Sorry everyone - my incoming Enterprise e-mail has not been working since Friday 23rd. I have reported it. Hopefully life will be back to normal soon after the Bank Holiday. Meanwhile you may e-mail me on aintree2@yahoo.co.uk Roger ============================================ || || 25th 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. A Signup Form can now be found on: http://eepurl.com/zmFMT Past 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 contribute articles or reports. E-mail: 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 ] ============================================ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. Readers hints, tips and requests ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** From the Editor.... *** Enterprise address problems: my mailserver has been showing signs of technical problems and on Friday it stopped receiving incoming e-mail. A few readers have kindly phoned or contacted me via my alternative address, aintree2@yahoo.co.uk If your e-mail has prompted a reply to say your message had "failed permanently" you may wish to try the Yahoo address. This is working. I can then use your report in next week's Bulletin. Sorry about this. Change of address? Go the bottom of your Bulletin and click on "update subscription preferences" to make the change you require. This saves me a job. Thanks. Is anyone a "poo expert"? Silvia Fowler has photographed some unusual droppings on some decking in her garden near a pond - but so far no one has been able to suggest the species that might have produced it. If you think you may be able to link a species to the poo in her photo, please let me know and I will pass on your email details to her. 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 *** Lincoln RSPB *** Maureen Staples writes: Thursday 12th September [date from website] See: http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/events.htm RSPB Indoor meeting at Bishop Grosseteste University, Longdales Road, Lincoln on British Birds of Prey by Nick Williams. Start 7.30pm. Admission £3.00 for RSPB members and students. Non members £4.00 *** 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/ 16/8 Temminck's Stint juv, Donna Nook, pool north of Howden's Pullover Booted Eagle pale morph 6.5 mls SW of Louth, flew south over Donington towards Goulceby Garganey on Mere, Spotted Redshank on Jackson's Marsh, Gibraltar Point Common Crane south over Colsterworth 17/8 Woodchat Shrike juv, Spoonbill, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Tree Pipit, Gibraltar Point Little Stint, Wood Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh Red-necked Phalarope, past Gibraltar Point 18/8 Red-footed Falcon fem, juv Marsh Harrier, over Saltfleetby NNR plus Whinchat Osprey, Donna Nook flew south towards Saltfleet. 2 Garganey, 4 Spotted Redshank, Tree Pipit, Crossbill, Gibraltar Point NNR Little Stint, 2 Wood Sandpipers, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh 7 Spoonbills, 8 Spotted Redshanks, Alkborough flats 19/8 Spoonbill, Gibraltar Point 2 Spoonbills, Alkborough Flats Little Stint, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh 3 pied Flycatcher, whinchat, 3 Garganey, Spotted Redshank, Gibraltar Point 20/8 Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh 3 Garganey, 3 Spotted Redshanks, Spoonbill, Gibraltar Point Osprey, Tattershall Lakes from Battle of Britain carpark 21/8 5 Garganey, Spotted Redshank, Scaup, 2 spoonbills, 2 Pied Flycatchers, 9 Redstarts, Gibraltar Point Osprey juv, Donna Nook 7 Curlew Sandpipers, 3 Spotted Redshanks, Garganey, Frampton Marsh 22/8 12 Curlew Sandpipers, 4 Spotted Redshanks, 3000 Black- tailed Godwits, Frampton Marsh Garganey, 4 Wood Sandpiper, 40,000 Knot, Spoonbill past, 7 Whinchats, Redstart, Tree Pipit, Little Stint, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Gibraltar Point 23/8 Little Stint, 6 Spotted Redshanks, 5 Whinchats, 2 Garganey Gibraltar Point Little Stint juv, 8 Curlew Sandpipers, 5 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh 2 Spotted Redshanks, Manby Flashes 2 Pied Flycatchers, 5 Whinchats, Little Stint, Donna Nook 24/8 Spoonbill, Little Stint, 3 Spotted Redshanks, 6 Curlew Sandpipers, Gibraltar Point 5 Curlew Sandpipers, Little Stint, 16 Black Terns in the Wash, Freiston Shore 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. Peacock butterfly boom. Pete Wells writes: I had to mention the amount of Peacock Butterflies I’ve seen this year. Wherever there is a Buddleia bush they are full of Peacocks. *** 