============================================= || || 13th 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.... *** I will do my best to get a Bulletin out next Friday before I go on my walkabout. After that you will hear nothing from me until the week of the 28th. You may continue sending in reports. Please try to get these as "ready to use' as you can. For those of you organising events in April, please try to get information in now. The RSPB walk at Boston Cemetery was an enjoyable event, with the local bird-life being very obliging and presenting clear views of a range of species including goldcrest, long-tailed tit, chiffchaff, and green and greater spotted woodpecker. Spring flowers carpeted the old graveyard, and a muntjac deer crossed the walkers' path. See: http://www.boston.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=3940 A tweak from Bat Recorder, Annette Faulkner: please always give as much detail as possible about the location of your sighting - e.g. a postcode or grid reference. May I again draw readers' attention to the exciting progress of the Herbarium project? There will be opportunities to learn and work with botanists from the Natural History Museum. See below. 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 Update *** The Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union (LNU) has a herbarium of 9,500 specimens dating from the Victorian era to the 1960’s. For many years the herbarium has been in temporary storage.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, Sir Joseph Banks Society, Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust and the LNU. We now intend to run a number of trial “herbarium” sessions 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. Please 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 *** Lincolnshire Environmental Awards *** It is not too late to send something in - Rachel Shaw has reminded me the deadline is 30th April. It is a great scheme and worth supporting. See: http://lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk/ *** GARDEN BATS *** Annette Faulkner writes: I have just completed trawling through the Bulletin for last year's bat records - a total of 24 records across the year, and many thanks to the contributors for sending these records in. They will finish up as green or pink spots on the map, depending on the type of record, and all are passed to the records centre to add to our 18,000+ records. What struck me was that quite a lot of the regular contributors don't seem to venture into their gardens at dusk...and I wondered if they could be tempted out this year, as wildlife gardens are a very good source of food and therefore bat records. I too hadn't done much garden recording for a while before last year, but in 2013 went out regularly when I was at home, and made some interesting discoveries. I had the advantage of having a detector, so could record to species rather than "a small bat", which could be one of several species, but I found that our regular soprano pipistrelle always came from the same direction, more or less at the same time every night in relation to sunset, and that only very rarely was it joined by another. I also discovered that when a common pipistrelle visited the garden it was seen off with some very hostile social calls! So here are some tips. As noted, not all bats seen out early over gardens will be pipistrelles, so without a detector you can only record them as "bat sp". It takes half an hour or so for bats to emerge from their roosts, so the closer you are to sunset when you see your bats, the closer you are likely to be to a roost, but if roosting nearby the first bats usually start to appear just after the last blackbird has stopped chinking. (Note that some species don't emerge until it's really dark, but you're much less likely to see those.) Do note what direction your bats come from and whether