============================================ || || 3rd November 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. A Sign-up Form can now be found on: http://eepurl.com/zmFMT Past LNU Wildnews Bulletins are available on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Note: Each address contains the relevant date. Views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union or any associated organisations. Reports here are open and are available to county recorders of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. Please contact the Editor to contribute articles or reports. E-mail: rparsons@enterprise.net [A backup e-mail address you can use if ever you experience problems with my "Enterprise" address is: aintree2@yahoo.co.uk ] ============================================ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. Readers hints, tips and requests ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** From the Editor.... *** Hello everyone. Pat Tarttelin has sent us the following note: Woodhall Spa Airfield consultation http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SGK5CXP I wondered if Bulletin readers would be able to help with this? As you may know, Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust purchased 300 acres (120 hectares) of the former Woodhall Spa airfield last year and now hopes to acquire the rest through grant funding and donations. The Trust aims to develop access and viewpoints. Old runways will provide access to the heart of the site offering extensive views of a wildlife rich landscape, while establishing links with the significant aviation visitor attractions in the areas. The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust needs views about the transformation of the remaining area of the Woodhall airfield to a living landscape and LWT reserve (excepting golf course and RAF testing site). For further information, see: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/ Note - if by you have completed a survey form already, please do not do another one! Please help if you can. Thanks. Roger *** LNU Events *** 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. The programme of indoor meetings starts next month and final arrangements are being made. To check on the details as these fall into place, visit: http://lnu.org/events.php Saturday, November 23rd, 2013 [Note correction of day, NOT Tuesday.] Title: Managing the Lincolnshire Wash Reserves for Wildlife Speaker: Toby Collett - Warden Lincolnshire Wash Reserves Everyone is welcome at LNU meetings, but it is always good to have new members sign up and become involved in our work. You can do this via the LNU website: http://lnu.org/join.php *** Donna Nook Seals *** Readers of the Bulletin are urged to respect and support the advice and policy of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust in relation to access to seal breeding areas. Please stay behind the fence in the viewing area and do not venture out onto the beach. http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/lwt/seals/index.php For the latest Seal news see LWT webpage: http://lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/index.php Stuart Wass adds: I was at Donna Nook [on 25th] and so far there have been 3 pups born. There is a new car park being built currently (next to the old one) using that plastic hexagonal surfacing. This is extremely slippery when wet and muddy - so please advise visitors to drive carefully. They are keeping the number of spaces the same (due to pressure from the locals) so the same old advice of 'get there early' stands. *** Boston Area LWT *** Friday, 8th November, 2013, starting at 7.30 P.M. ORCHARDS AND THEIR WILDLIFE an illustrated talk by Trevor Rogers, who has made a special study of this habitat, containing a wide variety of species. The meeting takes place in the Centenary Methodist Church Hall in Red Lion Street Boston. Free with a leaving collection. Refreshments For more information contact Brian Redman tel. 01205 351406 *** Gainsborough Area LWT *** Dave Stockley writes: Wed 20 November 2013: A Year at Potteric Carr NR – Allan and Susan Parker This digital presentation looks