============================================ || || 4th August 2013 || || 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 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. Reports here are open and are available to county recorders of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. Please contact the Editor to join up and contribute articles or reports. [Or cancel!] E-mail: rparsons@enterprise.net ============================================ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. Readers hints, tips and requests ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** From the Editor.... *** My last sighting of a cuckoo was on 22nd July. nothing heard since. The swallow brood in the outbuilding made their maiden flight on 27th and are busy exercising their new-found freedom and no longer coming back to roost at night. Surprisingly there is much coming and going to the nest site that suggests there may be a further attempt to lay this year. I wonder.... The number of swallows gathering on wires increases in numbers daily. 30 on Tuesday, 74+ on Wednesday. Thanks to all who have sent in reports of Hummingbird Hawkmoths and Painted Ladies. I have had no luck yet but will keep looking. Please keep the reports coming. I noticed on Saturday morning I had no Enterprise mail. This can happen when my they are working on the Mailserver - it will arrive eventually. Prior to this I will have acknowledged all incoming mail, so if your report has been missed out and you have not had a thank you, I expect all will sort itself out in due course. No need to resend reports yet. If you do need to contact me urgently, please use aintree2@yahoo.co.uk The Mailchimp mailing should not be affected. Roger *** Next LNU Event - all welcome *** For LNU meetings see section 11 for full programme. Field Meetings generally start at 12 noon for 1.00pm, but please check the website details for each event. Sunday, August 04, 2013 Field Meeting Middlemarsh Farm (Courtesy of J and S Dodsworth) Southwest of Skegness 12.00 for 13.00 start. Take minor road southwards situated about half way between the Burgh bypass and Skegness. Private track to the farm is on left about 1.25km from main road. Keep on track for about 1km and park in farm yard at TF528632. Habitats: Pasture, wetland recreation area, ditches and some arable. Leaders: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com *** National Whale and Dolphin Watch on 27th/28th July *** Dave Miller writes: Wow, a great weekend! Even the weather held out….well mostly. Here is a rundown of what happened: Porpoises: On Sat 1 was seen at Anderby Creek and 1 at Skegness. On Sun there were 5 sightings of at least 5 but maybe as many as 8 individual animals at Anderby Creek. 1 more was spotted at Skegness. Also over the weekend 2 were reported from Chapel Point on the Friday and another one from the Point on Sunday. So over the weekend we have seen 11 – 14 porpoises. Volunteer effort was amazing. Over 75 hours of watching the seas by 19 vols. Over 350 people came to see us at the locations. The response from the public, who I spoke to at least, was very positive. Many did not realise that porpoises use our coast let alone that a population exists out there. It was good that many came to see us after hearing about what was going on through the paper or from the radio interview. Other points of interest were the large passage of whimbrel (329 moving south on the Sunday) and, especially for me, the large number of bumble- bees heading straight out to sea (do they migrate?). A big, big, big thank you to all you volunteers who helped with this, this kind of event does not run without you. Roll on NWDW 2014!! Editor adds: we used to have a couple of subscribers on off-short oil platforms who may be able to comment about bumblebees on sea journeys. I cannot say whether this is deliberate migration or misdirection due to wind and weather. Bees are capable of moving surprising distances and are quite capable of hitching lifts on ships. I have noted bumble bees and wasps doing this. *** iSpot Keys for computer or mobile *** If you are a beginner to species identification, you might find the following webpage useful - especially when encouraging young people to have a go - e.g. Wildlife Watch group members. "They suggest the species in your area that best match what you have found." There are more advanced keys available for users with a bit more experience. http://www.ispot.org.uk/keys iSpot 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." *** Volunteers Needed *** Charlie Barnes writes: Volunteers wanted for the Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR LTMN Vegetation Survey. This survey will be contributing to the Long-term Monitoring Network (LTMN) - Set up