============================================= || || 29th 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.... *** We had a cracking day at Willow Tree Fen last weekend when a number of LNU naturalists gathered information on the fenland species. We were pleased to meet the enthusiasts came to join us and enjoy the reserve. I was pleased to make the acquaintance of a female parasitic wasp Gasteruption jaculator - a female seeking places to lay her eggs. The wasp larvae feed on the grubs or stored food of solitary bees. We are constantly reminded to look after solitary bees, etc. and many nest designs are offered for sale. The VIP insect hotel at Willow Tree Fen seemed to provide just what the wasp was looking for. She spent hours exploring it in detail before laying. I now intend to have a go at creating my own version, hoping a Gasteruption jaculator will like my design ideas. We are still plugging the herbarium/botany training days and hope quite a few readers will decide to give it a go. Please do give us your support. You don't get many opportunities to learn from the Natural History Museum botany team! See Chris Manning's piece below. I should emphasise - these days are FREE! That's great, isn't it? The next Field Meeting is at Sloothby on 6th July - see below. We hope to see you there. Roger *** Herbarium Project - Free Training Days *** Chris Manning writes: Conservation aware collection of wild plant specimens is a great way of improving your identification skills as well as making your own contribution to natural history study and science – your specimens will be used by the people of Lincolnshire, the UK and worldwide. This short course will introduce you to the ancient art of plant pressing; you will also start to learn how to identify plants and properly document the plant you are collecting. The course will be based upon practical activities in the field, by the end of the day you will have learnt how to use a hand lens properly, gained experience of using botanical keys, prepared plant specimens for drying and learnt what makes a good quality modern herbarium specimen. These training days are being organised by the National History Museum, Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and the Joseph Banks Society as part of our preparations for developing a future countywide project. Three days have been organised: 23rd July Professionals/experts 24th July Young persons (10-16 years old) with LWT education officers 25th July Enthusiasts/amateurs The events will be held at Whisby Education Centre, booking will be essential; 01507 526667 info@lincstrust.co.uk. For more information contact Chris Manning: chris.lincsdeer@gmail.com Thanks. Roger *** Protect your Computer *** Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody's cry “Constant vigilance!” is good advice when it comes to Internet security. A number of people I know have had computers struck down by virus and worm attacks this year. At the very least you need to secure your router and equip your pc with a firewall and antivirus software which you keep up-to-date. Adding a program like Malwarebytes will allow you to get rid of the stuff many anti-virus programmes miss. But “constant vigilance” is the key. Never ever trust an email that you feel is 'wrong' in some way, and never click on a link in an email you don't trust. Delete it. To paraphrase Roald Dahl: "I would rather irritate a dear friend than infect myself with a loathsome virus." For a good overview see: https://www.google.co.uk/safetycenter/everyone/start/ https://www.getsafeonline.org/ *** LNU Events - guests are welcome *** Indoor Meetings are held on Saturdays at the Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park, Moor Lane, Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln and start at 2pm. Field Meetings generally start at 12 noon