============================================= || || 24th August 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.... *** It is good news that at last the Visitor Centre at Far Ings has reopened for visitors. It has been a tough time for staff and volunteers, who have more than earned the thanks and appreciation from all who know the reserve. See: 'Far Ings reserves's visitor centre reopens after storm' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-28817682 Looking across the fields to the poplar plantation where I keep my beehives, I have noticed a definite change in leaf colour to an autumnal tint. The "poplar beetles" than tuck themselves into hive crannies have started to hide themselves away already. An early start to autumn? I have used Roger Phillips' Mushroom book for years but have only just twigged that his work is now on line for anyone to refer to. So as we approach the fungus season, have a look at: http://www.rogersmushrooms.com/ Next week will be the last Bulletin before the weekend of September 21st, so please get in any details of events that need publicitiy in that period. 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, 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 Guests are welcome at our meetings. *** All the Fun of the Wood Fair! *** Helen Gamble writes: The Lincolnshire Wood Auction is the place to bid for your firewood needs and don't miss a range of family activities from bushcraft skills and guided tours around the historic parkland to traditional craft demonstrations and the Lincolnshire Lumberjack Olympics! Sunday 7th September 2014 at Revesby Estate - visit www.lincolnshirefirewoodfair.co.uk for event details Helen Gamble, Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service. *** Scunthorpe Museum Society 'indoor season' of meetings *** Note the new venue. Keith Scarrott writes: The Natural History and Geology Section, Scunthorpe Museum Society. PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE OF VENUE FOR MEETINGS TO ST. BERNADETTE'S PARISH CENTRE, ASHBY ROAD, DN162RS. At our first meeting for the new 'indoor season' in this new venue, on Monday, 8th September, 2014, Steve Lovell, Community Project Officer for the RSPB and widely travelled birder, is to give an illustrated talk entitled "The Miracle of Migration". "What drives birds to undertake such amazing journeys? Here, in Britain, we are both home and staging post." ALL ARE WELCOME. There is no entry charge but a donation bowl is provided. There is ample free parking in the grounds of St. Bernadette's Church. The entry gates are opposite The Priory Hotel on Ashby Road. Please contact Keith Scarrott on 01724 762098 for further details. *** Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes Photography Exhibition *** Rachel Milner writes on 11/8/2014: Following the success of this years photography competition I am delighted to invite you to pop along to our photography exhibition which showcases 150 entries over the 4 categories of: Working Life The Grazing Marshes in all Weathers Hidden Heritage Wildlife We had a fantastic response and our judges were impressed to see a variety of high quality images from across the area. To celebrate, we're working in association with Louth Museum to offer TWO photography exhibitions in Louth that celebrate local heritage. Entrance to both exhibition is free but we request that a small donation is made to support Louth Museum's exhibition. Rachel Milner - Project Support Officer Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes Project Tel: 01507 613134 Email: rachel.milner@e-lindsey.gov.uk Website: www.lincsmarshes.org.uk/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/LincsMarshes *** Making Your Sightings Count *** Julie Ellison writes: Free 1-day courses for everyone with an interest in wildlife, demonstrating how to turn everyday wildlife sightings into valuable wildlife records. The course will cover: Why Wildlife Recording is important Practical data-gathering Practical record-submission Willow Tree Fen on Sunday 07/09/14 To book your place contact LWT on 01507 526667 or info@lincstrust.co.uk For more information about the course contact Julie Ellison on 01724 735349 / 07586 293860 or julie@julieellison.co.uk (County Recorders are most welcome, especially to prove how friendly and helpful you are! Please let Julie know if you would like to come.) *** Wash Cruises 2014 *** Jeremy Eyeons writes: The South Lincs RSPB have started their 2014 series of Birdwatching Cruises into The Wash estuary and River Welland. http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire 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 is via The South Holland (Spalding) ticket agency and is essential. Call 01775-764777 or go online www.southhollandcentre.co.uk where full details including sailing times of those cruises which haven't sold out can be found. 