============================================= || || 6th April 2014 || || 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 1100 people and we are keen to encourage even more readers to subscribe. A Sign-up Form can now be found on: http://eepurl.com/zmFMT Past LNU Wildnews Bulletins are available on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Note: Each address contains the relevant date. Views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union or any associated organisations. Reports here are open and are available to county recorders of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. Please contact the Editor to contribute articles or reports. E-mail: rparsons@enterprise.net [A backup e-mail address you can use if ever you experience problems with my "Enterprise" address is: aintree2@yahoo.co.uk ] ============================================ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. Readers hints, tips and requests ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** From the Editor.... *** Many readers will be interested in developments relating to the LNU herbarium, so I have included a short piece below updating you on what has happened since the LNU AGM, plus what we hope will happen next - with a hotlink to a longer article for anyone interested. As usual we have some interesting events and activities to tempt you into action: the Sweeting Thorns field meeting, Oil Beetle and Broom Seed Beetle searches, two workshops on Insect identification and one on lowland wet grassland, plus talks run by LWT area groups, RSPB and Scunthorpe Museum, and RSPB "Wash Cruises" of course. Fantastic! Early warning - heads up for the Lyrid meteor shower - 16th to 25th April with peak on 22nd. See: http://meteorshowersonline.com/lyrids.html Special thanks for the flow of Gorse and "Lords and Ladies" records. Please keep them coming. See Paul Kirby's notes in section 3. Please would you help us to recruit a few more readers to take us beyond the 1100 mark? We seem to be in equilibrium! Just use the convenient "forward to a friend" link at the end of the Bulletin. Thanks. Roger *** LNU Events - guests are welcome *** 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. Field Meetings generally start at 12 noon for 1.00pm, but please check the details for each event and this may vary. The 2014 LNU Field Meeting programme is listed below in section 11. To check on the details, especially if weather suggests a possible cancellation, visit: http://lnu.org/events.php Sunday, April 27, 2014 - note updated Grid Ref. Sweeting Thorns, Holme, Scunthorpe (Courtesy of Philip Marshall) East of Scunthorpe 12.00 for 13.00 start. Park at Raventhorpe Stop (Depot and Café) at SE928080 which is just off the westbound A18. Habitats: Broadleaved woodland, scrub and various grassland types. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Guests are welcome at our meetings. It is great to have new members sign up and become involved in our recording work. You can do this via the LNU website: http://lnu.org/join.php *** Lincolnshire Herbarium Project *** The Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union (LNU) has a herbarium of 9,500 specimens dating from the Victorian era to the 1960’s. Originally it was housed at the now defunct City & County Museum. When the museum closed the herbarium, along with many other specimens, faced an uncertain future. For many years the herbarium was in temporary storage and not easily available for research or benefiting from professional curation. At this year's LNU AGM the meeting gave approval for proposals for the Herbarium to be taken forward, including the establishment of a '21st Century Herbarium' for Lincolnshire, through a partnership with the Natural History Museum, the Sir Joseph Banks Society, the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust and the LNU. We now intend to run a number of trial “herbarium” sessions in 2014 to which botanists and aspiring botanists will be invited. These working days will cover collection, identification and preparation of herbarium specimens. Any Bulletin reader wishing to add these skills to their personal repertoire will be very welcome to become involved. We will keep you informed of developments if you let us know that you might be interested in becoming involved. To express an interest, contact Chris Manning: chris.lincsdeer@gmail.com See Herbaria@Home webpage with a few Lincolnshire entries to click: http://herbariaunited.org/atHome/ For a fuller description of the proposed Herbarium project see: http://rogerparsons.info//LNUHerbarium.html *** Oil Beetles - Eyes Down - Records Please *** Charlie Barnes writes: Following the plea in the Wildnews Bulletin for sightings of oil beetles in 2012, it was a pleasure to confirm their existence in Lincolnshire. Adults are now emerging at their only known Lincolnshire site near Ropsley, with 18 seen on the 22nd March. If you would be interested in looking for oil beetles in your area you can either get in touch for more information or just take a camera with you when out walking and snap anything that's big and black! To get an idea of what you're looking for take a look at http://flic.kr/s/aHsjyUmfao With the paucity of records in Lincolnshire we have no "hot-spots" to concentrate on - they could be just about anywhere! As a rule, oil beetles like firm bare ground so road verges, footpaths or tracks are ideal. If you think you've seen one, let us know! Charlie Barnes County Recorder for Beetles charlie@cucaera.co.uk *** The hunt for Bruchidius villosus, the Broom Seed Beetle *** Charlie Barnes, County recorder for beetles, writes: Despite broom being widespread over Lincolnshire, there are only 5 records of Bruchidius villosus, the broom seed beetle in the database. Can you add a dot to the map? See: http://www.kerbtier.de/Pages/Themenseiten/enGinsterkaefer.html *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Lincoln Area Group and LNU workshops *** Richard Davidson writes: Interested in insects but would like to know more? Come along and find out more from LNU experts at joint Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Lincoln Area Group and LNU workshops. Two workshops are being held in 2014; one on beetles on the 14th June, is being run by Charlie Barnes county recorder for beetles. The second, covering hymenoptera on the 2nd August, is being run by David Sheppard county recorder for sawflies. Both will be at Whisby Nature Park, in the Lafarge Education Building from 1:30pm until 4:30pm. The workshops are free of charge and refreshments are included. As places are limited, please book via Richard Davidson on 01522 525725 or email rel.davidson@btinternet.com. *** LWT Grantham Group meeting *** Marion Ellis writes: Friday 11th April Barkston & Syston Village Hall A607 north of Grantham 7.30pm Gardening for Wildlife Mark Schofield, LWT Officer Plants to attract birds & bees Members free visitors suggested donation £2 also Countryside & Wildlife Walk Hanby Lodge Farm Hanby, nr Folkingham Grantham NG33 4HL 2.30pm LWT Members free, visitors £2 See Stewardship Project Work Guided walk, trailer ride, display of the farm's history Refreshments *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** Carolyn Lovely writes: Morning bird walk in Cleethorpes Country Park On Saturday 12th April 2014 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them on a morning bird walk with Ray Hume. Meet in the car park at 9 am. This will be a wheelchair friendly meander. Please wear suitable clothing and boots or stout shoes and bring binoculars. This is a free event but donations will be welcomed for the Trust. For further details contact Ray 01472 320878. Peatlands and Heathlands On Monday 14th April 2014 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust have their indoor meeting which starts with their AGM at 7pm and then Matt Blissett will give an illustrated talk - Peatlands and Heathlands. This takes place in Grimsby Town Hall. Admission £2, all are welcome. Raffle, Trust stall, tea/coffee available. For further details contact Jennie Redpath 01472 502858. *** Scunthorpe Museum Society, Natural History and Geology Section *** Keith Scarrott writes: Scunthorpe Museum Society, Natural History and Geology Section meeting on Monday, 14th April, starting at 7.15pm, the last indoor meeting before our spring and summer visits for members only. (Insurance reasons.) At this fourth meeting Helen Gamble, Project Officer for the Lincolnshire Country- side Service, working to protect the Lincolnshire AONB, will be giving us an illustrated talk entitled "God's Acre Project", a project concerned with the heritage, as well as wildlife, of graveyards. As usual, the upper room of the North Lincolnshire Museum will be the venue for the meeting. ALL ARE WELCOME. here is no admission charge but a donation bowl is provided. There is free parking behind the museum and on Oswald Road. For further details please contact Keith Scarrott on 01724 762098. *** Lowland wet grassland workshop on Tuesday 13th May *** Forwarded by Charlie Barnes: Flora locale is running a Lowland wet grassland re-creation and management workshop led by Roger Wardle on Tuesday 13 May. Details of how to book and fees can be found by clicking on the workshop link or by emailing info@floralocale.org http://www.floralocale.org/Lowland%20wet%20grassland%20recreation%20and%20management%20under%20Higher%20Level%20Stewardship *** Wash Cruises 2014 *** Jeremy Eyeons writes: The South Lincs RSPB ( www.