============================================= || || 16th February 2014 || || LNU Website: || http://www.lnu.org/ || News of Lincolnshire Wildlife || ============================================ In this issue..... 1. Readers hints, tips and requests 2. Wildlife Highlights 3. Wildlife reports from around the county 4. News from the Lincolnshire Coast 5. News from Far Ings NNR 6. News from Bardney Limewoods NNR 7. Sending in Reports - contributors please read! 8. Contact information 9. Notes about these wildlife reports 10. Bulletin publicity policy 11. Events Diary 12. ...and finally..... ============================================ The Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Bulletin is being read by 1100 people and we are keen to encourage even more readers to subscribe. A Sign-up Form can now be found on: http://eepurl.com/zmFMT Past LNU Wildnews Bulletins are available on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Note: Each address contains the relevant date. Views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union or any associated organisations. Reports here are open and are available to county recorders of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. Please contact the Editor to contribute articles or reports. E-mail: rparsons@enterprise.net [A backup e-mail address you can use if ever you experience problems with my "Enterprise" address is: aintree2@yahoo.co.uk ] ============================================ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. Readers hints, tips and requests ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** From the Editor.... *** Don't forget that the LNU Recorder's Meeting takes place on Saturday 15th February. Please come along if you can. See: http://www.lnu.org/events.php I can hardly find the words to comment on our recent storms and floods. You may recall my mentioning the EA Floodline and Met Office severe weather alerts. Quite a few of you seem to have followed these up and I hope you have found them helpful. You can find the links in "STAYING SAFE" in Section 8 below. I am pleased to say that we have just reached that elusive target of 1100 readers. We have been in equilibrium for so long I thought we might never get there. I shall now have my eye on a target of 1200, so please do all you can to drum up more support. Readers enjoy reports from nature reserves. These are noticed and read by everyone opening a Bulletin. They raise interest, encourage visits and generate more reports. Links to "Blogs" do not seem to work well in the Bulletin. Reports show only one or two clicks per edition. The Broom Seed Beetle link got 13% of clicks last week, whereas the Limewoods link got none and the Gibraltar Point's blog link only 1%. Useful information. It has been a busy time on all reserves, especially those coping with the aftermath of winter storms, so the silence is understood. However, once life becomes more normal we will welcome your news. Meantime, if you need to publicise any events, information on closures, or put out requests for particular help, please feel you can use the Bulletin as one way to do it. We will always help you if we can. Thanks to everyone who has sent in reports, questions, news of events etc. Please keep your contributions coming, including Gorse and Lords & Ladies records. Charlie Barnes' call for records of Broom Seed Beetles seems to have raised a lot of interest. Please help him with records. Good luck. Please keep sending those "And finally..." suggestions. Roger *** LNU Events *** 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 March Meeting: Saturday, March 08, 2014 AGM and Presidential Address by Ian Macalpine-Leny Everyone is welcome at LNU meetings, but of course it is always good to have new members sign up and become involved in our work. You can do this via the LNU website: http://lnu.org/join.php *** Must-see Exhibition about Sir Joseph Banks *** "A Great Endeavour" - 15th February to 11th May 2014 at The Collection, Lincoln. An exhibition on the life and work of Sir Joseph Banks, who should need no introduction to Lincolnshire naturalists. Sir Joseph Banks Society http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk http://www.visitlincoln.com/whats-on/joseph-banks-a-great-endeavour *** Birds