============================================= || || 6th July 2014 || || LNU Website: || http://www.lnu.org/ || News of Lincolnshire Wildlife || ============================================ In this issue..... 1. Readers hints, tips and requests 2. Wildlife Highlights 3. Wildlife reports from around the county 4. News from the Lincolnshire Coast 5. News from Far Ings NNR 6. News from Bardney Limewoods NNR 7. Sending in Reports - contributors please read! 8. Contact information 9. Notes about these wildlife reports 10. Bulletin publicity policy 11. Events Diary 12. ...and finally..... ============================================ The Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Bulletin is being read by 1100 people and we are keen to encourage even more readers to subscribe. A Sign-up Form to join the mailing list can now be found on: http://eepurl.com/zmFMT Past LNU Wildnews Bulletins are available on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Note: Each address contains the relevant date. Views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union or any associated organisations. Reports here are open and are available to county recorders of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. Please contact the Editor to contribute articles or reports. E-mail: rparsons@enterprise.net [A backup e-mail address you can use if ever you experience problems with my "Enterprise" address is: aintree2@yahoo.co.uk ] ============================================ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. Readers hints, tips and requests ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** From the Editor.... *** The next Field Meeting is at Sloothby on 6th July - see below. We hope to see you there. Booking are starting to flow in for the Herbarium Training Days. See Chris Manning's article below. I am told the days are filling up, so if you hope to attend you need to get in touch now. We have had a particularly good year for cuckoos and a poor one for amphibians and bats. There has been talk of an early autumn this year - so keep your eyes open for signs of this. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-28103527 This year's Lincolnshire Environmental Awards has many excellent entrants, all outstanding candidates. For the results, see: http://lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk/press-release-popup.php?id=51 Roger *** Herbarium Project - Free Training Days 23/24/256 July *** Chris Manning writes: Conservation aware collection of wild plant specimens is a great way of improving your identification skills as well as making your own contribution to natural history study and science – your specimens will be used by the people of Lincolnshire, the UK and worldwide. This short course will introduce you to the ancient art of plant pressing; you will also start to learn how to identify plants and properly document the plant you are collecting. The course will be based upon practical activities in the field, by the end of the day you will have learnt how to use a hand lens properly, gained experience of using botanical keys, prepared plant specimens for drying and learnt what makes a good quality modern herbarium specimen. These training days are being organised by the National History Museum, Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and the Joseph Banks Society as part of our preparations for developing a future countywide project. Three days have been organised: 23rd July Professionals/experts 24th July Young persons (10-16 years old) with LWT education officers 25th July Enthusiasts/amateurs The events will be held at Whisby Education Centre, booking will be essential; 01507 526667 info@lincstrust.co.uk. For more information contact Chris Manning: chris.lincsdeer@gmail.com Thanks. Roger *** Protect your Computer *** https://www.google.co.uk/safetycenter/everyone/start/ https://www.getsafeonline.org/ *** LNU Events - guests are welcome *** Indoor Meetings are held on Saturdays at the Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park, Moor Lane, Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln and start at 2pm. Field Meetings generally start at 12 noon for 1.00pm, but please check the details for each event and this may vary. The 2014 LNU Field Meeting programme is listed below in section 11. To check on the details, especially if weather suggests a possible cancellation, visit: http://lnu.org/events.php Sunday, July 06, 2014 Private farm at Sloothby (Courtesy of G and N Rutter) Southeast of Alford 12.00 for 13.00 start. Park in grass field at TF50217107. The farm is at the eastern end of Sloothby village on the north side of the road (just inside village sign). A track leads to a two houses and the field entrance is immediately on the left. Habitats: Pasture, meadow and hedges with trees. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Guests are welcome at our meetings. *** Butterfly Conservation Events *** Lesley Robinson writes: BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION LINCOLNSHIRE BRANCH Moth Night 26th July at Chambers Farm Wood Education Centre (Grid reference: TF147740) 9:30pm until late See & identify the amazing variety & number of Moths in the Limewoods (Please wear warm clothing & stout footwear. Bring a torch) Open Day 27th July at Chambers Farm Wood Education Centre (Grid reference: TF147740) 11am to 3pm Butterfly walk 11.00am from the Education Centre Your opportunity to see White Admiral & other butterflies at close quarters Both events are by kind permission of the Forestry Commission. *** Tree Bumblebees (Bombus hypnorum) *** Colin Smale writes: I have seen no less than three bird boxes near me that have been taken over by Colonies of Tree Bumblebees ( Bombus hypnorum). The nest box next door had blue tits building in the spring as usual, and now they have been ejected and the box is full of tree bumble- bees. There is another one a few houses away and yet another one about two miles away. I understand these bees are newcomers first seen in the new forest about 13 years ago and they have now spread as far as Scotland. These are the first I have seen in Lincolnshire. I wonder how this is going to affect blue tits and the like in the future? *** Wash Cruises 2014 *** Jeremy Eyeons writes: The South Lincs RSPB have started their 2014 series of Birdwatching Cruises into The Wash estuary and River Welland. http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire During 2013 over 105 species were seen, averaging 64 per cruise, and each cruise is manned by experienced Spotters. Apart from birds, basking seals are also regularly seen. Each cruise departs from Boston's Grand Sluice lock and lasts between four and five hours. Everybody is welcome. RSPB members £17-50 (under 16 £9-50). Non members £20 (£10-50) Booking is via The South Holland (Spalding) ticket agency and is essential. Call 01775-764777 or go online www.southhollandcentre.co.uk where full details including sailing times of those cruises which haven't sold out can be found. 14 cruises have been arranged for 2014 which started on 25th April, with various sailing times every month, and concluding on 16th October. These cruises are once again proving very popular. *** Lincoln RSPB *** http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ *** South Lincs RSPB *** Jeremy Eyeons writes: Forthcoming dates for the 2013/2014 programme of Events. Members and non-members welcome. http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2. Wildlife Highlights ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Bird News from Rare Birds Alert *** Rare Bird Alert has kindly given permission to reproduce reports. A big thank you from us all. Interested readers should have a look at the RBA website: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ 21/6 Quail, Donna Nook Quail male singing, Walesby Moor Glossy Ibis, Frampton Marsh Spoonbill on Tennyson's Sands, Gibraltar Point 22/6 Glossy Ibis, Spoonbill, 5 Little Gulls, Frampton Marsh Montagu's Harrier, Gibraltar Point 3 Turtle Doves, track off Ingoldmells road, Burgh-le-Marsh 23/6 Montagu's Harrier fem, Gibraltar Point Glossy Ibis, Spotted Redshank, Sandwich Tern, Spoonbill, drk Garganey, Frampton Marsh Glossy Ibis, Willow Tree Fen LWT 24/6 Glossy Ibis, 4 Little Gulls, Garganey, 2 Turtle Doves, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh Osprey over Gibraltar Point 25/6 Glossy Ibis, 2 Turtle Doves, Spotted Redshank, Little Gull, Frampton Marsh Spoonbill, Tennyson Sands, Spotted Redshank, Gibraltar Point 26/6 2 Glossy Ibis, 3 Turtle Doves, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Garganey, 2 Little Gulls, Frampton Marsh Spoonbill, Tennyson Sands, Gibraltar Point 27/6 Glossy Ibis, Turtle Dove m singing, Spotted Redshank, 4 Little Gulls, Frampton Marsh 28/6 Spoonbill, Tennyson Sands, Gibraltar Point Little Stint, Frampton Marsh 29/6 3 Turtle Doves. Burgh-le-Marsh Glossy Ibis, Wood Sandpiper, Little Stint, Garganey, Little Gull, 2 Turtle Doves, Frampton Marsh Osprey over Horseshoe Point Spoonbill, Tennyson's Sands, Gibraltar Point 2 m Quail singing, Donna Nook 30/6 Osprey, Horseshoe Point 1/7 Glossy Ibis, Willow Tree Fen Glossy Ibis, Little Gull, Frampton Marsh 2/7 Quail male singing, Donna Nook Glossy Ibis, 2 Spotted Redshank, 3 Turtle Doves, Black Tern, Curlew Sandpiper, Frampton Marsh Osprey, Denton Reservoir then west over Grantham canal Probably Golden Eagle 2 miles west of Stenigot flew NW over Bain Valley 3/7 Glossy Ibis, 2 Spotted Redshank, 3 Garganey, 4 Turtle Doves, Frampton Marsh Whinchat, near Shorebird Hut, Gibraltar Point 4/7 Quail male singing, Donna Nook Spotted Redshank, Donna Nook 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 Reports Please. Paul Kirby writes: ### Please continue to send in Gorse reports. ### So far it has been recorded in flower 29/11/2013 to 17/05/2014 Reports may be sent in via the Bulletin. Editor adds: It will help if you will keep these separate from any general reports you may be sending in, please, so they can be listed here. *** County Wildlife Reports From Readers *** Please keep your reports coming. We rely on you to send in your observations and We welcome information from ALL readers, be they beginners or experts. Thanks. DON'T FORGET Please include the year in your reports in case they are copied and thus lose their context. BELCHFORD TF276753 Robert Walker 2/7/14 Kestrel 2 Hunting over fields in same area. BONBY Jenny Haynes TA007158 29/6/2014 Several, probably up to 20 Pyramidal orchids flowering in the verge on the corner of Middlegate Lane and