============================================ || || 24th 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 spot any typos or "broken links", please let me know. I am especially in need of a bit of proofreading in sections 6 to 11 - with updates from where information is out-of-date. Paul Kirby has asked us to look out for and report locations of the easy-to-recognise species, Gorse and Lords and Ladies. The issue is not that they are under-recorded. Instead Paul is interested to find the flowering period of Ulex europaeus in Lincs and whether the distribution of plants of Arum maculatum with spotted leaves differs from that of plants with unspotted leaves. So: Gorse - Is it in flower? If it is, are there abundant flowers or just a few? http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/species/gorse http://www.plantlife.org.uk/wild_plants/plant_species/gorse/ Lords and Ladies - Are the leaves spotted or not? http://www.plantlife.org.uk/wild_plants/plant_species/lords-and-ladies http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/species/lords-and-ladies Reports may be sent in via the Bulletin. If you wish to respond to a question from a contributor or comment on a report, please do. Thanks. Roger Gorse Record South Kyme Golf Course Geoff Annibal 16/11/2013 Re the request for gorse locations in your latest newsletter there are some isolated patches on South Kyme Golf course, TF185504. Whether these are 'original' or were planted when the course was constructed I couldn't say but they are mature plants and provide an attraction for the resident linnets. There are no flowers on view at the moment but I will keep an eye on things and report accordingly. *** 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, January 11, 2014 Talk by Richard Jefferson Conserving England’s high value grasslands: a health check and future prospects. Everyone is welcome at LNU meetings, but of course 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.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-24872049# 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 9th Nov: Bulls 315, cows 412, pups 200 16th Nov: Bulls 423, cows 960, pups 701 *** Chalara fraxinea question. *** Silvia Fowler writes: Although our 3 ash trees displayed all the symptoms of chalara fraxinea infection last autumn, this year the foliage seemed quite healthy overall. I'm wondering whether last year there were other fungal diseases involved causing similar symptoms, particularly in the context of the very wet weather we experienced in 2012. Any observations from other contributors? *** 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 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/ 16/11 10 Shorelarks, 75 Twite and 45 Snow Buntings, also Swallow flew north, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe dunes on beach near Brickyard Lane car park Lapland Bunting flew south over Gibraltar Point Glaucous Gull, North Hykeham, Millennium Green White-rumped Sandpiper, Frampton Marsh Red-necked Grebe, Long-tailed Duck, fem Scaup, Purple Sandpiper, Covenham Reservoir Lapland Bunting, 6 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, 30 Twite, male Hen Harrier, Donna Nook 17/11 48 Twite, Donna Nook White-rumped Sandpiper, Scaup, 22 Snow Buntings, Frampton Marsh Purple Sandpiper, Red-necked Grebe, Long-tailed Duck, Covenham Reservoir 4 Shorelarks, 88 Twite, 30 Snow Buntings, Saltfleetby/ Theddlethorpe dunes on beach near Brickyard Lane car park 18/11 White-rumped Sandpiper, 20+ Snow Buntings, Shorelark flew south, Frampton Marsh 2 Lapland Buntings, Humberston 170 Snow Buntings, Hen Harrier m, Jack Snipe, Cleethorpes Coast 75 Twite, Donna Nook 19/11 White-rumped Sandpiper, Whimbrel, Snow Bunting, Frampton Marsh Snow Bunting, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe dunes on beach near Brickyard Lane car park 2 Jack Snipe, Gibraltar Point Red-necked Grebe, Covenham Reservoir 20/11 Jack Snipe, Gibraltar Point, The Mere 2 Twite, Woodhall Spa near Kirkstead Bridge] Smew, Barton-upon-Humber 21/11 Long-eared Owl, 3 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, with c 1000 Dark-bellied