============================================= || || 21st December 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. Please send this URL to friends who might join the Bulletin mailing list: 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.... *** The Winter Solstice takes place on 21st Dec at 23.03 UT, the start of Winter. TWO's forecast suggests some snowfall here by the end of December. http://www.theweatheroutlook.com/ Cloud permitting, the Ursid meteors will be at their best on 22nd December. Please tell us if you see any. I had no luck with the Geminids. Following on from my links about Snow and Lapwing Buntings and Twite, this week I am adding Shorelarks as a few reports have been coming in. http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/discoverandlearn/birdguide/name/s/shorelark/ Heads up for Waxwing sighings too: http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/discoverandlearn/birdguide/name/w/waxwing/ What is a Hen Harrier "ringtail"? Here is the answer: https://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/discoverandlearn/birdguide/name/h/henharrier/ Please mention the Bulletin to anyone who might find it useful and send them this special sign-up address to use. It would be good to see reader numbers rise towards the 1250 mark. The link is on: http://eepurl.com/zmFMT If you have any unreported 2014 records for LNU recorders, please send them in, either directly or via the Bulletin. Recorder contact details: http://www.lnu.org/recorders.php As this is the last Bulletin before Christmas, I wish all readers the warmest of Yuletide greetings. Thanks to everyone who has contributed to the Bulletin or sent in records to LNU Recorders. "I guess it doesn't matter whether you look down (through a microscope) or up (through a telescope) - as long as you look. John Steinbeck 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. To check on the details, especially if weather suggests a possible cancellation, visit: http://lnu.org/events.php Saturday, January 17th, 2015 - Joint meeting with Lincs Bird Club. Phil Espin, Chairman of the Lincolnshire Bird Club, will be speaking about' 'Rare Breeding Birds in Lincolnshire and the Rare Breeding Birds Panel." Guests are welcome at our meetings. *** Donna Nook Seals *** The latest numbers for the past week from Rob Scott are as follows: w/e 13/12/2014 Total for the reserve this season: 1784 pups. Weekly spot count: bulls 285, cows 292, pups 1073 If you can avoid weekends you should find Donna Nook less crowded. If you plan to make a visit, please check the LWT website first as there may be important updates as the season progresses or weather changes. See: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/ http://lincstrust.org.uk/donna-nook http://lincstrust.org.uk/donna-nook/about-grey-seals You also need to take weather conditions into account, especially if there should be icy roads or snowfalls. The local roads can be hazardous. Editor adds: A big thank you to the Seal Wardens for their hallmark warm welcome to visitors. *** How to do a 6 figure grid reference *** When I was taught to take a grid reference from a map, the military way [polite version] was "In the door and up the stairs". i.e. Bottom 3 figures first, then up the side. The instructions can be found here: http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/blog/2013/03/map-reading-skills-learn-how-to-use-grid-references/ Chris Manning recommends the following website: http://www.bnhs.co.uk/focuson/grabagridref/html/index.htm *** Ray Halstead - Recorder - Fungi *** No records or queries for now, please. Due to illness, Ray has asked everyone to give him a bit of a break. Hopefully he will be back in the [Dryad's] saddle later in the new year. I will put a note in the Bulletin when he is again "open for business". *** Reminder: Mistletoe Spotting with an invertebrate difference *** Charlie Barnes writes: Now is the perfect time of year to collect up fallen mistletoe twigs to try and rear out saproxylic species, e.g. the beetle Gastrallus knizeki, which are associated with mistletoe. I would be happy to receive twigs of mistletoe with details of collection date and location or you can try rearing through yourselves (get in touch for details). I am also interested in looking for mistletoe specific species during the spring and summer - this would ideally involve easily accessible (head height!) mistletoe clumps or using a device similar to the telescopic fruit pickers available for apples if they're just out of reach. If you have any suitable clumps on your garden trees, let me know! Charlie Barnes: charlie@cucaera.co.uk Editor adds: We had a very successful Mistletoe recording campaign a couple of years back. If you decide to help Charlie research this new campaign please cc your botanical information to Paul Kirby, so he can pick up on any new mistletoe locations. Two records for the price of one! Don't forget to mention the