=========================================== || || 30th September 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 1098 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 *** Huge thanks go to Steve Gray for his advice to try MailChimp for sending out the Bulletin. There are a few things I have still to fathom, but so far it seems we have bypassed most of the problems caused by mailing via "3" mobile broadband. Hutchison 3G are determined to stamp on spammers [Good!] but seem somewhat unconcerned at any exasperation they cause to innocent customers as a consequence. [Bad!] It seems bad form to me to take my money and then block my account without warning AND to build in a 48 hour delay before reconnection, time paid for by the customer up-front! Something's wrong there. If any readers already use MailChimp and have any useful tips, please pass these on. For now I shall keep the simple text-type format, although we do in fact have the capacity to produce more elaborate mailings should we wish to do so in the future. I will also continue to post Bulletins on my website for those who find this preferable. It makes them accessible on-line anywhere on the planet! If anyone wants to know more, look at the MailChimp website or e-mail me - I will explain what I can. http://mailchimp.com/ BTW - the expanded Mailchimp links will get you to the website you want - but because links go via MailChimp I am able to log which links get used and which do not! Clever! That's enough on technology - now to natural history! Keep those reports coming. 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 *** 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/ Sat 6th October The Arts Centre, St. Mary's Street, Stamford Lincs PE9 7DL TBA A Stamford Community Orchard Group event Tel: 01780 764028 Free entry http://www.scog-web.org.uk/appleday2011.html 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 *** Why not apply for an LNU Bursary? *** The Executive Committee has agreed to award a bursary of up to £250 to any LNU member who wants to attend a course to improve their knowledge of a specific scientific class. To be eligible for consideration:- 1. The applicant must be a member of the LNU; 2. The additional knowledge so gained must be applied to the study of the class concerned in Lincolnshire; 3. The bursary can only be used for the cost of the course and associated equipment, not travel or subsistence costs. Applications for the bursary (which may not be awarded every year) should be made in writing to Executive Committee member Richard Chadd, richard.chadd@environment-agency.gov.uk who holds the honorary post of Visiting Fellow in the Faculty of Health, Life and Social Sciences at Lincoln University, by 1 June 2013. Richard will then make a recommendation to the Executive Committee, who will have final decision regarding an award. For ideas, see the Field Studies Council website with their 2013 programme of field courses. http://www.field-studies-council.org/ BARN OWLS 26.09.12 Mick Todd I help with bird rehabilitation and today I received two calls relating to abandoned barn owl nests. In both cases young birds about 8 weeks old have left their nest boxes after being abandoned by their parents. One box had a camera in it so the callers knew the parents had not been back to their box or fed the chicks for several days. The other caller said he had returned a chick to its box only to find it on the floor a second time, on closer inspection he found a dead chick in his box. I am now caring for all 4 chicks and will release them in a few weeks when they are strong enough to be released. I was wondering if readers, who have barn owl boxes with chicks or know of nests, would monitor them, from a safe distance, to check that the young are still being cared for by their parents and have not been abandoned as these 2 nests have been. Contacts - see LWT Factsheets: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/factsheets/contacts.php *** Hare Coursing Season *** Operation Galileo Illegal hare coursing could soon be with us again. To counter this annual problem, Lincolnshire Police have set up a new specialist unit which I hope all readers will want to support. See: http://www.lincs.police.uk/News-Centre/News-Releases-2012/Hare-Coursers-Warned-–-Lincolnshire-is-Geared-Up-to-Deal-with-You-.html http://www.lincs.police.uk/About/Departments/Local-Policing/Safety-Advice/Wildlife-and-Rural-Crime/ Rural and Wildlife Crime If you would like to play a more active part in the fight against crime you should consider joining Farm and Country Business Watch. It is free. You get regular intelligence and information e-mails on local crimes and concerns. http://www.lincs.police.uk/News-Centre/Campaigns/Farm-And-Country-Business-Watch/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. 