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire ) has announced the dates for their 2014 series of Birdwatching Cruises into The Wash estuary and River Welland. During 2013 over 105 species were seen, averaging 64 per cruise, and each cruise is manned by experienced Spotters. Apart from birds, basking seals are also regularly seen. Each cruise departs from Boston's Grand Sluice lock and lasts between four and five hours. Everybody is welcome. RSPB members £17-50 (under 16 £9-50). Non members £20 (£10-50) Booking via The South Holland (Spalding) ticket agency is essential 01775-764777 or online www.southhollandcentre.co.uk where full details can be found. 14 cruises have been arranged for 2014 starting 25th April, with various sailing times every month, and concluding on 16th October. *** Lincoln RSPB *** http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ *** South Lincs RSPB *** Jeremy Eyeons writes: Forthcoming dates for the 2013/2014 programme of Events. Members and non-members welcome. FREE GUIDED WALK at Boston Cemetery (meet in Crematorium car park) April 5th at 10am Looking for Spring migrants and wild flowers ILLUSTRATED TALK at Boston's Sam Newsom Music Centre April 24th at 7-30pm "Montana USA" by Alan Knight, featuring the wildlife of The Rockies, prairies and Yellowstone Park RSPB members £2 non-members £3-50 *** S Lincs RSPB *** http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire *** Sir Joseph Banks Annual Lecture *** Paul Scott writes in the SJBS newsletter: Don’t forget the Annual Lecture coming up on Wednesday May 14th. Professor Mark Seaward will give a talk on Lincolnshire Botanists. See http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk/ http://www.thecollectionmuseum.com/?/exhibitions-and-events ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ 29/03 2 Long-tailed Duck drks NW pit, 2 Scaup Riverslea pit, Kirkby on Bain gravel pits 4 Twite in leek field, Marston sewage works Lapland Bunting, Short-eared Owl, RAF base to Pye's Hall, Donna Nook 30/02 Hen Harrier ringtail, Marston sewage works Long-tailed Duck, Norton Disney GP 2 Short-eared Owls, 2 White Wagtails, Donna Nook 2 Mealy Redpolls, trapped and ringed, Walesby Moor 31/03 2 Long-tailed Ducks, Covenham Reservoir 3 ad Little Gulls, Burgh Wetlands, Burgh-le-Marsh Long-tailed Duck, Norton Disney GP Great White Egret, Marsh Farm, Black Brant adult with Dark-bellied Brent Geese, Frampton Marsh Marsh Harrier f, Hubbards Hills, Louth Bittern heard only, Messingham sand Quarry Spoonbill imm, Grainthorpe Haven Possible Heughlin's Gull, on new workings on Teal Lake, Whisby Nature Park Firecrest, Tabb's Head path, Frampton Marsh 1/04 White Stork flew south, south of Tesco, Cleethorpes 3 Black-necked Grebes, Covenham Reservoir Firecrest, Pye's Hall, Donna Nook Siberian ChiffChaff trapped and ringed, Donna Nook Twite, Gibraltar Point Long-tailed Duck, Barton-upon-Humber pits 2/04 2 Garganey, 1 drk, Great White Egret, Frampton Marsh 2 Garganey, Nocton Fen Firecrest, Pye's Hall, Donna Nook 3/04 Black Redstart, North Parade, Skegness Red-breasted Merganser, Messingham Sand Quarry 3 Black-necked Grebes, 2 Brent Geese, possible Red-necked Grebe, Toft Newton Reservoir Firecrest, Pye's Hall, 2 Little-ringer Plovers on realignment scheme, Donna Nook Great White Egret, Frampton Marsh Hen Harrier m, Gibraltar Point 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. Gorse and Lords and Ladies Reports. Paul Kirby has asked us to look out for and report locations of the easy-to-recognise species, Gorse and Lords and Ladies. The issue is not that they are under-recorded. Instead Paul is interested to find the flowering period of Ulex europaeus in Lincs and whether the distribution of plants of Arum maculatum with spotted leaves differs from that of plants with unspotted leaves. So: Gorse - Is it in flower? If it is, are there abundant flowers or just a few? http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/species/gorse http://www.plantlife.org.uk/wild_plants/plant_species/gorse/ Lords and Ladies - Are the leaves spotted or not? http://www.plantlife.org.uk/wild_plants/plant_species/lords-and-ladies http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/species/lords-and-ladies Reports may be sent in via the Bulletin. Please separate them from your main report so I can include them here. Many thanks. CAISTOR Wendy Handford (WH) Gorse locations: Brigg Road TA 108 033. Three bushes, now with a few flowers A46 Lincoln bypass Brough junction. About 500 bushes. 