it changes, and make a note of the time they appear. Please include these with your record. Sometimes they will stay and forage for over fifteen minutes, at other times only for five - it all depends on the food supply. And that's it, really. It's only a snapshot. Bat workers who leave automated recorders out all night pick up all sorts of extra records - it's a whole other world out there! Bats are out of hibernation now. Choose a warmish night, a sheltered spot and wait to be surprised. *** Wildflower-rich-grassland Petition *** Mark Schofield writes: Readers will already know that this habitat is a priority for our local and national wildlife and that the wildflower-rich grassland of Lincolnshire is suffering catastrophic decline. We thought you would want the opportunity to consider signing a petition to the Government as it makes decisions on how it will implement the Common Agricultural Policy and how it will target grants to farmers in the future. We are calling on Ministers to take full account of the value of our remaining wildlife-rich grasslands and the threats they face as they make these decisions. Please follow this link to find out more and to add your voice to a vital campaign that could spare the precious few wildflower meadows that remain from the plough. http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/vanishing-grasslands A quick link to the petition is here: http://e-activist.com/ea-action/action?ea.client.id=1823&ea.campaign.id=27025 Thank you for your concern and support. Mark. *** Oil Beetles - Eyes Down - Records Please *** Charlie Barnes writes: 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 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 Charlie Barnes County Recorder for Beetles charlie@cucaera.co.uk *** 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. *** Barton area group LWT *** Adrian White writes: East Barton Pits An all day walk around this local area for early migrants, plants and others. Contact; Vernon Chapman, 01652 660957 Non-members very welcome. *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** Carolyn Lovely writes: 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. On Saturday 26th April 2014 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them on a guided walk with local herbalist Emma Warrener at Bradley near Grimsby. Meet and park at 2pm opposite the Vanson Centre at the Bradley Crossroads end of Bradley Road, Grimsby. This is a free event but donations will be welcomed for the Trust especially as Emma would normally charge £5 per person for this type of walk. Please wear suitable clothing and boots or stout shoes.For further information 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. *** 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. 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/ 3/4/14 Long-tailed Duck, large pit, Kirkby-on-Bain GPs Long-tailed Duck, Norton Disney GP 3 Snow Geese, Jackson's Marsh, Gibraltar Point Great White Egret, Frampton Marsh Long-tailed duck, Thurlby pit Hoopoe, Rostrop road, Nocton 4/4 Kittiwake ad, Apex GPs, North Hykeham Hen Harrier m, 102+ Twite, Donna Nook probable Arctic Redpoll, with 6 Lesser Redpolls, Barton-upon-Humber pits Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh Firecrest, Pye's Hall, Ring Ouzel, Coastguard cottages, Donna Nook 3 Black-necked Grebe, Covenham Reservoir 5/4 Great White Egret, Frampton Marsh Spoonbill imm, Grainthorpe, viewable from Pye's Hall Hen Harrier m, past Winterton Short-eared Owl, Pye's Hall, Donna Nook Brent Goose, Toft Newton Reservoir Spotted Redshank, White Wagtail, Donna Nook Long-tailed Duck drk, Slavonian Grebe, Barton-upon-Humber pits Crossbill, Mealy Redpoll, Gibraltar Point 6/4 Ring Ouzel in garden, Holbeach St Mark's Ring Ouzel, Little Gull, Donna Nook Ring Ouzel, Gooseman's fields, Grimsby Hen Harrier m, Rimac Coues's Arctic Redpoll, in alders by Humber