============================================= || || 23rd 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.... *** Thanks to the 40 people who attended the Recorders Meeting last week. I am told it was an interesting and enjoyable occasion. Lincolnshire Environmental Awards 2014 is about to be launched - so it is time to consider submitting a project. The deadline for entries is 30 April 2014 This scheme gives encouragement and recognition to a wide range of environmental initiatives in the country. Support the scheme and put in an entry. It could be your turn to win! See: http://www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk/ There was an Amber Alert from AuroraWatch this week. It is worth signing up for notifications as these will improve your chances of spotting the Northern Lights. Once seen, never forgotten. http://aurorawatch.lancs.ac.uk/ More solar links can be found on my webpage: http://www.rogerparsons.info/cosmic.html The LWT has put out a press release with news of reserves affected by the winter storms and floods. There are extracts in the Gibraltar Point and Far Ings slots below. The general message is: "Please show your support for our volunteers and staff by visiting." See: http://link.rm0002.net/v/a0Kd4XfrC-_k8hUvV_r6xQ2 Has anyone found a Broom Seed Beetle yet? See Charlie Barnes' piece below. Please keep sending those Gorse and Lords & Ladies reports. New Scientist have run an article saying 2014 could be the hottest year on record thanks to El Niño. A link to the El Niño article appears in "And finally..." Thanks. Roger *** Computer Security *** Are you security-conscious when using your computer? There are several ways in which you can be attacked by "malware" when using your browser or opening e-mails. Good general advice on staying safe is available on: http://www.bbc.co.uk/webwise/0/22717881 In particular, be suspicious about any e-mail that does not seem quite right in style or use of language by the sender. NEVER click on a link in such an e-mail, as that could well lead you into trouble. There is a lot of this about - so if in doubt use that delete button. *** Nest Site Security *** Please use discretion in bird reports now we are entering the nesting season. If in your judgement a report should not be made public, please direct it to the appropriate Bird Recorder rather than sending it to me for the Bulletin. For all I know there are egg thieves on our mailing list waiting for clues. No point in helping them. *** 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 I shall be posting the new programme in the next Bulletin. 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 *** BAT ALERT! *** Annette Faulkner The mild weather is bringing bats out of hibernation far too early, there's little for them to eat, and the Bat Group's already had four casualties this week. If you have a bat in your house, or find one grounded outside PLEASE don't put it out or leave it where it is. These bats will all need taking into care, weighing and checking over. If they are left they are usually too weak to fly, or fly far, cats get them and they die either from starvation or their injuries several days later. Find an escape proof box (they can get through a hole the size of a thumb nail), pick the bat up, using gloves, or scoop it up in a cloth, put it in the box and phone us on 01775 766286. We will do the rest. *** Bird Club AGM *** Andrew Chick writes: Lincolnshire Bird Club Annual General Meeting Tuesday 18 March 2014 at The Admiral Rodney Hotel, Horncastle at 7.30pm Dr. Stuart Butchart is Head of Science at BirdLife International He will be talking on; State of the World's Birds - Indicators for our changing world The talk is FREE to everyone and will be followed by the Annual General Meeting (members only) Dr. Stuart Butchart is Head of Science at BirdLife International where he leads a team who help to set conservation priorities for the 117 Partners that form the BirdLife International Partnership. Stuart is a past pupil at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Horncastle, so we look forward to welcoming him back to his hometown. http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk/ *** 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 *** 