============================================ || || 8th September 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 Signup 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.... *** Wildlife Crime Harvest has been progressing well and the fields are now open and visible once more. This can bring a lot of dodgy people into the countryside. The Operation Galileo team are geared up to put a stop to illegal hare coursing following last year's success where they prosecuted 186 people and issued a further 100 warnings. See: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-23885494# PC Nicholas Willey said: "we launched the team yesterday (5th Sept) and we have increased the team from 6 officers to 8. The increase is by way of 2 district officers being released on attachment to the team, one of which is Wildlife crime officer. We plan to build on the success from last season and the message is "Hare Coursing season may be back but so is Operation Galileo!" 1000+ pairs of eyes is no small resource when it comes to fighting wildlife crime. The Galileo team needs information to counter this unpleasant and unwelcome activity. A call to 101 and the mention of Operation Galileo should fast track your information to the team. To join Farm and Country Business watch, or the equivalent in your area, visit the website of your local Police. e.g. http://www.lincs.police.uk/Advice/Wildlife-and-Rural-Crime/ http://www.nelincs.gov.uk/resident/safer-and-stronger-communities/crime-reduction/farm-watch/ http://www.humberside.police.uk/newsmedia/officers-tackle-rural-crime-in-north-lincolnshire Don't go putting yourself in harm's way with these villains. They are not noted for their good manners and consideration. Just make that call. Roger *** Next LNU Event - all welcome *** For LNU meetings see section 11 for full programme. Field Meetings generally start at 12 noon for 1.00pm, but please check the website details for each event. Sunday, October 13, 2013 Fungus Foray Snipe Dales Country Park - Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust East of Horncastle, 12.00 for 13.00 start. Use the Country Park car park (£1 fee) TF330 682 which is well signposted from the A158 Skegness- -Lincoln road and from the B1195 Horncastle--Spilsby road. Some steep slopes present. Habitats: Grassland, marsh and mixed woodland. Leader: Ray Halstead 07772 613640 ray.halstead@tiscali.co.uk *** Yellowhammer Research - UK and New Zealand *** Charlie Barnes sent this in. Appeal for yellowhammer recordings. What happens with birdsong during invasion of a new territory? To answer this question a citizen science project is looking for volunteers to record yellowhammers in New Zealand and Great Britain to evaluate distribution of their dialects. British yellowhammers were introduced to New Zealand in the 19th century, and quickly colonised it. This provides good conditions for studying song cultural evolution during a biological invasion, and tracking how dialects spread. For this, song recordings from various parts of both countries are needed. Yellowhammers are easy to recognise, sing until late in the season, and its song can be recorded by many common gadgets (including smartphones, digital cameras, or voice recorders. Nature enthusiasts can record yellowhammer songs in their vicinity, upload the recordings, and thus contribute to a large-scale research project that would not be possible without their participation. Find out more at http://www.yellowhammers.net/ Editor adds: There are a few readers of the Bulletin in New Zealand. It would be great if they could take part in this research too! *** Do you have a willow tree in your