Bonby Lane. I've not seen them here before. BRACEBY TF015353 M.Ellis 28/6/2014 The spotted flycatchers in our neighbour's wisteria are about to fly the nest. This is the 4th year they have nested there. Found a dead tree sparrow on our garden path, no sign of reason for death. We have 3 house martin nests with young in. This is few for this house. CAISTOR Wendy Handford (WH) Reports from contributors to Caistor records Week beginning 27.6.14 Brigg Road garden TA 113 020 J Foster Hedgehog adult 28.6.14 Jay 28.6.14 Adder adult 27.6.14. New Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 WH Badger juv 29.6.1 Bat 29.6.14 Fox nightly Hedgehog juv in orchard 10pm 27.6.14 Long-tailed fieldmouse 29.6.14 Muntjac m 27.6.14 Greenfinch nest raided by Magpies 30.6.14 Long-tailed tits 3, 28.6.14 Songthrushes 2 adult, 3 juv on lawn 29.6.14 Sparrowhawk m 29.6.14 Stockdove 28.6.14 Toads 2yr m and f 2.7.14 Bees 10s in chimney stack and in lounge since 29.6.14 Horsefly 1.7.14. First sighting in garden Marmalade hoverfly 30.6.14 First of new generation of butterflies 30.6.14 Meadow brown, Peacock, Red admiral, Ringlet, Small tortoiseshell First flowers Fools watercress 28.6.14 Common ragwort 2.7.14 Rosebay willowherb 2.7.14 Wild marjoram 3.7.14 Fungi Dead Moll's fingers 2.7.14 Giant puffball in grass 28.6.14 Caistor bypass verge TA 121 013 WH Bladder campion 27.6.14 Caistor Parish Churchyard TA116 014 Bee swarm in Lime tree 27.6.14 Canada Lane TA 120 018 WH Chicory 27.6.14 Large bindweed 27.6.14 Privet Co-op carpark TA 117 014 WH Hoary willowherb 2.7.14 Smooth tare 2.7.14 Grimsby Road garden TA 120 014 J Sanderson Hedgehogs adult and 2 juvs 27.6.14 Jay 27.6.14 Biting stonecrop on verge Health Centre verge TA 120 011 WH 27.6.14 Common bird's-foot trefoil, Corn chamomile, Cornflower, Corn marigold, Corn poppy, Corn sowthistle, Germander speedwell, Hop trefoil, Knotted hedge parsley, Lesser yellow trefoil, Meadow clary, Red campion, Shepherd's purse, Smooth tare, Square-stemmed willowherb, Sun spurge, White campion Nettleton Lodge Game Farm TA 090 012 B Jacob Ringlets, many Click beetle Ampedus balteatus 1.7.14 New Marsh foxtail 1.7.14 New Water Hills TA 123 017 WH 27.6.14 Kestrel, Skylark, Yellowhammer 6-spot burnet 1, Gatekeeper 2, Meadow brown 9, Ringlet 10, Small skipper 11, Small tortoiseshell 1. In flower: Common bird's-foot trefoil, Common spotted orchid, Field bindweed, Field scabious, Lady's bedstraw, Meadow buttercup, Meadow vetchling, Red clover. CARLTON LE MOORLAND Jeremy Hutchinson 29/6/2014, 21.15 Barn Owl carrying prey victim of attempted mugging by male Kestrel: they vanished behind trees a moment later, so I’m unsure of the outcome, but when I saw the Kestrel fly back a minute or so later it was empty- handed (so to speak). I’ve read about similar incidents but not seen one before. 3/7/2014 Hedgehog (large) , roadkill unfortunately. HEIGHINGTON John Nickson 1st to 3rd July Moths to light trap in our garden. Barred Straw 2 Bright-line Brown-eye 9 Brimstone 1 Buff Arches 3 Buff Ermine 7 Burnished Brass 1 Clay 7 Common Footman 6 Common Pug 3 Dark Arches 20 – 30 Dot Moth 3 Double Square Spot 5 Elephant Hawk Moth 1 Grey Pug 2 Heart and Dart 5 Light Arches 3 Magpie Moth 1 Mother of Pearl 1 Olive 1 Plain Golden Y 1 Poplar Grey 1 Poplar Hawk Moth 1 Riband Wave 2 Rustic 5 Scalloped Oak 2 Scarce Footman 1 Small Blood Vein 1 Smoky Wainscot 2 Snout 3 Tawny Marbled Minor 3 Uncertain 17 Willow Beauty 1 HORKSTOW Jenny Haynes Ray has photographed a green bug in our garden which he thinks is an alfalfa plant bug, Adelphocoris lineolatus. Is this an unusual sighting? HORNCASTLE TF261691 My garden Robert Walker 20/6/14 Brimstone moth 1 also 2/7/14 Meadow Brown 3 On privet hedge, now coming into flower. HUTTOFT Jane Pennington Huttoft TF512763 (my garden) unless otherwise stated Date 22/6/2014 Ringlet butterfly 4 (TF527787) Date 23/6/2014 Nemophora degeerella moth 1 Date 24/6/2014 Moles 2 (dead in road TF525723) Ringlet butterflies 10+ (TF527787) Small tortoiseshell butterflies 2 Date 25/6/2014 Frog 1 Date 30/6/2014 Wren 1 (I watched the bird wipe its beak on a birch branch and on a dead branch of an old shrub. It left a white mark and on closer inspection, this seemed to be bird poo - technical term - I assume s/he was cleaning out a nest but I don't know) Date 1/7/2014 Meadow brown butterfly 1 Date 2/7/2014 Green veined white butterfly 1 Red admiral butterflies 2 Ringlet butterflies 2 Date 3/7/2014 Green veined white butterfly 1 Red admiral butterflies 2 Ringlet butterflies 2 MINTING TF175734 Robert Walker 2/7/14 Roe deer 1 On bridletrack west of village. Also TF158728 area Grey partridge 2 Red-legged partridge 2 also in same area Brown Hare 18 total :- 14 in same grass field feeding on new regrowth after first cut. 1 in different grass field 3 in arable, uncultivated field, which had been 'sprayed-off'. Also in that arable same field, Lapwing 4 adults + 1 chick seen plus a further 2 adults in a nearby permanent pasture field. also on walk in same area:- Yellowhammer 1 Linnet 1 male Blackcap 1 male Swallows 20+ ( near farm ) Pied Wagtails 3 Green Woodpecker 1 ( heard then seen ) Chiffchaff 3 ( heard ) Long Tailed Tits 3 Not a bad evenings walk ! RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF 309 847 (unless otherwise stated) Silvia