============================================= || || 22nd 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.... *** Thanks to all who dropped by the LNU stand at the Lincolnshire Show. It was good to see you. I hope to include report on the Biobiltz at Willow Tree Fen in due course. I plan to be there on the Sunday. We are plugging the herbarium/botany training days just now and hope quite a few readers will decide to give it a go. You don't get many opportunities to learn from the Natural History Museum team! Please do give us your support. See Chris Manning's piece below. By the way - the links in the Bulletin do work with some browsers and email programs. Try them in Microsoft Outlook - they ought to show as live links. Roger *** Herbarium Project Update *** 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 *** 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. *** Barton group LWT meeting; *** Adrian White writes: Saturday 21st June A half-day visit to Dawson City Leader; Lionel Grooby *One of the best flower meadows in N. Lincs" Contact; David Moir 01469 532887 for details Open to all, Non-members very welcome. *** 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. *** Upcoming event in the Humberhead levels *** Charlie Barnes sent in this information: Humberhead Levels Partnership - Species Monitoring and Recording: Natural History, methods and landscape scale conservation The Humberhead Levels Partnership is running a one day event to explore how landscape scale conservation is asking new questions of naturalists and organisations involved in monitoring. In particular the Humberhead Levels Natural Improvement Area needs to understand how new techniques may help measure conservation delivery. The day will give you a chance to find out more about the NIA, express your opinions on what is needed to facilitate monitoring, learn new techniques and explore landscape scale aspects of natural history. It will include speakers on the Humberhead Peatlands NNR specialist invertebrates, developing effective training for the 21st centenary naturalist, multi-species site monitoring, capture-recapture and landscape scale monitoring of species. The event is taking place on Tuesday 1st July 2014 at Potteric Carr, Doncaster. To book contact Tim Graham tim.graham@ywt.org.uk 01302 853 941 *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** Carolyn Lovely writes: On Saturday 28th June 2014 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them on a visit to Red Hill nature reserve and a guided walk around Coronation Meadow. Meet warden Harry Turner at Red Hill's bottom car park, Grid ref TF 264806 at 2pm. Please wear suitable outdoor clothing and stout footwear. This is a free event but donations will be welcomed for the Trust. To book a place and for further details ring Jennie Redpath 01472 502858. *** 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ 14/6 3 Spoonbills, 2 Little Gulls, Alkborough Flats 15/6 3 Spoonbills, Little Gull, Alkborough Flats Glossy Ibis, Frampton Marsh 2 Spoonbills, Gibraltar Point 16/6 Turtle Dove trapped and ringed, Gibraltar Point Glossy Ibis, Frampton Marsh Hen Harrier f west of Hemswell 17/6 Glossy Ibis, Frampton Marsh 18/6 Common Scoter fem, Covenham Reservoir Glossy Ibis, Spoonbill adult, 11+ Little Gulls, Frampton Marsh Ross's Gill on flooded saltmarsh at Shorebird Sanctuary, Gibraltar Point 19/6 Glossy Ibis, 2 Garganey, Frampton Marsh Montagu's Harrier fem, from Wash Viewpoint, 2 Storm Petrels offshore flew north, Spoonbill, Tennyson's Sands, Little Gull, 6 Turtle Doves, Gibraltar Point Quail male singing, Walesby Moor 20/6 Little Gull, Gibraltar Point Glossy Ibis, 6 Little Gulls, 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 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. CATCHWATER DRAIN, BURTON Su Colman & Mark Townsend 14/06/14 afternoon walk between 15.00 and 17.00 Hundreds of Peacock butterfly larva on nettles Hundreds of Small Tortoiseshell larvae on nettles, and many adult butterflies Several adult