============================================ || || 24th February 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 NNRs 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 make contact via the LNU Website: http://www.lnu.org/ or e-mail wildlifenews@lnu.org or contact the Editor to join up and contribute articles or reports. [Or cancel!] E-mail: rparsons@enterprise.net ============================================ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. Readers hints, tips and requests ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Editor Writes *** I am going to try out a different format for the Bulletin this week. I would appreciate some feedback, especially if does not come through easily of if it looks odd. Thanks. I was amused by a typo is last week's Bulletin where I had spell-checked "unusual" and converted it to "usual" It is the "Unusual species" we might want to look out for. I expect you worked that out. Use of Bulletin records - a reminder: Reports in the Bulletin are open and are made available for the use of county recorders of the Lincolnshire Naturalist's Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. Confidential, sensitive or privileged material should be sent directly to appropriate recorders if you do not wish it to be openly distributed. *** Next LNU Event - reminder *** For LNU meetings see section 11 for full programme. 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. ALL VERY WELCOME. Saturday, March 09, 2013 AGM & Presidential Address by Roger Parsons Subject: The Ecology of Pollination and Pollinators Editor adds: A big thank you goes to everyone who sent me photographs to use. I shall do my best to fit these in or show them as a slide show at the end. *** Ash Dieback in Lincolnshire *** It would be helpful to make a note of any diseased trees ash trees that you note in your field work and report any evidence of possible die-back symptoms. Link for Chalara fraxinea reports: http://www.forestry.gov.uk/chalara *** Call for help with research - last week I will include this request *** Henrietta Pringle writes: Imperial College London and the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust are running a project investigating the impacts of biomass crops on farmland birds, and are looking for volunteers to help with nest finding. The main aim of the project is to determine the breeding success of lapwings in biomass and arable crops, so the research team will be looking for a number of nests across a range of (already selected) sites in Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire. This project is now in its third year, so the aim is to build on previous years' data by monitoring nests until hatching and where possible, observing chick movements. Some invertebrate sampling in the fields would also be carried out. Ideally I would be looking for people who could make a regular commitment over the peak field season of late March to June, but help on a more ad-hoc basis would also be appreciated, with a minimum of 2-3 hours per session. Not only would volunteers be working in close proximity to these species and their normally unobserved nests, but they would also be actively contributing to a vital area of research during this time of rapid biomass expansion. Training would be given, and any help would be acknowledged in the final thesis and any papers that result from the project. For more information, please contact me at henrietta.pringle09@imperial.ac.uk *** Gainsborough Area LWT *** Dave Stockley writes: Wed 20 March 2013: (Sales stall: plants) Wildlife Gardening - Mary Porter As well as telling us which plants are good all-rounders for insects in the garden, Mary will explain why a little bit of untidiness can be a great benefit if we want to attract a good cross section of wildlife. For more information, please ring Joy on 01427 628457 or E-mail Linda ? woodentops@darter.plus.com We've a web site now: http://gainsboroughwildlifetrust.webs.com/ *** Scunthorpe Museum Society Meeting 11th March *** Keith Scarrott writes: Our speaker at the meeting [below] is Roger Wardle who has a farm at Mavis Enderby and runs a consultancy on wildlife. He is also the project manager