============================================ || || 23rd 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 *** NOTE CANCELLATION Due to various access issues, we have regrettably decided to cancel the LNU meeting on 30th June at Brampton. Members of the LNU had a busy and entertaining time at this year's Lincolnshire Show. The rain held off until the end of the second day, and a steady flow on visitors dropped by to chat about widlife they had seen. The moths assembled by Colin Smith behaved well and they generated a lot of interest, as did Richard Chadd's "Instant Pond." We are very appreciative that we can show our close links with the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust by joining with them to celebrate and share our enthusiasm for the natural history of the county. Many thanks to the Trust and to all who came by to support the effort. We span off the first honey of this season on 15th June. Last year we did this on 12th May. If activities of honey bees reflect what is happening in the insect world generally, we are a month behind this year. The honey was not from oil seed rape but I have not yet tried to get a pollen sample from it yet for identification. Please try to get along to the Bioblitz at Whisby Nature Park on the 12th/13th July - details below. 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. 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 *** 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 vagaries of the weather it could be earlier or later. Your reports will be welcome. Many species do this 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 County Aculeate Recorder [Ants, Bees and wasps] Alan writes: "The records I have from this year have mostly come from the Bulletin and people sending me photos to ID." *** Whale and Dolphin Watching 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 *** Riverflies on Chalk Streams *** Ruth Snelson writes: The Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project (LCSP) are currently looking for volunteers to help with monitoring riverflies on chalk streams. If you are near a chalk stream and would be able to commit to monitoring the riverfly populations on an annual basis then we need your help. Please note: it will require collection of data from within the channel. Two free training days have been organised with the help of The Riverfly Partnership and Aby Fly Fishers on Friday 30th August and Saturday 31st August 2013. A Riverfly Partnership tutor will deliver the training. Spaces are limited to 12 per day. It will be held at Aby village hall and will include a site visit to the Great Eau, food and drink will be provided. The LCSP will provide the pack of equipment to collect the relevant data and provide life jackets. To book a place or to find out more detail please contact the LCSP Project Officer Ruth Snelson on 01507 609740 or email ruth.snelson@lincolnshire.gov.uk For more information on the Riverfly Monitoring Initiative visit http://www.riverflies.org/rp-riverfly-monitoring-initiative *** Life on the Verge - Wildflower Identification *** Mark Schofield, Project Officer, writes: Free Wildflower Identification Field Classes are being run again in the Wolds through June and July but with very limited places this year. The 2013 field classes have been arranged primarily for particular interest groups and societies – but remaining places available to the general public can be found on the project website: http://lifeontheverge.org.uk/getinvolved-wolds.php. Previous surveyors especially are invited to top up their field ID skills. *** Life on the Verge – 2013 Survey Season Launch! *** This might be our last chance to call for volunteers to help us discover the remaining wildflower-rich road verges in Lincolnshire. No previous experience or wildflower knowledge is required. The search continues on limestone soils in North and South Kesteven and on the chalk between Spilsby and the Humber in the Lincolnshire Wolds. Please claim your verges to survey at http://www.lifeontheverge.org.uk. You will notice that the website is divided into two project areas. The Limestone Area and the Wolds each have their own survey system. Each uses online maps which you can explore to identify and claim road sections for survey. If you prefer, simply call us and we can print and post all the necessary maps and forms to you. Alternatively, to help us save time, please use the website if you can. You will be sent an automated email with links to maps, satellite images and downloadable survey forms and guidance notes which you can