============================================ || || 31st March 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 *** Don't forget to put your clocks forward this Sunday! https://www.gov.uk/when-do-the-clocks-change For World time zones, see: http://24timezones.com/ Concern has been expressed at the possible impact of the current cold spell on insect populations. This gives us an opportunity to gather some useful data, so please let us have your sightings. Many species ought to make their appearance when the sun finally comes out, so handbooks ready! If you can't identify something you can send photos to the appropriate recorder [please ask first], but remember that not all species can be identified from photos alone. If you can associate species with nectar or pollen plants, that will be interesting additional information. Many readers will know of Dr Allan Chapman, who teaches History of Science at Oxford. He is a regular at the annual Horncastle Astronomy Weekend in September and his lectures are a high point of that event. Alan has often expressed exasperation at the views of the 'new Atheists' such as Richard Dawkins, in particular their tendency to repeat and thereby reinforce historical myths to support their arguments. [The classical myth we have all heard and believed is the Huxley/Wilberforce debate on Evolution.] Allan has set out to counter this trend with a new book: Slaying The Dragons - Destroying Myths in the History of Science and Faith. By no means all scientists are people of faith, but whatever your position you ought to find Allan's take on this illuminating and entertaining. There is a lot of information here which I had never encountered. Thanks. Roger *** Next LNU Event - reminder - all welcome *** For LNU meetings see section 11 for full programme. Field Meetings generally start at 12 noon for 1.00pm, but please check the website details for each event. Sunday, April 28, 2013 Field Meeting Broughton Far Wood SSSI and adjacent Clapgate Pits Reserve (Courtesy of John Clegg & Co. and Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust) East of Scunthorpe 12.00 for 13.00 start. Park on verge of B1208 at SE961 109 just under 1km east of junction with B1207, NW of Wressle. Habitats: Broadleaved woodland, scrub, calcareous grassland Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com *** The British Myriapod & Isopod Group *** Imogen Wilde writes: The British Myriapod & Isopod Group (BMIG) will be having their Annual Field Meeting and AGM in Lincolnshire this year. The dates are Thursday 11th to Sunday 14th April 2013, and the group will be based at Scamblesby, Lincolnshire. Lincolnshire is relatively under-recorded for myriapods and isopods and this will be a good location for exploring under- worked areas, such as the Lincolnshire Wolds, the Limewoods, heaths near Market Rasen and Woodhall Spa and also coastal dunes. The AGM will be held on the evening of Friday 12 April. If you would like further information and a booking form for accommodation then please contact Imogen Wilde: imogen@imogenwilde.co.uk. All LNU members are very welcome, whether staying with the group in Scamblesby or making their own accommodation arrangements. *** Egg thieves - caution needed *** As far as sensitive bird reports are concerned, please send any nest-related or territorial information to the appropriate bird recorder rather than the Bulletin. Birds of prey in particular. 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 *** Garden Bird Survey *** The Lincolnshire Bird Club Garden Bird Survey record sheets went out to all LNU members with the AGM mailing. Your help with these will be very much appreciated. For more information, see: http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk/information/garden_bird_survey.htm I strongly recommend that contributors who report lots of quite common "garden regulars" have a go at the survey in order to put together a useful wider picture across the county. You can then refocus your Bulletin reports on particular species of interest. e.g. species showing unusual changes in numbers or seasonality. *** Oil Beetles - The Hunt Continues - Reminder *** Until last year oil beetles hadn't been seen in Lincolnshire for decades, but with your help we found them! The Black oil beetle was rediscovered in Lincolnshire in April 2012 near Grantham - easily recognised by its large size (up to 3 cm) and shortened wing cases, they can be found from March to June in meadows and coastal grassland. 