garden? *** Charlie Barnes writes: If so, check for signs of the hopping weevil Isochnus sequensi. It's a small (2mm) beetle that feeds on the underside of the leaves of various willow species, making small pepper-shot holes in the leaf. Whilst the weevil itself may be hard to spot, at the moment it's much easier to see the larval feeding signs. The larva feed within the leaf forming round brown blotches which can reach up to 1cm in diameter, with multiple larvae feeding within the same leaf. First seen in the UK in 1952, it has spread and in the last few years has become widespread in Lincolnshire. It seems to prefer willows with wider leafs, but all species should be checked. To get an idea of what to look for - have a look at: http://flic.kr/p/fD1FT8 Editor adds: This is an excellent description - so have a look. I have now found it in my garden on a weeping willow. The brown blotches are quite easy to see and identify. *** Send in your sightings of Himalayan Balsam *** Charlie Barnes writes: Many organisations take action to remove Himalayan balsam from our countryside, but to do that effectively we need to know where it is. Have you seen this pink-flowered plant anywhere? If so, let us know by filling in the form at http://www.glnp.org.uk Editor adds: We could do with a few more reports, please. Keep an eye out for plants when out for autumn walks along water courses. See: http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/profile.aspx?pid=480 *** Lincolnshire Wood Fair [note name change] *** Sunday, September 8th at Revesby Estate. An annual event for those who want to buy fuel wood or woodland products with environment-friendly credentials. Category Winner in Lincolnshire Environmental Awards 2012. http://www.lincolnshirefirewoodfair.co.uk/ *** CPRE Astronomy Talk *** Jenny Haymes writes: Local astronomer, Paul Money, will be giving a presentation entitled 'The universe from North Lincolnshire' at Worlaby village hall, Worlaby, Brigg, on Tuesday 17th September starting at 7.30pm. Please book with Jenny Haynes on 01652 618744 or e-mail jenny.haynes@btinternet.com. 3 CPRE members,4 non members. Refreshments included. *** 41st Horncastle Astronomy Weekend 13-15th September *** Horncastle Astronomy Weekend. This annual "beanfeast" of Cosmic Awe and Wonder is driven by Paul Money and his fellow enthusiasts. I have attended for many years and it is always a treat - with exceptional speakers such as Dr Allan Chapman. For further HAW information: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/HAW.html *** Gainsborough Area LWT *** Dave Stockley writes: Wed 25 September 2013: What else can you do with nestboxes? – Chris du Feu Not only do nestboxes provide the opportunity for observation of birds’ breeding activity, but other varieties of animal life might choose to call nestboxes ‘home’. Find out more in this illustrated talk by local naturalist, Chris. For more information, please ring Joy on 01427 628457 or E-mail Linda – woodentops@darter.plus.com *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT Carolyn Lovely writes: On Sunday 8th September the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them on a morning bird walk at Humberston with Ray Hume. Please meet Ray in the far end Fitties car park (Grid ref TA 3374505043) at 8am. Please bring binoculars and wear suitable footwear and stout shoes or boots. This is a free event but donations will be welcomed for the trust. For further details ring Ray - 01472 320878 On Saturday 21st September 2013 join the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust on a guided walk at Barrow Haven Reed Bed nature reserve (Grid ref. TA061236) with warden