============================================= || || 20th 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 to join the mailing list 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.... *** After this mailing you will hear nothing from me until the week of the 28th when I am back from my walkabout. You may continue sending in reports but please try to get these as "ready to use' as you can. I hope you manage to see the Lyrid meteors - 16th to 25th April with the peak on 22nd. Reports, please. 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 maske a special effort to recruit a few more readers to take us beyond the 1100 mark? We seem to be in equilibrium! Use the convenient "forward to a friend" link at the end of the Bulletin or send them the following URL for a sign-up form: http://eepurl.com/zmFMT 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. *** Lincolnshire Herbarium Project Update *** 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 - Reminder *** 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/ *** Volunteer Shorebird Wardens Needed *** Volunteer Shorebird Wardens - Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve Dave Miller, Coast and The Wash Warden, writes: Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust is a partner in a major new five-year partnership including the RSPB, Natural England and the National Trust which has been established to help little terns adapt to climate change and secure their future in the UK. This partnership, supported by the EU LIFE + programme will lay the foundations for the long-term recovery of the little tern in the UK by protecting and creating nest sites and increasing public awareness and support. A key part of the recovery plan is ensuring that the few sites little terns continue to breed are protected from disturbance. The Shorebird Sanctuary at Gibraltar Point is a fenced area that protects ground nesting birds including little terns, ringed plover and oystercatcher. These birds are very vulnerable to predation and to disturbance by people. It is the only place on the Lincolnshire coast where little terns nest. Volunteer Shorebird Wardens are needed to staff the sanctuary area and provide information about little terns and other nesting birds to visitors on the beach. For more information please contact Dave Miller, Coast and The Wash Warden dmiller@lincstrust.co.uk tel: 01754 898079 *** Be Alert for Asian Hornets *** DEFRA Information: https://secure.fera.defra.gov.uk/beebase/index.cfm?pageid=208 *** Otters *** Chris Manning writes: A recent Road Traffic Accident found by Julie Ellison near South Ferriby, while tragic for the individual otter, is another indication of a strong otter population within the county. Another Road Traffic Accident last September on the Grazing Marsh, has been followed by better news with a female and 2x young seen in a video at the same location taken by the Lincolnshire Chalk Stream Project. Nationally the Otter recovery is well documented, yet within Lincolnshire they were never extinct. Surveys found before releases in the early 1990s found field signs of otter, which supports the anecdotal reports of their presence. Any further anecdotal reports would be appreciated, as would records from stuffed otters if they have a location and date. Research into Otters continues, the longest running is Cardiff University's Otter Project: http://www.otterproject.cf.ac.uk/ Alas its long term funding has been withdrawn and it faces an uncertain future. Currently Lincolnshire is poorly represented in this research, we have collected numerous otters but they are in freezers awaiting transport to Cardiff. Any volunteers who could and transport these animals would be welcome. This might provide another insight into Lincolnshire's 'native otter' population, which may be of a unique genotype or have other unique features? Nationally the Environment Agency have been collecting otter for this research and dead otters can be reported to them 0800 80 70 60. In Lincolnshire I am helping with the collection and storage, but the critical issue at the moment is transport, if anyone can help please let me know. Chris J Manning, Lincolnshire Naturalist's Union, Mammal Recorder Chris.lincsdeer@gmail.com *** Oil Beetles Hunt - Records Please *** Charlie Barnes writes: 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 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. *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** Carolyn Lovely writes: 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. *** 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/ 11/4 Whimbrel, Donna Nook 2 Long-tailed Ducks, 2 Avocets, White Wagtail, Covenham Reservoir 12/4 2 Ring Ouzels, 1 male, Marston Sewage Works Black Redstart trapped and ringed, Gibraltar Point Great White Egret, Scaup drk, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh 13/4 2 Ring Ouzels, 1 male, Marston Sewage Works 2 Hen Harriers, Gibraltar Point Redstart male, Deeping Lakes Serin, Frampton Marsh 14/4 Ring Ouzels, Marston Sewage Works 15+ White