============================================ || || 14th July 2013 || || LNU Website: || http://www.lnu.org/ || News of Lincolnshire Wildlife || ============================================ In this issue..... 1. Readers hints, tips and requests 2. Wildlife Highlights 3. Wildlife reports from around the county 4. News from the Lincolnshire Coast 5. News from Far Ings NNR 6. News from Bardney Limewoods NNR 7. Sending in Reports - contributors please read! 8. Contact information 9. Notes about these wildlife reports 10. Bulletin publicity policy 11. Events Diary 12. ...and finally..... ============================================ The Lincolnshire Naturalists Union Bulletin is being read by 1090 people and we are keen to encourage even more readers to subscribe. LNU Wildnews Bulletins are available on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Note: Each address contains the relevant date. Views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union or any associated organisations. Reports here are open and are available to county recorders of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. Please contact the Editor to join up and contribute articles or reports. [Or cancel!] E-mail: rparsons@enterprise.net ============================================ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. Readers hints, tips and requests ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Editor Writes *** This hot week has brought out our local grass snakes. Three sightings near or on our compost bins give a clue to what may be happening inside. These beautiful and fascinating creatures are always good to see, but since they became more regular here our tadpole crop has dwindled to nothing. This has been an excellent cuckoo year, with calling noted almost daily in two locations, the Witham Bank and Canada Farm. Yesterday was the first time we detected real change in the sound of the call, the famous "change of tune". They will be much missed when they set off for their winter home. To our surprise, swallows are in the process of raising a brood in the outbuilding after a failure of an earlier try. We blame the cold and wet conditions at the end of May for the death of those chicks. Hopefully this brood will be a success. Those of you who have noticed how quickly time flies will not need reminding that dates on reports should include the Year! This is in case they become detached from the Bulletin context when copied, losing this critical information. I once took over a job where my predecessor never used year dates! He only kept two files, one for In and one for Out. This was not a good system. Please year-date all records. It would be good to boost readership of the Bulletin. Please use the link at the end on the Mailchimp version to forward it to a friend. Failing that, please ask them to e-mail me their request on rparsons@enterprise.net 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. 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 *** Farm and Country Business watch *** Every Lincolnshire-based reader has good reasons to support "Farm and Country Business watch". Rural and Wildlife-related crime affects all of us. This scheme keeps us informed of local incidents and dangers and helps support Nick Willey and his Police colleagues. Sign up via: http://www.lincs.police.uk/News-Centre/Campaigns/Farm-And-Country-Business-Watch/ *** Gainsborough Area LWT *** 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 *** Lincolnshire Firewood Fair *** Sunday, September 8th at Revesby Estate. An annual event for those who want to buy fuel wood or woodland products with environment-friendly credentials. Category Winner in Lincolnshire Environmental Awards 2012. http://www.lincolnshirefirewoodfair.co.uk/ *** Reminder - Look out for Wool-carder bees *** In the next couple of months look out for the Wool-carder bee Anthidium manicatum. Look for it in the garden on or around Lambs-ear Stachys byzantine/lanata. The male bees, which are larger than the females, set up territories around these plants and will chase any bee-like insect