============================================ || || 18th 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.... *** Perseids meteor shower A clear night allowed us to count 32 meteors in about 2 hours, as well as spotting several satellites. The RAF put on a display of night flying too. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-23673948 Charlie Barnes has posted a request for records of Himalayan Balsam. This invasive escape has a significant impact on local wildlife, but is liked by beekeepers as it produces a fine honey. I am sad to say that a few beekeeping bretheren are said to encourage the species by distributing seed, not that it requires much help. Beekeepers have a new potential threat to add to their worries, the Asian Hornet. Should you ever encounter something that might be this species it needs to be reported. See the FERA webpage: https://secure.fera.defra.gov.uk/beebase/public/News/news.cfm#143 The number of Bulletin readers fluctuates between 1070 and 1090 due to resignations and new subscribers. It would be good to increase the number of readers and the best way to achieve this is by telling others about it. The "forward to a friend" link at the end of each Bulletin enables you to do this very easily. Please help us grow. 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. 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 *** Send in your sightings of Himalayan Balsam *** Charlie Barnes writes: This summer the Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership and the Environment Agency are trying to find out where Himalayan balsam has invaded our watercourses. This tall non-native invasive plant grows in such dense clumps that it crowds out most of our native plants. It has spread throughout the UK since it was introduced as a garden plant in the 19th century, and favours damp areas and the banks of rivers or drains. This plant is considered such a threat to our wildlife that it is listed on Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which makes it an offence to plant it or introduce it to the wild. Many organisations take action to remove Himalayan balsam from our countryside, but to do that effectively we need to know where it is. Have you seen this pink-flowered plant anywhere? If so, let us know by filling in the form at http://www.glnp.org.uk *** Lincolnshire Wood Fair [note name change] *** 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/ *** 41st Horncastle Astronomy Weekend 13-15th September *** 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 *** 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 *** Report Ash Dieback in Lincolnshire *** Link for Chalara fraxinea reports: http://www.forestry.gov.uk/chalara ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ 9/8 5 Spoonbills, Alkborough Flats Curlew Sandpiper, Donna Nook 10/8 5 Spoonbills, Alkborough Flats 10/8 Little Stints, 3 Wood Sandpipers, Spotted Redshank, Garganey, Frampton Marsh Pomarine Skua, 2 Arctic Skuas, off Donna Nook 11/8 2 Little Stints, 2 Wood Sandpipers, Little Gull, Frampton Marsh 12/8 5 Wood Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, Little Stint, Frampton Marsh 13/8 Montagu's Harrier, soputh of Withern over fields Wood Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Garganey, Little Stint, Frampton Marsh 14/8 Wood Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint Frampton Marsh Caspian Gill, North Hykeham, Lincoln Tip 15/8 Wood Sandpiper, Little Stint, Frampton Marsh 3 Spoonbills, 1 ad + 1 juvs, past Gibraltar Point Spoonbill, Jackson's Marsh 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. Badger and other Road Kills Editor writes: I noted a young badger road kill this week. These animals often lack roadsense and experience and at this time of year are out and about exploring and sometimes getting into trouble. There are two peaks to badger road deaths, spring and late summer. These unfortunate deaths can at least be used for records to add to our data on distribution, so please send in your records for these and other species of interest, otters, deer, hedgehogs etc. *** 