at the flora and fauna of one of Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s premier sites on the outskirts of Doncaster. Superb photography from this renowned couple. For more information, please ring Joy on 01427 628457 or E-mail Linda – woodentops@darter.plus.com *** Grantham Group LWT Meeting *** M. Ellis writes: Fri. 8th November 7.30pm Barkston & Syston Village Hall (A607 north of Grantham) Freiston Shore & Frampton Marsh Reserves Simon Rummery RSPB *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** Carolyn Lovely writes: On Monday 11th November 2013 we invite you to join us at our latest indoor meeting - "An Introduction to the Field Study of Wildflowers" where Mark Schofield will take a systematic but entertaining approach to field botany. This takes place in Grimsby Town Hall and starts at 7.30pm. Admission £2 and all are welcome. Trust goods stall and raffle. Tea/coffee available. For further details please contact Jennie Redpath - 01472 502858 *** Lincoln RSPB *** Maureen Staples writes: RSPB indoor meeting at Bishop Grosseteste University, Longdales Road, Lincoln on Thursday 14th November 2013 on: Nepal - The Top of the World by Steve Lovell. Start 7.30pm, RSPB members 3.00 Non members 4.00 Lincoln RSPB http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ *** South Lincs RSPB *** Jeremy Eyeons writes: Forthcoming dates for the 2013/2014 programme of Events. Members and non-members welcome. 3rd November at 10am Free Guided WALK, looking for winter migrants. Boston Cemetery (meet in the crematorium car park). 6th November at 7-30pm illustrated TALK (joint event with LWT) Spilsby Town Hall UPDATE Gianpiero Ferrari FRPS Topic: tba 12th November at 7-30pm illustrated TALK (joint event with LWT) Pinchbeck Village Hall CAIRNGORMS,THE YORKSHIRE DALES AND BEYOND by Steve Rowland 14th November at 7-30pm illustrated TALK Sam Newsom Music Centre, Boston THE SUPERNATURAL HISTORY by Dr Michael Leach Members £2,non-members £3-50 12th December at 7-30pm illustrated TALK Sam Newsom Music Centre, Boston COAST AND ISLAND by Paul Hobson Members £2,non-members £3-50 16th January 2014 at 7-30pm illustrated TALK Sam Newsom Music Centre, Boston WILDLIFE OF THE NENE WASHES AND THE CORNCRAKE by Charlie Kitchen Sam Newsom Music Centre,Boston Members £2,non-members £3-50. S Lincs RSPB http://www.southlincsrspb.org.uk ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2. Wildlife Highlights ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Bird News from Rare Birds Alert *** Rare Bird Alert has kindly given permission to reproduce reports. A big thank you from us all. Interested readers should have a look at the RBA website: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ 25/10 Pallid or Common Swift, Yellow-browed Warbler, Saltfleetby/ Theddlethorpe Pectoral Sandpiper, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, North Hykeham 3 Spotted Redshanks, Gibraltar Point 26/10 Long-tailed Duck, Scaup, Covenham Reservoir 3 Blue-winged Teals, Boultham Mere Little Stint, Wood Sandpiper, Jack Snipe, Frampton Marsh 2 Spotted Redshanks, Gibraltar Point Scaup south past Donna Nook plus 2 Crossbills Lapland Bunting, Cleethorpes, Whaleback sand bank 2 Ring Ouzels, Crowle Moor 27/10 2 Glossy Ibis flew south along shore, Gibraltar Point Great Grey Shrike, Willingham by Stow, east side of Kexby, flew south Lapland Bunting, Wood Sandpiper, Little Stint, Hen Harrier, Frampton Marsh Whinchat, m Hen Harrier, Rimac Black Redstart, Gibraltar Point 3 Blue-winged Teals, Boultham Mere 2 Richard's Pipits, Lapland Bunting flew south, Donna Nook at Quad 28/10 13-14 Osprey, Deeping St Nicholas and Deeping Lakes Black Redstart, Gibraltar Point 2 Richard's Pipits, 8 Twite, Donna Nook at Quad 3 Blue-winged Teals, Boultham Mere 29/10 3 Richard's Pipits, Black Redstart, Short-eared Owl, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Red-necked Grebe, 235 Whooper Swans and juv Pomarine Skua flew south, Gibraltar Point Hooded Crow, Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Frampton Marsh Richard's Pipit at Quad, Gibraltar Point 3 Blue-winged Teals, Boultham Mere 30/10 Curlew Sandpiper, Read's Island Rock Pipit over, 3 Whooper