Lionel Grooby. Meet at 10.30am at the small car park on the east side of Barrow Haven - then we will walk over a bridge to access the reserve on the west side of the Haven. Please wear suitable clothing and stout footwear. This is a free event but donations will be welcomed for the Trust. Please ring Jennie Redpath - 01472 502858 to book a place and for further details. *** Lincoln RSPB *** Maureen Staples writes: Thursday 12th September [date from website] See: http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/events.htm RSPB Indoor meeting at Bishop Grosseteste University, Longdales Road, Lincoln on British Birds of Prey by Nick Williams. Start 7.30pm. Admission £3.00 for RSPB members and students. Non members £4.00 *** Scunthorpe Museum Society Talks *** Keith Scarrott writes: Scunthorpe Museum Society, Natural History and Geology Section. First indoor meeting for the new season on Monday, 9th September, 2013. Bill Smith of Caistor is to give a talk entitled "Meet the Mole" in which he will be telling us about the natural history and control of these fascinating,clever and sometimes annoying small mammals. Meetings are held in the upper room of the North Lincolnshire Museum on Oswald Road, Scunthorpe, and start at 7.15pm. All are welcome. Ample free parking is available behind the museum and on the main road. Please contact 01724 762098 for further details. *** History of the Skidbrooke and Saltfleet areas *** Rachael Clark A FREE workshop looking at the history of the Skidbrooke and Saltfleet areas in Lincolnshire’s coastal grazing marshes St Botolph’s Church, Skidbrooke, near Saltfleetby 2-5pm on Sunday 22 September A guided walk through the fields around Skidbrooke and Saltfleet using LIDAR (LIght Detection And Ranging) images and aerial photographs to help understand landscape and historic features encountered on the ground, including old channels, salt mounds, medieval village remains and ridge and furrow earthworks. Starting from the beautiful church of St Botolph in Skidbrooke the walk will follow a circular route over fields and lanes to the outskirts of Saltfleet, returning to St Botolph’s church, a distance of around 5km, expected to take about 2 hours. The walk will be led by local archaeologist Jim Bonnor and local historian and farmer Martin Chapman. There is parking at St Botolph’s church. Suitable clothing for the prevailing weather conditions is advised along with sturdy footwear. Please bring hot drinks if you wish as there are no facilities on site. Booking required. Please contact us on 01507 613134. Rachael Clark Project Support Officer Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes Project *** Report Ash Dieback in Lincolnshire *** Link for Chalara fraxinea reports: http://www.forestry.gov.uk/chalara ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ 30/8 9 Whinchats, Donna nook, behind Pye's hall Pomarine Skua past Gibraltar Point 2 Pied Flycatchers, 2 Redstarts, 47 Skuas and 4 Bonxies past, Gibraltar Point 15 Curlew Sandpipers, Donna Nook 31/8 Wryneck, 12 Whinchats, Garganey, 8 Spotted Redshanks, Gibraltar Point Wryneck, 2 Little Stints, Curlew Sandpiper, Garganey, Frampton Marsh 66 Curlew Sandpipers, 5 Little Stints, Whinchat, 2 Arctic Skuas, Freiston Shore Short-toed Lark, possible Tawny Pipit, 4 Redstarts, Sooty Shearwater past, Gibraltar Point 1/9 2 Wrynecks, 3 Little Stints, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Spotted Redshanks Frampton Marsh Osprey juv, Goxhill Haven, flew SE down Humber 2 Pomarine Skuas north past, Arctic Skua, Osprey flew south, adult Black- necked Grebe on sea, 5 Bottle-nosed Dolphins, Gibraltar Point Short-toed