21/9 Grey Phalarope, Huttoft, on beach 22/9 Ferruginous Duck, adult drake, Far Ings 7 Ruddy Shelduck, Alkborough flats Pectoral Sandpiper juv, Toft Newton reservoir 4 Gannets, juvs, Barton-upon-Humber, flew West Yellow-browed Warbler, Spoonbill, 10 Bramblings, Redstart, Pomarine Skua past, Gibraltar Point Yellow-browed Warbler, Little Stint, Saltfleetby/ Theddlethorpe 3 Pied Flycatchers, Donna Nook 23/9 Pectoral Sandpiper juv, Toft Newton reservoir Spoonbill, Firecrest, Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point Yellow-browed Warbler, Grainthorpe Haven Pomarine Skua, 11 Arctic Skuas, 5 Bonxies, Sooty Shearwater, past Huttoft Osprey, Messingham Sand Quarry 24/9 Pectoral Sandpiper juv, Toft Newton reservoir 2 Long-tailed Skua, 12 Arctic Skuas, 14 Bonxies Black Tern, 7 Arctic Terns past 10 Little Gulls, Sooty Shearwater, past Gibraltar Point also Cory's Shearwater, south past Gibraltar Point. Common Rosefinch, 2 Pied Flycatchers, 5 Redstarts, 2 Whinchats, Tree Pipit, Spoonbill, 4 Spotted Redshanks, 3 Redstarts, Gibraltar Point 3 Pied Flycatchers, 4 Redstarts, 2 Short-eared Owls, Donna Nook Long-tailed Skua, Bonxie, Little Gull, 2 Arctic terns past Barton-upon-Humber Pied Flycatcher, Barton-upon-Humber Yellow-browed Warbler, Saltfleetby All-Saints 25/9 Spoonbill, 2 Pied Flycatchers, Tree Pipit, 2 Redstarts, Purple Sandpiper, Gibraltar Point Garganey, Whisby Nature Park Grasshopper Warbler, possible Pallas' Warbler, Saltfleetby St Helen Red-breasted Flycatcher, Rimac 2 Yellow-browed Warblers, Pied Flycatcher, Tree Pipit, 5 Redstarts, Brambling, Velvet Scoter, Donna Nook 25/9 Yellow-browed Warbler, Pied Flycatcher, Hen Harrier, Donna Nook Grey Phalarope on sea, Gibraltar Point 26/9 9 Redstarts, Ring Ouzel, 2 Pied Flycatchers, Whinchat, Yellow-browed Warbler, Spotted Redshank Crossbill, Gibraltar Point Long-tailed Skua, Pomarine Skus, 8 Arctic Skuas, 20 Bonxies, 13 Little Gulls, Manx Shearwater, 3 Velvet Scoters, past Huttoft Yellow-browed Warbler, Osprey, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, plus Grey Phalarope on sea, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Possible Greenish Warbler heard only, Yellow-browed Warbler, Turtle Dove, Howden's Pullover Pied Flycatcher, 2 Redstarts, Red-breasted Flycatcher Tetney Lock 27/9 3 Ring-necked Parakeets over Wainfleet St Mary fen 2 Snow Buntings, Trusthorpe Slavonian Grebe, 2 Rock Pipit, Covenham Reservoir Spoonbill, Sea View Farm, Rimac Yellow-browed Warbler, between Humberstone Fitties and Tetney Haven. Spoonbill, Redstart, Gibraltar Point 2 Caspian Gulls, Kirkby on Bain tip 28/9 Ferruginous Duck, Far Ings Yellow-browed Warbler, Spoonbill, 4 Spotted Redshanks, Gibraltar Point Yellow-browed Warbler, Buckthorn Avenue. Skegness Yellow-browed Warbler, Aylmer Avenue, Gibraltar Point also Pied Flycatcher, 2 Redstarts, Whinchat and Osprey. Probable Common Rosefinch Skegness Black-necked Grebe, Covenham Reservoir 29/9 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. *** A Sloe Year? *** Chris Manning writes: Last year was an excellent season for autumn berries, sloes in particular were abundant and luxuriant, benefiting the birds and allowing excellent foraging providing some lovely Sloe Gin. This year, a wonderful growing season over the summer had seen trees and hedge has produced exceptional growth, but alas the autumn berries are not showing in my area, has anyone seen a good crop? The compensation is that a lack of berries might mean a warmer winter if the old adages are to be believed, but that didn't apply last year which judging by the berries should have been a horrendous winter. *** 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. DEEPINGS DEEPING ST NICHOLAS 17.09.12 Mick Todd While drilling rape seed on our trial plots about 20 swallows and house martins were observed flying low over nearby stubble. this sighting was followed later in the morning by a hobby quartering the fields, just a couple of feet above the ground. DEEPING LAKES Ian Gordon Location: Deeping Lakes Date: Sunday 23/09/12 Time: 0915 – 1130 Weather: Dry, cool and cloudy Birds: Blackcap Black-headed Gull Blue Tit Canada Goose Cetti's Warbler (heard) Chaffinch Coot Cormorant Crow Goldfinch Great Crested Grebe Great Tit Green Woodpecker (heard) Grey Heron Greylag Goose Lapwing Lesser Black-backed Gull Little Grebe Long-tailed Tit Magpie Mallard Mute Swan Pochard Rook Shovelor Starling Swallow Tufted Duck Water Rail Willow Warbler Wood Pigeon At the far end of the reserve I had a very brief (10 seconds) view of 4 very large birds coming in to land on the Mere, behind the trees. To me these looked like Common Crane (I have seen these a couple of times on the Broads). I can only claim as a possible but would be interested if there are any similar reports in the South Lincs area last weekend. Butterflies: Small White Ringlet Others: 1 young Rabbit with Myxomatosis PINCHBECK 21.09.12 Mick Todd Pair of goldfinches feeding a juvenile on the ground, though fully feathered the youngster was obviously a recent fledgling SPALDING 21.09.12 Mick Todd The call of a wader was heard over the cemetery, when I looked up a single curlew was seen flying overhead. WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 22/9/2012 Painted lady seen twice; also Comma, Speckled Wood, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, Large White. Buzzards calling. Tawny owls calling. 28/9 2 buzzards in area. WILLOUGHTON Willoughton SK931931 Peter Morrell Final house martins departed yesterday 26.09.12 22 nests this year (previous record 43) under the eaves of the house, 11 had two broods and 8 had 3 broods. No swallows nested at all in the open garages this year, but brown long-eared bats have returned after a years absence and the floor is littered with the remains of yellow underwing moths. