============================================ || || 27th 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.... *** The Bulletin needs your contributions. 1/3 of subscribers are active users and contributors, which is actually quite good as e-newsletters go. However it is frustrating that many people are happy to subscribe but reluctant to send in a report, question or comment - or anything. The whole point of the Bulletin is to boost recording, so don't be shy. All LNU Bulletins have 2 contact e-mails for me. [See above] I want the information in the Bulletin to be reliable, so please let me know right away if anything I put out requires updating: links, details of events, contact addresses, cancellations etc. In the last Bulletin I asked for suggestions about species we could be looking out for. The following people kindly responded swiftly with the following possibilities: John Walker: Barn Owls and Water Voles. John Badley: Willow Tit and Lesser-spotted Woodpecker. Please keep your eyes open and let us have your reports. If you are still reluctant to send these in, at least tell others about the Bulletin so they can sign up for it too. The "forward to a friend" link at the end of each Bulletin is an easy way to do this. Or send them the sign-up form URL: http://eepurl.com/zmFMT There are some great talks coming up: Toby Collett, Allan and Susan Parker, Simon Rummery, Steve Lovell and Gianpiero Ferrari. 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 Tuesday, November 19, 2013 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 *** 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 *** Species to look out for... *** 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 *** Gainsborough Area LWT *** Dave Stockley writes: Wed 20 November 2013: A Year at Potteric Carr NR – Allan and Susan Parker This digital presentation looks at the flora and fauna of one of Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s premier sites on the outskirts of Doncaster. Superb photography from this renowned couple. For more information, please ring Joy on 01427 628457 or E-mail Linda – woodentops@darter.plus.com *** Grantham Group LWT Meeting *** M. Ellis writes: Fri. 8th November 7.30pm Barkston & Syston Village Hall (A607 north of Grantham) Freiston Shore & Frampton Marsh Reserves Simon Rummery RSPB *** Lincoln RSPB *** Maureen Staples writes: RSPB indoor meeting at Bishop Grosseteste University, Longdales Road, Lincoln on Thursday 14th November 2013 on: Nepal - The Top of the World by Steve Lovell. Start 7.30pm, RSPB members 3.00 Non members 4.00 Lincoln RSPB http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ *** South Lincs RSPB *** Jeremy Eyeons writes: Forthcoming dates for the 2013/2014 programme of Events. Members and non-members welcome. 3rd November at 10am Free Guided WALK, looking for winter migrants. Boston Cemetery (meet in the crematorium car park). 6th November at 7-30pm illustrated TALK (joint event with LWT) Spilsby Town Hall UPDATE Gianpiero Ferrari FRPS Topic: tba 12th November at 7-30pm illustrated TALK (joint event with LWT) Pinchbeck Village Hall CAIRNGORMS,THE YORKSHIRE DALES AND BEYOND by Steve Rowland 14th November at 7-30pm illustrated TALK Sam Newsom Music Centre, Boston THE SUPERNATURAL HISTORY by Dr Michael Leach Members £2,non-members £3-50 12th December at 7-30pm illustrated TALK Sam Newsom Music Centre, Boston COAST AND ISLAND by Paul Hobson Members £2,non-members £3-50 16th January 2014 at 7-30pm illustrated TALK Sam Newsom Music Centre, Boston WILDLIFE OF THE NENE WASHES AND THE CORNCRAKE by Charlie Kitchen Sam Newsom Music Centre,Boston Members £2,non-members £3-50. S Lincs RSPB http://www.southlincsrspb.org.uk ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2. Wildlife Highlights ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Bird News from Rare Birds Alert *** Rare Bird Alert has kindly given permission to reproduce reports. A big thank you from us all. Interested readers should have a look at the RBA website: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ 19/10 Hawfinch, Donna Nook south end Yellow-browed Warbler, Gibraltar Point nr north car park Great Grey Shrike, Gibraltar Point, in gorse at end of golf course Pied Flycatcher, 2 Snow Buntings, Tree Pipit flew south, Gibraltar Point 20/10 2 Snow Buntings m, Gibraltar Point on beach Hen Harrier ringtail, Grainthorpe Haven 2 Richard's Pipits, Gibraltar Point Isabelline Shrike, Donna Nook, south of Pye's Hall Hooded Crow on