============================================ || || 20th October 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.... *** We have seen some exciting migration this week, reflected in Rare Bird Alert pager reports and also in an outstanding report from Saltfleetby/ Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR - see below. "Citizen Science" I have been given a task by the LNU Executive Committee that needs a bit of expert help, please. I am trying to put together a leaflet to encourage people to look out for 6 or so "interesting species in Lincolnshire" in order to get a better idea of distribution. It is another way to help folks make a start on identification/recording. The important things is that species we ask them to record should be reasonably easy to find and identify correctly. Most importantly they should be species that LNU recorders feel are significant in some way and justify an effort to gather information. Our Bulletin campaigns about Mistletoe, Butterbur and Oil Beetles are a good example of the kind of initiative I mean. Please would anyone, LNU recorders or knowledgeable readers, let me have their suggestions for a shortlist of say 5 Lincolnshire species worth targeting in this way? Wildlife Watch leaders will know the kind of information I am after, as many of the Watch "spotting Sheets" are attempting to do something similar. Readers may find these interesting. See: http://www.wildlifewatch.org.uk/spotting-sheets Earlier in the year I received a lot of help from readers who sent in photographs of pollinating insects for my Presidential address. The text will be in the coming edition of "Transactions" and I have been going through the great selection, choosing a few to accompany the piece. This near-impossible shortlisting has been completed and Phil Porter is trying to fit them them in. It may be that we will need to ask for bigger images in some cases and we will contact you if we do. Many thanks to you all. Roger *** Heads Up For The Orionids *** The Moon will spoil some of the seeing on 21st October, but some brighter meteors may be visible, cloud permitting. Keep an eye on the sky if it is clear. *** 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 follow the details as these fall into place, visit: http://lnu.org/events.php Note: Ray Halstead reports that he identified 80 fungus species on last Sunday's foray, a further 10-20 still to be determined. *** Donna Nook Seals *** Rob Lidstone-Scott, Coastal Warden, writes: 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, viz. to stay behind the fence in the viewing area and not to venture out onto the beach. By respecting Trust guidelines you reinforce the work to protect seals during the pupping season and ensure the safety of the visitors. Your good example throws into sharp relief the arrogance of those who choose to act other- wise and it might just shame them into more compliant behaviour. Trust webpage: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/lwt/seals/index.php ** Coastal Event from Dave Miller *** Sat 26th Oct Gibraltar Point Wildlife Watch group. 10am meeting to look at making bird feeders for the garden and to look at bird identification in the Woodland Access Plot. This event for children aged 6 and above. *** Brownfield Conference *** Thursday 31st October 2013 10am - 4pm Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park, Moor Lane, Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln, LN6 9BW A one day conference aimed at ecologists, planners, consultants, land managers, NGO's and developers. With speakers from Buglife, Natural England, University of East London, Humber Industry Nature Conservation Association (HINCA) and INCA (Teesside). This one day conference will cover: * Why these