80% with abundant flowers, 15% with a few flowers and 5% with no flowers Swallow valley TA 183 043. Few bushes, now a few flowers Moortown Road TA 105 002 now many flowers A46 Claxby bypass TF 090 964. About 20 plants all now with abundant flowers. A46 Holton le Moor TF 096 986. About 10 bushes with a few flowers A46 Swallow TF 184 040 abundant flowers A46 Riby junction TF 192 044. Two bushes with a few flowers Nettleton Lodge Game Farm TA 090 012 B Jacob 6 x 6year old bushes, 80% of flowers out. THURNHOLMES (SK79767 98400) and surrounding area Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 01/04/14 Lords & Ladies 75 plants SE804002 no spots *** 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. DON'T FORGET Please include the year in your reports in case they are copied and thus lose their context. BOSTON (South by A16) 01/04/2014 Kath Pearson I had a flock of up to twenty gulls attracted to the garden today. Unfortunately the rules only permit me to record the highest number of each species alighting in the garden at one time. The count was therefore two Black-headed Gulls, two Lesser Black-backed Gulls and a first record for the GBS of a single Herring Gull. The only record I can recall of a Herring Gull actually landing in the garden was on Boxing Day 1978 when one was caught and ringed. Unfortunately none of the Common Gulls in the flock was observed to land. Aggressive Herring Gulls seem to be attracting a lot of criticism in the Boston area nowadays. CAISTOR Wendy Handford (WH) Reports from contributors to Caistor records Week beginning 28.3.14 Brigg Road verge TA 113 020 WH First flowers 28.3.14 Cocksfoot grass Hogweed Oilseed rape Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 WH Rabbits 2 with myxomatosis 2pm 31.3.14 Goldcrests in spruce wood daily Long-tailed tits 2 daily Rooks, pair nesting in Alder Brimstone on celandines 31.3.14 Peacock on Aubretia 31.3.14 Small tortoiseshell on speedwell 31.3.14 Pollen beetles 100s on spring bulbs 30.3.14 First flowers Cowslip 31.3.14 Silver birch catkins 2.4.14 Bay polypore on Cherry stump 30.3.14 Mill Lane TA 119 012 Barbary dove Nettleton Lodge Game Farm TA 090 012 B Jacob Buzzards 5 circling in same thermal Kingfishers 2 at neighbours Wren nesting Field mousear Wild cherry GRIMSTHORPE Chris Howes - Park Ranger 31/04 Quarry Cottage TF 045204 Nice moth trap: 2 Pale Pinion, 4 Pine Beauty, 1 Oak Beauty and a Flame Shoulder amongst 100 + moths 31/03 2 Orange Tip TF 048225 Second earliest ever record at Grimsthorpe. LINCOLN SK972738 W/E 05/04/2014 Jayne Knight 29/03 More spiders disturbed whilst working in greenhouse - another Steatoda bipunctata and a Clubiona corticalis 31/03 Male Linnet feeding on the Nyger seed 03/04 Hedgehog dropping on path in back garden. Smaller than previously seen one. Know there are two around as neighbour's dog very interested in a pair it discovered in his garden one evening last week. MUCKTON WOOD Muckton Wood LNR Tues 01/04/14 John Walker and Peter Childs. Hazy sunshine c 13oc. Birds included 3 drumming great spot woodpeckers (4 seen) and the yaffle of green woodpecker heard, in song, 4 chiffchaffs,2 blackcaps, 2 goldcrest, 1 coal tit, 2 song thrush, also seen 2 pairs long tail tits, and a bullfinch with a buzzard overhead, a brown hare was in a ride, and spoor of muntjac and roe deers noted. Early purple orchid basal leaves noted, and wood avens, primrose and cowslips in flower/ A few buff tail bumblebees and small tortoiseshell also 7 spot ladybird. RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF 309 847 (unless otherwise stated) Silvia Fowler 29.03.14 Buzzard x 5 soaring on thermals 30.03.14 Pair of mallards, 2 f Pheasants, Rabbit grazing on pasture, TF 309 848 31.03.14 Rabbit (doe?) and 1 young in garden Buzzard Large Bee-fly (Bombylius major) on primrose Numerous Lacewings emerging from hibernation inside the house 01.04.14 Blackthorn in flower, Hazel and Hawthorn coming into leaf, Wayfaring Tree in leaf with flowers in bud; local hedgerows. 