============================================ || || 15th 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.... *** Last Tuesday someone on the Radio commented that it was "The first sweater-day since May." Spot on - we have actually had a summer this year. Seems top be changing now. I very much appreciate the time and trouble taken by so many of you. Without the "regulars" it would be nothing like as interesting or useful. If sending reports is not for you, do have a go at helping with the surveys we suggest from time to time. This alternative way to gather information can be very effective. I am thinking of the Hopping Weevil and Himalayan Balsam surveys below. If any recorders want to suggest "Things to look our for" for the autumn, I will be pleased to put these in the Bulletin. I am planning an autumn walkabout in West Wales towards the end of September/beginning of October. Those of you who use the Bulletin to publicise events should try to get your information for October in during the week of the 16th, please. If you know of anyone who might find the Bulletin of interest, please use the "forward to a friend" link at the bottom of each edition. It allows them to sign up to the mailing list in a very straightforward way. 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 *** Save "The Drift" - Important request for support *** I have received the following message from Mark Schofield which readers may find of interest. Save The Drift - Important request for support One more petition signature needed to save a green lane near Grantham. We are nearly there! Dear Supporter of The Drift, You are receiving this email because in February last year you signed a petition in support of the permanent closure to all motor vehicles (except farm vehicles) of the green lane known as ‘The Drift’ which forms part of the Viking Way from the A607 south to Saltby Airfield. Your signature was one of 1,066. The strength of local support for this cause has persuaded the Planning and Regulation Committee of Lincolnshire County Council to consider raising the level of protection proposed for this 21/4 mile stretch of unsurfaced lane valued for its archaeology, biodiversity and amenity. The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust thanks you for making a significant difference already. Only one more petition signature needed - We are nearly there! The Drift is currently only subject to a temporary Traffic Regulation Order from which motorbikes have been exempted in the past. LCC is due to decide shortly on the future of The Drift and a final push is now needed to demonstrate once more that the overwhelming majority of local people favour a complete and permanent closure to all motor vehicles so that horse-riders, cyclists and walkers can enjoy their local countryside and scarce wildlife can recover. Volunteers working for the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust and Natural England have been monitoring the condition of The Drift over the last 4 years during a string of temporary and partial closures; and the evidence we now have shows without doubt that damage will continue to accumulate without a year-round permanent closure to 4x4s, trail bikes, ATVs and all other motor vehicles. This is damage that would have to be repaired each year costing £1000s of taxpayers’ money just to maintain a useable ground surface. Please follow the link below to add your signature to what we hope will be a final and successful petition on this issue. http://www.petitionbuzz.com/petitions/savethedrift2013 Thank you for standing up for Lincolnshire’s countryside. Mark Schofield Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust www.lifeontheverge.org.uk *** Shrew and Vole Records *** Chris Manning writes in relation to recent mammal