============================================ || || 15th December 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 1096 people and we are keen to encourage even more readers to subscribe. A Sign-up 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.... *** The 5th December storm surge unleashed the power of the North Sea on the coast of Lincolnshire, overtopping and in some cases breaching defences. Seal pups were reported as swimming OVER the fence at Donna Nook! Several coastal marshes have been flooded with sea water. Donna Nook nature reserve is still officially closed at the time of writing, also Gibraltar Point and Far Ings, while damage is assessed and clear-up and repair programmes are undertaken. For details see: https://www.facebook.com/LincolnshireWildlifeTrust A Birdguides article gives a wider national picture: http://www.birdguides.com/webzine/article.asp?a=4113 Jean Ingelow's poem, The High Tide On The Coast Of Lincolnshire, 1571, captures the frightfulness of a sea surge in earlier times. It is worth re-reading in the light of the past week, as there are many resonances to be found in it, not least the impact on people and livestock. http://www.readbookonline.net/readOnLine/33104/ Records of Gorse and its flowering status are trickling in, thank you. Please do what you can to help us gather this data and information on Lords and Ladies spotted/unspotted forms. It would be great if we could boost the number of Botanical records and this would be a good start. Those interested in Botany will find the Life on the Verge report worth a visit. A great achievement. See: http://www.lifeontheverge.org.uk/ I have had no luck with the Geminid meteor shower this year, but will be trying again tonight if skies are clear. http://www.skyandtelescope.com/community/skyblog/observingblog/Geminid-Meteors-Fight-the-Moon-234777331.html Please keep the contributions coming. Roger *** LNU Events *** 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. The programme of indoor meetings starts next month. To check on the details, especially if weather suggests a possible cancellation, visit: http://lnu.org/events.php Next Meeting: Saturday, January 11, 2014 Talk by Richard Jefferson Conserving England’s high value grasslands: a health check and future prospects. Everyone is welcome at LNU meetings, but of course it is always good to have new members sign up and become involved in our work. You can do this via the LNU website: http://lnu.org/join.php *** Donna Nook Seals *** Reserve closed at time of writing. For the latest Seal news see LWT webpage: http://lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/index.php 2nd Nov: Bulls 82, cows 85, pups 30 9th Nov: Bulls 315, cows 412, pups 200 16th Nov: Bulls 423, cows 960, pups 701 23rd Nov: Bulls 495, cows 1309, pups 1239 30th Nov: Bulls 432, cows 1167 pups 1414. Pup numbers beat last year's total, but adult exodus begins. For details of the storm surge and aftermath, see: Website www.lincstrust.org.uk/news/press-release.php?article=554 or facebook page: www.facebook.com/pages/Donna-Nook-Warden/572875042778098 *** Help! Bird Counters Needed *** Tania Davey writes: Once per month volunteers count the waterbirds using the Humber Estuary as part of the national Wetland Bird Surveys (WeBS). However, we desperately need new volunteers. We are looking for people who are interested in undertaking the monthly counts and there are also opportunities for those who can only commit to a couple of days per year. You don't need to be an experience waterbird counter, through you should be able to identify common waders and wildfowl. By participating, you can directly help the conservation of Humber waterbirds and their wetlands. If you think you can help or for more information, please contact Neil Calbrade at the British Trust for Ornithology at neil.calbrade@bto.org or call 01842 750050. *** Lincoln RSPB *** http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ *** South Lincs RSPB *** Jeremy Eyeons writes: Forthcoming dates for the 2013/2014 programme of Events. Members and non-members welcome. 