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. ALFORD GARDEN TF454754 David Sheppard Swifts last seen 15 August 2013 Small Copper 20 August 2013 BUTTERWICK Butterwick (TF3944) 19/08/2013 Roy and Kath Pearson We did the WCBS today on our 'prairie' between Butterwick village and the sea bank and there was a complete contrast with the selection we had experienced the previous day on an organic farm (see Wrangle Common details), with both numbers and variety of species much lower today. In a one kilometre walk, the figures were:- Large White 70 Small White 154 Red Admiral 1 Small Tortoiseshell 10 Peacock 11 Gatekeeper 1 CAISTOR Wendy Handford (WH) Reports from contributors to Caistor records Week beginning 16.8.13 Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 WH Badger on Trailcam 1am 17th Aug Green woodpecker in mature Oak 21st Aug Painted lady 2 on Buddleia 21st Aug Silver Y 6 on Buddleia 21st Aug Seen while cutting, turning and collecting meadow: Common shrew 1 Fieldmouse nests 7 Field voles 9 Common frogs 4 adults, over 100 juvs Common toads 2 adults, over 100 juvs Caistor bypass TA 121 013 WH Hedgehog roadkill Nettleton Lodge Game Farm TA 090 012 B Jacob Ants, sp to be ID’d, flying and swarming 15 minute butterfly count Gatekeeper 4 Large white 4 Meadow brown 18 Peacock 2 Ringlet 2 North Street garden TA 118 015 15 minute butterfly count 11th Aug Large white 6 Peacock 2 Shieling farm TA 106 027 Swallows depart 16th Aug Wold View TA 120 013 Swifts depart 8th Aug CANDLESBY HILL QUARRY TF 460682 C Byatt 16 Aug. ‘13 Wild Marjoram Wild Basil Eyebright Autumn Gentian (just in flower) All in quantities too numerous to count. DEEPINGS Venue: Deeping Lakes LWT Reserve TF187083 Date: 23/08/2013 Observer: Ian Gordon Time: 1000 - 1200 Weather: Hot and sunny. No breeze. Birds: Blackbird Black-headed Gull Blue Tit Buzzard Carrion Crow Chiffchaf Collared Dove Common Tern Cormorant Gadwall Great Crested Grebe Green Woodpecker Greylag Goose Herring Gull Hobby(2) Kestrel Kingfisher Lapwing (30+ adolescents) Lesser Black-backed Gull Little Egret Little Grebe (+3 chicks) Magpie Moorhen Mute Swan Oystercatcher Pochard(10) Reed Warbler Tufted Duck Water Rail Woodpigeon Butterflies: Speckled Wood Small White Large White Common Blue Painted Lady Ringlet Peacock Gatekeeper Meadow Brown Damsels etc: Brown Hawker Emerald Damselflies Common Blue Damselflies FENTON SK854774 (nominal) Richard Fox 16th August 2013 Buzzard x 3 Kestrel Little Egret x 2 flying with Grey Heron GIBRALTAR POINT TF56-57- 19 August 2013 David Sheppard Wall Brown (2) Gatekeeper Small Tortoiseshell Painted Lady Small Copper HEIGHINGTON TF025696 John Nickson Garden Moths MV Lamp. 17th August to 20th August 2013 Brown-line Bright-eye Canary-shouldered Thorn Cloaked Minor Common Rustic Copper Underwing Dark Arches Flounced Rustic Large Yellow Underwing Lesser Broad B,der,d Y/Udwing Lesser Yellow Underwing Rustic Shuttle shaped Dart Silver "Y" Six Striped Rustic Snout Square Spot Rustic Straw Underwing Willow Beauty Mother of Pearl Udea lutealis HORKSTOW Jenny Haynes We had a Magpie moth (Abraxas grossulariata) on a window on Saturday night. 17.8.2013. Not seen one before. HORNCASTLE TF256695 Charlie Barnes 22/08/2013 Parent bug (x2 juvenile groups on alder) Platycampis luridventris (sawfly - larvae on alder) Small Copper Common Blue Peacock KIRKBY ON BAIN C. Brady 21 Aug 2013 Large flock of Lapwings over the gravel pits, would guess at about 100+ LINCOLN SK972738 W/E 24/08/2013 Jayne Knight Please note revised map ref. thanks to Charlie Barnes' fascinating website, as suggested by Alan Phillips. 17/08/13 & 19/08/13 Common Frog in garden again. Second sighting when flushed out of radishes patch while watering. Don't know who was more startled! 20/08/13 Adult Mayfly on the brown wheelie-bin. Also numerous sightings of Garden Spiders, Araneus diadematus, sat in the middle of their webs strung across plants and shrubs. LOUTH, Stewton Lane C. Brady 21 Aug 2013 Crimson Speckled moth, in grass land where the horses are. Also huge wasps nest has been dug up, looks like it was in a mole hill. Badger at a guess? Still wasps flying around it. 2 Curlew flying east at dusk, over same field. MILL HILL QUARRY TF44-71- 14 August 2013 David Sheppard Gatekeeper Meadow Brown Green-veined White Large White Peacock Small Tortoiseshell Painted Lady Comma Common Blue NOCTON TF044646 Charlie Barnes August 2013 Hedgehog (roadkill) NOCTON TF042650 Charlie Barnes August 2013 Stoat (roadkill) RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF 309 847 Silvia Fowler 08.08.2013 2 Buzzards over meadow 10.08.2013 Wren (heard) Jackdaws returning (not seen/heard much for the last month or so). 