records: Shrew and Vole records are important as these species are very poorly recorded in Lincs. See: Mammal Society species hub: http://www.mammal.org.uk/species_hub Studying Mammals in Your Garden: http://homepages.abdn.ac.uk/nhi775/gardens/study.htm *** 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. *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT Carolyn Lovely writes: 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. *** 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 *** 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 *** Report Ash Dieback in Lincolnshire *** Link for Chalara fraxinea reports: http://www.forestry.gov.uk/chalara *** Dialects of Yellowhammers in the UK and New Zealand *** Charlie Barnes sent this in. Appeal for yellowhammer recordings. 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. Find out more at http://www.yellowhammers.net/ *** Does the willow tree in your garden have Hopping Weevils? *** 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 *** Have you spotted a patch 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 *** Harlequin Ladybird Survey *** This survey is still running and the maps show an interesting spread from the south of England. I wonder what 2013 will show. These insects will be moving to hibernation sites soon and we shall be in a position to record their distribution and the impact of recent weather trends. I see they have a smartphone app now, as well as more usual methods. http://www.harlequin-survey.org/default.htm ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ 6/9 Pomarine Skua, 81 Common Scoters, Bonxie, 2 juv Gannets, Barton-upon-Humber, Humber estuary 7/9 4 Curlew Sandpipers, 6 Spotted Redshanks, Pied Flycatcher, 4 Whinchats, Little Stint, Gibraltar Point 8/9 Redstart, 14 Arctic Skuas and 3 Bonxies past, Donna Nook Little Stint, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 4 Spotted Redshanks, Whinchat, Gibraltar Point Osprey, Knaith, flew south along River Trent Little Stint, Donna Nook Little Stint, Saltfleet Haven Little Stint, 2 Black-necked Grebes, Covenham Reservoir Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Whinchat, Gibraltar Point Redstart, Rimac, Sea View Farm 2 Little Stints, 20 Curlew Sandpipers, Frampton Marsh Redstart, Freiston Shore 9/9 Little Stint, Covenham Reservoir Little Stint, 6 Curlew Sandpipers, 10 Spotted Redshanks, Gibraltar Point 5 Whinchats, Freiston Shore Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, Turtle Dove, Frampton Marsh 6 Black Terns juvs, Thurlby gravel pits 10/9 7 juv Long-tailed Skuas south past, also 158 Arctic Skuas, 72 Bonxies, Black Tern, Velvet Scoter, Sooty Shearwater flew North, Gibraltar Point Whinchat, 10 Spotted Redshanks, 6 Curlew Sandpipers, also 10Bonxies, 40 Arctic Skuas flew south, Gibraltar Point 11/9 5 Little Stints, 8 Curlew Sandpipers, Frampton Marsh 2 Little Stints, Long-tailed Skua north past Donna Nook 2 juv Long-tailed Skuas north past Gibraltar Point, 3 Bonxies south, 50 Arctic Skuas, Manx Shearwater, 2 Sooty Shearwaters, Black Tern, also 2 Curlew Sandpipers, Little Stint, 3 Whinchats, Little Gull, Gibraltar Point Black Tern juv, Deeping Lakes Little Stint, Toft Newton Reservoir 12/9 Osprey juv, Donna Nook Wryneck, Redstart, Tree Pipit, Pied Flycatcher, Spotted Redshank, Gibraltar Point 6 Common scoters, 5 drks, North Hykehamn, Millennium Green Cattle Egret, with cattle along canal, Tetney Lock 10 Curlew Sandpipers, 5 Little Stints, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh Black Tern juv, Deeping Lakes 13/9 2 Little Stints, Arctic skua, Bonxie, Donna Nook Cattle Egret, with cattle along canal, Tetney Lock Spotted Redshank, Gibraltar Point 8 Little Stints, 10 Curlew Sandpipers, 4 Spotted Redshank, Dotterel, Frampton Marsh 14/9 