with Lesser Redpoll and 3 Mealy Redpoll, Barton-upon-Humber, Waters Edge Ctry Park Great White Egret, Frampton Marsh Hen Harrier, Crossbill, Gibraltar Point Scaup, Hen Harrier, Frampton Marsh Long-tailed Duck drk, Slavonian Grebe, Barton-upon-Humber pits 7/4 2 Black-necked Grebes, Frampton Marsh Ring Ouzel, Donna Nook 2 Long-tailed Duck, White Wagtail, Ruff, Covenham Reservoir 8/4 Great White Egret, Frampton Marsh Coues's Arctic Redpoll, in alders by Humber with Lesser Redpoll and 3 Mealy Redpoll, Barton-upon-Humber, Waters Edge Ctry Park Scaup, Greatv White Egret, Frampton Marsh Black-necked Grebe, Slavonian Grebe, Barton-upon-Humber pits Ring Ouizel m, Donna Nook Long-tailed Duck, Slavonian Grebe, Barton-upon-Humber pits Long-tailed Duck, Covenham Reservoir Long-tailed Duck on large pit opposite Riverslea pit, 3 Scaup on Riverslea pit, White Wagtail, Kirkby-on-Bain GPs 9/4 4-5 Long-eared owl, Woodlark, Whimbrel, ringtail Hen Harrier, Firecrest trapped and ringed in east Dunes, Gibraltar Point Hooded Crow, Goxhill Marsh Rough-legged Buzzard over saltmarsh, Saltfleetby Rough-legged Buzzard drifted south over coastguards, Ring Ouzel at south end, Mealy Redpoll, Donna Nook Hoopoe off Nocton Park Road, Nocton 10/4 Ring Ouzel, Ingoldmells Rad, Burgh-le-Marsh Firecrest in churchyard, Barnetby le Wpld Osprey flew north over oil tanks, Tetney 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. GRANTHAM area Don Wright 4/4/14 Quick report of isolated gorse bushes of varying size and age in full bloom on A1, southbound,eastern verge, between Gonerby Hill Foot turn off (BP Service Station) and A52 slip road into Grantham. On a DAFOR scale I would say "O". No plants south of that access road, at least to B6403 slip road (SP RAF Cranwell, Woolsthorpe). LINCOLN Dunelm car park! SK 995 726 Su Colman 7 April 2014 Gorse in flower LINCOLN Fire station, Nettleham Road SK 988 735 Su Colman 7 April 2014 Gorse in flower NETTLEHAM footpath off Greetwell Lane, near new electricity substation TF 007 741 Su Colman 7 April 2014 Gorse in flower BOSTON Boston cemetery PE21 9HA Lords & Ladies - many plants in old area of cemetary - all plain bar one clump of 'reticulated' variety. Some flower spikes visible. CAISTOR Wendy Handford (WH) Gorse locations: Swallow valley TA 183 043. Few bushes, now in full flower Reports from contributors to Caistor records *** 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. BAUMBER to WRAGBY on A158 at TF 166764 R Parsons Weds 2nd April @ 21.45 approx. on way home from LNU committee meeting. Adult Fox crossed road w to e and hid against hedge. BLOXHOLM Richard Davidson 10/04/2014 2 Swallows, on overhead lines next to Peacock Lodge and the adjacent Stepping Out route car park, off the B1191 (PM) BOSTON (South by A16) 03/04/2014 Kath Pearson Three hedgehogs on the lawn after dark. Two seemed rather more interested in each other than the food put out. Muntjac are now becoming a regular nightly nuisance in the garden with a partiality for tulip heads. They have become sufficiently tame to wander round to the front of the house and help themselves to tulips planted in pots. CAISTOR Wendy Handford (WH) Gorse locations: Swallow valley TA 183 043. Few bushes, now in full flower Reports from contributors to Caistor records Week beginning 4.4.14 Brigg Road garden TA 112 022 Tricia Hodson First swallows 9.4.14. Previous earliest were 21.4.07 Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 WH Fox takes pheasant roadkill 4.4.14 Muntjac in wood 7-8am, 2pm 6.4.14 Stoat runs across meadow 8am 9.4.14 Jay 6.4.14 Mallards, 2 pairs in meadow 8.4.14 Skylark singing daily over neighbouring field Songthrush nestbuilding Tawny owl hooting 4pm 5.4.14 Tree sparrows collecting feathers for nestbox 7.4.14 Beefly on Honesty 10.4.14 Common flower bug on Primula 6.4.14 Hawthorn shieldbug on washing 5.4.14 First flowers and fungi: Alder catkins Garlic