16th January 2014 at 7-30pm illustrated TALK Sam Newsom Music Centre, Boston WILDLIFE OF THE NENE WASHES AND THE CORNCRAKE by Charlie Kitchen Members £2,non-members £3-50. *** S Lincs RSPB *** 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/ 6/12 Great Grey Shrike between Bassingham and Aubourn 9 Shorelarks, 30 Snow Buntings, 60 Twite, Saltfleetby/ Theddlethorpe Dunes north of Brickyard Lane car park 4+ Water Pipits, m Hen Harrier, 7 Twite, 2 Jack Snipe, Rimac 10 Snow Buntings, 2 m Hen Harriers, Frampton Marsh 7/12 15 Lapland Bunting, Donna Nook Glaucous Gull, Deeping High Bank 2 Water Pipits, Gibraltar Point 8/12 10 Snow Buntings, 2+ Hen Harriers, Frampton Marsh Lapland Bunting, 4 Snow Buntings, Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point Great Grey Shrike NE of Bassingham 9/12 Great Grey Shrike NE of Bassingham 8 Shorelarks, 60 Snow Buntings, Saltfleetby/ Theddlethorpe Dunes north of Brickyard Lane car park Caspian Gull, ad Mediterranean Gull, North Hykeham, Millennium Green 10/12 150+ Snow Buntings, Cleethorpes Coast Hen Harrier m, Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point Scaup, juv f, Bonby Carrs, Rover Ancholme Spoonbill, Tetney Marshes Hen Harrier ringtail, Frampton Marsh 3 Short-eared Owls, Hawthorpe 11/12 Short-eared Owl, Donna Nook Scaup, Brent Goose, Kirkby on Bain gravel pits Hen Harrier ringtail at Marston Sewage Works Lapland Bunting, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh Spoonbill, Tetney Marshes 12/21 8 Snow Buntings, Frampton Marsh Eurasian White-fronted Goose with Pink-footed Geese between Whitton and West Halton Glaucous Gull between Winterton and Thealby @ Bagmoor Hen Harrier ringtail, Marston Sewage Works 13/12 9 Snow Buntings, Frampton Marsh Water Pipit, Gibraltar Point Hen Harrier ringtail, Marston Sewage Works 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. GORSE and Lords and Ladies - reports please Gorse - Is it in flower? If it is, are there abundant flowers or just a few? http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/species/gorse http://www.plantlife.org.uk/wild_plants/plant_species/gorse/ Lords and Ladies - Are the leaves spotted or not? http://www.plantlife.org.uk/wild_plants/plant_species/lords-and-ladies http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/species/lords-and-ladies Reports may be sent in via the Bulletin. Many thanks. GORSE records A Buckle and S Smith Gorse A180 Brocklesby interchange westbound several bushes one in full flower 8-12-13 *** 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. DON'T FORGET Please include the year in your reports in case they are copied and thus lose their context. BELCHFORD TF274755 Robert Walker 8/12/13 Kestrel 1 BRANT BROUGHTON SK926 553 Richard Fox 4th December 2013 Buzzard 3 scampering over ploughed field after earth worms CAISTOR Wendy Handford (WH) Reports from contributors to Caistor records Week beginning 6.12.13 Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 WH Woodmouse in shed 9th Dec Common buzzard on ground 7th Dec Long-tailed tits 4 in Birch 7th Dec Toad 2yr old, under log 10th Dec Freshwater shrimp 2 in stream 10th Dec Spotted snake millipedes 20 on fallen apples 10th Dec Winter moth 3 on lit window 6th Dec Caistor bypass TA 121 013 WH Sparrowhawk f in tree 6th Dec Caistor Town Hall carpark TA 118 015 Housesparrows 20 in bush 11th Dec Silverleaf on Sycamore stump 11th Dec Grimsby Road garden TA 121 015 1st sightings of butterflies 2013 Brimstone 23rd Apr Comma 28th Jul Green-veined white 30th Apr Large white May Orange tip 5th May Painted lady 15th Jul Peacock 20th Apr Red admiral 19th Jun Ringlet 9th Jul Small tortoiseshell 16th Jul Small white 10th May Speckled wood 14th Jul Wall brown 16th Aug Partridge Close TA 113 015 A Timson Peacock active in house. Moved to shed 6th Dec DEEPINGS Venue: Deepings LAKES LWT Reserve TF187083 Date: 06/12/13 Observer: Ian Gordon Time: 0900 - 1100 Weather: Cloudy and very cold Birds: Black-headed Gull Blue Tit Bullfinch (1M/1F) Buzzard Chaffinch Coot Cormorant Corn Bunting Crow Dunnock Fieldfare Goldeneye (10+ M&F) Goldfinch Goosander (2M) Great Crested Grebe Great Tit Grey Heron Greylag Goose Green Woodpecker Mallard Magpie Mute Swan Pheasant Pochard Red-crested Pochard (2+) Redwing Reed Bunting Rook Song Thrush Sparrowhawk Teal Treecreeper Tufted Duck Wigeon Woodpigeon Yellowhammer Animals: Grey Squirrel (4) Deeping High Bank between Crowland Bridge and Reserve entrance Black-headed Gull Crow Glaucous Gull Goosander 2(!M/1F) Mallard Mute Swan Tufted Duck Woodpigeon DEEPINGS Venue: Deeping Lakes LWT Reserve TF187083 Date: 10/12//2013 Observer: Ian Gordon Time: 1010 - 1220 Weather: Cloudy, cold, murky Birds: Blackbird Black-headed Gull Blue Tit Bullfinch Chaffinch Coot Corn Bunting (probable) Cormorant Crow Dunnock Fieldfare Gadwall Goldeneye Goldfinch Great-crested Grebe Great Spotted Woodpecker Great Tit Green Woodpecker Grey Heron Greylag Goose Herring Gull Jay Kestrel Lapwing Lesser Black-backed Gull Magpie Mistle Thrush Moorhen Pheasant Pochard Redwing Reed Bunting Robin Teal Tufted Duck Wigeon Woodpigeon Yellowhammer Animals: Grey Squirrel (2) DUNSTON HEATH TF029621 Charlie Barnes 1 December 2013 Honey bee (Apis mellifera) nest active in crack of beech tree limb FENTON SK846 767 Richard Fox 10th December 2013 Small Tortoiseshell in flight Sparrowhawk (f) perched on top of bird house feeding station 11th December 2013 Goldfinch 3 Greenfinch Long Tailed Tit party of 7 FENTON SK843 765 Richard Fox 13th December 2013 Bullfinch pr Fieldfare 30+ Kestrel (f) Pinkfoot skein of c.60 flying west-east FENTON/LAUGHTERTON No. 1 dog walk SK843 766 Richard Fox 6th December 2013 Bullfinch pr. Buzzard in tree Grey Partridge covey of 6 Kestrel Fox (vixen) sandy colour and in superb condition FIR HILL QUARRY TF362828 Robert Walker 8/12/13 Candlesnuff fungus On decaying tree stump GRIMSTHORPE 02/12/2013 Grimsthorpe Park Lake TF 040218 Chris Howes - Park Ranger Little Egret – the first I’ve seen on the Lake Single Shelduck HORNCASTLE TF261691 Robert Walker 12/12/13 Blackbirds 17 Following last weeks report of 63 Blackbirds at Wrangle Common, we have seen a large rise in numbers this week. Here in our town garden the Rowan tree has been nearly stripped of this years heavy berry crop by the visiting Blackbirds HORNCASTLE, BANOVALLUM HOUSE TF257695 Charlie Barnes 10 December 2013 Woodcock (presumably - it was a bit quick) HORNCASTLE TF257695 Charlie Barnes 11 December 2013 Grey squirrel (live) HUTTOFT TF512 763 (my garden) Jane Pennington Date: 2 December 2013 Chaffinch 2 Woodpigeons 10 Date: 4 December 2013 Great spotted woodpecker 1 Date: 5 December 2013 Mistlethrush 1 Pheasants 3 Date: 7 December 2013 Great spotted woodpecker 1 Mistlethrush 1 Sparrowhawk 1 Date: 8 December 2013 Sparrowhawk 1 Date: 11 December 2013 Collared dove 2 Date: 12 December 2013 Chaffinch 1 Great spotted woodpecker 1 Great tit 1 MUCKTON WOOD TF382810 Robert Walker 8/12/13 Brown Hare Ran off from cover in centre of wood. MUCKTON BOTTOM TF365824 Robert Walker 8/12/13 Cormorants 2 Lapwings 100+ Both species flying over nearby fields NOCTON TF023672 Charlie Barnes 8 December 2013 Mistletoe TATTERSHALL THORPE M & R Pocklington Tattershall Thorpe 07.45 06 December 2013 Murmuration of starlings rising from the reed beds. THIMBLEBY TF242700 Charlie Barnes 10 December 2013 Muntjac (live) THURNHOLMES (SK79767 98400) and surrounding area Note GORSE record below. Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 22/11/13 - 06/12/13 Golden Plover 125 - 520+ most days in arable fields, Thurnholmes along with 27 - 150+ Lapwing, 27 - 112 Rook, 200+ Starlings and 29 - 120+ Black Headed Gull. Mute Swan x 2 every day on Owston Ferry Warping Drain and up to 3 at Low Melwood Claypits. Tree Sparrow, up to 35 most days, Thurnholmes. Coot up to 30, Low Melwood Claypits 23/11/13 Short Tailed Field Vole x 1 under recording sheet. 24/11/13 Common Buzzard x 1 Kestrel x 1 Tawny Owl x 1 calling, Owston Ferry Warping Drain (also 01/12/11) 26/11/13 Low Melwood Claypits Gadwall x 3 Tufted Duck x 8 30/11/13 Barn Owl x 1 hunting at dusk over Thurnholmes paddocks (also 01/12/13) 01/12/13 Bullfinch x 3 Low Melwood Claypits Common Buzzard x 1 sat on fence watching my chickens, Thurnholmes. 03/12/13 Tufted Duck x 26 Low Melwood Claypits GORSE Patch of Gorse at Low Melwood Claypits at least 25 years old, no flowers at present. 