for the Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marsh Project. He is coming to give us a talk entitled "Wetlands for Wildlife and People". Roger has devoted much of his life caring for and promoting care for wildlife and we would like to give as many people as possible the opportunity to meet and listen to him. Our meetings are open to all who are interested and there is no entry charge, although we have a donation bowl for people to give as they please. The Natural History and Geology Section of the Scunthorpe Museum Society. Meeting on Monday, 11th March, 2013. Roger Wardle - Farmer, Wildlife Consultant and Project Manager for the Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marsh Project - will be giving an illustrated talk entitled: "Wetlands for Wildlife and People". The meeting will start at 7.15pm and will take place in the upper lecture room of the North Lincolnshire Museum, Oswald Road, Scunthorpe, DN15 7BD. (Car park behind the museum on Vicarage Gardens road). ALL VERY WELCOME. No admission fee but a donation bowl is provided. Contact - Keith Scarrott on 01724 762098. *** Bird Club Talk and AGM 19th March *** Andrew Chick writes: Lincolnshire Bird Club Annual General Meeting Tuesday 19 March 2013 at The Admiral Rodney Hotel, Horncastle at 7.30pm Dr Mark Avery (former RSPB's Conservation Director) 25 Years in Nature Conservation The talk is FREE to everyone and will be followed by the Annual General Meeting (members only) Mark Avery is a scientist by training and a naturalist by inclination. He writes about and comments on environmental issues. Mark worked for the RSPB for 25 years until standing down in April 2011 to go freelance. He was the RSPB's Conservation Director for nearly 13 years. Editor adds: This talk is expected to be excellent. Don't miss it if you are interested in birds. LBC Website: http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk/ *** WHISBY BIOBLITZ Friday, July 12 + Saturday 13 July *** Charlie Barnes writes: Bioblitz = intensive survey and identification of species in an area. All welcome from beginners to experienced naturalists. Experts will be on hand to help with identification and recording. Event details below in section 11. Watch the NEW Bioblitz website for updates. http://www.bnhc.org.uk/home/bioblitz/national-bioblitz/midlands/lincolnshire-bioblitz.html *** S Lincs RSPB Meetings *** Jeremy Eyeons writes: 21st March at 730pm Sam Newsom Music Centre, Boston "The RSPB in Eastern England" by Paul Forecast Members £2, non-members £3-50. all welcome 25th April at 730pm Sam Newsom Music Centre, Boston "Lands End to The Highlands, in search of butterflies", by Geoff Adams Members £2, non-members £3-50, all welcome BOSTON BELLE Wash Cruises 2013 The South Lincs RSPB have announced details of their Wash Birdwatching Cruises aboard The Boston Belle for 2013. Each cruise starts at Boston's Sluice Bridge Marina and lasts 4 to 5 hours. During 2012 over 100 different bird species, averaging about 60 per individual cruise, were seen. Sightings included plovers, turnstone, dunlin, knot, redshank, godwits, egret, eider, harriers, peregrine, terns, buzzard, gannet and kingfisher. Seals are also seen on most cruises. There is a programme of 12 cruises for 2013 starting 20th April and finishing 12th October. RSPB members and non-members are welcome. Full details including revised booking arrangements for 2013, can be found at: http://www.southlincsrspb.org.uk *** Lincoln RSPB *** Maureen Staples writes: On Thursday 14th March 2013 at 07.30pm we invite you to join us at our next meeting where Ian Newton will be giving an illustrated talk on Panama - Birding in the Rain. This will take place in The Robert Hardy Building, Bishop Grossteste University, Longdales Road, Lincoln. RSPB members and students £3.00. Non members £4.00. Free Parking. See: http://www.lincolnrspb.