - see LWT Factsheets: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/factsheets/contacts.php ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. I am also going to ignore late reports stating "y'day". Please visit the RBA website for updates or fuller details. 29/9 4 Yellow-browed Warblers, Spoonbill, 6 Redstarts, Crossbill, Pied Flycatcher, Gibraltar Point Osprey, Kirkby in Bain gravel pits Yellow-browed Warbler, Skegness Short-eared Owl, Anwick Fen 30/9 2 Yellow-browed Warblers, Pied Flycatcher, Spoonbill, Gibraltar Point 3 Little Stints, c10 Curlew Sandpipers, Frampton Marsh Lapland Bunting, Donna Nook 2 Snow-buntings, Sutton-on-Sea 1/10 Yellow-browed Warbler, Spoonbill, Lapland Bunting, Pied Flycatcher, 5 Spotted Redshanks, Gibraltar Point 3 Snow Buntings, Sutton on Sea 2 Redstarts, Crossbill, Donna Nook 2/10 Red-necked Phalarope juv, West Ashby, near Shearman's Wath - no public access 6 Spotted Redshanks, Hen Harrier, Ring Ouzel, Redstart, Pied Flycatcher, Hawfinch flew south, Gibraltar Point 3/10 Yellow-browed Warbler, Goxhill Haven Spoonbill, 6 Spotted Redshanks, Gibraltar Point Garganey, Whisby Nature Park Red-necked Phalarope juv, West Ashby, near Shearman's Wath - no public access 4/10 Honey Buzzard, Slatfleetby/Theddlethorpe Red-necked Phalarope juv, West Ashby, near Shearman's Wath - no public access Lapland Bunting, 2 Redstarts, Donna Nook Long-billed Dowitcher, Alkborough Flats Great White Egret, Fiskerton Fen Pectoral Sandpiper, Frampton Marsh 5/10 Long-tailed Skua past Gibraltar Point Hen Harrier, Short-eared owl, Redstart Purple sandpiper, Spoonbill, Ring Ouzel, Spotted Redshank, Gibraltar Point Red-necked Phalarope juv, West Ashby, near Shearman's Wath - no public access Long-billed Dowitcher, Alkborough Flats 6/10 Red-necked Phalarope juv, West Ashby, near Shearman's Wath - no public access 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. WITHAM BANK at Aubourn Peter Wilson 3rd October 2012 Time 0930 hrs at SK913626 Several Grey Wagtails. I haven't seen any of these birds down here before, perhaps they are just passing through. They are very attractive and you can't help but notice them as they hover around the waters edge and flit about. Also at the same site, several flocks of goldfinches and one buzzard circling and calling, this is a regular here. *** 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. HAGNABY FEN 30/9/2012 R & A Parsons 2 Little Egrets 2 Mute Swan Kestrel 2 Shoveler 2 Wigeon 30+ Mallard HUTTOFT TF512 763 (my garden) JANE PENNINGTON Date: 29/9 Chaffinch 1 HUTTOFT TF512 763 (my garden) JANE PENNINGTON Date: 1/10 Small tortoiseshell butterfly 1 (in field next to garden) Shield bug 1 (all green - sorry, don't know the name and didn't have camera) Date: 4/10 Red admiral 1 (warming up on nettle for about 20 minutes) Common darter dragonfly male 1 2-spot ladybird 1 18-spot ladybird 1 I disturbed both ladybirds when I opened my small wooden greenhouse type thing. Took photos so I could count the spots on the 18-spot. RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF 309 847 Silvia Fowler 25.09.12 9am: 15-20 Swallows feeding around sheep – gone south within two hours 29.09.12 Comma, Red Admiral Great Spotted Woodpecker (f) regularly feeding on fatballs and peanuts Grey Heron Seagulls following tractor 7pm: Small Bat (probably Pipistrelle) hunting along northern house wall (seen before) 01.10.12 Only 40mm rainfall during September. Wren Grey Wagtail 3 Tawny Owls hunting Brown Hare 04.10.12 Fungus: Clavaria vermicularis (White Spindles) in damp, mossy grass 04.10.12 As a keen gardener, I'm somewhat relieved that the young rabbit that had made itself at home in our garden has moved on. It was interesting to watch how it became more wary of humans as it grew older. For the first few weeks, it would appear by 4-5pm and feed on the lawn in full view, just moving on a few paces if we came too close. As it grew older, though, it tended to hide in the borders while we were around. Attempts to trap it in a live squirrel trap were unsuccessful. Contrary to popular belief, wild rabbits are not attracted to carrots when there's plenty of grass and fresh foliage all around. Other household remedies, such as fresh garlic or lavender, did not keep it off my plants either, but a spray called "Grazers", also used by farmers, was quite effective in protecting vulnerable plants, and it's harmless to the environment. OSTLERS'S PLANTATION, WOODHALL SPA R & A Parsons 24/9/2012 [corrected date, Chris.] Muntjac Deer barking approx. 