============================================ || || 9th June 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 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 back from my travels, a visit to the Galapagos, an ambition of a lifetime. Whilst I was still working this was not a feasible jaunt, but once I retired it at last became a possibility. It lived up to all my expectations. The company we went with was almost local, Beverley-based. http://www.thinkgalapagos.com/ Several of the places we stayed come along to the Rutland Bird Fair, so if you are interested in birding in Ecuador cloud forest check these out 16th - 18th August. http://www.birdfair.org.uk/ I shall do my best to assemble the many contributions that have come in whilst I was away. Many thanks for these. I will try to do individual thank-yous as I go though them. It will be a bit of a rush, so please forgive any typos. THE LNU will have a pitch in the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust tent at the Lincolnshire Show this year. Do drop by for a chat with us.Show Tickets are available at lots of outlets including the Co-op. I bought mine there last week. See: http://www.lincolnshireshow.co.uk/ Reminder - senior readers will know how quickly time flies by and the memory becomes increasingly unreliable! Please put the YEAR in the date of your reports in case they become separated from the Bulletin for any reason. 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. NOTE CANCELLATION - IMPORTANT Brian Hedley writes: Due to various access issues, including the area where parking was arranged has now been sold and new owner is unwilling for us to use it, I've regrettably decided to cancel the LNU meeting on 30th June at Brampton. Report of Harrowby Field Meeting from charlie Barnes: HILLS AND HOLLOWS QUARRY, HARROWBY SK930356 Charlie Barnes 19 May 2013 A warm, still, sunny day welcomed 11 attendees to the Hills and Hollows site, courtesy of Londonthorpe and Harrowby Without Parish Council, led by Charlie Barnes. Well surveyed botanically in the previous seasons, over 85 plants species were noted on the day including dropwort, small scabious, wild thyme, stemless thistle, common rockrose and downy oat-grass. Six species of butterflies, including over 15 orange-tips, a number of moths (e.g. the yellow streaked micro moth Esperia sulphurella in a burnt out oak) and bumble bees were recorded. 17 species of birds were recorded including skylark, yellowhammer and reed bunting. Beetles included the Nationally Notable species Platyderus depressus (a ground beetle) and Platyrhinus resinosus (a weevil), which feeds on King alfred cakes fungus (also present). The yellow striped flea beetle Phyllotreta ochripes, which has been recorded less than 10 times in Lincolnshire before, was also present in good numbers on garlic mustard. A fungal gall on Viola odorata is awaiting identification, along with a number of snails, diptera and aculeate hymenoptera. Despite being less than 8 hectares, the site holds a wealth of wildlife and will be well worth a visit as the season progresses. Next Field Event: 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 *** Whale and Dolphin Watching 27/8 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 *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** Carolyn Lovely On Saturday 15th June 2013 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them on a visit to Mayflower Wood owned by Conoco near Immingham, with Alan Jones and Mick Binnion. Please meet at 2pm at the main entrance car park off Eastfield Road South (Grid ref. TA 1591158) south of the traffic lights with the petrol station on the A160. We are hoping to see plenty of wild flowers and birds. Please wear suitable clothing and footwear. Free event but donations will be welcomed for the Trust. For further details contact Jennie Redpath- 01472 502858. *** Beetle to Watch For *** Charlie Barnes writes: Elater ferrugineus, the Rusty Click Beetle, is classified as endangered in the UK, with records restricted to a few areas in Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and London. Surveying involves using a pheromone baited trap to attract the beetle, mark it using ink and releasing. Following the poor summer in 2012, it is hoped to repeat the survey in 2013. We didn’t get any positive reports of Elater ferrugineus in Lincolnshire during the previous round of surveys – will 2013 be the year? Volunteers will be required to monitor traps set to attract the beetle. If you're interested in taking part, contact Charlie