============================================= || || 20th 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.... *** There has been no sound of the cuckoo here since 8th July, nor any sighting of grass snakes on the compost heap since 11th. A routine check of owl boxes disturbed 2 stockdoves in the Tawny box. A substantial old Jackdaw nest of twigs, horsehair and dust was cleaned out of the Little Owl box. Swallows have decided to make a final breeding attempt in the wash-house and we shall be watching progress with interest. We have noted over 20 swallows perching on overhead wires. A big thank you to all contributors - for your reports and also for some careful corrections in the light of additional data. Recorders will always help if you are unsure of an identification. There is nothing wrong in finding and correcting an honest mistake. As Carl Sagan once put it: "In science it often happens that scientists say, 'You know that's a really good argument; my position is mistaken,' and then they would actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. They really do it. It doesn't happen as often as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion." Give full descriptions and offer supporting photographs where you can. If in doubt, especially in the case of something very unusual, it is wise to run your report by the appropriate LNU recorder. Roger *** Herbarium Project - Free Training Days 23/24/25 July *** Chris Manning adds: Last chance to sign up! Wednesday 23 July Professionals/experts and those with good field botany skills. Thursday 24 July Young persons (10-16 years old) with LWT education officers and other educators. Friday 25th July Enthusiasts/amateurs. The events will be held at Whisby Education Centre. Booking will be essential. You will need to check there is still space on the day you want to attend. 01507 526667 or info@lincstrust.co.uk Chris Manning writes: 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. For more information contact Chris Manning: chris.lincsdeer@gmail.com For background see: http://rogerparsons.info//LNUHerbarium.html Thanks. Roger *** LNU Events - guests are welcome *** Indoor Meetings are held on Saturdays at the Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park, Moor Lane, Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln and start at 2pm. Field Meetings generally start at 12 noon for 1.00pm, but please check the details for each event and this may vary. The 2014 LNU Field Meeting programme is listed below in section 11. To check on the details, especially if weather suggests a possible cancellation, visit: http://lnu.org/events.php 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 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. *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** Carolyn Lovely writes: On Saturday 19th July 2014 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them on a visit to the beautiful Messingham Sand Quarry Reserve. Grid ref SE 908032. Meet in the car park at 11am and we hope to be joined with some of the Scunthorpe group. Please wear suitable outdoor clothing and stout footwear. For further information please contact Jennie Redpath 01472 502858. *** Response to Swift question *** NETTLEHAM - Swifts Bill Ball I too try to keep track of swifts in my village - Nettleham, although by trying to spot nests rather than counting birds. However this year I've been taking part in experimental RSPB survey aimed at developing a method of estimating population, from counts of low-flying birds done between 2000 and 2100 from May to early July. The experiment is based on a few locations nationally where the colony is reasonably isolated and its nest locations are well known from previous years. Results not analysed yet, but for what it's worth, at my colony, maximum number of birds seen at any one time was about same as number of known nests. The number of birds increases through season as non-breeders arrive, so analysis will not be straightforward. My subjective impression is that swift numbers here are similar to last year, but they've reduced significantly (by perhaps 30%) over last 7 years. Although protection