LNU Wildnews Bulletin ============================================ || || 22nd 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.... *** I am planning an autumn walkabout in West Wales towards the end of September/beginning of October. Next Bulletin w/o 7th October. It astounds me how far afield the Bulletin is read. We have readers in New Zealand, Canada, Portugal, Greece, Italy, The Netherlands, France and Switzerland. The top two after the UK are Japan [4%] and the USA [5%]. Approx 250 readers open their Bulletins within the first day of sending, 10 within an hour of mailing. Over the last week the "opens" list was 10% above sector average and the "click rate" on links is 4% above sector average. I am currently receiving 7 new subscriptions per month and have had only 12 unsubscriptions since July. In the days when people used to to e-mail to unsubscribe, most took the trouble to say a warm thank you and explain their reasons, more often than not moving away from Lincolnshire. With Mailchimp this is all done automatically and I no longer have the opportunity to say "Thank you." and "Come back any time." So I will say it here: If you do decide to unsubscribe, we are glad you gave it a try and if ever you wish to sign up again we will be pleased to hear from you. You can still have a look at the text versions of the Bulletin when paying Lincolnshire a visit in the future. 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. Thank you for all the contributions this week. 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 *** from Mark Schofield One more petition signature needed to save a green lane near Grantham. We are nearly there! 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 *** Apple Days *** Autumn Apple Days are great occasions, a celebration of the diversity of form and use of this quintessential British crop. It is always a treat to see enthusiastic experts in action, identifying varieties and speaking of their particular features and qualities. Max Winslow from the Stamford Community Orchard tells me the Stamford Apple day is on Saturday, 5th October, their 10th anniversary. 10.30 a.m. until 4.30 p.m. in Stamford Arts Centre, St. George's Square. They think they have just found one of their "lost varieties". Exciting! For further information about the Stamford Apple Day 2013 see: http://www.stamfordmercury.co.uk/news/local/stamford-community-orchard-group-organising-10th-annual-apple-day-1-5199853D Gunby Hall near Skegness hosts an Apple Day on Sunday 6th October 2013: http://www.visitlincolnshire.com/thedms.aspx?dms=13&venue=9310191&feature=1003 If you know of other Apple Days in Lincolnshire I will be pleased to include details in the Bulletin - just tell me. Also see: EEAOP http://www.applesandorchards.org.uk/ Brogdale website: http://www.brogdalecollections.co.uk/ Windfalls do not store well, so if you plan to save some apples for winter migrants, you may want to pick and handle these carefully. There is no point in collecting fruit that will rot before you can use it. Garden visitors will appreciate your forethought when cold weather comes along. *** Grey Squirrel Story *** Stuart Britton writes: I was playing golf today at Newark Golf Club today (16th. Sept.) - a well wooded course with plenty of conifers. We were approaching one of the greens when a Grey Squirrel ran across in front of us with something in her mouth which we were too far away to see clearly. She was out of view for a minute or so and ran back to where she came from. Almost immediately she re-appeared with a well grown baby squirrel in her mouth and ran within feet of us and climbed a nearby conifer. Has anyone else witnessed this behaviour? I certainly haven't!" Editor adds: squirrels will endeavour to move young when a drey is under threat. I have seen this, but not with as mature a youngster as described. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z34rU5wI69g *** Have you spotted a patch of Himalayan Balsam? Or not? *** 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 on: http://www.glnp.org.uk Caroline Tero adds: As well as being interested in where Himalayan Balsam is along rivers we are also really keen to find out if there are any/which catchments people know well where they just don't see any. May help us prioritise catchments to keep clear of the plant! Negative answers via GLNP link, please: http://www.glnp.org.uk *** 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. Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT On Saturday 28th September 2013 at 1pm join the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust on a fungus foray with Ray Halstead in Wickenby Wood, Lincs. (Grid ref TF083827) a Forestry Commission ancient lime tree wood south- west of Market Rasen. Parking is limited within the wood otherwise park on the main road verge. Please wear suitable clothing and stout shoes or boots. This is a free event but donations will be welcomed for the Trust. To book a place and for further details contact Jennie Redpath 01472 502858 *** 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ 14/9 Pomarine Skua south, Black-throated Diver, Anderby Creek Cattle Egret, with cattle along canal, Tetney Lock 2 Little Stints, Bonxie, Long-tailed Skua, Donna Nook 3 Curlew Sandpipers, Little Gull ad, Hutoft 19 Arctic Skuas past Trusthorpe Long-eared Owl, Redstart, Crossbill, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Brambling, Gibraltar Point Wood Sandpiper, Woodhall Spa, old airfield pit Black Tern juv, Deeping Lakes 15/9 Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, Whinchat, Frampton Marsh Curlew Sandpiper, Rimac Cattle Egret, with cattle along canal, Tetney Lock Honey Buzzard, 5 Whinchats, Tree Pipit, 8 Spotted Redshanks, Gibraltar Point 16/9 2 Blue-winged Teals, Boulthan Mere 6 Spotted Redshanks, Gibraltar Point 17/9 2 Purple Sandpiper at Trusthorpe sewage outfall 3 Blue-winged Teals, Bittern, 2 Crossbills over, Boulthan Mere Little Stints, 3 Curlew Sandpipers, 3 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh Common Scoter drk, Whisby Nature Park honey Buzzard juv over Saltfleet All Saints Black Tern juv, Deeping Lakes 18/9 Pomarine Skua, Sooty Shearwater, 3 Bonxies, 23 Arctic Skuas, Scaup, Garganey, 13 Spotted Redshanks, Gibraltar Point Cattle Egret, with cattle along canal, Tetney Lock 3 Blue-winged Teals, Boulthan Mere 19/9 Cattle Egret, with cattle along canal, Tetney Lock 4 Spotted Redshanks, Gibraltar Point 20/9 Garganey, 11 Spotted Redshanks, 2 Bonxies, Gibraltar Point Long-tailed Skua NE past Huttoft 3 juv Blue-winged Teals, Boulthan Mere Black Tern juv, Deeping Lakes 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. Lists of Wildlife Seen at Waters' Edge, Barton TA 032 229 29 & 30/08/13 Julie Ellison Birds: Blackbird Black-Headed Gull Blue Tit Canada Goose Carrion Crow Coot Great Tit House Sparrow Little Grebe Long-Tailed Tit Magpie Mallard Moorhen Mute Swan (2 adult + 2 juvenile) Pied Wagtail Reed Warbler Starling Swallow Tufted Duck Wood Pigeon Butterflies: Common Blue (female) Large White Silver Y Small Tortoiseshell Small White Speckled Wood (14-16) Wild Plants in Flower: Bindweed (Hedge) Bird's-Foot-Trefoil (common) Black Medick Bramble - in flower & berry Bristly Oxtongue Cat's Ear Clover (Red) Clover (White) Daisy Dandelion Elder - in berry Evening Primrose Knapweed (Rayed) Lady's Bedstraw Mayweed Mugwort Nettle (Common) Pineapple Weed Plantain (Ribwort) Ragwort (Common) Rowan in berry Shepherd's Purse St John's Wort (Perforate) Teasel Thistle (Creeping) Thistle (Spear) Vetchling (Meadow) Viper's Bugloss Wild Carrot Willow Herb (Great) Willow Herb (Rosebay) Yarrow List of Wildlife Seen at Waters' Edge, Barton TA 032 231 Week ending: Sat 07/09/13 Julie Ellison Birds: Blackbird Black-Headed Gull Black-Tailed Godwit - 1 Blue Tit Canada Goose - 48 Carrion Crow - 4 Chaffinch Chiffchaff Coot Cormorant - 1 Curlew - 12 Feral Pigeon 30+ Great Crested Grebe - 1 Great Tit - 2 juvenile seen, quite a few heard Grey Heron - 1 Greylag Goose - 49 overflew site, 1 on site House Martin House Sparrow Little Grebe - 1 Magpie Mallard Moorhen Mute Swan - 2 adult, 2 juvenile Pied Wagtail - 4 Reed Bunting - 1 Starling Swallow Tufted