mustard 5.4.14 Firerug inkcap on fallen Alder 5.4.14 new on Caistor list St George's mushroom in hedgerow 4.4.14 Caistor Community Orchard TA 111 015 Peter Sanderson Snakeshead fritillaries 10s (introduced) 4.4.14 Hundon Manor Farm ponds TA 112 026 P Robinson Mute swans courtship behaviour 5.4.14 Shelducks 4, 8.4.14 Mill Lane TA 119 012 C Brant Bombus vestalis, a Cuckoo bee 9.4.14 new on Caistor list North Street garden TA 118 015 P Jacklin Hedgehog - signs of activity 4.4.14 Shieling farm TA 106 027 W Collins Sweet violet 8.4.14 COLSTERWORTH Don Wright 4/4/14 Colsterworth, home garden: Peacock, Red Admiral, one large wasp, and two red tailed bumble bees made several attempts to enter my conservatory yesterday (3.4.14) at varying times during the day! Primroses, aubretia and daffodils are the only plants in flower at the moment, but none visited when I happened to be looking out. COLSTERWORTH SK93/22 JANE OSTLER Birds - First Swallow seen April 3rd 2014 Blackcap and Common Whitethroat on Stamford Road 3/4/14 Pair of Kingfishers and pair of Grey Wagtails both nesting on River Witham 8/4/14 Blackbirds feeding young noted on 8/4/14 Mammals - Badgers a total of 8 badgers in this and surrounding parishes since 5th April 14, mostly alongside Al and B6403. Fallow Deer - 2 roadkills, one alongside Twyford Wood and one alongside B6403 - since 5th April 2014. Hedgehogs - these reported active in gardens since 9th April 2014 Insects - Green Lacewings in gardens April 3rd. First Holly Blue Butterfly 1th April 2014 Plants in flower - the Cowslips on verges are exceptionally abundant this year. DEEPINGS David Griffith Deeping lakes NR 16/03/14 Egyptian goose x5 (M Weedon) Chiffchaff x3 Redwing 21/03/14 Shelduck x2 Chiffchaff x4 Jay Buzzard x2 Kestrel 22/03/14 Sand Martin Red kite Kingfisher Cetti's warbler 29/03/14 Common gull x2 Kestrel Chiffchaff x3 Black headed gull c600-700 30/03/14 Garden warbler Sedge warbler Lesser spotted woodpecker Cetti's warbler Oystercatcher x4 Sand Martin x3 Sparrowhawk Shelduck x2 05/04/14 Song thrush x2 Sand Martin x20 Shelduck x2 Herring gull x2 Lesser black backed gull x22 Red legged partridge x2 Kingfisher Sparrowhawk Red kite Sedge warbler Cetti's warbler Garden warbler Willow warbler (poss 2) Goldeneye x4 Chiffchaff x2 DOGDYKE TF 211555 R & A Parsons 6/4/14 Hedgehog road kill Oystercatchers - pair exploring local fields. TF2155 FENTON (own garden) SK846 767 Richard Fox 03.04.2014 Avian version of the BBMF over garden: Male kestrel escorted by two Chaffinch and a Greenfinch Brimstone Peacock Small Tortoiseshell FENTON (dog walk 1) SK844 772 Richard Fox 04.04.2014 Brimstone 2 Green veined white Orange Tip (m) Small Tortoiseshell 3 GRIMSTHORPE Chris Howes - Park Ranger 03/04/14 3 Swallows over Grimsthorpe Lake TF 040218 07/04/14 First Common Heath Moth of the year at Rabbit Hill (Swinstead Valley) SK 008217 HUTTOFT Huttoft TF512763 (my garden) Jane Pennington Date: 2/4/2014 Mayfly 1 (was hibernating in a pot) Peacock butterfly 1 (I moved some beech leaves and disturbed it) Pheasants 2 (pair) Date: 3/4/2014 Blackbird 1 (dead in garden, possibly after fight) Goldfinch 2 (pair) Magpies 2 Wren 1 (not seen for a while) Date: 5/4/2014 Chaffinch 1 Great tits 2 Pheasants 2 (pair) Date: 6/4/2014 Goldfinch 1 (on teasel - hurray!) Pheasants 3 (one male, 2 females walking around the garden together) Date: 7/4/2014 Pheasants 3 (one male, 2 females walking around the garden together) Wren 1 Date: 8/4/2014 Great spotted woodpecker 1 Ladybirds 9 (all 7-spots on my raspberry plants) Owl 1 (heard at 9pm) Small white butterfly 1 (in greenhouse) HUMBERSTON Bill Meek 10 April 2014 Osprey - 1 over NETTLEHAM footpath off Greetwell Lane, near new electricity substation TF 007 741 Su Colman 7 April 2014 Gorse in flower NETTLEHAM TF013 754 Su Colman 7 April 2014 Bee fly Early thorn moth Bombus hypnorum (queen?) NORTH HYKEHAM Richard Davidson 05/04/2014 Red Kite, over Robert Pattinson school playing field and Montrose Close, 12:45pm, being mobbed by Black Headed Gulls. Flew off NE towards Hykeham Road and the River Witham. RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF 309 847 (unless otherwise stated) Silvia Fowler 05.04.14 Buzzard x 3 06.04.14 Buzzard x 2 08.04.14 Pair of Mistle Thrushes, apparently nesting in yew tree, defending site with their loud rattling calls. 