Brtent Geese, Donna Nook 22/11 White-rumped Sandpiper, Frampton Marsh Leach's Petrel flew north past, Storm Petrel, Hen Harrier, Water Pipit, Pale-bellied Brant Goose, 24 Snow Buntings, Gibraltar Point 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. HARTSHOLME and SWANHOLME LAKES LNR Hartsholme Country Park and Swanholme Lakes LNR 20/11/2013 L Blezzard Coot Black Headed Gull 50 Little Grebe 1 Wigeon 44 Shoveler 4 Tufted Duck 32 Coot 25 Mallard 8 Mute Swan 9 Red Crested Pochard 2 Great Crested Grebe 2 Tufted Duck 33 Gadwall 4 Pochard 2 Grey Heron 1 Gooseander 4 Greylag Geese 20 Jay 3 Coal Tit 6 *** 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. CAISTOR Wendy Handford (WH) Reports from contributors to Caistor records Week beginning 15.11.13 Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 WH Blackbirds 8 eating fallen apples 21st Nov Great spotted woodpecker m, f 18th Nov Jay caching acorn in meadow 16th Nov Pheasants 5m in meadow 20th Nov Buff-tailed bumblebee on Mahonia 19th Nov Comb-footed spider eggsac in recycling bin Rove beetle, poss Bledius furcatus 17th Nov Additional fungi: Birch woodwart Blushing wood mushroom under spruce Crystal brain on dead Alder Hairy curtain crust on Alder Red cracking bolete under Birch. New on Caistor list Redleg toughshank on Alder Shaggy parasol 10s in spruce wood Sulphur tuft 20 under Hawthorn White rot, Peniophora cinerea on Bay Caistor Grammar School TA 115 012 A Wish Hedgehog 5pm 15th Nov Nettleton Lodge Game Farm TA 090 012 B Jacob Woodcock FENTON SK844 772 Richard Fox 14th November 2013 Kestrel HORNCASTLE TF261691 My Garden Robert Walker 16/11/13 Bumblebee 1 unknown specie, active on flowers of Mahonia shrub Frog 1 adult still active around compost bins and woodpile. Blackbirds 4+ Feeding frenzy on Rowan tree, Honeysuckle and Pyracantha berries also 18/11/13 Tawny owl 1 calling from walnut tree, near bedroom window at 12.15 ! HUTTOFT Car Terrace Cliff Morrison 21/11/13 With the winds freshening from the NE Wednesday evening, Dick Lorand and I decided to do a seawatch at Huttoft this morning. This turned out to be very fruitful indeed with 31 species seen, the star being a Leach’s Petrel and some excellent duck movements, all in a 3 hour watch between 0900-1200hrs. Brent goose 12>N as individuals. Shelduck 10>N Mallard 1>N Wigeon 4>N 6>S Teal 21>N 21>S Eider Duck 13>N 2>S Common Scoter 1,810>N 30>S 200+ on sea Velvet Scoter 19>N 1>S Long-tailed Duck 2>N Goldeneye 2>N Goosander 4>S Red-breasted Merganser 5>N Red-throated Diver 5>N 1>S Leach’s Petrel 1>S Petrel Sp 1 Fulmar 1>N 1>S Gannet 34>N 83>S Cormorant 1>S Oystercatcher 1>S Sanderling 9 Bonxie 8>S Skua sp 1>S Black-headed Gull 30+ Common Gull 30+ Herring Gull 20+ Great Black-backed Gull 10+ Little Gull 3>S all adults Kittiwake 8>N 6>S Puffin 1>S Guillemot 15>N 10>S Auk sp 6>N 5>S In addition to the seawatch, a short evening walk by the sea out from Brickyard Lane at Theddlethorpe yielded Eider Duck 6 >N, Common Scoter 40>N, and an additional species, Pintail 6>N, indicating that the movement was continuing. RAITHBY nr. Louth TF305849 Robert Walker Kestrel 1 on branch of tree near roadside, looking down at grass verge. RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF 309 847 Silvia Fowler 18.11.2013 Young Rabbit, Wren While trying to clear out a blue tit nest box at 3.30 pm, I disturbed a single Blue Tit already roosting in it. 19.11.2013 Sparrowhawk, Wren Cluster of about 25 Harlequin Ladybirds hibernating in external cupboard; assorted species/colour patterns. This is the greatest number I've ever seen in my garden; presumably the warm summer has given them a boost. Surprisingly few 7-Spot or 2-Spot Ladybirds in contrast. Re: House Martins Our House Martins left in mid September while I was away on holiday. Only 4 active nests this year (max 10 in the past), but they all raised 2 broods and, though a tawny owl was seen near the nests a couple of times, none fell victim to predation this year. THURNHOLMES (SK79767 98400) and surrounding area Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 16/11/13 Black Headed Gull x 127 Common Buzzard x 1 Kelfield