Lark, Wryneck, Garganey, 12 Whinchats, 9 Curlew Sandpipers, Little Stint, 8 Spotted Redshanks, Redstart, Gibraltar Point 2 Osprey, Donna Nook, over Pye's Hall Wryneck, Frampton Marsh 2/9 Spoonbill, Grainthorpe Haven 42 Curlew Sandpipers, Little Stint, Garganey, 4 Whinchate, 7 Spotted Redshanks, Gibraltar Point 2 Wrynecks, Spoonbill, Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Little Stints, Frampton Marsh Pectoral Sandpiper, 48 Curlew Sabndpipers, Freiston Shore 3/9 Osprey, 16 Whinchats, Grainthorpe Haven Pectoral Sandpiper juv, 5 Spotted Redshanks, 30 Curlew Sandpipers, Freiston Shore Garganey, 5 Curlew Sandpipers, Gibraltar Point Bittern Boultham Mere Icterine Warbler, Donna Nook 4/9 Pectoral Sandpiper juv, 34+ Curlew Sandpipers, 36+ Greenshanks, Freiston Shore 4 Curlew Sandpipers, 15 Spotted Redshanks, Osprey flew south, Gibraltar Point 4 Little Stints, 5 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh Redstart. Donna Nook 5/9 12 Curlew Sandpipers, Spotted Redshank, Little Stint, Gibraltar Point 5 Little Stints, Curlew Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh Pectoral Sandpiper juv, 17 Curlew Sandpipers, Freiston Shore Osprey flew south, Graintohpe Haven Caspian Gull, Willingham by Stow, field by Marton Road, then flew north 17 Curlew Sandpipers, 10 spotted Redshalks, Gibraltar Point, Jackson's Marsh 6/9 5 Spoonbills, Alkborough Flats 5 Little Stints, 11 Curlew Sandpipers, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh Pectoral Sandpiper, Freiston Shore 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. OTTER REPORTS Editor to Chris Manning - getting into his car.... "Either you have spilled some juice or there is blood on the floor." Chris Manning: "Oh, yes, I had a dead otter there. It is in the freezer now." WITHERN Great Eau bridge TF424826 3 September 2013 Chris J Manning Dog otter killed on the road. Note while the Environment Agency's funding of the Cardiff University Otter project has ceased, the project is currently continuing and I am collecting otters. http://www.otterproject.cf.ac.uk/ *** 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. BELCHFORD C Brady 26th Aug 2013 2 Turtle Doves on the side of the road eating grain. CAISTOR Wendy Handford (WH) Reports from contributors to Caistor records Week beginning 30.8.13 Brigg Road verge, disturbed, TA 111 026 WH Fat hen 30th Aug Redshank 30th Aug Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 WH Bat, prob Common pipistrelle, 8pm 3rd Sep Fox cub eating fallen fruit 8am 1st Sep Muntjac on Trailcam 11pm 28th Aug Stoat crosses drive 7pm 30th Aug Barnowl calling 9pm 30th Aug Green woodpecker feeding on Yellow meadow ants 30th Aug Long-tailed tits 4 on Norway spruce 4th Sep Kestrel, adult female 1st Sep Owl pellets 2, prob Tawny, 4th Sep Pheasant, adult male. 1st sighting after 6 weeks Swallow circling across lawn surprisingly 31st Aug Alder leaf galls caused by Eriophyes laevis mite 4th Sep. New on Caistor list Black darter 2 chasing 4th Sep Brimstone 3rd Sep Emperor dragonfly male 4th Sep Large white caterpillars 20 feeding on Honesty 31st Aug Honeysuckle fruits now red Horse chestnuts being shed 4th Sep Norway spruce cones being shed 4th Sep Tutsan fruits turning black Brown puffball coming up 4th Sep Brown rollrim under Alders 4th Sep Fairy ring 4th Sep Nettleton Lodge Game Farm TA 090 012 B Jacob Sparrowhawk chasing Green woodpecker 1st Sep Common spangle galls on Oak North Kelsey Road TA 101 016 B Jacob Bulrush. New on Caistor list DEEPINGS 01/09/13 Deeping lakes nature reserve D Griffith Highlights Hobby Kingfisher Spotted flycatcher Little egret x6 Shoveler x4 Teal x7 Wigeon x2 Gadwall Lapwing x40 Common sandpiper