02.04.14 AM: Brown Hare x 2 on pasture (seemed to be following each other in the fog, noses close to the ground), TF 309 848 PM: Canada Geese x 2 (pair) on pasture, TF 309 848 03.04.14 Pheasants on pasture (TF 309 848): 1 male with 3 females and 1 male with 1 female RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF 309 847 Silvia Fowler 03.04.14 Found and released Starling trapped in loft; presumably attempting to nest alongside our house sparrows. Starlings quite rare locally these days. TATTERSHALL THORPE Tattershall Thorpe 03.04.14 M & R Pocklington One swallow on telephone wire. THURNHOLMES (SK79767 98400) and surrounding area Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 01/04/14 Lords & Ladies 75 plants SE804002 no spots 28/04/14 Fieldfare x 25 Common Toad x 7 lamping Owston Ferry Warping Drain 29/04/14 Brown Hare x 1 Field Vole x 1 31/04/14 Barn Owl x 2 Fieldfare x 21 Golden Plover x 6 Kestrel x 1 female Oystercatcher x 2 Pied Wagtail x 2 Rook x 12 Skylark x 2 Stock Dove x 2 Tree Sparrow x 12 Common Toad x 2 lamping Owston Ferry Warping Drain Peacock x 1 Small Tortoiseshell x 1 01/04/14 Chiffchaff x 2 02/04/14 Kestrel x 1 male 1 female displaying Pied Wagtail x 2 Shelduck x 1 Small White x 3 WADDINGTON. Peter Wilson 1st April 2014 St Michaels Churchyard, High Street, Waddington. Cowslips in full bloom My Garden, High Street Waddington. 6+ Goldfinches returned to my garden feeders after an absence of several months. WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 30/03/2014 Pair of Englsh Partridge walking through orchard. Pair of Mallards on pond, twice today. Pair of reed buntings, Canada Farm TF 2253 Buzzard calling, Canada Farm TF 2253 2 pairs of Lapwings in area. Many skylarks singing. 2/4/2014 Bee fly - Bombylius major - small specimen, basking in sun. Many active bumblebees - mainly B lucorum and B lapidarius 2 Buzzards over. 3/4/14 First signs of mining bee activity, associated with cowslip plants. 2 Chiffchaffs heard. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. Lincolnshire Coast NNRs and S Lincs Highlights including RSPB Wash Reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GIBRALTAR POINT NNR. http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designations/nnr/1006059.aspx ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Press release from LWT 21/2/2014: Paths and hides are open at Gibraltar Point (except to Fenland Lagoon and a section of the West Dunes). Refreshments and temporary toilets are now available in the main car park. Please show your support for our volunteers and staff by visiting. 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 4th April 2014 John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Peter & Janet Roworth The weather for March was very varied with several abnormally high daytime temperatures, keen frosts and days with heavy showers. A spell of dry weather was recorded from the 8th - 18th with a high of 18.5°C on the 9th and during this time ground frosts were frequent and accompanied by several air frosts. From the 18th the high pressure was replaced by low pressure systems giving unsettled weather, generally cold and showery. A very sharp frost of -7.0°C (air -2.75°C) was recorded on the 24th. The dominant south westerly-westerly air flow for the majority of the month became very cold north-north easterlies from the 26th - 31st. Fog was observed on the 1st, 12th, 13th, 14th, 29th and 31st. Total rainfall 30.3mm (1.19 inches). Although daytime temperatures reached 13.75°C on the 31st giving a few brief spells of pleasant weather the easterly air flow continued into April giving cold conditions with low cloud, fog and mist which lingered during most of the days. Bird records for the week have included Curlew 134 and 1200 Common Gulls at roost on the 31st, the high tide on the 1st yielded 2,500+ Herring Gulls, 30 Great Black-backed Gulls, c60 Knot, 30+ Dunlin, 13 Oystercatchers, 29 Pink- footed Geese flying NW, 10 Shore Larks and 1 fine male Wheatear. There have been several small numbers of Fieldfare over the reserve with 2 on 31st and 40+ on the 2nd when there were also 14 Redwing and a single Brambling seen. At least 6 Shelducks have been displaying over the dunes, and both Green and Great- spotted Woodpeckers heard near Churchill and Sea View. Starlings have occurred in small flocks but have reached up to at least a 100 birds. The inclement weather has not really suited early warblers but there are a few Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps on the reserve. Hawthorn and elder are coming into leaf and sea buckthorn buds are breaking; blackthorn blossom is showing and gorse is in flower. On the dunes the fertile fronds of common horsetail are coming through and plants coming into flower include ground ivy, field mouse-ear, cowslip, common stork's-bill and spring beauty. Common scurvygrass is flowering on the saltmarsh. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RSPB RESERVES http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/collections/thewash_northnorfolk.aspx South Lincolnshire bird sightings February 2014 RSPB Frampton Marsh Up to four Egyptian Geese (3rd – 8th) were around for a few days, but the four white-fronted geese remained all month. Also regular were up to 40 Whooper and three Bewick’s Swans. Wigeon were still numerous with up to 3000 (8th) and a male and female Scaup remained on the Reedbed. Red Kites were seen on three dates with Peregrine, Merlin, Hen and Marsh Harrier all seen regularly. Golden Plover peaked at an impressive 10,000 (26th) with Lapwing reaching a maximum 2660 (2nd). A Little Stint was seen on and off all month. Other waders included up to 30 Ruff, two Greenshank and one Spotted Redshank. Up to five Snow Buntings were present along with a single Water Pipit on several dates. RSPB Freiston Shore A juvenile Great Northern Diver was on the lagoon (1st-9th), with others on the sea where Black-throated and Red-throated Diver (2nd) were also seen. The sea also held Slavonian Grebe and 95 Common Scoter on the same date. The same Little Stint as seen at Frampton visited the reservoir on several dates and a Snow Bunting was recorded on one date (2nd). Wigeon peaked at 3700 (2nd), with the first returning Avocets recorded late in the month (26th). Gibraltar Point NNR A Tundra Bean Goose (8th-9th) was present for a short while on the grassland, but the sea held most of the interest with three Velvet Scoter (9th), up to two Great Northern Diver on three dates, Slavonian Grebe (5th-9th), two Great Skua (9th), up to 10 Little Gulls (4th-9th) and an adult Glaucous Gull (21st and 24th). Also reported was a single Waxwing (1st) and two Lapland Buntings (21st). Other sites 23 Whooper Swans were at Bourne South Fen (10th-14th). Red-crested Pochards were recorded at Swanholme Lakes, Baston-Langtoft Pits and Deeping Lakes. Up to two Smew, a male and a redhead, were at Kirkby Pits (2nd-9th) along with two Scaup (6th-13th) and a Long-tailed Duck (9th). Two redhead Smew were at Deeping Lakes (1st-2nd). Goosanders were reasonably well distributed, with a peak of 27 at Swanholme Lakes (1st). A Great Northern Diver was at Wrangle (11th), while a Bittern was at Whisby Nature Park (11th) and rarer still were a Great White Egret at Langtoft (17th) and Glossy Ibis at Chapel St Leonard (10th- 17th). Caspian Gulls were seen at Whisby Nature Park (24th) and Skegness (28th). The former site also hosting two Bearded Tits (8th). A Glaucous Gull was at North Hykeham Pits (3rd). A Great Grey Shrike was at Aisby, near Grantham (1st- 9th) and Marston STW continued to hold at least one wintering Cetti’s Warbler. John Badley Assisted by Colin Jennings ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. News from Far Ings NNR http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designations/nnr/1083404.aspx ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Press release from LWT 21/2/2014: Far Ings is partially open. There are no circular routes as the Humber Bank remains closed whilst repairs are carried out. Facilities including toilets and a small shop are available at Ness End Farm (the old visitor centre and now the regional management base). Please show your support for our volunteers and staff by visiting. See: Far Ings NNR on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-Of-Far-Ings-National-Nature-Reserve/186876774685595 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6. 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 *** Contacts List *** WILDLIFE CRIME *** 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 http://www.lincs.police.uk/Advice/Wildlife-and-Rural-Crime/ *** Report Ash Dieback in Lincolnshire *** Link for Chalara fraxinea reports: http://www.forestry.gov.uk/chalara STAYING SAFE *** 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/ *** Met Office E-mail Service *** Be warned of the possibility of severe weather. 