print out and take with you for each survey. You will only need to make a single 1-2hr visit to each 1km road section and look for just a shortlist of important species. We can provide you with a free Wildflower ID Guide, survey forms and a high-vis vest on request. Survey forms and Wildflower ID Guides are specific to each area – so be sure to use the correct ones. Annotated satellite photos are especially useful because verge quality can be very patchy. Other ways you can help this year: We will need Wildflower Wardens’ to help us monitor the newly discovered, valuable verges over the long term. We will let you know which verges are designated as LWSs. Some may be near to where you live. ‘Wayside Wardens’ currently help the Wildlife Trusts report on damage and fly-tipping and help to monitor the wildlife on Roadside Nature Reserves from year to year. Wildflower seed collection events at Red Hill Sunday 25th August (10am-1pm) Saturday 14th September (10am-1pm) Please help us hand-collect seed for community restoration projects. Seed head identification training on hand. Keep a few seeds for your garden. Meet in layby opposite Badger farm entrance. Please drop me an email if you and friends would like to help on the day. Could you help us to propagate wildflowers? – We are on the look-out for gardeners who could spare a little space to propagate some plug plants for public green space restoration work. Please get in touch if you would like some free seed in return for donating some plug plants to a worthy cause! If you have any questions – please don’t hesitate to contact me. Please forward this email if you know people who may want to be involved. I hope you can help with the next big wildflower hunt this year! With best regards and my thanks for all your help so far, Mark Schofield http://www.lifeontheverge.org.uk *** 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 Update: Jeremy Eyons says cruises have sold out this year so far, with several Bulletin readers going on The Boston Belle. He says there are still spaces on 28th August and 12th September. *** Volunteer urgently needed for LNU Book sales *** Do you have experience of book-selling, record keeping or invoicing? you could be just the person we need. The LNU needs a volunteer Publications person to take charge of the sale of our Books. 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ 15/6 Red-crested Pochard, Far Ings, Target Pit Golden Oriole, Gibraltar Point, flew south from east dunes also Spotted Redshank, Jackson's Marsh, Little gull, Tennyson's Sands 16/6 Little Gull, Spotted Redshank, Gibraltar Point Harrier spp ringtail, Ruckland 17/6 Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh 18/ Gull-billed Tern, Kirkby on Bain gravel pits Quail singing, Temple Bruer, Waterwell Lane Quail singing, Ancaster, Watermill Lane 2 Spotted Redshanks, Curlew Sandpiper, rampton Marsh Montagu's Harrier, Whooper Swan, Gibraltar Point 19/6 White Stork, Whisby Nature Park Little Gull, Curlew Sandpiper, Frampton Marsh 20/6 Great White Egret, over Kate's bridge, near Thurlby Marsh Warbler trapped & ringed in East dunes, Gibraltar Point Spotted Redshank, Frampton 21/6 Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh 2 Mediterranean Gulls, Carlton, Thackers Bank Red-backed Shrike, Rimac, by reedbed 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. HEIGHINGTON TF025696 John Nickson 18th to 20th June 2013 Bird's Wing Bright line Brown eye Brimstone Moth Broad-barred White Buff Ermine Common Pug Common Swift Common Wainscot Eye Hawk moth Flame Shoulder Garden Carpet Garden Pebble (micro) Green Carpet Heart and Dart Large Nutmeg ??? (early) Large Yellow Underwing Least Yellow Underwing (early) Magpie Marbled Minor Middle Barred Minor Mother of Pearl Pale Tussock Peppered Moth Plain Golden Y Poplar Grey Poplar Hawk moth Privet Hawk moth Rustic Shoulder-knot Shoulder-striped Wainscot Silver Ground Carpet Slender Pug Small Magpie (micro) Treble Lines White Ermine *** 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. CAISTOR Wendy Handford Reports from contributors to Caistor records Week beginning 14.6.13 Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 Brown rat running under hedge 8.30am, 14thJune Fox, adult female, behind meadow, 10am, 14th June Hedgehog, dead, being carried by adult fox, on Trailcam 1.15am, 15th June Blue tits, second brood in nestbox, 14th June Great spotted woodpecker, juvenile, dead after flying into conservatory window, 16th June Kestrel flying across lawn 8am, 14th June Pied wagtails, pair, feeding daily on house roof and lawn Willow warblers, 2, singing 50m apart. Not heard in 2012. 