Barnes for more information. charlie.barnes@glnp.org.uk *** Oil Beetles - The Hunt Continues - Reminder *** For the third year running, Buglife are promoting a national survey for our species of oil beetle, although only two of them (the Black oil beetle and the Violet oil beetle) have ever been seen in Lincolnshire. See: http://www.buglife.org.uk/getinvolved/surveys/Oil+Beetle+Hunt/Oil+Beetle+Hunt+-+The+Fab+Four.htm Records of oil beetles will help towards their conservation under the Biodiversity Action Plan - if you think you've seen one, let us know! Charlie Barnes County Recorder for Beetles charlie.barnes@glnp.org.uk *** Useful Hoverfly photos *** http://www.uknature.co.uk/hoverflies.html http://www.bugsandweeds.co.uk/hoverflies.html *** 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 *** 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 *** Volunteer needed for LNU Book sales *** The LNU needs a volunteer Publications person to take charge of the sale of our Books. Ian Macalpine-Leny has been doing this alongside his work as Treasurer, but he would like to pass it on. You would need space to store stock and there is scope to develop and promote this side of the LNU's scientific work. To see how this is organised at present visit the following LNU page: http://www.lnu.org/publications.php If you think you might be interested, e-mail the LNU Hon. Secretary: charlie.barnes@glnp.org.uk *** Processionary Moth *** N. Loxley writes: Spraying. I hope the authorities are aware that there is also another variety present in the UK, The Pine Processionary Moth as well as the Oak variety. Perhaps you could bring this to the attention of readers? Pine Processionaries were seen and confirmed at Sherwood in Center Parcs by a friend in Gainsborough who had sent advices to the relevant body. http://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/news/roundup/articles/2013/05/11/89290-helicopter-called-in-to-kill-poison-caterpillars-/ Chris and Glen add: Helicopter called in to kill poison caterpillars/Reading Chronicle These are the oak version. The ones we saw at Sherwood Center Parcs were the pine type. Perhaps they'll spray those if they survived the winter? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ Reports resume next week. 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. MIGRANTS IN THE NETHERLANDS Annette Faulkner writes: I thought this might be of interest to the birders amongst the Bulletin readers. Our recent holiday in the Netherlands, from 22th April to 2nd May, was split into two halves. For the first half we travelled by train from Schiphol airport straight down to the province of Limburg, a sort of appendix that dips into Belgium, and bounded on the east by Germany. It is roughly on the same latitude as Cornwall. We have been there before, and it’s a bit like a cross between the Lincolnshire Wolds and parts of North Yorkshire – not what people imagine the Netherlands to be like at all – with mixed farming and plenty of woodland. When we arrived chiffchaffs were well established, but only a few blackcaps and very few willow warblers. We stayed till 26th, and during that time blackcaps were pouring in, so that by the time we left they were everywhere. Still very few willow warblers though, and just one cuckoo, on 25th, but we also had a lesser whitethroat, a few garden warblers, and then whitethroats started to turn up. Swallows were very busy round the farms and my sister spotted a yellow wagtail at a site she’s seen on previously. From 27th we were at Hilversum, between Amsterdam and Utrecht, and roughly on a line with Suffolk. This town is probably a bit bigger than Boston, but is surrounded by wetlands, heath and some woodland. On our last day there we visited a wetland nature reserve at a place called Ankeveen where we had plenty of willow warblers, a grasshopper warbler (or were there two?), NO cuckoos, the first sedge warbler but no reed warbler, though good habitat for them and they are recorded there, and other migrants that we’d recorded earlier. It was considered that everything was about three weeks late. Not being a birder I don’t keep records of first arrivals. How does this compare with the UK? Colin Green on Butterflies: 25/5/2013 The Swallowbeck from the bridge on Hykeham Road to the Swallowbeck Church on Newark Road, Lincoln. 1430 hrs sunny and warm. Walking back from the allotment. Many whites seen, only able to id 2 x Large Whites, 2 x Sm Whites and one Orange tip (M) rest were too fast and too distant. 