and Light Pollution *** Roy Pearson writes: With regard to Phil Busby's point about birds singing during the hours of darkness (Bulletin 9th Feb 2014) near to street lights, our garden backs on to a well-lit roundabout on the A16 and bird- song during the hours of darkness is common. The principal culprit is the Robin, but Blackbirds, Song Thrushes and Dunnocks have also been recorded. Interestingly there was a BTO 'Early Bird Survey' in which Kathleen participated on or around 9th January last, which was primarily concerned with the times of arrival of various species at bird feeding stations in the morning. One of the issues raised in this survey was the distance of lamp- posts from the garden. It will be interesting to see if light pollution is influencing feeding habits. *** The hunt for Bruchidius villosus, the Broom Seed Beetle *** Charlie Barnes, County recorder for beetles, writes: Now is a great time to search for Bruchidius villosus, the broom seed beetle. The beetle feeds within the seed pods of broom, Cytisus sp., the larva eating the individual seeds from the inside out. Having pupated within the seed, the adults then eat their way out but remain inside the seed pod until it bursts open. As some seed pods of broom remain "un-burst" over winter it's possible to find the adults now - select a few firm and bumpy seed pods and gently split them open. If you're lucky you should find an adult beetle or two. Look for small black "seeds" - the broom seeds themselves are normally brown. The adults should be drowsy for a few moments, but will quickly arouse once disturbed! There's an excellent write up and videos of the life-cycle of Bruchidius villosus, the broom seed beetle, and the weevil Exapion fuscirostre which also feeds on broom, at http://www.kerbtier.de/Pages/Themenseiten/enGinsterkaefer.html 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? *** Structured Species Surveillance in Greater Lincolnshire *** Charlie Barnes writes: Natural England and the Environment Agency have asked the Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership to look into the feasibility of forming a network of volunteers to undertake structured species surveillance throughout Greater Lincolnshire. This is part of a national programme, with pilot networks already being tested in Norfolk and Greater Manchester. The aim of the structured surveillance programme is to provide Defra with the information necessary to monitor change in habitats and associated species and inform future management of sites by monitoring using standard methodology. A good example of a current structured species surveillance programme is the network of butterfly transects run by the UKBMS. In order to gather the views and interest for undertaking a structured surveillance programme in Greater Lincolnshire, a short questionnaire has been devised: http://goo.gl/6bYXO7. Those who currently undertake biological recording in Greater Lincolnshire, as well as those who don't, are welcome to respond - please feel free to get in touch if you would like express any views that the questionnaire doesn't specifically ask for or to discuss the idea in more detail. To allow us to report back, the deadline for comment is the 28 February, although responses after this date will still be read and views taken into account in any follow up work. Charlie Barnes Information Officer, Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership 01507 528381 charlie.barnes@glnp.org.uk *** Survey of Plants and Lichens associated with Ash (SPLASH) *** Chris Manning sent in this: Ash dieback is described as a potentially landscape-altering disease. What are the ecological impacts? Botanists and lichenologists are required assist in a survey conducted by the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology in partnership with the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland, British Bryological Society and the British Lichen Society. See: http://www.brc.ac.uk/splash/ *** Louth Area LWT *** Colin Byatt writes: Friday 21st February, 7.30pm, Illustrated talk "Birding in the Gambia" by Steve Keightley at the Conoco Phillips Room (above Louth Library). £1.50 on the door incl. drink & biscuit, all welcome. *** Wash Cruises 2014 - not to be missed *** 