host tree species too! *** Lincoln RSPB *** http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ Maureen Staples writes: On Thursday 8th January 2015 at 7.30pm we invite you to join us for a presentation by Paul Hobson for a look at Scotland's amazing wildlife. This will take place in The Robert Hardy Building, Bishop Grossteste University, Longdales Road, Lincoln RSPB members and Students £3.00. Non Members £4.00. Free Parking. *** South Lincs RSPB *** Members and non-members welcome. http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire *** Eel Petition correction *** Dr. Vin Fleming writes: Under the EU CITES Regulations, the export from, and import to, the EU of any European eel specimens was banned in December 2010 and this ban remains in force. So I am not quite sure that the petition is properly up to date. There is no legal trade in live or dead eels to east Asia. Some trade of glass eels may continue within the EU for re-stocking of water bodies or aquaculture. The management of eel fisheries is now governed by an EU Eel Recovery Regulation (from 2007) which requires Member States to establish eel management plans which are aimed at the recovery of populations and which address relevant issues such as fishing pressures and improving habitats, such as by removing barriers to migration. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ 12/12 2 Velvet Scoters, Toft Newton Reservoir Hen Harrier male, Frampton Marsh 13/12 Lapland Bunting, Hen Harrier ringtail, Frampton Marsh 2 Eurasian White-fronted Geese, Frampton Marsh 2 Short-eared Owls, Hawthorpe 2 Velvet Scoters, Toft Newton reservoir 14/14 7 - 13 9 Bewick's Swans with 81 Whooper Swans, Wroot 2 Shorelarks, c 100 Snow Buntings, Cleethorpes Coast on beach by Buck Beck 2 Short-eared Owls, Hawthorpe 2 Eurasian White-fronted Geese with Greylag Geese, Deeping Lakes 15/12 2 Shorelarks, 17 Twite, Cleethorpes Coast on beach by Buck Beck Rough-legged Buzzard between SSE of Heckington and east of Helpringham by Little Hale Drove 3 Tundra Bean Geese. c 700 Pink-footed Geese, between Rimac and Theddlethorpe 16/12 2 Eurasian White-fronted Geese with Greylag Geese, Deeping Lakes 2 Shorelarks, Cleethorpes Coast Lapland Bunting, Hen Harrier, slavonian Grebe, 42 Snow Buntings, Waxwing, Gibraltar Point 17/12 Hen Harrier ringtail, Saltfleet 2 Eurasian White-fronted Geese with Greylag Geese, Deeping Lakes Turtle Dove in garden, Lincoln Lapland Bunting, Frampton Marsh 18/12 Black Brant with Dark-bellied Brent Geese, Saltfleet Haven 2 Shorelarks, 45 Snow Buntings, Cleethorpes Coast on beach by Buck Beck 19/12 Rough-legged Buzzard between Frampton Marsh and Frampton village 3 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Eurasian White-fronted Geese, Hen Harrier, 7 Snow Buntings, Frampton Marsh Waxwing between station approach road and Tesco car park, Market Rasen 2 Shorelarks, 45 Snow Buntings, Cleethorpes Coast on beach by Buck Beck 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: 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 LOCATIONS: please give full information on each individual Gorse record: the location [with grid ref], your name, the date, and any habitat notes of interest. GORSE LOCATIONS: Gorse locations: Mablethorpe TF 504 849 Jenny Foster 15.12.14 Lidl supermarket carpark flowerbed surrounded by Hebes. One plant, several flowers on lower branches. Near Grimsby Fishing Heritage Centre, TA 269 096. Wendy Handford 12.12.14 Carpark flowerbed. One heavily pruned plant now with abundant flowers on unpruned shoots A46 Claxby bypass TF 090 964 Wendy Handford 12.12.14 Sandy roadside verge with mixed shrubs. 60 plants, about 40 with a few flowers, 15 with abundant flowers *** 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 12.12.14 Brigg Road farmland TA 106 036 C Rudd Harris hawk 12.12.14 Brigg Road garden TA 113 020 J Foster Jays 4 and Magpies 5 squabbling under bird feeder every day Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 WH Foxes 2 young adults every evening collecting fallen apples and pears Grey squirrel on nut feeder 16 and 17.12.14 Buzzards 2 calling repeatedly and being mobbed by crows 16.12.14 Maggots 10 in fridge! They escaped from a fungus in an incorrectly sealed tub 16.12.14 Wild cherry stones, stash of 20 under Hawthorn logs. All with neat nibbled holes 17.12.14 A46 summit near Caistor TA 130 015 Kestrel hovering over field margin 14.12.14 Cherry Holt TA 115 015 C Rudd Grey heron flying over 12.12.14 Hundon Manor Farm ponds TA 112 026 P Robinson Mute swans 4, now as 2 pairs in separate ponds 15.12.14 Other B1203 road by Willingham Woods TF 128 903 Badger roadkill 12.12.14 B1203 road near East Ravendale TF 240 003 Badger roadkill 12.12.14 DEEPINGS Venue: Deeping Lakes Nature Reserve Date: 14/12/2014 0930 to 1220 Observer: Ian Gordon Weather: Sunny, cold, breezy Birds: Blackbird Black-headed Gull Blue Tit Bullfinch Canada Goose Carrion Crow Chaffinch Common Gull Coot Cormorant