============================================ || || 11th 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.... *** Meteor Showers tonight? The big meteor shower of the summer is on 12th August, the Perseids. If skies are clear, keep a look out on 11-12th and 12-13th. http://www.meteorwatch.org/meteor-info/meteor-showers-2013/ http://www.skyandtelescope.com/community/skyblog/observingblog/Get_Ready-for-the-2013_Perseids-218037521.html http://uk.news.yahoo.com/perseids-promise-spectacular-shooting-star-show-013727528.html Hedgerow Elms A stretch of hedge SW of the road called Haven Bank, TF 218534 to 219533 contains two sections of shrubby Elm, the food plant of the White-letter Hairstreak caterpillar. Mike Boddy's interesting report below prompted us to inspect these to see whether they might have hosted these butterflies this year. No luck yet, but we shall keep an eye on them and on the Elm species in the garden. [This butterfly occurs locally at The Pingle LNR, Coningsby.] This hedge can be seen on Google Streetview and the elm patches can be identified reasonable well. They can not match the beauty of an elm tree, but still provide a potential food plant for the caterpillars. http://butterfly-conservation.org/679-709/white-letter-hairstreak.html Roger *** E-mail Plea from a Recorder *** Ray Halstead has mentioned a problem to me, but it probably applies to other LNU recorders and certainly applies for me. You may have encountered a scam on the web to transmit harmful links or viruses via e-mail address books. I know many victims who have suffered such attacks. If you get attacked you will find it has mailed itself to people in your address book, often in your name! I am very cautious about e-mail that does not look right for the person contacting me. If it is just a link, with perhaps a rather neutral phrase like "Have a look at this!" I never reply, even if it looks like it comes from someone I know. I just delete it unread without a response. Recorders like Ray get many e-mails out of the blue and may often receive little more than a christian name and attachment or link. This is JUST what these rogue e-mails look like. If you are sending a photo or other attachment, the more so a hotlink, please make sure you explain who you are and what you are asking about. *** 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. 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 *** 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 *** Get to know your Sandpipers *** Birders who take an interest in waders often report interesting sandpipers in the pager reports. e.g. Wood Sandpiper http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=057023 Curlew Sandpiper http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=057081 Pectoral Sandpiper http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?tx=621 Green Sandpiper http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=057021 *** 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/ *** 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/ 4/8/2013 Pectoral Sandpiper, 6 Wood Sandpipers, 5 Curlew Sandpipers, 5 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh Caspian Gull, 5 Yellow-legged Gulls, NE of Brigg, east of Elsham in field west of A1 2 Wood Sandpipers, SE of Manby at Levee Doors 3 Wood Sandpipers, Manby Flashes Wood Warbler singing, Gibraltar Point, West Dunes Crossbill, SSE of Saltfleet north of Sea View Far 5/8 Pectoral Sandpiper, 5 Wood Sandpipers, Curlew Sandpiper, juv Garganey, Frampton Marsh Black Tern, Frampton Marsh, River Witham mouth 6/8 Wood Sandpiper, Donna Nook on flashes Sooty Shearwater flew north past Gibraltar Point Pectoral Sandpiper, Frampton Marsh 7/8 68 Common Scoter Barton-upon-Humber, flew west over Humber Bridge 2 Little Stints, Frampton Marsh, Reedbed Lagoon Cyrlew Sandpiper, Frampton Marsh 2 Wood Sandpipers, Bonby Carrs 2 Yellow-legged Gulls, Worlaby Carrs 5 Spoonbills, Alkborough Flats 8/8 Montagu's Harrier, north of Caenby Corner, flew over A15 and Old Leys Lane 5 Spoonbills, Alkborough Flats 