============================================ || || 10th 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.... *** If you have not yet filled in Pat Tarttelin's survey about the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Woodhall Spa airfield project, please help her by doing so now. It is straightforward and will not take you long. Woodhall Spa Airfield consultation http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SGK5CXP The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust needs our 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). Note - if by you have completed a survey form already, please do not do another one! I know the LWT has just emailed out a similar invitation. We attended a splendid RSPB walk in Boston Cemetery last week. The old part of the area is now managed for conservation and is very interesting. A thoroughly well-organised and fascinating visit, for which many 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 - Saturday, 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 Rob Lidstone-Scott writes: 2nd Nov: bulls 82, cows 85, pups 30 Editor adds: We went there on Thursday and the season is well underway with many seals up and pupping. The warning about the state of the car park needs to be repeated. The Lincolnshire expression would be "Up to yer guts in squad!" I was pleased I had taken my wellies. *** 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 *** 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 *** Grimsby & District RSPB Local Group*** Julie Harrison writes: On Monday 18 November 2013 we invite you to join us at Corpus Christi Community Centre, Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes, DN35 7AE for a very special Indoor Meeting, commencing at 7-30pm, when Dr Mike Leach, Wildlife Photographer & Author will be presenting his illustrated Talk "Poles Apart" the worlds of the Arctic & Antarctic. He will also be signing copies of his latest book "The Natural History of Christmas". Admission £3. All are welcome Tea/coffee available. *** 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. 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/ 2/11 Wood Sandpiper, 40 Twite, Frampton Marsh White-rumped Sandpiper juv on Mere, 12 Snow Buntings, Woodlark south over, juv Arctic Tern, Lapland Bunting, Firecrest, Ring Ouzel, Short-eared Owl, Jack Snipe, Gibraltar Point Hen Harrier, Tetney Blue-winged teal drk, Boultham Mere 3/11 Richard's Pipit, Little Stint on Mere, Gibraltar Point Blue-winged Teal drk, Boultham Mere 4/11 Rough-legged Buzzard east of Long Sutton flew north Blue-winged Teal drk, Boultham Mere White-rumped Sandpiper juv, Wood Sandpiper, Lapland Bunting Frampton Marsh 6 Snow Buntings, Cleethorpes Coast NNR Lapland bunting, Donna Nook 2 Long-tailed Ducks flew past Gibraltar Point Lapland Bunting south over Mill Hill, 17 Snow Buntings on beach, Gibraltar Point 5/11 Gannet juv flew SW over A17 at Brant Broughton Blue-winged Teal drk, Boultham Mere Hen Harrier m, Frampton Marsh Richard's Pipit, 11 Snow Buntings, 2 Snow Buntings over Gibraltar Point 6/11 Hawfinch flew south, Arctic Skua, Gibraltar Point 2 Long-tailed Duck, Scaup, 3 Black-throated Divers, Red-necked Grebe, Boston, Cut End at River Witham Mouth Waxwing over, 25 Whooper Swans, Alkborough Richard's Pipit, Crossbill, 17 Snow Buntings on millennium Ridge, Gibraltar Point 2 Caspian Gulls, Gainsborough 7/11 Blue-winged Teal drk, Boultham Mere c50 Snow Buntings, c100 Twite, Theddlethorpe betw Churchill Lane and Brickyard Snow bunting, Frampton Marsh Glaucous Gull, North Hykeham, Millennium Green Long-tailed Duck on pools, Humberston Fitties 19 Snow Bunting. Gibraltar Point 8/11 Red-necked Grebe, Long-tailed Duck, Covenham Reservoir Long-tailed Duck on pools, Humberston Fitties 14 Twite. Donna Nook 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... Floating Pennywort 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 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. BARTON Waters' Edge TA 032 231 Julie Ellison 25/10/13, 26/10/13, 02/11/13 Birds: Blackbird, Turdus