2 x Peacocks and 1 x Small Tortoiseshell. Plenty of distant whites on the Hykeham road allotments plus 1 x Peacock on mine. (Numbers quoted are the most seen from one, fixed point at a given moment) 04 Jun 13:- Southrey Wood 3 x Large whites nectaring on Viper's Bugloss; 2 x Speckled Wood in aerial combat; 1 x Green-veined White on Ragged Robin; other whites seen but too distant to id. Snakeholme Pit 5 x Common Blue (M) all on patrol near steps - none nectaring; 1 x CB (Fe) at rest far end of reserve; 1 x Orange Tip (M) on patrol; 1 x Orange tip (Fe) resting on tall daisy sp.; 1 x Peacock; 1 x Green-veined White. Little Scrubs Meadow 1x Marsh Fritillary (the first of these appeared Fri 31 May I was informed. I saw no more than 3 individuals in separate areas of the meadow. Hopefully they are still to emerge. All were in beautiful condition but small so I suppose they were all males). 2 x Dingy Skipper just fluttering about; 4 x Dingy Skipper in the new adjacent meadow (presumably as it was better protected from the cool east wind). Also in the adjacent meadow 1 x patrolling Orange Tip (M) up and down the wood edge; a few odd whites but too far to ID. No Common Blues seen at either Southrey or Little Scrubs. Nice, sunny day but tempered by a cold wind. *** 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 31st May 2013 Dave Miller & Cliff Morrison Black-headed Gull 3 Cuckoo 2 Grey Partridge 2 Marsh Harrier 1 female Sanderling 10 Brimstone 1 Grey seal 1 Cinnabar 1 BARDNEY Chris J Manning 10 May RTA Badger BUTTERWICK 06/06/2013 Roy and Kath Pearson Completed the Breeding Bird Survey on our brassica dominated square today. Results were disappointing with the majority of birds recorded simply flying over. The only bird of special interest in regard to its continuing decline in Britain, was Yellow Wagtail, which appears to have a breeding presence here. CAISTOR Wendy Handford Reports from contributors to Caistor records 8th May to 30th May 2013 Brigg Road verge TA 113 020 Greater celandine 9th May Hawthorn 18th May Red campion 9th May Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 Badger, adult on Trailcam 14th 15th 26th 28th May Bank vole scurries across patio at 10.15am 13th May Foxes, adult male, adult female, young female, and two cubs on Trailcam various dates Grey squirrel raids Songthrush nest 11th May Muntjac on Trailcam 14th May Rabbit, 4 juveniles, dead for no apparent reason 17th May Roe deer 3pm 28th May Buzzard on lawn 6.15am 13th May Canada geese, 4 pairs flying over 10th May Garden warbler 10th May. New on Caistor List Sparrowhawk catches chaffinch 16th May Tree sparrow feeding 4 juveniles with seeds 30th May St Mark’s fly 20th May Violet ground beetle 16th May Yellow meadow ant 15th May First flowers:- Bush vetch 25th May Cat’s-ear 27th May Common comfrey 27th May Common vetch 20th May Crested dog’s tail 23rd May Field maple 15th May Greater stitchwort 17th May Guelder rose 22nd May Hairy sedge 27th May Lily of the valley 9th May Meadow buttercup 22nd May Petty spurge 17th May Pignut 27th May Procumbent pearlwort 10th May Red clover 22nd May Sycamore 10th May Wild plum 15th May Fungi:- 27th May Brown puffball, 6 new specimens under Horse chestnut Hairy curtain crust on dead Silver birch St George’s mushroom 26th May Chichester Drive garden TA 114 013 Tree creeper 10th May Mill Lane TA 119 012 Swifts arrive 7th May Spotted hawkweed 29th May. New on Caistor list Navigation Lane TA 105 011 Blackbirds hatch 2nd May Blackcap 10th May Reed bunting 10th May Willow warbler 10th May Nettleton TA 108 002 Reed warbler 10th May Sedge warbler 10th May Nettleton Lodge Game Farm TA 090 012 Canada geese hatched 18th May Cuckoo calling 26th May Great tits sitting on 5 eggs 12th May Mallard with 2 juveniles 18th May Oystercatchers 3 18th May Red mason bee. 18th May. New on Caistor list. Holly, male and female in flower 11th May Rhododendron, purple flower buds bursting 18th May Fungi:- Brown mottlegill 26th May Japanese parasol 26th May North Kelsey Road TA 116 015 Swifts’ nests, 3, in roof 15th May Horse chestnut 17th May North Street TA 118 015 Bulbous buttercup 29th May Crab apple 17th May Goosegrass 29th May Yellow corydalis 29th May Shieling farm TA 106 027 Swallows nesting in barn 9th May Rowan 23rd May Wold View verge TA 120 013 Mouse-ear hawkweed 27th May DEEPINGS Venue: Deeping Lakes LWT Reserve – TF187083 Date: 19/05/2013 Observer: Ian Gordon Time: 0900 – 1115 Weather: Sunny and warm Birds: Arctic Tern (2) Blackbird Blackcap Black-headed Gull Blue Tit Buzzard (1) Cananda Goose Carrion Crow Cetti’s Warbler Chaffinch