away. The females visit the plants to ‘card’ the fine hairs with which they line their nests. Identification guides and further info here (note: the distribution maps are somewhat out of date): http://www.bwars.com/index.php?q=bee/megachilidae/anthidium-manicatum *** Seen any Glow Worms? *** http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/life/Lampyris_noctiluca Please send records to the Bulletin for Charlie Barnes *** Get Ready for Black Ant Flying Days *** Black Ant Flying Days, when winged adults emerge to mate, are supposed to fall on or about 8th/9th July, but given the unpredictable weather it could be earlier or later. Your reports will be welcome. Many species do nuptial flights and so Alan Phillips will welcome observations and ant specimens for identification. Contact him on: norwegica@yahoo.co.uk See: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-18983219 *** Whale and Dolphin Watch - 27th/28th July *** Dave Miller writes: A harbour porpoise was seen of the coast on 4th June at Anderby Creek from the Cloud Bar. This is to be one of the venues for this year’s National Whale and Dolphin Watch Weekend on 27th & 28th July. I am also running a watch from Skegness Pier. I could do with some more volunteers to help man these watches if you are available. I usually split the day in two – 10–1 & 1–4. Any help is much appreciated. If you can, please contact me on: dmiller@lincstrust.co.uk *** Report Ash Dieback in Lincolnshire *** Link for Chalara fraxinea reports: http://www.forestry.gov.uk/chalara *** RSPB Lincoln *** See: http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ *** S Lincs RSPB *** See: http://www.southlincsrspb.org.uk ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2. Wildlife Highlights ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Bird News from Rare Birds Alert *** Rare Bird Alert has kindly given permission to reproduce reports. A big thank you from us all. Interested readers should have a look at the RBA website: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ 5/7 2 Ruddy Shelduck, Alkborough flats 6/7 Ruddy Shelduck, Alkborough flats 7/7 4 Whooper Swans, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh 8/7 Scaup, Gibraltar Point, Tennyson's Sands common Rosefinch 1s m, Donna Nook 9/7 Spoonbill, Alkborough flats Scaup, Gibraltar Point, on The Wash Spoonbill, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh 10/7 Caspian Gull, 4 Yellow-legged Gulls, Bonby, opposite recycling plant Caspian gull, 3 Yellow-legged gulls, North Hykeham, Lincoln tip Spoonbill, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh 11/7 Wood Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh Common Crane flew north over Marston Sewage Works 12/7 3 Wood sandpiper, 9 Green Sandpipers, Frampton Marsh Note: I am adapting my RBA pager information for the Bulletin by eliminating or summarising/consolidating repeated messages. When there is a lot of information I will stick to highlights. Please visit the RBA website for updates or fuller details. Bird Alert website: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ Here you can register free to use the site and get free trials of their subscription services. Strongly recommended. [Please mention the Bulletin if you decide to subscribe.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3. Wildlife news from around the county ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** The Roger Goy Column *** Remembering Roger Goy's wildlife information work. GRIMSTHORPE Chris Howes sent: 30/06/13 1 Glow worm in the garden Scottlethorpe TF045204 06/07/13 2 Clouded Yellows Grimsthorpe Park TF047205 06/07/13 Moth trap highlights include 3 Blackneck and 2 Barred Yellow TF047205 07/07/13 20+ Marbled Whites flying in the New Quarry TF043206 *** 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. BRACEBY 7/7/13 M. Ellis Our neighbours report spotted flycatcher nested for 2nd year in their wisteria. Young look almost ready to leave nest. BELMONT MAST Jenna Poole Badger RTA on road by Belmont mast, roughly TF215837. Large adult 9am 6.7.13 (Had disappeared by