11.08.2013 Juv. Robin; still speckled without red breast 14.08.2013 3 juv. Swallows on wires, later family group of 6 Collared Dove successfully chased Woodpigeon out of its territory 26 Peacock butterflies on buddleia Numerous Small and Green-veined Whites on lavender Brimstone on pelargonium and petunia Buzzard Large common frog in pond 15.08.2013 Great Diving Beetle in pond Tawny Owl (heard) 9pm: Bat 16.08.2013 Brimstone (1), Small Tortoiseshell (1) numerous Peacock butterflies (more than in previous years), bumblebees and hoverflies also in great numbers. 17.08.2013 Magpie Moth (Abraxas grossulariata) in conservatory Juv. Rabbit in garden 18.08.2013 ca. 40 Peacock butterflies on buddleia 9pm: Bat 9.15 pm: Tawny Owl perched on wires facing the House Martin nests; flew off when it saw me. 19.08.2013 Small Tortoiseshell (2), Silver Y moth among the numerous Peacocks and Whites 3 Buzzards in the air, constantly calling to each other; looked like a flying/hunting lesson for a youngster. (Location roughly TF 310 850) 21.08.2013 4 Small Tortoiseshell and 1 Red Admiral among the other butterflies. Robin starting to sing again (about 2 weeks later than in previous years) Blackbird nest in pyracantha that was abandoned in the spring found to contain 2 dead chicks. RIPPINGALE Pauline Warman I found a Stictoleptura rubra Longhorn beetle on an umbellifer in the field behind my house (TF09402 27731, Rippingale, BOURNE PE10 0TQ) this evening 16/08/2013. Having looked it up on the NBN Gateway I note that it was a Red Data species but is no longer listed as such. Charlie Barnes comments: Excellent - there are a couple of records from around Bourne, but it's main concentration in Lincolnshire is around Scunthorpe. It's UK stronghold is in Norfolk and it appears it may be spreading - it has recently turned up in Leicestershire. (If I remember rightly) It's actually a non-native species with a preference for coniferous trees. A number of interesting long horn beetles have been turning up in South Lincolnshire recently - the peculiar weather we are having appears to be benefitting them! RIPPINGALE TF09422767 Pauline Warman 20/08/2013 Brimstone 1 Mother of Pearl 9 Common Carpet 7 Pebble Prominent 1 Straw Dot 2 Less Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing 11 Large Yellow Underwing 1 Flame Shoulder 3 Shuttle-shaped Dart 1 Yellow-tail 1 Orange Footman 1 Copper Underwing 1 Agriphila tristella 3 Catoptria falsella 2 Strawberry Tortrix 1 Barred Fruit Tree Tortrix 1 SALTFLEETBY-THEDDLETHORPE (RIMAC) TF46-91- 21 August2013 David Sheppard Wall Brown Meadow Brown Small White Large White Small Tortoiseshell Peacock Painted Lady Common Blue SNIPE DALES TF33-68- 15 August 2013 Painted Lady (4) TATTERSHALL Clare Brady 12-16th August 2013 Silver-Y Moth - in garden sat on geraniums. Clinton Park, Tattershall, from the 12th Aug to 16th. THIMBLEBY TF234699 Charlie Barnes 22/08/2013 Muntjac (roadkill) WAINFLEET CONSERVATION PONDS 18/08/2013 Roy and Kath Pearson A very poor count today with a total of only ten species recorded. The only bird in song was a single Yellowhammer, though a ringing session last weekend proved that there are many Reed Warblers at the site, though at present not showing themselves. A single Marsh Harrier that drifted over from the west was a good sighting and a Kestrel was hunting over an adjacent field. WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 18/8/2013 Buzzard calling and hunting in area 2pm. Holly blue butterfly - first seen here for some time. Knopper galls on oak in garden. 19/8 Buzzard over, calling, 3.30pm. Pyrausta purpuralis 20/8 Red underwing moth on window am - photos taken dorsal and ventral. Seen later on north wall - pm. Bee Osmia spp? and Small [parasitic? Cuckoo?] Wasps seen using Osmia- nesting tubes. Some tubes packed with green material, some with mud. 23/8 3 Common Buzzards over, calling. Early afternoon. WRANGLE COMMON 18/08/2013 Roy and Kath Pearson A low count of only twenty species, but huge numbers of Rooks (c400) and Jackdaws (c350) were present. An early autumn roost of these birds is now a well-established event. Raptors included a Common Buzzard and a male Marsh Harrier. A Green Sandpiper was present, though there is little suitable water now. The lack of water may account for the heavy predation (fox?) of the cygnets, all eight having now been taken. A seed mixture that has been planted for birds yielded