FRAMPTON MARSH 26 August 2013 Ian Misselbrook Adonis Blue butterfly on the sea bank along with 30+ Common Blues. Birds included at least 6 Little Stints, a Merlin and a Garganey. GIBRALTAR POINT NNR Robert Walker 1/9/13 Heart Urchin ( or 'Sea Potato') Echinocardum cordatum 1 Shell or known as a 'test' found on strand line at Millenium Ridge/ Point. HORNCASTLE LIncs Wildlife Trust Banovallum House Robert Walker 2/9/13 Red Underwing moth ( Catocala nupta ) On wall at rear of building. Identified by Charlie Barnes. also TF261691 My garden 31/8/13 Brimstone butterfly 1 Small Tortoiseshell 1 5/9/13 Hedgehog 2 One in hedgerow bottom, other in garden border, 8.30pm. HUTTOFT TF512 763 (my garden) JANE PENNINGTON Date: 1 Sept 2013 Blacbird 5 (parents and fledglings) Bluetit 1 Robin 1 Woodpigeon 1 (dead in garden) Wren 1 Date: 2 Sept 2013 Frog 1 Green-veined white butterflies 2 Large white butterflies 4 Speckled wood butterflies 2 Squirrel 1 (in oak) Date: 3 Sept 2013 Common carder 1 Date: 4 Sept 2013 Bluetit 1 Wren 1 Date: 5 Sept 2013 Bluetit 1 Common carder 1 Ladybird 7-spot 2 Red admiral butterflies 2 Date: 6 Sept 2013 Sycamore Acronicta aceris caterpillar LINCOLN SK972738 W/E 07/09/2013 Jayne Knight 24/08/13 A Small Tortoiseshell butterfly sunned itself on the path. A female Sparrowhawk almost lazily flew round the fir tree in the hope of flushing out one of the Collared Doves. They refused to oblige this time. 26/08/13 Two Plume Moths removed from hallway, one off-white, the other a mottled beige/brown. A Small Skipper butterfly on the buddleia. 01/09/13 Pellucid Hoverfly seen again, on Mint flowers this time. 03/09/13 Common Frog right outside back door, moved off through the wheelie bins and disappeared into the ivy that covers ground below the Rosemary bush. RIPPINGALE – my garden 31 August 2013 Ian Misselbrook 1 Spotted flycatcher taking butterflies from the Buddleia. 1 Willow Warblers (1 singing) 2 Blackcaps 1 Goldcrest 4 Swallows 24 House Martins A Southern Hawker egg laying in the pond Speckled Wood Butterfly. SLEAFORD The Drove Allotments, Sleaford Richard Dawson 31/08/2013 Local Victoria plum trees are pretty much all infested with the pink larvae of the Plum Moth. I thought this was confined to more southerly areas? Anyhow, it is here with a vengeance adding protein to my plums. Other allotment sightings and non-sightings this summer include a grass snake disturbed in a compost heap, a a paucity of hover flies again and a thankful absence of cabbage flea beetles. Crops are bountiful despite the late spring but a mysterious aphid is attaching to parsnip foliage which my fellow lifelong allotmenteers who are in their eighties have not been troubled with before. Leaves are left with one inch-ish brown scorch patches but the roots are still developing nicely. THURNHOLMES (SK79767 98400) and surrounding area Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 30/08/13 Blackbird x 12 feeding in my soft fruit bushes Tree Sparrow x 36 Mottled Beauty x 1 Setaceous Hebrew Character x 4 all on my back garden security light 31/08/13 Stock Dove x 1 in nest (rung by P Snow). Tree Sparrow x 17 This last Stock Dove has made the nest box / ringing totals for our site this year; Stock Dove – 8 eggs, 7 young, 5 rung, 1 dead egg & 4 nests. Swallow – 10 eggs, 9 young, 1 dead egg & 2 nests Tree Sparrow – 50 eggs, 35 hatched, 29 rung, 2 dead eggs, 1 dead young & 10 nests S Tortoiseshell x 12 01/09/13 Common Buzzard x 1 over Owston Ferry Warping Drain Grey Plover x 2 flying west over Thurnholmes Tree Sparrow x 31 in chicken run, Thurnholmes 02/09/13 Tawny Owl x 1 calling from Owston Ferry Warping Drain hedgerow (also 04/09 & 