Fieldfare x 17 Kelfield Golden Plover 251 Lapwing x 109 Mute Swan x 2 Owston Ferry Warping Drain Rook x 27 17/11/13 Black Headed Gull x 23 Common Buzzard x 1 Golden Plover x 121 Pied Wagtail x 1 Pink Footed Goose x 131 west over Thurnholmes Robin x 1 18/11/13 Common Buzzard x 1 Golden Plover x 120 Tawny Owl x 1 calling from Owston Ferry Warping Drain 1.00am Hedgehog x 1 freshly dead, Owston Ferry 19/11/13 Low Melwood Claypits; Black Headed Gull x 4 Common Gull x 2 Coot x 19 Fieldfare x 10 Moorhen x 2 Little Grebe x 1 Tufted Duck x 4 20/11/13 Common Buzzard x 1 Fieldfare x 29 Golden Plover x 223 Kestrel x 1 Lapwing x 52 Wren x 1 21/11/13 Blackbird x 8 Collared Dove x 2 House Sparrow x 5 Kestrel x 1 Magpie x 2 Wood Pigeon x 10 Yellowhammer x 2 22/11/13 Chaffinch x 2 Dunnock x 2 Golden Plover x 125 Lapwing x 116 Magpie x 2 Mute Swan x 2 Owston Ferry Warping Drain Robin x 1 Rook x 27 Stock Dove x 2 Tree Sparrow x 25 Wren x 1 WAINFLEET CONSERVATION PONDS 16/11/2013 Roy and Kath Pearson Ring-necked parakeet - first record for site. WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 16/11/2013 Woodmouse ad f - dead 17/11/2013 at 12.50 hrs Little Egret - TF 216553 14/44 2 kestrels low over garden 11am. 15/11 Housemouse ad m - dead ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 22nd November 2013 John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Peter & Janet Roworth Sightings have included a Kingfisher on the R Eau near Sea View and a small flock of 7 Lesser Redpolls and a single Coal Tit near Brickyard on the 15th. On the 16th there was a small movement of thrushes with several flocks of up to 9 Blackbirds either feeding or flying over Sea View with a similar pattern further south on the NNR; also a few Song Thrushes, Fieldfares and Redwing. Twentyone Pink-footed Geese flew south on the 15th and several skeins of 130, 10, 45 and12 south on the 16th. Nine Bewick's Swans were seen going over late evening on the 21st. On the 22nd there were particularly good numbers of birds observed flighting to their various roosts in the Brickyard area. These were 70 Jackdaws, 120+ Carrion Crows, 1,800+ Starlings, 1000+ Black-headed Gulls and 200+ Curlews. Of the raptors Sparrowhawk, Peregrine and Hen Harrier have all been hunting over the reserve during the week. However the most important sightings were the feeding finch and bunting flocks between Crook Bank and Churchill. The cover of samphire is increasing in several areas and forms a very valuable food source for at least 120 Twite and 40 Snow Buntings. The tide strandline also forms a good seed source for Shorelarks and Rock Pipits. The number of Shorelarks was reported as two flocks of 9 and 4 birds. These winter finches and buntings spend most of the daylight hours in search of food and are easily prone to disturbance which burns up unnecessary energy when flighting from one food area to the next. As naturalists and photographers we must remember this, and when looking for these birds along our coastline try and keep disturbance to an absolute minimum. Invariably if a flock is located and it is disturbed a bit of patient waiting will be rewarded because such birds will often return to the same area. RSPB RESERVES http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/collections/thewash_northnorfolk.aspx SOUTH LINCS HIGHLIGHTS South Lincolnshire Monthly Bird Highlights Reports for October 2013 John Badley Recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Assisted by Colin Jennings RSPB Frampton Marsh Wildfowl numbers built up steadily through the month with occasional sightings of up to 39 Whooper Swans (24th) and White-fronted Goose (2nd) with peak counts of up to 3000 Wigeon (8th) and 2094 Teal (20th). Regular raptors included both Hen and Marsh Harrier, Merlin and Peregrine. On the scrapes and grassland Buff-breasted Sandpiper (until 7th) and Pectoral Sandpiper were recorded, the latter on most days. Up to eight Spotted Redshanks, five Little Stints, four Curlew Sandpipers and Wood Sandpiper were also regular. The peak count of 7400 Black-tailed Godwits (7th) was a site record. Redstart (13th), Ring Ouzel (15th) and Lapland