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? *** Gainsborough Area LWT *** Dave Stockley writes: Wed 19 March 2014: (Sales stall: books/magazines) The Chesterfield Canal – John Lower John is a Committee Member of the Chesterfield Canal Trust and his illustrated talk will tell us about the Canal, its history and the work involved in getting all 46 miles of its towpath walkable and hopefully a bit of wildlife along the way. For more information, please ring Joy on 01427 628457 or E-mail Linda – woodentops@darter.plus.com *** 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/ *** 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/ *** 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 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/ 15/02 35 Snow Buntings, Cleethorpes outer dunes east of boating lake Adult male Hen Harrier, Humberston Fitties Bonxie past, 4 Scaup, Gibraltar Point Glossy Ibis, Chapel St Leonards, near fishing lakes Little Stint, 2 Scaup - 1 drk, Frampton Marsh 16/02 Two-barred Crossbill m with 10+ Crossbills ESE of Scunthorpe, SSW of Broughton at Forest Pines golf course Glossy Ibis, Chapel St Leonards, near fishing lakes Little Stint, Freiston Shore 6 Snow buntings flew south over Huttoft Car Terrace Black-throated Diver, Cut End, River Witham Hen Harrier over saltmarsh, Frampton Marsh 18/02 Little Stint, Freiston Shore Hen Harrier, Marston Sewage Works Great White Egret, by Greatford Cut north of Mill House on Stamford Road, then flew south of Stone Road, Market Deeping 19/02 Two-barred Crossbill m with 10+ Crossbills ESE of Scunthorpe, SSW of Broughton at Forest Pines golf course Bittern, Whisby Nature Park in reeds by first hide Great Grey Shrike SW of Scunthorpe by M180 near M181 junction 7 Snow Buntings, Anderby Creek on beach by path from cafe 2 Scaup, 1 drk, Frampton Marsh 4 Eurasian White-fronted Geese, c45 Snow Buntings, Saltfleetby/ Theddlethorpe Dunes near Brickyard Lane 20/02 2 Common Cranes flew over Alderfen Fishery, Wroot Slavonian Grebe, 2 Long-tailed Ducks, Covenham reservoir 21/02 Lapland Bunting, flew south over Sykes Farm, 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 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. GORSE Date: Tue, 18 Feb 2014 20:49:54 +0000 Su Colman & Mark Townsend 18/02/14 Gorse On a trip to Leicester today we were amazed to see the quantity of gorse, most with flowers, all along the A46 ring road round Lincoln from the Saxilby roundabout all the way to Newark. Too many plants to identify individually, but a great display. We probably wouldn't have paid so much attention without the request for records - so thank you! LORDS & LADIES Silvia Fowler writes: I actually found some mixed clumps of Lords & Ladies this time, both spotted and green. I seem to remember that's what your contact was interested in, or rather the hypothesis that they don't usually grow together? I have uploaded some photos and can send you the link if that's of interest. 14.02.14 Several clumps unfolding along hedgerow bottom, TF 309 847, 10-15 cm, all plain green 15.02.14 Several clumps, hedgerow bottom TF 306 848, TF 305 850, TF 303 853, 10-15 cm, all plain green 18.02.14 TF 304 846 - TF 302 845 Lots of well developed clumps (15-20 cm) along hedgerow, Goulceby Road (S. side) out of Raithby, initially all plain green, then in TF 302 845 I found a collection of MIXED CLUMPS, both GREEN AND SPOTTED. *** 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. BARDNEY Bardney Garden Phil and Mary Porter Wednesday 19th February Brimstone butterfly emerging from ivy, fluttering around for a while, then disappeared over the hedge. Many worker bees on crocus, winter honeysuckle, hellebores and Christmas box Friday 21st February Male brambling under bird feeders and having a bath in the pond Chaffinches, blackbird, song thrush, robin all singing and dunnocks displaying. BASTON FEN RESERVE 14.02.2014 John Redshaw WeBS Count Little Egret - 1 Mallard - 12 Mute Swan - 5 Shoveler - 4 Teal - 15 Wigeon - 18 BASTON and LANGTOFT Venue: Langtoft/Baston Pits TF146141 Date: 21/02/14 Observer: Ian Gordon Time: 0945 - 1015 Weather: Sunny, windy and cold Birds: Black-headed Gull Cananda Goose Cormorant Great Tit Grey Heron Greylag Goose House Sparrow Lapwing Little Grebe Magpie Mallard Oystercatcher Red-crested