============================================ || || 29th 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 having an autumn walkabout end of September/beginning of October. I hope this interim Bulletin will keep you going until the next full Bulletin w/o 7th October. Whilst I am away, would you do a few minor administrative things for me if you have time, please? Firstly, using the "update subscription preferences" link at the end of each Bulletin, login and add your name to the Mailchimp database. [Unless you have done this already.] This saves me the enormous task of adding names so that eventually I can send personalised Bulletins, which could cut down the risk of Bulletins being trapped as "spam". Secondly, if you know of anyone who would be likely to find the LNU Bulletin of interest, please use the "forward to a friend" link at the end of the Bulletin to invite them to add themselves to the mailing list. Thirdly, if you are not a regular contributor, think about something you might send in that would be of interest to readers. This does not have to be a huge report. One interesting record might well fill in an important square on a map. If you are organising wildlife events that you need to publicise, we will be glad to mention these for you. If you are a county recorder, by giving us a lead of "things to look out for" you can prompt readers to help you to gather information. If you just want to ask a question there are many willing readers who will try to provide you with an answer. Every bit help. Thanks. 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 Editor adds: It's good to see so many familiar names on the petition. *** Donna Nook Seals *** Rob Lidstone-Scott, Coastal Warden, writes: In another month or so, the grey seals will be returning to Donna Nook. The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust relies on volunteers to warden the visitor area, chatting to visitors and making sure the seals are disturbed as little as possible. If you fancy this often freezing, but generally rewarding volunteer work this winter, please contact the LWT Coastal Warden for further details: 07774 693435/01507 338856 or necoast@lincstrust.co.uk *** Woodlouse Identification *** Question from Jayne Knight: Went out earlier to empty kitchen waste into the compost bin and amongst the insects crawling about on the inside of the very damp lid was an unusual looking woodlouse. Didn't photograph it as a bit busy, but now I have tried to identify it am having problems trying to find out just what it was. It was about the same size and had a segmented body like a woodlouse, a pale beige/brown striped body, but a tiny pointed head with almost a snout and eemed to be undulating through the film of water. Never seen anything like it before. Can anyone help? Please respond c/o editor: rparsons@enterprise.net *** 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. *** 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 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 *** Lincoln RSPB *** Maureen Staples writes: RSPB indoor meeting at Bishop Grosseteste University, Longdales Road Lincoln, Thursday 10th October on : The Weddell Sea - In Search of the Emperor Penguin by Christopher Hall. Start 7.30pm. RSPB members £3.00 Non members £4.00 http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ *** Google brings Galapagos to the world… *** From the Galapagos Conservation Trust newsletter [with permission.] 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://googleblog.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/explore-galapagos-biodiversity-with.html In collaboration with GCT’s partners the Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF) and the Galapagos National Park, Google collected 360-degree images that allow you to take a virtual tour of the islands from anywhere in the world. Not only can you view the diversity of life and landscape from islands including San Cristobal, Isabela and North Seymour, you can also dive into the underwater world around Floreana and see incredible images of inquisitive sea lions and tropical reef fish. In addition to providing armchair-travellers with a great way to spend a rainy afternoon, Galapagos Street View will also be a valuable tool for scientific research. In conjunction with Google’s launch, CDF have launched their new citizen science project Darwin for a Day that allows the general