09/12/13 Blackbird x 7 Pink Footed Goose x 850 flying east over Thurnholmes Starling x 130 Wren x 1 10/12/13 Barn Owl x 1 Owston Ferry Warping Drain, x 1 Kelfield S T F Vole x 2 Gunthorpe 11/12/13 Carrion Crow x 8 Eagle Owl x1 (unknown origin) Gunthorpe Starling x 100+ 12/12/13 Low Melwood Claypit Coot x 30 Goldfinch x 4 Mallard x 2 Moorhen x 1 Tufted Duck x 10 Teal x 2 WEST ASHBY TF268733 Robert Walker 8/12/13 Buzzard 1 WRANGLE COMMON 08/12/2013 Roy and Kath Pearson A BirdTrack count today produced 36 species. There were some notable changes from last week's totals, particularly with the corvids, only seven Rooks and Jackdaws in total, which illustrates how numbers can be influenced from week to week if one contacts - or doesn't contact - flocks of birds. On the credit side, the Curlew flock this week numbered 55 birds. Woodpigeons totalled 220, with Stock Doves numbering two and Feral Pigeons 40 birds. They are always present, but frequently out of sight in the stockyard. Both numbers and species of finches and buntings were well down on recent totals; probably the result of the exhaustion of food supplies in the hedgerows and on the land. No Yellowhammers, Greenfinches or Linnets were counted, whilst Reed Buntings totalled four birds. Singles of Redwing, Fieldfare, Cormorant, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Woodcock, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and Little Egret were present. The only ducks encountered were seven Teals. Four species of gulls were seen, the usual Black-headed (9), Common (1) and the less frequently counted Herring (1) and Great Black-backed (1). Blackbirds were again seen in large numbers with thirty-five counted, but the highlight of the day - and probably the year - was the sight of a Nuthatch in a small copse. These birds occur on the southern fringes of the Wolds, but are decidedly rare in the East Fen. In over forty years, I think this is only the second one I have seen here. WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons Barn Owl calling 05.45hrs. Regular tawny owls heard, and are leaving occasional pellets. Good-sized starling flock in residence. 12/12/2013 Treecreeper in orchard ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 6th December 2013 John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Peter & Janet Roworth Tidal surge. Near storm force SW winds were observed on the 5th with a gust of 74mph recorded from a high dune near Sea View at 1450 hrs. The high tide at around 1900 hrs with the surge effect gave exceptional water levels with waves buffeting the fore dune edge. Although the tide was again high at 0740 hrs on the 6th there was not the surge or strong winds as anticipated to cause further damage. Along the edge of the NNR there was a minor breach at Rimac, and the pathways leading from Churchill, Brickyard and Crook Bank car parks have some sand erosion, particularly at the latter where the new build-up of sand from the March easterlies is no longer there. Along the tide line a huge amount of debris has been deposited. The weather during November was very varied with several days being clear and sunny while others were low cloud, cold, raw and damp. Eighteen ground frosts were recorded falling to -6.0°C on the 20th. There were 7 air frosts falling to -2.0C on the 20th and 26th. Generally daytime temperatures hovered around 10.0°C rising to an unseasonal 13.0°C on the 27th but a noticeable raw period was felt from the 19th - 26th when the average maximum was 8.0°C. Winds were from a WSW - SSW sector for the majority of the month [of note SW f5-6 on the 3rd] but very fresh north easterlies influenced the weather from the 21st - 24th giving that raw weather. Rainfall fell mainly as light/moderate showers except for the prolonged rainfall on the 6th giving 11.5mm in 24hrs. Distant fog, clearing mid-morning was observed on the 27th and 28th. Bird observations for the week have included up to 13 Shore larks, 70 Twite, 30+ Snow Buntings, 1 Lapland Bunting (30th Nov), 2 skeins of Pink-footed Geese (170+) south on the 1st, 300+ Curlew, 5 Common Snipe on the freshwater marsh at Rimac on the 3rd , and 28 Whooper Swans on Rimac lagoon on 4th. A fine male