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. Spider Identification. Annette Binding wrote to Jayne Knight: I have received your spider records via the LNU Wildlife Bulletin. I am happy to accept your record of Pholcus phalangioides but I am afraid I cannot accept your Amaurobius fenestralis. A. fenestralis is found under bark away from houses. The very similar A. similis can be found near habitation but does not usually enter houses. It prefers to be outside in window frames and holes in walls. It is unlikely that your spider was an Amaurobius and much more likely that it was Scotophaeus blackwalli known as the mouse spider. It is roughly the same size as Amaurobius and is mainly found indoors. It can often be seen hunting on walls and ceilings especially in the evenings. Pholcus spiders prey on Scotophaeus as well as tackling the big Tegenaria house spiders. There are very few spiders that are distinctive enough to be identified by sight. The vast majority need a specimen under the microscope in order to get the correct i dentification. Thanks for your Pholcus record which will be added to the Lincolnshire database. Jayne comments: I'm afraid the spider was not a Scotophaeus blackwalli, the one released from the bathroom had very distinct chevron markings on it's abdomen. I have my doors and windows open throughout the day and spiders (plus other insects!) are very frequent visitors. Note: Annette has requested a specimen or photo to assist identification of this species. *** 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. BARDNEY and surrounding area w/e 9/8/2013 Bardney Garden Phil and Mary Porter From week beginning 5th August (2103), we have had in excess of 50 peacock butterflies, mostly on buddleia and marjoram. Also good numbers of meadow brown, gatekeeper and whites. Thimbleby (just south of, on Bardney road) 6.8.13 Turtle dove calling strongly from Thimbleby Kennels trees. Bardney - Horncastle road, near Waddingworth - the first buzzard I've seen in over a month. What has happened to them this year? We've lost the ones we had in abundance over Bardney. Southrey Woods 9.8.13 Many dragonflies, mostly various hawkers, many cuckoo bumble bees. Southrey Woods (Birch Wood) 9.8.13 Nuthatch calling Bardney Garden 9.8.13. Green bush cricket (there were LOADS of little ones in the grass earlier in the year so I'm hoping for a bumper year! BOURNE 25/07/13 D Griffith Roman Bank, Bourne 12.30pm Female Ghost moth. Resting on the back wall of a factory. Was there until around 4pm. BRACEBY TF015353 4th August 2013 Marion Ellis Two buzzards wheeling noisily above us this morning. A birdwatching friend sent us this information this morning: Sunday 4 August Just watched a stork flying south over Somerby Road, Ropsley at 12.30pm today!!!! First I have ever seen in UK. http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?tx=276 BURGH LE MARSH (Middlemarsh Farm) TF528632 4 August 2013 LNU meeting attended by nine people and led by Brian Hedley and Roger Wardle. Visit courtesy of J and S Dodsworth to this private site where a wetland habitat creation scheme has been maturing since 2008. Sunny, dry but windy conditions. Plants noted included a good list of wetland species such as orange foxtail, saltmarsh rush, marsh cudweed, lesser pondweed and water-plantain. Water vole signs were frequent plus a few brown hares were seen. A particularly good list of 49 bird species were noted including wood, green and common sandpiper, black-tailed godwit, little egret, marsh harrier, shoveler, snipe and water rail. Twelve butterfly species were noted including Essex skipper, small copper, common blue and brown argus. Eight species of dragonflies/damselflies included emperor, black-tailed skimmer, four-spotted chaser, ruddy darter and 100s of blue-tailed damselflies. Other invertebrates included frequent silver Y, cinnabar caterpillars and the hoverfly Scaevia pyastri. Awaiting more records from other attendees. Certainly worth a return visit in another five years or so. CAISTOR Wendy Handford Reports from contributors to Caistor records