Pochard Reed Bunting Wigeon BOURNE NORTH FEN 14.02.2014 John Redshaw Flocks in the air seen from Willowtree Fen Lapwing - 2500 Golden Plover - 400 BRACEBRIDGE HEATH John Robinson SK978672 First fledgling house sparrow in garden 18/2/14 Frogs active in garden pond, 30+ many paired. DEEPINGS Venue: Deeping Lakes LWT Reserve TF187083 Date: 21/02//2014 Observer: Ian Gordon Time: 1015 - 1215 Weather: Sunny, windy and cold Birds: Blackbird Black-headed Gull Blue Tit Bullfinch Canada Goose Carrion Crow Coot Cormorant Gadwall Goldeneye Goosander Great Crested Grebe Great Tit Green Woodpecker Grey Heron Greylag Goose Kestrel Little Egret Long-tailed Tit Magpie Mallard Mute Swan pheasant Pochard Robin Shovelor Sparrowhawk Teal Tufted Duck Wigeon Woodpigeon Mammals: Grey Squirrel FAR INGS Ness Hide Causeway A Buckle and S Smith 18/02/2014 Coltsfoot - 3 flowers. HATTON TF167763 Robert Walker 15/2/14 Badger Dead on side of A158 road. HORNCASTLE TF261691 Robert Walker 20/2/14 Frogs With the mild weather, the first 'croakings' in my garden pond have started. HOLYWELL LAKE WeBS Holywell Lake Ian Misselbrook Sun, 16 Feb 2014 Little Grebes 5 Black Swan 1 Mute Swan 1 Greylag Geese 67 Canada Geese 11 Mallard 36 Gadwall 24 Wigeon 2 Teal 4 Tufted Duck 18 Coot 25 Moorhens 18 Kingfisher 1 Kestrel 1 Buzzard 1 Stock Doves 2 Woodpigeons Fieldfares 50+ Mistle Thrushes 2 Song Thrush 1 Blackbirds Robins Dunnocks Wrens Pied Wagtails 2 Skylarks Marsh Tits 2 Coal Tits Great Tits Blue tits Goldcrest 1 Nuthatches 2 Magpies 2 Jays 2 Carrion Crows Rooks Jackdaws Pheasant Goldfinches Chaffinches Rabbits Grey Squirrel 1 HORNCASTLE TF256695 Charlie Barnes 20 February 2014 Small tortoiseshell HUTTOFT TF512 763 (my garden) Jane Pennington Date: 18/02/2014 Songthrush 1 (singing - or at least practising) Date: 19/02/2014 Bumblebee 1 (on crocus, visited twice in one hour - seen through a window so not close enough to attempt identification unfortunately except to say it was large) Ladybird 7-spot 1 Songthrush 1 (singing) LINCOLN SK972738 W/E 22/02/2014 Jayne Knight 16/02/14 Female Sparrowhawk crashed into Ash tree scattering half a dozen Collared Doves. She then set off in pursuit. 19/02/14 Circle of feathers from a Collared Dove and congealing blood on footpath outside front gate. Looks like she was successful again! SK934736 17/02/14 Green Woodpecker heard yaffling while in car park of Woodcocks Inn SK933739 19/02/14 Gorse bushes in flower here and further along road towards Saxilby. PINCHBECK SLIPE RESERVE 14.02.2014 John Redshaw WeBS Count Mute Swan - 54 on nearby oil-seed rape Very few wildfowl on river RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF 309 847 (unless otherwise stated) Silvia Fowler 15.02.14 Lacewing and Harlequin Ladybird (succinea type) active on bedroom window (inside) 17.02.14 Rabbit Wren feeding in box hedge Bluetits have adopted nest box, chipping away at the entrance hole Blackbird (m) getting territorial, but no song yet Songthrush and Great Tits in song 18.02.14 About 60 Fieldfares feeding in meadow, TF 309 848, also (still) 8 male blackbirds feeding together, presumably visitors from Europe 20.02.14 Chaffinch in song RAUCEBY WARREN TF030436 Jane Ostler 16.2.14 A visit, to see if any of the small cress-like plants which flower early on the sandy areas, was unsuccessful in that none were seen in flower, but proved interesting in other ways. MOSSES Even though the sands lie over limestone they have developed the acidic conditions in which both Polytrichum juniperinum and Dicranum scoparium can thrive, giving at this time of year a patchwork of different greens. Within this short vegetation are:- LICHENS the reindeer type Cladonia portensa which is silver grey and Cladonia rangiformis which has wider angled tips to its branches. The prostrate,leaf-like dog lichen Peltigera membranacea had abundant brownish fruiting bodies. FUNGI Brown Puff Ball (Bovista nigrescens) in rough grass. Southern Bracket (Ganoderma australe), its white, thickened margin showing that it was actively growing, near the base of blackthorn. Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor) on cut stump. Hawthorn Twiglet (Tubaria dispersa) under hawthorn near edge of golf course. Turf Mottlegill (Panaeolus fimicola=ater)amongst the mosses. FLOWERS About half the gorse bushes were in flower. Those not in flower were the oldest bushes. The garden escape Oregon Grape (Mahonia) also had clusters of flowers opening. MAMMALS There was evidence of fox, squirrel, mole, wood mouse and, of course, the large population of rabbits. SLEAFORD RCHARD DAWSON 16/2/14 River Slea north of railway crossing 07:00 pair of Kingfishers crossed low, calling, to the old Slea beck about 40 gregarious fieldfares Holdingham Mill River Slea 06:45 Barn Owl hunting TATTERSHALL THORPE 21.02.2014 R.Pocklington Tattershall Thorpe lakes Grebes displaying Barn owl Heron THURNHOLMES (SK79767 98400) and surrounding area Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 16/02/14 Barn Owl x 1 (seen every morning 16/02/14 - 21/02/14) Blackbird x 2 Black Headed Gull x 29 Blue Tit x 2 Chaffinch x 12 Collared Dove x 2 Common Buzzard x 4 in air at same time, 3 soared upwards, 1 landed in nearby tree. Dunnock x 2 Great Tit x 2 Greenfinch x 21 Kestrel x 1 Magpie x 2 Mallard x 2 Mute Swan x 2 Red Legged Partridge x 2 Reed Bunting x 1 Robin x 1 Rook x 12 Skylark x 2 singing high over Thurnholmes Stock Dove x 2 Tawny Owl x 1 calling 11.50pm Tree Sparrow x 39 Wood Pigeon x 4 Wren x 1 Fox x 1 Hawthorn buds opening 17/02/14 Blackbird & M Thrush singing territorially Owston Ferry 19/02/14 Gunthorpe Common Gull x 24 Cormorant x 3 Heron x 1 Greylag Goose x 7 21/02/14 Goosander x 1pr. Owston Ferry Warping Drain ULCEBY CROSS TF410734 Robert Walker 16/2/14 Kestrel Perched on tree branch, side of A16 road. WOOLSTHORPE-BY-COLSTERWORTH Jane Ostler GARDEN SK922224 19th February,2014 Hundreds of honey bees feeding on hundreds of Crocus 'Thomasinus'. Last year this didn't happen so a very welcome sight. 7-spot ladybirds climbing out of vegetation where they hibernate White tailed bumble bee feeding on Hellebores. A blue tit with nesting material. The following birds in full song - blackbird, song thrush, dunnock, chaffinch and greenfinch. The house sparrows were making a great deal of noise, I'm not sure you would call it song. Two male blackbirds were fighting on the lawn. WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 16/2/14 Little Egret by dyke at Glebe Farm, Hurnbridge Road [RP] TF2154, 13.00 hrs today 21/2/14 2 Buzzards patrolling, TF 2154. 17.00hrs WILLOWTREE FEN RESERVE 14.02.2014 John Redshaw WeBs Count Coot - 28 Gadwall 12 Little Egret - 1 Mallard - 30 Pintail - 10 Shoveler - 12 Teal - 150 Wigeon - 870 WRANGLE COMMON 16/02/2014 Roy and Kath Pearson We did a Winter Thrush Survey count today, but in an hour and ten minutes we only saw 16 Blackbirds. A BirdTrack count done at the same time was much better, yielding 33 birds. Although we saw no waders, waterbirds were well represented with 34 Mallards, 10 Teals, 44 Greylag Geese, 29 Canada Geese, 2 Cormorants, 1 Wigeon and 3 Coots. Only one raptor was seen - a female Sparrowhawk. A count of 3 Bullfinches was very high and the continuing presence of a single Nuthatch was a particularly good record. Mammals included Roe Deer (5) and a single Muntjac. WRANGLE COMMON 19/02/2014 Roy and Kath Pearson Avery mild and sunny day. highlights were:- Buzzard 2 Sparrowhawk 1 Woodcock 1 Snipe 1 Roe Deer 5 Muntjac 1 A large area of wet grassland that has been converted from arable land in recent years, had a large number of tiny blue flowers close to the ground. We thought they might be one of the speedwells, possibly Ivy-leaved, but our botanical skills are limited. Is there a botanist reading the Bulletin who could make any suggestions? The soil is clay. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. Lincolnshire Coast NNRs and S Lincs Highlights including RSPB Wash Reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GIBRALTAR POINT NNR. http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designations/nnr/1006059.aspx Press release from LWT 21/2/2014: Paths and hides are open at Gibraltar Point (except to Fenland Lagoon and a section of the West Dunes). Refreshments and temporary toilets are now available in the main car park. Please show your support for our volunteers and staff by visiting. Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog. http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE DUNES NNR. http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designatedareas/nnr/1006128.aspx Week ending: 21st February 2014 John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Peter & Janet Roworth JW comments: "Birdsong is increasing this week, Wrens and Blackbirds began full song along with Dunnocks, Great Tits, Robins, Blue Tits, Song Thrush, Chaffinches and Greenfinches. Small flocks of up to 50 Lapwings and flocks of several hundreds of Woodpigeon are becoming noticeable along the coast no doubt preparing for migration back to mainland Europe, whilst skeins of Pink-foot Geese are moving northwest as they move to the Lancashire coast en- route to further north later in the year. Counts of 385 Curlew, 85 Cormorant , 17 Red-throated Divers, and c800 Herring Gulls this week, and dozens of mostly male Blackbirds assembling on the coast, Water Rails heard squealing, male and female Hen Harriers seen, but sadly no Barn Owl sightings again this week." During the week south of Brickyard birds are also in song and beginning to pair up including Great-spotted Woodpecker (I pair), Grey Partridge (1 pair and party of 9), Yellowhammer (1 territorial song but there are still 20+ in a feeding flock), first Linnets back, Song Thrush (2 in song) and a Blackcap was heard in sub-song. A few Redwing and Fieldfares have been gathering but moving on during the night. Out to sea Common Scoters 60+ and Divers in single figures were seen most days. Max counts for the WeBS carried out on the 16th along the two sections of the NNR coast included Curlew 417, Great Black-backed Gull 72, Herring Gull 1197, Cormorant 71, Knot 72, Oystercatcher 175, Sanderling 64, Dunlin 292, Ringed Plover 8, Redshank 76 and a single Peregrine Falcon which was continuously hawking over the area in search of prey but to no avail. A Little Egret with colour rings C red//L yellow, both above knee, observed by JR on 3rd January near Theddlethorpe was ringed as a nestling near North Somercotes on 13th May 2012. On the 20th the max temperature reached 14.25°C which encouraged a bumblebee and ladybird to take flight near Sea View, and another bumblebee and 3 bluebottle flies were seen at Churchill. Coastguard Cottage Theddlethorpe. 21 02 14 John Walker A small tortoiseshell butterfly at c 1100 hrs on my south facing house wall in strong sunshine is the first seen by me this year 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 Press release from LWT: Far Ings is partially open. There are no circular routes as the Humber Bank remains closed whilst repairs are carried out. Facilities including toilets and a small shop are available at Ness End Farm (the old visitor centre and now the regional management base). Please show your support for our volunteers and staff by visiting. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ See: Far Ings NNR on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-Of-Far-Ings-National-Nature-Reserve/186876774685595 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6. Bardney Limewoods NNR http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designations/nnr/1006846.aspx ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The NNR includes the following sites: Chambers Farm Wood (please detail specific area when reporting e.g. Ivy Wood, Little Scrubbs Meadow etc.); College Wood, Cocklode & Great West Woods, Hardy Gang Wood, Newball Wood, Scotgrove Wood, Southrey Wood, Wickenby Wood. Other woods included in the NNR but without public access: Stainfield Wood; Stainton & Fulnetby Woods (access by public bridle way only) For the Limewoods, see: http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/publications/limewoods-walks/ http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/about/conservation/bardney-limewoods-nnr/ and Adrian Royle's superb Flickr photo-site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/adiroyle/collections/72157624803742908/ Colin Green has produced the following video about visiting Southrey Wood. Well worth a look. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1SpBvd9Ib0 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7. Sending in reports to Roger Parsons ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The purpose of the Bulletin is to encourage biological recording in Lincolnshire using modern Information and Communication Technology. We hope to increase the number of people reporting observations to LNU Recorders and improve the quality of reports, as well as the quantity and the geographical coverage. In return for this FREE service, we ask you to provide reports, questions, news or relevant articles from time to time. Descriptive pieces are welcome - you don't have to stick to lists! Mailing times vary, depending on what I am doing. The Bulletin usually goes out on Sundays. Please e-mail in your contributions as early as possible to ensure they are included, to: rparsons@enterprise.net [A backup e-mail address you can use if ever you experience problems with my "Enterprise" address is: aintree2@yahoo.co.uk ] When sending in reports please follow this layout to save reediting: Place Name: IN CAPITALS with Grid Reference if you have it. Your Name: Real names please, not aliases. Put it in each time, for each location Date: Species list [Alphabetical?] & numbers [and observations?] e.g. Blackbird - 24 [And please, no home-grown abbreviations. Species Names in full.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 8. Contact Information & Useful Websites ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please let me know ASAP if any of these weblinks fail! *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Website *** A full list of LNU Country Recorders is given here. http://www.lnu.org/ LNU e-mail: info@lnu.org If you are not yet a member, the LNU needs good naturalists like you! Anyone interested can get membership application forms from Wilma Gammon at the Lincs Wildlife Trust office, e-mail wgammon@lincstrust.co.uk LNU publications [listed on LNU website] may be ordered via: Ian Macalpine-Leny http://lnu.org/publications.php ian@macalpine-leny.co.uk *** Contacts List *** WILDLIFE CRIME *** Rural Crime Officer *** Pc 160 Nick Willey Force Wildlife, Rural Crime Officer Force Dog Training Establishment Lincolnshire Showground. Grange-De-Lings. Lincoln nicholas.willey@lincs.pnn.police.uk OFFICE: 01522-731897 MOBILE :07768-501895 PAGER : 07654-330877 http://www.lincs.police.uk/Advice/Wildlife-and-Rural-Crime/ *** Report Ash Dieback in Lincolnshire *** Link for Chalara fraxinea reports: http://www.forestry.gov.uk/chalara STAYING SAFE *** EasyTide *** Check tide times on Admiralty EasyTide: http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx *** TWO - The Weather Outlook *** Check the weather forecast for the location or postcode: http://www.theweatheroutlook.com/ *** Met Office E-mail Service *** Be warned of the possibility of severe weather. The Met Office website now offers an e-mail notification service for severe weather and other matters which may interest readers. Worth having a look and signing up. See: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/guide-to-emails *** Environment Agency Flood Information/Floodline *** http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/default.aspx SPECIES IDENTIFICATION *** iSpot Keys for computer or mobile *** If you are a beginner to identification of species, you might find the following link useful - especially if you are encouraging young people to have a go - e.g. Wildlife Watch group members. "They suggest the species in your area that best match what you have found." http://www.ispot.org.uk/keys The LNU is now represented on the popular iSpot website: http://www.ispot.org.uk/node/275032 A full list of the organisations, recording schemes and societies represented is here: http://www.ispot.org.uk/representatives This is a project run by The Open University as part of Open Air Laboratories (OPAL), where you can "Learn more about wildlife, share your interest with a friendly community and get help identifying what you have seen." The project is essentially in the business of helping people learn how to identify the wildlife they encounter, and encouraging them to get involved in biological recording. *** Spiders *** Imogen Wilde writes: Regional Co-ordinator (RC) and Mentor for Lincolnshire for the British Arachnological Society (BAS). I will be organising a few field meetings to hunt for spiders and other arachnids in due course, but if any LNU members wish to get in touch in the meantime then please contact me on my e-mail address: Imogen@imogenwilde.co.uk *** Lincs Amphibian