merula Black-Headed Gull, Chroicocephalus ribibundus Blue Tit, Cyanistes caeruleus Canada Geese, Branta canadensis Common Gull, Larus canus Coot, Fulica atra Cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo, (2 together on raft 25/10/13, 1 overfly 02/11/13) Curlew, Numenius arquata Feral Pigeon, Columba livia Gadwall, Anas strepera Goldeneye, Bucephala clangula Goldfinch, Carduelis carduelis Great Black-Back Gull, Larus marinus Great Tit, Parus major Grey Heron, Ardea cinerea Greylag Goose, Anser anser House Sparrow, Passer domesticus Kingfisher, Alcedo atthis, (1, in reeds on Big Pond at TA 032 232 on 25/10/13) Little Grebe, Tachybaptus ruficollis Long-Tailed Tit, Aegithalos caudatus Magpie, Pica pica Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos Moorhen, Gallinula chloropus Mute Swan, Cygnus olor Pochard, Aythya ferina Redshank,Tringa totanus , (about 20 25/10/13, fewer on other days) Robin, Erithacus rubecula Shoveler, Anas clypeata Starling, Sturnus vulgaris Teal, Anas crecca Tufted Duck, Aythya fuligula Wood Pigeon, Columba palumbus Wild Plants in Flower or Berry: Bugloss (Viper's), Echium vulgare Catsear (Common), Hypochaeris radicata Clover (Red), Trifolium pratense Dandelion, Taraxacum officinale Deadnettle (White), Lamium album Groundsel, Senecio vulgaris Guelder-Rose, Viburnum opulus Hawksbeard (Smooth), Crepis capillaris Hawkweed (Mouse Ear), Pilosella officinarum Hawthorn, Crataegus monogyna Knapweed (Rayed & Unrayed), Centaurea nigra var. nigra Mayweed (Scentless), Tripleurospermum inodorum Oxtongue (Bristly), Picris echioides Plantain (Ribwort), Plantago lanceolata Poppy (Common), Papaver rhoeas Ragwort (Oxford), Senecio squalidus Wild Carrot, Daucus carota Yarrow, Achillea millefolium CAISTOR Wendy Handford (WH) Reports from contributors to Caistor records Week beginning 1.11.13 Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 WH Foxes 3 eating conference pears 4th Nov Brown rat dead in orchard 2nd Nov Hedgehog juv dead in hedgerow 2nd Nov Great spotted woodpecker f on feeder Green woodpecker 1st Nov Jay in orchard 4th Nov Magpies 4 in orchard Common wasp on fallen pear 3rd Nov Fruit flies 10s on stored pears 2nd Nov Ivory funnel 30th Oct. ID by Ray H. New on Caistor list Hundon Manor Farm ponds TA 112 026 P Robinson Coot 4 4th Nov Grey heron 4th Nov Nettleton Lodge Game Farm TA 090 012 B Jacob Pied wagtails m and f 4th Nov Pink-footed geese 200 flying SE 8am 4th Nov Churchyard beetle in house 5th Nov. New on Caistor list Hairy curtain crust Stinking parasol Tawny funnel cluster of 30 North Street TA 118 015 Shaggy scalycap 2ndNov Shieling farm TA 106 027W Collins Chaffinches feeding on Cosmos seeds 1st Nov CALLAN'S LANE WOOD Callan’s Lane Wood 3rd November 2013 3 Marsh Tits 4 Long-tailed Tits HORNCASTLE TF261691 My garden Robert Walker 24/10/13 Brimstone butterfly 1 also 25/10/13 22-Spot Ladybird 1 Psyllobora 22-punctata On table in Conservatory - very small, but distinctive yellow with black spots. also 1/11/13 Siskin 1 First sighting this autumn / winter, on niger seed feeder Off INGOLDMELLS beach Chuck Wood 3/11/2013 Common Seal [photo supplied] TEMPLE WOOD Temple Wood 3rd November 2014 Ian Misselbrook 1 Common Buzzard 30 Fieldfares 1 Weasel 40 Fallow Deer THORGANBY TF203984 Robert Walker 3/11/13 Grove ( or Brown-lipped ) snail 1 Cepaea nemoralis Unbanded, yellow colouration with only the lip showing brown, found in centre of tarmac road. THURNHOLMES (SK79767 98400) and surrounding area Steve Hiner and Paul Snow 02/11/13 Blackbird x 2 Owston Ferry Warping Drain Bullfinch x 1 '' Common Buzzard x 1 '' Carrion Crow x 2 '' Cormorant x 1 '' Magpie x 2 '' Sparrowhawk x 1 '' Wood Pigeon x 4 '' Weasel x 1 (dead) Thurnholmes 04/11/13 Black Headed Gull x 53 Common Buzzard x 1 Golden Plover x 158 Tawny Owl x 1 calling 1.00am Owston Ferry Warping Drain Wren x 1 Short Tailed Field Vole x 1 under recording sheet Thurnholmes 05/11-13 Barn Owl x 1 1.15am Thurnholmes Black Headed Gull x 58 Common Buzzard x 1 Dunnock x 1 Golden Plover x 235 Lapwing x 7 Rook x 17 Wren x 1 06/11/13 Black Headed