Red Admiral butterflies One Speckled Wood butterfly Many azure damselflies Female Black Tailed Darter dragonfly BARDNEY to BARDNEY LOCK on 'Water Rail Way' TF106697 area Robert Walker 6/6/14 evening Kestrel 2 Hunting in same area over river bank. Buzzard 1 Sitting on fence post, edge of sheep pasture field. also at TF208698 on journey home Sparrowhawk 1 Low, next to spinney near road. CAISTOR Wendy Handford (WH) Reports from contributors to Caistor records Week beginning 13.6.14 Brigg Road fishing lake TA 108 023 Ducklings, 18 unspecified, taken by Magpies Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 WH Frog, adult m yellow 17.6.14 Toad, adult m 13.6.14 Bagworm, Diplodoma laichartingella, larva in case 16.6.14. To be confirmed Ero spider egg sac in wooden bunker Large Alder sawfly 13.6.14 Large yellow underwing 13.6.14 Small magpie moth 16.6.14 First flowers Broad-leaved bellflower 15.6.14 Greater bird’s-foot trefoil 13.6.14 Hoary plantain 16.6.14 Meadow cranesbill 13.6.14 Sweet chamomile 13.6.14 Water figwort 17.6.14 Yellow loosestrife 16.6.14 Fungi 15.6.14 Cushion bracket 3 on cherry stump Field mushroom 1 in orchard Pale brittlestem 30 in grass Shaggy parasol 9 on spruce needles Wood mushroom 1 on spruce needles Yellow fieldcap 6 on lawn Canada Lane TA 113 018 Hedgehog juv roadkill 13.6.14 Hundon Manor Farm TA 112 026 P Robinson Marsh thistle 17.6.14 Mill Lane TA 119 012 WH Perennial wall-rocket 14.6.14 Nettleton Lodge Game Farm TA 090 012 B Jacob Osprey in field 17.6.14 Sand martins 2m 1f, 13.6.14. New Barred red moth on bramble 14.6.14. New North Street garden TA 118 015 Mind-your-own-business 15.6.14 Shieling farm TA 113 024 W Collins Corncockle 13.6.14 South Street garden TA 119 012 D Cole Moths 6.6.14 Clouded-bordered brindle. New Clouded silver Black-headed conch. New Dark arches Dark spinach Heart and Dart Herald Large emerald Light brown apple moth Marbled minor Pale tussock Peppered moth Plain golden Y Shuttle-shaped dart Vapourer. New Others 18.6.14 Badger adult roadkill on A15, SK 971 832 Badger juv roadkill on A46, TF 099 925 CARLTON LE MOORLAND Jeremy Hutchinson 17-6-2014, 20.15 Male Spotted Flycatcher in garden, the first seen here for many years. Not seen since unfortunately. COLSTERWORTH RNR SK 932252 Jane Ostler 18.6.14 Survey of colonisation of areas created by roadworks including two large mounds of limestone. It has taken four years but the limestone is now colonising with plants. Very little grass in one extensive area which was seeded with a wildflower mix. Unfortunately this includes some species which have the look of cultivars - namely Kidney Vetch, Salad Burnet and Ribwort Plantain - all are unnaturally large and the Kidney Vetch has not been found in this area in the past. However it is likely that the Wild Liquorice, found on the adjacent verges has seeded naturally and the large areas of Birds' Foot Trefoil appear local in origin. Over the area as a whole nearly 100 species of flowering plant were recorded with much of interest along strips beside the slip road which appear to have colonised naturally. Hedge,heath and lady's bedstraw,bladder, white and red campion, vetches, common mallow, fairy flax, great and salad burnet, wild mignonette, weld and agrimony, black knapweed and field scabious, cowslip, common toadflax, wild strawberry blue fleabane and thyme leaved speedwell. Over a wide area with other interest developing where stormwater drains off and wavy hair grass dominates. The area is very good for Lepidoptera. Lattice Heath and Cinnabar Moths were flying and on the grass stalks there were dozens of chrysalids of 6-spot burnet. Singletons of Small Copper and Small Heath were seen and larger numbers of Common Blue and Meadow Brown. On the adjacent Roadside Verge Reserve the first Ringlet seen this year. Worker bumble bees out were Bombus lapidarius and (probably) Bombus terrestris. Cuckoos of solitary bees seen on the buttercups await identification. FREISTON SHORE RSPB Geof Lee Saturday, 14th June 2014, 3.00 P M. A glossy ibis tried to land on an island with a colony of breeding black- headed gulls. They all got up and chased it off in the direction of Frampton Marsh, where it appeared on Sunday - got 1 photo! LINCOLN SK972738 W/E 21/06/2014 Jayne Knight 15/06 Early morning garden visit to water tomatoes and discovered a Tiger Crane Fly, Nephrotome flavescens, resting on one of the plants. Never knew of this species before, but very striking (black and yellow stripes) in appearance and so noticeable! 