to understand the key influences and indicators of biodiversity change over time across the NNR Network from the impacts of air pollution, climate change and land management activities. The survey is planned for the week beginning the 12th August. The Saltmarsh includes glasswort, sea lavender, sea plantain, thrift, sea purslane and saltmarsh grass. Rich Fen communities in freshwater marsh and dune slacks with greater pond sedge, water dock, gypsywort and skullcap. Rarer plants include needle spike rush, tufted sedge, marsh pea and greater water-parsnip. Also present are natterjack toads, little tern, ground nesting birds and breeding whitethroat & willow warbler in the dune scrub. There are also 14 species of breeding dragonfly. Participants will receive botanical training at various skill levels, which is then consolidated with up to three days fieldwork, all supported by experts. Space is limited to around 5 participants. If you're interested in attending, contact Rob Keane for further information email: Rob.Keane@naturalengland.org.uk tel: 0300 060 1810 *** 41st Horncastle Astronomy Weekend 13-15th September *** I have just received my booking form for this year's Horncastle Astronomy Weekend. This annual "beanfeast" of Cosmic Awe and Wonder is driven by Paul Money and his fellow enthusiasts. I have attended for many years and it is always a treat - with exceptional speakers such as Dr Allan Chapman. For further HAW information: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/HAW.html *** Meteor Showers *** The big meteor shower of the summer is on 12th August, the Perseids. If skies are clear, keep a look out. *** Unusual Gulls *** Birders who take a special interest in gulls can find unexpected gems on tips and landfill sites. Often you will encounter unusual names in the pager reports. e.g. Baltic Gull http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=000105 Caspian Gull http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=061093 Mediterranean Gull http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=061035 Yellow-legged Gull http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=061092 Next week - Sandpipers. *** Bird Club event *** A Joint BTO and Lincolnshire Bird Club Conference Birding Round Lincolnshire To be held at Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park LN6 9BW Sunday 3rd November 2013 From 9.30 – 16.00 Conference Fee: £14 (Includes coffee, tea and lunch) Everyone is Welcome! Organised by Lincolnshire BTO Representatives Supported by The British Trust for Ornithology and Lincolnshire Bird Club BTO is a registered charity (No 216652) Download Booking Form: http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk/Articles/LBC_business/Lincs_Conference_2013_prog_booking_form.pdf Birding Round Lincolnshire 3rd November 13 Tickets MUST be pre-booked; it will not be possible to accept bookings on the door. Tickets are £14 per person, which includes tea, coffee and a buffet lunch *** Gainsborough Area LWT *** Dave Stockley writes: Wed 25 September 2013: What else can you do with nestboxes? – Chris du Feu Not only do nestboxes provide the opportunity for observation of birds’ breeding activity, but other varieties of animal life might choose to call nestboxes ‘home’. Find out more in this illustrated talk by local naturalist Chris. For more information, please ring Joy on 01427 628457 or E-mail Linda – woodentops@darter.plus.com *** Grimsby Area LWT *** Carolyn Lovely writes: On Sunday 11th August 2013 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them on a morning bird walk with Ray Hume. Please meet in the far end car park on the Humberston Fitties at 9am. Please wear suitable clothing and stout shoes or boots and bring binoculars. A free event but donations will be welcomed for the Trust. For further details contact Ray Hume - 01472 320878. *** Lincolnshire Firewood Fair *** Sunday, September 8th at Revesby Estate. An annual event for those who want to buy fuel wood or woodland products with environment-friendly credentials. Category Winner in Lincolnshire Environmental Awards 2012. http://www.lincolnshirefirewoodfair.co.uk/ *** Whale and Dolphin Watch - 27th/28th July *** Dave Miller writes: *** Report Ash Dieback in Lincolnshire *** Link for Chalara fraxinea reports: http://www.forestry.gov.uk/chalara *** RSPB Lincoln *** See: http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ *** S Lincs RSPB *** See: http://www.southlincsrspb.org.uk ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ 27/7 Little Gull, Whooper Swan, off Barton upon Humber curlew Sandpiper, Gibraltar Point Black Tern juv, 6 Wood Sandpipers, 4 Curlew Sandpipers, Frampton Marsh Baltic Gull, 3.5 miles NE of Brigg, just NNE of Elsham 28/7 2 Quails east of Langtoft Pomarine Skua