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. They seek out bare ground to dig burrows in which the females lay their eggs and can often be found on footpaths where the soil has been compacted by walkers. Once the eggs hatch, the larva lay in wait on flowers where they hitch a ride on an unsuspecting bee. They get carried to the bee's nest where they disembark and proceed to eat the store of pollen and nectar and the bee's eggs. 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 *** Sightings on the Beach? Reminder. *** Lincs Wildlife Trust Coastal Ranger, Dave Miller, requests information on unusual sightings on the beach. e.g. massed wash-ups of starfish and sunstars, porpoises and even sunfish. If you see anything while visiting the coast would you please send details to: dmiller@lincstrust.co.uk Editor adds: Or you can post them in the Bulletin to encourage others. For coastal reserve locations see: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/nr/map.php and the Shark Trust website: http://www.sharktrust.org/ Joan Fox, Hunstanton, Norfolk Writes: From across the Wash in Hunstanton may I thank Cliff Morrison for alerting me to the Shark Trust website and their egg-case survey in the 24th March bulletin. I collected 41 such 'Mermaid's Purses' on Hunstanton beach and believe them to be 13 Spotted Ray and 28 Thornback Ray by using the keys and information given (and have entered this information and photos on the website.) Not surprisingly a similar result to Cliff. I have also been able to interest some fellow members of the Wildlife Trust, o the word is spreading! A simple tip like giving the cases a good soak and having good information to refer to makes all the difference! *** Plug for Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes events 2013 *** Rachael Clark writes: They are not all on the website yet as separate events, but some are, along with the downloadable list. http://www.lincsmarshes.org.uk/news-and-events/category/events http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/conservation/article.php?id=27 *** Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service *** Ruth Snelson writes: Our website is up and running. Our website is up and running. http://www.lincswolds.org.uk *** Ash Dieback in Lincolnshire *** Link for Chalara fraxinea reports: http://www.forestry.gov.uk/chalara *** WHISBY BIOBLITZ Friday, July 12 + Saturday 13 July *** Charlie Barnes writes: Bioblitz = intensive survey and identification of species in an area. All welcome from beginners to experienced naturalists. Experts will be on hand to help with identification and recording. Event details below in section 11. Watch the NEW Bioblitz website for updates. http://www.bnhc.org.uk/home/bioblitz/national-bioblitz/midlands/lincolnshire-bioblitz.html *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** Carolyn Lovely writes: On Monday 8th April 2013 we hold our AGM at 7pm followed by an illustrated talk on British Orchids by Mick Binnion starting at 7.30pm. This will be held in Grimsby Town Hall admission £2. There will be a Trust goods stall, raffle, tea/coffee. For further details please contact Jennie Redpath- 01472 502858 *** Gainsborough Area LWT *** Dave Stockley writes: Wed 24 April 2013: (Sales stall: books and magazines) AGM followed by Idle Valley Nature Reserve -? A warden's perspective Come and find out lots more about this very important conservation area that has walks and a Visitor Centre just a stone's throw away in Retford! For more information, please ring Joy on 01427 628457 or E-mail Linda ? woodentops@darter.plus.com *** LWT Grantham Branch *** Marion Ellis writes: Fri 12 April 7.30pm Barkston & Syston Village Hall The Wildlife Trusts' Film "100 Years of Nature Conservation" *** Wild Flowers of the Peak District *** Keith Scarrott writes: The Natural History and Geology Section of the Scunthorpe Museum Society. Meeting on Monday, 8th April, 2013. Patrick Harding, botanist and mycologist, presents an illustrated talk about 'Wild Flowers of the Peak District' in the upper room of the North Lincolnshire Museum, Oswald Road, Scunthorpe, DN15 7BD. Car park at rear. ALL VERY WELCOME. No admission charge but donation bowl provided. Contact Keith Scarrott on 01724 762098 or Dr Sheila Wyllie on 01724 720298. *** RSPB Lincoln *** Maureen Staples writes: On Thursday 11th April 2013 at 7.30pm we invite you to join us at our next meeting where Jim Almond will be giving an illustrated talk on A Winter Weekend in Vancouver. This will take place in The Robert Hardy Building, Bishop Grossteste University, Longdales Road, Lincoln. RSPB members and students £3.00. Non members £4.00. Free Parking. See: http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ *** S Lincs RSPB Meeting *** Jeremy Eyeons writes: 25th April at 730pm Sam Newsom Music Centre, Boston "Lands End to The Highlands, in search of butterflies", by Geoff Adams Members £2, non-members £3-50, all welcome. 