Pomarine Skua, Black-throated Diver, Anderby Creek Cattle Egret, with cattle along canal, Tetney Lock 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. North Somercotes TF416 974 7 September 2013 LNU meeting to Byron's Lodge area courtesy of Bryan and Liz Libell. Led by Brian Hedley and attended by 15 people. A dry, windy, warm and mainly sunny afternoon with winds easing by the evening moth and bat session. Plants Just over 200 species noted (many of which planted or seeded) including flowering-rush, pepper saxifrage, wild pear, corn spurrey, galingale and sharp-flowered rush. Reptiles Grass snake 1 Common lizard 10 (mainly juveniles) Amphibians Common frog 10+ froglets Common toad 1 dead Mammals Common pipistrelle 8-10Soprano pipistrelle 1-2Wood mouse (signs) Bank vole 1Water vole (signs) Fox (signs) Rabbit (signs) Brown hare 1 Muntjac (signs) Birds 28 bird species noted including hobby, yellow wagtail, curlew and at least 4 tawny owls calling during evening. Moths 27 species including 2 red underwings (on house wall), dark sword-grass, frosted orange, diamondback, burnished brass, silver y and barred fruit-tree tortrix. Butterflies A good list of 12 species including 40+ speckled woods, painted lady, comma, small copper, red admiral and a late meadow brown. Dragonflies Migrant hawker, Common darter, Ruddy darter Beetles Charlie Barnes recorded over 40 species including Zeugophora subspinosa, 13th record for Lincolnshire, Isochnus sequensi, Psyllobora vigintiduopunctata and Tytthaspis sedecimpunctata. Others Gall on cat's-ear. Various galls on oak and other tree species (awaiting list). Hornet, Green Shieldbug, Hawthorn Shieldbug, Forest Shieldbug,Sawfly: Platycampus luridiventris (larvae) Additional Species noted by John Flynn 7-spot ladybird Coleoptera Coccinellidae Forficula auricularia Dermaptera Forficulidae Bombus terrestris Hymenoptera Apidae Bombus pascuorum Hymenoptera Apidae Bombus lapidarius Hymenoptera Apidae Vespula germanica Hymenoptera Vespidae Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale Heteroptera Acanthosomatidae Dolycoris baccarum Heteroptera Pentatomidae Eristalis tenax Diptera Syrphidae Eristalis pertinax Diptera Syrphidae Syrphus ribessii Diptera Syrphidae Syrphus vitripennis Diptera Syrphidae Sphaerophia scripta Diptera Syrphidae Platychirus manicatum Diptera Syrphidae Tipula paludosa Diptera Tipulidae *** 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. BOSTON (South by A14) 09/09/2013 Roy and Kath Pearson Humming-bird Hawk Moth in garden. BRACEBY TF015353 M. Ellis 9th September Three dead peacock butterflies in church on Sunday Muntjak deer in garden opposite 6th Sept Buzzards over garden 7th Sept as they often are BUTTERWICK 09/09/2013 Roy and Kath Pearson Hobby chasing Swallows. CAISTOR Wendy Handford (WH) Reports from contributors to Caistor records Week beginning 6.9.13 Brigg Road verge, disturbed, TA 111 026 WH Equal-leaved knotgrass 12th Sep. New on Caistor list Good-King-Henry 12th Sep. New on Caistor list Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 WH Common shrew in hedgebank 4pm 6th Sep House/Field mouse nest (old) in garage, made of grass-cuttings, feathers, birch leaves Blackbirds and Songthrushes feeding on Guelder rose berries 8th Sep Buzzard circling 9th Sep Chiffchaff juv calling 6th Sep Buff tip moth caterpillar 24th Aug. New on Caistor list. ID’d by A Binding Comma on Sedum 9th Sep Comb-footed spiders with egg sacs 10 in compost bin Large white caterpillars climbing house walls to pupate A Mirid bug Liocoris tripustulatus 1st Sep. New on Caistor list. ID’d by C Barnes C Smith Speckled wood 2 on Honeysuckle 9th Sep Dog rose berries turning orange Green alkanet 2nd flowering 7th Sep Dead man’s fingers fungus 12th Sep Grimsby Road garden TA 120 014 Molly Burnished brass moth on Acer 30th Aug Mill Lane TA 119 012 C Brant A Flat-bellied ground spider 9th Sep. New on Caistor list George Mews garden TA 119 016 J Hewis Brimstone. 