beach, Pied Flycatcher in west dunes, ringtail Hen Harrier, Gibraltar Point 5 Little Stints, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Pectoral Sandpiper, Frampton Marsh Slavonian Grebe, Covenham Reservoir 3 Blue-winged Teal, Boultham Mere Yellow-browed Warbler, Firecrest, Donna Nook, Pye's Hall Great Grey Shrike, Harmston, Blackmoor Bridge 21/10 Firecrest, Donna Nook, Pye's Hall 3 Blue-winged Teal, Boultham Mere Firecrest, Sykes Farm 22/10 Great Grey Shrike, Ring Ouzel, Richard's Pipit, Rimac 2 Ring Ouzels, ringtail Hen Harrier, Donna Nook Scaup f/juv, Covenham Reservoir Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Hemswell, ESE over disused airfield with 46 Pink-footed Geese Red-crested Pochard, Denton Reservoir 2 Shorelarks - Millennium Ridge, Little Stint, Arctic Skua, Gibraltar Point Great White Egret, Sutton Bridge Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Jack Snipe, Frampton Marsh 2 Blue-winged Teals, Boultham Mere 23/10 Pallid Swift or Common Swift south over Gibraltar Point Richard's Pipit flew south, 2 Lapland Buntings on Millennium Ridge one flew south, Snow Bunting, Spotted Redshank, Short- eared Owl, Hen Harrier, Gibraltar Point 2 Little Stints, Frampton Marsh Long-tailed Duck, Covenham Marsh Possible White-winged Black Tern, Alkborough Flats is an Arctic Tern. 3 Blue-winged Teals, Boultham Mere Hen Harrier, Saltfleet/Theddlethorpe Richard's Pipit, Far Ings, Chowder Ness 24/10 3 Blue-winged Teals, Boultham Mere Waxwing south over, 182 Whooper Swans, 3 Crossbills, 54 Tree Sparrows, Gibraltar Point Wood Sandpiper, 2 Little Stints, 22 Whooper Swans, Frampton Marsh Waxwing in west dunes, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Little Stints, Ring Ouzel, Snow Bunting, Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point 25/10 Blue-winged Teals, Boultham Mere Little Stint, 7 Whooper Swans, Frampton Marsh 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. Isabelline Shrike at Donna Nook John Walton on 20/10/2013 There is an Isabelline Shrike showing very well at Donna Nook. Use Stonebridge entrance to car park. Follow path left along fence for about 1/2 mile (on rhs 50 yds before track up dunes). Flying in out of elder and returning same perch. Seen and confirmed by at least 6 birders. *** 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. CAISTOR Wendy Handford (WH) Reports from contributors to Caistor records Week beginning 18.10.13 Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 WH Fox f and juv on Trailcam most evenings Hedgehog on Trailcam most evenings Buzzard circling 20th Oct Goldfinch eating Dandelion seeds 24th Oct Jays calling 24th Oct Pheasant m and f 23rd Oct Red-legged partridge 23rd Oct Emperor dragonfly dead 19th Oct Figwort sawfly larva 4th Oct. ID by D Sheppard. New on Caistor list Lacewings c200 in wooden garage 23rd Oct Peacock hibernating in bag of compost 18th Oct Plume moth 20th Oct White-tailed bumblebee on marigold 24th Oct 7-spot ladybird on Michelmas daisy 24th Oct White-lipped banded snail 6 in compost bin 20th Oct Identified fungi 19th Oct: Candlesnuff on Ash, Cherry, Hawthorn Coralspot on Silver birch twigs Elder whitewash King Alfred's cakes on Ash Variable oysterling on Sallow Caistor Wildlife Area TA 111 015 19th Oct In flower: Common cat's-ear Creeping thistle Dandelion Germander speedwell Hegrow cranesbill Hogweed Ivy Meadowsweet Red campion Ribwort plantain White campion Field mushroom, many fairy rings Nettleton Lodge Game Farm TA 090 012 B Jacob Fly agaric and several other fungi North Street verge TA 116 016 19th Oct Common puffball Honey fungus on dead Silver birch roots Japanese parasol Shaggy scalycap on Cherry Shieling farm TA 106 027 W Collins Hedgehog seen every evening Hummingbird hawkmoth 6th Oct Blue roundhead 19th Oct Shaggy parasol 18th Oct CARLTON LE MOORLAND Jeremy Hutchinson]# 20/10/2013 Am I alone in thinking there are very few kestrels around at the moment? Even when travelling I've seen very few during the last few months. Recent moths here: Angle Shades and Merveille du Jour (a first for me). HEIGHINGTON TF025696 John Nickson 22nd to 25th October Beaded Chestnut 12 Common Marbled Carpet 15 Feathered Thorn 4 Large Yellow Underwing 2 November moth 1 HOLYWELL LAKE Ian Misselbrook 24 October 2013 10.10 to 11.30 8 Little Grebes 2 Mute Swans 2 Canada Geese 127 Greylag Geese 92 Mallard 17 Teal 6 Shoveler 10 Gadwall 1 Wigeon 2 Northern Pochard 26 Tufted Duck 19 Coot 14 Moorhen 1 Grey Wagtail 2 Pied wagtail Dunnock Wren Robin Blackbird Great Tits Blue Tits Coal Tits Goldcrest 1 GS Woodpecker Woodpigeons Rooks Jackdaws Carrion Crows Goldfinches Chaffinches HUTTOFT TF512 763 (my garden) Jane Pennington Date: 19 October 2013 Chaffinch 1 Date: 20 October 2013 Chaffinch 1 Dunnocks 2 Hawthorn Shield Bug 1 Date: 24 October 2013 Greater Spotted Woodpecker 1 Mistlethrush 1 STAMFORD. 