15/06 Watched either a Grey or Yellow Wagtail hunting for insects by the remains of the old swing bridge on Brayford Pool, near to Wigford Way. Apologies I can't identify it further (no binoculars), but it had quite a dark grey back with yellow underparts. 19/06 Two more broods of Blue and Great Tit in the garden. Being fed by parents early part of the week, now independent and feeding, disputing, squabbling with their siblings and other Parus. HEALING TA 214106 R Julier 13th June 2014 Black sexton beetle, together with associated commensal mites. HORNCASTLE TF261691 My garden Robert Walker 13/6/14 White Ermine moth 1 HORSINGTON TF180680 Charlie Barnes 17 June 2014 Fox cub (dead on road) HUTTOFT Jane Pennington Huttoft TF512763 (my garden) Date 12/6/2014 Song thrush 1 Date 13/6/2014 Chiffchaff 1 Greenfinch 1 Date 15/6/2014 Greenfinch 1 Date 18/6/2014 Grass snake Date 20/6/2014 Blackbird 1 (a baby that hadn''t fledged - no sign of parents - likely fell from the nest - calling for its parents all morning and had difficulty even hopping around - unfortunately it died this afternoon) Wood pigeons 2 (nest building in birch - female looks like she's sitting and the male has been carrying twigs over all day - this nest is only about 3 ft above a bird box of blue tits) RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF 309 847 (unless otherwise stated) Silvia Fowler 13.06.14 Bombus hypnorum (most probably) nest in abandoned bluetit nest box. Bees very active and aggressive when disturbed, couldn’t get a good look at them close up. However, habitat and behaviour is distinctive and I now realise this species is currently working my cotoneasters. (Will report to the BWARS website once I've taken photos) 15.06.14 Small Toad (about 1 year old) Mullein Moth caterpillars Grey Squirrel Partially re-built House Martin nest (that collapsed with 4 tiny chicks 8 days ago) has collapsed again. Will they have another go? 16.06.14 Found a second House Martin nest gone. A fragment on the ground and further fragments within the pyracantha beneath it, but not enough, and no sign of nest lining or eggs (likely to have been laid by now, but can't be certain). I did see a squirrel climb that wall two years ago. There are also House Sparrows nesting below the roof tiles in same area. A mystery. Little activity at the House Martin nests in strong northerly winds. 16.06.14 Pseudoscorpions: Found 4 on the lowest boards of my compost bins. Will check again later in the year. 18.06.14 Two more House Martin nests gone/damaged. These were attached to each other. The first-built nest has had its entrance enlarged and lining exposed; this pair would have been on eggs, which might have hatched by now. Suspect this is a Tawny Owl attack, as in previous years, as I was woken in the early morning by noise at the window near this nest site and there is a breeding pair of tawnies in a nearby garden. I had also seen a dark, large bird pass these windows at dusk. The second, attached nest is gone completely. Substantial fragments on the roof of the bow window below are, unfortunately, difficult to access or photograph. 4 out of 8 House Martin nests this year have now failed, and so far, there have been no more rebuilding attempts. 3 days of brisk, northerly winds aren't helping. 