05/09) 05/09/13 Toadlet x 1 under recording sheet, Thurnholmes (Toads recorded at least twice a week at Thurnholmes, usually a large female outside my back door. (I had a lamping session on 12/04/13 at midnight along Owston Ferry Warping Drain (SK80020 98907 – SK79117 – 98076) and got 288 individuals) Southern Hawker x 1 Thurnholmes 06/09/13 Tree Sparrow x 67 Thurnholmes Pygmy Shrew x 1 Short-tailed Field Vole x 3 WEST ASHBY TF266737 5/9/13 Robert Walker Toadlet 1 ( about 25 - 30mm in size ) On grass area next to yew hedge. WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 6/9/2013 Isochnus sequensi on leaves of one of our two weeping willows, brown spots of larval mining tunnels but no adults/shot holes. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 6th September 2013 John Walker, Roger Briggs, Steve Hall, Cliff Morrison, Peter & Janet Roworth The sea lavender on the saltmarsh is now going over but being replaced by good areas of flowering sea aster. The characteristic smell of sea aster is quite a contrast to that of sea lavender and the swathe of flowers are providing a good nectar source for many white butterflies, small tortoiseshells and a few peacocks, as well as day-flying moths and bees. On the dunes/scrub there are a few late broods of speckled wood and wall browns with the occasional common blue, small copper, red admiral and peacock, and some tatty meadow browns. There are still migrant hawkers and common/ruddy darters on the wing and on the 5th 3 red-eyed damselflies were again observed at Rimac. A single Nuthatch was heard calling twice in the trees around Sea View Farm on the 5th before flying off. On the high tide at Brickyard on the 4th there were 90 Sandwich Terns, 2 Arctic Skuas and on the 5th up to 40 commic terns (mainly Arctic), 3 Arctic Skuas and 70 Common Scoters on the sea. Juvenile Gannets are now being seen off shore and a single Fulmar over on the 4th. A few Wheatears, Whitethroats and Willow Warblers have been passing through and a Hobby flew south over Churchill on the 2nd. Earlier in the week on the 30th 2 Kingfishers were seen at the Great Eau outfall and 1000+ gulls (mainly Black-headed) circled, high and in a tight vortex over Sea View on the thermals, presumably feeding on a recent hatch of flying ants? On the 31st further feeding activity was seen with 900+ hirundines, mainly Swallows with a few House Martins, flying repeatedly, low over the outer dunes off Rimac, also a single Greenshank feeding on Rimac lagoon, a Common Snipe was flushed in the same area and a Common Buzzard flew over the dunes near Sea View. Two roe deer were observed at midday on 5th on the saltmarsh, an unusual sighting at that time of day. RSPB WASH Reserves - Frampton Marsh and Freiston Shore http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/collections/thewash_northnorfolk.aspx Reports for July 2013 John Badley Recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Assisted by Grahame Hopwood and Colin Jennings RSPB Frampton Marsh Spoonbill (9th & 10th), Montagu’s Harrier (21st & 28th) and Black Tern (22nd & 27th) were all seen on a couple of dates, with both Mediterranean and Yellow-legged Gulls being seen on four dates and a Hobby on five. As usual waders featured heavily, highlights included Pectoral Sandpiper (4th), Lincolnshire’s 5th Baird’s Sandpiper (23rd - 26th), Little Stint (31st) and peaks of 20 Curlew Sandpipers (24th), nine Wood Sandpipers (29th) and up to 2000 Black-tailed Godwits. Turtle Doves proved regular with up to four being seen. Crossbill and Kingfisher were also seen (27th). A male Ruddy Duck put in an appearance late in the month (from 29th). Gibraltar Point