Week beginning 2.8.13 Brigg Road garden TA 113 020 15 minute butterfly count 1st Aug Brimstone 2 Comma 1 Common blue 1 Green-veined white 1 Holly blue 1 Large white 3 Meadow brown 1 Peacock 6 Small tortoiseshell 2 Small white 6 Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 Grey squirrel, juv, on birdfeeder 8th Aug Rabbits, yet another litter Buzzards 2 being mobbed by crows 2nd Aug Green woodpecker working on old pear tree 2nd Aug Swallows 4 still flying over lawn 3rd Aug Skein of 12 geese flying north 6th Aug Froglets 3 seen when mowing lawn 2nd Aug Frog, 2yr old under refuse bin 5th Aug Garden snails 25 behind elecrity box door 4th Aug Azure damselfly 2ndand 6th Aug Common hawker 3rd Aug Large Alder sawfly Cimbex connatus 5th Aug. New on Caistor list Marmalade hoverfly 3 on Common cat’s-ear 4th Aug Small copper 3rd Aug Wasps’ nest in garage roof Speedwell galls on Germander speedwell 2nd Aug Cushion bracket fungus on Wild cherry stump 2nd Aug Caistor bypass TA 121 013 Badger juv roadkill 3rd Aug Grimsby Road garden TA 120 014 15 minute butterfly survey 1st Aug Large white 4 Red admiral 1 Wall 1 Nettleton Lodge Game Farm TA 090 012 Common lizards 2 adults, 4 juveniles basking 4th Aug Grass snake, adult 5th Aug 15 minute butterfly survey 4th Aug Gatekeeper 4 Large white 4 Meadow brown 18 Peacock 2 Ringlet 2 Tall rocket 23rd June. New on Caistor list North Street TA 118 015 Dryad’s saddle fungus on Sycamore. New on Caistor list Saxon Way garden TA 111 013 15 minute butterfly survey 28th July Comma 1 Large white 1 Meadow brown 1 Small tortoiseshell 2 Small white 9 COLSTERWORTH SK93/24 Jane Ostler Week Beginning 1st August 2013 Sawfly Croesus septentrionalis A line of ornamental trees planted this year on a new estate has been stripped of leaves. One tree with a few non-skeletinised leaves had four caterpillars clinging to the edge of one leaf which raised their rear ends in a characteristic way when disturbed. Sawfly Phymatocera aterrima Known as Solomon's Seal sawfly it is attacking this plant its large grey caterpillars in full view in the daytime. Artichoke Gall Andricus foecundatrix. Abundant on a young (i.e. less than 50 years old) pedunculate oak tree. the single eggs within each 'artichoke' of the enlarged bud scales have not yet been extruded in their inner case to fall to the ground to overwinter. On Stamford Road. Bee Wax Moth Aphomia sociella The caterpillars have destroyed a nest of Bombus hypnorum, the tree bumblebee, in a bird box,and are preparing to pupate in webbing under the lid of the box. Butterflies in gardens Commas, Brimstone, Small Tortoishell, Red Admiral have joined the numerous Whites. Egret - flying over Witham but three seen earlier in year do not appear to have stayed around Young buzzard on garden fence. DEEPINGS Venue: Deeping Lakes LWT Reserve – TF187083 Date: 01/08/2013 Observer: Ian Gordon Time: 0950 – 1215 Weather: Hot and sunny. No breeze. Birds: Blackbird Blackcap Black-headed Gull Blue Tit Cananda Goose Chaffinch Collared Dove Common Tern Coot Cormorant Great Black-backed Gull Great Crested Grebe Great Tit Green Woodpecker Greylag Goose Grey Heron Crow House Martin Kestrel Kingfisher (heard) Lapwing Lesser Black-backed Gull Little Egret Little Grebe Mallard Moorhen Mute Swan Pochard Reed Bunting Robin Rook Sand Martin Tufted Duck Wood Pigeon Wren Butterflies: More species than I have seen here before Brimstone Comma Common Blue Gatekeeper Large White Meadow Brown Red Admiral Ringlet Small Tortoiseshell Small White Speckled Wood Damsels and Dragons I’m not an expert in these but did identify amongst the very high numbers - Brown Hawker Common Blue Damselfly Southern Hawker Animals: Rabbit (1 adolescent) FISHTOFT 03.08.13 Mick Todd As I was driving through Fishtoft this morning, near the Red Cow, my passenger alerted me to a hobby flying in an easterly direction. GOSBERTON CLOUGH TF196297 03/08/2013 Leslie Hebdon Hummingbird Hawkmoth Nectaring on Marsh woundwort in the garden. First sighting this year. HARROWBY SK 938354 Jane Ostler 8/8/13 7 Hares in one four acre grass field