public to help describe and catalogue the plants and animals that Google’s images have captured. http://www.darwinforaday.org/ For more on the Galapagos Conservation Trust see: http://www.savegalapagos.org/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ 20/9 Cattle Egret, Tetney Lock, in field with cattle Caspian Gull, North Hykeham 21/9 3 juv Blue-winged Teal, 2 Bitterns, Boultham Mere Lapland Bunting, Wood Sandpiper, Gibraltar Point Snow Bunting. Temminck's Stint, Little Stint, 3 Curlew Sandpipers, 3 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh 22/9 Red-crested Pochard, Messingham Sand Quarry Pectoral Sandpiper, 2 Little Stints, Frampton Marsh 3 juv Blue-winged Teal, 2 Pied Flycatchers, Boultham Mere Cattle Egret, Tetney Lock 3 Spotted Redshanks, 3 Whinchats, Gibraltar Point American Golden Plover with Golden Plovers, Holbeach St Matthew 23/9 Cattle Egret, Tetney Lock, in field with cattle 3 juv Blue-winged Teal, Boultham Mere 24/9 Cattle Egret, Tetney Lock, in field with cattle Woodlark over, 8 Spotted Redshank, Gibraltar Point 25/9 3 juv Blue-winged Teal, Boultham Mere Yellow-browed Warbler, Donna Nook, Pye's Hall Yellow-browed Warbler, Woodlark, Gibraltar Point Yellow-browed Warbler, Humberston Fitties Garganey, Kirkby on Bain pits American Golden Plover, Spotted Redshank, Donna Nook, Pye's Hall 26/9 Yellow-browed Warbler, North Cotes Little Stint, Wolla Bank pit Yellow-browed Warbler, Gibraltar Point American Golden Plover south over Appleby Carrs 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. Is it thought ethical to revive cold and hungry bumble bees? Julie Ellison writes: During spring and autumn, and on unexpectedly cold days in summer too, I sometimes find lethargic bumble bees (of various species) clinging to grass or flower-heads, as far as I can remember, always in colder shaded areas. When offered a warm finger, they climb on as quickly as they can (which can be quite slowly if they're very cold) and are very reluctant to get off until they've warmed up, which can take quite a while, and at which point they fly off. If offered a smear of runny honey, they get very excited and eat it with great enthusiasm - this tickles but is fascinating. When they are fed and warm - warming-up doesn't seem to take long if they've been fed - they generally take a couple of warm-up buzzes while still holding onto the finger, then fly off. I've warmed cold bees on my hands for years (I discovered that they'll climb onto a warm finger when I was a child), but have only relatively recently started feeding them with honey. I've never been stung, but I always move slowly and carefully, and never pick them up, just offer my finger to them so it's their choice to get on; and I do my best not to breath over them, as I read somewhere they don't like being breathed on, but I don't know if this is true. Do other people warm and feed wild bees? Is there any reason that I should not do this? Record: WINTERTON Julie Ellison 09/09/13 and 21/09/13 My back garden, Cemetery Rd, Winterton SE 931 186 Tree Bumblebee, Bombus hypnorum 1 (on each date - both quite worn individuals) Editor adds: I don't think you posed any health risk to the bumblee world. Bumblebees will sometimes visit bee hives/wild colonies to help themselves to a bit of honey. An experienced beekeeper I know has fed a bumblebee at his breakfast table. He marked it and proved it was just one that kept coming back for more! The only thing that might in theory breach biosecurity is that it could be a disease risk to feed imported honey to bees because you will not know what impurities or pathogens might be in it. The general rule in beekeeping is: "Don't feed honey back to bees unless you feed them back their own honey." At this time of year bumblebee colonies [B. hypnorum included] become disrupted, workers die off and queens tuck themselves away for hibernation. Julie probably gave a welcome meal to a drowsy queen bee on her way to hibernate, or more likely a hungry worker on its last legs. *** County Wildlife Reports From Readers *** Please keep your reports coming. We rely on you to send in your observations and We welcome information from ALL readers, be they beginners or experts. Thanks. CAISTOR Wendy Handford (WH) Reports from contributors to Caistor records Week beginning 20.9.13 Brigg Road TA 106 037 Brown hare roadkill 23rd Sep Pheasants 2 females 23rd