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. BOSTON (South by A16) 15/08/2013 Roy and Kath Pearson A small bat - I think a Pipistrelle - flying around the garden in bright sunlight at 3:25pm today. Two were also seen last night. CADWELL TF284803 11/8/13 Robert Walker Buzzards 2 Over wood next to A153 road near Cadwell Park circuit. CAISTOR Wendy Handford writes: Notes: Last week's Large Alder Sawfly turns out to be quite a find - thought to be extinct, then appeared in Wiltshire in 1997. Seen in Spalding in 1998, then at Messingham Sand Quarry LWT Reserve in 2011 and 2012. Caistor is probably 4th sighting in Lincs. (Info from Dr David Sheppard via Allan Binding. Annette Binding identified it from our photograph.) This week's two sightings of plants at Nettleton Lodge Game Farm are also thought to be uncommon - Pink purslane and Warty cabbage. CAISTOR Wendy Handford (WH) Reports from contributors to Caistor records Week beginning 9.8.13 Brigg Road verge TA 107 033 WH Common toadflax Prickly sow-thistle Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 WH Badgers 2 at 2am 12th Aug Bank vole under birdfeeder 4pm 13th Aug Grey squirrels, 1 adult 2 juv 9th Aug Guelder rose berries turning red 9th Aug Common blue 3 on Birdsfoot trefoil 13th Aug Small copper 3 on Ragwort 13th Aug Procumbent yellow-sorrel with bought plant 12th Aug Tutsan berries turning orange 12th Aug Wild arum berries now red 9th Aug Water mint in flower 9th Aug Caistor to Nettleton footpath TA 104 010 15 min butterfly count 7th Aug. Green-veined white 2 Large white 5 Peacock 3 Small tortoiseshell 2 Speckled wood 3 Hundon Manor Farm TA 116 024 Curlews 2 flying over 12th Aug Nettleton Lodge Game Farm TA 090 012 Pink purslane. New on Caistor list Warty cabbage. New on Caistor list Powdery mildew on Oak Sycamore tar-spot fungus Shieling farm TA 106 027 Rowan berries turning red 9th Aug Wold View verge TA 120 013 WH Canadian fleabane 9th Aug FISKERTON Fiskerton – bank of River Witham - TF051716 Chris J Manning 11th August 2013 Grass snake – Juvenile GOSBERTON CLOUGH TF196297 09/08/2013 and 10/08/2013 Leslie Hebdon Volucella zonaria (female) The 'Hornet-hoverfly'. The first time I have spotted one of these, it was huge and really did look hornet like from a distance. For size comparison-V.zonaria on small teasel with marmalade hoverfly: http://www.flickr.com/photos/13718295@N07/9502816103/in/photostream/ and with smaller hoverfly and bumblebee, Bombus pascuorum: http://www.flickr.com/photos/13718295@N07/9505610498/in/photostream/ It kept returning to the Small teasel, Dipsocus pilosus and also visited a Buddleia. HEIGHINGTON TF025696 John Nickson Garden Moths MV Lamp. 9th August to 12th August 2013 Cloaked Minor Common Footman Common Rustic Dark Arches Dark Barred Twin Spot Carpet Double Lobed Dusky Sallow Early Thorn Flame Shoulder Flounced Rustic Large Yellow Underwing Lesser Broad Bordered Y/U,wing Lesser Yellow Underwing Light Arches Lime Speck Pug Magpie Moth Pale Prominent Poplar Grey Riband Wave Ruby Tiger Shuttle Shaped Dart Silver Y Small Blood-vein Small Fan Foot Straw Underwing Uncertain Willow Beauty Micro Moths Mother of Pearl Udea lutealis Also, identified by Colin Smith: Six-striped Rustic, a fairly common grassland species. HORNCASTLE TF261691 My garden 1/8/13 Robert Walker Froglets 12+ Around pond in front garden - numbers have survived the cold freezing weather in mid-March when the frogspawn was frozen in. HUTTOFT TF512 763 (my garden) JANE PENNINGTON Date: 11 August 2013 Harlequin ladybird 1 Date: 12 August 2013 Peacock butterfly 1 Wren 1 Date: 13 August 2013 Dragonfly 1 Greater spotted woodpecker 1 Green veined white butterfly 4 Peacock butterfly 1 Small tortoiseshell butterfly 1 Wren 2 Date: 15 August 2013 Collared doves 2 Green veined white butterfly 5 Peacock butterfly 1 Small tortoiseshell butterfly LINCOLN (Greetwell Hollow area) TF 00 72 15 August 2013 Brian Hedley 100's of butterflies, mostly on buddleia. Clouded yellow 1 Painted lady 6 Red admiral 1 Peacock 700+ Small tortoiseshell 15 Common blue 15 Speckled wood 2 Small copper 2 Meadow brown 10 Gatekeeper 12 Large white 100+ Small white 150+ Green-veined white 3 Migrant hawker 2 Silver Y 100+ LINCOLN SK972739 W/E 17/08/2013 Jayne Knight 13/08/2013 The local Robin scolding something caused me to look out kitchen door, just in time to see a male Bullfinch land on sunflower hearts feeder. He ate for quite a while before flying off. Have not recorded a Bullfinch in the garden for over ten years. A lovely sighting. 