10am. Sound came from TF222628 approx.. 28/9/2012 Grass snake. Basking 10am. 214628 approx.. WALCOTT TF1257569 (unless otherwise stated) w/e 05/10/2012 Chris Lunn (Casual Records while gardening) 29th September 2012 2 Common Buzzard Swallows & House Martins seen passing through though in small numbers 1 Small White Butterfly Dragonfly: Common Darter 30th September 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker 3 Blackbirds on fallen apples 1 Robin 1 Two Spot Ladybird on apple tree 1st October 1 Common Buzzard calling over the village (TF1256) 1 Peacock Dragonfly: Common Darter x7 mostly resting on wood of raised veg. beds - earlier 2 mating while on wing. 4th October 2 Blue Tits 1 Robin Common Darter WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 1/10/2012 Young male sparrowhawk with injury - collected by RSPCA. Thanks to Weirfield Wildlife Hospital for advice. Tawny owl roosting in garden. Pellets collected. Goldcrest bathing in puddle on lily pad in pond. Others heard. 6/10 4 Buzzards calling over fen 9.30am. Marsh Harrier. WILLOW TREE FEN R & K Heath 29/09/12 Chiffchaff singing. Swallows. 5 flying south. Apart from woodpigeons and rooks there were almost no other birds. WRANGLE COMMON 29/09/2012 Roy and Kath Pearson We did the first count of the BTO Winter Thrush Survey today. In a one hour and twenty-five minute walk on our registered study site we only encountered one of the target species - Blackbird - of which we saw a total of four birds, which was hugely disappointing. In fact there were few birds about, except for a few feeding finches, mainly Linnets and a small party of tits Great and Blue. A single Buzzard was present and also a Green Sandpiper, but yet again the geese and ducks we normally count on the wet grassland were nowhere to be seen. Large numbers of dragonflies were encountered, though this is not my field and I would hesitate at identification. Also, late butterflies put in an appearance with several Red Admirals and Speckled Woods, a single Small Tortoiseshell and eight Commas, of which seven were on a single bush. A single Roe Deer was 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 29/09/2012 Crossbill 1 Lapland Bunting 1 Pied Flycatcher 1 Redstart 6 Rock Pipit 5 Tree Pipit 2 Yellow-browed Warbler 4 30/09/2012 Goldcrest 50 Pied Flycatcher 1 Yellow-browed Warbler 2 Yellow Wagtail 1 29/09/2012 Crossbill 1 Lapland Bunting 1 Pied Flycatcher 1 Redstart 6 Rock Pipit 5 Tree Pipit 2 Yellow-browed Warbler 4 30/09/2012 Goldcrest 50 Pied Flycatcher 1 Yellow-browed Warbler 2 Yellow Wagtail 1 01/10/2012 Spoonbill 1 Yellow-browed Warbler 1 02/10/2012 Hen Harrier 1 Redstart 1 Ring Ouzel 1 03/10/2012 Spoonbill 1 Spotted Redshank 6 04/10/2012 Pied Flycatcher 1 Redstart 1 Spoonbill 1 05/10/2012 Hen Harrier 1 Ring Ouzel 1 Spoonbill 1 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: 5th October 2012. John Walker, Roger Briggs, Steve Hall, Cliff Morrison, Peter & Janet Roworth Butterflies and dragon/damselflies are hanging on in various states of condition; there have been a few good looking red admirals and 3 commas, plus peacock, small tortoiseshell, common blue, small copper, green-veined white and speckled wood. One or two migrant hawkers and ruddy darters are still on the wing, but although ivy is now in flower around Churchill, there are very few bees being attracted to it. A general mixture of birds seen during the week including Brambling 1, Siskin 4, Wheatear 2, Redpoll 2, Coal Tit 3 and Goldcrests 30+. Goldfinches have been abundant with many birds feeding on any available seed heads of sea aster, thistles and ragwort, charms of birds have regularly reached 50+ birds. Thursday (4th) was a particularly fine day with a light south-westerly breeze, blue sky and superb cumulus clouds during which there was quite a passage of Pink-feet with a min of 10 skeins flying south totalling 500+ birds. One skein of 12 birds were possible Bean Geese. Also on the same day 12 Whooper Swans flew south over the beach near Brickyard, 3 Honey Buzzards high over the dunes, a single Marsh Harrier, 3 Kestrels, 2 Sparrowhawks, 3 Chiffchaff and c20 Hirundines feeding high and drifting south. The clear sunny day soon gave way to cloudy damp