Duck Wood Pigeon Wild Plants in Flower or berry: Aster (Sea) Bindweed (Field) Bindweed (Hedge) Bird's-Foot-Trefoil Black Medick Bramble (flower and berry) Bristly Oxtongue Buttercup (Creeping) Buttercup (Meadow) Buttonweed Clover (Red) Cranesbill (Dove's Foot) Daisy Dandelion Elder (in berry) Forget-Me-Not Hawthorn (in berry) Knapweed (Common) Mallow (Common) Mayweed (Scentless) Meadow Vetchling Mugwort Nettle (Common) Pineapple Weed Plantain (Ribwort) Ragwort (Common) Rowan (in berry) St John's Wort (Perforate) Teasel Thistle (Creeping) Vetch (Tufted) Viper's Bugloss Wild Carrot Willow Herb (Great) Willow Herb (Rosebay) Yarrow WATERS' EDGE, BARTON TA 033 231 Date: 12/09/13 & 15/09/13 Julie Ellison Birds: Blackbird Black-Tailed Godwit Blue Tit Bullfinch Carrion Crow Chaffinch Collared Dove Coot Curlew - 5 Gadwall Great Tit Grebe (Little) Grebe (Great Crested) Gull (Black-Headed) Heron (Grey) House Martin House Sparrow Long-Tailed Tit Magpie Mallard Moorhen Mute Swan (2 adult, 2 juvenile) Redshank - 5 Robin Shoveler Swallow Tufted Duck Wood Pigeon Wren Plants In Flower &/or Berry: Aster (Sea) Bartsia (Red) Bedstraw (Ladies) Bindweed (Field) Bindweed (Hedge) Birdsfoot Trefoil Bramble (in flower & berry) Bristly Oxtongue Buttercup (Creeping) Button Weed Cat's Ear Charlock Clover (Red) Cranesbill (Doves Foot) Dandelion Dead Nettle (White) Dog Rose Elder Evening Primrose Fennel Guelder Rose Hawkweed (Mouse-Ear) Hawthorn Knapweed (Common) Knapweed (Rayed) Loosestrife (Purple) Mayweed (Scentless) Medic (Black) Mint (Water) Mugwort Nettle (Common) Plantain (Ribwort) Poppy (Field) Ragwort (Common) Rowan Scabious (Field I think) Snowberry (in flower and berry) St John's Wort (Perforate) Storksbill Thistle (Creeping) Thistle (Spear) Vetch (Tufted) Viper's Bugloss Wild Carrot Willow Herb (Great) Willow Herb (Rosebay) Yarrow Other: Bumble Bee (Common Carder) Bumble Bee (Red Tailed) Grasshopper Sp (near Visitor Centre) Migrant Hawker Toadlet - 2 *** 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 A16) 19/09/2013 Roy and Kath Pearson Marsh Harrier flew north-west over the garden. CAISTOR Wendy Handford (WH) Reports from contributors to Caistor records Week beginning 13.9.13 Brigg Road garden TA 113 020 J Foster Speckled wood on window 13th Sep Shaggy bracket fungus 28th Aug. New on Caistor list. Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 WH Badger juv on Trailcam 2.15am 15th Sep Grey squirrel juv in orchard 14th Sep Chiffchaff juv calling 8am 16th Sep Goldcrests 3 in coniferous wood 16th Sep Swallow circling over lawn 13th Sep Tawny owls 2 calling 12th Sep Froglets, toadlets 9 in orchard grass after rain 12th Sep Common wasps 100s in plums and fallen fruit 14th Sep Daddy long-legs spider + 50 newly-hatched young 18th Sep Migrant hawker 16th Sep. New on Caistor list Large yellow underwing 4 in garage 13th Sep Red lily beetle on Martagon lily 13th Sep Snake millipede 14th Sep Spotted snake millipede 14th Sep Violet ground beetle under recycling bin 15th Sep Brown rollrim under Sycamore Fairy rings 2 Hundon Manor Farm ponds TA 112 026 P Robinson House martins 20 feeding over ponds 7pm 15th Sep Nettleton Lodge Game Farm TA 090 012 B Jacob Japanese parasol fungi 12th Sep. Lasting a few hours. Town Hall carpark TA 120 014 On Buddleia 18th Sep: Red admiral, Small white 2, Small tortoiseshell, White-tailed bumblebee 2 DEEPINGS Venue: Deeping Lakes LWT Reserve TF187083 Date: 20/09/2013 Observer: Ian Gordon Time: 1000 - 1140 Weather: Warm and sunny. No breeze Birds: Black-headed Gull Black Tern Blue Tit Buzzard Chaffinch Coot Cormorant Carrion Crow Gadwall Green Woodpecker Greylag Goose Hobby Lapwing Lesser Black-backed Gull Little Grebe Long-tailed Tit Mallard Moorhen Mute Swan Shovelor Sparrowhawk Tufted duck Wigeon Woodpigeon Butterflies, Damsels, etc: Small Tortoiseshell Large White Small White Brown Hawker Common Blue Damselfly HORNCASTLE TF261691 My garden Robert Walker 12/9/13 Grey Dagger Moth larva (Acronicta psi) On holly branches. 