Swans, Short-eared Owl, Appleby Carrs Eurasian White-fronted Goose, Firecrest, Snow Bunting, Short-eared Owl, 2 Hen Harriers, 1 m Bonxie, Great White Egret on new saltmarsh, Gibraltar Point, 2 Richard's Pipits at Quad 3, 30 Twite at seal colony, Donna Nook 4 Spotted Redshanks, Alkborough flats Osprey, Deeping St Nocholas, Deeping Lakes 31/10 Lapland Bunting, m Hen Harrier, Eurasian White-fronted Goose with Pink-footed Geese, Gibraltar Point Rough-legged buzzard, Rimac Blue-winged Teal drk, Boultham Mere Bewick's Swan, with 42 Whooper Swans, Wroot 1/11 Firecrest trapped and ringed, Hawfinch, Lapland Bunting, Woodlark flew south, Gibraltar Point White-rumped Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Frampton Marsh Hawfinch, Riseholme, in wood by church Ring Ouzel south over River Witham path, Frampton Marsh Snow Bunting, Cleethorpes coast LNR 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. Species to look out for... Chris Manning writes: A species to watch for is floating pennywort, some is present near Saxilby at SK 870 730. While many invasive species are detrimental to biodiversity, this species can also be a major issue for flood risk management as it seriously obstructs flows. https://secure.fera.defra.gov.uk/nonnativespecies/factsheet/factsheet.cfm?speciesId=1766 http://www.glnp.org.uk/admin/resources/invasive-species-id-guides.pdf http://www.ceh.ac.uk/sci_programmes/documents/hydrocotyleranunculoides.pdf Control will be attempted by the IDB. Floating pennywort was introduced for garden ponds, has anyone got any in their ponds? Note it is an offence to plant or otherwise cause this species to grow in the wild (Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 - Schedule 9). Water Voles http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/species/water-vole Barn Owls http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/b/barnowl/index.aspx Willow Tits http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/w/willowtit/index.aspx Lesser-spotted Woodpeckers http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/l/lesserspottedwoodpecker/index.aspx *** 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. DON'T FORGET Please include the year in your reports in case they are copied and thus lose their context. BAUMBER TF 197 750 Su Colman & Mark Townsend 24 October 2013 Badger roadkill on the verge, westbound CAISTOR Wendy Handford (WH) Reports from contributors to Caistor records Week beginning 25.10.13 Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 WH Fox takes pheasant roadkill 31st Oct Foxes 3 nightly in orchard Hedgehog nightly in orchard Frog 2yr among seedtrays 24th Oct Curlews 6 flying N 28th Oct Great spotted woodpecker m on feeder 27th Oct Common wasps 4 on fallen pears 24th Oct Ladybird red with 16 black spots 25th Oct Additional identified fungi: False saffron milkcap 29th Oct. New on Caistor list Hare'sfoot inkcap 19th Oct. New on Caistor list Pipe club var. Contorta 19th Oct. New on Caistor list Sulphur tuft 25th Oct Tawny funnel 10 24th Oct Velvet shank 25th Oct Wood blewit 25th Oct Hundon Manor Farm TA 116 024 Pink footed geese, skein of 40 flying N 15th Oct Nettleton Lodge Game Farm TA 090 012 B Jacob Long-tailed tits 12 in Hawthorn 27th Oct Whooper swans 32 flying over 26th Oct Brown rot on cooking apples Common inkcap. New on Caistor list Shaggy inkcap Turkeytail on Oak Shieling farm TA 106 027W Collins Shaggy parasol 2 on verge Town Hall carpark TA 118 015 29th Oct House sparrow 25 Feverfew Fox-and-cubs Yellow corydalis White campion Stinking parasol DEEPINGS Venue: Deeping Lakes LWT Reserve TF187083 Date: 30/10/2013 Observer: Ian Gordon Time: 0930 - 1200 Weather: Sunny, cool, no wind Birds: Blackbird Black-headed Gull Blue Tit Blue Tit (seen by another observer) Buzzard (unusual bird - completely white head, pale tips to wing primaries and tail feathers) Carrion Crow Chiffchaf Coot Cormorant Goldeneye Great Crested Grebe Great Tit Green Woodpecker Grey Heron Greylag Goose Herring Gull Jay Kestrel Kingfisher Little Egret long-tailed Tit Magpie Mallard Moorhen Mute Swan Osprey (was told it had also been seen Sunday and Monday am) Oystercatcher Pheasant Pochard Robin Rook Teal