off Turnor Road, all out during day Family of English partridge, edge of same field Hedgehog in field shelter Little Owl on roadside tree Single Painted Lady butterfly seen HORNCASTLE GARDEN, TF261696 Jenna Poole 1 August 2013, 22.30 (the crazy warm night!) Flying ants hanging around nest entrance – c. 4 (but it was dark) – just emerged? (no idea what species – they were black, just under 1cm?) HUTTOFT TF512 763 (my garden) JANE PENNINGTON Date: 3 August Green veined white butterfly 5 Peacock butterfly 1 Peacock butterfly 12 TF514 765 on buddleia Date: 4 August Meadow brown butterfly 1 Red admiral butterfly 1 Date: 5 August Large white butterfly 7 Meadow brown butterfly 1 Red admiral butterfly 1 Speckled wood butterfly 1 B est wishes Jane HUTTOFT TF512 763 (my garden) JANE PENNINGTON Date: 27 July 2013 Greenfinch 1 Large white butterfly 4 Small tortoiseshell butterfly 2 Date: 28 July 2013 Common darter 1 Green veined white butterfly 4 Ladybird 2 spot 1 Speckled wood butterfly 1 Meadow brown butterfly 1 Date: 30 July 2013 Common darter 1 Red Admiral 2 Date: 31 July 2013 Large white butterfly 4 Date: 1 August 2013 Blackbird 2 (Male and fledgling) Green veined white butterfly 2 Large white butterfly 4 Date: 2 August 2013 Green veined white butterfly 2 Large white butterfly 4 Meadow brown butterfly 1 Wren 1 (Fledgling) KIRKBY ON BAIN Clare Brady Spotted a Red Kite 30th July 2013 at Kirkby on Bain, flying south and head down looking at the water, just opposite the gravel site. LINCOLN SK972739 W/E 10/08/2013 Jayne Knight 08/08/13 A leisurely coffee enjoyed in the garden revealed a green Shield Bug on the table, then, on the buddleia, a range of butterflies: 7 Peacock, 4 Small White & 3 Large White (the whites spending some time on the flowers then travelling a short distance over to the broccoli plants and laying even more eggs...) Also, after some researching, a Pellucid Hoverfly, a very interesting new species for the garden. LITTLE SCRUBBS MEADOW, TF147743 Jenna Poole and Michael MacKinnon 3 August 2013, 12.30 Painted lady – 1 Also: Peacock Small tortoiseshell Small skipper Silver Y Ringlet Common darter IN THE CLEARED AREA NORTH EAST OF LITTLE SCRUBBS MEADOW, TF146744 Jenna Poole and Michael MacKinnon 3 August 2013, 12.45 Common lizard – 1 (disturbed while sunning itself on a path - I’ve put this record put into the record centre) Brown hawker - 1 MARTON SK842820 Brian Hedley 1 August 2013 MV bulb (over Skinner moth trap) out again in the garden produced a bumper catch of about 118 species (over 600 moths). Probably the hottest night of the year so far here. High-lights: Scorced carpet 1 Small scallop 1 Narrow-winged pug 1 Poplar hawk 6 Privet hawk 2 Elephant hawk 3 Orange swift 1 Silver Y 20 Diamondback 6 Leopard 1 Magpie 5 White satin 3 Dingy footman 2 Fen wainscot 1 V-pug 1 Dusky thorn 1 Herald 4 Bordered pug 1 Wormwood pug 1 Limnacecia phragmitella 1 Calamotropha paludella 2 Chilo phragmitella 1 Plus the large and wierd looking leafhopper Ledra aurita which I've never seen before. I know of at least one other moth trapper getting this species recently in their trap. Anyone else? RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF 309 847 Silvia Fowler July 2013 turned out to be another very dry month with only 22mm of rainfall, all in the last week of the month. The first week of August has brought us 16mm so far, which was very welcome. 03-09 August 2013 Common Frog 2 (large and medium) Common Toad 2 (smallish and medium) Great Diving Beetle in garden pond. Collared Doves gathering nest material for fourth brood since the spring. House Sparrows seem to have completed their third brood. The Robin is back, but not singing yet. Buzzard over meadow. Hoverflies in substantial numbers, and pleased to see the butterflies re-emerging, some tatty and some fresh-looking individuals, including Peacock (6 on buddleia), Large White (4), Small White (2), Green-veined white (1), Small Tortoiseshell, Meadow Brown (several). Pair of very large brown dragonflies, probably Brown Hawker, over garden pond. Pseudoscorpions still