Wagtails, ad Little gull, Arctic Tern, Covenham Reservoir Tree Pipit, Littleborough Lane, Marton Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh 13 Spotted Redshanks, Whooper Swan, Alkborough Flats Osprey over Grimsby Osprey over Appleby 15/4 2 Ring Ouzels, Marston Sewage Works 16/4 Spoonbill, Grainthorpe Haven Blue-headed Wagtail, 3 White Wagtails, Brent Goose, Toft Newton Reservoir Crossbill, 5 Velved Scoters flew north past, Gibraltar Point Great White Egret, Little Stint, Spoonbill, Blue-headed Wagtail, Whimbrel, Frampton Marsh Black Tern, Alkborough Flats Black Kite, Glentham, east of Gainsborough 17/4 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. LEGBOURNE WOODS Gary Cooper 10/4/2014 Abundant and widespread Lords & Ladies, in Full leaf (plain ~ NOT spotted), in and around Legbourne Woods LEGBOURNE WOODS Near Legbourne Wood TF374830 Chris J Manning 15 April 2014 Gorse in flower, several plants over 14m LOUTH Gary Cooper 10/4/2014 Gorse in flower, with abundant yellow flowers along both sides of road, Furze Lane, Legbourne, near to Louth *** 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. BRACEBY Braceby TF015353 The undersized young female hedgehog that we took to carer, Janet Peto in Fulbeck in January when we found it outside our back door in the middle of the day, was returned to us on 9th April looking large and healthy. It was released in the garden that night. We haven't seen it since, but hope it is feasting on our slugs and snails. CAISTOR Wendy Handford (WH) Reports from contributors to Caistor records Week beginning 11.4.14 Brigg Road verge TA 116 020 WH First flowers: Cow parsley 11.4.14 Greater celandine 12.4.13 Herb Robert 13.4.14 Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 WH Buzzard roosting 15.4.14 Pied wagtails, pair, 15.4.14 Tawny owl roosting 15.4.14 Treecreeper 15.4.14 Common frog, 2yr old 11.4.14 Brimstone m on Honesty 13.4.14 Nettle weevil 12.4.14 new Small tortoiseshell on Aubretia 14.4.14 Tawny mining bee 15.4.13 Tree bumblebee 11.4.14 Varied carpet beetle 11.4.13 First flowers: Bird cherry 11.4.14 Bugle 11.4.14 Field horsetail 15.4.14 Greater stitchwort 13.4.14 Lords and ladies 13.4.14 Ribwort plantain 15.4.14 Sweet woodruff 16.4.14 Water avens 13.4.14 Caistor bypass verge TA 121 013 Hedgehog 9pm 14.4.14 Navigation Lane TA 105 011 Butterbur in flower 14.4.14 Nettleton Lodge Game Farm TA 090 012 B Jacob Cuckoo 16.4.14 Swallows return 16.4.14 Red-tailed bumblebees, several, 13.4.14 Field woodrush North Kelsey Road TA 116 015 A Wish Tadpoles hatched 31.3.14 North Street garden TA 118 015 Hedgehog 11.4.14 Shieling farm TA 106 027W Collins Swallows return 14.4.15 CARLTON LE MOORLAND Jeremy Hutchinson 8 April - first Swallow 10 April - first House Martin (2 weeks earlier than usual) 12 April - first Holly Blue 13 April - Comma and Brimstone (no Orange Tips as yet) DEEPINGS D Griffith 13/04/2014 Deeping lakes NR Cetti's warbler x2 Reed warbler Chiffchaff x2 Garden warbler x2 Blackcap x4 Redstart (male) Buzzard Sparrowhawk Kestrel Sand Martin c20-30 Lesser black backed gull x25 Herring gull x2 Oystercatcher x4 DEEPINGS Venue: Deeping Lakes LWT Reserve TF187083 Date: 14/04//2014 Observer: Ian Gordon Time: 0915 - 1130 Weather: Sunny, breezy, mild Birds: Blackcap Black-headed Gull Blue Tit Canada Goose Carrion Crow Cetti's Warbler Chaffinch Chiffchaf Common Tern Cormorant Garden Warbler Goldeneye Great Crested Grebe Great Tit Green Woodpecker Grey Heron Greylag Goose Herring Gull Kestrel Lesser Black-backed Gull Magpie Mallard Mistle Thrush Moorhen Mute Swan Oystercatcher Reed Bunting Reed Warbler Robin Sand Martin Sedge Warbler Tufted Duck Whitethroat Willow Warbler Woodpigeon Wren Butterflies: Peacock Small Tortoiseshell Small White DONNA NOOK Gary Cooper 9/4/2014 Marsh Harrier, Redshank and Red-tailed Bee Bombus lepidarius, spotted whilst volunteer working for the LWT at Donna Nook NNR FENTON own garden SK846 767 Richard Fox 14th April 2014 Great Tits using the camera nesting box, two eggs so far. Swallow Morrel (Morchella conica) growing through bark chippings scattered over our front garden flower bed. Photo available. HEALING Healing TA214 106 R Julier 11th April 2014 Small white Common carder bee Honeybee Tawny mining bee Hairy footed flower bee females HEIGHINGTON GARDEN John Nickson 7th to 10th April 2014 Clouded Drab 14 Common Quaker 13 Double Stripped Pug 1 Early Grey 5 Hebrew Character 11 HORNCASTLE - RIVER WARING Paul Scott Trout Regarding my Trout spotting - It was located in the River Waring in the centre of Horncastle (near the Library) 14/04/2014 As a child I remember the Waring having lots of Trout in it, however over the last few years I have not seen any. I hope it is a sign of renewal and not the last of the Mohicans. HORNCASTLE TF261691 Robert Walker My garden :- 24/3/14 First tadpoles appear in pond 31/3/14 Brambling 1 On sunflower feeder. 5/4/14 Hedgehog First signs of droppings on garden paths. 9/4/14 Wood mouse 1 Climbed up on to hanging peanut feeder on trellis near privet hedgerow and had a good meal ! 