19.06.14 Common Toad, medium-sized Buzzard Green Shield Bug RIPPINGALE 16/06/2014 Ian Misselbrook Rippingale -our garden TF101283 After an absence of about 5 years we have a Mole in the garden - much to the annoyance of my wife. More welcome was a Hedgehog feeding under the birdfeeder just after 10.00pm. We have hundreds of well developed frog tadpoles and at least 20 Smooth Newts in the pond. Sadly I found a dead Southern Hawker Dragonfly in one of the ponds, newly emerged but dead. Locally Barn Owls and Kestrels are finding an abundance of mice and voles and are all making up for recent losses by feeding large, healthy broods. SCOPWICK to BLANKNEY ( Walk on footpaths and bridleways ) TF069581 to TF068603 area Robert Walker 15/6/14 Speckled Wood butterfly 2 females Peacock " 1 also Roe deer 1 in arable field Yellowhammers 4+ in various hedgerows Lapwing 5 STIXWOULD towards SOUTHREY on 'Water Rail Way' TF158648 Robert Walker 13/6/14 Buzzard 1 mobbed by 50+ Starlings Starlings 500+ congregating on power lines over river before moving off to roost over Nocton area. Yellowhammers 4+ also Hobby 1 flying along Station road (8.15pm) from tree to tree in front of our car. THEDDLETHORPE John Cowell Monday 16th June 2014 Pair of Cuckoos mating on a tree in the Dunes between Brickyard Lane (LN12 1NR) and Crook Bank, the first time I have seen this and a bit late? THURNHOLMES (SK79767 98400) and surrounding area Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 14/06/14 Blackbird x 1 + 3 young Black Headed Gull x 2 Bullfinch x 1 male Chaffinch x 1 Kestrel x 6 young looking out of nest box Pied Wagtail x 1 Robin x 1 (beak full of grubs) Skylark x 2 Stock Dove x 1 Tree Sparrow x 3 Wren x 1 Field / Bank Vole x 1 Smooth Newt x 1 female under recording sheet Moth Trapping Cinnabar x 4 Elephant Hawk Moth x 3 Silver Y x 1 Small Magpie x 2 Snout x 2 The Flame x 2 15/06/14 Weasel x 1 Cinnabar Moth x 5 16/06/14 1st Kestrel chick fledged 18/06/14 Blue Tit x 1 adult + 7 just fledged young Meadow Brown x 1 Small Tortoiseshell x 1 Moths on security light Cinnabar x 4 Common Emerald x 1 Snout x 1 19/06/14 Blue Tit x 4 fledged young Kestrel all 6 young fledged Lapwing x 2 Yellowhammer x 1 Yellow Wagtail x 2 Smooth Newt x 1 female under recording sheet THE WASH Geof Lee Boat trip from Fosdyke Bridge to Boston Deeps. Friday, 20/06/2014 Common seals - 86 including many pups Little egret - 31 Heron - 1 Marsh harrier - 2 Barn owl - 1 Common scoter - flock of 32 Curlew - 1Shelduck - 7 Turnstone - 4 Cormorant - 9 Peewit - 1 Common tern - 8 Sandwich tern - 3 WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 15 June 2014 Cuckoo on wires across garden. 0700hrs approx. [AP] 16/6 Loud vocal altercation between 2, possibly 3 cuckoos over garden am. 17/3 Cuckoo still calling in area am. Mistle thrush adult plus 3 fledgings in garden 11am. Field vole "porpoising" across lawn 10am. 19/6 and 20th Cuckoo still calling in area. 20/6 Speckled wood 2 Red Admiral 2 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 20th June 2014 John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Peter & Janet Roworth A week of fresh on shore winds which have kept the daytime temperatures down by several degrees compared with those further inland. A high of 18.25°C was recorded on the 19th. The first ringlet was seen on 15th near Sea View and during the week there have been increased sightings plus meadow browns elsewhere on the reserve. Azure and blue-tailed damselflies are still active and at least 9 ruddy darters were observed at Rimac on the 18th. Areas of lady's bedstraw are beginning to flower which always looks fine amongst the blue flowers of viper's bugloss, pink pyramidal orchids and wide ranging greens of grasses and sedges of the dune vegetation. Bee orchids are also in flower but their distribution is rather scattered. Bird sightings have included Hobby hawking over the ponds at Rimac on the 18th, a Green Woodpecker seen and heard around Sea View and several flocks of young Starlings of up to 70 plus birds now beginning to show over the saltmarsh. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. Winter floods: MPs criticise funding priorities http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-27867179 ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/