in compost bin (and a few other tiny invertebrates under investigation by Annette Binding). House Martins completing 2nd broods (50% already fledged) The 4 nests are still intact, so there appears to have been no predation so far this year. On 27 July I found one quite large chick on the ground, but not yet fledged. Slight wound on wing, probably sustained during fall. It had come from a nest that our ladders can’t reach. We placed it in a makeshift nest as high as possible against the wall, but the parents ignored it. As it was still alive 2 days later, we placed it in another, accessible, nest with an active, younger brood still inside. It should have fledged by now and we hope it is helping to feed its cousins still in the nest. We’ll make an inspection in the autumn. SCOTGROVE WOOD Scotgrove wood and field margins 08 08 13. Peter Childs and John Walker. Butterflies included, white admiral, small skipper and copper, brimstone, meadow brown. southern and brown hawker dragonflies. common buzzard with young and lesser spotted woodpecker Chambers Wood butterfly gardens This was thrumming with insects including painted lady dozens of peacocks, a suprise sighting of a carpenter bee, and migrant hawker dragonfly over the pond. THEDDLETHORPE Mike Boddy Brickyard Lane am 3rd August 2013 One rather worn White-letter Hairstreak seen on dahlia flower and temporarily captured for photograph. No elm in this area so a surprising record and I have not seen one here – or in Lincolnshire - previously. WADDINGTON Peter Wilson 10-00am Monday 5th August 2013 3 buzzards flying around over Waddington. 0930am Tuesday 6th August 3 jackdaws taking it in turns " bathing" on an ants nest. They were opening their wing and flattening themselves on to the ants nest, quite amusing to watch them. I have seen blackbirds doing this previously. Wednesday 7th August 2013. PM In my garden, a Lesser Stag Beetle, quite a small one. I took a photograph of it with a penny at the side of it, it is only about the same size as the penny. THE WASH Geoffrey Lee BOAT TRIP from FOSDYKE BRIDGE to CLAY HOLE in BOSTON DEEPS Tuesday, 6th August. Evening tide top. Common seal - 24 Little egret - 23 Heron - 4 Oystercatcher - 10 Common sandpiper - 2 Green sandpiper - 1 Common tern - 14 Sandwich tern- 8 Cormorant - 32 Whimbrel - 2 Redshank - 6 Turnstone - 20 - resting on some of the buoys Shelduck - 1 family of 9 ducklings plus 2 adults Mallard - 2 females with 2 ducklings each. House martins - many Compass jellyfish - many WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 3/8/2013 Swallows at nest site preparing be nest for possible third brood attempt. Elater trap caught a small rove beetle and a leaf bug, identified by Colin Smith from a photograph as: Lygus rugulipennis, the Tarnished Plant Bug. I was pleased that I managed to get it to Genus, more by luck than good judgement! See: http://www.britishbugs.org.uk/heteroptera/Miridae/lygus_rugulipennis.html 4/8/2013 Male Marsh Harrier hunting in fen. Several Silver-y moths feeding, mostly on lavendar and valarian. 5/8 Butterflies: Peacock 3, Large White 5+, Small White, 3. 8/8 Brimstone butterfly 9/8 Brimstone butterfly 10/8 Buzzard low over garden 3.30pm. WOOLSTHORPE BY COLSTERWORTH SK92/24 Jane Ostler Week beginning 1st August 2013 Dissection of Barn Owl pellets from Woolsthorpe Manor revealed a diet mainly of field voles, some common shrews and some young rats. The method I used was not careful enough to reveal delicate bones of frogs. Swifts: by beginning of week some had left but young are still feeding behind houses at night. At stables one lot of young swallows died due apparentlly of neglect, but 14 others fledged successfullly. Grub found in house identified as Carpet Beetle Attagenus pellio which has characteristic long hairs at rear. Garden SK922245 House Sparrows . Every day more have been gathering on the lawn around 1p.m. 24, 30. 