for 1.00pm, but please check the details for each event and this may vary. The 2014 LNU Field Meeting programme is listed below in section 11. To check on the details, especially if weather suggests a possible cancellation, visit: http://lnu.org/events.php Sunday, July 06, 2014 Private farm at Sloothby (Courtesy of G and N Rutter) Southeast of Alford 12.00 for 13.00 start. Park in grass field at TF50217107. The farm is at the eastern end of Sloothby village on the north side of the road (just inside village sign). A track leads to a two houses and the field entrance is immediately on the left. Habitats: Pasture, meadow and hedges with trees. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Guests are welcome at our meetings. *** Butterfly Conservation Events *** Lesley Robinson writes: BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION LINCOLNSHIRE BRANCH Moth Night 26th July at Chambers Farm Wood Education Centre (Grid reference: TF147740) 9:30pm until late See & identify the amazing variety & number of Moths in the Limewoods (Please wear warm clothing & stout footwear. Bring a torch) Open Day 27th July at Chambers Farm Wood Education Centre (Grid reference: TF147740) 11am to 3pm Butterfly walk 11.00am from the Education Centre Your opportunity to see White Admiral & other butterflies at close quarters Both events are by kind permission of the Forestry Commission. *** 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 *** Jeremy Eyeons writes: The South Lincs RSPB have started their 2014 series of Birdwatching Cruises into The Wash estuary and River Welland. http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire During 2013 over 105 species were seen, averaging 64 per cruise, and each cruise is manned by experienced Spotters. Apart from birds, basking seals are also regularly seen. Each cruise departs from Boston's Grand Sluice lock and lasts between four and five hours. Everybody is welcome. RSPB members £17-50 (under 16 £9-50). Non members £20 (£10-50) Booking is via The South Holland (Spalding) ticket agency and is essential. Call 01775-764777 or go online www.southhollandcentre.co.uk where full details including sailing times of those cruises which haven't sold out can be found. 14 cruises have been arranged for 2014 which started on 25th April, with various sailing times every month, and concluding on 16th October. These cruises are once again proving very popular. *** Lincoln RSPB *** http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ *** South Lincs RSPB *** Jeremy Eyeons writes: Forthcoming dates for the 2013/2014 programme of Events. Members and non-members welcome. http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2. Wildlife Highlights ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Bird News from Rare Birds Alert *** Rare Bird Alert has kindly given permission to reproduce reports. A big thank you from us all. Interested readers should have a look at the RBA website: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ 21/6 Quail, Donna Nook Quail male singing, Walesby Moor Glossy Ibis, Frampton Marsh Spoonbill on Tennyson's Sands, Gibraltar Point 22/6 Glossy Ibis, Spoonbill, 5 Little Gulls, Frampton Marsh Montagu's Harrier, Gibraltar Point 3 Turtle Doves, track off Ingoldmells road, Burgh-le-Marsh 23/6 Montagu's Harrier fem, Gibraltar Point Glossy Ibis, Spotted Redshank, Sandwich Tern, Spoonbill, drk Garganey, Frampton Marsh Glossy Ibis, Willow Tree Fen LWT 24/6 Glossy Ibis, 4 Little Gulls, Garganey, 2 Turtle Doves, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh Osprey over Gibraltar Point 25/6 Glossy Ibis, 2 Turtle Doves, Spotted Redshank, Little Gull, Frampton Marsh Spoonbill, Tennyson Sands, Spotted Redshank, Gibraltar Point 26/6 2 Glossy Ibis, 3 Turtle Doves, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Garganey, 2 Little Gulls, Frampton