sites are important for invertebrates and other wildlife? * Key invertebrate species * UKBAP brownfield criteria & inventory * Planning policy and the NPPF * Management and mitigation * Case studies from Lincolnshire, Humberside, Teesside and the Thames Gateway Conference fee £10 including lunch. To book a place please call Buglife on 01733 201210 *** Japanese Knotweed tastes like Rhubarb! *** Chef cooks up recipes for Japanese Knotweed http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/sussex/hi/people_and_places/newsid_8634000/8634285.stm *** Birds to look out for... *** Great Grey Shrike http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/g/greatgreyshrike/ Hawfinch http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/h/hawfinch/index.aspx Ring Ouzel http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/r/ringouzel/index.aspx Short-eared Owl http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/s/shortearedowl/index.aspx Waxwing http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/w/waxwing/index.aspx *** Wildlife Rhotography *** Colin Smale writes: I have just written a book on wildlife photography, 90% of the information and pics are from NLincs, Killingholme to Saltfleet. (I live in Grimsby). The book was going to be a hard copy but I have split it into a 4 volume e-book. I have done talks on wildlife photography locally since the early 70's and decided to address all the questions I had ever been asked on the subject + a few folk never thought to ask. I have suffered the high's and the low's and so flagged up all the pitfalls there are but more importantly covered the best ways to get close, best gear, all the camo gear and hides available such as pop up hides to ghillie suits. The first volume describes my own early days, volume four will be of especial interest to many as it describes the art of flight photography, probably the most popular branch of wildlife photography at the moment. The pic in Vol 1 was taken at Pye's hall. The blackwit; vol 2 on Humber Bank opposite Titans, Vol 3 Grainthorpe marsh and the marsh harrier vol 4 near N Thoresby. The books can be previewed via my web site WWW.FOTOLINCS.COM and are not pocket rippers at only £1.99. Colin Smale. A.R.P.S. WWW.FOTOLINCS.COM *** 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 WILDLIFE OF GAMBIA by Geoff and Liz White 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/ 13/10/2012 2 Pallas's Warbler, 6 Great Grey Shrikes, Black Redstart Hawfinch, 6 Ring Ouzels, 5 Mealy Redpolls, Donna Nook 3 Great Grey Shrikes, Pye's Hall + Ponderosa, Donna Nook 4 Yellow-browed Warblers, betw Pye's Hall + Quad [sic] Redstart, Hen Harrier, Hawfinch Quad 3 in Willow hedge, Sooty Shearwater past, [betw Pye's Hall + Quad] Hawfinch, Ring Ouzel, Skegness foreshore 3 Leach's Petrel, Storm Petrel, past Chapel Point 2 Leach's Petrels, 2 Pomarine Skuas, Storm Petrel, 13 Bonxies, past Gibraltar Point Coues Dusky Redpoll, Dusky warbler, 3 Mealy Redpolls m, Black Redstart, Icterine Warbler, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe c 100 Gannets, Guillemot, Arctic skua, Barton-upon-Humber at Humber Bridge Possible Ehrenberg's Redstart, Radde's Warbler, Chapel St Leonards, Seabank Road Hawfinch, Firecrest, 3 Ring Ouzels, Whinchat, Rimac, Sea View Farm Probable Dusky Warbler, 2 Ring Ouzels, Anderby Creek 3 Great Grey Shrikes, 40 Ring Ouzels, 2 Tree Pipits, Hawfinch, Gibraltar Point 14/10 2 Pallas's Warbler, Yellow-browed Warbler, Saltfleet, Sea Lane Yellow-browed Warbler, Long-tailed Skua flew east, Whisby Nature Park 2 Richard's Pipit, 4 Great Grey Shrikes, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Black Redstart, 20 Ring Ouzels, 2 Leach's Petrels flew north, White-rumped Sandpiper juv., Jack Snipe, Grey