return journey at 4/5pm.) BRIGG Julie Ellison 12/07/13 Bank of the River Ancholme, next to Ancholme Leisure Centre, Brigg SE 993 068 Pied Wagtail 1 Mallard pair with 3 half sized ducklings Froglets 2 (fully formed) sitting on stems and leaves at waters edge BUTTERWICK 09/07/2013 Roy and Kath Pearson We did the Wider Countryside Butterfly Survey today on our BBS square that lies between the village and the first sea bank. It is mainly brassica country. Forty butterflies of 8 species were recorded. Large White 1 Small White 2 Red Admiral 3 Painted Lady 1 Small Tortoiseshell 12 Peacock 1 Meadow Brown 4 Ringlet 16 Among the birds of interest were four Yellow Wagtails and one Buzzard. CAISTOR Wendy Handford Reports from contributors to Caistor records Week beginning 5.7.13 Brigg Road verge, disturbed, TA 111 026 Lesser sea-spurrey 6th July Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 On Trailcam, 5 mammal species: Badger, 11.30pm 9th July Bat, Common pipistrelle probably, 12.30am 9th July Foxes, 4, nightly Hedgehog 10pm 8th July Rabbits, about 5 every day Great spotted woodpecker, newly fledged, calling on lawn 10th July Green woodpecker, juvenile, on lawn 9th July Tawny owl feeding on Grey squirrel roadkill, 10pm 5th July Frog, 1 year old, under rockery stone, 11th July Common ground beetles, about 40, under wet card on bricks 9th July Daddy log-legs spiders, 5, in utility room 11th July Meadow brown 8th July Ringlets, 3, in meadow 5th July 6-spot burnett hatches from pupa 5th July First flowers of: Greater spearwort 5th July Sainfoin 9th July Tufted vetch 7th July Wild marjoram 9th July Caistor Wildlife Area TA 111 015 5th July Creeping thistle Meadow saxifrage Meadow sweet Spear thistle The Meadow’ wildflower area TA 113 009 In flower on 8th July Clary Common mallow Common poppy Corn chamomile Corn marigold Corncockle Cornflower Dyer’s rocket Hedge mustard Hop trefoil Ox-eye daisy South Street garden TA 119 012 moth traps 05/06 July Beautiful golden y Bright line brown eye. New on Caistor list Buff ermine Burnished brass Cabbage moth Cinnabar Clouded silver. New on Caistor list Common carpet Common quaker. New on Caistor list Common wainscot Dark arches Dark sword grass. New on Caistor list Dusky brocade. New on Caistor list Elephant hawk moth Flame shoulder Garden dart Green pug Grey dagger Heart and dart Hebrew character Light arches Marbled green. New on Caistor list Marbled minor Middle barred minor Peppered moth normal & black form. New on Caistor list Plain golden y Silver ground carpet Silver y Small elephant hawk moth. New on Caistor list Small fan foot Small wainscot Snout Spectacle moth The flame Willow beauty Westbrook Grove TA 117 012 8th July Biting stonecrop Common reed Great willowherb White stonecrop Wolds Retreat TA 107 033 Crows pecking at rubber around car windows Kestrel regularly perching on satellite dish COLEBY Julie Ellison 06/07/13 Entrance to farm track, southern side of Coleby SE 899 194 Common Toad 1 (adult) COLSTERWORTH SK929235 [2013] JANE OSTLER On 24th June I was shown photographs of pollen laden Tree Bumble Bees (Bombus hypnorum) entering a bird box. The sparrow-sized entrance had been partly sealed up. A "large dark bumble bee had been seen near this entrance apparently attacking entering bees some of which dropped to the ground. When I went to look the entrance hole seemed to have an addition of what appeared to be a partly completed cell. More surprising was the fact that the bees leaving and exiting were now workers of the early nesting bee (Bombus pratorum). Today, 8th July, I hear that bees entering are again being attacked. I have asked that this time , if the owner can obtain a photo he doesn't delete it. I am confused as to what is going on. SK930246 On July 7th brought a dead hornet to confirm its identification. Local beekeeper is plagued by them as he is dealing with his hives. Are they attracted by honey or the larvae? SK931244 Also on 7th July went to a house where a moth had been caught at the window. Unfortunately it did not live up to expectations being one of those little grey jobs which