a Corn Bunting, which allowed close observation. Butterflies were outstanding despite a strong breeze, though hedges, reed-filled dykes and stands of trees gave good shelter and these areas were very productive. Especially numerous were Peacocks feeding on clover and we estimated in excess of 200 along the side of a dyke in a single field and further large numbers on the seed mixture plants. Common Blues were also seen in large numbers on plants in a clearing among some trees and in the seed mixture and we estimated a count in the region of 50 individuals. A few Holly Blues were also seen. The clover field also yielded Painted Ladies and Small Tortoiseshells with large numbers of Small and Large Whites everywhere. Only four Speckled Wood butterflies were seen, all in a small plantation and only singles of Gatekeeper and Ringlet. Seven Meadow Browns were counted, but these seemed to be in poor condition with washed-out colours and frayed wings. Two Skippers (Essex/Small?) were recorded, but the presence of six Dingy Skippers was a first record as was a lovely Clouded Yellow. BUT, HAS ANYONE SEEN ANY RED ADMIRALS? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 RSPB WASH Reserves - Frampton Marsh and Freiston Shore http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/collections/thewash_northnorfolk.aspx Reports for July 2013 NEW John Badley Recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Assisted by Grahame Hopwood and Colin Jennings RSPB Frampton Marsh Spoonbill (9th & 10th), Montagu’s Harrier (21st & 28th) and Black Tern (22nd & 27th) were all seen on a couple of dates, with both Mediterranean and Yellow-legged Gulls being seen on four dates and a Hobby on five. As usual waders featured heavily, highlights included Pectoral Sandpiper (4th), Lincolnshire’s 5th Baird’s Sandpiper (23rd - 26th), Little Stint (31st) and peaks of 20 Curlew Sandpipers (24th), nine Wood Sandpipers (29th) and up to 2000 Black-tailed Godwits. Turtle Doves proved regular with up to four being seen. Crossbill and Kingfisher were also seen (27th). A male Ruddy Duck put in an appearance late in the month (from 29th). Gibraltar Point NNR The most unusual sightings were a Great White Egret (2nd) and Red-backed Shrike (22nd). Other records included two Scaup (8th – 16th), up to 4500 Sanderling (23rd) and 6000 Knot (26th). There were up to two Curlew Sandpipers and one Wood Sandpiper, 50 Arctic Skuas (23rd), a monthly peak of 87 Common Scoter (14th), Little Gull (18th), Mediterr- anean Gull (26th), Hobbies on two dates and up to seven Crossbills on three dates. Other sites At Swanholme Lakes a male Red-crested Pochard was seen (18th). Two Quail at Langtoft (28th) were the only ones reported in the month. A Crane flew over Marston STW (11th), but perhaps even rarer inland was a Great Skua at North Hykeham Pits, Lincoln (1st). Also recorded here were a 1st summer Caspian Gull, a putative Baltic Gull and up to 12 yellow-legged gulls. 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 W/E 16.08.13 BIRDS Max nos. blackbird 13 blackcap black-headed gull 10 black-tailed godwit 3 blue tit 6 bullfinch Canada goose 10 carrion crow 4 Cetti's warbler chaffinch 12 chiffchaff 3 collared dove 2 common buzzard common gull 6 common tern 7 coot 60 cormorant 4 curlew 3 dunlin 6 dunnock 4 gadwall 12 golden plover 21 goldfinch 8 GBB gull 2 GC grebe 5 GS woodpecker 2 great tit 5 grey heron 2 greylag goose 70 herring gull house martin 6 house sparrow 10 kestrel lapwing 86 long tailed tit 2 magpie 4 mallard 41 moorhen 6 mute swan 10 pheasant 2 pied wagtail pochard 19 red-crested pochard reed bunting 4 robin 2 sand martin 50+ song thrush sparrowhawk starling 16 swallow 20 swift 2 tufted duck 50 whitethroat 4 willow tit 2 willow warbler 2 wood pigeon 6 wren 6 Butterflies included: small tortoiseshell, red admiral, a super-abundance of peacocks and 3 painted lady. 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...... Fracking: RSPB objects: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-23730308 Louth's Michael Foale retires from NASA http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-23645168 Charlie Barnes sent in: MYRMECOS Alex Wild, Illinois-based biologist and photographer, on insects, science, and photography http://myrmecos.net/2011/08/30/a-mural-on-moth-wings/ Charlie comments: Shame it's not British. My theory is the "flies" become the target for any assault on the moth - the moth gets away, with just a couple of notches out of its wings. ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/