16th June Brown-lipped snail in meadow 15th June Netted slug in meadow 15th June 5 or 6 spot burnett pupa on grass stem 14th June Azure damselflies, in meadow 14th June Mouse spider in house 14th June Scorpion fly in meadow 15th June Soldier beetle, Cantharis rustica, in meadow 15th June. New on Caistor list Silver-ground carpet moth in meadow 17th June Tree bumblebee, worker, feeding on Aquilegias, 17th June. 1stsighting of a worker. First flowers of 2013 Common spotted orchid 14th June Feverfew 15th June Ground elder 15th June Hairy tare 15th June Honeysuckle 14th June Rough chervil 15th June Silverweed 18th June Southern marsh orchid, needs confirming, 14th June Square-stalked willowherb 16th June. New on Caistor list Caistor bypass verge TA 121 013 Goatsbeard 15th June Hoary cress 15th June. New on Caistor list Kidney vetch 15th June. New on Caistor list Salad burnett 15th June. New on Caistor list Caistor Grammar School TA 115 012 Goldfinches fledge 13th June Cherry Holt garden TA 115 015 Cuckoo heard in nearby trees Hundon Manor Farm TA 116 024 Dog rose Elder Yellow flag iris Nettleton Lodge Game Farm TA 090 012 Rough-legged buzzard 6am, 16th June. New on Caistor list Black bindweed 16th June. New on Caistor list Nettle weevil, possibly, 15th June Redshank 16th June. North Kelsey Road TA 116 015 Bird of prey, most like a female or juvenile Marsh harrier 13th June Sparrowhawk 15th June Field mouse-ear 13th June Bogbean, leaves, 15th June. New on Caistor list North Street verge TA 118 015 Mind-your-own-business, Soleirolia soleirolii. 14th June. New on Caistor list Plough Hill garden TA 118 013 Wrens fledge 14th June Shieling farm TA 106 027 Fox kills 3 geese Blue tits, 5 fledge 17th June Dunnocks, 4 fledge 14th June Songthrush nest with 4 eggs Wren nest in straw bale Yellow wagtail in wet meadow 1st June Wold View verge TA 120 013 Red valerian 15th June Other Redstart, male, in garden at North Kelsey, 14th June. Postcode DN21 4FD HORNCASTLE A158 just outside town C. Brady 17 June 2013 Little Owl on grass pulling worms. HUTTOFT TF512 763 (my garden) JANE PENNINGTON Date: from 16/6 Cuckoo 1 calling every day this week Date: 17/6 Song thrush 1 Date 18/6 Blackbirds 6 (parents and 4 young) Wrens 4 (includes 2 fledglings) Date: 20/6 Greater spotted woodpecker 1 Date: 21/6 Robin (fledgling - hurray, been waiting for ages!) Greater spotted woodpecker 1 Red Admiral butterfly 1 Hoverflies too numerous to count - swarms in the garden at 5.30pm buzzing away HUTTOFT Huttoft Marsh 17th June 2013 Dave Miller Blackbird 1 Crow 5 Chaffinch 2 Dunnock 1 Herring Gull 3 Linnet 4 Magpie 3 Marsh Harrier 1 male Meadow Pipit 1 Pheasant 4 Reed Bunting 4 Skylark 1 Swallow 2 Whitethroat 1 Woodpigeon 9 Wren 2 HUTTOFT PIT 17th June 2013 Dave Miller Collared Dove 1 Coot 11 including 3 chicks Gadwall 4 Mallard 35 Marsh Harrier 2 Mute Swan 2 Reed Bunting 8 Reed Warbler 5 Starling 15 Swallow 3 Swift 1 Whitethroat 1 Wigeon 2 Woodpigeon 6 KETTLETHORPE SK846766 (nominal) Richard Fox 21st June 2013 Barn Owl hunting (9.15am) Chimney Sweeper moth (new location for me) LOUTH Stewton Lane C. Brady 16 June 2013 2 Linnets in plum tree, male singing. Pink chest very bright. RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF 309 847 Silvia Fowler 08.06.13 Pyrochroa serraticornis (type of Cardinal beetle) in shady garden border. ID confirmed by Charlie Barnes (Recorder). 10.06.13 Pebble Prominent (Notodonta ziczac) moth found in bedroom and released. ID confirmed by Colin Smith (Recorder). 11-14.06.13 2 Collared Dove chicks preening on fence and begging for food when adults return. Adults chased off 2 larger collared doves that approached; perhaps these were offspring from an earlier brood? 14.06.13 Several House Sparrow fledglings attended by adults Adult blackbirds seen with plenty of worms in their beaks feeding nestlings and making distinctive warning calls when predators are around. 16.06.13 A total of 5 House Martin nests now active (against 8-10 in previous years). 