14/9/13 Chiffchaff 1 First sighting in garden, Autumn returns of:- Long-tailed tits 8 Bluetits 3 Great Tits 2 19/9/13 Coal tit 1 HUTTOFT TF512 763 (my garden) JANE PENNINGTON Date: 17 Sept 2013 Collared doves 2 (collecting nesting material) Date: 18 Sept 2013 Blackbirds 5 (family) Grey squirrel 1 (collecting acorns) Tawny owl 1 (hooting 4.30am) Date: 19 Sept 2013 Blackbirds 5 (family) Collared doves 2 Harlequin ladybird 2 Redstart 1 (adult male, confirmed by Roy Pearson) Robins 2 (resident chasing intruder) Date: 20 Sept 2013 Blackbirds 5 (family) Collared doves 2 Ladybird 7-spot 1 LINCOLN SK972738 W/E 21/09/2013 Jayne Knight 10/09/13 20+ Housemartins over Brayford Pool, around 3pm. 12/09/13 Around 50 Goldfinches gritting on house roof opposite. (Assuming greater variation in temperature overnight causes the surface of the concrete tiles to break up, releasing particles of sand?) 14/09/13 Still a couple of Housemartins overhead. 18/09/13 An estimated 700 Starlings flocking together and feeding on the nearby communal lawn areas. MARTON (Trent Port Wetland area) SK834 813 Brian Hedley 18 September 2013 A series of recently dried-up pools produced an interesting list of plants including: Golden dock Marsh cudweed Narrow-leaved water-plantain Common water-plantain Great yellowcress Marsh yellowcress Water dropwort sp. (either fine-leaved or hemlock but will look out for it there for next year) Red goosefoot Many-seeded goosefoot Trifid bur-marigold Pink water speedwell Fat duckweed also frequent in margins of River Trent itself. THURNHOLMES (SK79767 98400) and surrounding area Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 14/09/13 Common Buzzard x 1 Owston Ferry Warping Drain Kestrel x 1 female '' Sparrowhawk x 1 male Swallow x 13 Owston Ferry Warping Drain Tree Sparrow x 32 17/09/13 Coot x 6 Low Melwood clay pit Little Grebe x 1 '' Mallard x 4 x 21 Owston Ferry Warping Drain Mute Swan x 2 Owston Ferry Warping Drain Tawny Owl x 1 calling from Owston Ferry Warping Drain (also 18/09 & 19/09) Tufted Duck x 3 L Melwood clay pit 18/09/13 Common Buzzard x 1 Owston Ferry Warping Drain Grey Partridge x 15 House Sparrow x 25 at bird table in Owston Ferry every morning Swallow x 15 roosting in garage in Owston Ferry each evening S Tortoiseshell x 2 + Large and Small Whites in the above O Ferry garden 19/09/13 R L Partridge x 23 (look to have just been released) Stock Dove x 1 youngster just fledged from Thurnholmes nest box 20/09/13 Common Buzzard x 1 WADDINGTON Peter Wilson 16th Sept 2013 Just been walking the dog on the playing field at Waddington with a cold north westerly wind blowing but the sun shining. In the shelter of the trees and hedge at the edge of the playing field I was fascinated watching 30+swallows (or perhaps house martins) skimming the ground so low they were almost on the ground. They were flying around me and the dog so close; one came straight at me and almost hit my face just touching my cap as it went over me. They were obviously taking advantage of the shelter of the trees to get the last of the available insects before they head off for warmer places. The swifts have long gone now. I have a family of collared doves feeding at my bird feeders in the garden, two adults and several youngsters, along with all the other usual birds. I have quite a lot of sparrows which are almost permanent residents and when I put the mealworms out in the morning I am also inundated with a host of hungry starlings. WAINFLEET CONSERVATION PONDS 18/09/2013 Roy and Kath Pearson A BirdTrack count today yielded only 10 species, the most numerous being twenty-four Mallard. The only birds of particular interest were singles of Grey Heron, Meadow Pipit, Snipe, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Yellow Wagtail. A Blackcap ringed here last week was a first for the site. WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 15/9/2013 Fungi in garden Giant puff ball Shaggy Parasol v hortensis Dead short-tailed vole in garden. Cause of death unknown. 16/9/2013 6 Young grass snakes on two different age ranges, one somewhat bigger, 5 very young and together in a compost bin - a regular breeding site where adults have been observed again this year. House mouse live-trapped in apple shed. 3rd Swallow brood flew the nest - 1 mortality. 