Chiffchaf Collared Dove Commom Tern (12) Coot Cormorant Cuckoo (2) Dunnock Garden Warbler Great Crested Grebe (10+) Great Tit Greater Black-backed Gull (1) Green Woodpecker Grey Heron (4) Greylag Goose Herring Gull Jackdaw (5) Kestrel (1) Lapwing (2) Lesser Black-backed Gull (5) Little Egret (1) Long-tailed Tit (1) Magpie Mallard Meadow Pippit (4) Mute Swan (30+) Oystercatcher (1) Reed Bunting Reed Warbler Robin Rook Sand Martin (50+) Sedge Warbler Skylark (1) Starling Swallow Swift (3) Tufted Duck Turtle Dove (2) Common Whitethroat (1) Willow Warbler Wood Pigeon Wren Butterflies: Peacock Small White Venue: Deeping Lakes LWT Reserve – TF187083 Date: 05/06/2013 Observer: Ian Gordon Time: 1500 – 1645 Weather: Cloudy and cool Birds: Arctic Tern Blackcap Black-headed Gull Blue Tit Canada Goose Chaffinch Cetti’s Warbler Common Tern Coot Cormorant Crow Cuckoo Garden /warbler Great Crested Grebe Great Tit Green Woodpecker Grey Heron Greylag Goose House Martin Jackdaw Kestrel Lapwing Lesser Black-backed Gull Magpie Mallard Meadow Pippit Moorhen Mute Swan Oystercatcher Pheasant Reed Bunting Reed Warbler Robin Rook Sand Martin Sedge Warbler Starling Swallow Swift Tufted Duck Wood Pigeon Wren Others: Hare Rabbit HEIGHINGTON TF025696 John Nickson 19th May Black Burying Beetle (Photographed) There were two in the moth trap last night. Which is more than I can say for moths, in the last 3 nights only three moths 2 * Common Pug 1 * Garden Carpet. HEIGHINGTON TF025696 John Nickson Garden Moth Trap. 5th to 7th June Bright Line Brown Eye Brimstone Moth Chinese Character Cinnabar Moth Common Pug Green Carpet Flame Shoulder Heart and Dart Iron Prominent Miller Mullin Oak tree Pug Pale Tussock Pale-shouldered Brocade Rustic Shoulder-knot Scalloped Hazel Shears Slender Pug Spectacled Swallow Prominent Treble Lines White Ermine HUTTOFT TF512 763 (my garden) JANE PENNINGTON Date: 13/5 Large white butterfly 1 (female) Greater spotted woodpecker 1 Date: 14/5 Starlings (unknown number) hatched in nest in hole in old apple tree. Heard them everyday since and parents in and out of the nest hunting for food. Date: 15/5 Greenfinch 1 Chaffinch 2 (pair) Date 16/5 Frog(let) 1 Cuckoo 1 (calling) HUTTOFT TF512 763 (my garden) JANE PENNINGTON Date: 18/5 Blackbird fledgling 1 Toad 1 (Road kill) Date: 23/5 Sparrowhawk 1 (swooping through the garden) HUTTOFT TF512 763 (my garden) JANE PENNINGTON Date: 1 June Rabbit 1 Date: 2 June Blackbird fledglings 2 Cardinal Beetles 2 Small white butterfly 1 Collared dove 1 Date: 3 June Orange tip (male) 1 - Grid ref TF526 756 Date: 7 June Blackbirds 5 - 3 fledglings/2 adults HUTTOFT PIT – Wetland Bird Survey 12th May 2013 Dave Miller Blackbird 1 Coot 4 Gadwall 1 male Goldfinch 1 Herring Gull 1 House Martin 2 Linnet 2 Magpie 5 Mallard 7 Marsh Harrier 3 Moorhen 4 Reed Bunting 4 Reed Warbler 4 Robin 1 Sand Martin 1 Swallow 15 Whitethroat 1 Woodpigeon 13 Wren 2 St Mark’s Fly HUTTOFT MARSH 18th May Dave Miller Blackbird 4 Crow 4 Chaffinch 1 Great Tit 1 Greylag Goose 2 Herring gull 1 Linnet 4 Magpie 8 Mallard 1 male Meadow Pipit 7 Oystercatcher 1 Pheasant 3 Reed Bunting 6 Reed Warbler 1 Robin 2 Short-eared Owl 1 Skylark 1 Starling 3 Stock Dove 9 Swallow 16 Swift 1 Whitethroat 5 Woodpigeon 20 Rabbit 6 including a melanistic individual HUTTOFT MARSH 31st May 2103 Dave Miller & Cliff Morrison Red Kite 1 LINCOLN (Farmland East of Allenby Road Industrial Estate) TF003 714 Brian Hedley 6 June 2013 A brief lunchtime wander produced a nice selection of wildlife: Venus's-looking-glass 10+ plants (various colour shades) Field Mouse-ear Corn Parsley Common poppy Grass snake 1 juvenile (30cm long) Azure Damselfly 2 Large red damselfly 1 Blue-tailed damselfly 1 Mint moth (Pyrausta aurata) 1 Cinnabar 4 Peacock 2 Brimstone 1 Small tortoiseshell 1 Green-veined white 2 Common blue 1 Lesser whitethroat 2 Bullfinch 2 LOUTH Stewton Lane, Louth. Clare Brady 9/5/2013 Two yellow wagtails in with our horses, feeding round their feet on Thursday (9th) just after a dash of rain. Both birds were very yellow against the green grass. MARTON (Trent Port area) SK834 813 Brian Hedley 6 June 2013 Barn owl 1 Common sandpiper 1 Long-tailed tit, family party with young Gadwall pair Tree sparrow 5 Brown hare 1 RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF 309 847 Silvia Fowler 12.05.13 4-6 House Martins over meadow Wren 14.05.13 6 Swallows on wires 2 Red-legged Partridges in meadow NO butterflies and very few bumblebees in garden for a week or so 15.05.13 8 Greylag Geese in meadow Buzzard over meadow Lots of tadpoles feeding on