of nest sites is a good idea, I don't believe this decline is due to loss of nest sites, as there are plenty unoccupied in the old pantile roofs her, and I have seen some nest locations in modern roofs. If repairs to 'swift roofs' are spotted (they are legal provided outside breeding season), then there is advice available at http://www.swift-conservation.org/Re-Roofing.htm *** One for the entomologists. *** Annette Faulkner writes: SPALDING TF228219 We were picking a load of peas on our allotment last weekend when I noticed a number of them had diagonal mines on the pods about 2mm across by up to 15mm long. Most were this shape, but some were small blotches. I’m familiar with pea midge and moth, but I’ve never seen this before. Any ideas? *** 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/ 11/7 Lesser Yellowlegs, Glossy Ibis, spotted Redshank. Garganey, Little Gull, Frampton Marsh Turtle Dove, Gainsthorpe NE of Kirton-in-Lindsey 12/7 Quail north of car park, Donna Nook Turtle Dove on wires, Fiskerton Fen Lesser Yellowlegs, Glossy Ibis, Wood Sandpiper, Frampton Marsh 13/7 Lesser Yellowlegs, Glossy Ibis, Wood Sandpiper, Turtle Dove, Frampton Marsh Quail male singing, Stenigot Osprey off Grainthorpe marsh 4 Spoonbills flew south over Gibraltar Point Stone Curlew near Wash Viewpoint, Juvenile Redstart, Gibraltar Point Quail, Donna Nook 2 Osprey onshore at Pye's Hall 2 Ospreys at Horseshoe Point off Grainthorpe Marsh 14/7 Black-winged Pratincole, Spoonbill on Tennyson's Sands, Stone Curlew, Juvenile Redstart, Gibraltar Point Lesser Yellowlegs, Glossy Ibis, Frampton Marsh Quail male singing, 2 Osprey, Donna Nook Garganey, Teal Lake, Whisby Nature Park 15/7 4 Quail males, Osprey offshore, Donna Nook Lesser Yellowlegs, Glossy Ibis, Frampton Marsh 16/7 108 Greenshanks, Freiston Shore Lesser Yellowlegs, Glossy Ibis, Frampton Marsh Turtle Dove, Fiskerton Fen 2 Quail males, 2 Osprey, Donna Nook 17/7 Lesser Yellowlegs, Glossy Ibis, Garganey, 4 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh Osprey offshore, Donna Nook Ruddy Shelduck, Alkborough Flats 18/7 Lesser Yellowlegs, Glossy Ibis, 2 Little Stints, Spotted Redshank, Turtle Dove, Frampton Marsh 3 Turtle Doves, firld off Occupation Lane, walesby Short-eared Owl, 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. Have you seen any Gorse in flower this month? Paul Kirby writes: ### Please continue to send in Gorse reports. ### Reports may be sent in via the Bulletin. Editor adds: It will help if you will keep these separate from any general reports you may be sending in, please, so they can be listed here. *** County Wildlife Reports From Readers *** Please keep your reports coming. We rely on you to send in your observations and We welcome information from ALL readers, be they beginners or experts. Thanks. DON'T FORGET Please include the year in your reports in case they are copied and thus lose their context. BOSTON (South by A16) 12/07/2014 Roy and Kath Pearson Whilst ringing juvenile Starlings in the garden, we caught and ringed a Lesser Black-backed Gull. BRACEBY TF015353 M. Ellis The ants that inhabit the area underneath our dining room French windows flew last week on the 7th or 8th, in our dining room so very easy to observe! Speedy opening of the windows relieved the situation. I can add that for several days preceding and following the main event there were a few ants flying each day. It seems to have stopped now, I'm glad to say. DEEPINGS Venue: Deeping Lakes Nature Reserve Date: 16/07/2014 Observer: Ian Gordon Weather: Hot, sunny, breeze developing Birds: Blackbird Blackcap Black-headed Gull Blue Tit Buzzard Canada Goose Chaffinch Common Tern Coot Cormorant Crow Great-crested Grebe Great Tit Green Woodpecker Grey Heron Greylag Goose House Martin Lapwing Lesser Black-backed Gull Little Egret Long-tailed Tit Mallard Magpie Mute Swan Oystercatcher Pochard Red-crested Pochard Reed Bunting Reed Warbler Robin Rook Sand Martin Sparrowhawk Tufted Duck Willow Warbler Woodpigeon Butterflies: Brimstone Gatekeeper Large White Meadow Brpwn Peacock Ringlet Small Tortoiseshell Small White Speckled Wood Dragon/Damselflies Azure Damselfly Banded Demoiselle Brown