Marsh Spoonbill, Tennyson Sands, Gibraltar Point 27/6 Glossy Ibis, Turtle Dove m singing, Spotted Redshank, 4 Little Gulls, Frampton Marsh 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. BOSTON TF3143 John Marshall 19/20th June. Great Spotted and Green Woodpeckers in garden. My annual juvenile Starling ringing going well - certainly better than 2013 - 100th bird ringed 20th June, numbers however are falling off, early fledging apparent. CAISTOR Wendy Handford (WH) Reports from contributors to Caistor records Week beginning 20.6.14 Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 WH Fox on lawn 9am 23.6.14 Muntjac 3.30am, 23.6.14 Rabbits 2 adult 2 juvs on lawn 23.6.14 Rabbits 2 eating campanulas, scabious, veronicas in flowerbed 20.6.14 Curlews calling 24.6.14 Jackdaws 6 at birdfeeder 21.6.14 Owl pellets 6 in spruce wood 20.6.14 Pheasant m 25.6.14 Skylark singing daily Meadow brown, first this yr 23.6.14 Pill woodlice 10s under bluebell leaves 20.6.14 Red admiral 25.6.14 Ruby-tailed wasp 21.6.14 Speckled wood 20.6.14 Speedwell gall fly 20.6.14 Wasp beetle 23.6.14. New First flowers Common knapweed 23.6.14 Harebell 23.6.14 Lesser spearwort 24.6.14 Musk mallow 264.6.14 Selfheal 23.6.14 Yarrow 20.6.14 Caistor Market Place TA 117 015 Gill Maund Bee swarm - a "cast" - on brick wall of Boots. 21.6.14 Caistor Wildlife Area TA 111 015 WH 25.6.14 Blackbird 3, Blackcap 1, Mistlethrush 2, Pied wagtails 2, Songthrush 1Wren 1, Woodpigeon 4 Ringlet, Speckled wood In flower: Bittersweet, Black horehound, Broad-leaved dock, Creeping thistle, Curled dock, Elder, Hedgerow cranesbill, Hogweed, Marsh thistle, Meadow buttercup, Meadowsweet, Red clover, Rough chervil, Selfheal, Southern marsh orchid, Spear thistle, Yellow flag iris, Hundon Manor Farm TA 116 024 P Robinson Buzzards 5 circling 22.6.14 Grey heron 23.6.14 Mute swan 23.6.14 Nettleton Lodge Game Farm TA 090 012 B Jacob Swallows 3 fledge 22.6.14 Common marsh bedstraw 26.5.14. New Sulphur tuft 26.5.14 Shieling farm TA 106 027 W Collins Stoat kills juv rabbit 22.6.14 Pied wagtails 4 fledge 20.6.14 Swallows 5 fledge 25.6.14 Wren nest in bale 21.6.14 Grass snake adult 22.6.14 South Street garden TA 119 012 D Cole 18.6.14 Brimstone moth Buff ermine Cinnabar Clouded silver Common footman Coronet Elder pearl Anania coronate Phlyctaenia coronata Elephant hawk moth Ermine knot-horn Phycitodes binaevella. New Figure of eighty (nice new moth) Heart and dart Hummingbird hawk moth Large twin spot carpet. New Marbled minor Middle barred minor Olive pearl Udea olivalis. New Riband wave Sandy carpet Shears. New Thyme marble Celypha cespitana.New Turnip moth. New 21.6.14 Blood-vein. New Brown-line bright-eye Buff ermine Buff-tipped marble Hedya ochroleucana. New Cherry bark moth Dark arches Dot moth Flame shoulder Garden carpet Garden grass-veneer Green pug Heart and dart Large ivy tortrix Lozotaenia forsterana Light brown apple moth Marbled minor Middle barred minor Pale tussock Peppered moth Plain golden Y Privet hawk moth Riband wave Rufous minor Sandy carpet A Scopariinae moth Eudonia truncicolella. New Shuttle shaped dart Small grey Eudonia mercurella Small magpie Snout Spectacle Sword grass. New Turnip moth. New Vapourer White-pinion spotted. New White satin moth Yellow spot tortrix Pseudargyrotoza conwagana Other A1084 at Grasby, WH Brown hare roadkill 21.6.14 CARLTON LE MOORLAND Carlton le Moorland 23/6/14 Little Owls feeding recently-fledged young Barn Owl Grass Snake (roadkill) Cuckoo calling mid-evening, still the full song. CLEETHORPES TA 307087 Bill Meek 4.6.14 Eyed Hawkmoth - female DEEPINGS Venue: Deeping Lakes LWT Reserve TF187083 Date: 123/06//2014 Observer: Ian Gordon Time: 0915 - 1145 Weather: Sunny, mild Birds: Blackbird Blackcap Black-headed Gull Blue Tit Buzzard Canada Goose Carrion Crow Caffinch Chiffchaf Common Tern Coot Cormorant