Red-breasted Merganser and later a female were seen flying over the sea from Brickyard on the 1st. Over the saltmarsh during the week Peregrine Falcon 1, Kestrel 1 and a male and female Hen Harrier have all been observed hunting for prey. 13th December 2013 John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Peter & Janet Roworth Tidal surge update:· The NNR did not receive as much damage as other sites along the coast like Donna Nook and Gibraltar Point. If the wind direction had moved further to the N-NE it might have been a different story. · There was a minor breach at Rimac where the path from the car park joins with the foreshore path. From this there was an influx of sea water into the freshwater marsh but water levels are now subsiding. · At the northern end of the reserve sea water spilled into Paradise ponds, and at the time of the high tide on Thursday evening the level of water was c2ft from the top of the new capping stones of Black Bridge. · The inner dunes south from Churchill have had their surface vegetation stripped off by the sheer force of the waves and sand debris present, and their general topography has been levelled. However the solid vegetation root structure is intact and the marram grass and sea couch will grow again to allow sand to be trapped and the dunes will begin to rebuild. This is the same situation for the outer dunes off Rimac. · The embryo dunes have survived possibly due to the extraordinary height of water going over them with minimal erosion impact. · At the southern end of the reserve, near Mablethorpe North End, some of the dunes have been sheered on their seaward edge to leave vertical faces of sand. · A huge amount of organic debris has been deposited and left high at the base of the sea buckthorn edge, and from later tides on the strandline. This will provide a valuable seed source for birds during the winter. There are also millions of razor shells which will ensure the alkaline nature of the dunes continues. · There is a similar high volume of non-organic debris, mostly old plastic which suggests it may have been washed off the saltmarshes during the surge. Bird observations for the week have included – up to 700 Pink-footed Geese feeding in fields near Brickyard most days, 14 Whooper Swans on the saltmarsh on the 6th and on the same day Rimac lagoon held 4 Pintail, 70+ Wigeon, 30+ Mallard, 12 Shoveler and 14 Dark-bellied Brent Geese. A Common Buzzard flew over the dunes on the 7th and there were also 170+ Wigeon in the Saltfleet Haven area plus 270 Dunlin, 30+ Sanderling, 7 Oystercatchers, 4 Black-tailed Godwits and 2 Black-tailed Godwits and 30+ Rock Pipits. A Short-eared Owl flew out of the dunes near Sea View on the 9th and a Marsh Harrier quartered the saltmarsh also on the 9th. As to be expected the buntings and larks have been well dispersed by recent events although Snow Buntings reached a high of 150 during the 8th/9th. The tidelines are now attracting a few Rock Pipits and Pied Wagtails. There were flocks of around 20 Greenfinches and 20 Gold- finches at Sea View on 8th. PLEASE NOTE THAT HERE IS CURRENTLY NO ACCESS FROM RIMAC ONTO THE FORESHORE PATH BECAUSE OF DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE SURGE TIDE RSPB RESERVES http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/collections/thewash_northnorfolk.aspx SOUTH LINCS HIGHLIGHTS South Lincolnshire Monthly Bird Highlights Reports for October 2013 John Badley Recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Assisted by Colin Jennings RSPB Frampton Marsh Wildfowl numbers built up steadily through the month with occasional sightings of up to 39 Whooper Swans (24th) and White-fronted Goose (2nd) with peak counts of up to 3000 Wigeon (8th) and 2094 Teal (20th). Regular raptors included both Hen and Marsh Harrier, Merlin and Peregrine. On the scrapes and grassland Buff-breasted Sandpiper (until 7th) and Pectoral Sandpiper were recorded, the latter on most days. Up to eight Spotted Redshanks, five Little Stints, four Curlew Sandpipers and Wood Sandpiper were also regular. The peak count of 7400 Black-tailed Godwits (7th) was a site record. Redstart (13th), Ring Ouzel (15th) and