bird dropping on pond edge 17.05.13 Kestrel over garden (unusual) 18.05.13 Tawny Owl (m) calling Bluetits alarmed when I start working under hawthorn tree, confirming that tit box is active Common Frog in garden border Red (mostly pink) Campion in flower; local hedgerows 19.05.13 Only 2 Pseudoscorpions on wood of compost bin (still too cold? Will check again in autumn) Orange Tip butterfly Yellow 22-spot Ladybird (Psyllobora) on wooden log in shady garden bed 2-3 House Martins in the air. 20.05.13 6 Swallows over local fields, 1 Skylark First House Martin nest has been claimed under N eaves, 10 days later than last year. 8pm: pair roosting on small ledge which is all that’s left from last year’s nest. 23.05.13 2 x Brown Hare (different spots) in local meadows 24.05.13 Brown Hare again in meadow 25.05.13 Sparrowhawk, juvenile Collared Dove, Tawny Owl (m) calling around 4pm Pair in first House Martin nest have started rebuilding. Second House Martin nest claimed by another pair (N eaves) Orange Tip, Small White, Large White butterflies Young rabbit in meadow 26.05.13 (18 degrees C and calm at last!) Brimstone, Orange Tip, Large White butterflies 27.05.13 Goldfinch in song (seen and heard) Small Common Frog (last year’s) under hollow stone Adult Rabbit in garden Tawny Owl again calling in mid afternoon 28.05.13 2 holes made by Rabbits in recently planted raised beds – NOT my favourite wildlife. Cow Parsley in full flower, Hawthorn still in bud; local verges/hedgerows 3 Skylarks in song over local fields. Can hear Bluetit chicks in tit box. Blackbird nesting in pyracantha by house wall. Still only one House Martin nest active out of 10 past sites and very few birds in the air when we used to see 20-30 by this time of year. RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF 309 847 Silvia Fowler 31.05.13 2+1 dead chicks (clearly different ages from 2 different nests) found on ground near house. Probably sparrows, injured; assume predation by jackdaws or squirrels (both species seen exploring near the nests, which are under the roof tiles). BUT: Why leave them on the ground??? Not wasted though, as Red Ants were already feeding on one. 02.06.13 Lots of great diving beetle larvae active in new, large garden pond; also tadpoles, water boatmen, whirligig beetles and a Smooth Newt (FIRST one at this site, even though there is an established small pond present). 06.06.13 Collared Dove chick fledged this morning, hiding in garden border. Parents seen looking for it, calling to each other frequently. One parent later seemed to keep watch from a nearby fence. Not sure if there is a second egg as nest is inaccessible. 3 hours later the pair were seen preening, courting and copulating. 4 House Martin nest sites now active and rebuilding in progress. RIPPINGALE TF09422767 Pauline Warman 18/05/2013 Swallow Prominent 1 Hebrew Character 2 Shuttle-shaped Dart 1 RIPPINGALE TF09422767 Pauline Warman 19/05/13 Swallow Prominent 1 Hebrew Character 2 Shuttle-shaped Dart 1 RIPPINGALE TF09422767 Pauline Warman 25/05/2013 Poplar Hawk-moth 1 Hebrew Character 1 Common Quaker 1 RIPPINGALE TF09422767 Pauline Warman 26/05/2013 Brimstone moth 1 Green Carpet 2 Rustic Shoulder-knot 1 Very poor catches so far this year - very worrying SEACROFT MARSH SSSI 14th May 2013 Dave Miller Chiffchaff 1 Cuckoo 2 Meadow Pipit 1 Pheasant 1 Reed Bunting 3 Robin 1 Orange Tip 2 St Mark’s Fly SEACROFT MARSH SSSI 18th May Dave Miller – bird walk Chiffchaff 5 Cuckoo 2 Oystercatcher 4 THEDDDLETHORPE Brickyard Lane Theddlethorpe John Cowell Thursday May 9th 4pm Turtle Dove calling to South of Brickyard Lane car park WAINFLEET CONSERVATION PONDS 19/05/2013 Roy and Kath Pearson Good numbers of singing Reed and Sedge Warblers were present today with a single Common Whitethroat. Also present were up to fourteen Reed Buntings in song, a species that seems to be increasing. A single Oystercatcher flew over - not a common bird here. A Great Crested Grebe was on the River Steeping and up to thirteen Greylag Geese were using the Conservation Ponds, adjacent fields and the river banks, though only two Canada Geese were present today. An Orange-tipped butterfly was the first record at the site this year. WAINFLEET CONSERVATION PONDS 11/05/2013 Roy and Kath Pearson First BirdTrack count today for several weeks. The usual summer visitors were present - Reed and Sedge Warblers and a single Whitethroat, whilst two of each of Swallows, Swifts and House Martins were feeding. Both Greylag and Canada Geese were present, but there was no evidence of the latter