Treecreeper Tufted Duck Woodpigeon Wren Mammals: Grey Squirrel (5) HORKSTOW Saturday 26th October Jenny Haynes Harlequin ladybird (Harmonia Axyndis Conspicua) found in my garden on a buddleia seed head. First time I've seen one. HUTTOFT TF512 763 (my garden) Jane Pennington Date: 28 October 2013 Mistlethrush 1 Great spotted woodpecker 1 Date: 29 October 2013 Great spotted woodpecker 1 Great tits 2 Date: 30 October 2013 Great tits 2 LONDONTHORPE WOODS SK946 377 20th October Steve Green Red Admiral and hornets on ivy NOCTON HALL GROUNDS TF059 644 27th October Steve Green Red Admiral Comma Small Copper THURNHOLMES (SK79767 98400) and surrounding area Steve Hiner and Paul Snow 27/10/13 Black Headed Gull x 239 Golden Plover x 351 Great Tit x 2 Lapwing x 152 Pied Wagtail x 1 Rook x 117 Starling x 32 Tree Sparrow x 25 30/10/13 Barn Owl x 1 Owston Ferry Warping Drain Kestrel x 1 male '' 31/10/13 Black Headed Gull x 20 Low Melwood Claypit Carrion Crow x 1 '' Coot x 12 '' Greylag Goose x 26 '' Mallard x 3 '' Mute Swan x 2 '' Tufted Duck x 20 '' 01/11/13 Blackbird x 1 Mute Swan x 2 Owston Ferry Warping Drain Tree Sparrow x 29 Short Tailed Field Vole x 1 under roofing sheet WRANGLE COMMON 30/10/2013 Roy and Kath Pearson A BirdTrack count today produced 35 species, including some of particular interest. Foremost among these was a flock of 19 Redpolls which flew over calling before settling in some trees in the middle of a copse. Though common here in the 1980s, it is many years since we recorded them here and it was the first time they had featured on a BirdTrack count. Almost as uncommon was a single Green Woodpecker, whilst other birds of note were Buzzard (1), Curlew (19), Green Sandpiper (1), Snipe (3) and a single Kingfisher. A Muntjac was also seen. WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 24/10/2013 4 Buzzards circling over square TF 2253 Badger on Hurnbridge Road at 21.30hrs. TF215 535 [AP] On its way to raid a maize patch. 29/10 TF 21 54 Flock of Fieldfares on Hurnbridge Road feeding on berries. [RP] also several flocks of finches moving through hedgerows. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 1st November 2013 John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Peter & Janet Roworth The first week of October was dry and although relatively cloudy daytime temperatures were pleasant reaching 22.5°C on the 7th. Conditions then changed when a deep depression became established over the North Sea giving a mix of near gale force winds (f6/7 on the 10th), low cloud and rain from the 10th - 15th. The winds then veered round to a SW sector for the remainder of the month. Spells of rainfall were frequent together with more strong winds. A gust of 42mph was recorded at Rimac on the NNR on the 27th, while there were storm force conditions along southern England to East Anglia causing some structural damage. There was quite a wide variation in temperatures during the month, even on a daily basis, but interestingly on the 12th the difference between air max and ground min was only 2.25°C (ground min 11.5°C, air min 11.75°, air max 13.75°C). Ground frosts occurred on the 24th (-1.75°C) and 30th (0.00°). There were two days of intense rainfall recorded in 24hrs with 15.9mm on the 12th and 15.1mm on the 27th. The total for the month was 74.1mm giving a total for the year so far to 372mm (32% down on last year). Twelve days were noted with wind speeds at f5 (fresh breeze) or over at the time of weather readings. Interesting bird observations have included Whooper Swans 8 south 26th,14 on Rimac lagoon 27th, 88 (in 6 groups) south on 29th. Bewick’s Swans 10 over WSW on 29th. Five Goosanders, including 2 males, flew south also on the 29th. There was a good movement of Pink-footed Geese during the week, all flying in a southerly direction with 120 on the 26th; 44 and 80 on the 27th; 60, 104 and 150+ on the 29th; 80, 60 and 110 on the 30th. Up to 400+ Starlings have been feeding on the saltmarsh plus sightings of 50+ Skylarks, 30+ Rock Pipits, 24 Twite, several Reed Buntings and a Lapland Bunting. A female Peregrine Falcon and male Hen Harrier were also observed over the area. Wildfowl in the creeks and on the wet area of