Hawker Commom Blue Damselfly Common Hawker Mammals: Rabbit HORNCASTLE TF261691 My garden Robert Walker 16/7/14 Grass Snake 1 Seen by my wife, on our raised fern border, which is on the north side of the garden, covered at the rear by ivy clad fencing and decaying log pile, plenty of cover for snakes, even in a town garden. The snake, about 30" in length, was basking on bare earth between ferns at the front of the border. This is only our third sighting in the garden, we had previously seen an adult some years past and more recently, a youngster, about the size of a pencil, hopefully a sign of localised breeding. Well at least we do have plenty of frogs to keep them going ! LINCOLN Colin J Green Garden nr Swallowbeck Church, Newark Rd Lincoln 12 Jul 14 Holly Blue x 1 Comma x1 Red Admiral x1 Ringlet x 1 Small Tortoiseshell x 8 Green -veined White x 2 Small Skipper x 1 (very worn) Large White x 2 Meadow Brown x1 Gatekeeper x 1 Many whites flew over garden but unsure to give ID Some of these will have come in as banks of the Swallow Beck have been mown. RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF 309 847 (unless otherwise stated) Silvia Fowler 12.07.14 Dead House Sparrow chick on ground below nest sites. Only partially feathered, likely to be from a second brood. Common Newt Tadpoles now visible among pond weeds, newt shape with limbs developed, but still with gills. Great Diving Beetle, female, lying in wait. Lots of Small Tortoiseshell and quite a few Meadow Brown butterflies 1 Red Admiral, 1 Small White Marmalade Hoverflies (Episyrphus balteatus) An explosion of Pollen Beetles (lots of oil-seed rape in the area earlier in the season) Large Common Frog in flower border, very dark in colour, barely visible against the soil. 13.07.14 Ticks: Found a tiny Tick nymph in cloakroom. Must have been brought in on our clothing (no pets). First I've seen in UK, though familiar from Germany where we lived for 2 years. Locally, we are surrounded by sheep and cattle pastures, and I'm wondering whether rabbits help to spread them into the garden. The mild winter and damp spring/summer will have helped them, too. Worth keeping an eye out for them as they can spread debilitating diseases, see fact sheet. http://www.lymediseaseaction.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/lda004-2.pdf 14.07.14 Tawny Owl on power lines facing the House Martin nests (chased it away; no attacks so far) 15.07.14 Lesser Stag Beetle (probably, awaiting confirmation from Charlie Barnes) 16.07.14 Kestrel hovering – A 153, TF 315 848 17.07.14 More House Martins fledging (second nest of 4) Gatekeeper (first this season) Bat x 2 SCUNTHORPE Location : Clematis Way, Scunthorpe, DN16 3UQ Black Flying Ants Alan Harris We had a massive flight on the evening of Sunday 13th of July. This was about a week earlier than usual. SLOOTHBY TF5005 7127 6 July 2014 LNU field meeting led by Brian Hedley to a private farm courtesy of George and Natalie Rutter. Attended by 11 people. Sunny and dry conditions. Some marvellous meadows were present with an abundance of species such as great burnet, meadowsweet, meadow barley, yellowrattle and tufted vetch. Other plants included zigzag clover, marsh cudweed and bee orchid. At least 34 bird species were noted including buzzard, hobby, tree sparrow, lesser whitethroat and bullfinch. Four mammal species noted including brown hare and likely droppings of brown long-eared bat at a roost site. Eleven butterfly species recorded including red admiral, gatekeeper and 100s of meadow browns. At least 32 moth species were noted during daytime recording plus from trap set the previous evening and included: Kent black arches (usually only recorded at Gib Point), short-cloaked moth, poplar hawk, beautiful hook-tip, buff arches, barred yellow, barred straw (abundant) and burnished brass. From Charlie Barnes: "27 species of beetle identified from the Sloothby meeting so far, including the 5th record of Neliocarus nebulosus (found by David Sheppard), an uncommon weevil that feeds on various herbaceous plants. The large willows bordering the meadows also provided further records of the RDB weevil Isochnus sequensi which was first