past Donna Nook 2 Black Terns, Little Gull, 2 Arctic Skuas, Arctic Tern, 2 Curlew Sandpipers + 87 Whimbrel on beach, Donna Nook Wood Sandpiper, Garganey, Manby Flashes 7 Wood Sandpipers, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh Montagu's Harrier ringtail over saltmarsh, Frampton Marsh 29/7 4 Spoonbills, Alkborough, Wood Sandpiper, 30+ Green Sandpipers, Manby Flashes Possible Baltic Gull, Caspian Gill, 12 Yellow-legged Gulls, North Hykeham, Lincoln Tip Wood Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper, Gibraltar Point, Jackson's Marsh 9 Wood Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh 30/7 Baltic Gull, North Hykeham, Lincoln Tip Black-necked Grebe, Barton-upon-Humber Baltic Gull, 6 Yellow-necked Gulls, 6 Mediterranean Gulls in field near A15 2/3ml east of Elsham 6 Yellow-legged Gulls, Stainby landfill site 2 Wood Sandpipers, Curlew Sandpiper, Frampton Marsh 31/7 Possible Baltic Gull, North Hykeham, waste groupd by Teal Park R the flew towards landfill site - plus 4 Yellow-legged gulls. 2 Baltic Gulls, in field near A15 2/3ml east of Elsham plus 2 Caspian Gulls, 13 Yellow-legged Gulls and 6 Mediterranean Gulls 1/8 2 Wood Sandpipers, 34 Black-tailed Godwits, 27 Green Sandpipers, Manby Flashes 2/8 Wood Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, Frampton Marsh Wood Sandpiper, Kirkby on Bain gravel pits 2 Wood Sandpipers, Manby Flashes 2 Spoonbills over Huttoft Bank 3/6 Pectoral Sandpiper, 3 Wood Sandpipers, Frampton Marsh Alpine Swift south over Gibraltar Point 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. 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. Missing Mallards Val Nuttall writes: I live in a garden of which the perimeter is a stream. I mention this because, as you can imagine, various water birds pay us visits. Over the years, I have found mallards to be a more-or-less constant presence throughout the year, with spring and summer seeing the most. Since the very early spring this year, pairs and singles have been here every day, feeding, mating, preening etc. For months now, various broods, from newly hatched to wayward teenagers have been around all day, but not necessarily all at the same time by any means. Since last Thursday, not a single duck has appeared in my garden. This is strange and very unusual. We're talking about upwards of 30 birds, by the way. Only a pair of moorhens and their young have been feeding, apart from the usual small birds at the feeders. Can you throw any possible light on this situation? I do hope the feed/ stream, for instance, aren't contaminated somehow? If they were the problem, would the ducks all have vanished so suddenly? The disappearing act is sinister and my garden feels quite dead! Hummingbird Hawkmoths DERBYSHIRE, wingerworth. Alison Hawcroft. Wingerworth, just south of Chesterfield - SK 381669 Although I am not from Lincolnshire, I thought I would send you this info anyway. We saw a Hummingbird Hawkmoth in our garden on Wed. 24th July, so perhaps they will be appearing in your neighbourhood soon! I hope so! It was nectaring on Red Valerian. LINCOLN, Boultham moor George Rutter 25/07/2013 Boultham moor, Lincoln Hummingbird Hawkmoth Observed at flowers, in residential garden. BOSTON (South, by A16) 30/07/2013 Roy and Kath Pearson Hummingbird Hawk Moth in garden - first record. Painted Ladies! DEEPINGS Deeping St. James Roger Favell 27/07/2013. I would like to also report a Painted lady butterfly in my garden at Deeping St. James today. First I've seen this year. *** 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. ASHBY PUERORUM TF342727 28/7/13 Robert Walker Kestrel 2 juveniles on branches in dead tree in churchyard Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 higher up in same tree. BAG ENDERBY TF349713 28/7/13 Robert Walker Himalayan Balsam plants alongside watercourse near ford on bridletrack also at TF339727 same watercourse ( River Lymn ) near bridge. NB. Following the article in the summer edition of 'Lapwings' highlighting the invasive nature of this plant, I have contacted Charlie Barnes at Lincs Wildlife Trust / GLNP and reported the sightings as requested, along with supporting photos. CAISTOR Wendy Handford Reports from contributors to Caistor records Week beginning 26.7.13 Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 Buzzards, 2 adults and 2 juveniles circling 26th July Carrion crow feeding juv with contents of pigeon egg 26th July Songthrush in full song Treesparrows nesting in C. Lleylandii hedge 15 minute butterfly survey 29th July Gatekeeper 3 Green-veined white 3 Large skipper 6 Large white 1 Meadow brown 6 Peacock 5 Ringlet 6 Small tortoiseshell 1 Small white 4 Speckled wood 2 6-spot burnett 1 Drinker moth in greenhouse 29th July. New on Caistor list Common blue