the marsh have included 150+ Wigeon, c100 Teal, 28 Shelduck, 3 Shoveler, 2 Pintail and 17 Mallard. All except the Pintail have been seen roosting on Rimac lagoon. A flock of 9 Lapwing flew over Sea View on the 26th. On the 29th there was a mixed flock of about 45 Twite, 35+ Linnets, along with several Rock Pipits and a Lapland Bunting feeding on the samphire near Brickyard but they had little chance to settle, initially being disturbed by a Merlin, which was then followed by a Sparrow Hawk making regular sorties out from the dunes. On the same day there were good numbers of Robin, Dunnock, Reed Bunting, Yellowhammer and 3 Bullfinch in the dune scrub between Brickyard and Churchill. On Friday afternoon 25th in the in strong, mild SW winds, CM had a probable Pallid Swift along the dunes in company with a Swallow. A juvenile Rough-legged Buzzard was reported flying over Rimac on the 31st. On the 29th a Jack Snipe was on the outer saltmarsh and another over the dunes at Rimac. Single Chiffchaffs were recorded on 25th and 29th. A few migrant hawkers and common/ruddy darters were on the wing on the 29th and a common darter was seen ovipositing on the 30th. RSPB RESERVES http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/collections/thewash_northnorfolk.aspx SOUTH LINCS HIGHLIGHTS South Lincolnshire Monthly Bird Highlights Reports for September 2013 John Badley Recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Assisted by Colin Jennings RSPB Frampton Marsh The month started with at least one of the Wrynecks remaining from August (1st). Several short-stayers included Spoonbill (2nd), Dotterel (13th), Temminck’s Stint (21st-22nd) and Pectoral Sandpiper (22nd). However a Buff-breasted Sandpiper (29th) remained into October. Other waders included up to 23 Curlew Sandpipers (7th) and 12 Little Stints (17th), with Black-tailed Godwits peaking at 5252 (22nd). A Slavonian Grebe (or possibly a hybrid Slavonian/ Black-necked Grebe) was also seen (24th). Gibraltar Point NNR The Short-toed Lark from August remained just into September (1st). The sea produced several Long-tailed Skuas with seven juveniles (10th) and two juveniles (11th). On the same two dates there were peaks of two Sooty and 11 Manx Shearwaters, 180 Arctic and 76 Great Skuas, along with single Black Tern and up to seven Arctic Terns. Outside this period Pomarine Skuas were seen on two dates. Birds of prey included perhaps four Ospreys and a Honey Buzzard (15th). Passage waders were represented by up to 42 Curlew Sandpipers (2nd),15 Little Stints (4th) and Wood Sandpiper (21st). Terrestrial migrants included a single Wryneck (12th), Long-eared Owl (14th), Woodlark (24th & 25th), Yellow-browed Warblers (from 25th) with a peak of three (27th), up to three Ring Ouzels (from 26th), Firecrest (30th). The first Lapland (21st) and Snow (26th) Buntings of the winter were also reported. Other sites A Pectoral Sandpiper was at RSPB Freiston Shore (2nd-6th) with up to 48 Curlew Sand- pipers (2nd) and an American Golden Plover was reported at Holbeach St. Matthew (23rd). Inland Common Scoters appeared with six at North Hykeham Pits (12th) and one at Whisby Nature Park (18th). Six Black Terns were at Thurlby Pit (9th), with singles on several dates at Deeping Lakes. A Rose-ringed Parakeet was in Lincoln (17th), while a Cetti’s Warbler was at Skegness (29th). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 01.11.13 BIRDS Max nos. bearded tit 6 bittern blackbird 5 black-headed gull 20 blue tit 6 canada goose 6 carrion crow 2 Cetti's warbler chaffinch 6 collared dove 2 common gull 20 coot 70 cormorant 4 curlew 2 dunnock 4 gadwall 43 goldeneye 3 golden plover 47 GBB gull GC grebe 4 GS woodpecker great tit 4 grey heron greylag goose 60+ house sparrow 10 kingfisher lapwing 160 magpie 4 mallard 10 marsh harrier M moorhen 4 mute swan 7 pink-footed goose 700+ pochard 8 redshank 20 reed bunting 2 robin 4 shelduck 6 shoveler 2 sparrowhawk M + F starling 50 teal 12 tufted duck 15 water rail whooper swan 2 wigeon 35 willow tit 2 wood pigeon 4 wren 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7. Sending in reports to Roger Parsons ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The