Phalarope, Gibraltar Point Lapland Bunting over, Pectoral Sandpiper, Frampton Marsh Pallas's Warbler trapped and ringed at Quad, 3 Great Grey Shrikes, Hawfinch, Donna Nook Bluethroat, Pye's Hall, Donna Nook Dusky Warbler, 2 Red-breasted Flycatchers, Yellow-browed Warbler, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Red-breasted Flycatcher, Seacroft Esplanade. Hawfinch, Northshore Golf Club, Skegness Grey Phalarope, Covenham Reservoir 3 Leach's Petrels, 5 Storm Petrels, past Chapel Point 2 Ring Ouzels, Anderby Creek 15/10 Pallas's Warbler, 5 Great Grey Shrikes, Northern Treecreeper, 3 Firecrests, 4 Ring Ouzels, Redstart, Donna Nook Red-breasted Flycatcher, Great Grey Shrike on Churchill Lane, 4 Mealy Redpoll, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Red-breasted Flycatcher, Grainthorpe Haven Yellow-browed Warbler, Saltfleet Sewage Works Yellow-browed Warbler, Ring Ouzel, Cleethorpes Great Grey Shrike, Redstart, Ring Ouzel, Tetney Lock Long-tailed Skua flew inland, 2 Firecrests at Pye's Hall, Donna Nook 16/10 2 Waxwings south over Donna Nook. Great White Egret, NE of Sutton Bridge on Terrington Marsh Great Grey Shrike, Ring Ouzel, Mealy Redpoll, Donna Nook 2 Great Grey Shrikes, Tetney Marshes 2 Great Grey Shrikes, Yellow-browed Warbler, Lapland Bunting, 2 Hawfinches, 2 Ring Ouzels, possible Siberian Chiffchaff, dead Long-eared Owl, Richard's Pipit over, Gibraltar Point Yellow-browed Warbler, Mealy Redpoll, Humberston, South Sea Lane 17/10 Hoopoe, Huttoft, Sea Lane Great Grey Shrike south over, Woodlark, Hawfinch, Long-eared Owl, Pied Flycatcher, Lapland Bunting over, Gibraltar Point Great Grey Shrike, Horseshoe Point Great Grey Shrike, Mealy Redpoll, between Stonebridge and Pye's Hall, Donna Nook Yellow-browed Warbler, Marston, Hougham Mill Lane Yellow-browed Warbler and possible Hume's Yellow-browed Warbler, ringtail Hen Harrier, 2 Richard's Pipits, Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point Richard's Pipit, 2 Great Grey Shrikes, Donna Nook 18/10 Richard's Pipit, 2 Great Great Shrikes, Great White Egret south over old saltmarsh, Hawfinch over Gibraltar Point 2 Blue-winged Teal, Boultham Mere. Pallas's Warbler, 2 Ring Ouzels, Saltfleet, Sea Lane to Saltfleet Haven. 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. SNIPE DALES COUNTRY PARK TF331 684 Brian Hedley 13 October 2013 Annual LNU Fungi Foray led by Ray Halstead and attended by 16 people. Luckily the rain dispersed and the sun appeared for this afternoon meeting. A good selection of between 60-70 species of fungi are likely to have been noted (awaiting finalised list) including: Fly agaric, russet tough-shank, beech bark-spot, bleeding conifer crust, smooth earthball, stinkhorn, orange jelly, yellow clubs, birch polypore and honey fungus. Galls were very much in evidence and included spangle, knopper, oak apple and artichoke. Over a 100 plant species were noted and included bird's-foot, giant horsetail and bifid hemp-nettle. Twenty-four bird species were noted including the unusual mix of a swallow and redwings plus treecreeper, jay, bullfinch and siskin. Two common frogs were found. Invertebrates included birch shieldbug, green shieldbug, forest bug, grey shoulder- knot moth and white-tailed bumble-bee. A selection of ten beetle species were found by Charlie Barnes including:Pterostichus oblongopunctatus (Notable B) Calathus rotundicollis Leistus rufomarginatus (established immigrant) Notiophilus biguttatus *** 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. BRACEBY M. Ellis Braceby TF015353 18th Oct Our centrally heated bedroom has acquired this week 4 clumps of ladybirds at the junction of ceiling and wall. Is this really the right environment for overwintering ladybirds? Editor adds: Sounds like Harlequin