09.04.14 Mistle Thrush on power line, carrying worms Brimstone Wren (seen and heard) Starling (heard) Frog Spawn (13 clumps in total) starting to disintegrate Wasp Beetle (Clytus arietis) found in compost bin. Seems early, but such distinctive colouring! Looked fresh, possibly just emerged; disappeared quickly back into the moist/woody compost I was turning. Brown Hare (TF 309 848) Red-legged Partridge x 2 (TF 309 848) 10.04.14 Tawny Mining Bee (first one this year) Skylark over pasture (TF 309 848) RISEHOLME Riseholme SK 993 754 Su Colman 29 March Lesser celandine SANDILANDS, SUTTON-ON-SEA - TF525805 Ian Whitaker 5 April 2014 2pm RED KITE, drifting slowly northwards SOUTH WITHAM VERGES NR SK91 30March 2014 JANE OSTLER The mauve on the banks from the early dog violet is being added to by the first yellow cowslips. Primroses are providing swathes of creamy yellow on the north facing verges, in spite of plants being stolen two years ago. Dandelions and Coltsfoot are other good food providers. Only buff-tailed bumble bees and one Brimstone butterfly was seen on this dull day and brief visit. The hastate or Danish scurvy grass has appeared on the slip roads from the Al. This coastal plant thrives on the salt put on the roads in winter. In the last decade it has spread in an almost continuous line along Al verges south to the county boundary and beyond. It is believed that initially seed was carried by tyres from Northumberland where the Al comes closer to the coast. It is also to be found on many major roads in the County. A17 Sleaford by-pass to east, High Dyke north from A1 to Ancaster. THEDDLETHORPE John Cowell Tuesday morning 8/4/14. 10am Red Kite at Brickyard Lane Car park, a red kite being mobbed by a few crows, it soared off in the direction of Mablethorpe, along the Nature reserve. THURNHOLMES (SK79767 98400) and surrounding area Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 05/04/14 Robin (nest 4 eggs) Siskin x 2 06/04/14 Blackcap x 1 Common Toad x 1 large female cowslips in flower 08/04/14 Swallow x 1 09/04/14 Chiffchaff x 1 Dunnock x 3 Great Tit x 2 Kestrel x 1 Lapwing x 2 Mallard x 4 Mute Swan x 2 Pied Wagtail x 2 Reed Bunting x 5 Skylark x 2 Snipe x 1 Tree Sparrow x 12 Tufted Duck x 1pr Yellowhammer x 7 Great Crested Newt x 1 female dead near my pond (hole in stomach) 10/04/14 Willow Warbler x 1 WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 4/4/12 2 Brown Hares in area 10am 2 Buzzards over 6/4/14 Small bee - Andrena spp NOT fulva - possibly A. nigroaenea 7/4 Wren building moss nest in old swallow mud nest in outbuilding. Tree creeper hunting on old pear tree. 9/4 Andraena fulva and a wasp working blackcurrant flowers. 10/4 Roe deer, antlered m at TF216541 at 07.30 hrs. Marsh harrier m at 15.30hrs TF 220535 Butterflies; Small tortoiseshell, Small White, Peacock 2. WOOLSTHORPE-BY-COLSTERWORTH SK922224 29th March 2014 JANE OSTLER This was an exceptional day in the garden, sunny with temperatures reaching 15C Butterflies - Peacock(1), Brimstone(2) Small Tortoiseshell (3) + a Large White the first seen this year. Bumble bee queens - Bombus terrestris, lapidarius, pratorum, pascuorum, hypnorum. The last named tree bumble bee was the first seen this yea.r Other bees - honey workers, hairyfooted flower bee males and females, also several wasps (looked small for queens) Other insects - 6-spot ladybirds, all in pairs. Green lacewing, hoverflies Eristalsis tenax, and bee fly. Two bullfinches have come into