============================================= || || 8th June 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.... *** LNU Herbarium Project Update I am hoping to provide readers with an update on the Herbarium project in next week's Bulletin, as things are now progressing. For a description of the proposed Herbarium project so far: http://rogerparsons.info//LNUHerbarium.html I am mystified as to why our Bulletin hotlinks are not working as they used to do. Mine do in Microsoft Outlook but not in the html version of the Bulletin. If you have problems "copy and paste" is the best option until MailChimp gets to the bottom of it. Sorry. Please note the upcoming Bioblitz at Willowtree Fen. It would be good to see readers there and in the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust tent at Lincolnshire Show, 18/19th June. Please stop for a chat. There is an encouraging number of botanical activities listed in the Bulletin this week. Time to use those transferrable skills! Your flowering gorse reports please - see Section 3 below. 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 Friday, June 20, 2014 Willow Tree Fen LWT Reserve East of Bourne 10am til late on Friday and 10am-4pm on Saturday. Evening session on Friday starting at 21.30. Park in reserve car park at TF174223 next to interpretation centre which is at end of track off Tongue End to Pode Hole road. Toilets available on site. Habitats: Pasture, scrub, ditches and ponds. Contact: Charlie Barnes 01507 526667 charlie@cucaera.co.uk Saturday, June 21, 2014 Willow Tree Fen LWT Reserve Day two - see above 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 14th June 2014 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them on a visit to Mill Hill Quarry Nature Reserve which is an ancient chalk quarry and also to view a nearby roadside verge reserve at Claxby near Alford which is renowned for a spectacular display of wild flowers including orchids at this time of the year. Bring a picnic lunch to eat in the quarry. Please note parking is limited so car share if possible. Please wear stout shoes or boots and wear suitable outdoor clothing. This is a free event but donations will be welcomed for the Trust. To book a place and for full details of location and time please contact Jennie Redpath - 01472 505878. *** New Botanical Group in South Lincs *** Sarah Lambert writes: Just over two years ago I took on the post of joint BSBI recorder for South Lincolnshire (vice county 53) to assist Malcolm Pool. One of my aims was to try and encourage more people to record plants in the area, not just from well known sites such as Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust reserves, but from the wider countryside, towns and villages, to provide records for the updated Atlas of the British Flora that the BSBI intends to publish after 2020. Initially I contacted a few botanists that I already knew, and fairly soon we had the makings of a South Lincolnshire Flora Group. Our programme is not scheduled in advance, but organised by email and Doodle poll on a week-to-week basis. I've identified a number of priority tetrads that we plan to focus on, located mostly in the western part of the county and am hoping to organise some visits to these later in the summer. 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 *** Making Your Sightings Count *** Julie Ellison writes: Free 1-day courses funded by the GLNP and the LWT for everyone with an interest in wildlife, demonstrating how to turn everyday wildlife sightings into valuable wildlife records. The course will cover: - Why Wildlife Recording is important - Practical data-gathering - Practical record-submission Whisby: Sunday 22/06/14 Willow Tree Fen (date TBC) To book your place contact LWT on 01507 526667 or info@lincstrust.co.uk For more information about the course contact Julie Ellison on 01724 735349 / 07586 293860 or julie@julieellison.co.uk (County Recorders are most welcome, especially to prove how friendly and helpful you are! Please let Julie know if you would like to come.) *** Wash Cruises 2014 - updated *** 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 FREE GUIDED WALK 13th June at 6-30pm BOSTON WEST GOLF COURSE At Hubberts Bridge PE20 3QX With Richard Owens, head green keeper, who has created an amazing wildlife habitat. There will hopefully be a bird ringing demonstration. Further details at www.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire A voluntary donation to South Lincs RSPB gratefully accepted. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ 31/5 Spoonbill, 3 Little Gulls, 2 Garganey drks, Turtle Dove, Frampton Marsh Garganey drk, LWT pit, Kirkby on Bain gravel pits Turtle Dove, Donna Nook 7 Turtle Doves, Gibraltar Point 1/6 Honey Buzzard over Shorebird Sanctuary, Red-backed Shrike in bushes by road north of Aylmer Avenue, Gibraltar Point Quail male singing Tetney Lock 3 Little Gulls, Garganey, Frampton Marsh 2/6 2 Garganey, 3 Little Gulls, Frampton Marsh 3/6 3 Garganey drks, Frampton Marsh Golden Oriole male singing in South Dunes, Donna Nook Possible Black Stork flew north over Brickyard Lane, Theddlethorpe Harrier sp ringtail, southend of dunes, Gibraltar Point 4/6 Osprey, Honey buzzard over, ringtail Montagu's Harrier over saltmarsh, Gibraltar Point Quail m singing, Frampton Marsh 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. Paul Kirby writes: Please thank all who have sent in records. The time has come to close the request for Arum records. The plants are now rapidly going over. Over the last fortnight there has been a dramatic decline in the amount of gorse in flower but some bushes are still quite floriferous. Please continue to send in 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. CAISTOR Wendy Handford (WH) Gorse locations: Brigg Road TA 108 033 3 bushes, finished flowering Caistor Co-op carpark TA 117 015 One bush, a few flowers remaining Nettleton mines TF 105 995. Many bushes, finished flowering Swallow valley TA 183 043. Few bushes, finished flowering A46 Claxby bypass TF 090 964 finished flowering A46 Holton le Moor TF 096 986 very few flowers left A46 Swallow TF 184 040 two bushes, finished flowering A46 Riby junction TF 192 044 a few bushes, finished flowering *** County Wildlife Reports From Readers *** Please keep your reports coming. We rely on you to send in your observations and We welcome information from ALL readers, be they beginners or experts. Thanks. DON'T FORGET Please include the year in your reports in case they are copied and thus lose their context. BRACEBRIDGE HEATH Bracebridge Heath SK9789 6724 John Robinson Colony of B. hypnorum, Tree bumblebee in ivy on side of house for second year running, previous year in nest box. BUCKNALL TF162681 Charlie Barnes 04 June 2014 Badger (dead on road) BURGH LE MARSH TF509652 Robert Walker 1/6/14 Buzzard 1 Over fields near A158 bypass. Also Hedgehog 1 - dead Same location area on A158 roadside. CAISTOR Wendy Handford (WH) Reports from contributors to Caistor records Week beginning 30.5.14 Brigg Road garden TA 113 020 J Foster Frog 2yr old 30.5.14 Blackbird's nest raided Brigg Road verge TA 113 020 WH Goatsbeard 1.6.14 Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 WH On Trailcam 31.5.14 Bat, Fox, Hedgehog, Muntjac, Rabbits Moles, 3 producing many hills Cuckoo heard 31.5.14, first since 2008 Wrens 4 newly fledged 2.6.14 Frog 2yr old 2.6.14 Toad 1yr old 30.5.14 Toad adult f under wheeliebin 1.6.14 Harlequin ladybird on Hogweed 2.6.14 Mosquito larvae 100s in water in wheelbarrow Red-headed cardinal beetle 30.5.14. New Thunderflies 2.6.14. New First flowers Alder buckthorn 30.5.14 Feverfew 1.6.14 Ground elder 31.5.14 Lesser stitchwort 30.5.14 Rough chervil 30.5.14 Fairy ring fungi 30.5.14 Caistor Grammar School TA 115 012 A Wish Sweet rocket/Dame's violet 27.5.14. New Nettleton Lodge Game Farm TA 090 012 B Jacob Gooseberry sawfly larvae Dog rose North Kelsey Road disturbed land TA 105 015 Nipplewort Pineapple weed Smooth hawk's-beard North Street garden TA 118 015 Jay, first time seen in garden DEEPINGS David Griffith Deeping Lakes NR 31/05/2014 Highlights. Buzzard feeding juvenile Oystercatcher x4 plus 1 juvenile Lesser black backed gull x20 plus 6+ juveniles Cormorant x6 (4on nests) Common tern x20 (8 on nests) Cetti's warbler Chiffchaff Willow warbler Blackcap Reed warbler Sedge warbler Common whitethroat x2 Swift Sand Martin x10+ DEEPINGS Venue: Deeping Lakes LWT Reserve TF187083 Date: 05/06//2014 Observer: Ian Gordon Time: 0915 - 1200 Weather: Mainly cloudy, breezy, cool Birds: Blackbird Blackcap Black-headed Gull Blue Tit Buzzard Canada Goose Carrion Crow Cetti’s Warbler Chaffinch Collared Dove Common Tern Coot Cormorant Cuckoo Garden Warbler Great-crested Grebe Great Tit Green Woodpecker Grey Heron Greylag Goose Herring Gull Hobby House Martin Jackdaw Lapwing Lesser Black-backed Gull Little Egret Little Grebe Long-tailed Tit Magpie Mallard Marsh Harrier Moorhen Mute Swan Oystercatcher Pheasant Reed Bunting Reed Warbler Robin Sand Martin Swallow Swift Tufted duck Willow Warbler Woodpigeon Wren Deeping High Bank: Barn Owl Mammals: Rabbit(2) Butterflies: Common Blue Small White Dragons and Damsels: 4-spot Chaser Common Blue Damsel Emerald Blue Damsel Speckled Wood GIBRALTAR POINT TF558585 Robert Walker 25/5/14 Barn Owl 1 In front of west dunes at 1.00pm hunting over edge of marsh. Also TF559592 1/6/14 Barn Owl 1 Flew over Gibraltar Road near south end of Seacroft golf course carrying item of prey at 10.10am GRIMSTHORPE Chris Howes 01/06 Small Copper - Jacksons Pit TF 046202. Earliest ever record at Grimsthorpe. 