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/ 17/2 20 waxwings, Gibraltar Point, Seacroft Gold Course 24 Snow Buntings, Gibraltar Point, Millennium ridge 2+ Bitterns, Boultham Mere Hen Harrier m, Tetney Marsh American Wigeon drk, Fiskerton Fen 2 Black Brants with Dark-bellied Brent Geese and 2 Pale- bellied Brent Geese, Tetney Marshes, Humberston Fitties 12 Snow Buntings, Cleethorpes Coast 18/2 American Wigeon drk, Fiskerton Fen 19/2 14 Waxwings, Grimsby, Hereford Avenue Greenland White-fronted Goose reported + 12 Whooper Swans, Frampton Marsh Glaucous Gull, SW of Barton-upon-Humber over Horkstow Wolds American Wigeon drk, with c100 Wigeon, Fiskerton Fen 20/2 21 Waxwings, Navenby on A607 by Homeleigh Care Home 22 Waxwings, Skegness, Beacon Way south of Beacon Park Drive 3 Waxwings, Lapland Bunting, Bearded Tit, Gibraltar Point 7 Bewick's Swans with 73+ Whooper Swans, east of Wroot Iceland Gull 5 miles s of Barton-upon-Humber n of Elsham 21/2 4 Waxwings, Skegness, Beacon Way south of Beacon Park Drive 9 Waxwings, North Hykeham, Hykeham road/Grange Drive junction American Wigeon drk, Fiskerton Fen Short-eared Owl, Crowland, in tree on north bank 22/2 8 Waxwings, North Hykeham, Hykeham road/Grange Drive junction 34 Waxwings, Navenby, The Rise, off A47 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. SLEAFORD - Ferrugunous Duck Zoë Watson I spotted a small brown duck diving in & out of River Slea on Thursday 21st February at about 9.20am, just by the lifting bridge behind the Hub/ Eastgate car park. I have just had a look at duck species on Google Images & recognised the bird I saw as a Ferrugunous Duck & it seems to be quite a rare sighting as I understand the duck originates from Eastern Europe, unless of course it has escaped from a private collection or captivity. Thought this might be worth a mention in the bulletin &/or reporting to relevant folks? *** 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. ANDERBY CREEK 22/02/13 Dave Miller – BTO Thrush survey Blackbird 4 Canada goose 14 Coot 1 Crow 7 Common gull 5 Cormorant 1 Curlew 1 Golden Plover 55 Herring Gull 13 Lapwing 3 Magpie 3 Mallard 1 Moorhen 1 Pheasant 1 Tufted Duck 1 Robin 1 Sanderling 3 Woodpigeon 41 Wren 1 Lots of whelk egg cases and mermaid's purses on the strandline. BELTON PARK (National Trust) SK934 393 Brian Hedley Honeybees active on aconites. Fallow deer 50+ Red kite 1 Common buzzard 4 Little egret 1 Goosander 4 males, 2 redheads Nuthatch 4 Treecreeper 3 Goldcrest 6 Great spotted woodpecker 3 Green woodpecker 1 BOSTON 16/02/2013 Roy and Kath Pearson First hedgehog of the year in the garden tonight. It enjoyed feeding on a fat ball set out on the lawn. Returned Sunday night (17th). CAISTOR Wendy Handford Reports from contributors to Caistor records Week beginning 15.2.13 Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 Collared dove collecting nesting material Song thrush 1st heard in full song. New anvil found Wood pigeons (45) feeding in 0.2 acre wildflower meadow White-marked spider beetle (3) in house (new on Caistor list) Fungi collected on 15.2.13 Alder goblet on old Alder cones Brown puffball (old) under Horse chestnut Candle snuff on Hawthorn Coral spot on Crack willow Crystal brain on Crack willow (new on Caistor list) Elder whitewash on Elder Hairy curtain crust on Alder Jelly ear on Elder King Alfred's cakes on Ash Poplar bracket on Crack willow Scarlet elf cup on Elder (new on Caistor list) Turkey tail on Crack willow Variable oysterling on Hornbeam (new on Caistor list) Willow brain possibly (new on Caistor list) Hundon Farm A 113 022 Kestrel perched in Oak 7.30-7.40am Mute swans, m and f Wold View TA 108 014 Blackbird 1st heard in full song Caistor bypass (A46) TA 103 997 Badger roadkill COLSTERWORTH SK93/24 Jane Ostler Week beginning 17th Feb. Badger - dead on roadside Shrew - dead in churchyard Heron - at Jubilee Pond Jack Snipe -at Jubilee Pond Kingfisher - River Witham, Bridge End Sparrowhawk - this male has distinctive white markings on back and so its movements can be tracked Dogs' Mercury - male flowers only Hazel - female flowers now out (Fungi) Velvet Shank - on ash Jews' Ear - on elder Common Jellyspot - on decorticate wood DEEPINGS Deeping Lakes NR All sightings by D Griffith 17/02/2013 Sparrowhawk Buzzard Fieldfare x34 Goldcrest x2 Skylark Teal x40 Lapwing x4 Great crested grebe x4 Great spotted woodpecker (heard drumming) Goldeneye x13 Oystercatcher x3 Herring gull x2 Lesser black backed gull x2 Black headed gull x50+ Shelduck Long tailed tit x2 Canada