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. See: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/guide-to-emails *** Environment Agency Flood Information/Floodline *** http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/default.aspx SPECIES IDENTIFICATION *** 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. *** Spiders *** Imogen Wilde writes: 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 *** 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/ *** 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 John Clarkson - Covering the north of the county recorder_north@lincsbirdclub.co.uk John Badley - Covering the south of the county recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Bird Club Website: http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk *** Other Useful Websites *** Key links are now being posted on the LNU website. http://www.lnu.org/ This should save space in the Bulletin, Suggestions for other useful Websites are welcome. Natural England http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ Still includes SSSI Information and "Nature on the Map" Lincolnshire Environmental Awards http://www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk/ Lincs Environmental Records Centre Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership (of which LERC is a part) Contact: Charlie Barnes, charlie.barnes@glnp.org.uk or for more general queries: info@glnp.org.uk The Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes Project (LCGMP) To learn more about the project or to find out how to get involved, please visit http://www.lincsmarshes.org.uk/ Hartsholme Country park. To learn more about the park or to get in involved at the park please visit http://www.lincoln.gov.uk/hartsholmecp contact Park Rangers at hartsholmecp@lincoln.gov.uk Tornado and Storm Research Organisation http://www.torro.org.uk Contact Ian Loxley on colarain@tiscali.co.uk Interesting Weather radar website Noel Loxley recommends the following interesting website. http://www.raintoday.co.uk/ Hedgehog Street survey http://www.hedgehogstreet.org/ for 2014 survey, see: http://www.hedgehogstreet.org/pages/hibernation-survey.html RSPB Contact Details RSPB Website: http://www.rspb.org.uk www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh John Badley, Site Manager for RSPB Lincolnshire Wash reserves e-mail: john.badley@rspb.org.uk S Lincs RSPB http://www.southlincsrspb.org.uk Lincoln RSPB http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ Lincsbirders - Lincolnshire's Alternative Birding Group http://www.lincsbirders.org/ 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 Readers websites and videos: 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 Starlings at Kirkby on Bain - excellent video by David Robinson http://www.flickr.com/photos/poppops/11685708555/ BBC Radio 4 Tweet of the day: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01s6xyk Helen Mark did an excellent "Open Country" on 25th January with a good interview of LWT's Dave Bromwich. You can hear this on: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03qflhk *** Other Useful E-mail Addresses *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union: info@lnu.org Gibraltar Point: gibpoint@lincstrust.co.uk Far Ings: farings@lincstrust.co.uk Whisby Nature Park: whisbynp@lincstrust.co.uk NEW Syke's Farm: lwt@sykesfarm.org.uk Lincs. Trust HQ: The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust main e-mail address: info@lincstrust.co.uk Lincolnshire FWAG: lincoln@fwag.org.uk Hartsholme Country Park: hartsholmecp@lincoln.gov.uk If you would like your e-mail listed here, please let me know. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9. Notes about these wildlife reports ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We do our best to ensure accuracy in our reporting but these records are sent in by a variety of reporters, from complete beginners to professionals. They therefore vary in reliability and in certain cases they are impossible to verify. If further information is needed on locations or reporters, or if you wish to question/confirm any of these records, contact: rparsons@enterprise.net Bulletins are sent to Biological Recorders at the Lincs. Wildlife Trust, Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. [Note: Where plants are reported, this is usually because they have been seen and identified in flower.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10. The Bulletin's publicity policy ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We will sometimes withhold precise details of the location of rare or endangered species. Please point out any sensitive or "tricky" reports of this kind. Sensitive data should go directly to county recorders, please. We ask that you respect the interests of wildlife and site owners if you report to national networks. Make a point of explaining site sensitivity and any restrictions on access. An interest in wildlife is not a licence to act irresponsibly/thoughtlessly to landowners, who may well be partners in important conservation work. [Remember - views expressed in the Bulletin do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions on the LNU or associated organisations. In particular this applies to such agencies, especially charities, taking a political stance.