1st sighting in garden Saxonfields garden TA 109 013 Hedgehogs 2 adults, 3 juv 5th Sep evening DEEPINGS Deeping Lakes nature reserve. David Griffith 08/09/13 Highlights Hobby Red kite Buzzard Black tern Common sandpiper Black swan x3 Swift House Martin x5 Lapwing x34 HEIGHINGTON TF025696 John Nickson 7th and 8th September Combined numbers Beautiful Hook-tip Laspeyria flexula 1 Brown-spot Pinion Agrochola litura 4 Burnished Brass Diachrysia chrysitis 2 Centre-barred Sallow Atethmia centrago 1 Common Rustic Mesapamea secalis 1 Common Wainscot Mythimna pallens 2 Flounced Rustic Luperina testacea 3 Frosted Orange Gortyna flavago 1 Large Yellow Underwing Noctua pronuba 12 Lesser Yellow Underwing Noctua comes 7 Rosy Rustic Hydraecia micacea 1 Rustic Hoplodrina blanda 4 Setaceous Hebrew Character Xestia c-nigrum 15 Square-spot Rustic Xestia xanthographa 1 STEWTON LOUTH Clare Brady 5/9/13 Down the old railway line at Stewton, walking the dogs at dusk. Badger spotted watching us as we came back up the line, then I think it caught scent of us and the dogs and ran into the trees. Quite large, so must have been an adult. THURNHOLMES Thurnholmes (SK79767 98400) & surrounding area Clare Holmes, Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 07/09/13 Dunnock x 5 Sparrowhawk x 1 male, Owston Ferry Drain Tree Sparrow x 29 Common Toad x 1 large female Small Tortoiseshell x 12 08/09/13 Blue Tit x 2 Common Buzzard x 1 Owston Ferry Drain Kestrel x 1 Tree Sparrow x 17 Common Lizard x 1 09/09/13 Tawny Owl x 1 calling 11.45pm Owston Ferry Drain (also same 12/09/13) Tree Sparrow x 62 Toadlet x 1 under recording sheet 10/09/13 Blackbird x 12 Tree Sparrow x 29 Common Shrew x 1 under recording sheet S T F Vole x 3 Stoat x 1 12/09/13 Greenfinch x 17 Kestrel x 1 female Lapwing x 52 Mute Swan x 2 Owston Ferry Warping Drain Snipe x 1 Swallow x 35 on wires, Owston Ferry Warping Drain Tree Sparrow x 61 S T F Vole x 3 Toadlet x 1 under recording sheet Small White butterfly x 5 WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 9/9/2013 2 Common Buzzards over. Good numbers of Large and Small Whites, small tortoiseshells and 2 Red Admirals in garden. Red Underwing moth. 10/9/2013 Green woodpecker feeding on lawn - often heard, seldom seen. 11/9/2013 Lesser stag beetle large adult, probable female, in empty beehive standing on old decaying maple stump. Male Marsh Harriers and 2 Common Buzzards hunting in area. 12/9 Good numbers of Speckled Wood butterflies in area including Canada Farm: TF TF223538. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 13th September 2013 John Walker, Roger Briggs, Steve Hall, Cliff Morrison, Peter & Janet Roworth This week saw a change in the weather from the previous weeks of high temperatures and little rainfall to a spell of lower temperatures with low cloud and rainfall, the result of a series of low pressure systems. A near ground frost of 0.25°C was recorded on the 9th. Winds were generally from the southerly sectorbut strong N-NW were noted on the 6th and 10th. On these two days there was some passage out to sea with all four species of Skuas and small groups of Teal, Wigeon, Shelduck, Common Scoter and juvenile Gannets. Interestingly CM counted 200+ Sandwich Terns on the morning tide on the 8th at Crook Bank and many of the terns had metal rings, but also a few of the juveniles had colour rings. Norfolk colony juveniles have been colour ringed this year to see where they feed before moving south, so they could be these. During the week there have still been the occasional Common and Lesser Whitethroats, Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs moving