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/ Maureen Staples writes: RSPB indoor meeting at Bishop Grosseteste University, Longdales Road, Lincoln on Thursday 13th February 2014 on a 'Gambian Spectacular ' by Mike Wilkes. Start 7.30pm, RSPB members £3.00 Non members £4.00 *** 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 February 20th at 7-30pm "Trinidad and Tobago" by Steve Keightley, featuring the wildlife of these Caribbean Islands RSPB members £2 non-members £3-50. ILLUSTRATED TALK at Boston's Sam Newsom Music Centre March 20th at 7-30pm "Puffin around Shetland" by Richard Ashby, highlighting Spring migrants RSPB members £2 non-members £3-50 FREE GUIDED WALK at Boston Cemetery (meet in Crematorium car park) April 5th at 10am Looking for Spring migrants and wild flowers ILLUSTRATED TALK at Boston's Sam Newsom Music Centre April 24th at 7-30pm "Montana USA" by Alan Knight, featuring the wildlife of The Rockies, prairies and Yellowstone Park RSPB members £2 non-members £3-50 *** S Lincs RSPB *** http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ 07/02 10 - 13 2 Hen Harriers, 1 m, Rimac Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Hill holt, 3 mls west of Thurlby 2 Smew, 1 drk, 2 Scaup, Riverslea pit, Kirkby on Bain gravel pits 08/02 1 - 9 Bittern, 2 Bearded Tits on n side of Grebe Lake, Whisby Nature Park Smew drk, south-eastern pit, Scaup on Riverslea pit, Kirkby on Bain gravel pits Water Pipit, 4 White-fronted Geese, 2 Scaup, Frampton Marsh Tundra Bean Goose, Croft Marsh, Gibraltar Point Great Northern Diver on lagoon, Freiston Shore 9 Shorelarks, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Dunes, north of Brickyard Lane car park 09/02 Two-barred Crossbill m with 20+ Crossbills ESE of Scunthorpe, SSW of Broughton at Forest Pines golf course right of main entrance Long-tailed Duck on pit west of Riverslea pit, 2 Scaup, 2 Smew still on SE pit, Kirkby on Bain gravel pits Little Stint on reservoir, Great Northern Diver on lagoon, Freiston Shore Little Stint, 2 Scaup, 1 drk, 4 Eurasian White-fronted Geese, Water Pipit, 2 Hen Harriers, Frampton Marsh Tundra Bean Goose, Slavonian Grebe on sea off Mill hill, Bonxie flew south, 4 ad Little Gulls, Scaup, 3 Velvet Scoters, Gibraltar Point 5 Short-eared Owls between Stapleford and Beckingham 10/02 Two-barred Crossbill m with 15+ Crossbills ESE of Scunthorpe, SSW of Broughton at Forest Pines golf course Glossy Ibis reported, Chapel St Leonards, by Ship Inn Long-eared Owl, Deeping Lakes Hen Harrier, Deeping High Bank Slavonian Grebe, Gibraltar Point 11/02 Two-barred Crossbill m with 20+ Crossbills ESE of Scunthorpe, SSW of Broughton at Forest Pines golf course Glossy Ibis, Chapel St Leonards, near fishing lakes Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Gibraltar Point 12/02 Glossy Ibis, Apex Pits, North Hykeham Drk Smew on pit by main GP entrance, 2 Scaup drks, Riverslea Pit, Kirkby on Bain gravel pits Two-barred Crossbill m ESE of Scunthorpe, SSW of Broughton, at Forest Pines golf course Great Northern Diver, SW of Wrangle Lowgate, by Sea Lane at Staples Farm 13/02 2 Scaup drks, Riverslea Pit, Drk Smew on SW pit, Kirkby on Bain gravel pits Long-tailed Duck, Barton-upon-Humber, Sailing pit 2 Scaup, 1 drk, on scrape, Frampton Marsh 14/02 Hen Harrier, Marston Sewage Works Glossy Ibis, pig field near fishing pits, Chapel St Leonards 9 Shorelarks, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Dunes, north of Brickyard Lane car park Two-barred Crossbill m ESE of Scunthorpe, SSW of Broughton, at Forest Pines golf course 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 please 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 - reports please. 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. Lords and ladies record. 