34 and today 38 They include two with distinctive arrangements of white feathers so hope to be able to track them Pied wagtail feeding fledgelings on lawn. Cabbage Whites, Small White, Gatekeepers, Commas, Peacocks, Small Tortoiseshells and ( for the first time this year) a single Red Admiral. Holly Blues are later this year. Humming Bird Hawk Moth on soapwort which it seems to prefer to both Honeysuckle and Red Valarian. Common Emerald Moth. Found in bathroom Six-spot ladybirds. We have had very few this year. WRANGLE COMMON 04/08/2013 Roy and Kath Pearson Despite a very strong wind, this was an outstanding day for butterflies with the following being recorded:- Small Copper Ringlet Painted Lady Green-veined White Common Blue Skipper (not sure whether Essex or Small) Small Tortoiseshell Gatekeeper Meadow Brown Peacock Spotted Wood Large White Small White Fields of clover were particularly favoured. Among the birds seen were a single Kestrel, two Buzzards and female and juvenile Marsh Harriers. The autumn roost of corvids was building and an estimated 150 Jackdaws and 250 Rooks were seen. Yellowhammers were still in song, though warblers were silent. Two Green Sandpipers were present. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 9th August 2013 John Walker, Roger Briggs, Steve Hall, Cliff Morrison, Peter & Janet Roworth July was a hot, dry month when daily temperatures rose to a high of 26.25°C on the 24th. During that week days became very humid and night time temperatures unpleasant. The minima for the 24th were 15.5°C ground and 16.5°C air. Rainfall had not been recorded from the 3rd - 21st (19 days). By the 22nd the dominant high pressure had moved NE allowing low pressure to bring showers and thundery outbreaks. The thunderstorm on the 23rd gave spectacular sheet lightning and 12.8mm of rain. Throughout the month winds were generally gentle breezes; from the SW 1st - 6th, followed by a northerly influence bringing some low cloud and sea fret before returning to south westerlies from the 25th. The brief spell of very fine drizzle on the 20th was not enough to record in the rain gauge. The recent warm sunny weather of this week has seen a good hatch of large white and peacock butterflies, but only a few small tortoishelles and red admirals. On a flowering buddleia in a garden adjacent to the NNR near Churchill there were counts of 41 large whites, 27 small whites, 4 green-veined whites, 48 peacocks, 4 red admirals, 5 small tortoiseshells, 2 commas and 1 painted lady. Three common blue butterflies were seen at the southern end of the NNR which is a butterfly that has occurred in very small numbers this year. Greater water-parsnip and common fleabane are now coming into flower and although the majority of marsh helliborines are going over it was possible to do a count, giving a total in excess of 3,400 plants. This was a decrease of 50% on last year’s total but still an exceptionally good count; the decrease no doubt caused by the high water levels across much of the freshwater marsh during last winter. Sea lavender is giving a good display on the saltmarsh and sea-spurrey is in flower. The delicate pink flowers of common centaury on the dunes are showing well in the mid-day sunshine and the smaller lesser centaury is flowering on the edge of the saltmarsh. Bird observations include 550+ Common Scoter on the 6th and another 1000+ on the 7th. Whimbrel continue to be seen and heard in small numbers but a flock of 50 flew south on the 7th. The usual range of waders is now appearing. Curlew are building up in numbers with 183 on the 6th and 200+ flew over Brickyard on the 7th. Fifty eight Ringed Plover were on the foreshore on the 8th and 2 Little-ringed Plover gave an appearance on the 7th. Two flocks of lapwing 80+ and 55+ flew NW over Sea View on the 7th. Turtle Doves are still being seen and heard. A flock of 1200 roosting ] gulls off Churchill on the 8th were mainly Black-headed Gulls. 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. 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...... Grey long-eared bat is in danger of disappearing from the country. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-23519010 ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/