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11. LNU Events Diary For LNU meetings also see http://www.lnu.org/events.php ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Field Meetings generally start at 12 noon for 1.00pm, but please check the website details for each event. Unless otherwise stated, Indoor Meetings are held on Saturdays at the Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park, Moor Lane, Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln and start at 2pm. 2014 Field Meetings Sunday, April 27, 2014 Sweeting Thorns, Holme, Scunthorpe (Courtesy of Philip Marshall) East of Scunthorpe 12.00 for 13.00 start. Park at Raventhorpe Stop (Depot and Café) at SE928080 which is just off the westbound A18. Habitats: Broadleaved woodland, scrub and various grassland types. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Sunday, May 18, 2014 Shire Wood, Revesby (Courtesy of Revesby Estate) 12.00 for 13.00 start. Park at TL297614 in yard of Manor Farm, Revesby (in front of grain store/weighbridge). Access off West Lane which is off the A155 at western end of Revesby village. Once gathered we will move onto woodland in cars. Habitats: A private ancient woodland with connections to Sir Joseph Banks. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Saturday, May 31, 2014 Sutterby Mediaeval Village Southwest of Alford 10.00am to 3pm “mini-bioblitz” as part of the Spirit of Sutterby project. Parking details to be confirmed - see website or contact for details. Habitats: Pasture, arable, woodland, churchyard. Contact: Charlie Barnes 01507 526667 charlie@cucaera.co.uk Friday, June 20, 2014 Willow Tree Fen LWT Reserve East of Bourne 10am til late on Friday and 10am- 4pm on Saturday. Evening session on Friday starting at 21.30. Park in reserve car park at TF174223 next to interpretation centre which is at end of track off Tongue End to Pode Hole road. Toilets available on site. Habitats: Pasture, scrub, ditches and ponds. Contact: Charlie Barnes 01507 526667 charlie@cucaera.co.uk Saturday, June 21, 2014 Willow Tree Fen LWT Reserve Day two - see above Sunday, July 06, 2014 Private farm at Sloothby (Courtesy of G and N Rutter) Southeast of Alford 12.00 for 13.00 start. Park in grass field at TF50217107. The farm is at the eastern end of Sloothby village on the north side of the road (just inside village sign). A track leads to a two houses and the field entrance is immediately on the left. Habitats: Pasture, meadow and hedges with trees. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Saturday, August 02, 2014 Norton Big Wood, Norton Disney (Courtesy of Hill Holt Wood Ltd) Southwest of Lincoln 12.00 for 13.00 start. Evening session starting at 20.30. Park in woodland car park at approx. SK880605 which down track off Wood Lane (which is off minor road between Witham St.Hughs and Norton Disney. Toilets available on site. Habitats: Broadleaved woodland, mixed woodland, glades, ponds and ditches Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Sunday, September 07, 2014 Frampton Marsh RSPB Reserve. (Courtesy of RSPB) Southeast of Boston. 10am to 4pm (with break for lunch back at car park). Park in main car park at TF357390. Reserve well sign-posted off A16. Toilets and snacks available in visitor centre. Habitats: Wide variety of habitats including saltmarsh, reedbeds, ponds and wader scrapes. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Sunday, October 12, 2014 Fungus Foray High Wood, North Rauceby. (Courtesy of Woodland Trust) West of Sleaford. 12.00 for 13.00 start. Park in the wood car park at TF010463 The wood is located on the north side of Church Lane which runs between North Rauceby and High Dike/Ermine Street (B6403). Habitat: Broadleaved 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 text copy. http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html If you are having difficulties with spam folders et. please make sure you "Whitelist" my address as given in the Bulletin. Latest Mailfails - see notes above. Ruth Simons - soft bounce - delivery failed *** And finally...... Contributions to "And finally......" are always welcome. Badger's Bottom [Family saying - 'cos that's usually all you see.] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCAqs-oQPms Report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/news/releases/archive/2014/ipcc_wgii Grantham Ecology http://granthamecology.wordpress.com/ ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/