14 cruises have been arranged for 2014 which started on 25th April, with various sailing times every month, and concluding on 16th October. These cruises are once again proving very popular. *** 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. http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ 15/8 Scaup, Whinchat, 2 Redstarts, Short-eared Owl, 5,000 Bar-tailed Godwits, Sooty Shearwater north past, Gibraltar Point Osprey, Wood Sandpiper, 3 Spotted Redshanks, Donna Nook Red-necked Phalarope, Frampton Marsh 16/8 2 Little Gulls Alkborough Flats 3 Wood Sandpipers, Donna Nook Glossy Ibia, Spoonbill, Little Stint, Frampton Marsh Whinchat juv, Bonby Carrs Whinchat, Toft Newton reservoir 3 Whinchats, Spotted Redshank, Gibraltar Point 17/8 Little Gull, Covenham Reservoir Glossy Ibis, 2 Spoonbills, Little Stint, Little Tern, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh 18/8 Whinchat in West Dunes, Sooty Shearwater past, 169 Manx Shearwaters flew north, Gibraltar Point Glossy Ibis, 2 Spoonbills, Little Stint, Frampton Marsh 19/8 24 Yellow-legged Gulls, Crowle Pectoral Sandpiper, Glossy Ibis, 2 Spoonbills, Frampton Marsh Wood Sandpiper, Gibraltar Point 20/8 3 Whinchats, Redstart, 13 Arctic Skuas, , Marsh Tit, Gibraltar Point Glossy Ibis, Pectoral Sandpiper, Little Stint, Frampton Marsh 21/8 16-17 Caspian Gull with 4 Yellow-legged Gulls WSW of Lincoln near Wigsley. Pied Flycatcher, Gibraltar Point 22/8 9-15 Caspian Gull and 16 Yellow-legged Gulls NE of Crowle 2 Little Gulls south over Grantham Unconfirmed report of Short-toed Eagle west over Gibraltar Point, then flew inland Glossy Ibis, Pectoral Sandpiper, Pied Flycatcher, Redstart, 5 Whinchats, Gibraltar Point Curlew Sandpiper, Donna Nook realighment 23/8 1-8 Pectoral Sandpiper, Freiston Shore 4 Spotted Redshanks, Glossy Ibis, 3 Little Stints, Frampton Marsh Glossy Ibis, Whisby Nature Park, new workings on Teal Lake Spoonbill over, Redstart, Gibraltar Point Note: I am adapting my RBA pager information for the Bulletin by eliminating or summarising/consolidating repeated messages. When there is a lot of information I will stick to highlights. Please visit the RBA website for updates or fuller details. Bird Alert website: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ Here you can register free to use the site and get free trials of their subscription services. Strongly recommended. [Please mention the Bulletin if you decide to subscribe.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3. Wildlife news from around the county ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** The Roger Goy Column *** Remembering Roger Goy's wildlife information work. GORSE We are still looking for evidence of unusual dates for Gorse flowering. "When gorse is out of blossom, kissing's out of fashion" Paul Kirby writes: Please continue to send in Gorse reports. Reports may be sent in via the Bulletin. Editor adds: It will help if you will keep these separate from any general reports you may be sending in, please, so they can be listed here. *** 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. CAISTOR Wendy Handford (WH) Reports from contributors to Caistor records Week beginning 15.8.14 Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 WH Foxes eating fallen apples 21.8.14 Hedgehog track across orchard 18.8.14 Rabbits 3 eating seed under birdfeeder 15.8.14 Kestrel on shed roof 16.8.14 Pheasant male 15.8.14 Frogs 8 in orchard 16.8.14 Angle shades moth on Lavender 20.8.14 Robin's pincushion gall on Dogrose 21.8.14. New First fruits 21.8.14 Dogrose hips Silver birch seeds, millions Fungi 20.8.14 Bitter bracket on Norway spruce stump Brown rollrim 2 under birch Brown rot on fallen apples Hundon Manor Farm TA 116 024 P Robinson Buzzards 2 adults, 1 juv circling 15.8.14 Mill Lane TA 119 012 C Brant 15min big butterfly count 24.7.14 Large white 3 Small white 5 Green-veined white 4 Brimstone 2 Common blue 1 Ringlet 2 Meadow brown 3 Gatekeeper 1 Peacock 4 Small tortoiseshell 3 Red admiral 3 Nettleton TA 110 005 C Brant Tansy 16.8.14. New Nettleton Lodge Game Farm TA 090 012 B Jacob Canada geese, skeins flying 16, 17.8.14 Grass snake, shed skin 84cms long Dog rose, late flower Fungi Hoof fungus 10s on birch 15.8.14. New Sycamore tarspot 15.8.14 Various lichens being identified: Fuscidea lightfootii query on sawn timber Shieling farm TA 106 027W Collins Long-tailed fieldmice eating beetroots Robins, 3rd brood in nestbox Swallows, 2nd brood of 5 fledge 17.8.14 15min big butterfly count 10.8.14 Small white 1 Green-veined white 2 Ringlet 1 Peacock 5 Small tortoiseshell 8 Painted lady 2 (only Caistor sighting) Red admiral 1 Other 15min big butterfly count KIRKBY MOOR TF 225629 Toby Ludlow and Coningsby Wildlife Watch Group On the walk, the butterflies recorded were: Green-veined White, 5 (3 male, 2 female); Brown Argus, 1; Common Blue, 1 (male); Holly Blue, 1 (female); Red