Bunting (26th) were all seen on a single date and a Hooded Crow was seen at the end of the month (29th). RSPB Freiston Shore The sea produced the highlights of the month with three Grey Phalaropes (10th, 12th & 13th), at least six Leach’s Petrels (11th-13th), Storm Petrel, Sabine’s Gull (13th), four Long- tailed Skuas (13th), nine Pomarine Skuas (10th-13th) and Little Auk (13th). A Ring Ouzel was also seen (16th – 17th) Gibraltar Point NNR Good onshore winds mid-month produced 15 Sooty and nine Manx Shear- waters (10th). Six Leach’s Petrels (four on 13th and two on 14th), four Storm Petrels (one on 11th and three on 13th), Long-tailed Skuas (11th & 12th) and up to nine Pomarine Skuas and up to 48 Little Gulls (12th). Spoonbill (4th), Siberian Stonechat (6th), Spotted Crake and Bluethroat (13th), Hooded Crow (20th), two Shorelarks (22nd), Alpine Swift (23rd) and Waxwing (24th) were all seen on one date. Up to three Great Grey Shrikes were seen (12th – 19th). Woodlarks w ere seen on two dates (14th & 17th) with up to two Firecrests on seven dates. A Pallas’s Warbler was also present on two dates (12th & 13th) and up to four Yellow-browed Warblers were seen (1st – 17th) along with two Wood Warblers (15th) and a Hume’s Warbler (17th). Two Red-breasted Flycatchers were seen (1st-2nd & 14th). A large arrival of thrushes included up to 88 Ring Ouzels and 3800 Redwing (12th). Up to two Richard’s Pipits were also seen (4th – 29th). Reported among the waders were Baird’s Sandpiper (6th) and White- rumped Sandpiper (14th) Fly-overs heading south included eight Cranes (5th), two Glossy Ibis (27th) and a good movement of geese and swans at the end of the month included up to 207 Whooper Swans (29th) and 250 White-fronted Geese (30th). Other sites A Hoopoe was at Skegness (1st & 4th) with a Red-breasted Flycather there later in teh month (14th). Ospreys were at Deeping Lakes (from 5th) and Mavis Enderby (5th). Great White Egrets were seen at Deeping Lakes (5th), Wingland Marsh (16th) and Sutton Bridge (22nd). A Richard’s Pipit was a Sutton Bridge (12th). Yellow-browed Warblers were at Whisby area (14th & 15th) and Marston STW (17th). Great Grey Shrikes were seen at Seacroft (17th & 19th), Blackmoor Bridge and Burton-le-Coggles (20th). A Long-tailed Skua was reported to fly over Whisby Nature Park (14th), with two Ring-necked Parakeets seen over North Hykeham Pits (25th). John Badley Assisted by Colin Jennings ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. News from Far Ings NNR http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designations/nnr/1083404.aspx http://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-Of-Far-Ings-National-Nature-Reserve/186876774685595 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Far Ings News W/E 01.11.13 BIRDS Max nos. bittern blackbird 10 black-headed gull 200+ blue tit 6 carrion crow 2 Cetti's warbler chaffinch 6 common gull 20 coot 115 cormorant dunlin 7 dunnock 4 fieldfare gadwall 42 goldcrest goldeneye GC grebe 3 great tit 3 grey heron greylag goose 100+ house sparrow 10 kestrel kingfisher 2 lapwing 60 long tailed tit 10 magpie 3 mallard 14 marsh harrier M moorhen 4 mute swan 4 pheasant pochard 6 redshank 8 reed bunting 2 robin 4 shelduck 6 shoveler 19 smew M snipe sparrowhawk starling 30 teal 38 tufted duck 37 water rail 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 BBC Radio 4 Tweet of the day: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01s6xyk *** 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, 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. The following emails have failed this week and I will send you a report you can refer to your ISP should you wish to do so. Andrew Wright - soft bounce Eileen Emberlin - soft bounce Fletcher - soft bounce Ian Heidi - soft bounce Puttick - soft bounce R W Pool - soft bounce Taylors - soft bounce Please contact me if you need further information. Roger *** And finally...... Badger falls off feeder.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6d1yrXEgmw Contributions to "And finally" are always welcome. ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/