10/4/14 Cuckoo heard in distance 4.15 pm. 12/4/14 Siskin 1 Fatality on path following window strike, sadly. LOUTH Gary Cooper 8/4/2014 Pair of Buzzards squabbling with a greater black backed gull in skies above my home on the outskirts of Louth LOUTH Gary Cooper 10/4/2014 Single Water Vole & 1 Brown Rat spotted near Ticklepenny Lock as well as fresh (and some older) Otter 'spraints' or "scat" found near to both Ticklepenny and next lock along the river Lud or Louth Navigation, just North East of Louth whilst out walking tonight (Thurs) MOOR CLOSES NR SK98/43 JANE OSTLER 13/4/14 Fungi St George's Mushroom forming a ring in the grass Yellow Egg (Bolbitus vitellinus) amongst the rushes Egghead mottlegill (Panaeolus semiovatus) This was associated with old cattle dung. Flowering Plants Amongst the twenty one seen in flower were first flowers of Wild Arum, Garlic Mustard, Meadow Saxifrage, Field Woodrush, and Cowslips. There was an abundance of flowers of Ground ivy, Wild Cherry, Field mouse-ear and Marsh marigold. In addition Elder, Guelder and one maple had flower buds and and a single Greater celandine was out in the lane. Birds How sad to find neither lapwing nor snipe, although the rushy fields are in better condition than in the seventies and eighties when I have seen as many as seven snipe at a time here. No warblers were heard but a mallard was taking 11 newly hatched ducklings for a paddle/dabble with two drakes in attendance. A moorhen was on the beck and a green woodpecker heard yaffling. Mammals Fresh molehills (they have to work hard in the sand). In addition to much evidence generally of rabbits , one young one crouched in the grass as we were watching the ducklings, hoping not to be seen. Plenty of evidence of fox. Insects Bumble bees - buff tailed, red tailed, white tailed, common carder and the cuckoo bee Bombus vestalis. Several species of mining bee were seen but only able to identify the distinctive Tawny mining bee (Andrena fulva) in the field. SANDILANDS - HUTTOFT Ian Whitaker 9 April 2014 SWALLOWS 2 SANDILANDS TF525805 Ian Whitaker 10 April 2014 BUMBLE BEE: BOMBUS HYPNORUM - in garden shed SPALDING Disused March Line TF242219 (centre) C & A Faulkner from 11 - 15/4/14 Aggregate records. Birds (all visits) Chiffchaff Blackcap Butterflies Speckled wood Small tortoiseshell Brimstone m Large white Small white SPALDING Our garden TF245218 13/4/14 What I assume to be the flower bees Anthophora plumipes, nectaring on a patch of cowslips - they ticked all the right boxes! TATTERSHALL CASTLE CAR PARK Ian Whitaker 11 April 2014 HOLLY BLUE 1; ORANGE TIP M & F WAINFLEET CONSERVATION PONDS 15/04/2014 Roy and Kath Pearson Quite a productive day today, the highlight of which was a Rough Legged Buzzard that flew leisurely quite low overhead heading north-east giving very good views. Other birds of note were singles of Green Sandpiper, Greenshank and Marsh Harrier, that passed through. Summer visitors include a brief appearance by two Swallows and two Sedge Warblers, one of which became the first summer visitor to be ringed here this year. A Stock Dove was the first ever caught and ringed at the site. A Little Owl was perched on the gable of a nearby building for much of the day and a Kestrel and two Common Buzzards were frequently seen hunting over the neighbouring fields. WHISBY Allan Binding Whisby Nature Park - Coot Lake 13.04.2014 Orange Tip (Male) Speckled Wood 3 Birmstone (Male) 2 Peacock 2 WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 10/4/2014 at 21.00 hrs Barn Owl perched on western railing of bridge TF 216542 15/4 6 Brown Hares, Canada Farm. TF2253 [RP] 2 Swallows on wires, Dogdyke corner am. TF 211554 [AP] 2 Swallows, on wires, old Fighting Cocks pub. TF 233527 [RP] Red Kite patrolling 3.30pm. First kite sighting here. TF 218535 [A&RP] Bee fly at Apiary am. TF 225546 [A&RP] 16/9 3 Bee flies late am 2 Brimstone butterflies 12.30hrs 1 Swallow on wires at home, pm. TF216534 17/4 Tree bumblebee - I have not located a colony yet. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. Flies can manoeuvre like fighter jets http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-26943442 http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn25396-flies-steer-like-minihelicopters-to-avoid-attackers.html#.U0geT1KPIdU Beard trend is 'guided by evolution' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-27023992 The 100 most distinct and rare birds http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/26939570 Norwich Cathedral peregrine falcon eggs face intruder threat http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-26952956 Wire up hives to keep bees happy and healthy http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg22229644.700-wire-up-hives-to-keep-bees-happy-and-healthy.html#.U0geHVKPIdU YOUR WARMING WORLD http://warmingworld.newscientistapps.com/ How Wolves Change Rivers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysa5OBhXz-Q#t=256 EU blacklist to stop spread of alien species http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-27039714 ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/