breeding, which is unusual. Good numbers of Reed Buntings seem to have survived the winter. WAINFLEET CONSERVATION PONDS 06/06/2013 Roy and Kath Pearson Today's BirdTrack count yielded seventeen species. The reed-bed birds were well-represented with substantial numbers of Reed Buntings and Reed and Sedge Warblers in song whilst single pairs of Whitethroats and Yellow= hammers had territories in the hedgerows. Two Little Egrets were feeding in a small drainage ditch and a Kestrel was hunting around the margins of the site. A Great Crested Grebe was on the adjacent River Steeping. WAINFLEET FLATS 20th May 2013 Dave Miller Crow 2 Curlew 2 Grey Partridge 2 Little Egret 4 Meadow Pipit 16 Oystercatcher 1 Redshank 14 Reed Bunting 6 Shelduck 2 Skylark 19 Swallow 6 Small Tortoiseshell 1 St Mark’s Fly Common Vetch THE WASH Boat trip from Fosdyke to Skull Ridge via Boston Deeps. Sunday, 26th May, 2013. Geof Lee Common seals - 60 Little egret - 2 Great crested grebe - 1 Whimbrel - 5 Cormorant - 5 Common tern - 5 Sandwich tern - 3 Brent goose - 154 Shelduck - 4 Redshank - 4 Marsh harrier - 1 - harried by 2 black headed gulls Oystercatcher - many WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 11/5/2013 Cuckoo 5.30am [RP]In general area 2 Brown hares, 1 Common Buzzard calling. 8/6/2013 Cuckoo calling [AP] During our holiday the swallow brood in our outbuilding failed. Two dead half-grown chicks were on the floor, 2 dead very young chicks were still in the nest. I suspect the variable weather conditions were to blame. It looks like the parents are about to try again. WRAGBY Chris J Manning 10 May RTA hedgehog WRANGLE COMMON 19/05/2013 Roy and Kath Pearson Reed and Sedge Warblers and a Blackcap were in song. Six Lapwings were seen, with some quite impressive display and three Shelducks were an unusual occurrence. A pair of Coots had seven chicks on one of the smaller ponds. A single Buzzard was the only raptor recorded. Small numbers of Speckled Wood and Peacock butterflies were recorded and mammals included a single Roe Deer and two Muntjacs. (Incidentally, to date we have recorded no Cuckoos anywhere in Lincolnshire.) WRANGLE COMMON 11/05/2013 Roy and Kath Pearson A count today yielded thirty-seven species. Summer visitors were represented by Blackcap, Reed and Sedge Warblers, Swallows and House Martins. A very unusual record was a Treecreeper. Of note were two nesting pairs of Lapwings. Few butterflies were present, but a Green-veined White was a good record here and several Spotted Woods were seen. Mammals included Hares, Rabbits and Roe Deer. WRANGLE COMMON 06/06/2013 Roy and Kath Pearson A count today yielded thirty species. Large numbers of Rooks were foraging and we counted 176 birds, together with 32 Jackdaws. The Mute Swans are down to five cygnets, which we ascribe to foxes, which make serious depredations every year. A single Buzzard was hunting, but no other raptors were recorded. It's pleasing to note that both Skylarks and Yellowhammers seem to be increasing, but no warblers were recorded other than Reed and Sedge. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 7th June 2013 John Walker, Roger Briggs, Steve Hall, Cliff Morrison, Peter & Janet Roworth The first week of May was pleasant with dry, sunny days and temperatures reached a high of 23.25°C on the 6th. From the 8th the high pressure system was replaced by a series of lows giving very unsettled, cold weather, with frequent showers, heavy at times with hail. This was the pattern for the rest of the month. Total rainfall was 49.7mm. Seven ground frosts were recorded (one air), notably -6.5°C on the 1st was the keenest. Winds were predominately fresh reaching force 5 on a number of days. Direction of wind varied during the month but a spell from the NW-NE sector from the 20th - 31st was noteworthy. The range of natural history sightings was infrequent to say the least as the very poor spring continued. Whenever there was the occasional, brief sunny spell the odd butterfly and damselfly was on the wing or sometimes the snatch of birdsong became a pleasant sound! The following sightings are from the last couple of weeks of May on the NNR. A Water Rail was heard squealing at Rimac on 16th. House Martins 6 flew over Sea View washlands on 17th and a fine male Hobby was seen hunting over Rimac on 18th. Whimbrel were occasionally seen but more often heard on the saltmarsh with the last group of 6 on 26th. Paradise Ponds attracted 2 Common Sandpipers and a Yellow Wagtail on the 19th and on the 26th a male Red-backed Shrike sat perched on a