02/06 Grizzled Skipper - New Quarry TF 043206. Only the second of the year at Grimsthorpe. 02/06 2 Yellow Shell - Anthills TF 002227 02/06 Bloodvein flying in Bracken Beds TF024198 HORNCASTLE TF261691 My garden Robert Walker 2/6/14 Yellow Shell moth 1 ( Camptogramma bilineata ) First sighting in garden. HORNCASTLE TF257681 Robert Walker 4/6/14 Barn Owl 1 Hunting along canal banks at 6.15pm. Also TF245664 Brown Hare 2 On pasture fields east of Martin old railway bridge off 'Woodhall Spa Trail'. HUTTOFT Jane Pennington Huttoft TF512763 (my garden) Date 31/5/2014 Brown tailed moth caterpillar 1 Hawthorn shield bug 1 Red admiral butterfly 1 Date 1/62014 Cardinal beetle 1 Clouded border moth (on the side of a water butt all day) Common blue damselfly 4 Green nettle weevil 1 (in beech hedge) Red admiral butterfly 1 Speckled wood butterfly 2 Date 2/6/2014 Brown tailed moth caterpillar 2 (one on raspberry leaf and one on hawthorn) Cardinal beetle 4 Chaffinch 1 (female) Common blue damselfly 1 Cuckoo (heard calling 6 a.m.) Sparrowhawk 1 (landed on the grass - think it took a blackbird fledgling) Date 6/6/2014 Chaffinch 4 (2 parents, 2 fledglings) Great spotted woodpecker 1 Green veined white butterfly 1 Speckled wood butterfly 2 INGOLDMELLS C. Wood 05/06/2014 am Dead fox cub along prom. LINCOLN SK972738 W/E 07/06/2014 Jayne Knight 26/04/14 Bit late with this, apologies, but while driving home from Stickney noticed a flowering Bird's Eye Primrose, Primula farinosa, growing beside the B1183 between Revesby and Moorby. It was on a sharp bend and timber had been extracted from the woodland, resulting in all sorts of plants flourishing in the disturbed, boggy ground. The sun was shining and this solitary plant really stood out. I couldn't get near it as a ditch and rutted ground made it impossible, but am confident it was this primrose. 28/05/14 Looks like the Yellow Meadow Ant, Lasius flavus, is excavating tunnels under a different part of the flat this year. Regularly have to sweep a pile of soil away from near the front door. Haven't positively identified it as L flavus yet, but wish to as also noted recently that they have been evicted from their nest under the birdbath and a species of black ant is now in residence there. 29/05/14 Male Bullfinch once again on the sunflower heart feeders. 31/05/14 Rescued a spider, Theridion blackwalli, from the kitchen window and released into the garden. First record of this spider, very pleased. 02/06/14 Adult pair of Great Tits been busy feeding very vociferous fledglings hidden in the trees but today were accompanied by 3 youngsters. By the early afternoon, one of the juveniles advancing to helping itself from the peanut feeder, holding it under a foot, and pecking pieces off. All 3 still around and independent 05/06. LOUTH STEWTON LANE LOUTH C. Brady 6/6/14 Cuckoo calling, then two and then seen flying together, not sure if two males or male and female. Nice to see them. NETTLEHAM TF 03161 75493 Mark Townsend & Su Colman 1/6/2014 9.05 Heard a cuckoo calling - first time in four years in this location! RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF 309 847 (unless otherwise stated) Silvia Fowler Rainfall total for May 2014 = 132 mm - a record in my books. 28.05.-02.06.14 2 male Mallards with 1 female feeding and preening on pasture, staying close together all the time (TF 309 848) 29.05.14 Yellowhammer (m) (TF 309 848) 29.-31.05.14 2-3 Swifts flying with House Martins early evening, then a single Swift returned around 9.30 pm each night, making several sorties and settling down to roost under the eaves of our northern house wall close to a House Martin nest, though not always in the same spot. Not sure how long it stayed; gone by morning and not seen since. 01.06.14 Tiny Toad under tree stump Orange Tip Buzzard x 2 Common Blue (probably) or Azure Damselfly on pond plants (3 pairs mating and ovipositing, 1 single male) 02.06.14 Tiny Common Frog in grass House Sparrow fledglings being fed by adults in tree Juv. Coal Tit at peanut feeder Long-tailed Tits (family group, mostly heard and caught glimpses, unable to count) 03.06.14 Toad, med. sized (2nd year?) Wren seen carrying insects SCUNTHORPE Location: Scunthorpe - SE878112 Howard & Lesley Robinson Colony of Tree Bumblebees ( Bombus hypnorum) in our next door neighbours' roof. I suspect the queen has used an old House Sparrow nest. Good numbers (approx 20-30) fly around the roof in sunny weather and come to our garden where the flowers are. THURNHOLMES (SK79767 98400) and surrounding area Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 30/05/14 Tree Sparrow x 4 Whitethroat x 1 Orange Tip x 1 male Moths on security light:- Cinnabar x 4 Flame Shoulder x 1 Silver-ground Carpet x 2 White Ermine x 1 31/05/14 Wren x 1 adult + 5 'just fledged' young Dor Beetle x 1 SK813999 Black slugs x 9 SE818012 01/06/14 Moths on security light Cinnabar x 3, x 4 daytime flying Green Carpet x 3 White Ermine x 1 04/06/14 Bat sp. (small) SK79767 98400 Smooth Newt x 1 female under recording sheet Cinnabar x 2 security light, x 1 daytime flying6/6/2014 WADDINGTON. 