the garden to worry the plum and cherry blossom. One pair of blackbirds is feeding young. Evidence of nesting house sparrows, dunnock, wren, robin and blue tit. In the pond the marsh marigolds are in flower (it seems they are mis-named May blobs). The tadpoles are forming. They are still inside the jelly but will soon have to run the gauntlet of waiting newts. (Have observed Great Crested newt displaying in another local pond.) WRANGLE COMMON 05/04/2014 Roy and Kath Pearson We did the final Winter Thrush Survey today, merely recording five Blackbirds and fifty Starlings, which are also counted. The Birdtrack count was reasonably productive with 38 species being recorded Chiffchaff was in song and the first Sand Martin of the year was seen. Raptors were disappointing with only Kestrel (2) and a single Sparrowhawk seen. Whilst the Curlew flock was still present - 29 birds - the only other wader present was Lapwing (2). Duck numbers are falling now, with Mallard (6), Shelduck (6) and Gadwall (2) being recorded, though the Gadwall are giving every indication that they might stay and breed. A stoat was seen crossing a track, but no deer were recorded. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 11th April 2014 John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Peter & Janet Roworth On Friday 4th the wind finally veered around to come from a SW direction which gave milder sunnier weather contrasting with the low cloud and misty cold conditions of the previous week. A few of the grounded thrushes were still present on the 4th with a dozen Redwings, a Song Thrush and a few Blackbirds, but these had moved on later in the day. The first Willow Warbler appeared on the 5th and on the same day a Swallow and House Martin were seen flying south, a Yellow Wagtail flew north over the reserve and a 2 Little Ringed Plovers were on the developing saltmarsh. Other sightings have included 2 White Wagtails with 5 Pied wagtails on the 6th, Linnet numbers building to 50+, a Brambling few north on the 8th when 4 birds were also seen at Sea View, and a further bird was seen on the 10th. A Red Kite flew south and Common Buzzard and Rough-legged Buzzard were all observed on the 8th along with a fine male Marsh Harrier. Other migrants include a single Whimbrel flying north and Wheatear near Brickyard, both on the 10th. Later in the week around Churchill there were at least 15 singing Willow Warblers, 7 Blackcaps and a Sedge Warbler, but only a few Chiffchaffs have occurred in the northern area of the reserve. Green Woodpeckers have been heard between Churchill and Brickyard and a male flew over Sea View on the 10th. On any warm, sunny days peacock, small tortoiseshell, comma, small and large white butterflies have been seen, and a single speckled wood was basking in weak sunshine near Paradise on the 11th. Red-tailed, tawny mining and buff- tailed bumblebees are active. Sea buckthorn is now coming into leaf and hawthorn bushes are showing their vibrant green leaves. Common stork's-bill, cowslips, field woodrush, field mouse-ear, and spring beauty are in flower on the dunes. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. No badger cull expansion after trial failure http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-26868650 Mammal Photographer of the Year http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/26835731 Top British garden birds revealed http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/26737595 BTO Bird ID - Little Egret and Great White Egret http://www.bto.org/about-birds/bird-id/bto-bird-id-little-egret-and-great-white-egret Northern Europe hit by most bee deaths http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26923214 Beekeeper creates coat of living bees http://www.theguardian.com/world/gallery/2014/apr/10/beekeeper-creates-coat-of-living-bees-in-pictures ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/