and Reptile Group *** The Lincolnshire ARG (Amphibian & Reptile Group) For further details please contact: ashleybutterfield@btinternet.com tel. 07984 66 5847 *** Limestone Grassland Project *** Mark Schofield, Limestone Grassland Project Officer, mschofield@lincstrust.co.uk Mobile: 07825970930, Switchboard: 01507 526667. To find out more and to become involved with the survey and management of Lincolnshire's limestone grassland on road verges see: See: http://www.lifeontheverge.org.uk/ *** Local Bat Helpline *** Grounded bats, bat problems, advice and information. Contact Annette and Colin Faulkner on 01775 766286 or e-mail: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** Bat Recorder *** You may send confidential bat records direct to Annette Faulkner on: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** Butterfly Conservation Recorder *** Allan Binding asks contributors of butterfly records to the Bulletin to include their address or contact telephone or e-mail address and Grid Reference if possible. e-mail: allan.binding@ntlworld.com *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire link *** http://www.lincolnshire-butterflies.org.uk/index.html *** LNU Bees, Wasps and Ants Recorder *** Alan Phillips Willing to examine specimens or check photos (but bear in mind only a relative few of the 300+ species in the county are identifiable using photos). Aculeates only please, no parasitic wasps such as Ichneumons. If in doubt please contact for advice: aculeates@gmail.com *** Mammal Records *** Mammal records can reported to Chris Manning E-mail: Chris.LincsDeer@gmail.com Mink/Otter reports are of interest and can be sent via the Bulletin. *** Grow-you-own Mistletoe *** http://www.mistle.co.uk/ *** Slug ID Help *** Chris du Feu will help with slug identification. You can telephone him on: 01427 848400 or e-mail: chris@chrisdufeu.force9.co.uk *** Identification of Non-Marine Molluscs *** John Redshaw is still available to identify specimens of non- marine shelled molluscs, including brackish marsh species. For larger and medium sized species (down to 1cm) a digital image will usually suffice. For smaller species it may be possible, in some cases, to ID specimens from digital images, but usually actual specimens will be required. If providing specimens, they may be enclosed in old film pots (which photographic shops are usually glad to get rid of). Details of location where specimen found, (with grid reference if known), date and finder's name should be provided. If specimen is provided this information should be noted on a label stuck to the outside of the pot. Please be aware that it is illegal to send live specimens through the post. For further details please contact John by e-mail on ejred7fen@tiscali.co.uk *** Mollusc Identification *** David Feld has also kindly offered to assist readers to identify molluscs, both terrestrial and aquatic. Please e-mail him a description and he will advise you whether and where to send a photograph or an actual specimen. Contact: drf@dfeld.freeserve.co.uk *** Lincolnshire Badger Group Update *** Ally Townsend of the Weirfield Wildlife Hospital, writes: If you would like to give people the Lincoln number 01522 530428 a member of staff will record the sighting or RTA. Or use the Weirfield website: http://www.weirfield.co.uk/ where a reporting page can be used to send in reports. *** Lincs Bird Club *** Secretary - Robert Carr secretary@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Membership Secretary - Mike Harrison: michael@michaelharrison1.wanadoo.co.uk LBC County Bird Recorders 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, 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. philahyde - hard bounce - delivery failed *** And finally...... Contributions to "And finally......" are always welcome. Bumblebees infected with honeybee diseases http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-26242960 El Niño may make 2014 the hottest year on record http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn25028-el-nino-may-make-2014-the-hottest-year-on-record.html#.UwHEDFKPMdU Lincolnshire county council's libraries changes 'unlawful' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-26242117 ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/