Sep Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 WH Badger juv 1am 19th Sep Sparrowhawk kills, plucks, woodpigeon 23rd Sep Tawny owl calling 4pm 21st Sep Common frog, 2yr old 22nd Sep Maximum seen at one time: Brown hawker 1 20th Sep Commas 2 20th Sep Common hawker 5 22nd Sep Emperor dragonfly 1 24th Sep Flea beetle 20th Sep. *IDd by C Barnes. New on Caistor list Harlequin ladybird hatches from pupa 22nd Sep. *New on Caistor list Large white 2 22nd Sep Nettle tap moths 41 on Ragwort. *New on Caistor list Peacock 2 23rd Sep Red admiral 1 20th Sep Small white 3 20th Sep Small tortoiseshell 3 22nd Sep Speckled wood 3 22nd Sep Ruddy darter male 20th Sep. New on Caistor list 2-spot ladybird 2 23rd Sep 22-spot ladybird 23rd Sep Fungus: Common puffball 22nd Sep Hundon Manor Farm TA 116 024 P Robinson Brown hares 3 Green woodpecker Jay Reed warblers Swallows with nestlings North Kelsey Road TA 116 015 A Wish House martins 16 evening 23rd Sep North Street verge TA 115 015 Fox-and-cubs in flower 23rd Sep Westbrook Grove spring-fed pond TA 117 012 Hedgehog CONINGSBY A153 R.Parsons 24/9/2013 12/15hrs Road kill. Dead Hedgehog at TF231 585 approx. HEIGHINGTON TF025696 John Nickson Garden Moths. 24th to 26th September 2013 Angle Shades Beaded Chestnut Blair's Shoulder-knot Broad Bordered Yellow Underwing Brown Spot Pinion Burnished Brass Common Marbled Carpet Copper Underwing Deep Brown Dart Garden Carpet Large Yellow Underwing Lesser Yellow Underwing Lunar Yellow Underwing Mallow Pale Mottled Willow Rosy Rustic Rustic Setaceous Hebrew Character Snout Spectacle Square spot Rustic HORNCASTLE to Coningsby A153 Toft Hill near Horncastle R.Parsons 24/9/2013 09.45hrs Road kill. Dead stoat on road A153 at TF 248 618 approx. HORNCASTLE - BANOVALLUM HOUSE LWT RESERVE TF257695 Charlie Barnes 26 September 2013 Peacock butterfly (Inachis io) Forest bug (Pentatoma rufipes) Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum) HUTTOFT TF512 763 (my garden) JANE PENNINGTON Date: 25 Sept 2013 Oak Bush-cricket Meconema thalassinum 1 MARTON SK842820 Brian Hedley 21 September 2013 MV lamp over Skinner trap overnight in garden produced about 77 moths of 25 species including: Mallow 1 Canary-shouldered Thorn 1 Dusky Thorn 2 Pink-barred Sallow 1 Beaded chestnut 2 Silver Y 1 Rosy rustic 2 Small dusty wave 2 Turnip 1 Limnaecia phragitella 1 The by-catch included several wasps, lots of craneflies, a small tortoiseshell and the burying bettle, Nicrophorus investigator. 22nd September 2013 Small tortoiseshell 15 Small white 4 Large white 2 Peacock 1 Comma 1 Migrant hawker 1 Common darter 1 Movement of small passerines overhead including meadow pipits, skylarks, swallows and yellowhammers. 24th September 2013 Actinic lamp out in garden overnight produced about 79 moths of 23 species. Most numerous were lesser and large yellow underwings plus setaceous hebrew character, beaded chestnut, lunar underwing, common wainscot and garden rose tortrix. Others included: Frosted orange 1 Blair's shoulder-knot 1 Diamondback 1 Silver Y 4 Dusky thorn 1 Rosy rustic 1 Willow beauty 1 Pale mottled willow 1 Grey pine carpet 2 WINTERTON Julie Ellison 23/09/13 Over Cemetery Rd, Winterton, DN15 9UG SE 932 186 6 Buzzards Circling high overhead. I only saw them because I heard them calling and searched the sky. 23/09/13 Opposite Winterton Show Ground, Holmes Lane, Winterton SE 937 184 49 Rooks Sitting on wires along the road. WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 21/9/2013 3 bats hunting round house/up garden echolocating @ 25KHz. 22/9 Young grass snake dead on Hurnbridge road TF 215 542 Common Frog in garden. 3 adult Common Toads hunting in garden 21.45hrs. Butterflies: Red Admiral, 2 Peacock, many Small Tortoiseshell [25+], Speckled Wood 2, Large Skipper, Large [2] and Small [8] Whites, Comma. 23/9 2 kestrels "interacting" in field opposite. Comma butterfly. Red underwing moth on window at 22.00hrs. 24/9 Comma butterfly 3+ Hummingbird hawkmoth nectaring at 16.45hrs. 26/9 Comma butterfly 2 Common Buzzard calling 09.00hrs TF 215535 approx. 3 Common Buzzard calling 10.30hrs TF 225540 approx. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 None this week. *** And finally...... Snow Buntings - a windy Norfolk 2012 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POUHWerPz0w Frampton Marsh visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoKybt1r3Z0 ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/ .