found in the county in 2009 and has since become widespread. Other notable records include the rove beetle Quedius cruentus which is currently known from 5 tetrads in VC54 and is usually found under bark and in old bracket fungi." Full list as follows: Cantharidae: Cantharis cryptica Cantharidae: Cantharis lateralis Cantharidae: Cantharis nigra Carabidae: Dromius meridionalis Carabidae: Pterostichus (Steropus) madidus Cerambycidae: Rutpela maculata Chrysomelidae: Neocrepidodera transversa Curculionidae: Barypeithes (Exomias) pellucidus Curculionidae: Isochnus sequensi Curculionidae: Nedyus quadrimaculatus Curculionidae: Parethelcus pollinarius Curculionidae: Rhinoncus pericarpius Elateridae: Athous (Orthathous) bicolor Hydrophilidae: Megasternum concinnum Latridiidae: Stephostethus lardarius Oedemeridae: Oedemera (Oedemera) lurida Scarabaeidae: Aphodius (Acrossus) rufipes Scirtidae: Cyphon ochraceus Scirtidae: Microcara testacea Staphylinidae: Quedius (Microsaurus) cruentus Other invertebrates included the evidence of a gall midge (Wachtiella persicariae) on amphibious bistort (found by Annette Faulkner), meadow grasshopper and tree bumblebee. Awaiting further lists from other recorders from the meeting. SLOOTHBY - TF499709 11/7/14 George Rutter Black flying ants noticed in greenhouse whilst watering produce, there were 'scouts' patrolling around a small area and when I turned over a large piece of compost there were numerous male and female winged black ants. They did not fly but returned back to the nest. SOUTHREY WOOD Colin J Green Southrey Wood Mon, 12 Jul 2014 Ringlets in profusion Meadow Brown x 8 Brown Argus x1 Red Admiral x 5 White Admiral x 2 Large White x 5 Green-veined White x 3 Small White x 2 Many whites seen but unable to get ID Small Tortoiseshell x 4 Comma x 2 Large Skipper x 3 Small Skipper x 2 Common Darter x 3 Snakeholme Pit Ringlets x 10 Green-veined Whites x 5 taking up minerals from old bonfire site Large White x 2 Small White x 2 Other whites seen but unable to ID Red Admiral x2 Small Tortoiseshell x 1 Meadow Brown x 4 Large Skipper x 3 Small Skipper x 4 Six - spot Burnet x 3 Silver Y x 3 Common Darter x7 4 Spot Chaser x 3 Large brown dragonfly x 1 constantly flying over water. SOUTH WITHAM VERGES NATURE RESERVE Common Birds Census 2014 T. Mitcham Visit Dates (all mornings A - 29th (1hr 2 mins) B - 5th April (1hr 2mins) C - 13th April (1hr 5 mins) D - 19th April (59 mins) E - 27th April (1hr 5mins) F - 11TH May (1hr 1 min) G - 25th May (1hr 4mins) H - 6th June (1hr 8mins) J - 29th June (1hr 00 mins) K - 6th July (1hr 3mins) Total Survey Time: 10hrs 29mins Total Territories/Nests 136 (124) Species Recorded: Red-legged Partridge P (-) Buzzard 1 (-) Woodpigeon 52N (35N) Collared Dove P (-) Turtle Dove 1 (1) Magpie 2 (3) Carrion Crow 1 (1) Goldcrest 1 (P) Blue Tit 5 (6) Great Tit 1 (1) Coal Tit P (-) Swallow P (P) Long-tailed Tit 1 (P) Chiffchaff 3 (4) Willow Warbler 8 (4) Blackcap 5 (5) Garden Warbler P (1) Lesser Whitethroat 2 (1) Whitethroat P (4) Wren 8 (10) Blackbird 3 (1) Song Thrush (1) 1 Robin 13 (12) Dunnock 5 (7) Chaffinch 17 (17) Greenfinch P (1) Goldfinch 1 (1) Linnet P (P) Bullfinch 5 (7) Yellowhammer P (P) 2013 Status in Brackets No. of Species Holding Territory: 21 (22) Key: 5 - No. of Territories 1N - No. of Nests P - Present, not holding territory - - Absent THURNHOLMES (all sightings 300m radius of SK797984 unless otherwise stated) and surrounding area Clare Holmes, Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 11/07/14 C Buzzard x 1 Peacock butterfly caterpillars x 100+ migrating from nettles, crossing road. Common Wainscot x 2 Fan-foot x 1 13/07/14 Goldfinch x 1 adult 4 fledged young Great Tit x 1 Bright-line Brown-eye Dark Arches Dun-bar Flame Riband Wave 14/07/14 Goldfinch x 1 adult 4 fledged young Roe Deer x 1 female SK805998 Small Magpie moth 15/07/14 Small Fan-foot 16/07/14 Tawny Owl x 3 fledged young (very noisy) 1.30 am Brown China-mark Mottled Rustic Small Blood-vein Uncertain 17/07/14 SK804999 Common Blue (butterfly) x 2 Small Copper x 1 Cinnabar caterpillar x 1 SK813999 Buff Ermine Riband Wave SK813995 Large White x 8 Red Admiral x 1 Small Tortoiseshell x 5 WAINFLEET CONSERVATION PONDS 16/07/2014 Roy and Kath Pearson Very quite at the Ponds today when the only bird of interest seen was a Little Owl. WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 15/7/2014 2 Marsh harriers displaying in area - 6pm approx. 