17/9 - 12 young grass snakes seen, as above. House mouse killed in nipper trap - apple shed. 19/9 Youngest swallow still using nest site for shelter. Adult Rabbit in garden with signs of myxomatosis. 6-8 young grass snakes seen on compost heap. WINTERTON and Area Julie Ellison Mon 15/07/13 Junction of A1077 and A15 (north-west grass bank) TA 018 215 1 x Latticed Heath, Chiasmia clathrata 7 x 7-Spot Ladybird (including mating pair) Tues 16/07/013 My back garden (wild area) SE 932 186 4 distinct broods of Cinnabar Moth caterpillars, of varying sizes. Thurs 18/07/13 North of houses, Northlands Rd., Winterton SE 923 196 Marsh Harrier 1 Female Flew up over the hedge heading west to east over the road right in front of me. As there was no traffic behind me, I pulled onto the verge and grabbed my binoculars. She flew south along the field side of the eastern hedge, almost to the houses, often seeming to just hang in the air. Then she worked her way eastwards over the field until she went beyond the brow of the field and I lost sight of her. This took several minutes and I got an excellent view of both upper and under side as she turned, staying low to the field. Thurs 18/07/13 Brigg Rd, Scunthorpe SE 914 094 1 Song Thrush On grass verge Wild area by tunnel, north end of Morrison's Car park and south of the road, Scunthorpe SE 918 086 - SE 918 085 Goldfinch 1 seen clearly, but several flying about and the sound of their singing was almost constant Rook 1 (honest, only 1) Magpie (with Rook) Wren 1 (juvenile I think) Thursday 01/08/13 Winterton Carrs SE 968 190 Grey Heron 1 On the side of the Old River Ancholme Sunday 04/08/13 Northland Rd, Winterton SE 924 193 14 Swallows sitting on overhead wires. Tuesday 06/08/13 Cemetery Rd, Winterton SE 932 185 Cloud of 60+ Swifts - most I've seen at once over the road this year. (Normally see 20-30.) This was the last I saw of the Swifts this year. Wed 07/08/13 Seen from a footpath to the south-east of Barnetby-Le-Wold, on a tree in the distance at about TA 051 085 it flew to the woods at about TA 048 085 1 Buzzard Calling quite a lot. Thursday 08/08/13 Level crossing on the B1207 SE 952 128 20+ Swallows sitting on the overhead wires Thursday 08/08/13 Conway Ave, Grimsby TA 250 093 1 Common Frog 2 Cinnabar Moth caterpillars Friday 09/08/13 A1077 just south of Winterton SE 918 173 1 Marsh Harrier Sunday week ending 11/08/13 Winterton Flocks of Starlings of between 40-80 seen seeming to practice formation flying, at various places over Winterton, although the largest flock I've seen recently was about 200, over Northlands Rd. There seem to be good numbers of juveniles this year. Tues 27/08/13 (dusk) West bank of the New River Ancholme, just north of Horkstow Bridge SE 973 192 1 Barn Owl Flew out of trees, over the water, and back into the trees. Sunday 15/09/13 A1077 between Winterton & Scunthorpe Approx. SE 911 149 (furthest south I've seen one on this road) 1 Marsh Harrier WRANGLE COMMON 18/09/2013 Roy and Kath Pearson The first count for the Winter Thrush Survey produced only two Blackbirds in an hour and a half. A BirdTrack count was slightly better with 20 species. The highest numbers were Mallard (44), Greylag Goose (37) and an astonishing forty-one Meadow Pipits feeding on barley stubble. Other birds of interest were Teal (5) and Buzzard (2). Butterfly numbers are now well-down on the counts of last month, but a patch of Hawkweed Bitterwort in a sunny clearing in a copse yielded large numbers of Small and Large Whites and a single Green-veined White, together with a Red Admiral, two Small Tortoiseshells and several Speckled Woods. Elsewhere feeding on blackberries were five Commas, together with two Red Admirals, several Small Tortoiseshells and numerous Speckled Woods. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 20th September 2013 John Walker, Roger Briggs, Steve Hall, Cliff Morrison, Peter & Janet Roworth The weather took a downward turn during the week with a spell of cold south- westerlies reaching f5-6 and a ground frost of 0.0°C was recorded on the 18th. However a true sign of the onset of autumn is the first skein of Pink-footed Geese migrating southwards towards Norfolk. The first group here was seen on 16th, with 110 in 3 groups on 17th and 145 in 5 groups on 18th. They no doubt took advantage of the strong north westerly airflows coming off Greenland and Iceland earlier in the week. All the groups, but one, were well off shore, as they came off Spurn to bypass Lincolnshire to Norfolk. However, one group turned westwards on 17th to land in the coastal fields around Theddlethorpe and they may have been the same group heard over Sea View the next day when two more skeins of 12 and 51 birds were seen. About 250 Common Scoter were on the sea off Brickyard Lane from 12th -14th and 130 on the 15th with around 30 thereafter for the rest of the week. Apart from several juvenile Gannets off shore each day, there have been daily 1-2 guillemots, with single Arctic and Long-tailed Skuas on the 16th, when 3 adult Red-throated Divers flew south. Over 2,000 Black-headed Gulls can also be seen coming off the roost here as well each morning and there was a second year Mediterranean Gull seen with them on 16th and 17th, whilst Birklands Ringing Group had a Yellow- legged Herring Gull on 15th. At least 170 Curlews can be seen feeding in the coastal fields between Crook Bank and Sea View Lane; they are roosting on the beach along the Haven and off Brickyard. Other bird sightings of note include a Nightjar disturbed off Brickyard Lane on the 14th, single Hobbies on the 15th and 18th and Pied Flycatcher, Redstart, Blackcap and Jay also on the 18th. An adult and juv Stonechat were seen near Churchill on the 17th whilst one of the summering Turtle Doves remained all week. Several Lesser and Common Whitethroats, Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs have been passing through together with the occasional mixed flock of Long-tailed, Blue and Great Tits. Single Kingfishers have occurred over the Haven outfall and Great Eau, and 7 Knot flew over Sea View on the 16th. On falling tides the saltmarsh has attracted up to 450 Black-headed Gulls, 10 Little Egrets, 6 Mute Swans, 60 Teal, 30+ Curlew, 2 Whimbrel, 40+ Redshank and a single cream-crown Marsh Harrier. Even after the cold evenings, there have still been a number of small tortoiseshells on the wing plus a few fresh red admirals, small whites and speckled woods. Darters remain common, but the last migrant hawker to be seen was on 15th. On the 15th a stoat was seen carrying a wood mouse nr Brickyard and a weasel has frequented Sea View during the week. Last week, Cliff reported on a number of colour ringed Sandwich Terns and speculated that they probably originated from the Norfolk colonies, where a new ringing scheme had been established this year. The colour rings included tall red with numeric codes, tall white with numeric codes and double short un-coded rings in 2 colours. Unfortunately, the codes could not be read, but Nigel Lound at Gibraltar Point also had similar coded colour ringed Sandwich Terns, where he could read the codes and it transpired that they originated from Coquet and the Farne Islands. Our coded birds were also ringed there, but obviously we weren't able to determine their history without being able to read the codes. Investigation has shown that the un-coded dual colour ringed birds originated from Sands of Forvie in Scotland, but we don't yet have the historical data. On the 21st July 2012 a colour ringed Sanderling with red/yellow//red/red flag/green was seen by PR on the shoreline off Rimac. A few days ago details of this bird were finally received. It was an adult ringed on 27th August 2011 at Asenko Village, West Region, Ghana. Readers may remember we reported the devastating impacts of the continuous strong easterly winds in March and early April this year that resulted in an auk wreck along with several stranded harbour porpoises. However, on the positive side, blowing sand resulted in the creation of new mobile dunes, raising existing ones. The last of the spring tides in early April came