Lapland Bunting (26th) were all seen on a single date and a Hooded Crow was seen at the end of the month (29th). RSPB Freiston Shore The sea produced the highlights of the month with three Grey Phalaropes (10th, 12th & 13th), at least six Leach’s Petrels (11th-13th), Storm Petrel, Sabine’s Gull (13th), four Long- tailed Skuas (13th), nine Pomarine Skuas (10th-13th) and Little Auk (13th). A Ring Ouzel was also seen (16th – 17th) Gibraltar Point NNR Good onshore winds mid-month produced 15 Sooty and nine Manx Shear- waters (10th). Six Leach’s Petrels (four on 13th and two on 14th), four Storm Petrels (one on 11th and three on 13th), Long-tailed Skuas (11th & 12th) and up to nine Pomarine Skuas and up to 48 Little Gulls (12th). Spoonbill (4th), Siberian Stonechat (6th), Spotted Crake and Bluethroat (13th), Hooded Crow (20th), two Shorelarks (22nd), Alpine Swift (23rd) and Waxwing (24th) were all seen on one date. Up to three Great Grey Shrikes were seen (12th – 19th). Woodlarks w ere seen on two dates (14th & 17th) with up to two Firecrests on seven dates. A Pallas’s Warbler was also present on two dates (12th & 13th) and up to four Yellow-browed Warblers were seen (1st – 17th) along with two Wood Warblers (15th) and a Hume’s Warbler (17th). Two Red-breasted Flycatchers were seen (1st-2nd & 14th). A large arrival of thrushes included up to 88 Ring Ouzels and 3800 Redwing (12th). Up to two Richard’s Pipits were also seen (4th – 29th). Reported among the waders were Baird’s Sandpiper (6th) and White- rumped Sandpiper (14th) Fly-overs heading south included eight Cranes (5th), two Glossy Ibis (27th) and a good movement of geese and swans at the end of the month included up to 207 Whooper Swans (29th) and 250 White-fronted Geese (30th). Other sites A Hoopoe was at Skegness (1st & 4th) with a Red-breasted Flycather there later in the month (14th). Ospreys were at Deeping Lakes (from 5th) and Mavis Enderby (5th). Great White Egrets were seen at Deeping Lakes (5th), Wingland Marsh (16th) and Sutton Bridge (22nd). A Richard’s Pipit was a Sutton Bridge (12th). Yellow-browed Warblers were at Whisby area (14th & 15th) and Marston STW (17th). Great Grey Shrikes were seen at Seacroft (17th & 19th), Blackmoor Bridge and Burton-le-Coggles (20th). A Long-tailed Skua was reported to fly over Whisby Nature Park (14th), with two Ring-necked Parakeets seen over North Hykeham Pits (25th). John Badley 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 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 *** Report Ash Dieback in Lincolnshire *** Link for Chalara fraxinea reports: http://www.forestry.gov.uk/chalara *** 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.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/hartsholmecp contact Park Rangers at hartsholmecp@lincoln.gov.uk Tornado and Storm Research Organisation http://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.rspb.org.uk www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore http://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/ Chef cooks up recipes for Japanese Knotweed http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/sussex/hi/people_and_places/newsid_8634000/8634285.stm 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 BBC Radio 4 Tweet of the day: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01s6xyk *** 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 http://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. Indoor Winter Meetings: Saturday, January 11, 2014 Talk by Richard Jefferson Conserving England’s high value grasslands: a health check and future prospects. Saturday, February 15, 2014 Recorders’ Meeting Saturday, March 08, 2014 AGM and Presidential Address by Ian Macalpine-Leny ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 emails have failed this week and I will send you a report you can refer to your ISP should you wish to do so. None this week. Roger *** And finally...... Contributions to "And finally" are always welcome. Hobbits' Home Climate 'Like Lincolnshire' http://uk.news.yahoo.com/hobbits-39-home-climate-39-lincolnshire-39-154915459.html ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/