12/02/2014 Jackie Freeman TF 135 925 - Walesby, Catskin Lane. Frequent plants in hedge bottom - plain leaves. LORDS & LADIES Silvia Fowler TF 314 843 – TF 318 838 09.02.14 Several clumps of Lords & Ladies unfolding along hedgerow bottom, Raithby Road towards Tathwell, 10-15 cm tall, all green *** 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. BRACEBRIDGE HEATH Bracebridge Heath SK978672 John Robinson 10th Feb 2014 Brimstone butterfly on the wing Air Temp 8C DEEPINGS Venue: Deeping Lakes LWT Reserve TF187083 Date: 10/02//2014 Observer: Ian Gordon Time: 1400 - 1600 Weather: Sunny and cold Birds: Blackbird Blue Tit Bullfinch Canada goose Carrion Crow Coot Cormorant Egyptian Goose Gadwall Goldeneye Great Crested Grebe Great Tit Green Woodpecker Greylag Goose Grey Heron Little Egret Little Grebe Long-eared Owl Long-tailed Tit Magpie Mallard Moorhen Mute Swan Oystercatcher Pheasant Pochard Robin Rook Starling Teal Tufted Duck Wigeon Mammals: Grey Squirrel Deeping High Bank 10/02/14, 1600 - 1615 Barn Owl Carrion Crow Goosander Little Grebe Mallard Mute Swan 1515 Hen Harrier reported by Brian Lawrence Tufted Duck HIGH DYKE road kills etc. Peter Morrell 13.02.14 High Dyke SK 9712 40033 Badger road kill High Dyke SK 9541 3572 Badger road kill High Dyke SK 9655 3880 Female roe deer road kill Wilsford TF 0102 4293 Fox road kill Burton Pedwardine TF 1106 4290 Flock of 36 redwings feeding on haws 11.02.14 also Harmston SK 9644 6341 - buzzards circling near the village 12.02.14 Sandtoft - SE 7672 0905 - Five roe deer crossing arable field in the late afternoon. Adjacent to M180 HUTTOFT TF512 763 (my garden Jane Pennington Date: 10/2/2014 Ladybirds 7-spot 2 Date: 14/2/2014 Rabbit 1 (believed to be guilty of eating the bluebell leaves) LINCOLN SK972738 W/E 15/02/2014 Jayne Knight 10/02/14 Pair of Long-tailed Tits worked the ornamental apple tree in the front garden 11/02/14 A Wren sat and sang on the trellis in back garden 13/02/14 Observed 3 7-spot Ladybirds sunning themselves on the hellebores while litter picking in the back garden RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF 309 847 (unless otherwise stated) Silvia Fowler 10.02.14 (sunny and calm) Red-tailed Bumblebee briefly on the wing Great Diving Beetle active in pond Songthrush, Dunnock, Great Tit in song 2 Mistle Thrushes feeding in meadow (TF 309 848) 13.02.14 Sparrowhawk took its first blackbird (f) About 30 Fieldfares, TF 309 848 TF 318 838 (Raithby Road to Tathwell) Silvia Fowler 09.02.14 Skylark in song (short phrases only) in strong wind THURNHOLMES (SK79767 98400) and surrounding areas Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 23/01/14 4lb Salmon caught on rod and line, Owston Ferry 10/02/14 Goosander x 2 Owston Ferry Warping Drain Elder leaves out 10/02/14 Blackbird x 4 Blue Tit x 2 Chaffinch x 17 Dunnock x 1 Golden Plover x 150+ Greenfinch x 12 Kestrel x 1 male, 1 female calling and flying round pole nest box Robin x 2 Tree Sparrow x 39 13/02/14 Low Melwood Claypits Canada Goose x 20 Carrion Crow x 1 Coot x 16 Greylag Goose x 4 Little Grebe x 1 Mallard x 2 Tufted Duck x 10 Gorse in flower 14/02/14 Blackbird x 4 Black Headed Gull x 51 Chaffinch x 21 Dunnock x 2 Goosander x 1 male Owston Ferry Warping Drain Greenfinch x 12 Grey Partridge x 3 Kestrel x 1 female Reed Bunting x 1 pr. Robin x 2 Rook x 32 Stock Dove x 2 Tree Sparrow x 32 Wood Pigeon x 4 Wren x 1 Brown Hare x 2 Fox x 1 WAINFLEET CONSERVATION PONDS 09/04/2014 Roy and Kath Pearson Little Egret was the only bird of note today on a site almost bereft of birds. Water levels are now very high and encroaching on pathways. WAINFLEET CONSERVATION PONDS 10/02/2014 Roy and Kath Pearson Little Egret x 2 Ring-necked Parakeet x2 Sparrowhawk Cormorant Barn Owl Large numbers of Yellowhammers present today. WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 14/2/2014 Buzzard calling 08.30hrs [RP] and seen approx. 14.00hrs [AP] Green Woodpecker calling 10.00hrs [RP] Little Egret by dyke at Glebe Farm, Hurnbridge Road [RP] TF2154, 10.00 hrs today @ approx TF 217546 WOOLSTHORPE-BY-COLSTERWORTH SK92/94 Jane Ostler In the first week of February the following plants had come into flower in the hedgerows and the graveyard Aconites, snowdrops, hazel and alder (last two both male and female flowers). +Butcher's Broom (Ruscus aculeatus) male flowers only Spurge Laurel (Daphne laureola) Muscid flies visiting it in brief spell of sunshine Yew (Taxus baccatus) Even when the weather has been mild (Max 8C) and the sun out, there have been no honey bees visiting the open crocuses as in previous years but- Hoverfly (Eristalsis tenax) sunning on wall. Garden SK922224 On 5th February I noted some of the male frogs which overwinter in our pond beginning to stir so I collected a water sample to see what was about in the smaller animal life. Life was in fact abundant and included the following:- Seed shrimps (Ostracods) and water fleas (Daphnia spp.) latter carrying eggs. Mosquitos (Culex sp.) Caddis flies, all of one type in plant cases where fine stalks arranged like spines all round. Flatworms (prob. Dugesia lugubris). Greater Ramshorn snails (Planorbarius vorneus) Marsh Snail (Lymnaea palustris) The most noticeable species was the Water Louse (Asellus aquaticus) busy and useful clearing up all the detritus. I had forgotten the entertainment to be had in pond dipping and am about to get out my keys and low power microscope to discover more! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 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: 14th February 2014 John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Peter & Janet Roworth During the raw day on the 11th which was dominated by heavy rain, a very brief spell of wet snow was observed late morning. The continual bouts of south-westerly winds averaging f6 strong breeze gave regular gusts of gale force f8. On one of the dunes near Rimac a gust of 63.7mph was recorded at 15.20hrs on the 11th and later 65.9mph at 20.20hrs. A fine male Hen Harrier has again been frequenting the saltmarsh during the week and up to 11 Little Egrets were feeding there on the 12th. On the 13th 2 Greenshank were with a flock of 65 Curlew at Paradise Ponds. Elsewhere there have been Skylarks singing over the saltmarsh, on the new dunes just north of Brickyard and over the southern areas of the reserve. Stock doves in display flights at Brickyard are now paired. There have been small parties of Redwings and Fieldfares over the reserve and quite a few Blackbirds, mainly males, in the dunes feeding on buckthorn berries. A male Blackcap was seen near Brickyard on the 13th. A Great Spotted Woodpecker has been seen near Sea View where the feeding station has attracted up to 20+ Greenfinches, several Chaffinches, Great Tits, Blue Tits and the occasional Long-tailed Tit and Reed Bunting. Any periods of sunshine have encouraged brief snatches of bird song including at least 3 Song Thrushes and Dunnocks. Also there has been some nest box activity from Great Tits, Blue Tits and House Sparrows. On 10th, a morning watch off Brickyard produced 35 Common Scoter, 11 Red-throated Diver, 18 Cormorant, 40 Dunlin, 10 Bar-tailed Godwit, 3 Grey Plover and 6 Sanderling. Roosting Curlews have reached 300+. RSPB RESERVES http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/collections/thewash_northnorfolk.aspx SOUTH LINCS HIGHLIGHTS South Lincolnshire Monthly Bird Highlights Reports for John Badley Recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Assisted by Colin Jennings RSPB Frampton Marsh Gibraltar Point NNR Other sites John Badley Assisted by Colin Jennings ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. News from Far Ings NNR http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designations/nnr/1083404.aspx ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 County Bird Recorder, covering the south of the county recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk for John Badley recorder_north@lincsbirdclub.co.uk for John Clarkson 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. Indoor Winter Meetings: Saturday, February 15, 2014 Recorders’ Meeting Saturday, March 08, 2014 AGM and Presidential Address by Ian Macalpine-Leny ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. liz.mclelland - hard bounce - address cleaned. David curtaincraft - soft bounce - delivery failed *** And finally...... Contributions to "And finally......" are always welcome. Earliest footprints outside Africa discovered in Norfolk http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-26025763 Evidence 'suggests climate change link to storms' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-26084625 Sea wall 'eco-engineering' can help boost biodiversity http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-26034196 A Global Perspective on the Recent Storms and Floods in the UK http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/news/2014/uk-storms-and-floods Dominic Dyer on the Badger Cull http://uk.news.yahoo.com/comment/talking-politics/terrible-truth-badger-cull-120106935.html ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/