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. Lincolnshire Coast NNRs including RSPB Wash Reserves See: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/species/birds/index.php http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/lwt/seals/index.php ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GIBRALTAR POINT NNR. http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/gib/index.php Katherine Bocock 19/09/2012 Hen Harrier 1 Marsh Harrier 1 Osprey 1 Short-eared Owl 1 Spoonbill 3 20/09/2012 Avocet 10 Kingfisher 1 Pectoral Sandpiper 1 Spoonbill 3 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: 28th September 2012. John Walker, Roger Briggs, Steve Hall, Cliff Morrison, Peter & Janet Roworth A week of mixed fortunes with winds from a north-easterly sector (22nd – 24th) bringing a few interesting birds, observed by some birders and missed by others. Highlights were Red-breasted Flycatcher 1 on 25th, also on the same day a possible Pallas's Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Yellow-Browed Warblers and several Redstarts. A Brambling was heard and seen near Sea View on the 22nd, 2 flew south the same day, a single on the 23rd and 2 were seen near Churchill later in the week. Up to 6 Goldcrests have been seen most days, 1 Redwing on the 25th, 3 Siskin on the 27th and a ringtail Hen Harrier flew south over the Haven on the 28th. The strong winds caused a large wash out of sea urchins on the beach by the 26th attracting over 2,500 gulls and 200+ waders which were all spooked by an Osprey as it flew along the tide line. Waders included a single Grey Phalarope, 160 Sanderling, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 42 Bar-tailed Godwit and 3 Grey Plover.  There was a good movement of Pink-footed Geese on the 27th with several skeins of around 70 birds totalling 500+ geese. Ruddy and common darters have fallen drastically in numbers to 'just a few' and there has been the occasional migrant hawker on the wing. Of the butterflies, only one or two red admirals, small tortoiseshells and speckled woods were reported. Bat records have been a scarcity this year so worthy of note were pipistrelles with one over Sea View and two near Churchill, both on the 26th. 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 W/E 28.09.12 BIRDS Max nos. bittern blackbird 10 blackcap black headed gull 17 blue tit 10 bullfinch 2 Canada goose 15 carrion crow 3 chaffinch 6 chiffchaff collared dove 2 common gull 20 coot 64 cormorant 2 curlew 5 dunnock 4 ferruginous duck M gadwall 2 goldcrest goldeneye F golden plover 60+ goldfinch 5 GC grebe 3 GS woodpecker great tit 6 greenfinch grey heron greylag goose 67 herring gull 4 house martin 100 kestrel kingfisher lapwing 78 long tailed tit 6 magpie 4 mallard 13 moorhen 8 mute swan 6 pheasant pied wagtail 2 pink footed goose 52 pochard 4 reed bunting 4 reed warbler 4 robin 4 sand martin 16 shelduck 4 shoveler 2 sparrowhawk starling 42 swallow 50+ tawny owl teal 11 tufted duck 25 water rail 2 willow tit 2 wood pigeon 20 wren 5 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6. News from Bardney Limewoods NNR http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/Limewoods/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Reports from the following locations will now be posted here to give an overview of Limewoods ecology. The NNR includes the following sites: Chambers Farm Wood (please detail specific area when reporting e.g. Ivy Wood, Little Scrubbs Meadow etc.....); College Wood, Cocklode & Great West Woods, Hardy Gang Wood, Newball Wood, Scotgrove Wood, Southrey Wood, Wickenby Wood Other woods included in the NNR but without public access: Stainfield Wood; Stainton & Fulnetby Woods (access by public bridle way only) For the Limewoods, see: http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/publications/limewoods-walks/ http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/about/conservation/bardney-limewoods-nnr/ http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designatedareas/nnr/1006846.aspx and Adrian Royle's superb Flickr photo-site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/adiroyle/collections/72157624803742908/ "Does nobody go to the Limewoods, The Limewoods fresh and green? No! Nobody goes to the Limewoods, That's why nothing's ever seen!" Anon 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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: Alanshucksmith - no account bryan rowe - delivery failed colin moths - delivery failed j w Halocha - delivery failed leevan cleef - overquota martinhous - address rejected nick kite - delivery failed WORLABY Jenny Haynes There is a resubmitted planning application for a wind turbine (67 metres to blade tip) at Worlaby in North Lincolnshire, close to Worlaby Carrs, a site renowned for sightings of uncommon birds. As far as I can make out it is identical to the one submitted in 2010 which was withdrawn. At that time, thanks to readers of the Wildnews Bulletin, many objections were submitted by those of you who know the area. If you did object last time then please do so again. The application ref. is: PA/2012/1011 and can be found on North Lincolnshire Council's website: www.planning.northlincs.gov.uk ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/