Eurasian White-fronted Goose Fieldfare Gadwall Goldeneye Goldfinch Great Crested Grebe Green Woodpecker Greylag Goose Grey Heron Herring Gull Jackdaw Kestrel Lesser Redpoll Little Egret Long-tailed Tit Magpie Mallard Marsh Harrier Moorhen Pheasant Pintail Pochard Red-crested Pochard Reed Bunting Robin Starling Teal Woodpigeon Tufted Duck Wigeon Mammals: Grey Squirrel (6+) Rabbit HORKSTOW 17 December 2014 Jenny Haynes I was 'buzzed' by a bumble bee in my garden today; a reflection, no doubt of the sudden rise in temperature. On Monday we had a male sparrowhawk in the garden which allowed us to get within about five feet on two occasions before flying off. We were wondering if it was an escapee as it's such unusual behaviour. HUTTOFT Jane Pennington Huttoft TF512763 7/12/2014 Sparrowhawk 1 TF521765 10/12/2014 Great tits 2 Pheasant 1 11/12/2014 Pheasant 12/12/2014 Great tits 2 Pheasant 1 Woodpigeons 12 (eating ivy berries) Jane Pennington Huttoft TF512763 (my garden) 13/12/2014 Chaffinch 1 Great tits 2 Pheasant 1 Wren 1 14/12/2014 Blackbirds 10 Collared doves 2 Great tits 8 Wren 1 15/12/2014 Collared dove 1 Great tits 2 Longtailed tits 2 Robins 2 (chasing each other but will probably be love birds soon) 16/12/2014 Chaffinches 2 (pair) Pheasants 2 (males) 17/12/2014 Blue tits 2 (inspecting bird boxes) Robins 2 (as previous) MARTON SK843821 Brian Hedley 13 December 2014 Buff-tailed bumblebee on winter-flowering honeysuckle TATTERSHALL CASTLE TF210575 30 November 2014 Brian Hedley Peacock butterfly flying around castle parapets THEDDLETHORPE. Brickyard Lane Jim Fish 12/12/2014 Two Shorelarks 300 yards or so north of Brickyard Lane , Theddlethorpe on drier ground yesterday Dec 12. Informed by friend that they are still there today 13th - quite confiding. TRENT PORT (MARTON) SK834812 Brian Hedley 28 November 2014 Raven 2 flying south Kingfisher 1 Curlew 3 Snipe 2 Wigeon 26 Fieldfare 220 Redwing 300 16 December 2014 Little egret 1 Chiffchaff 1 (calling from riverside willows) Kingfisher 1 Bullfinch 5 Redshank 2 Fieldfare 230 Redwing 175 Brown Hare 2 RIVER WITHAM River Witham, Water Rail Way Walk between Five Mile Bridge TF 058715 and Fiskerton Fen TF 083716. Report for Saturday 13th December 2014 Margaret Roe Redwing - 2 near Five Mile Bridge Fieldfare - Flock of about 20 Blackbird - greater numbers than usual Goosander 4 male Kestrel Cormorants - 4 flying overhead Mute swans - several family groups - mainly on North Delph. Canada Geese - flock of about 50 on river bank along with a few Greylag Geese Plus mallards, coot, moorhen, robin, wren, blue-tit. WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 13/12/14 Little Egret flew from dyke 11.00hrs at Glebe Farm, TF217545 Farmer reports up to 6 seen in area. We have never seen more than 3. Birds ringed 16/12/2014 Blue Tit 23 Blackbird 14 Great Tit 11 House Sparrow 3 Goldfinch 3 Redwing 1 Dunnock 1 Woodpigeon 1 Total 57 18/12.2014 3 Redwings in orchard. 19/12 2 Buzzards over garden harried by with Carrion Crows. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. Lincolnshire Coast NNRs and S Lincs Highlights including RSPB Wash Reserves RSPB Reserves: http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/collections/thewash_northnorfolk.aspx LWT Reserves: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ South Lincolnshire bird sightings November 2014 RSPB Frampton Marsh A Bittern was a brief visitor (27th), while the Glossy Ibis, present since June remained throughout. Up to 15 Whooper Swans (5th) roosted overnight on the scrapes. A European White-fronted Goose joined the mobile goose flocks (27th) with single Pale-bellied Brent Goose and a Black Brant hybrid also in residence. Over 3800 Wigeon (20th) was a record count, as was 2192 Teal (9th). The Rough-legged Buzzard, mainly present on fields adjacent to the reserve, was present all month. Golden Plover numbers gradually built up to a peak of 8000 (30th). Single Little Stint (1st & 2nd) and Jack Snipe (25th) were also recorded. A Little Auk (5th) flew inland to a fate unknown. A Great Grey Shrike (4th) didn’t linger either, but the reserve’s first Cetti’s Warbler (20th – 25th) remained for a few days. One or two Lapland Buntings were seen on three dates with Snow Buntings on four. RSPB Freiston Shore The highlights were mainly offshore with four Little Auks (7th) and Velvet Scoter, Pomarine Skua and a single Little Auk (26th). A new arrival was a woodcock by the reservoir (7th). Gibraltar Point NNR Awaited Other sites Awaited. John Badley [Assisted by Colin Jennings] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GIBRALTAR POINT NNR. http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ See: Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog. http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE DUNES NNR. http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/38015?category=59026 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE NNR. 5th-11th December 