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 *** Lincolnshire Environmental Awards - Reminder! *** If you are associated with a project deserving the recognition the Award scheme brings, you should start thinking about your entry over the next few weeks - as the deadline is 30th April. The application process is simple and straightforward. The Lincolnshire Environmental Award website link is: http://lincsenvironmentalawards.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/ 23/3 Lesser Scaup drk, Freiston Shore on drainage ditch north of reservoir. Smew redhead, Freiston Shore from hide 24/3 Lesser Scaup drk, Smew redhead, Freiston Shore on main lagoon from hide also Pale-bellied Brent Goose Jack Snipe, Marton, at Trent Port wetland 25/3 Lesser Scaup drk, Smew redhead, Freiston Shore on lagoon also 2 Little Gulls, Caspian Gull, Gibraltar Point, Tennyson Sands Ring Ouzel f south of Saxilby at Broadholme in sheep field 26/3 Lesser Scaup drk, Smew redhead, Freiston Shore on lagoon Caspian Gull, Gibraltar Point, Tennyson Sands Bittern, Boultham Mere 3 Twite, Marston Sewage Works in leek field 27/3 Lesser Scaup drk, Smew redhead, Freiston Shore on lagoon 2 Twite, Marston Sewage Works in leek field 2 Waxwings, Cleethorpes, Grimsby Road 15 Waxwings, Old Leake Primary School Ring Ouzel, Louth garden 28/3 Lesser Scaup drk, Smew redhead, Freiston Shore on lagoon 2 Tundra Bean Geese, Marston Sewage Works in leek field. 29/3 Lesser Scaup drk, Smew redhead, Freiston Shore on lagoon Bittern, Boultham Mere 2 Twite, Marston Sewage Works in leek field 4 Eurasian White-fronted geese, Frampton Marsh Great Northern Diver, Burton Stather Pits Long-eared Owl, Deeping Lakes on island viewable from hide 30/3 Lesser Scaup drk, Smew redhead, Freiston Shore on lagoon 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. CAISTOR Wendy Handford Reports from contributors to Caistor records Week beginning 22.3.13 Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 Fox on 3 consecutive midnights Moles, 3, active during cold spell Barn owl at 6pm. 1st sighting in garden. Kestrel feeding daily 7am-1pm on lawn esp around molehills Nuthatch, 1st sighting in garden Rooks, pair breaking twigs from apple and birch trees. Nest in alder. 1st time nesting. Stockdoves, 5, seen daily Caistor Wildlife Area TA 111 015 Log-tailed tits, flock of 15 in Alders Dandelion, 1st 2013 sighting Daisy, over 100 around sports field Nettleton Lodge Game Farm TA 090 012 Black-headed gulls flying north each morning after dawn – is this migration? Jackdaws now paired and searching for nesting sites *** 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. DEEPINGS DEEPING LAKES NR David Griffith 29/03/2013 12-3pm Highlights Long eared owl Curlew x2 Oystercatcher x4 Lesser black backed gull x4 Goosander x5 (3m 2f) Little ringed plover (in the flooded field by the west gate onto the high bank) All sightings by D Griffith Visitor report Bittern Venue: Deeping Lakes LWT Reserve – TF187083 Date: 29/02/2013 Observer: Ian Gordon Time: 0900 – 1130 Weather: Very cold, frequent snow showers. Edge of lakes and shallows frozen Birds: Blackbird Black-headed Gull Blue Tit Canada Goose Chaffinch Chiffchaff Coot Cormorant Crow Dunnock Goldeneye Goldfinch Goosander (3-2 drakes) Great Crested Grebe Great Tit Green Woodpecker Grey Heron Greylag Goose Herring Gull House Sparrow Lapwing Lesser Black-backed Gull Little Grebe Long-eared Owl Long-tailed Tit Magpie Mallard Moorhen Mute Swan Oystercatcher Pheasant Redwing Reed Bunting Robin 96 Rook Sparrowhawk Teal Tufted Duck Wigeon Wood Pigeon Other: Grey Squirrel (6) Hare (1) Rabbit (1) GIBRALTAR POINT TF565585 24/3/13 Robert Walker Common Starfish ( Asterina rubens ) Approx. 