Admiral, 3; Speckled Wood, 13; Gatekeeper, 1 (female); Meadow Brown, 10 (1 male, 9 female); ------------------------ Total of 35 butterflies (of 8 species) Additionally, someone spotted a Peacock. Moths: Agriphila straminella, 1; Agriphila tristella, 1; Straw Dot, 2; Vapourer, 1 (male); Dragonflies: Migrant Hawker Southern Hawker Brown Hawker Toby stayed on after the group left because there was a large patch of blue sky. The temperature rose by another couple of degrees, but the wind got stronger. He carried out an actual transect and got very similar results: Green-veined White, 7; Brown Argus, 1; Common Blue, 1 (male); Red Admiral, 2; Saw a third, but just off of transect. Speckled Wood, 24; Gatekeeper, 3 (3 females); Meadow Brown, 8; -------------------------- Total of 46 butterflies (of 7 species) Didn't see the Holly Blue this time, but did see a Peacock just off of the transect. Roger Parsons - additional records: we noted a birch bolete along the first 100m of the path going East from the main track, in grass near birch, which I have identified as Leccinium scabrum. Heard Green woodpecker and goldcrest on our way round. Dead adult common shrew. Possible Odonata: Migrant Hawker m Brown Hawker Common darter m and f [Probably] RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF 309 847 (unless otherwise stated) Silvia Fowler 13.08.14 Green Lacewing among flowers (first sighting since spring) 15.08.14 Grey Heron Grey Squirrel 20.08.14 7-spot Ladybird Some House Martins have gone, but I can now hear young in the only nest to produce a second brood this year, and the parents still seem to be in attendance. The unseasonably cold and windy weather casts doubt on their success. 21.08.14 Brimstone butterfly Corizus hyoscyami (probably, awaiting confirmation from Charlie Barnes), a type of Squash Bug RIMAC Rimac reserve, Saltfleetby, C and M Brant 19.7.14 Large white 3 Small white 10 Green-veined white 2 Large skipper over 60 Six-spot burnett 8 Common blue 1 Small copper 3 Ringlet 1 Meadow brown over 25 Gatekeeper over 50 Small tortoiseshell 3 Also 10s of damselflies, darters and grasshoppers Described as 'Paradise'! SPALDING 20.08.14 Mick Todd When leaving work tonight and walking to my car I was greeted with a quite fascinating scenario. My work buildings are adjacent to Spalding cemetery, as I headed towards my car I flushed two woodpigeons from a hawthorne tree at the cemetery edge, as they flew into the cemetery a juvenile female sparrowhawk flew from behind the buildings and attacked one of the pigeons. Yhere was a coming together but no feathers were lost as the pigeon rolled round so its feet were facing the hawk. The sparrowhawk broke off the attack and landed on a gravestone, within seconds another pigeon flew across the front of the hawk, just a few feet away, causing no reaction/ This was followed shortly after by a crow, again the hawk just watched. Then a couple of minutes later a magpie appeared on the headstone next to the one with the hawk on, only a couple of feet away it then flew past the front of the hawk, again only a foot or so away. The next visitor was a crow which just walked up to the rear of the hawk, again with no reaction, a magpie then walked past the front of the hawk and jumped up onto the headstone the other side of the hawks perch, again only a couple of feet away from it and causing no reaction. Brave or stupid? The magpie must have known something! WAINFLEET CONSERVATION PONDS 21/08/2014 Roy and Kath Pearson Very little about today, but Mallard numbers are building as they do in early autumn and have reached 49 birds. No warblers were seen, but without their songs, it is impossible to determine what is in the reed beds. The adjacent River Steeping has been cleared of weeds and the usual bird life wasn't present, though a single Great Crested Grebe was seen. WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 16/8/2014 Wasps' nest found in Leylandii hedge. Nest saved, specimens taken for determination. Photographs taken. Possible species = Dolichovespula saxonica [F] 18/8/2014 Treecreeper on old apple tree in orchard. At least 2 Painted Lady butterflies, 4 sightings. 19/8 Dead adult pigmy shrew. Painted Lady seen several times but probably one individual. Many Small Tortoiseshell 12+, Red Admiral 2 Brown hares in area TF2153 Stock Dove chick found in nest in Tawny Owl box. 20/8 Dead adult Short-tailed Vole 2 stock dove chicks [not one as noted on 19th] - ringed. Hummingbird Hawkmoth. Painted Lady. 22/8 2 grey squirrels playing wildly in orchard. Hummingbird Hawkmoth am. Hedgehog droppings noted on lawn - first time for years. We will try to confirm this record with the trailcam. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. Lincolnshire Coast NNRs and S Lincs Highlights including RSPB Wash Reserves South Lincolnshire bird sightings July 2014 RSPB Frampton Marsh The second Bittern for Frampton Marsh was seen intermittently (7th-10th & 31st), while the Glossy Ibis was still in residence throughout. Spoonbills were seen from mid-month, with a peak of five (31st) and up to 81 Little Egrets were present (30th). Passage waders began to build up with peak counts of three Little Stints (30th), six Curlew Sandpipers (29th), 1800 Black-tailed Godwits (14th), 11 Spotted Redshanks (29th), 26 Green Sandpipers (9th) and seven Wood Sandpipers (30th), but the highlights were the reserve’s second Lesser Yellowlegs (11th-21st) and a Temminck’s Stint (24th). Other sightings included up to three Garganey (3rd), Black Tern (1st-2nd), Arctic Tern (14th) and Little Gull (1st-3rd & 11th). Gibraltar Point NNR The highlights were the UK wandering Black-winged Pratincole, a first for Lincolnshire (14th), Broad-billed Sandpiper (29th) and White-rumped Sandpiper (28th-30th). Other sightings included up to four Spoonbills throughout, two Sooty Shearwaters and nine Manx Shearwaters (18th), Montagu’s Harrier (23rd & 31st), Stone-curlew (13th), Curlew Sandpiper (27th), Little Stint (30th), two Spotted Redshank (4th), Wood Sandpiper (23rd), two Arctic Skuas (13th), Arctic Terns on two dates (13th & 23rd), Whinchat (3rd) and Redstart (13th). Other sites A Garganey was at Whisby NP (14th), the Glossy Ibis at Willow Tree Fen was seen at the beginning of the month (1st) and an Osprey was seen at Denton Reservoir (2nd). Wood Sandpipers were at Willow Tree Fen (18th & 25th) and at West Ashby (27th). Mediterranean Gull (3rd), Caspian Gull (8th) and Little Gull (21st) were all seen at Whisby NP. A Redstart was seen at Swanpool, Lincoln (28th). John Badley Assisted by Colin Jennings ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 SALTFLEETBY-THEDDLETHORPE DUNES NNR Week ending 15th August 2014 John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Peter & Janet Roworth Strong south westerly winds have been a feature this week bringing spells of heavy rainfall. A gust of 43.7mph was recorded near Sea View on the 11th and 22.1mm of rainfall fell on the 10th. Third broods of speckled woods have been seen looking nice and well-marked; Cliff noticed how the wing patterns on these have smaller markings and darker background compared with the earlier broods. Fresh red admirals, small, large and green-veined whites are on the wing and there are still good sightings of common blues, small tortoiseshells and peacocks. Single painted ladies were reported on the 11th and 13th. Bird sightings for the week have included Swifts moving south in ones and twos but a tight flock of 100+ birds rapidly passed over Sea View on the 10th; a single bird was seen on the 13th. Â Four Greenshank flew high over Sea View on the 9th, 5 Common Sandpipers were at Paradise Ponds on the 10th and a Common Wheatear in the Churchill area on the 12th and 13th. The Turtle Dove pairs are all well-established on second nesting attempts now and calling strongly again. Three immature birds were flying around together on the 12th so at least two pairs had successful first broods. The gull roost north of Churchill, of mainly Black-headed Gulls were at least 5000 birds which is a fine sight early in the morning as they drift off inland to their various foraging areas. Evening counts of birds at the high tide roosts by Cliff along the southern edge of the NNR included on the 10th 350 Common Terns, 50 Arctic [plus 50 'Comic'] with 420 Sandwich Terns, 50+ Ringed Plover, 100+ Dunlin, 200+ Sanderling, 1 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 1 Ruff and 8 Turnstone. On the 11th no sign of Common/Arctic Terns but 94 Sandwich Terns still present with 400 Sanderling, 300 Dunlin, 180 Ringed Plover, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 3 Turnstone and 10 Golden Plover. The 11th saw 9 Whimbrel flying south, 2 Knot, 9 Turnstone, 70 [in small groups flying south] Redshank, 15 Oystercatcher, 200+ Ringed Plover, 200+ Dunlin, 100+ Sanderling, 1 Spotted Redshank and 70 Sandwich terns. Interesting counts for WeBS along the NNR section on the 9th included Common Scoter 9, Curlew 176, Grey Plover 4, Knot 57, Oystercatcher 51, Ringed Plover 60, Sanderling 43, Turnstone 2, Whimbrel 50 and Sandwich Tern 16. Plants now in flower which are providing a valuable nectar source for late summer insects include angelica, harebell, yarrow, common fleabane and black knapweed. On the fore dune edge, where rabbits have kept the turf short, there are patches of white-flowered knotted pearlwort and lesser centaury. SALTFLEETBY-THEDDLETHORPE DUNES NNR Week ending 22nd August 2014 John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Peter & Janet Roworth A cold week when the ground temperature dropped to 2.25°C on the 20th and below average daytime temperatures were influenced by fresh NNW winds. A gust of 48.4mph was recorded at Rimac on the 17th. Bird records for the week have included a Kingfisher flying along the Great Eau and 3 Common Sandpipers both near Paradise on the 18th, 60+ Sandwich Terns and 130+ Common Terns on the outer beach near Churchill, and a single Green Sandpiper was flushed off the saltmarsh on the 19th and a further 2 Green Sandpipers near Brickyard on the 21st. A Little Grebe was seen on the Great Eau near Sea View on the 20th. The berries of dewberry, bramble, hawthorn, rowan, elderberry and sea buckthorn are now changing colour as they ripen and contributing to the autumn picture, as most flowering plants are in decline. The cold weather has also meant a reduction in butterfly numbers this week. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RSPB RESERVES http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/collections/thewash_northnorfolk.aspx ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. News from Far Ings NNR http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designations/nnr/1083404.aspx ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Far Ings News W/E 15.08.14 BIRDS Max nos. Of special note: Terek sandpiper on the 12th (New Scrapes) bearded tit 4 blackbird 23 blackcap 5 black-headed gull 100+ blue tit 20 bullfinch 5 canada goose 30 carrion crow 4 Cetti's warbler chaffinch 6 chiffchaff 15 collared dove 3 common gull 50 common tern 5 coot 80 cormorant 7 curlew 70 dunlin 2 dunnock 4 gadwall 12 garden warbler goldcrest 2 golden plover150 goldfinch 10 great tit 7 greenfinch 2 grey heron 2 greylag goose 100 herring gull 40 house martin 10 house sparrow 16 kingfisher lapwing 70 LBB gull 2 linnet 6 little ringed plover 4 long tailed tit 10 magpie 4 mallard 50 marsh harrier 3 moorhen 4 mute swan 8 pheasant 2 pochard 6 redshank 3 reed bunting 4 robin 8 sand martin 100+ shoveler 4 song thrush 2 sparrowhawk starling 30 swallow 40 swift 4 tree sparrow tufted duck 60 water rail 2 whitethroat 6 willow tit 2 willow warbler 15 wood pigeon 20 wren 10 yellow wagtail 3 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 *** Care of Sick or Injured Animals - information on LWT website *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/sick-and-injured-animals 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. *** What's That Butterfly? *** http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/index.php http://butterfly-conservation.org/ What's That Caterpillar? http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/species_family.php?name=all&stage=larva *** Identifying Dragonflies *** http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/content/uk-species http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/content/dragonfly-and-damselfly-identification-help *** 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. *** New Botanical Group in South Lincs *** Sarah Lambert writes: We'd be happy to welcome new people, whether experienced or not, particularly if they are located towards the northern part of the vice county! If anybody would like to join us, please get in touch with me at sarah.lambert7@ntlworld.com *** 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 Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service A dedicated service to protect and enhance the Lincolnshire Wolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). 01507 609740 www.lincswolds.org.uk http://www.lincswolds.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/ Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project Project Officer: Ruth Craig ruth.craig@lincolnshire.gov.uk 01507 609740 For help with chalk stream management, volunteering opportunities and educational activities on the chalk stream please visit the website http://www.lincswolds.org.uk/chalk-streams/volunteering or contact the project officer ruth.craig@lincolnshire.gov.uk *** The South Lincolnshire Fenlands Partnership *** South Lincolnshire Fenlands Partnership is working to promote enhancement and re-creation of an iconic fenland landscape and its wildlife within our highly productive and important Lincolnshire farmlands. To learn more about the partnership please visit our website at http://www.lincsfenlands.org.uk/ or contact the project officer at slincsfens@lincstrust.co.uk Amanda Jenkins - South Lincolnshire Fenlands Project Officer 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 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, 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. *** And finally...... Contributions to "And finally......" are always welcome. Iceland volcano: Bardarbunga eruption sparks red alert http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-28913165 Global warming slowdown 'could last another decade' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-28870988 Urban areas are hives for wild bees http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-28888218 ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/