2014 Contributors: Nigel Lound, Janet Roworth, Peter Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison Whilst there were sharp frost on 6th and 9th, the rest of the week was cool with gale force westerly winds on 10th and 11th. By early December, with continuing relatively mild weather, bird populations have settled down across the area now across the reserve. The monthly Wetland Bird Survey took place on Saturday 6th, yielding some reasonable counts: The most interesting being Pink-footed Geese at 590. This species has wintered locally in small numbers over the past few years, although there were up to 1,200 birds 3-4 years ago, feeding in the local fields during a period of very cold weather. However, this is the first winter that they have established a significant resident wintering group . They are roosting off Rimac around Saltfleet Haven area and are currently feeding during the day on grasslands in the Rimac Saltfleetby area. For the early risers, they can be seen flighting in from roost low over Rimac between 0730hrs and 0800hrs. This week, with a full moon, they have been flighting back to roost well after dark and at one point, could be seen silhouetted against the moon. The main wintering area for Pink-footed Goose area in North Lincs is on the upper Humber, where record numbers of around 15,000 birds have been recorded this winter, so perhaps they have needed to expand to other areas. Other goose species in the area include Canada Goose, where up to 100 flight from Mablethorpe to Saltfleet and Brent Goose, where small numbers are present, but the main feeding flock, over 0ver 400 birds, can be seen to the north of Saltfleet Haven on the marshes there. 16 Whooper swans were feeding with the Pink-footed Geese on the 10th. There is a feeding flock of 34 Whooper Swans and over 80 Mute Swans feeding in rape fields at Theddlethorpe All Saints, so the Whoopers are probably mobile in the area Curlew numbers have again been high, with over 350 birds counted flying inland to feed at dawn. Little Egret counts have been particularly high over the past couple of weeks, with up to 46 on the marshes off Rimac and small groups of 2-3 birds can regularly be seen flying down the dunes towards Mablethorpe. Other waders have included over 70 Redshank, 60 Dunlin, 40 Sanderling and 40 Bar-tailed Godwits, 7 Snipe and a Jack Snipe. Feeding on the samphire beds on the beach, between Churchill Lane and Crook Bank, are over 220 Twite, along with 12 Snow Buntings. A Merlin is occasionally seen harassing these finches and buntings, whilst a Sparrow Hawk makes sorties out from the dunes. Snow Bunting wing remains have been seen on the beach, these birds being more obvious targets for the birds of prey because of their obvious white flashing wings. Other birds of prey have included 2 Hen Harriers in the Rimac area, a wide ranging Buzzard and a Kestrel. Tawny Owls can be heard calling from the villages and presumably hunt towards the dunes, whilst 2 Little Owls have established territories close to the dunes and can be very vocal at night. At Brickyard Lane, a second brood of Barn Owls has been in the trees by the dune edge for several weeks now and 2 young birds can be seen occasionally during the day. On Thursday evening, one of the juveniles was flying along the dunes with 32 Magpies in hot pursuit. Other birds of note have included a Green Woodpecker at Sea View, 2 Stonechats in the Saltfleet Haven area, where there was also a Kingfisher, with a second Kingfisher at Brickyards Lane on 11th. A Muntjac is to be heard barking in the dunes in the Brickyard Lane area. This species can breed at any time. Upton 3 Roe Deer are also in the area. 12th-18th December 2014: Contributors: Nigel Lound, Janet Roworth, Peter Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison Yet another generally mild week with temperatures in double figures on several days at the start and finish of the week, although with a particular contrast between a cool day on 13t,h with a maximum temperature of 4.5 deg C and 18th at over 14 deg C, when there were south-westerly gusts of over 40mph. Geese still feature prominently towards the north of the reserve in the Rimac area, where up to 700 Pink-footed Geese can be seen flighting inland a little after dawn, to feed in the now wet grassland fields. As has been mentioned previously, this wintering flock is a new feature, being a noisy and welcome addition to the area. An interesting additional species observed flying in to join the feeding flocks was a small group of 3 Tundra Bean Geese on the 15th. Bean Geese can look very similar to the Pink-feet in poor light, but can be distinguished by darker, more evenly coloured wings and orange, not pink legs, with orange areas on the soft parts of the bill. Here we have a case of east meets west, with the Bean Geese most probably originating from the high Arctic Russian tundras, whilst the Pink-feet will have their origins in Greenland