are so difficult to identify. It took me the rest of the evening to decide Bright Line Brown Eye Moth - common and a pest of tomato plants. SK948238 Retired farmer brought from his garden, which backs out into fields and woods, the remains of a hedgehog. It had been eviscerated and with the emptied skin there was a head from which the flesh had been taken. I believe this to be the work of a badger which can unroll the hedghog with its powerful claws. Elsewhere a plant which has turned up in a "wildflower mix" is doing exceedingly well but is an annual garden plant from California, Phaecelia tanacetifolia. EAST BARKWITH - WICKENBY Robert Walker 7/7/13 Out on cycle ride in the area the following items seen:- TF154825 Lapwings 30+ on corner of sugar beet field. Red Kite 1 nearby on edge of same field. TF140866 Badger 1 Dead on side of road TF141871 Brown Hare 1 Also seen Buzzards 2 Kestrel 1 GRANTHAM 10.07.13 Mick Todd While travelling from Spalding towards Grantham on the A52, I noticed a dead fallow deer on the side of the road (about a mile before the Ancaster turn off) HEIGHINGTON TF025696 John Nickson 18th to 20th June 2013 Angle Shades Barred Straw Beautiful Hook tip Bordered Pug Bright Line Brown Eye Brimstone Buff Ermine Clay Common Emerald Common Footman Common Pug Common Wainscot Coronet Dark Arches Dot Moth Double Square Spot Elephant Hawkmoth Flame Green Pug Heart and Dart Iron Prominent Large Yellow Underwing Light Arches Light Emerald Marbled Beauty Marbled Minor Pale Prominent Peppered Moth Poplar Grey Poplar Hawkmoth Riband Wave Rosy Minor Rustic Setaceous Hebrew Character Silver Ground Carpet Small Rivulet Swallow Tail Moth Treble Lines Uncertain Willow Beauty HUTTOFT TF512 763 (my garden) JANE PENNINGTON Date: 6 July Meadow brown butterflies 2 Large white butterfly 1 Date: 7 July Meadow brown butterflies 2 Speckled wood butterfly 1 Cardinal beetle 1 Date: 9 July Speckled wood butterflies 2 Great tits 4 Also, first thing in the morning I found a huge hole in the side of the ditch forming part of my boundary. The hole is a foot across and deep. Lots of bees, Bombus terrestris, were frantic around it and a couple were dead close by. I made the assumption that a badger dug out the nest (a wasp's nest was destroyed by a badger in the garden 2 summers ago). Bees were active around the hole from 9/7 to this evening, 12/7 and tonight one bee was seen going into a small hole inside the big entrance. It seems their nest was not destroyed after all. Phew! Date: 10/7 Meadow brown butterflies 2 Speckled wood butterflies 2 Date: 11/7 Meadow brown butterflies 2 Speckled wood butterflies 2 Date: 12/7 Meadow brown butterflies 2 Speckled wood butterflies 3 NOCTON RISE - TF044646 Charlie Barnes 09/07/2013 Hedgehog, dead on road PINCHBECK 09.07.13 Mick Todd While taking a break at work I noticed a clouded yellow butterfly flying over the grass field I was parked on. It seemed to be flying between patches of white clover but didn't land on any of them, possibly because they weren't fully opened. On another site (our trial grounds next to A16) a colleague was grass cutting and spotted a snake skin on the dyke side, he picked it up and passed it on to me. It was a complete skin measuring about 90 cm in length, this would probably make it an adult female grass snake. RIPPINGALE TF09422767 Pauline Warman 05/07/2013 Large Yellow Underwing - 1 Beautiful Golden Y - 1 Triple-spotted Clay - 7 Flame - 5 Dark Arches - 8 Clay - 4 Brown-line Bright Eye - 4 Light Arches - 4 Clouded Border - 2 Figure of Eighty - 1 Thistle Ermine - 1 Peppered Moth - 8 Small Elephant Hawk-moth - 8 Coronet - 5 Ghost Moth - 1 Grey Dagger - 3 Riband Wave - 6 Common Footman - 2 Heart and Dart - 17 Spectacle - 1 Straw Dot - 1 Triple-spotted Clay - 7 Ringed China-mark - 1 Common Quaker - 7 Large Fruit-tree Tortrix - 1 Fan-foot - 2 Green Oak Tortrix - 1 Poplar Grey - 3 Barred Red - 1 Blood-vein - 1 Common Wainscot - 2 Marbled Minor - 14 Shoulder-striped Wainscot - 3 Pseudargyrotoza conwagana - 1 Buff Ermine - 1 Swallow-tailed Moth - 2 Dot Moth - 2 Hebrew Character - 1 Buff Arches - 2 Cinnabar - 1 Willow Beauty - 2 SEACROFT MARSH SSSI 12/07/2013 Dave Miller Blue Tit 2 Chaffinch 1 Chiffchaff 1 Dunnock 2 Great Black-backed Gull 1 House Martin 13 Linnet 1 Meadow Pipit 22 Redshank 1 Sand Martin 1 Skylark 3 Starling 15 Swallow 5 Swift 2 Turtle Dove 2 Whitethroat 3 Woodpigeon 1 Meadow Brown 2 Ringlet 9 WAINFLEET FLATS 12/07/2013 Dave Miller Black-headed Gull 28 Crow 6 Common Gull 2 Corn Bunting 1 singing Curlew 1 Golden Plover 28 Herring gull 1 Little Egret 1 Meadow Pipit 6 Oystercatcher 1 Redshank 3 Sand Martin 4 Skylark 8 Swallow 16 Swift 17 Whimbrel 1 Meadow Brown 23 Ringlet 2 Small/Essex Skipper 1 WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 7/7/13 Cuckoo calling 8/7 Cuckoo calling Bat spp hunting, 21.45 echolocating @ approx 55KHz 9/7 Buzzard on electricity pole along Hurnbridge Road.[AP] Cuckoo calling. "Change of tune" noted. Grass snake basking near compost heap. 10/7 Cuckoo calling. Evening feeding frenzy of House martins suggested flying ants about. 11/7 Cuckoo calling 6am. Also one calling at Canada Farm. Grass snake - large - probably female - on the move in garden. Common Buzzard over garden. 12/7 Cuckoo still calling 5.30am Large f grass snake basking by compost bins, 11am. Common frog 13/7 Cuckoo still calling WINTERTON Julie Ellison 06/07/13 North end of houses on Northlands Rd, Winterton SE 924 194 & SE 924 193 Starlings about 100 on roofs and wires, mixed adults and juveniles - not usually as many as this together here. This year and last, there has been a starling nest in the damaged west- facing fascia on my Mother's house in SE 924 193, which she hasn't had fixed because she likes having the nest. Both years the broods have successfully fledged from here. SE 924 194 only House Martin nest 1 + 2 failed House Martin nests (not built very well and abandoned), that I saw House Sparrows going in and out of, although I've not seen them in these nests since the 6th. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 12thJuly 2013 John Walker, Roger Briggs, Steve Hall, Cliff Morrison, Peter & Janet Roworth Day time temperatures peaked at 23.5°C on the 6thand with it came a flurry of butterflies particularly ringlet, meadow brown and large and small skipper. Also azure damselflies were plentiful. However the rest of the week has been fresh with low cloud and cool winds from the northerly sector. The dry spell continues with no rain since the 2nd(5.8mm). Additional plants in flower on the dune grassland now include common centaury, restharrow, agrimony, self-heal and carline thistle. A few marsh helliborines are coming into flower on the freshwater marsh. The passage of wetland birds is now beginning to pick up with Black-headed Gulls increasing in numbers to 110 on the 9th, Common Gulls up to 20 adults on the 11th and waders include Sanderling 1 on the 4thand 11th, Dunlin 7 south on the 9th, Greenshank 2 south on the 9th, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits on the 10thand 1 Green Sandpiper on the 6th. Several Whimbrel in ones and twos have been seen and heard flying over during the week. Also on most days Sandwich Terns, Gannets and Cormorants have occurred in small numbers. Of particular interest Common Scoter have been seen in flocks on the sea with up to 200+ birds but on the high tide on the 10thCliff Morrison had 3,000+ birds… Cliff commented “The large raft was not actually visible until a wind farm service vessel passed by closer to the shore than normal and put them up. This is the largest single flock of Scoter that I am aware of here, but early summer flocks of 100-400 are typical at this time and migrating flocks can be regularly seen moving north along the coast from mid-June to August and then again in the autumn migration. Since they fly onwards up the Humber, I presume that they continue on and cross the country to the west coast. Whilst watching further down the coast in the Sandilands area, it is sometimes possible to see the Scoter flocks coming in from the east and then turning north a couple of miles from shore. According to Birds of the Western Palearctic, large numbers of