Fowler 28.06.14 2 young Rabbits on lawn/clover Solomon's Seal Sawfly larvae (Phymatocera aterrima) Froglet (body size about 1 cm) in garden border - the first this season Several juv House Sparrows, also some recent fledglings still being fed by parents (probably their second brood) Tawny Owl (heard) Goldfinch in song 01.07.14 Rainfall: An average month with 50 mm, fairly well spread throughout the month. Weather (I keep notes): Locally we have experienced a cool, dull and windy spring with few, and only brief, warm and sunny spells. In fact, relatively speaking and allowing for the shorter days, February and March were sunnier than the last three months. Robin (juv., still with speckled breast but independent) Saw a fresh Bombus terrestris queen emerge from nest with three clutches of tiny eggs on her back - I understand mites are fairly common and not necessarily varroa. 5 x Small Tortoiseshell and 2 x Meadow Brown on hebe 03.07.14 Red Admiral butterfly Small Toad (about 1 year old) on verge (different location from my last report) House Martins: No further rebuilding attempts, possibly due to the cold, N/NE winds we have experienced. 4 nests (out of 8 started this season) remain active, and young are visible and audible at two of them. Bats: Concerned that I haven't seen any bats since early May (first sightings). SANDILANDS TF525805 Ian Whitaker 1 July 2014 BRIMSTONE SANDILANDS TF525805 Ian Whitaker 2 July 2014 HUMMINGBIRD HAWKMOTH nectaring on flowering baskets WAINFLEET CONSERVATION PONDS 30/06/2014 Roy and Kath Pearson The site is very overgrown at present and difficult to access. Water levels are slightly above normal for the time of year. Very few birds seen today, though under-recording is inevitable now that fewer birds are singing. This is particularly the case with Reed (6) and Sedge Warblers (5) and Reed Buntings (6). Mallard numbers have reached twenty-five, but no other water birds apart from a single Moorhen were seen. WEST ASHBY TF267718 Robert Walker 2/7/14 Buzzard 1 WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 30/6 Cuckoos still calling. Silver-Y moth Hummingbird Hawkmoth Small Tortoiseshell - 20+ Red Admiral 2 18" m? grass snake away from main areas of "Snake Interest". 1/7 Cuckoo still calling - in garden and at Canada Farm Large fat grass snake on compost heap Young fox caught on camera trap with a rather stiff little rabbit. 2/7 5, possibly 6 grass snakes in/on compost heap. Cuckoo still calling! How much longer? 3/7 Grass snake in garden. 4/7 4 cuckoos, 1 seen, 3 heard calling - different calls and locations. WRANGLE COMMON 30/06/2014 Roy and Kath Pearson Things were very quiet with only twenty-two bird species recorded. The Canada Geese have now got young and a single pair and seven goslings were seen. Greylag Geese numbered twenty-six and twenty- seven Mallard were present. No waders were seen today and, as for raptors, only a single Buzzard was recorded. A family party of twelve Long-tailed Tits was present. Butterflies were in quite good numbers in the sunshine and we recorded Common Blue (1), Gatekeeper (3), Speckled Wood (3), Ringlet (21), Small Tortoiseshell (1), Meadow Brown (14) and Large White (7). Brown Hare was the only mammal seen. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 4th July 2014 John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Peter & Janet Roworth June weather - During the first two weeks days were changeable with a mix of sunshine and showers and temperatures reached a high of 23.5°C on the 14th. Hot, humid weather occurred on the 9th creating inland heavy rain showers, and during the afternoon a severe storm over the area of the weather recording site resulted in 19.6mm of rain in less than 60min. From the 14th high pressure became firmly established over the UK giving fresh onshore winds along the Lincolnshire coast, producing fine weather and occasional scattered showers. During this time day time temperatures reached 22.5°C on the 23rd. Throughout the month minimum temperatures ranged quite markedly from a ground reading of 1.25°C on the 6th (air 4.75°C) to 13.0°C on the 18th (air 14.0°C on the 23rd). The fine weather continued into July and the dune vegetation is really looking at its best with fine displays of lady's bedstraw, pyramidal orchids (exceptional numbers particularly near Crook Bank where several hundred thousand were estimated by Cliff Morrison in one area), common centaury, restharrow, and scattered agrimony, yarrow, yellow-wort, white campion, harebell and rose-bay willowherb all adding to the prolific colour mix amongst the swathe of grasses. In the freshwater areas bittersweet, marsh thistle, marsh pea, skullcap, tufted vetch, meadow vetchling, marsh bedstraw, common valerian and meadowsweet are all in flower. Sea lavender is now flowering on the saltmarsh and John Walker noted it is at least a month early in flower compared with 30+ years ago. On the dune tidal edge there is sea rocket in flower, plus saltwort, frosted and grass-leaved orache, marram and lyme-grass. It has been a good year for ringlet butterflies and on most days many were seen on the wing in any area of dunes together with meadow browns; large and small skippers too have had a successful year. On the 29th there were good sightings of red admirals throughout the reserve with at least 50+ seen between Brickyard and Crook Bank. The first gatekeeper was seen at Brickyard on 4th and a hummingbird hawkmoth was observed near Sea View on the 30th, 2nd and 3rd. Small numbers of Swifts have been feeding and moving south over the reserve all week but more noted on the 2nd when a count of 500+ were passing through during the day. Most of the resident warblers are now in song again and into their second broods. On the 2nd a Great-crested Grebe was seen out on the sea and the first Bar-tailed Godwit and Whimbrel observed passing through. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RSPB RESERVES http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/collections/thewash_northnorfolk.aspx South Lincolnshire bird sightings March 2014 John Badley Assisted by Colin Jennings ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. News from Far Ings NNR http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designations/nnr/1083404.aspx ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Press release from LWT 21/2/2014: Far Ings is partially open. There are no circular routes as the Humber Bank remains closed whilst repairs are carried out. Facilities including toilets and a small shop are available at Ness End Farm (the old visitor centre and now the regional management base). Please show your support for our volunteers and staff by visiting. See: Far Ings NNR on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-Of-Far-Ings-National-Nature-Reserve/186876774685595 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6. Bardney Limewoods NNR http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designations/nnr/1006846.aspx ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The NNR includes the following sites: Chambers Farm Wood (please detail specific area when reporting e.g. Ivy Wood, Little Scrubbs Meadow etc.); College Wood, Cocklode & Great West Woods, Hardy Gang Wood, Newball Wood, Scotgrove Wood, Southrey Wood, Wickenby Wood. Other woods included in the NNR but without public access: Stainfield Wood; Stainton & Fulnetby Woods (access by public bridle way only) For the Limewoods, see: http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/publications/limewoods-walks/ http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/about/conservation/bardney-limewoods-nnr/ and Adrian Royle's superb Flickr photo-site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/adiroyle/collections/72157624803742908/ Colin Green has produced the following video about visiting Southrey Wood. Well worth a look. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1SpBvd9Ib0 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7. Sending in reports to Roger Parsons ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The purpose of the Bulletin is to encourage biological recording in Lincolnshire using modern Information and Communication Technology. We hope to increase the number of people reporting observations to LNU Recorders and improve the quality of reports, as well as the quantity and the geographical coverage. In return for this FREE service, we ask you to provide reports, questions, news or relevant articles from time to time. Descriptive pieces are welcome - you don't have to stick to lists! Mailing times vary, depending on what I am doing. The Bulletin usually goes out on Sundays. Please e-mail in your contributions as early as possible to ensure they are included, to: rparsons@enterprise.net [A backup e-mail address you can use if ever you experience problems with my "Enterprise" address is: aintree2@yahoo.co.uk ] When sending in reports please follow this layout to save reediting: Place Name: IN CAPITALS with Grid Reference if you have it. Your Name: Real names please, not aliases. Put it in each time, for each location Date: Species list [Alphabetical?] & numbers [and observations?] e.g. Blackbird - 24 [And please, no home-grown abbreviations. Species Names in full.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 8. Contact Information & Useful Websites ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please let me know ASAP if any of these weblinks fail! *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Website *** A full list of LNU Country Recorders is given here. http://www.lnu.org/ LNU e-mail: info@lnu.org If you are not yet a member, the LNU needs good naturalists like you! Anyone interested can get membership application forms from Wilma Gammon at the Lincs Wildlife Trust office, e-mail wgammon@lincstrust.co.uk LNU publications [listed on LNU website] may be ordered via: Ian Macalpine-Leny http://lnu.org/publications.php ian@macalpine-leny.co.uk *** Contacts List *** WILDLIFE CRIME *** Rural Crime Officer *** Pc 160 Nick Willey Force Wildlife, Rural Crime Officer Force Dog Training Establishment Lincolnshire Showground. Grange-De-Lings. Lincoln nicholas.willey@lincs.pnn.police.uk OFFICE: 01522-731897 MOBILE :07768-501895 PAGER : 07654-330877 http://www.lincs.police.uk/Advice/Wildlife-and-Rural-Crime/ *** Report Ash Dieback in Lincolnshire *** Link for Chalara fraxinea reports: http://www.forestry.gov.uk/chalara STAYING SAFE *** EasyTide *** Check tide times on Admiralty EasyTide: http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx *** TWO - The Weather Outlook *** Check the weather forecast for the location or postcode: http://www.theweatheroutlook.com/ *** Met Office E-mail Service *** Be warned of the possibility of severe weather. The Met Office website now offers an e-mail notification service for severe weather and other matters which may interest readers. Worth having a look and signing up. See: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/guide-to-emails *** Environment Agency Flood Information/Floodline *** http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/default.aspx *** Care of Sick or Injured Animals - information on LWT website *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/sick-and-injured-animals SPECIES IDENTIFICATION *** iSpot Keys for computer or mobile *** If you are a beginner to identification of species, you might find the following link useful - especially if you are encouraging young people to have a go - e.g. Wildlife Watch group members. "They suggest the species in your area that best match what you have found." http://www.ispot.org.uk/keys The LNU is now represented on the popular iSpot website: http://www.ispot.org.uk/node/275032 A full list of the organisations, recording schemes and societies represented is here: http://www.ispot.org.uk/representatives This is a project run by The Open University as part of Open Air Laboratories (OPAL), where you can "Learn more about wildlife, share your interest with a friendly community and get help identifying what you have seen." The project is essentially in the business of helping people learn how to identify the wildlife they encounter, and encouraging them to get involved in biological recording. *** What's That Butterfly? *** http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/index.php http://butterfly-conservation.org/ What's That Caterpillar? http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/species_family.php?name=all&stage=larva *** Identifying Dragonflies *** http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/content/uk-species http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/content/dragonfly-and-damselfly-identification-help *** Spiders *** Imogen Wilde writes: Regional Co-ordinator (RC) and Mentor for Lincolnshire for the British Arachnological Society (BAS). I will be organising a few field meetings to hunt for spiders and other arachnids in due course, but if any LNU members wish to get in touch in the meantime then please contact me on my e-mail address: Imogen@imogenwilde.co.uk *** Lincs Amphibian and Reptile Group *** The Lincolnshire ARG (Amphibian & Reptile Group) For further details please contact: ashleybutterfield@btinternet.com tel. 07984 66 5847 *** Limestone Grassland Project *** Mark Schofield, Limestone Grassland Project Officer, mschofield@lincstrust.co.uk Mobile: 07825970930, Switchboard: 01507 526667. To find out more and to become involved with the survey and management of Lincolnshire's limestone grassland on road verges see: See: http://www.lifeontheverge.org.uk/ *** Local Bat Helpline *** Grounded bats, bat problems, advice and information. Contact Annette and Colin Faulkner on 01775 766286 or e-mail: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** Bat Recorder *** You may send confidential bat records direct to Annette Faulkner on: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** Butterfly Conservation Recorder *** Allan Binding asks contributors of butterfly records to the Bulletin to include their address or contact telephone or e-mail address and Grid Reference if possible. e-mail: allan.binding@ntlworld.com *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire link *** http://www.lincolnshire-butterflies.org.uk/index.html *** LNU Bees, Wasps and Ants Recorder *** Alan Phillips Willing to examine specimens or check photos (but bear in mind only a relative few of the 300+ species in the county are identifiable using photos). Aculeates only please, no parasitic wasps such as Ichneumons. If in doubt please contact for advice: aculeates@gmail.com *** Mammal Records *** Mammal records can reported to Chris Manning E-mail: Chris.LincsDeer@gmail.com Mink/Otter reports are of interest and can be sent via the Bulletin. *** New Botanical Group in South Lincs *** Sarah Lambert writes: We'd be happy to welcome new people, whether experienced or not, particularly if they are located towards the northern part of the vice county! If anybody would like to join us, please get in touch with me at sarah.lambert7@ntlworld.com *** Grow-you-own Mistletoe *** http://www.mistle.co.uk/ *** Slug ID Help *** Chris du Feu will help with slug identification. You can telephone him on: 01427 848400 or e-mail: chris@chrisdufeu.force9.co.uk *** Identification of Non-Marine Molluscs *** John Redshaw is still available to identify specimens of non- marine shelled molluscs, including brackish marsh species. For larger and medium sized species (down to 1cm) a digital image will usually suffice. For smaller species it may be possible, in some cases, to ID specimens from digital images, but usually actual specimens will be required. If providing specimens, they may be enclosed in old film pots (which photographic shops are usually glad to get rid of). Details of location where specimen found, (with grid