and Iceland. Perhaps another example of east meets west is to be seen at the moment in the coastal Brent Geese at the north end of the reserve and Saltfleet Haven areas. Here, up to 250 Brent Geese of the dark-bellied form, originating from the Russian tundras and islands are present. However, there is also one bird with darker wings, paler sides and belly and a more prominent white collar contrasting with its dark neck. This bird could be a hybrid resulting from a union a Black Brant, the form of Brent Goose originating in far-eastern Siberia, Alaska and north-west Canada, with a Brent Goose of Russian origin. Staying with wildfowl, up to 200 Wigeon are feeding on the grasslands around the river Eau, but there is a selection of other species about, particularly on the Paradise wetland at the north end of the reserve, where 2 Gadwall, 12 Shoveler have been present, with teal and up to 4 Little Grebes on the haven. Up to 8 Red-throated Divers have been seen on the sea. Locally, swan species are to be found feeding in rape fields in the Saltfleet/Theddlethorpe areas, with up to 40 Whoopers, 3 Bewicks and 50 Mute Swans. Numbers of Fieldfares feeding on the hawthorn berries and grasslands can now be seen across the reserve and perimeters, with up to 80 birds present. Blackbirds, predominantly first year males have also increased during the week, along with a few Redwings. Other birds of note have included 2 Stonechats, 1 Kingfisher, up to 5 Kestrels, 2 Sparrow Hawks, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kingfisher and of course the flock of around 200 Twite and 7 Snow Buntings on the samphire beds on the beach. John Walker adds: Saltfleetby Theddlethorpe NNR Bird sightings this week [19/12] include Buzzard 1 kestrel 3 sparrowhawk 2, barn owl 2, hen harrier 2, marsh harrier 1, red throated diver 8 ,great crested grebe 2, little grebe 4, brent Goose 300, twite 220, fieldfare 85, redwing 55,stonechat 2, kingfisher 1, goldcrest 7, snow bunting 8, shoveler 17,wigeon c 230, teal c 120, snipe 8. Feeding on the c 250 acres of Grazing marsh wet grassland adjacent and the geese roosting on nnr pink foot goose c 800 and 3 bean goose ( tundra race), whooper swan 26, bewicks swan 3 , lapwing 380 , golden plover 616, starling c 240, c 380 curlew are roosting on the nnr and feeding on local fields. Although only c 185mm of rainfall has been measured since end of August many of the grazing marsh fields have some areas of standing water and having been grazed with cattle or sheep are attracting the lapwings plovers starlings and curlews , the geese are mainly feeding on the grasses and a field that has clover , and have been seen daily in the same field for the past 4 weeks a very rewarding sight,and as it's private land in Higher Level Stewardship they can feed without disturbance. Some of the smaller HLS grass fields have had ditches cut in them this year and they are now filling with water, the hope is that this will attract breeding waders next year if water remains in the ditches through spring and early summer providing a feeding zone for adults and chicks. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. News from Far Ings NNR http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Far Ings News See: Far Ings NNR on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-Of-Far-Ings-National-Nature-Reserve/186876774685595 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6. Bardney Limewoods NNR http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/publications/limewoods-walks/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 in Oct 2012. 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 to bed' on Fridays. Please e-mail in 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 re-editing: 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.] *** Find the Grid Reference *** Chris Manning recommended the following website for help with find grid references. http://www.bnhs.co.uk/focuson/grabagridref/html/index.htm ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 *** FIGHTING 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 Website: http://www.lincs.police.uk/Advice/Wildlife-and-Rural-Crime/ STAYING SAFE *** EasyTide *** Check tide times on Admiralty EasyTide: http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx *** Local Tide Tables *** Here is a useful-looking website where you can order local tide tables. Well worth bookmarking. Everyone who uses the coast ought to have local tide tables handy. £1.50 + p&p. https://www.tidetimes.org.uk/ *** 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 *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/ Care of Sick or Injured Animals - information on LWT website *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/sick-and-injured-animals SPECIES IDENTIFICATION AND RECORDING *** iSpot Keys for computer or mobile *** If you are a beginner to identification of species, you might find the following