Gull x 14 Low Melwood Claypits, x 100+ Thurnholmes Coot x 22 '' Fieldfare x 70+ Thurnholmes Golden Plover x 200+ '' Lapwing x 150+ '' Long Tailed Tit x 7 Low Melwood Claypits Mallard x 2 '' Moorhen x 1 '' Robin x 1 '' , x 1 Thurnholmes Rook x 50+ Thurnholmes Tree Sparrow x 71 '' Tufted Duck x 20 Low Melwood Claypit Wren x 1 Thurnholmes 07/11/13 Blackbird x 6 Owston Ferry Carrion Crow x 2 '' Collared Dove x 2 '' Greenfinch x 1 '' Goldfinch x 1 '' Golden Plover x 250+ Thurnholmes House Sparrow x 6 Owston Ferry Lapwing x 150+ Thurnholmes Magpie x 2 Owston Ferry Pheasant x 2 '' Tawny Owl x 1 calling from Owston Ferry Warping Drain 1.00am Wood Pigeon x 6 Owston Ferry Rabbit x 1 '' WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 5/11/2013 4 young Brown Rats - found drowned in half-full bucket. Grey squirrel ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 8th November 2013 John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Peter & Janet Roworth There has been a ‘nip’ in the air during the early mornings this week with three ground frosts recorded, falling to -3.75°C on the 5th, when there was also an air frost of 0.0°C. Interesting bird records for the week have included Whooper Swans 5 on the 1st, 18 on Rimac lagoon on the 4th and 8 over the dunes on the 7th. There has been a ‘local’ flock of 31 Pink-footed Geese seen most days, and a skein of 95 flew south on the 7th. The high tide on the saltmarsh on 5th and 6th attracted 120 Dark- bellied Brent Geese. Twite numbers have reached 100+ in the Brickyard area together with up to 35 Snow Buntings and associated Linnets 30+ and Reed Buntings 15+. During the middle of the week there was an influx of Blackbirds with several small flocks seen throughout the reserve reaching over 40 in one area, plus 5 Bramblings on the 7th. Two Water Rails were heard screaming near Rimac on the 4th, a fine male Bullfinch at Sea View also on the 4th and a single House Martin flew south near Brick- yard on the 6th. Starlings have reached 450+ on the saltmarsh and from here they flight into nearby berry-laden sea buckthorn bushes for a feast. There have been few raptors with sightings of a female Hen Harrier and two Pere- grine Falcons. Any brief spells of sunshine giving some warmth have encouraged the occasional insect to appear including a migrant hawker ovipositing on the 4th, several common and ruddy darters in flight, 2 red admirals on the 4th and 1 small tortoiseshell on the 7th. 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 08.11.13 BIRDS Max nos. bittern 2 blackbird 10 black-headed gull 20 blue tit 6 carrion crow 2 chaffinch 6 collared dove 2 common gull 21 coot 137 cormorant 10 curlew 2 dunnock 4 gadwall 30 goldeneye 3 goldfinch 2 GC grebe 4 GS woodpecker great tit 3 greenfinch grey heron 2 greylag goose 60+ house sparrow 10 jackdaw 40 kestrel kingfisher lapwing 13 magpie 3 mallard 22 marsh harrier M moorhen 4 mute swan 5 pheasant pink-footed goose 200+ pochard 10 redshank 17 redwing 4 reed bunting 2 robin 4 shelduck 6 shoveler 35 snipe sparrowhawk starling 20 teal 17 tufted duck 35 water rail 2 wigeon 22 willow tit 2wood pigeon 6 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. Soft Bounces: Wood - email account that you tried to reach is disabled. Fletcher - email account that you tried to reach is disabled. Taylors - email account that you tried to reach is disabled. Pool - email account that you tried to reach is disabled. All these users have the same ISP and a mailing from my Yahoo address also failed. This therefore looks like an ISP issue and no further action will be taken by me in the hope it will resolve itself. *** And finally...... BBC Radio 4 Tweet of the day: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01s6xyk From Julia Smith - thanks for these... Interesting pics on the Lincoln cathedral website http://lincolncathedral.com/2013/06/the-peregrines-enjoy-lunch-in-our-refectory/ Slideshow - pictures of the day... http://photos.uk.msn.com/slideshow/photos/pictures-of-the-day/2x49xy2h ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/