goose x12 Greylag goose x50+ Moorhen x7 Little grebe Magpie x8 Robin x5 Jackdaw x6 Carrion crow x8 Mute swan Coot x50 Wigeon x70 Tufted duck x50 Mallard x50 Cormorant x8 Gadwall x5 Goldfinch x8 Wren x2 Visitor reports 05/02 Water rail 06/02 Little egret x27 DEEPING LAKES Venue: Deeping Lakes LWT Reserve - TF187083 Observer: Ian Gordon Date: 18/02/2013 Time: 1015 – 1145 Weather: Sunny and quite mild Birds: Blackbird Black-headed Gull Blue Tit Bullfinch Canada Goose Collared Dove Chaffinch Coot Cormorant Crow Curlew Fieldfare Gadwall Goldcrest Goldeneye (counted 12, including 6 drakes) Goldfinch Great Crested Grebe Great Spotted Woodpecker (1 drumming in distance at same time as 1 visible) Great Tit Green Woodpecker Grey Heron Greylag Goose Herring Gull Kestrel Kingfisher Lapwing Lesser Black-backed Gull Little Egret Little Grebe Long-tailed Tit Magpie Mallard Moorhen Mute Swan Pheasant Pochard Redwing Reed Bunting Robin Rook Song Thrush Starling Teal Tufted Duck Wigeon Wood Pigeon Other: Grey Squirrel (7) HUTTOFT PIT 18/02/13 Dave Miller Blackbird 1 Black-headed Gull 41 Common Gull 18 Coot 5 Curlew 2 Great Tit 1 House Sparrow 7 Little egret 1 Mallard 5 Pochard 7 Tufted Duck 2 Wigeon 4 Woodpigeon 236 HUTTOFT TF512 763 (my garden) JANE PENNINGTON Definitely Valentine's month: Date: 20/2 Mistle thrush 2 Robin 2 Pheasant 2 Great tit 2 Greater spotted woodpecker 2 Collared dove 1 (collecting sticks) 21/02 Mistle thrush 2 22/2 Robin 2 Rat 1 Song thrush 1 Wren 1 All week, Tawny owl hooting about 8pm and then 5.30am. Will it be looking for a mate? LINCOLN UPHILL LINCOLN Wednesday 20 February Denis Jones Last 4 days 2 Redpolls seen on Nyger Seeds in my garden This is the 5th unusual winter visitor to my town garden following Blackcap, Goldcrest, Reed Bunting, Siskin LINCOLN SK972739 Jayne Knight 21/0/2012 Male Siskin on sunflower hearts feeder this morning. MARTON SK842 820 Brian Hedley 19 February 2013 Peacock butterfly seen flying around garden in sunshine, presumably disturbed from garage or shed somewhere local. Queen bumblebee species seen very briefly, probably white-tailed or buff-tailed. Pink-footed geese 95 W @ 12.15 Skylark, 3 singing over field near garden. Siskin, male on niger feeder. PINCHBECK. Our garden. K. Heath 17/2/2013 Small Tortoiseshell butterfly flying in the sunshine. RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF 309 847 Silvia Fowler 18.02.13 2 Woodmice in external cupboard. Heard Tawny Owls, m+f 19.02.13 Barn Owl in nearby lane. Heard a few starlings in the area (rare). 22.02.13 7 Stockdoves (greatest number yet) feeding in garden - guess that means there's not much available in the open countryside. Surprisingly few woodpigeons, though. VIKING WAY between Horncastle and Woodhall Spa near Thornton Lodge Farm R J & A Parsons 20/2/2012 TF 256678 approx. FUNGI Lycoperdon pryiforme - old cluster covering top of dead tree stump under trees near Thornton Lodge Farm to west of path. TF 255674 GALLS in leaf litter under oaks: Oak Apple - 4 to a single leaf Many old decaying Knopper Galls WHISBY NATURE PARK Sunday 17 February Denis Jones Thorpe Lake Scrapes 2 Oystercatchers Grebe Lake whilst watching from hide 2 Snipe and 4 Shovelers feeding on scrapes and 2 Gt Crested Grebes starting their courtship dance a Grey Heron landed on edge of Orchid Glade reedbed and flushed out a BITTERN WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R. Parsons 17/2/2012 Buzzard over. A. Parsons 15/2/2012 12.30 Lapwing flock 200+ TF 2254 Canada Farm flying SE. WILLOWTREE FEN Venue: Willow Tree Fen LWT Reserve GR TF181213 Date: 17/02/2013 Time: 0915 - 1200 Observer: Ian Gordon Weather: Frosty to start, sunny and mild to finish Birds: Barn Owl Black Headed Gull Blackbird Blue Tit Bullfinch Chaffinch Collared Dove Cormorant Crow Dunnock Fieldfare Great Tit Grey Heron Grey Partridge Greylag Goose House Sparrow Kestrel Lapwing Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Little Egret Magpie Mallard Meadow Pipit Mute Swan Redwing Robin Rook Shelduck Skylark Song Thrush Sparrowhawk Teal Tufted Duck Wigeon Wood Pigeon Wren Other: Grey Squirrel Muntjac Deer Rabbit WOOLSTHORPE-BY-COLSTERWORTH SK92/24 Jane Ostler Week beginning 17th February