NNR The most unusual sightings were a Great White Egret (2nd) and Red-backed Shrike (22nd). Other records included two Scaup (8th – 16th), up to 4500 Sanderling (23rd) and 6000 Knot (26th). There were up to two Curlew Sandpipers and one Wood Sandpiper, 50 Arctic Skuas (23rd), a monthly peak of 87 Common Scoter (14th), Little Gull (18th), Mediterr- anean Gull (26th), Hobbies on two dates and up to seven Crossbills on three dates. Other sites At Swanholme Lakes a male Red-crested Pochard was seen (18th). Two Quail at Langtoft (28th) were the only ones reported in the month. A Crane flew over Marston STW (11th), but perhaps even rarer inland was a Great Skua at North Hykeham Pits, Lincoln (1st). Also recorded here were a 1st summer Caspian Gull, a putative Baltic Gull and up to 12 yellow-legged gulls. John Badley Recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk 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 23.08.13 BIRDS Max nos. blackbird 10 blackcap black-headed gull 12 black-tailed godwit 2 blue tit 6 bullfinch carrion crow 4 Cetti's warbler chaffinch 12 chiffchaff collared dove 2 common buzzard common gull 6 common tern coot 60 cormorant 2 curlew 6 dunnock 4 gadwall 10 golden plover 30 goldfinch 6 GBB gull GC grebe 5 GS woodpecker great tit 5 grey heron greylag goose 50 herring gull house sparrow 10 lapwing 16 lesser whitethroat long tailed tit 2 magpie 4 mallard 30 mistle thrush moorhen 6 mute swan 10 pheasant pied wagtail pochard 15 reed bunting 4 robin 2 sand martin 50+ song thrush sparrowhawk starling 11 swallow 15 tawny owl tufted duck 50 whimbrel willow tit 2 willow warbler 2 wood pigeon 4 wren 4 July produced the greatest ever monthly total , in terms of the of the number of different species, at Far Ings in over 20 years of constant effort by our recorder Alf McGowan. See below the birds section. Far Ings News W/E 30.08.13 BIRDS Max nos. blackbird 8 blackcap black-headed gull 10 black-tailed godwit 2 blue tit 6 bullfinch carrion crow 2 chaffinch 10 chiffchaff collared dove 2 common buzzard common gull 8 common sandpiper 3 coot 30 cormorant 4 curlew 8 dunlin 6 dunnock 2 gadwall 4 golden plover 20 goldfinch 6 GBB gull GC grebe 5 GS woodpecker great tit 5 greenfinch grey heron greylag goose 20 herring gull house sparrow 8 kingfisher 2 knot lapwing 25 linnet 5 little stint long tailed tit 5 magpie 4 mallard 25 marsh harrier M moorhen 6 mute swan 6 pheasant pied wagtail 2 pochard 6 redshank 2 reed bunting 4 ringed plover 2 robin 2 ruff 6 sand martin 1000+ sedge warbler 2 snipe 22 song thrush sparrowhawk starling 30 swallow 50+ tawny owl tufted duck 20 turnstone 3 whimbrel willow tit 2 willow warbler 2 wood pigeon 64 wren 4 yellow wagtail 4 MACRO MOTHS JULY 2013 BARRED CHESTNUT BARRED RIVULET BARRED STRAW BEAUTIFUL HOOK TIP BRIGHT LINE BROWN EYE BRIMSTONE BROWN RUSTIC BUFF ARCHES BUFF ERMINE BUFF FOOTMAN BURNISHED BRASS CHINESE CHARACTER CLAY CLOAKED MINOR CLOUDED BORDER COMMON CARPET COMMON FOOTMAN COMMON MARBLED CARPET COMMON PUG COMMON RUSTIC COMMON SWIFT COMMON WAVE COMMON WHITE WAVE CORONET COXCOMB PROMINENT CREAM WAVE CURRANT PUG DARK ARCHES DARK BARRED TWIN SPOT CARPET DINGY FOOTMAN DOT DOTTED CLAY DOUBLE DART DOUBLE SQUARE SPOT DOUBLE STRIPED PUG DRINKER DUNBAR EARLY THORN ENGRAILED FANFOOT FEN WAINSCOT FLAME FLAME SHOULDER GARDEN CARPET GHOST MOTH GOTHIC GREEN PUG GREY DAGGER GREY PUG HEART AND DART HERALD INGRAINED CLAY JULY HIGHFLYER LARGE EMERALD LARGE TWINSPOT CARPET LARGE YELLOW UNDERWING LEAST YELLOW UNDERWING LESSER BROADBORDERED YELLOW UNDERWING LESSER COMMON RUSTIC LESSER YELLOW UNDERWING LIGHT ARCHES LIGHT EMERALD LILAC BEAUTY LYCHNIS MARBLED BEAUTY MARBLED MINOR MARBLED