2nd Freeman’s Meadow. Max Winslow. 19th.October 2013. 1115 hrs. Fieldfare x27. Flying North. Overcast 14.5 Celsius Wind:- South West. Light Air (Beaufort 2). THURNHOLMES (SK79767 98400) and surrounding area Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 18/10/13 Whooper Swan x 4 Gunthorpe 19/10/13 Barn Owl x 1 Owston Ferry Warping Drain 6.20am Dunnock x 2 Golden Plover x 150 Graiselound, 23 Thurnholmes Lapwing x 100 Pied Wagtail x 2 Teal x 30 Graiselound Tree Sparrow x 25 Wren x 1 Common Toad x 1 21/10/13 Fox x 1 (also 23/10/13) 23/10/13 Black Headed Gull x 81 Lapwing x 23 24/10/13 Barn Owl x 1 Owston Ferry Warping Drain 1.15am Black Headed Gull x 4 Low Melwood Claypit, x 203 Thurnholmes Blue Tit x 2 Common Buzzard x 1 Coot x 10 Low Melwood Claypit Golden Plover x 350+ Thurnholmes Lapwing x 21 Linnet x 2 Little Grebe x 2 Low Melwood Claypit Mute Swan x 2 Moorhen x 2 Pied Wagtail x 2 Pink Footed Goose x 325 north east over Thurnholmes Tufted Duck x 13 Low Melwood Claypit WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 24/10 4 Buzzards circling over square TF 2253 Badger on Hurnbridge Road at 21.30hrs. TF215 535 [AP] On its way to raid a maize patch. WRANGLE COMMON 23-10-2013 Roy and Kath Pearson We did the second of the Winter Thrush Survey counts today and found 17 Blackbirds and 11 Redwings - a great improvement on last month's totals. A BirdTrack count done at the same time yielded only 24 species. Surprisingly no geese were recorded and only 6 Mallards. With water levels still low, the only wader seen was a single Snipe. The only other birds of particular note were Sparrowhawks (2), Meadow Pipits (5) and a single Corn Bunting. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 25th October 2013 John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Peter & Janet Roworth Blustery SWs have brought in waves of showers, mild weather and occasional spells of sunshine, and daytime temperatures reached 17.75°C on the 22nd. The 24th was the ‘odd one out’ with a ground frost of -1.75°C followed by clear, sunny conditions. A few Redwings have been passing through most days with 50+ near Theddlethorpe on the 23rd and a similar count of Blackbirds on the 24th. Chiffchaffs, again observed in ones e last 2 seen on the 23rd. Other interesting observations have included up to 5 Long-eared owls at roost, a Richard’s Pipit located near Churchill on 22nd, Ring Ouzel on the 23rd, Rough-legged Buzzard over on the 23rd and 3 Snow Buntings and 3 Rock Pipits along the beach on the 24th. There was a Pink-footed Goose movement on the 24th with 33 north and several skeins south (300+) during the morning. Flocks of Starlings were seen over the saltmarsh in the early week, max 200, and on 20th a Peregrine Falcon was seen swooping amongst them with negative results! The sunny day on Thursday 24th saw several red admirals, commas, speckled woods and a small tortoiseshell on the wing, plus three species of bumblebee and ladybirds. Migrant hawkers, common and ruddy darters were also on the wing in small numbers. A few dune plants are showing secondary flowers including common centaury, viper’s- bugloss, white campion, harebell and common cat’s-ear. A pipistrelle bat was flying around buildings near Churchill on the 24th. 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 24.10.13 BIRDS Max nos. bearded tit 10 bittern blackbird 6 black-headed gull 23 blue tit 6 canada goose 10 carrion crow 2 Cetti's warbler chaffinch 6 collared dove 2 common gull 30 coot 83 cormorant 7 curlew 8 dunnock 4 gadwall 22 goldeneye 5 GBB gull GC grebe 5 GS woodpecker great tit 4 grey heron 3 greylag goose 60+ house sparrow 10 lapwing 30 magpie 5 mallard 10 moorhen 4 mute swan 10 pied wagtail 2 pochard 8 redshank 11 reed bunting 2 robin 4 shelduck 4 shoveler 2 sparrowhawk starling 30 tufted duck 18 water rail 2 wigeon 65 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 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. The following subscribes suffered "bounces" from the last mailing nrowbottom *** And finally...... 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 ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/ .