Wood Mice - a pair under rotting fence post -nesting? Blue tits taking material into nesting box Greenfinches - 3 in garden for the first time this year. Linnet - the first seen in the garden in 30 yrs. Long tailed tits - a party of 20 regularly feeding on fat balls Wren - has taken to sleeping in the greenhouse Honey bees - 16th first time seen this year - feeding on Crocus thomasinus No bumble bees yet and no ladybirds active. Hazel - female flowers now out WRANGLE COMMON 18/02/2013 Roy and Kath Pearson We did this month's BTO Winter Thrushes Survey count today, but results were extremely poor with only one species - Blackbird - being recorded on a total of seven occasions in more than one hour's walk along our survey route. There was rather more general bird interest with several species in full song including Skylark, Chaffinch, Wren, Robin and Tawny Owl - the first to be heard for some time. We flushed a Buzzard from some trees and got a particularly good look at it at close quarters. The Curlew flock put in an appearance with between forty and fifty birds, down slightly on the year's highest count and some forty ducks, about half and half Mallard and Teal. The Teal were reluctant to leave the area and constantly flew around until we left. We recorded a single Roe Deer, though we know there are at least three present. In the past we have seen Muntjac quite frequently, but Roe seem to have been recorded more frequently of late and there is evidence of them browsing the bark of tree branches at a higher level than Muntjac. This is causing some concern as is the fact that the undergrowth is not as thick as in the past and may cause problems for breeding birds in the summer. WRANGLE COMMON 21/02/2013 Roy and Kath Pearson Up to twelve Snipe feeding on a very wet field of kale. A Green Sandpiper was also present. WROOT SE721 026 Brian Hedley 20 February 2013 Whooper swan 73 Bewick's swan 7 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. Lincolnshire Coast NNRs including RSPB Wash Reserves See: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/species/birds/index.php http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/lwt/seals/index.php ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GIBRALTAR POINT NNR. http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/nr/reserve.php?mapref=22 Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory team is now doing a blog. http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE DUNES NNR. http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/nr/reserve.php?mapref=41 http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designatedareas/nnr/1006128.aspx Week ending 21st February 2013 John Walker, Roger Briggs, Steve Hall, Cliff Morrison, Peter & Janet Roworth Correction to the high of 10.0°C on the 14th reported last week, this should have been 13.0°C. The raw, dull weather continues, although the frost on 17th was followed by a sunny morning until the dense sea fog rolled in. And a further hard frost of -7.5°C on the 19th gave rise to a sunny day once the early morning fog had cleared. Bird observations of note included Gadwall 13 on Paradise pool on the 18th, up to 3 Hen Harriers reported, 3 Water Rails heard squealing near Rimac, 55 Redshank on the saltmarsh, and 11 Jackdaws in aerial display flights over Sea View. Birds on the Sea View Washland and adjacent Great Eau on the 21st were Wigeon 71, Teal 34, Mallard 8, Tufted Duck 2, Curlew 16 and Redshank 5. Earlier in the week small groups of Lapwing had been seen flying over the dunes towards the grazing marsh land. Six Yellowhammers were at the feeding station near Sea View on the 22nd. RSPB WASH Reserves - Frampton Marsh and Freiston Shore Reports for January 2012. John Badley Recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Assisted by Grahame Hopwood and Colin Jennings RSPB Frampton Marsh RSPB Freiston Shore Gibraltar Point NNR Other sites John Badley Recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Assisted by Colin Jennings ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. News from Far Ings NNR http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/nr/reserve.php?mapref=67 