17-21.06.13 Still very little sunshine and low insect activity. Hardly any butterflies; bumblebee numbers very low even though there is a huge amount of pollen and nectar available in my garden. Max recorded temperature of 19-21 deg C is very misleading as that could have been reached for only about 1 hour most days, when the sun was out. Otherwise it was more like 13-15C, though mercifully, less windy. NO Bat activity noticed. RIPPINGALE TF09422767 Pauline Warman (MV Trap left overnight) Eyed Hawk-moth 1 Lime Hawk-moth 1 Rustic Shoulder-knot 1 Spectacle 5 Elephant Hawk-moth 1 Green Carpet 6 Peppered Moth 4 Heart and Dart 4 Marbled Minor 1 Pale Tussock 3 Clouded Silver 1 Shears 1 White Ermine 4 Brimstone Moth 1 Shoulder-striped Wainscot 1 Angle Shades 2 Blood-vein 1 Epiblema trimaculana 1 Lime-speck Pug 1 Epiblema cynosbatella 1 Crambus hamella 1 Treble Lines 1 SANDILANDS PIT 17th June 2013 Dave Miller Blackbird 1 Crow 1 Coot 4 including 2 juveniles House Martin 6 House Sparrow 7 Linnet 1 Magpie 1 Moorhen 1 Reed Warbler 4 Sedge Warbler 1 Starling 25 Swallow 1 Tufted Duck 3 Whitethroat 1 Woodpigeon 1 Cinnabar moth 1 SCAMBLESBY up hill towards Horncastle C. Brady 16 June 2013 Roe Deer in field. SLEAFORD Near Sleaford TF 104 437 17.06.13 Peter Morrell Female fallow deer browsing on vegetation at 06.30. First wild fallow deer I've seen in Lincolnshire. TATTERSHALL THORPE 17 June 2013 M&R Pocklington Southern Marsh Orchids in flower In garden; Hornet Hedgehog WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 21/6 Cuckoo still calling - somewhat "altered tune" WILLOUGHTON Willoughton SK 931 931 20.06.13 Peter Morrell Number of Great crested newts and smooth newts foraging in the garden after heavy rain. Common frogs calling from garden pond. One pair seen mating. Two toads also present. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 w/e 21/6/2013 John Walker Last week's 23 mm of rainfall has greatly benifited growth on the dunes and they are now much more colourful, another 6mm of rainfall thursday evening. Flowers include: marsh and early marsh orchids, twayblade, flag iris, red and white campions, storksbill, scarlet pimpernel. Butterflies include: speckled wood, common blue, red admiral, small heath, small copper, large skipper. Dragonflies include: four spotted chaser, hairy dragonfly, azure blue damsel, large red damsel, blue tailed damsel, common blue damsel. Sadly frogs with red-legged virus seen including corpses. RSPB WASH Reserves - Frampton Marsh and Freiston Shore http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/collections/thewash_northnorfolk.aspx Note - I have a copy of John's report for April 2013 if anyone would like me to send them a copy. I was away when it arrived. Roger 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). Note - I have a copy of John's report for April 2013 if anyone would like me to send them a copy. I was away when it arrived. John Badley Recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Assisted by Colin Jennings ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. News from Far Ings NNR http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designations/nnr/1083404.aspx http://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-Of-Far-Ings-National-Nature-Reserve/186876774685595 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Far Ings News W/E 21.06.13 BIRDS Max nos. Avocet 8 barn owl bar-tailed godwit blackbird 12 blackcap 3 black-headed gull 30 blue tit 6 canada goose 18 carrion crow 4 chaffinch 12 chiffchaff 4 collared dove 2 common gull 20 common tern 10 coot 24 dunnock 6 goldfinch 3 GC grebe 4 great tit 5 greenfinch grey heron greylag goose 186 herring gull house martin 6 house sparrow 10 jackdaw 2 LBB gull lesser whitethroat little gull long tailed tit 2 magpie 6 mallard 29 marsh harrier 2 moorhen 6 mute swan 12 oystercatcher 5 pheasant pied wagtail pochard 15 red - crested pochard reed bunting 7 reed warbler 20 robin 4 sedge warbler 10 shelduck 28 song thrush 2 sparrowhawk starling 15 swallow 30+ swift 50+ tufted duck 16 whitethroat 10 willow warbler 6 wood pigeon 6 wren 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 *** 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/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, June 30, 2013 - CANCELLED Field Meeting Brampton Farmland (Courtesy of R and A Brownlow) 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. The following subscribes suffered "Hard bounces" from the last mailing and will be deleted from the mailing list. Please contact me with an alternative email address. anderpop.chuff - unable to deliver derek2fisherman - no account jo-dixon1 - no account teri.garrett - account disabled "Soft bounces" were as follows. alandale - 552 Spam Message Rejected ben.gmiller - mailbox unavailable chrisjpotts - 552 Spam Message Rejected furniconsult - delivery failed geoff@muscroft - 552 Spam Message Rejected hartsholmecp or Lisa.Blezzard - delivery failed hendrina - delivery failed mail@robmartyr - bad destination system: no such domain ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/