17/7/2014 Young Tawny Owl calling in early hours. 3 Buzzards circling over. 2 Stockdoves disturbed - flew out of Tawny Owl box. WAINFLEET CONSERVATION PONDS 17/07/2014 Roy and Kath Pearson Four juvenile Kestrels and one adult were flying around today chasing each other and doing quite exciting aerobatics and screaming loudly. It was quite a pleasure to watch. A Buzzard also flew over and Water Rails were squealing in the reed beds. This is the first time Water Rails have been recorded in summer for many years. WRANGLE COMMON 16/07/2014 Roy and Kath Pearson Very little to record today. A single Sparrowhawk was around and four Grey Herons were an unusually high number. Over a dozen Swallows were feeding over the water. With regard to Butterflies, a count wasn't attempted, but an increase in Gatekeepers was noticed, whilst Ringlets were down in number. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 18th July 2014 John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Peter & Janet Roworth A high of 26.25°C was recorded on the 16th and the minimum temperatures noted were abnormally high with a ground 14.5°C on the 15th and air 16.0°C on the 18th. Good spells of sunshine encouraged insect activity particularly butterflies with high numbers of small tortoiseshell, meadow brown, green veined white butterflies and small skippers. Ringlets remain well distributed on the dunes and there have been frequent sightings of small copper, brimstone, gatekeeper, red admiral and comma. A painted lady was seen on the outer dunes from Rimac on the 12th. Migrating and wintering waders are coming in and through, and the following species have been seen: Dunlin, Grey Plover, Golden Plover, Ringed Plover, Black-tailed Godwit, Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Greenshank, Curlew, and Whimbrel. There are also increasing numbers of Sandwich, Common and Arctic Terns. Starling numbers are building up over the saltmarsh with 3000+ observed on the 17th. A Turtle Dove was heard and seen near Crook Bank on the 15th. Small numbers of Swifts have been moving south all week. The high temperatures are beginning to have a drying effect on the dune vegetation but there remain good displays of lady's bedstraw, common centaury and restharrow.  There are also the taller flowering plants like common ragwort, black knapweed, perennial sow-thistle, great mullein, common figwort, teasel, great lettuce and various thistles and willowherb. The first hints of autumn are present with rowan berries turning orange and dewberry fruiting. The saltmarsh is at its most colourful with the flowering sea-lavender together with sea plantain, sea purslane and sea-spurrey. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RSPB RESERVES http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/collections/thewash_northnorfolk.aspx ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. News from Far Ings NNR http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designations/nnr/1083404.aspx ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 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. *** 'In the Bog' conference *** Sent in by Chris Manning. 'In the Bog' conference Taking place from 3rd to 5th Sept. the conference will be looking at the ecology, archaeology and history of peatlands - climate change, restoration of bogs, agricultural uses, historical peat-cutting, dragonflies and Hen Harriers are just some of the topics. We've presentations on the local Peak District and Thorne Moors but from further afield as well including international contributions from as far afield as Estonia, Australia and the Far East. There is a volunteer delegate rate and people are welcome to attend just one of the days. More details and a booking form are available on our website http://www.ukeconet.org/event/in-the-bog-conference/ John Birbeck HEC Associates ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/