damselflies 3 1st August First flowers of Hedge parsley Co-op/Town Hall car park TA 116 015 27th July Cinnabar moth caterpillars 3 Bristly ox-tongue Flax. New on Caistor list Pale willowherb. New on Caistor list Hundon Manor Farm ponds TA 112 026 Reed warblers Nettleton Lodge Game Farm TA 090 012 26th July Ground beetle, Calathus sp Red-breasted carrion beetle. New on Caistor list Robber fly, Neoitamus cyanurus. New on Caistor list North Kelsey Road TA 116 015 Wild oat 26th July. New on Caistor list North Street garden TA 118 015 South Street garden TA 119 012 moth trap 26th July Dark spinach. New on Caistor list Herald. New on Caistor list Large emerald. New on Caistor list South Dale garden TA 118 011 Hedgehog triggers security light every night at 2am Water Hills TA 123 017 15 minute butterfly survey 22nd July Gatekeeper 1 Meadow brown 8 Red admiral 3 Ringlet 3 Small white 1 Wold View verge TA 120 013 Autumn hawkbit FISKERTON Fiskerton Fen John Farmer 1/8/13 Turtle Dove singing on wires near main car park. Also Green Sandpiper on the scrapes. HAGWORTHINGHAM TF350697 28/7/13 Robert Walker Stoat 1 drinking from roadside puddle. HEIGHINGTON TF025696 30th;31st July and 1st August 2013 John Nickson Garden Moths MV Lamp. Beautiful Hook-tip Brown eye Bright line Brown line Bright eye Buff Arches Buff Ermine Chinese Character Clay Clouded Boarder Common Footman Common Rustic Common Wainscot Dark Arches Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet Dingy Footman Dun-bar Dusky Sallow Early Thorn Fan-foot Flounced Rustic Garden Carpet Grey Dagger Heart and Dart Large Yellow Underwing Least Yellow Underwing Lesser B/b yellow underwing Light Arches Magpie Moth Marbled Beauty Mother of pearl Pale Prominent Poplar Grey Poplar Hawk Moth Purple Thorn Riband Wave Ruby Tiger Rustic Scalloped Oak Shoulder-striped Wainscot Shuttle Shaped Dart Silver "Y" Single-dot Wave Small Fan-foot Wave Smoky Wainscot Snout Swallow Prominent Uncertain White Satin Willow Beauty Yellow Tail HORNCASTLE TF261691 My garden 31/7/13 Robert Walker Hoverfly 1 ( Leucozona lucorum ) on exterior sill of conservatory. Meadow Brown butterfly 6+ many more have been around the garden for the last fortnight. Ringlet butterfly 4+ also present over previous fortnight. HUTTOFT garden TF512 763 Jane Pennington Date: 20 July 2013 Green veined white butterfly 2 Large white butterfly 1 Speckled wood butterfly 2 Date: 22 July 2013 Green veined white butterfly 1 Meadow brown butterfly 3 Small tortoiseshell butterfly 1 Wren 1 LINCOLN SK972739 W/E 03/08/2013 Jayne Knight 15/07/13 Painted Lady butterfly seen at Lincoln Crematorium. 30/07/13 Kestrel hovering to the East. Two spiders, Pholcus phalangioides, taken up residence in the kitchen. One web strung underneath cupboards, the other under a radiator. Also, another spider, Amaurobius fenestralis, released into garden after spending the night in bathroom washbasin. Observed some fascinating behaviour last week. A juv Blue Tit flew onto one of the feeder poles, squawking in a most irritable manner, closely shadowed by a brown/beige slim, warbler type bird, possibly a juv Common Whitethroat. (I didn't note any identifiable features so could also be a juv Blackcap.) The Blue Tit moved onto one of the sunflower heart feeders and was immediately hustled by the other bird. BT successfully extracted a heart and flew back onto the pole's arm. Other bird made concerted attempts to steal the heart from the BT. These actions repeated a number of times, sometimes Whitethroat successful, sometimes not. Eventually, the BT flew off with the Whitethroat immediately beginning the previous harrassment antics, creating much squawking again. If they had been of the same species I would have concluded they were jealous nest siblings, but this was very bizarre. I am still having trouble identifying the bumblebee nest under the pantiles, the first dead bee I picked up had a rufus bottom, but since then the 3 bodies I have found all seem to be Bombus hypnorum. ROBERT'S FIELD (Lincs. Wildlife Trust Reserve) Roger Favell 24/07/2013 Marbled White (1) These butterflies went extinct in the 1960's on this site due to Forestry Commission ploughing up site for Xmas trees, despite Trusts' protests. In 1990's the Trust bought land and returned it to limestone grassland. ROBERTS FIELD Nr.STAMFORD. GR. 000150 Max Winslow 13 JUNE 2013 Dark Green Fritillary 50plus Meadow Brown 100PLUS Ringlets 100PLUS Small Skipper 20PLUS Large Skipper 20 PLUS Large White Gatekeeper x5 Six Spot Burnett 100s Emerging, Feeding and Mating 27 MAY 2013. Green Hairstreak Sorry for late submission of the above. 