link useful. http://www.ispot.org.uk/keys The LNU is now represented on the popular iSpot website. A full list of the organisations, recording schemes and societies represented is here: http://www.ispot.org.uk/representatives *** 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 *** Report Ash Dieback in Lincolnshire *** Link for Chalara fraxinea reports: http://www.forestry.gov.uk/chalara *** 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 *** 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. *** 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 badger reports. USEFUL WILDLIFE CONTACTS *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/ *** 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/ *** 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 *** The Sir Joseph Banks Society *** Contact 01507 528223 or by e-mail: enquiries@joseph-banks.org.uk. http://www.joseph-banks.org.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/ *** 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 *** 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 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 *** 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/ *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire link *** http://www.lincolnshire-butterflies.org.uk/index.html *** 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 Lincsbirders - Lincolnshire's Alternative Birding Group Some great photos. http://www.lincsbirders.org/ Bardney Limewoods - the Lincolnshire Limewoods Project Bardney Limewoods NNR http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/Limewoods/ limewoods@lincolnshire.gov.uk *** Grow-your-own Mistletoe *** http://www.mistle.co.uk/ Readers websites and videos - superb work well worth browsing through. If anyone else is putting work like this on the web, please let us know. Joan Gunson's Moths recorded 2013: http:www.flickr.com/photos/angleshades Alan Dale's Bugs and Weeds http://www.bugsandweeds.co.uk/ Les Binns: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ecoheathen/sets/ Leslie Hebden http://www.flickr.com/photos/13718295@N07/ Youtube videos by Colin Green. Little Scrubbs Meadow in July 2012 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inqCJLrTQmg&feature=relmfu Greetwell Hollow in May 2012 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QmzLFrbjFU&feature=plcp Rimac in June 2012 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s02O5JJoilQ&feature=plcp Starlings at Kirkby on Bain - January 2014 - 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 *** Other Useful E-mail Addresses *** 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 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 Indoor meetings: Saturday, January 17th, 2015 Phil Espin, Chairman of the Lincolnshire Bird Club, will be speaking about' 'Rare Breeding Birds in Lincolnshire and the Rare Breeding Birds Panel." 2015 Indoor meetings: Saturday, February 14, 2015 Recorders’ meeting - overview and highlights in the past year's recording provided by the county recorders. Arrive at 12 noon fpr a chance to catch up with recorders and view exhibits including a demonstration of online recording software, 'Living Record' and a discussion of online recording starting at 12.30. The Overview starts at 2pm. Saturday, March 07, 2015 AGM Followed by the Presidential address by Nick Tribe: "Aspects of Dragonfly Recording in Lincolnshire". ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. A "hard bounce" usually results in you being automatically deleted from the mailing list. Latest Mailfails - see notes above. Bulletin still bouncing from: dawnwilson - soft bounce - delivery failed db.goddard - soft bounce - delivery failed Geoff Cool - soft bounce - delivery failed ian.wilson - soft bounce - delivery failed peter.wood - soft bounce - delivery failed Roger Briggs - soft bounce - delivery failed uniomystic - soft bounce - delivery failed victor.andams - soft bounce - delivery failed rattyphiljs - soft bounce - delivery failed *** And finally...... Contributions to "And finally......" are always welcome. An aerial tour of Whisby Nature Park in Lincolnshire https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvJ1ouxxKIg Willow Tree Fen is a new nature reserve in southern Lincolnshire https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGuiYwPliF8 Grantham Canal dredging to help rare plants http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-30480699 Methane 'belches' detected on Mars http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-30456664 Rare bittern population highest in Somerset http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-30475562 Badger cull fails to meet target in Gloucestershire http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-30528559 British bats 'showing signs of recovery' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-30537917 ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/