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Far Ings News W/E 22.02.13 BIRDS Max. nos. bittern blackbird 20+ black-headed gull 22 blue tit 8 carrion crow 4 chaffinch 9 common gull 13 coot 71 cormorant 2 curlew 8 dunlin 100 dunnock 4 gadwall 7 goldeneye 6 golden plover 30 goldfinch 7 GC grebe 3 great tit 4 greylag goose 60 herring gull 4 house sparrow 12 kestrel kingfisher lapwing 120 long tailed tit 4 magpie 6 mallard 14 marsh harrier F moorhen 5 mute swan 9 pheasant 2 pochard 19 redpoll 2 redshank 7 reed bunting 2 robin 8 shelduck 4 snipe song thrush sparrowhawk starling C.3,000 tawny owl teal 23 tufted duck 18 water rail wigeon 23 willow tit wood pigeon 8 wren 4 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6. News from Bardney Limewoods NNR http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/Limewoods/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Reports from the following locations will now be posted here to give an overview of Limewoods ecology. 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/ http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designatedareas/nnr/1006846.aspx 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 No report this week. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 *** 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 *** The British Myriapod & Isopod Group *** Imogen Wilde writes: The British Myriapod & Isopod Group (BMIG) will be having their Annual Field Meeting and AGM in Lincolnshire this year. The dates are Thursday 11th to Sunday 14th April 2013, and the group will be based at Scamblesby, Lincolnshire. Lincolnshire is relatively under-recorded for myriapods and isopods and this will be a good location for exploring under- worked areas, such as the Lincolnshire Wolds, the Limewoods, heaths near Market Rasen and Woodhall Spa and also coastal dunes. The AGM will be held on the evening of Friday 12 April. If you would like further information and a booking form for accommodation then please contact Imogen Wilde: imogen@imogenwilde.co.uk. All LNU members are very welcome, whether staying with the group in Scamblesby or making their own accommodation arrangements. *** 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 See: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/species/bfly/index.php *** 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 *** Whisby's Bee and Wasp List *** Dr Michael Archer and Alan Phillips have put together an impressive list. Have a look and see how many species you recognise by name! http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/whisby/index.php?id=73 Also see: http://norwegica.wordpress.com/author/norwegica/ *** OTTERS *** Readers are reminded that all dead Otters should be reported to the Environment Agency on 0800 807060. *** Hedgehog Survey *** Not yet sure if this will extend to the current autumn/winter. http://www.hedgehogstreet.org/pages/hibernation-survey.html *** Mammal Records *** Mammal records can reported to Chris Manning E-mail: Chris.LincsDeer@gmail.com Mink reports also 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 *** LNU Moths Gallery *** There is a moth page on the LNU Website, to promote the recording of moths across the county. http://www.lnu.org/ Also see: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/species/hawkmoths/index.php *** 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. Wildlife Trust Website http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/ Useful emergency numbers for wildlife crises. http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/factsheets/ Websites of LWT Area Groups: http://lincstrust.org.uk/lwt/areagroups.php 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 http://www.lnu.org/ www.limewoods.co.uk limewoods@lincolnshire.gov.uk The Sir Joseph Banks Society Contact 01507 528223 or by e-mail: enquiries@joseph-banks.org.uk. http://www.lnu.org/ 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 in my garden 2011: http://www.lnu.org/ www.flickr.com/photos/angleshades Alan Dale's Bugs and Weeds http://www.bugsandweeds.co.uk/ Mike Binnion writes: Common Butterflies http://www.grimsbywildlife.co.uk/otherattractions.htm http://www.grimsbywildlife.co.uk/ Youtube videos by Colin Green. Little Scrubbs Meadon http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inqCJLrTQmg&feature=relmfu Greetwell Hollow http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QmzLFrbjFU&feature=plcp Rimac http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s02O5JJoilQ&feature=plcp *** Other Useful E-mail Addresses *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union: info@lnu.org Gibraltar Point: gibpoint@lincstrust.co.uk Far Ings: farings@lincstrust.co.uk Whisby Nature Park: whisbynp@lincstrust.co.uk NEW Syke's Farm: lwt@sykesfarm.org.uk Lincs. Trust HQ: The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust main e-mail address: info@lincstrust.co.uk Lincolnshire FWAG: lincoln@fwag.org.uk Hartsholme Country Park: hartsholmecp@lincoln.gov.uk If you would like your e-mail listed here, please let me know. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9. Notes about these wildlife reports ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We do our best to ensure accuracy in our reporting but these records are sent in by a variety of reporters, from complete beginners to professionals. They therefore vary in reliability and in certain cases they are impossible to verify. If further information is needed on locations or reporters, or if you wish to question/confirm any of these records, contact: rparsons@enterprise.net Bulletins are sent to Biological Recorders at the Lincs. Wildlife Trust, Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. [Note: Where plants are reported, this is usually because they have been seen and identified in flower.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10. The Bulletin's publicity policy ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We will sometimes withhold precise details of the location of rare or endangered species. Please point out any sensitive or "tricky" reports of this kind. Sensitive data should go directly to county recorders, please. We ask that you respect the interests of wildlife and site owners if you report to national networks. Make a point of explaining site sensitivity and any restrictions on access. An interest in wildlife is not a licence to act irresponsibly/thoughtlessly to landowners, who may well be partners in important conservation work. [Remember - views expressed in the Bulletin do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions on the LNU or associated organisations. In particular this applies to such agencies, especially charities, taking a political stance.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11. LNU Events Diary For LNU meetings also see www.lnu.org/events.php ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Field Meetings generally start at 12 noon for 1.00pm, but please check the website details for each event. Unless otherwise stated, Indoor Meetings are held on Saturdays at the Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park, Moor Lane, Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln and start at 2pm. Sunday, April 28, 2013 Field Meeting Broughton Far Wood SSSI and adjacent Clapgate Pits Reserve (Courtesy of John Clegg & Co and Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust) East of Scunthorpe 12.00 for 13.00 start. Park on verge of B1208 at SE961 109 just under 1km east of junction with B1207, NW of Wressle. Habitats: Broadleaved woodland, scrub, calcareous grassland Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Sunday, May 19, 2013 Field Meeting Hills and Hollows Quarry, Harrowby (Courtesy of Londonthorpe and Harrowby Parish Council) Just east of Grantham. 