14/08/2013 A couple of Swifts overhead. 15/08/2013 Released a Hornet from the kitchen window. During the evening, enjoying a ramble round Doddington village observed a Kestrel hovering a short distance away. Grid Ref: SK902702. LUDBOROUGH Walk from Ludborough to WYHAM & CADEBY and return. 11/8/13 Robert Walker Buzzard 1 ( Ludborough TF 296955 ) " 2 ( CADEBY TF 261957 ) Kestrel 1 ( WYHAM TF276952 ) Brown Hare 1 (CADEBY TF272957 ) Butterflies:- Common Blue 1 ( CADEBY TF261957 ) Peacock 20+ Meadow Brown 30+ Small and Large Whites - Large numbers of both species on walk. Small Tortoiseshell 6 (TF293955 ) RIPPINGALE TF09422767 Pauline Warman 10/08/2013 (MV trap left overnight) Mother of Pearl 5 silver Y 1 Rufous Minor 1 Ruby Tiger 2 Lesser Broad-Bordered Yellow Underwing 23 Dusky Sallow 2 Bright Line brown Eye 1 Dark Arches 2 Dusky thorn 1 Endotricha flammealis 1 common Rustic 2 Garden Pebble 1 Common carpet 1 Agriphila selasella 1 Yellow Shell 1 SNITTERBY CARR Patty Phillips Bridge Farm, Snitterby Carr, DN21 4UU TF020944 13th August 2013 A scarce plant occurred in my field pond on the muddy edge: Brookweed Samolus valerandi TUMBY A153 R and A Parsons 13/9/2013 Badger Cub roadkill west side of road at TF 239600 WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 12/8/2013 Hummingbird Hawkmoth at 11.55hrs - nectaring on Valarian. Several Silver-Y Moths nectaring on lavendar. 15/8 Swallows on a 3rd brood - incubating 4 eggs. 2 Marsh Harriers hunting in fields to our north east this morning. I think they were working cut headlands around the oilseed rape. 16/8 Buzzard calling in area. Painted Lady - very new looking. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 16th August 2013 John Walker, Roger Briggs, Steve Hall, Cliff Morrison, Peter & Janet Roworth Minimum air temperatures have ranged dramatically this week from a cold ground 3.75°C on the 13th to a very humid air 16.5°C on the 16th. Bird observations have included 2 Little-ringed Plovers still around on the 11th but a 2 hour sea watch in the morning only yielded an occasional Gannet and a single Red-throated Diver. Whimbrel numbers have now fallen to just a few, heard and seen over the NNR, and up to 100 Curlew flighting over Sea View in small flocks to feed on the grazing-marsh fields. The saltmarsh has attracted 3 Kestrels and Marsh Harriers all hunting over the area. Three Greenshanks were seen on Rimac lagoon on the 11th and both Green and Common Sandpipers have been observed near Brickyard. Two Swifts were seen flying south over Crook Bank on the 13th and 5 Turtle Doves in one flock were flying around the southern area of the NNR on the 14th. A Green Woodpecker was heard near the NNR workshop also on the 14th. On the very warm humid evening of the 15th JW had possible Nightjar hawking insects over the dunes at 21.35hrs. The sunny weather has encouraged quite a number of large white butterflies to be on the wing, several wall browns, common blues and speckled woods with single painted ladies seen on 13th, 14th and 16th. A fine emperor dragonfly flew over one of the southern ponds on 14th. John Walker adds: Saltfleetby Theddlethorpe NNR addendum C 100 peacock butterfies feeding on sea lavendar on saltmarsh. Coastguard garden buddlieas x6, c 90 peacocks, 6 small tortoiseshells, 2 red admirals, 2 painted ladies, c 80 large and small whites, dozens of silver Ys and c 250 various bumblebees one of the best days for many years. 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. alandale clox *** And finally...... UK urban meadows hope to help pollinators get buzzing http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-23669941 ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/