Ladybirds, in the US sometimes known as the Halloween Lady Beetle for this very reason. See information on Harlequin Ladybirds: http://www.harlequin-survey.org/recognition_and_distinction.htm http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/life/Harmonia_axyridis CAISTOR Wendy Handford (WH) Reports from contributors to Caistor records Week beginning 11.10.13 Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 WH Fieldmouse in greenhouse 15th Oct Great spotted woodpecker m 12th 15th Oct Kestrel 11th Oct Magpies 2 feeding on dead Woodpigeon 12th Oct Pheasant f fox kill under feeder 11th Oct Tawny owl calling 5pm 10th Oct Firebug Corizus hyoscyami 3rd Oct ID-C Smith Knotgrass larva 11th Oct ID–A Binding Small tortoiseshell 17th Oct Identified fungi: Bay polypore on cherry stump 1st Oct Bitter bracket on spruce stump 1st Oct Blushing wood mushroom 7th Oct Brittlestem, Psathyrella prona 27th Sep Brown rollrim 5 under birch 1st Oct Common funnel under Aspen 1st Oct Common jellyspot on Aspen 1st Oct Common rustgill on spruce stump 3rd Oct Conifer bluing bracket on spruce stump 6th Oct Dead Molls fingers 7th Oct Field mushroom 24th Sep Fly agaric under birch 15th Oct Giant puffball now 30cm across 27th Sep Glistening inkcap on Ash 30th Sep Jelly ear on pear wood 5th Oct Shaggy inkcap 4th Oct Shaggy parasol 30th Sep Spectacular rustgill on spruce stump 7th Oct Stinking parasol 8 in flowerbed 29th Sep Turkeytail on Ash 1st Oct Wood mushroom 16th Sep Nettleton Lodge Game Farm TA 090 012 B Jacob Whooper swans 12 flying over 13th Oct. New on Caistor list CHAPEL POINT SEAWATCH 15th Oct 2013 Dave Miller with Lance Kellett, Janet Dye & Emily Cunningham Arctic Skua 1 Black-headed Gull 21 Crow 1 Common Gull 10 Common Scoter 35 Herring Gull 6 Mediterranean Gull 1 Sanderling 2 Grey Seal 1 bull heading determinedly north. DEEPINGS Venue: Deeping Lakes LWT Reserve TF187083 Date: 12/10/2013 Observer: Ian Gordon Time: 1400 – 1630 Weather: Cloudy and cool Birds: Blackcap (heard) Black-headed Gull Blue Tit Brent Goose (4 overflying) Buzzard Carrion Crow Chiffchaf(heard) Coot Cormorant Dunlin (4 – island pit) Great Crested Grebe Great Spotted Woodpecker Great Tit Green Woodpecker Grey Heron Greylag Goose Kingfisher (heard) Lesser Black-backed Gull Little Egret Little Grebe Magpie Mallard Moorhen Mute Swan Osprey (1) Pheasant Pochard Redwing (heard) Robin Sparrowhawk Tufted Duck Whooper Swan (5, 1 slurry pit, 4 island pit) Wigeon Animals: Grey Squirrel Dragons & Damsels: Brown Hawker Common Blue Damselfly Common Hawker Emerald Damselfly JANE PENNINGTON HUTTOFT TF512 763 (my garden) Jane Pennington Date: 10 October 2013 Collared dove 1 Date: 14 October 2013 Mistlethrush 2 (guarding the berries in the mountain ash) Date: 15 October 2013 Great tits 6 Mistlethrush 2 Date: 16 October 2013 Great tits 6 Date: 17 October 2013 Large white butterfly 1 Mistlethrush 2 Pheasant 1 In addition, there are lots of 7-spot and harlequin ladybirds around looking to hibernate, I suppose. Where were they when the aphids were around? HUTTOFT PIT 13th Oct 2013 Dave Miller – WeBS Blackbird 9 Black-headed Gull 39 Crow 3 Chiffchaff 6 Common Gull 3 Coot 1 Dunnock 2 Gadwall 7 Goldcrest 14 Great Black-backed Gull 1 Herring Gull 3 Lesser Black-backed Gull 4 Mallard 9 Meadow Pipit 1 Moorhen 1 Mute Swan 2 Redwing 8 Reed Bunting 1 Robin 8 Siskin 1 Skylark 2 Teal 6 Wigeon 1 Woodpigeon 1 Wren 1 Common Darter 1 Migrant Hawker 1 LINCOLN Peter Morrell 30.09.13 Rasen Lane - Hedgehog road kill SK 96999 72766 01.10.13 Burton Road- Hedgehog road kill SK 96999 72764 SANDTOFT SE 77202 08662 Peter Morrell 18.10.13 - Four roe deer crossing arable field in the late afternoon. Adjacent to M180 SEACROFT MARSH SSSI 17th Oct 2013 Dave Miller – Winter Thrush survey Blackbird 5 Blackcap 