within about 50 metres of the dunes, depositing large quantities of razor shells and marine debris along the strand line. As the spring and summer progressed, the strand line, up to 15 metres wide and several kilometres long, burst into life with plants typical of these mobile coastal areas. Cliff comments "This was the best strand line botanical display we can recall and included annual sea blite, sea rocket, sea sandwort, prickly saltwort and oraches (both hastate and frosted). Some of the plants have grown prostrate, whilst others have grown vertically, creating lovely architectural effects. The frosted orache has beetroot coloured stems and silvery leaves, making it a spectacular plant, but over the past couple of weeks, several of the other species have begun to develop autumnal colours, creating a really colourful display. Further out beyond the strand line, there are large patches of sea blite heavy with seed, which are turning a rich plum colour, contrasting with the still bright green samphire beds and creating a spectacle that must equal that of the July and August sea lavender flowering on the marsh. Several sea beet plants have also been found this year along the mobile dunes, but seem to be a favourite food for rabbits!" RSPB WASH Reserves - Frampton Marsh and Freiston Shore http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/collections/thewash_northnorfolk.aspx Reports for August 2013 John Badley Recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Assisted by Grahame Hopwood and Colin Jennings RSPB Frampton Marsh Waders included a Pectoral Sandpiper (3rd – 6th), up to two Little Stints and 20 Curlew Sandpipers (24th). Black-tailed Godwits increased to a peak of 5000 (28th) and there were also peaks of five Spotted Redshanks and six Wood Sandpipers (4th). Garganey were seen on several dates, with two on one (13th). The Ruddy Duck from July remained until 10th. One Little Gull was seen (11th) with two Black Terns (27th). Up to five Turtle Doves were regular. Birds of prey included returning Merlins, two Hobbies and a Montagu’s Harrier (25th). A Wryneck (from 26th) was joined by a second bird later in its stay. Gibraltar Point NNR The highlight was a Short-toed Lark (from 25th) which remained around the foreshore, although it was elusive at times. Other unusual sightings included an Alpine Swift flying south and a Wood Warbler (3rd), a Red-Necked Phalarope flying south and a Woodchat Shrike (17th) and Tawny Pipit reported (31st). Wrynecks were a feature of the end of the month, with a peak of four (25th). The seabird highlights were a Long-tailed Skua (25th), with Pomarine Skua and Sooty Shearwater, both recorded on two dates. Birds of Prey included Red Kite (4th) and Honey Buzzard (29th) and up to four Spoonbills were present. Increasing numbers of ducks included up to four Garganey (21st & 26th) and a Scaup (21st). Waders also increased with peak counts of 58,000 Knots (21st), 3,000 Sanderlings (9th), three Wood Sandpipers (25th), three Little Stints (26th), eight Spotted Redshanks (29th) and 21 Curlew Sandpipers (31st). Other sites The highlight was an adult Franklin’s Gull reported at Freiston Shore (25th). A Crane flew over Colsterworth (16th) and an Osprey was at Tattershall Lakes (20th). Curlew Sandpipers peaked at an impressive 66 at Freiston Shore (31st) with six Little Stints (29th) and up to 32 Black Terns (24th) there too. Elsewhere a Caspian Gull was at North Hykeham Pits (14th) and a Whooper Swan was at Tattershall Bridge (15th). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 Report follows. 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.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 burtonjm - mailbox over quota *** And finally...... Environment Agency builds landing jetties for otters http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-24071175 Google brings Galapagos to the world! On the 178th anniversary of Charles Darwin's visit to the Galapagos Islands, Google has launched Galapagos Street View! http://www.darwinforaday.org/ ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/