reference if known), date and finder's name should be provided. If specimen is provided this information should be noted on a label stuck to the outside of the pot. Please be aware that it is illegal to send live specimens through the post. For further details please contact John by e-mail on ejred7fen@tiscali.co.uk *** Mollusc Identification *** David Feld has also kindly offered to assist readers to identify molluscs, both terrestrial and aquatic. Please e-mail him a description and he will advise you whether and where to send a photograph or an actual specimen. Contact: drf@dfeld.freeserve.co.uk *** Lincolnshire Badger Group Update *** Ally Townsend of the Weirfield Wildlife Hospital, writes: If you would like to give people the Lincoln number 01522 530428 a member of staff will record the sighting or RTA. Or use the Weirfield website: http://www.weirfield.co.uk/ where a reporting page can be used to send in reports. *** Lincs Bird Club *** Secretary - Robert Carr secretary@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Membership Secretary - Mike Harrison: michael@michaelharrison1.wanadoo.co.uk LBC County Bird Recorders John Clarkson - Covering the north of the county recorder_north@lincsbirdclub.co.uk John Badley - Covering the south of the county recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Bird Club Website: http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk *** Other Useful Websites *** Key links are now being posted on the LNU website. http://www.lnu.org/ This should save space in the Bulletin, Suggestions for other useful Websites are welcome. Natural England http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ Still includes SSSI Information and "Nature on the Map" Lincolnshire Environmental Awards http://www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk/ Lincs Environmental Records Centre Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership (of which LERC is a part) Contact: Charlie Barnes, charlie.barnes@glnp.org.uk or for more general queries: info@glnp.org.uk The Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes Project (LCGMP) To learn more about the project or to find out how to get involved, please visit http://www.lincsmarshes.org.uk/ Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project Project Officer: Ruth Craig ruth.craig@lincolnshire.gov.uk 01507 609740 For help with chalk stream management, volunteering opportunities and educational activities on the chalk stream please visit the website http://www.lincswolds.org.uk/chalk-streams/volunteering or contact the project officer ruth.craig@lincolnshire.gov.uk *** The South Lincolnshire Fenlands Partnership *** South Lincolnshire Fenlands Partnership is working to promote enhancement and re-creation of an iconic fenland landscape and its wildlife within our highly productive and important Lincolnshire farmlands. To learn more about the partnership please visit our website at http://www.lincsfenlands.org.uk/ or contact the project officer at slincsfens@lincstrust.co.uk Amanda Jenkins - South Lincolnshire Fenlands Project Officer Hartsholme Country park. To learn more about the park or to get in involved at the park please visit http://www.lincoln.gov.uk/hartsholmecp contact Park Rangers at hartsholmecp@lincoln.gov.uk Tornado and Storm Research Organisation http://www.torro.org.uk Contact Ian Loxley on colarain@tiscali.co.uk Interesting Weather radar website Noel Loxley recommends the following interesting website. http://www.raintoday.co.uk/ Hedgehog Street survey http://www.hedgehogstreet.org/ for 2014 survey, see: http://www.hedgehogstreet.org/pages/hibernation-survey.html RSPB Contact Details RSPB Website: http://www.rspb.org.uk www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh John Badley, Site Manager for RSPB Lincolnshire Wash reserves e-mail: john.badley@rspb.org.uk S Lincs RSPB http://www.southlincsrspb.org.uk Lincoln RSPB http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ Lincsbirders - Lincolnshire's Alternative Birding Group http://www.lincsbirders.org/ Bardney Limewoods Bardney Limewoods NNR http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/Limewoods/ limewoods@lincolnshire.gov.uk The Sir Joseph Banks Society Contact 01507 528223 or by e-mail: enquiries@joseph-banks.org.uk. http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk Readers websites and videos: Joan Gunson's Moths recorded 2013: http:www.flickr.com/photos/angleshades Alan Dale's Bugs and Weeds http://www.bugsandweeds.co.uk/ http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p015pqyz Les Binns: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ecoheathen/sets/ Leslie Hebden http://www.flickr.com/photos/13718295@N07/ Mike Binnion writes: Common Butterflies http://www.grimsbywildlife.co.uk/ Youtube videos by Colin Green. Little Scrubbs Meadon http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inqCJLrTQmg&feature=relmfu Greetwell Hollow http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QmzLFrbjFU&feature=plcp Rimac http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s02O5JJoilQ&feature=plcp Starlings at Kirkby on Bain - excellent video by David Robinson http://www.flickr.com/photos/poppops/11685708555/ BBC Radio 4 Tweet of the day: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01s6xyk Helen Mark did an excellent "Open Country" on 25th January with a good interview of LWT's Dave Bromwich. You can hear this on: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03qflhk *** Other Useful E-mail Addresses *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union: info@lnu.org Gibraltar Point: gibpoint@lincstrust.co.uk Far Ings: farings@lincstrust.co.uk Whisby Nature Park: whisbynp@lincstrust.co.uk NEW Syke's Farm: lwt@sykesfarm.org.uk Lincs. Trust HQ: The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust main e-mail address: info@lincstrust.co.uk Lincolnshire FWAG: lincoln@fwag.org.uk Hartsholme Country Park: hartsholmecp@lincoln.gov.uk If you would like your e-mail listed here, please let me know. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9. Notes about these wildlife reports ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We do our best to ensure accuracy in our reporting but these records are sent in by a variety of reporters, from complete beginners to professionals. They therefore vary in reliability and in certain cases they are impossible to verify. If further information is needed on locations or reporters, or if you wish to question/confirm any of these records, contact: rparsons@enterprise.net Bulletins are sent to Biological Recorders at the Lincs. Wildlife Trust, Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. [Note: Where plants are reported, this is usually because they have been seen and identified in flower.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10. The Bulletin's publicity policy ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We will sometimes withhold precise details of the location of rare or endangered species. Please point out any sensitive or "tricky" reports of this kind. Sensitive data should go directly to county recorders, please. We ask that you respect the interests of wildlife and site owners if you report to national networks. Make a point of explaining site sensitivity and any restrictions on access. An interest in wildlife is not a licence to act irresponsibly/thoughtlessly to landowners, who may well be partners in important conservation work. [Remember - views expressed in the Bulletin do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions on the LNU or associated organisations. In particular this applies to such agencies, especially charities, taking a political stance.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11. LNU Events Diary For LNU meetings also see http://www.lnu.org/events.php ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Field Meetings generally start at 12 noon for 1.00pm, but please check the website details for each event. Unless otherwise stated, Indoor Meetings are held on Saturdays at the Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park, Moor Lane, Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln and start at 2pm. 2014 Field Meetings Sunday, July 06, 2014 Private farm at Sloothby (Courtesy of G and N Rutter) Southeast of Alford 12.00 for 13.00 start. Park in grass field at TF50217107. The farm is at the eastern end of Sloothby village on the north side of the road (just inside village sign). A track leads to a two houses and the field entrance is immediately on the right. Habitats: Pasture, meadow and hedges with trees. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Saturday, August 02, 2014 Norton Big Wood, Norton Disney (Courtesy of Hill Holt Wood Ltd) Southwest of Lincoln 12.00 for 13.00 start. Evening session starting at 20.30. Park in woodland car park at approx. SK880605 which down track off Wood Lane (which is off minor road between Witham St.Hughs and Norton Disney. Toilets available on site. Habitats: Broadleaved woodland, mixed woodland, glades, ponds and ditches Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Sunday, September 07, 2014 Frampton Marsh RSPB Reserve. (Courtesy of RSPB) Southeast of Boston. 10am to 4pm (with break for lunch back at car park). Park in main car park at TF357390. Reserve well sign-posted off A16. Toilets and snacks available in visitor centre. Habitats: Wide variety of habitats including saltmarsh, reedbeds, ponds and wader scrapes. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Sunday, October 12, 2014 Fungus Foray High Wood, North Rauceby. (Courtesy of Woodland Trust) West of Sleaford. 12.00 for 13.00 start. Park in the wood car park at TF010463 The wood is located on the north side of Church Lane which runs between North Rauceby and High Dike/Ermine Street (B6403). Habitat: Broadleaved woodland. Leader: Ray Halstead 07772 613640 ray.halstead@tiscali.co.uk ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails This Week *** If you hear of anyone bemoaning the lack of a Bulletin, please refer them to the Bulletin Portal where they will find a text copy. http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html If you are having difficulties with spam folders et. please make sure you "Whitelist" my address as given in the Bulletin. Latest Mailfails - see notes above. *** And finally...... Contributions to "And finally......" are always welcome. Asteroid impact risks 'underappreciated' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-27039285 ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/