2 Black-headed Gull 38 Crow 16 Chaffinch 8 Common Gull 7 Common Scoter 25 Cormorant 3 Curlew 1 Dunlin 2 Dunnock 4 Fieldfare 2 Goldfinch 1 Great Black-backed Gull 5 Great Grey Shrike 1 Herring Gull 21 Lesser Black-backed Gull 8 Linnet 49 Magpie 5 Meadow Pipit 17 Merlin 1 Pied Wagtail 1 Redshank 7 Redwing 17 Robin 3 Rock Pipit 1 Sanderling 7 Skylark 2 Sparrowhawk 1 Swallow 2 Wheatear 1 Small Tortoiseshell 2 Common Darter 3 Common seal pup 1 THURNHOLMES (SK79767 98400) and surrounding area Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 13/10/13 Grey Partridge x 11 Mute Swan x 2 Owston Ferry Warping Drain Red Legged Partridge x 19 Tree Sparrow x 52 14/10/13 Fieldfare x 21 Owston Ferry Warping Drain 15/10/13 Black Headed Gull x 1 Low Melwood Claypit Canada Goose x 1 Coot x 16 Little Grebe x 2 Moorhen x 2 Mute Swan x 2 Pochard x 3 Tufted Duck x 9 Rabbit x 1 Common Shrew x 1 Owston Ferry 17/10/13 Blackbird x 4 Black Headed Gull x 27 Golden Plover x 39 Mallard x 2 Owston Ferry Warping Drain Starling x 17 Tree Sparrow x 17 Wren x 1 WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 17/10 Common frog 2, 1 a young adult. Common toad. 2 Buzzards over. WILLOUGHTON SK931931 Peter Morrell 03.10.13 Last house martins left. A total of 22 nests were occupied around the house this year with 12 having two broods. 05.10.13 2 buzzards circling over the village 12.10.13 2 Great crested newts foraging in my garden at night after heavy rain during the day. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 18th October 2013 John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Peter & Janet Roworth At the beginning of the week, particularly 12th – 14th, a low pressure system over the North Sea with strong N-NE winds, full cloud cover and rain gave the right conditions for a fall of birds along the east coast and Lincolnshire received its fair share with a spell of bird watching to be remembered by many people. The NNR had some particularly interesting birds. Observations in the section south from Churchill are admirably summed up by Cliff M who writes… Friday saw the huge influx of birds from the continent begin in earnest, with many flocks of Redwings, Song Thrushes, Blackbirds coming in and continuing inland after only a brief respite. These were accompanied by several Ring Ouzels. Chaffinches, Bramblings and a few Siskins were also moving south in small parties and Goldcrests began to be evident in the bushes. However, it was Saturday morning when particularly large arrivals of birds took place, continuing into Sunday. From Churchill Road southwards, apart from many hundreds of Blackbirds and Redwings, with scores of Song Thrushes, there were at least 15 Ring Ouzels present. Finches were flying south in small but regular parties, amounting to several hundred Chaffinches, over 100 Bramblings and probably over 30 Siskins and Redpolls. The bushes were also ‘alive’ with hundreds of Goldcrests and scores of Chiffchaffs. The Chiffchaffs were particularly interesting, because they included a few 'Tristis' and many very pale birds. There were also a couple of Yellow-browed Warblers, a Dusky Warbler, an Icterine Warbler, an Arctic Redpoll, 2 Jack Snipe and Water Rail seen. 12 Whooper Swans were also seen flying south. Sunday was a quieter day, although still with birds coming in, but time to observe more calmly. Ring Ouzels probably numbered over 15 and there were both Lesser and Mealy Redpolls in the area along with a Great Grey Shrike. A Firecrest was seen, whilst a second Dusky Warbler could be heard calling in the afternoon in an area well north of the previous bird's location, but wasn't seen, and identified as un-ringed until the Monday morning. Within the same area as the Dusky Warbler, was a Yellow-browed Warbler, a