hawthorn bush before flying off towards Saltfleet but was seen again near Sea View a few days later. A single imm male Marsh Harrier has been in the area most days and two Barn Owls have been hunting over dunes and saltmarsh frequently. A Spotted Flycatcher was reported near Sea View on 21st and two Jays were there on the 23rd. Turtle Doves, up to 2 seen and heard nr Churchill on 22nd and 24th and a single Garden Warbler. Plants now coming into flower include sea thrift on the saltmarsh, while on the dunes there is mouse-eared hawkweed, germander speedwell, ribwort plantain, common stork’s- bill, common sheep sorrel, bird’s-foot trefoil, lesser trefoil, goat’s beard, red clover, white campion, common vetch, dewberry and silver weed. Marsh orchids are coming into flower and the hawthorn blossom is looking very good. During warm spells on the 19th and 25th there were thousands of St Mark’s flies on the wing over the dunes and sea buckthorn. Of the butterflies the ‘whites’ have been fairly frequent and orange tips in small numbers, of note on the 26th wall browns, small heaths, small coppers and one female common blue were seen on the wing. Similarly, on favourable days 4-spotted chasers, large red and azure damselflies, and cinnabar moths were observed. A ruby-tailed wasp and long-horned moths were seen near Churchill on the 26th. The first week of June has remained dry with sunny spells yet daytime temperatures stayed cool influenced by a NE air flow. Additional sightings include Reed Warbler holding territory near Churchill on the 3rd, male Hobby over Rimac on the 3rd and Grasshopper Warbler reeling there on the 7th. A Spotted Flycatcher was seen hunting insects from the shelter belt near the NNR base on the 6th. Yellow flag and lesser spearwort are now in flower in the damper areas. RSPB WASH Reserves - Frampton Marsh and Freiston Shore http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/collections/thewash_northnorfolk.aspx Reports for May 2013 John Badley Recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Assisted by Grahame Hopwood and Colin Jennings RSPB Frampton Marsh Two Spoonbills were seen during the month, one of which was ringed in Holland. A Black Brant remained with the Dark-bellied Brent (until 20th). Just two Garganey were seen (8th & 28th). Montagu’s Harrier (19th) and Red Kite (31st) also didn’t hang around for long. A Black-winged Stilt (7th) was present for just one day. Temminck’s Stints were more obliging with up to six present (9th-25th). Although generally a poor month for waders there were up to three Curlew Sandpipers (30th), one Little Stint (25th-31st) and two Wood Sandpipers (6th & 16th-18th). Up to four Mediterranean Gulls were seen (30th) with three Little Gulls regularly and one Yellow-legged Gull (30th). Turtle Doves were regular with up to four. There were single sightings of Black Redstart (14th) and Whinchat (18th). RSPB Freiston Shore - see "Other sites" Gibraltar Point NNR On the sea both Black-throated (17th) and Great Northern Divers were seen (25th) with Pomarine Skua (17th) and two Puffins (10th & 17th). On land migration was in full swing with plenty of birds passing through. A Great White Egret was seen on a couple of dates (20th & 21st) as were Spoonbill (16th & 19th), Iceland Gull (2nd & 28th), Montagu’s Harrier (22nd & 31st), Osprey (6th & 26th), Red-rumped Swallow (9th & 11th), Red-breasted Flycatcher (20th & 27th), Hawfinch (6th & 26th), Black Redstart (6th & 31st) and Greenish Warbler ( 29th & 31st). While Crane (1st), Woodlark (1st), Caspian Gull (2nd), Pallas’s Warbler (7th), Red-spotted Bluethroat (17th), Ring Ouzel (18th),Temminck’s Stint (21st) and Golden Oriole (31st) were all seen on single dates. One or two Common Rosefinches were seen and heard singing on at least three dates towards the end of the month and a Red-backed Shrike was present in the same period. Firecrests were seen on three dates, while Jays were still unusually numerous with up to 50 present. Other sites A Honey Buzzard was reported over Sutton Bridge (11th) with Ospreys reported at Deeping Lakes (7th) and Market Deeping (16th). Three Black Terns were at North Hykeham Pits (7th). The only Garganey reported inland was at Crowland (23rd). The wader highlight was a trip of 11 Dotterel at Wainfleet Marsh (4th) with up to three Wood Sandpipers (6th) and a Curlew Sandpiper (26th) at RSPB Freiston Shore. Cetti’s Warblers were on territory on at least three sites in the south of the county. A Nightjar sitting on a wooden crate at Dunsby Fen (28th) was an unexpected find and even more so was Lincolnshire’s third White-throated Sparrow in a garden in Spalding on this date. Finally a White-winged Black Tern was seen briefly at Kirkby Pits (31st). 