PUG MIDDLE BARRED MINOR MILLER MOTTLED BEAUTY MOTTLED PUG MOTTLED RUSTIC OBSCURE WAINSCOT PALE MOTTLED WILLOW PALE PROMINENT PEACH BLOSSOM PEARLY UNDERWING PHOENIX PLAIN GOLDEN Y PLAIN WAVE POPLAR GREY POPLAR HAWK PURPLE THORN RED TWIN SPOT CARPET RIBAND WAVE RIVULET ROSY MINOR RUFOUS MINOR RUSTIC RUSTIC SHOULDERKNOT SATYR PUG SCALLOPED HOOK TIP SCALLOPED OAK SCARCE FOOTMAN SETACEOUS HEBREW CHARACTER SHADED BROAD BAR SHORT CLOAKED MOTH SILKY WAINSCOT SILVER GROUND CARPET SILVER Y SINGLE DOTTED WAVE SIX SPOT BURNET SMALL BLOOD VEIN SMALL DUSTY WAVE SMALL FANFOOT SMALL FANFOOTED WAVE SMALL PHOENIX SMALL RIVULET SMOKY WAINSCOT SNOUT SOUTHERN WAINSCOT SPECTACLE STRIPED WAINSCOT SWALLOW TAILED TAWNY MARBLED MINOR UNCERTAIN V PUG WHITE SPOTTED PUG WILLOW BEAUTY WORM WOOD PUG YELLOWSHELL YELLOWTAIL MICRO MOTHS JULY 2013 Acentria ephemerella Agapeta hamana Aphomia sociella Archips podana Agonopterix arenella Carcina quercana Cataclysta lemnata Catoptria falsella Chilo phragmitella Chrysoteuchia culmella Clepsis spectrana Cruesia forsskaleana Donacaula forficella Donacaula mucronella Emmelena monodactyla Endrosis sarcitrella Endrotricha flammealis Epiblema nisella Epiblema uddmanniana Eudonia delunella Eudonia lacustrata Eudonia pallida Eurrhypara hartulata Evergestis forficalis (Epiblema) Notocelia rosaecolana Nomophila noctuella Orthopygia glaucinalis Pandemis cerasana Parapynx stratiotata Phlyctaenia coronata Pleuroptya ruralis Pterophorus pentadactyla Rhopobota naevana Schoenobius gigantella Scoparia ambigualis Uden ferrugalis Udea olivalis Yponomeuta evonymella Far Ings News W/E 06.08.13 BIRDS Max nos. bittern blackbird 8 black-headed gull 20 blue tit 6 carrion crow 2 chaffinch 10 collared dove 2 common gull 6 coot 30 cormorant 6 curlew 6 dunlin 6 dunnock 2 gadwall 10 goldfinch 3 GBB gull GC grebe 5 GS woodpecker 2 great tit 5 greenfinch grey heron 2 greylag goose 70 herring gull house sparrow 12 kingfisher 2 lapwing 15 linnet 2 little egret long tailed tit 4 magpie 4 mallard 25 marsh harrier F moorhen 6 mute swan 8 pheasant pied wagtail 2 pochard 6 redshank 2 reed bunting 4 ringed plover 2 robin 2 sand martin 2000+ scaup snipe song thrush sparrowhawk starling 30 swallow 30+ tawny owl tufted duck 30 willow tit 2 wood pigeon 10 wren 5 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 *** 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.lnu.org/ 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/visitor-and-leisure/parks-and-open-spaces/hartsholme-country-park/ contact Park Rangers at hartsholmecp@lincoln.gov.uk Tornado and Storm Research Organisation http://www.lnu.org/ 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.lnu.org/ www.rspb.org.uk www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore http://www.lnu.org/ 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 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. Sunday, October 13, 2013 Fungus Foray Snipe Dales Country Park - Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust East of Horncastle, 12.00 for 13.00 start. Use the Country Park car park (£1 fee) TF330 682 which is well signposted from the A158 Skegness- -Lincoln road and from the B1195 Horncastle--Spilsby road. Some steep slopes present. Habitats: Grassland, marsh and mixed woodland. Leader: Ray Halstead 07772 613640 ray.halstead@tiscali.co.uk ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 - for a welcome change. *** And finally...... Life cycle of Butterflies and Moths http://www.ukleps.org/morphology.html BBC's Tweet of the Day http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01s6xyk/episodes/player ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/