13.00 start on site. Two limited space parking spots on road verges at SK928351 and SK937353. The western parking spot along Coldharbour Lane has fairly steep path up to site (follow path north then east to site). From the eastern parking spot (on a bend of Turnor Road) follow path west direct to site. Meet up at SE corner of site for 1pm. NB. Some steep slopes present. Habitats: Calcareous grassland, scrub, broadleaved woodland. Leader: Charlie Barnes 01507 526667 charlie.barnes@glnp.org.uk Saturday, May 25, 2013 Meeting with Lincs Geodiversity Group Welton-le-Wold Quarry SSSI West of Louth 10.30-15.30 (bring lunch) Park at TF281879 (LN11 0QT) Site to be sign-posted off the A631 west of Louth. Habitats: Woodland, grassland, scrub. Leader: Helen Gamble 07958 805213 helen.gamble@lincolnshire.gov.uk Guide available from info@lnu.org Saturday, June 08, 2013 Field Meeting - With evening moth/bat element Allington Meadows SSSI (Courtesy of Bill Cragg) Northwest of Grantham 12.00 for 13.00 start and then 9pm start for evening session. Car parking at SK871399 about half way along minor road between Allington and Gonerby Moor junction of A1. Habitats: Hay meadows, hedges, ponds and Foston Beck. Leader: Barry Johnson barryjohnson131@gmail.com Sunday, June 30, 2013 Field Meeting Brampton Farmland (Courtesy of R and A Brownlow) Northwest of Saxilby 12.00 for 13.00 start. Take track to east side of A156 (between Torksey and Marton) immediately north of where the road crosses a large drain. Follow the track which runs parallel with the drain and then take first track on left to small car park at SK842808. Habitats: Arable, grassland, ponds, drains, broadleaved woodland and vegetated sandhills. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Friday, July 12, 2013 Bioblitz Event + Saturday 13 July Whisby Nature Park Southwest of Lincoln Use main car park (£1 fee applicable, 10am-4pm period) located at SK910662. Bioblitz "nerve centre" will be the Education Centre (not main visitor centre) and will open from 10am each day. Come and go when you like and see what species you can add. A range of experts will be around the site both days. Evening moth trapping and bat recording starting from about 9pm on Friday night, depending on weather. Event includes evening moth element. Habitats: Wide variety including woodland, grassland, brownfield habitats, lakes, ditches and marsh. Contacts: Phil Porter 01522 500676 whisbynp@lincstrust.co.uk and Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Sunday, August 04, 2013 Field Meeting Middlemarsh Farm (Courtesy of J and S Dodsworth) Southwest of Skegness 12.00 for 13.00 start. Take minor road southwards situated about half way between the Burgh bypass and Skegness. Private track to the farm is on left about 1.25km from main road. Keep on track for about 1km and park in farm yard at TF528632. Habitats: Pasture, wetland recreation area, ditches and some arable. Leaders: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Saturday, September 07, 2013 Field Visit - With evening moth/bat element Byrons Lodge and Farm, North Somercotes, (Courtesy of B and L Libell) 12.00 for 13.00 start. Evening moth/bat session starting at 7.30pm. Park along driveway to Byrons Lodge at TF415973 (postcode LN11 7LL) or on minor road verge nearby. Take Jubilee Road off the A1031 and then turn left onto Bank End road. Then take first right and Byrons Lodge is about 150m along on right. NB. Owner has stipulated no children for this one. Habitats: Pasture, pond, young woodland and various drains. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Sunday, October 13, 2013 Fungus Foray Snipe Dales Country Park - Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust East of Horncastle, 12.00 for 13.00 start. Use the Country Park car park (£1 fee) TF330 682 which is well signposted from the A158 Skegness- -Lincoln road and from the B1195 Horncastle--Spilsby road. Some steep slopes present. Habitats: Grassland, marsh and mixed woodland. Leader: Ray Halstead 07772 613640 ray.halstead@tiscali.co.uk ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails This Week *** If you hear of anyone bemoaning the lack of a Bulletin, please refer them to the Bulletin Portal where they will find a copy. http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html If you are having difficulties with spam folders etc. please make sure you "Whitelist" my address as given in the Bulletin. Latest Mailfails. Please update your profile if necessary or you could be deleted from the mailing list. "Hard bounce" thomas.brannigan "soft bounces" dawalker ibirch nrowbottom *** And Finally ... I have not received any amazing or entertaining clips this week. Contributions always welcome. Thanks. ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/