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 NewsFar Ings News W/E 17.05.13 BIRDS Max nos. Avocet 19 barn owl blackbird 20+ blackcap 3 black-headed gull 30 blue tit 5 canada goose 5 carrion crow 4 Cetti's warbler chaffinch 10 chiffchaff 4 collared dove 2 common gull 6 common tern 6 coot 20+ corn bunting dunnock 4 gadwall 3 garganey M (12th) goldfinch 3 grasshopper warbler GC grebe 3 great tit 5 greylag goose 30 herring gull hobby house martin 6 house sparrow 10 jackdaw 5 kestrel LBB gull 4 lesser whitethroat 2 long tailed tit 3 magpie 7 mallard 15 marsh harrier 2 moorhen 6 mute swan 19 oystercatcher 2 pheasant 3 pied wagtail 2 pochard 6 reed bunting 3 reed warbler 40 robin 6 sand martin 10 sedge warbler 20 shelduck 12 song thrush 2 sparrowhawk starling 9 swallow 200+ swift 100+ tufted duck 16 water rail 2 whitethroat 10 willow tit 2 willow warbler 10 wood pigeon 9 wren 7 yellow wagtail 3 W/E 24.05.13 BIRDS Max nos. Avocet 10 barn owl blackbird 20+ blackcap 3 black-headed gull 25 blue tit 5 canada goose 9 carrion crow 4 Cetti's warbler chaffinch 10 chiffchaff 3 collared dove 2 common gull 2 common sandpiper common tern 4 coot 20+ dunnock 4 gadwall 2 goldfinch 3 GC grebe 3 great tit 4 greylag goose 20 herring gull hobby house martin 12 house sparrow 10 kestrel LBB gull 3 lesser whitethroat little gull long tailed tit 4 magpie 5 mallard 15 marsh harrier 2 moorhen 6 mute swan 8 oystercatcher 3 pheasant 3 pied wagtail 2 pochard 9 reed bunting 3 reed warbler 40 robin 6 sedge warbler 20 shelduck 10 song thrush 2 sparrowhawk starling 9 swallow 100+ swift 70+ tufted duck 14 water rail whitethroat 10 willow tit willow warbler 10 wood pigeon 6 wren 6 yellow wagtail W/E 07.06.13 BIRDS Max nos. avocet 15 barn owl blackbird 20+ blackcap 6 black-headed gull 24 black tern blue tit 6 canada goose 13 carrion crow 4 Cetti's warbler 2 chaffinch 12 chiffchaff 5 collared dove 2 common gull 2 common tern 8 coot 30+ dunnock 6 gadwall 2 goldfinch 5 GC grebe 7 great tit 5 greenfinch grey heron greylag goose 30 herring gull house martin 10 house sparrow 10 kestrel LBB gull 2 lesser whitethroat 2 little gull 12 little ringed plover 2 long tailed tit 4 magpie 4 mallard 15 marsh harrier 2 moorhen 6 mute swan 8 oystercatcher pheasant 3 pied wagtail 2 pochard 12 reed bunting 7 reed warbler 40 robin 6 sand martin 2 sedge warbler 20 shelduck 14 song thrush 2 sparrowhawk starling 10 swallow 30+ swift 60+ tawny owl 2 tufted duck 14 turtle dove water rail whitethroat 12 willow warbler 9 wood pigeon 8 wren 7 yellow wagtail 3 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 *** 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 *** 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, June 30, 2013 - CANCELLED 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 - see notes above. Emails from Enterprise to Hotmail are being blocked. My thank-yous to various folks have been returned. Sorry about this. Beyond my control. *** Photo Request From Rachael Clark *** Subject: Request for photos - Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes Project The Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes Project will shortly be commissioning the production of walk leaflets, interpretation panels and guide booklets for people exploring the local landscape. We hope to capture what it means to those who live and visit the area, and why it is special to them. Sometimes these are hidden qualities that are not immediately apparent, so could include favourite places, hidden spaces, people, farming heritage, historic buildings, natural beauty or the wide open landscape. We would like your help in providing some of the images that we may be able to use to promote the area's beauty. It was therefore suggested in a recent meeting that a request should be sent out to those involved in the project who may be interested or have a relevant photo stock already which we could possibly use, which would of course be referenced. General photographs required include: heritage buildings, churches, etc animals grazing people (photo permission slip attached) wide open skies sunsets, sunrises clouds landscape - especially from elevated view points (if you're lucky enough to find any!) Saltfleet Haven: the silted haven, creeks, boats Contact [I suggest before sending any photos] Rachael.Clark@e-lindsey.gov.uk ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/