20 starfish bodies on strand line along Millenium Ridge. also Common Sunstar ( Crossater papposus ) 1 dead specimen, north end of Millenium Ridge, near Greenshank creek, body was between 125 - 150mm in diameter. (photo taken) HUTTOFT TF512 763 (my garden) JANE PENNINGTON Date 24/3 Mistlethrush 2 Date 28/3 Dunnocks 2 (they disappeared for several weeks and then came back just today) Sparrowhawk 1 (caused panic amongst the blackbirds but left with nothing) Date 29/3 Bee 1 (2 dandelions opened and the bee was on the one in the sun) RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF 309 847 Silvia Fowler 09.03.13 Buzzard over meadow in steady rain, pursued by corvids. 18.03.13 Grey heron 28.03.13 Whilst planting in the garden, I was surprised to find numerous earth worms (small and large) within 1-2 inches of the soil surface even though it was only 3 degrees C, so the birds must be able to access them. 29.03.13 Buzzard House sparrows gathering nesting material Barn Owl hunting along local lane at 6.30 p.m. Overwintered Lacewings becoming active in house (far fewer than in previous years) UPTON, Lincs DN21 5NW Ian Loxley Redwing on 23rd March Adult and young hedgehog on 20/21 March UTTERBY A17 Kevin Cooper ] 25/3/2013 at approx. 4.30pm. Red kite hunting WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A. Parsons 24/3 Feral pigeon ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. Note - author is on holiday for a few weeks, so may not be updated much for that period. http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE DUNES NNR. http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designatedareas/nnr/1006128.aspx Week ending 22nd March 2013. John Walker, Roger Briggs, Steve Hall, Cliff Morrison, Peter & Janet Roworth No report this week. RSPB WASH Reserves - Frampton Marsh and Freiston Shore http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/collections/thewash_northnorfolk.aspx Reports for February 2012. John Badley Recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Assisted by Grahame Hopwood and Colin Jennings RSPB Frampton Marsh RSPB Freiston Shore Gibraltar Point NNR Other sites John Badley Recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Assisted by Colin Jennings ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. News from Far Ings NNR http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designations/nnr/1083404.aspx ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Far Ings News W/E 29.03.13 BIRDS Max. nos. Avocet 4 barn owl bittern blackbird 30+ black-headed gull 30+ blue tit 8 Canada goose 6 carrion crow 4 Cetti's warbler chaffinch 8 chiffchaff collared dove 2 common gull 12 coot 50+ cormorant curlew 6 dunnock 6 gadwall 4 goldeneye 6 goldfinch 2 GC grebe 7 GS woodpecker 2 great tit 4 greenfinch 2 grey heron greylag goose 50 herring gull house sparrow 12 kestrel long tailed tit 4 magpie 3 mallard 12 marsh harrier M + F moorhen 6 mute swan 6 oystercatcher 8 pheasant 2 pochard 10 redshank 4 reed bunting 2 robin 8 shelduck 6 shoveler 2 song thrush 2 sparrowhawk 2 starling C.3,000 teal 4 tufted duck 18 water rail 2 wigeon 20 willow tit wood pigeon 6 wren 6 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 in my garden 2011: http://www.lnu.org/ 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. Sunday, April 28, 2013 Field Meeting Broughton Far Wood SSSI and adjacent Clapgate Pits Reserve (Courtesy of John Clegg & Co and Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust) East of Scunthorpe 12.00 for 13.00 start. Park on verge of B1208 at SE961 109 just under 1km east of junction with B1207, NW of Wressle. Habitats: Broadleaved woodland, scrub, calcareous grassland Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Sunday, May 19, 2013 Field Meeting Hills and Hollows Quarry, Harrowby (Courtesy of Londonthorpe and Harrowby Parish Council) Just east of Grantham. 13.00 start on site. Two limited space parking spots on road verges at SK928351 and SK937353. The western parking spot along Coldharbour Lane has fairly steep path up to site (follow path north then east to site). From the eastern parking spot (on a bend of Turnor Road) follow path west direct to site. Meet up at SE corner of site for 1pm. NB. Some steep slopes present. Habitats: Calcareous grassland, scrub, broadleaved woodland. Leader: Charlie Barnes 01507 526667 charlie.barnes@glnp.org.uk Saturday, May 25, 2013 Meeting with Lincs Geodiversity Group Welton-le-Wold Quarry SSSI West of Louth 10.30-15.30 (bring lunch) Park at TF281879 (LN11 0QT) Site to be sign-posted off the A631 west of Louth. Habitats: Woodland, grassland, scrub. Leader: Helen Gamble 07958 805213 helen.gamble@lincolnshire.gov.uk Guide available from info@lnu.org Saturday, June 08, 