conditions on the Friday with small numbers of Blackbirds, Chaffinches, Hedge Sparrows, Goldcrests, Long-tailed Tits and Chiffchaffs occurring around the localities of Churchill and Sea View. Cliff Morrison's observations out to sea on the 4th included 2 Eider, 1 Great-crested Grebe, 4 Red-throated Diver, 2 Velvet Scoter and 2 Guillemot; waders were 346 Curlew, 180 Ringed Plover, 9 Dunlin and 2 Little Stint. RSPB WASH Reserves - Frampton Marsh and Freiston Shore Reports for August 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, 10 Curlew Sandpipers, eight Spotted Redshanks and five Wood Sandpipers. Black-tailed Godwits reached a record 5,700 (1st) and a Red-necked Phalarope (from 18th) was present for the latter half of the month. Other sightings included up to seven Garganey (19th), a male Ruddy Duck (1st- 20th) and adult Yellow- legged Gull (30th). A Redstart was seen on one date (24th), with Whinchat on two (23rd & 28th). Raptors included Osprey (23rd) and up to three Hobbies (28th), while the Black-necked Grebe remained throughout. Gibraltar Point NNR The highlight was a Greenish Warbler (28th). The sea produced two Sooty Shearwaters (11th & 12th) with Long-tailed Skua, four Pomarine Skuas and 39 Arctic Skuas (all on 27th). Great Skuas were seen on two dates and Black Terns on three. Waders included a Pectoral Sandpiper (from 29th), Little Stint, up to two Curlew Sandpiper, two Wood Sandpipers and up to 30,000 Knot. Spoonbills put on a good show with up to six seen during the month. Migrants passing through, generally from mid-month, included three Redstarts, at least three Pied Flycatchers and up to 10 Crossbills. Other sites Two Red-crested Pochards put on a show at Norton Disney Quarry (16th), a Honey Buzzard passed over Anwick Fen (12th) and an Osprey was at Sleaford Ballast Pit (23rd). A good count of seven Yellow-legged Gulls was made at Kirkby on Bain Pits (1st). Five Cetti's Warblers trapped at Marston STW during the month was also impressive. Whinchats were seen at Hungerton (13th) and Swanpool (21st). 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 Correction to last week's report - which had data for an earlier date - 14th Sept. W/E 28.09.12 BIRDS Max. nos. blackbird 8 black headed gull 15 black tailed godwit 10 blue tit 8 Canada goose 16 carrion crow 8 chaffinch 6 collared dove 8 common gull 10 coot 69 cormorant 2 curlew 12 dunnock 4 gadwall 7 goldcrest golden plover 30+ goldfinch 4 GC grebe 3 GS woodpecker great tit 6 greenfinch 2 grey heron greylag goose 39 herring gull 2 house sparrow 16 kestrel lapwing 80 long tailed tit 3 magpie 4 mallard 15 marsh harrier M moorhen 5 mute swan 7 pheasant 4 pied wagtail 2 pink footed goose 45 pochard 4 reed bunting 4 robin 4 shelduck 4 shoveler 2 sparrowhawk starling 16 swallow 20 teal 24 tufted duck 25 water rail willow tit 2 wood pigeon 10 wren 4 W/E 05.10.12 BIRDS Max. nos. blackbird 7 black headed gull 10 black tailed godwit 4 blue tit 8 Canada goose 12 carrion crow 3 Cetti's warbler chaffinch 6 collared dove 4 common gull 6 coot 70 cormorant 4 curlew 6 dunnock 2 gadwall 8 goldcrest goldfinch 4 GC grebe 4 GS woodpecker great tit 6 greenfinch 2 grey heron greylag goose 140 herring gull 2 house sparrow 12 kestrel kingfisher lapwing 100+ long tailed tit 2 magpie 4 mallard 18 marsh harrier M moorhen 6 mute swan 6 pheasant 2 pink footed goose 95 pochard 6 reed bunting 2 robin 6 shelduck 2 shoveler 2 sparrowhawk starling 25 teal 14 tufted duck 15 water rail willow tit 2 wood pigeon 10 wren 6 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ 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 *** 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/ *** 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 *** 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 video of visit to Rimac NR Colin Green. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s02O5JJoilQ&feature=em-share_video_user *** 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. 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 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 Recorder's 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 mailfails: None. *** And finally .... *** Lincolnshire's Resilience Forum. Are you ready for an emergency? How about Pandemic Flu? http://www.lincolnshireprepared.co.uk/ ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/