purpose of the Bulletin is to encourage biological recording in Lincolnshire using modern Information and Communication Technology. We hope to increase the number of people reporting observations to LNU Recorders and improve the quality of reports, as well as the quantity and the geographical coverage. In return for this FREE service, we ask you to provide reports, questions, news or relevant articles from time to time. Descriptive pieces are welcome - you don't have to stick to lists! Mailing times vary, depending on what I am doing. The Bulletin usually goes out on Sundays. Please e-mail in your contributions as early as possible to ensure they are included, to: rparsons@enterprise.net [A backup e-mail address you can use if ever you experience problems with my "Enterprise" address is: aintree2@yahoo.co.uk ] When sending in reports please follow this layout to save reediting: Place Name: IN CAPITALS with Grid Reference if you have it. Your Name: Real names please, not aliases. Put it in each time, for each location Date: Species list [Alphabetical?] & numbers [and observations?] e.g. Blackbird - 24 [And please, no home-grown abbreviations. Species Names in full.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 8. Contact Information & Useful Websites ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please let me know ASAP if any of these weblinks fail! *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Website *** A full list of LNU Country Recorders is given here. http://www.lnu.org/ LNU e-mail: info@lnu.org If you are not yet a member, the LNU needs good naturalists like you! Anyone interested can get membership application forms from Wilma Gammon at the Lincs Wildlife Trust office, e-mail wgammon@lincstrust.co.uk LNU publications [listed on LNU website] may be ordered via: Ian Macalpine-Leny http://lnu.org/publications.php ian@macalpine-leny.co.uk *** iSpot Keys for computer or mobile *** If you are a beginner to identification of species, you might find the following link useful - especially if you are encouraging young people to have a go - e.g. Wildlife Watch group members. "They suggest the species in your area that best match what you have found." http://www.ispot.org.uk/keys 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 *** Report Ash Dieback in Lincolnshire *** Link for Chalara fraxinea reports: http://www.forestry.gov.uk/chalara *** Spiders *** Imogen Wilde writes: I have recently agreed to take on the roles of Regional Co- ordinator (RC) and Mentor for Lincolnshire for the British Arachnological Society (BAS). I will be organising a few field meetings to hunt for spiders and other arachnids in due course, but if any LNU members wish to get in touch in the meantime then please contact me on my e-mail address: Imogen@imogenwilde.co.uk *** Lincs Amphibian and Reptile Group *** The Lincolnshire ARG (Amphibian & Reptile Group) For further details please contact ashleybutterfield@btinternet.com tel. 07984 66 5847 *** Limestone Grassland Project *** Mark Schofield, Limestone Grassland Project Officer, mschofield@lincstrust.co.uk Mobile: 07825970930, Switchboard: 01507 526667. To find out more and to become involved with the survey and management of Lincolnshire's limestone grassland on road verges see: See: http://www.lifeontheverge.org.uk/ *** Local Bat Helpline *** Grounded bats, bat problems, advice and information? Contact Annette and Colin Faulkner on 01775 766286 or e-mail: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** Bat Recorder *** You may send confidential bat records direct to Annette Faulkner on: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** Butterfly Conservation Recorder *** Allan Binding asks contributors of butterfly records to the Bulletin to include their address or contact telephone or e-mail address and Grid Reference if possible. e-mail: allan.binding@ntlworld.com *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire link *** http://www.lincolnshire-butterflies.org.uk/index.html *** LNU Bees, Wasps and Ants Recorder *** Alan Phillips Willing to examine specimens or check photos (but bear in mind only a relative few of the 300+ species in the county are