through. Two Spotted Flycatchers were seen near Sea View on the 7th and 8th, a Bullfinch heard near Brickyard on the 9th and a Coal Tit there on the 12th. Five Common Snipe flew over the dunes on the 7th and a male Marsh Harrier was hunting over the saltmarsh on the 8th. A single Hobby was seen chasing Swallows on the 10th. In-between spells of cloudy wet weather several species of butterfly are still on the wing including some fresh looking speckled woods and a few red admirals, small tortoiseshells, wall browns, whites, a few common blues, and a painted lady on the 8th. Numbers of dragonflies and damselflies have now dropped with only the occasional migrant hawker and some ruddy/common darters. There are now fine displays of berries throughout the dune scrub, particularly on rowan, hawthorn and elder, and on the sea buckthorn. 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 13.09.13 BIRDS Max nos. bittern blackbird 8 black-headed gull 10 blue tit 6 canada goose 40 carrion crow 2 Cetti's warbler chaffinch 8 chiffchaff 3 collared dove 2 common gull 6 coot 40 cormorant 3 curlew 3 dunnock 4 gadwall 6 goldfinch 2 GBB gull GC grebe 2 GS woodpecker great tit 5 grey heron greylag goose 320 herring gull house sparrow 15 kingfisher lapwing 102 long tailed tit 2 magpie 4 mallard 40 marsh harrier F moorhen 6 mute swan 6 pheasant pochard 6 reed bunting 2 robin 2 shoveler 28 snipe song thrush sparrowhawk starling 20 swallow 15 tufted duck 30 water rail willow tit 2 wood pigeon 10 wren 4 Far Ings NNR Moths August 2013 MACRO MOTHS BORDERED BEAUTY BRIGHT LINE BROWN EYE BRIMSTONE BROWN VEINED WAINSCOT BUFF FOOTMAN BULRUSH WAINSCOT CANARY SHOULDERED THORN COMMON CARPET COMMON MARBLED CARPET COMMON RUSTIC COMMON WAINSCOT COMMON WAVE COMMON WHITE WAVE COPPER UNDERWING CRESCENT DARK ARCHES DARK BARRED TWIN SPOT CARPET DARK SWORDGRASS DINGY FOOTMAN DOUBLE SQUARE SPOT DRINKER DUNBAR DUSKY BROCADE DUSKY SALLOW EARLY THORN FEN WAINSCOT FLAME CARPET FLAME SHOULDER FLOUNCED RUSTIC GARDEN CARPET GOLD SPOT GREEN CARPET GREY DAGGER JULY HIGHFLYER KNOTGRASS LARGE TWIN SPOT CARPET LARGE YELLOW UNDERWING LEAST YELLOW UNDERWING LESSER BROAD BORDERED YELLOW UNDERWING LESSER COMMON RUSTIC LESSER CREAM WAVE LESSER YELLOW UNDERWING LIME SPECK PUG MARBLED BEAUTY MOUSE NUTMEG OLD LADY ORANGE SWIFT PALE MOTTLED WILLOW PALE PROMINENT PEBBLE PROMINENT POPLAR HAWKMOTH PURPLE THORN RED TWIN SPOT CARPET RIBAND WAVE RUBY TIGER RUSTIC SALLOW SALLOW KITTEN SETACEOUS HEBREW CHARACTER SHADED BROAD BAR SHUTTLE SHAPED DART SILKY WAINSCOT SILVER Y SINGLE DOTTED WAVE SIX STRIPED RUSTIC SMALL FAN FOOTED WAVE SMALL PHOENIX SMOKY WAINSCOT SNOUT SOUTHERN WAINSCOT SQUARE SPOT RUSTIC STRAW DOT STRIPED WAINSCOT SVENSSON'S COPPER UNDERWING TRIPLE SPOTTED PUG TWIN SPOT WAINSCOT VINE'S RUSTIC WILLOW BEAUTY YELLOW BARRED BRINDLE YELLOW TAILED Micro Moths Acentria ephemerella Acleris emargana Acleris latifacsiana Agapeta hamana Agonopterix arenella Agriphila tristella Aphomia sociella Argyresthia goedartella Calamstropha paludella Caloptilia stigmatella Cataclysta lemnata Chilo phragmitella Choreutis pariana Chrysoteuchia culmella Donacaula forficella Endrosis sarcitrella Hypsopygia costalis Numonia advenella Pammene populana Pandemis cerasana Pleuroptya ruralis Schoenobius gigantella Scoparia ambigualis Udea ferrugalis Udea lutealis Yponomeuta evonymella Ypsolopha scabrella 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...... Peacock Spider on You=tube Howard Robinson http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=d_yYC5r8xMI&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Dd_yYC5r8xMI How to amuse older people......for HOURS! From Chris Reading http://img0.liveinternet.ru/images/attach/c/5/3970/3970473_sprite198.swf ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/