superb adult male Red- breasted Flycatcher in full breeding plumage, a second juvenile Red-breasted Flycatcher, a very bright Asiatic Lesser Whitethroat (halimodendri), a Reed Warbler and a Tree Creeper. There was also a Short-eared Owl and a Long-eared Owl present. Later in the day, a second, or possibly the same 'halimodendri' Lesser Whitethroat was seen about a kilometre south, so was probably a second bird, whilst a Northern Treecreeper was identified. A Hawfinch was also seen in the Crook Bank area, where there were 3 separate Yellow-browed Warblers over the next few days. From Tuesday onwards, the number of birds in the area gradually decreased, although there were 2 Hawfinches, at least 3 Reed Warblers, 2 Common Redstarts and a couple of Willow Warblers present, along with many Chiffchaffs and 2 Stonechats. Several Ring Ouzels remained to strip the elders of berries ably helped by Blackcaps. Lapland Buntings were present in the adjoining fields with up to 3 present, along with 2 Little Egrets, whilst there were 3 Snow Buntings on the beach. Both Wednesday and Thursday saw small influxes of thrushes and finches, with 4 Whooper Swans south on the Wednesday and about 150 Pink-footed Geese south on both days, but a highlight was the presence of 7 Long-eared Owls on the Thursday morning, with a Common Buzzard and 2 Sparrow Hawks later.” The area around Sea View saw the same pattern of bird movements with many hundreds of winter thrushes and Goldcrests descending into bushes and sycamore trees on the 12th/13th. Highlights included on the 13th Firecrest 1, Blackbirds 50+, Fieldfare 5, Ring Ouzel 6, Robin 28+, Whinchat 1, Hawfinch 1, Brambling 10, Woodcock 1 and a single imm Gannet flying overhead to sea. Swallows 3 on the 14th, Grey Wagtail 1 and 38 Pink-footed Geese on the 15th. By the 17th the thrushes and Goldcrests were seen in only small numbers and three skeins of Pink-footed Geese (500+) flew south over the dunes. Latterly during any sunny interludes warm, sheltered areas saw several red/ruddy darters and migrant hawkers on the wing plus 2 red admiral and at least 5 comma butterflies. RSPB WASH Reserves - Frampton Marsh and Freiston Shore http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/collections/thewash_northnorfolk.aspx Reports for September 2013 John Badley Recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Assisted by Grahame Hopwood and 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 11.10.13 BIRDS Max nos. bearded tit 15 bittern blackbird 6 black-headed gull 20 black-tailed godwit 6 blue tit 6 canada goose 30 carrion crow 4 chaffinch 6 collared dove 2 common gull 10 coot 50+ cormorant 4 curlew 6 dunnock 4 gadwall 16 gannet 17 goldfinch 2 GBB gull GC grebe 3 GS woodpecker great tit 4 grey heron greylag goose 100+ house sparrow 12 jack snipe lapwing 15 magpie 2 mallard 30 moorhen 4 mute swan 6 pochard 4 redshank 2 reed bunting 2 robin 4 shelduck 6 shoveler 2 song thrush sparrowhawk starling 30 tufted duck 14 water rail 3 willow tit 2 wood pigeon 6 wren 4 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/ 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: Tuesday, November 19, 2013 Talk - to be confirmed 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 subscribes suffered "bounces" from the last mailing None this week. *** And finally...... The Truth about the False Widow spider. http://www.nhm.ac.uk/about-us/news/2007/may/news_11767.html BBC Radio 4 Tweet of the day: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01s6xyk Autumnwatch returns 29th October http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0079t1p Mole Watching skills http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzd85Bnqlqs ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/