25 JULY 2013 Marbled White STAMFORD GR. TF015073 Max Winslow 26 JULY 2013 Marbled White feeding on Verbena Bonariensis. The first I have seen in the garden in 47 years ! THEDDLETHORPE John Cowell Theddlethorpe Dunes (Brickyard Lane) Friday 26th July 2-13 9.30am - a single Brent goose (not Canada Goose!) flying very low towards Mablethorpe over the forward dunes just above the beach. Unusual in July? Or is this normal? WADDINGTON SK978640 Peter Wilson 0945hrs 30th July 2013 Red Kite flying across Waddington parallel to High Street in southerly direction WALCOTT TF127569 w/e 2/08/2013 Chris Lunn Birds (Present): Swallow Blackbird Song Thrush Chaffinch Magpie Collared Dove Swift Common Buzzard Stock Dove Starling House Sparrow Dunnock (adults & juveniles) Willow Warbler (1 moving through) Robin Great Tit Goldfinch Oystercatcher (3 flew over on 27/7 calling as they went) Butterflies: Small White Meadow Brown Peacock Small Tortoiseshell Ringlet Dragons & Damsels: Common Blue Damselfly (pair mating over goldfish pond) Blue-tailed Damselfly Broad-bodied Chaser (pair mating over new wildlife pond with female ovipositing in hornwort) Southern Hawker (p.m 2nd August around goldfish pond - there was lots of green on the abdomen but it didn’t hang around long enough for photograph) Mammals Several dead hedgehogs (all killed on the road through the village) Bats: Spent several fruitless occasions out with the bat detector. Nothing to report. WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 27/7/2013 3 Speckled wood butterflies 28/7/2013 Garden count:butterflies Comma 1 Red admiral 1 Peacock 1 Small skipper 2 Large White 3+ Small white 2 Small tortoiseshell 2 Speckled wood 2 Meadow brown 3 Ringlet 1 WILLOUGHTON SK931931 Peter Morrell 30.07.13 3 Great crested newts foraging in my garden after heavey rain earlier in the day. 19 active housemartin nests around my house, down on last year, young leaving nests now. Up to 70 screaming swifts over the village seems like an increase on last year. A couple of juvenile starlings started roosting in my hawthorn hedge a few weeks ago (we had a nest in the roof), numbers have now increased to close to 200. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. Lincolnshire Coast NNRs including RSPB Wash Reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GIBRALTAR POINT NNR. http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designations/nnr/1006059.aspx Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog. http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE DUNES NNR. http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designatedareas/nnr/1006128.aspx Week ending 2/8/2013 John Walker, Peter Roworth, .Cliff Morrison. Flowers Meadowsweet is redolent, and marsh thistles and knapweed are attracting many small skippers. A survey of 73 on one cluster of knapweed revealed 71 small and 2 essex. A fair hatch of small and large whites, peacocks and red admirals, small tortoiseshells, also 2 commas and a painted lady seen in Coastguard cottage garden. Many bee nests of various species have been dug out by foraging badgers, especially during the dry spell, presumably due to worms going deep. A few emperor and migrant hawkers dragonflies on the wing, Autumn bird migration is underway, with significant movements of swifts c 5000 south last weekend seen by C M whilst cetacean surveying. Whimbrels, green and common sandpipers, ringed plovers, knot, redshank, oystercatchers, dunlin, are all moving through as are terns and gulls, with a few wildfowl making an appearance. Red Hill nature reserve Peter Childs and I walked the whole 60 acres on a warm thursday with lots of flowering marjoram and knapweeds attracting butterflies here a good hatch of large and small whites, meadow browns, gatekeepers, small skippers, and just 2 marbled whites, but not a single blue seen. There was a good emergence of autumn gentian yet to flower. RSPB WASH Reserves - Frampton Marsh and Freiston Shore http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/collections/thewash_northnorfolk.aspx Reports for June 2013 John Badley Recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Assisted by Grahame Hopwood and Colin Jennings RSPB Frampton Marsh A Spoonbill was seen at the beginning of the month (1st & 2nd), with a Ruddy Shelduck putting in a briefer appearance later (24th). Rather unseasonal were three Whooper Swans (12th). In stark contract to the previous year only one Garganey was seen (8th). Raptors included Red Kite and Hobby, both reported on three dates, but it was waders that provided the real draw. 27 species were recorded with two Black-winged Stilts (3rd), Pectoral Sandpiper (3rd-7th) and Temminck’s Stint (7th) the highlights. The supporting cast included Little Stint (6th), Curlew Sandpiper (6th-9th & 14th-18th), Wood Sandpiper (20th) and up to four each of Ruff and Spotted Redshank. Two Little and two Mediterranean Gulls were regular and up to three