identifiable using photos). Aculeates only please, no parasitic wasps such as Ichneumons. If in doubt please contact for advice: aculeates@gmail.com *** Hedgehog Survey *** Not yet sure if this will extend the next year. Have a look. http://www.hedgehogstreet.org/pages/hibernation-survey.html *** Mammal Records *** Mammal records can reported to Chris Manning E-mail: Chris.LincsDeer@gmail.com Mink/Otter reports are of interest and can be sent via the Bulletin. *** Grow-you-own Mistletoe *** http://www.mistle.co.uk/ *** Met Office E-mail Service *** The Met Office website now offers an e-mail notification service for severe weather and other matters which may interest readers. Worth having a look and signing up. Be warned of the possibility of severe weather. See: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/guide-to-emails *** Slug ID Help *** Chris du Feu will help with slug identification. You can telephone him on: 01427 848400 or e-mail: chris@chrisdufeu.force9.co.uk *** Identification of Non-Marine Molluscs *** John Redshaw is still available to identify specimens of non- marine shelled molluscs, including brackish marsh species. For larger and medium sized species (down to 1cm) a digital image will usually suffice. For smaller species it may be possible, in some cases, to ID specimens from digital images, but usually actual specimens will be required. If providing specimens, they may be enclosed in old film pots (which photographic shops are usually glad to get rid of). Details of location where specimen found, (with grid reference if known), date and finder's name should be provided. If specimen is provided this information should be noted on a label stuck to the outside of the pot. Please be aware that it is illegal to send live specimens through the post. For further details please contact John by e-mail on ejred7fen@tiscali.co.uk *** Mollusc Identification *** David Feld has also kindly offered to assist readers to identify molluscs, both terrestrial and aquatic. Please e-mail him a description and he will advise you whether and where to send a photograph or an actual specimen. Contact: drf@dfeld.freeserve.co.uk *** Lincolnshire Badger Group Update *** Ally Townsend of the Weirfield Wildlife Hospital, writes: If you would like to give people the Lincoln number 01522 530428 a member of staff will record the sighting or RTA. Or use the Weirfield website: http://www.weirfield.co.uk/ where a reporting page can be used to send in reports. *** Lincs Bird Club *** Secretary - Robert Carr secretary@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Membership Secretary - Mike Harrison: michael@michaelharrison1.wanadoo.co.uk LBC County Bird Recorders County Bird Recorder, covering the south of the county recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk for John Badley recorder_north@lincsbirdclub.co.uk for John Clarkson Bird Club Website: http://www.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/hartsholmecp contact Park Rangers at hartsholmecp@lincoln.gov.uk Tornado and Storm Research Organisation http://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.rspb.org.uk www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore http://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/ Chef cooks up recipes for Japanese Knotweed http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/sussex/hi/people_and_places/newsid_8634000/8634285.stm 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 http://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. Indoor Winter Meetings: Saturday, November 23rd, 2013 Title: Managing the Lincolnshire Wash Reserves for Wildlife Speaker: Toby Collett - Warden Lincolnshire Wash Reserves Saturday, January 11, 2014 Talk by Richard Jefferson Conserving England’s high value grasslands: a health check and future prospects. Saturday, February 15, 2014 Recorders’ Meeting Saturday, March 08, 2014 AGM and Presidential Address by Ian Macalpine-Leny ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. None this week. *** And finally...... BBC Radio 4 Tweet of the day: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01s6xyk ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/