post-breeding Russian Common Scoter migrate westwards along the Arctic coast in June, overland to the Gulf of Finland and then on crossing Jutland, where the gather off- shore in the North Sea coast of Denmark to moult. On a MARINElife survey a couple of weeks ago, we saw Common Scoter flying south across the Skagerrak towards Denmark. I wonder whether the birds along our coast this week had already completed their moult ahead of arriving here?” Other birds of note have included a single Crossbill near Brickyard on the 6th, Curlew 100+ between Sea View and Churchill during the week and several small flocks of Starlings on the saltmarsh. RSPB WASH Reserves - Frampton Marsh and Freiston Shore http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/collections/thewash_northnorfolk.aspx Reports for June 2013 John Badley Recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Assisted by Grahame Hopwood and Colin Jennings RSPB Frampton Marsh A Spoonbill was seen at the beginning of the month (1st & 2nd), with a Ruddy Shelduck putting in a briefer appearance later (24th). Rather unseasonal were three Whooper Swans (12th). In stark contract to the previous year only one Garganey was seen (8th). Raptors included Red Kite and Hobby, both reported on three dates, but it was waders that provided the real draw. 27 species were recorded with two Black-winged Stilts (3rd), Pectoral Sandpiper (3rd-7th) and Temminck’s Stint (7th) the highlights. The supporting cast included Little Stint (6th), Curlew Sandpiper (6th-9th & 14th-18th), Wood Sandpiper (20th) and up to four each of Ruff and Spotted Redshank. Two Little and two Mediterranean Gulls were regular and up to three Black Terns were also seen. A Redstart was seen on one date (14th). RSPB Freiston Shore - see "Other sites" Gibraltar Point NNR Two Common Cranes (2nd) and a Great White Egret (25th) paid brief visits, as did a Montagu’s Harrier (18th). Spring was still in full flow early in the month with both male and female Red-backed Shrikes (1st &7th), 13 Turtle Doves and Crossbill (1st), singling Icterine Warbler and Hooded Crow (2nd), Serin (3rd), two Common Rosefinches (3rd-9th), Garganey (6th) and Black Redstart (7th). Golden Orioles were recorded on a couple of dates later in the month (15th & 30th) and a Marsh Warbler was trapped and ringed (20th). Little, Mediterranean and Yellow-legged Gulls were all seen on two or three dates. Other sites The highlight was a Gull-billed Tern at Kirkby Pits (18th). Odd June records were Whooper Swan was at Willow Tree Fen (7th) and Goldeneye at Kirkby Pits (20th). A Crane flew over Bracebridge Heath (5th), while a White Stork flew over Whisby Nature Park (19th). A Great White Egret was reported at Thurlby Fen (20th). Five Sanderlings were Baston-Langtoft Pits (5th), with Little Tern and Little Gull there too (10th). A Black Tern was at Freiston Shore (8th) shortly followed by a Wood Sandpiper there (10th). Interestingly more Red Kites were reported than Hobbies, while the late spring possibly accounted for three Osprey sightings, at Marston STW (4th), Anwick Fen (25th) and Stoke Rochford (27th). John Badley Recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Assisted by Colin Jennings ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. News from Far Ings NNR http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designations/nnr/1083404.aspx http://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-Of-Far-Ings-National-Nature-Reserve/186876774685595 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Far Ings News 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 *** 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, 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, 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 - see notes above. The following subscribes suffered "bounces" from the last mailing @rspb - all users of this RSPB ISP "Soft bounces" were as follows. chrisjpotts Clox *** And finally..... Bats in Danger? http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/23161183 ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/