24th May 2014 Peter Wilson Poplar Hawk Moth HARBY, Notts (just out of Lincolnshire I know but worth a mention) 2nd June 2014 Lime Hawk Moth (my first sighting of one of these quite brightly coloured moths) WHISBY NATURE RESERVE Noel Herbert 30-5-2014 Southern Marsh Orchids Good display of Southern Marsh Orchids along footpath at side of railway and a few in the Orchid Dell. (Go up to where work is being done on railway crossing, turn right and go about 200yards along footpath). WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 1 June 2014 Hummingbird Hawkmoth 7am nectering on Valerian. Tree bees foraging in Beech hedge - for aphid honeydew? 4/6/2014 Yellow wagtail on road. TF 217533 approx. [RP] 5/6/2014 2 Yellow wagtails along road. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 6th June 2014 John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Peter & Janet Roworth May weather Although there were several days of cold wet weather this was one of the warmest Mays for several years with the average maximum reaching 16.79°C compared with 15.08°C in 2013 and 14.94°C in 2012. A period of hot dry sunny weather was recorded from the 13th - 20th when a high of 24.25°C was noted on the 17th. Clear daytime skies meant cold nights, and a ground frost of -0.25°C occurred on the 15th. The hot weather ended with some heavy rainfall, of note 16.4mm on the 21st and further spells of rain (some intense downpours with 17.2mm on the 27th) for the remainder of the month. From the 27th winds were cold on-shore easterlies reaching f5 when daytime temperatures struggled to reach 15.0°C on the 30th, yet minimums did not fall below 10.0°C. However southwesterlies on the 31st allowed the day temperature to creep up to 18.0°C. Total ppt was 88.5mm (3.49") which was the wettest May since 2000 when 107.0mm was recorded. The mixed weather has been very beneficial for the reserve and John W comments "The dunes are very lush now with the frequent rainfall of the past 14 days and many flowers are growing up as well as a sea of grasses waving in the wind, elder bushes are in full flower and honeysuckle is redolent in the early morning. Southern marsh orchid, twayblade and the first pyramidal orchids are in flower, as are various hawkbits, common cat's-ear, fairy flax, hop trefoil and viper's-bugloss." Thrift is looking good on the saltmarsh and sea sandwort is flowering on the shoreline. June 1st was a particularly good day for butterflies with 13 different sp being recorded near Sea View including large skipper, common blue, holly blue, wall brown, green hairstreak, red admiral and speckled wood. A fresh southern hawker was seen on 5th. A male Hobby was hawking over the dunes on 1st. Several of the breeding bird species have the first fledglings on the wing. The 4th was a very wet day, but when the sun finally appeared in late after- noon there was the fine sight of a Barn Owl hunting over the saltmarsh. Cliff noted that there have been "small numbers of migrant groups of Dunlin, Ringed Plovers and Sanderling, the latter looking rather resplendent in their rufous summer plumage." Correction: The reference to lesser stitchwort flowering at the ponds in last week's notes was an error; it should have read "lesser spearwort". ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. *** 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 Friday, June 20, 2014 Willow Tree Fen LWT Reserve East of Bourne 10am til late on Friday and 10am-4pm on Saturday. Evening session on Friday starting at 21.30. Park in reserve car park at TF174223 next to interpretation centre which is at end of track off Tongue End to Pode Hole road. Toilets available on site. Habitats: Pasture, scrub, ditches and ponds. Contact: Charlie Barnes 01507 526667 charlie@cucaera.co.uk Saturday, June 21, 2014 Willow Tree Fen LWT Reserve Day two - see above 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 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. Nightingale Nick Tribe writes: Siren 107.3 FM and Lincoln University teamed up to create a modern version of the famous 1924 recording of Beatrice Harrison's 'cello playing accompanied by a nightingale. Recorded at Whisby Nature Park, it features Grahame Hopwood, Assistant Warden at Whisby. http://www.sirenonline.co.uk/archives/8926 ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/