2013 Field Meeting - With evening moth/bat element Allington Meadows SSSI (Courtesy of Bill Cragg) Northwest of Grantham 12.00 for 13.00 start and then 9pm start for evening session. Car parking at SK871399 about half way along minor road between Allington and Gonerby Moor junction of A1. Habitats: Hay meadows, hedges, ponds and Foston Beck. Leader: Barry Johnson barryjohnson131@gmail.com Sunday, June 30, 2013 Field Meeting Brampton Farmland (Courtesy of R and A Brownlow) Northwest of Saxilby 12.00 for 13.00 start. Take track to east side of A156 (between Torksey and Marton) immediately north of where the road crosses a large drain. Follow the track which runs parallel with the drain and then take first track on left to small car park at SK842808. Habitats: Arable, grassland, ponds, drains, broadleaved woodland and vegetated sandhills. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Friday, July 12, 2013 Bioblitz Event + Saturday 13 July Whisby Nature Park Southwest of Lincoln Use main car park (£1 fee applicable, 10am-4pm period) located at SK910662. Bioblitz "nerve centre" will be the Education Centre (not main visitor centre) and will open from 10am each day. Come and go when you like and see what species you can add. A range of experts will be around the site both days. Evening moth trapping and bat recording starting from about 9pm on Friday night, depending on weather. Event includes evening moth element. Habitats: Wide variety including woodland, grassland, brownfield habitats, lakes, ditches and marsh. Contacts: Phil Porter 01522 500676 whisbynp@lincstrust.co.uk and Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Sunday, August 04, 2013 Field Meeting Middlemarsh Farm (Courtesy of J and S Dodsworth) Southwest of Skegness 12.00 for 13.00 start. Take minor road southwards situated about half way between the Burgh bypass and Skegness. Private track to the farm is on left about 1.25km from main road. Keep on track for about 1km and park in farm yard at TF528632. Habitats: Pasture, wetland recreation area, ditches and some arable. Leaders: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Saturday, September 07, 2013 Field Visit - With evening moth/bat element Byrons Lodge and Farm, North Somercotes, (Courtesy of B and L Libell) 12.00 for 13.00 start. Evening moth/bat session starting at 7.30pm. Park along driveway to Byrons Lodge at TF415973 (postcode LN11 7LL) or on minor road verge nearby. Take Jubilee Road off the A1031 and then turn left onto Bank End road. Then take first right and Byrons Lodge is about 150m along on right. NB. Owner has stipulated no children for this one. Habitats: Pasture, pond, young woodland and various drains. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Sunday, October 13, 2013 Fungus Foray Snipe Dales Country Park - Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust East of Horncastle, 12.00 for 13.00 start. Use the Country Park car park (£1 fee) TF330 682 which is well signposted from the A158 Skegness- -Lincoln road and from the B1195 Horncastle--Spilsby road. Some steep slopes present. Habitats: Grassland, marsh and mixed woodland. Leader: Ray Halstead 07772 613640 ray.halstead@tiscali.co.uk ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails This Week *** If you hear of anyone bemoaning the lack of a Bulletin, please refer them to the Bulletin Portal where they will find a copy. http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html If you are having difficulties with spam folders etc. please make sure you "Whitelist" my address as given in the Bulletin. Latest Mailfails. Please update your profile if necessary or you could be deleted from the mailing list. *** And Finally ... Karen Negoro writes: RIVER OF DREAMS - CROSSING ENGLAND IN A PUNT 3000 YEARS OF HISTORY TOLD THROUGH THE STORY OF THE RIVER TRENT. Presented by Tom Fort Tuesday 2nd April 2013 - BBC4. see a clip here: http://vimeo.com/62344516 More clips and photos at the official BBC4 programme page: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00y6r6q "Tune in to BBC4 on Tuesday 2nd April 2013 (the day after Easter Monday) for the long awaited sequel to Tom Fort's documentary "A303 - Highway To The Sun". In his new film, Tom swaps his Morris Minor for a traditional English Punt, discovering a landscape sometimes beautiful, and sometimes brutal, as - from Stoke to the Humber Estuary - he walks, paddles and rows along the Trent." ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/