Black Terns were also seen. A Redstart was seen on one date (14th). RSPB Freiston Shore - see "Other sites" Gibraltar Point NNR Two Common Cranes (2nd) and a Great White Egret (25th) paid brief visits, as did a Montagu’s Harrier (18th). Spring was still in full flow early in the month with both male and female Red-backed Shrikes (1st &7th), 13 Turtle Doves and Crossbill (1st), singling Icterine Warbler and Hooded Crow (2nd), Serin (3rd), two Common Rosefinches (3rd-9th), Garganey (6th) and Black Redstart (7th). Golden Orioles were recorded on a couple of dates later in the month (15th & 30th) and a Marsh Warbler was trapped and ringed (20th). Little, Mediterranean and Yellow-legged Gulls were all seen on two or three dates. Other sites The highlight was a Gull-billed Tern at Kirkby Pits (18th). Odd June records were Whooper Swan was at Willow Tree Fen (7th) and Goldeneye at Kirkby Pits (20th). A Crane flew over Bracebridge Heath (5th), while a White Stork flew over Whisby Nature Park (19th). A Great White Egret was reported at Thurlby Fen (20th). Five Sanderlings were Baston-Langtoft Pits (5th), with Little Tern and Little Gull there too (10th). A Black Tern was at Freiston Shore (8th) shortly followed by a Wood Sandpiper there (10th). Interestingly more Red Kites were reported than Hobbies, while the late spring possibly accounted for three Osprey sightings, at Marston STW (4th), Anwick Fen (25th) and Stoke Rochford (27th). John Badley Recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Assisted by Colin Jennings ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. News from Far Ings NNR http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designations/nnr/1083404.aspx http://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-Of-Far-Ings-National-Nature-Reserve/186876774685595 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Far Ings News No report yet. Meantime, see: Far Ings NNR on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-Of-Far-Ings-National-Nature-Reserve/186876774685595 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6. News from Bardney Limewoods NNR http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designations/nnr/1006846.aspx ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ 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. In return for this FREE service, we ask you to provide reports, questions, news or relevant articles from time to time. Descriptive pieces are welcome - you don't have to stick to lists! Mailing times vary, depending on what I am doing. The Bulletin usually goes out on Sundays. Please e-mail in your contributions as early as possible to ensure they are included, to: rparsons@enterprise.net [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 this layout to save reediting: 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. Species 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 Keys for computer or mobile *** If you are a beginner to identification of species, you might find the following link useful - especially if you are encouraging young people to have a go - e.g. Wildlife Watch group members. "They suggest the species in your area that best match what you have found." http://www.ispot.org.uk/keys 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 *** 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 *** Hedgehog Survey *** Not yet sure if this will extend the next year. Have a look. http://www.hedgehogstreet.org/pages/hibernation-survey.html *** Mammal Records *** Mammal records can reported to Chris Manning E-mail: Chris.LincsDeer@gmail.com Mink/Otter reports are 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 *** 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 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/ Hartsholme Country park. To learn more about the park or to get in involved at the park please visit http://www.lincoln.gov.uk/visitor-and-leisure/parks-and-open-spaces/hartsholme-country-park/ contact Park Rangers at hartsholmecp@lincoln.gov.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 S Lincs RSPB http://www.southlincsrspb.org.uk Lincoln RSPB http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ Bardney Limewoods Bardney Limewoods NNR http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/Limewoods/ limewoods@lincolnshire.gov.uk The Sir Joseph Banks Society Contact 01507 528223 or by e-mail: enquiries@joseph-banks.org.uk. http://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 2013: http:www.flickr.com/photos/angleshades Alan Dale's Bugs and Weeds http://www.bugsandweeds.co.uk/ http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p015pqyz Les Binns: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ecoheathen/sets/ Leslie Hebden http://www.flickr.com/photos/13718295@N07/ Mike Binnion writes: Common Butterflies 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 Hartsholme Country Park: hartsholmecp@lincoln.gov.uk If you would like your e-mail listed here, please let me know. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9. Notes about these wildlife reports ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We do our best to ensure accuracy in our reporting but these records are sent in by a variety of reporters, from complete beginners to professionals. They therefore vary in reliability and in certain cases they are impossible to verify. If further information is needed on locations or reporters, or if you wish to question/confirm any of these records, contact: rparsons@enterprise.net Bulletins are sent to Biological Recorders at the Lincs. Wildlife Trust, Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. [Note: Where plants are reported, this is usually because they have been seen and identified in flower.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10. The Bulletin's publicity policy ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We will sometimes withhold precise details of the location of rare or endangered species. Please point out any sensitive or "tricky" reports of this kind. Sensitive data should go directly to county recorders, please. We ask that you respect the interests of wildlife and site owners if you report to national networks. Make a point of explaining site sensitivity and any restrictions on access. An interest in wildlife is not a licence to act irresponsibly/thoughtlessly to landowners, who may well be partners in important conservation work. [Remember - views expressed in the Bulletin do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions on the LNU or associated organisations. In particular this applies to such agencies, especially charities, taking a political stance.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11. LNU Events Diary For LNU meetings also see www.lnu.org/events.php ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Field Meetings generally start at 12 noon for 1.00pm, but please check the website details for each event. Unless otherwise stated, Indoor Meetings are held on Saturdays at the Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park, Moor Lane, Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln and start at 2pm. Sunday, August 04, 2013 Field Meeting Middlemarsh Farm (Courtesy of J and S Dodsworth) Southwest of Skegness 12.00 for 13.00 start. Take minor road southwards situated about half way between the Burgh bypass and Skegness. Private track to the farm is on left about 1.25km from main road. Keep on track for about 1km and park in farm yard at TF528632. Habitats: Pasture, wetland recreation area, ditches and some arable. Leaders: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Saturday, September 07, 2013 Field Visit - With evening moth/bat element Byrons Lodge and Farm, North Somercotes, (Courtesy of B and L Libell) 12.00 for 13.00 start. Evening moth/bat session starting at 7.30pm. Park along driveway to Byrons Lodge at TF415973 (postcode LN11 7LL) or on minor road verge nearby. Take Jubilee Road off the A1031 and then turn left onto Bank End road. Then take first right and Byrons Lodge is about 150m along on right. NB. Owner has stipulated no children for this one. Habitats: Pasture, pond, young woodland and various drains. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Sunday, October 13, 2013 Fungus Foray Snipe Dales Country Park - Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust East of Horncastle, 12.00 for 13.00 start. Use the Country Park car park (£1 fee) TF330 682 which is well signposted from the A158 Skegness- -Lincoln road and from the B1195 Horncastle--Spilsby road. Some steep slopes present. Habitats: Grassland, marsh and mixed woodland. Leader: Ray Halstead 07772 613640 ray.halstead@tiscali.co.uk ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails This Week *** If you hear of anyone bemoaning the lack of a Bulletin, please refer them to the Bulletin Portal where they will find a copy. http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html If you are having difficulties with spam folders etc. please make sure you "Whitelist" my address as given in the Bulletin. Latest Mailfails - see notes above. The following subscribes suffered "bounces" from the last mailing "Soft bounces" were as follows. @rspb - all users of this RSPB ISP drinkallby Hartsholme alandale clox *** And finally...... UK jellyfish blooms http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-23492338 Drivers warned over hidden puffins http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-23493852 ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/