Garden Warbler Goldfinch Great Crested Grebe Great Tit Green Woodpecker Grey Heron Greylag Goose Kestrel Kingfisher Lapwing Lesser Black-backed Gull Little Egret Magpie Mallard Marsh Harrier Mute Swan Nightingale Oystercatcher Pheasant Pochard Reed Bunting Reed Warbler Robin Rook Sand Martin Tufted Duck Willow Warbler Wren Yellowhammer Butterfly: Large White Meadow Brown Ringlet Small Tortoiseshell Small White Damsels and Dragons: Banded Demoiselle Common Blue Damselfly Common Hawker Mammals: Grey Squirrel Rabbit Stoat DONNA NOOK TA417001 Bill Meek 23.6.14 Privet Hawkmoth 1 DONNA NOOK TA417001 Bill Meek 26.6.14 Essex Skipper Small Skipper Large Skipper Small Heath Meadow Brown Ringlet FOLKINGHAM Folkingham garden Peter Howse, w/e 20/6/2014 Orange tip larvae 2 on garlic mustard - Jeremy Lucas states they only feed on the seed pods, but one of mine has been feeding on the leaves, probably because the pods are getting tough. One mature larva is pupating on the food plant which I believe is unusual. I have also found five small brimstone larvae mainly on the younger of my two alder buckthorns. Birds etc. in garden - woodpigeon 3, feral pigeon 1 (a first), sparrow 4, chaffinch 1 first for some weeks, blackbird 2, great tit 4, starling 5 plus, collared dove 2, goldfinch 2, jackdaw 1, red admiral 1, speckled wood 1, large white 1, large unidentified dragonfly 1, blue tail damselfly 2, buff & white tailed bumblebees. I have a starling nesting behind a gutter end - a very noisy second brood. GRIMSTHORPE Chris Howes - Park Ranger 21/06 2 Dark Green Fritillary - New Quarry Hay Meadow TF045206 23/06 Very late female Orange Tip - looked freshly emerged Creeton TF014218 23/06 Superb moth trap this morning - 80 species of macros including Drinker, Small Yellow Wave, Lackey, Barred Yellow, Four Dotted Footman, Small Elephant Hawk, Double Dart and Clouded Border - New Quarry TF 045206. HEALING R Julier 23rd June 2014 Ridge and furrow pasture TA 211095 Meadow Brown - 4 Ringlet - 20+ Common Green Grasshopper - Instars Lesser Marsh Grasshoppers - stridulating B1210 TA 216102 Road-kill Hedgehogs - 2 within 100m, female unfortunately nearing parturition & male.# [Thanks Rob - your email provider rejected my earlier thank you.] HEIGHINGTON John Nickson 21st to 23rd June 2014 Moths to light in garden Barred Straw Beautiful Hook Tip Bright Line Brown Eye Brimstone Moth Brown Rustic Buff ermine Buff Tip Burnished Brass Cinnabar Clay Clouded Border Common Emerald Common Footman Common Pug Dark Arches Dot Moth Double Square Spot Elephant Hawk-moth Eye Hawk-moth Fan-foot Flame Garden Tiger Grey Pug Heart and Dart Large Yellow Underwing Lime-speck Pug Lychnis Marbled Minor Pale Prominent Peppered Moth Plain Golden Y Poplar Grey Poplar Hawk-moth Privet Hawk-moth Riband Wave Rustic Scalloped Hazel Shoulder-striped Wainscot Shuttle-shaped Dart Silver-ground Carpet Small Blood-vein Snout Spectacle Swallow-tailed Moth Uncertain Willow Beauty HUMBERSTON TA314056 my garden Bill Meek 13.6.14 Small Elephant Hawkmoth 1 21.6.14 Grass Rivulet 1 Freyer's Pug 2 Bombus bohemicus (bumblebee) - 1 Osmia caerulescens (solitary bee) - sev LINCOLN SK972738 W/E 28/06/2014 Jayne Knight 17/06 My cleaner very pleased to have spotted another Muntjac deer, this one over on the playing field near my flat. Initially it was trapped in a fence but the arrival of my lady, another dog walker and the owner of the house gave it added impetus to get free and ran off with no visible injuries. 20/06 Flying ants noted exiting a nest between the external flat wall and concrete path. Pleased to record it is a nest of the yellow ant, Lasius flavus, so they haven't been totally routed by the black ants. 25/06 Twilight watering of tomatoes disturbed another Tiger Crane Fly, Nephrotome flavescens. 27/06 Am also pleased to see that the number of House Sparrows visiting the feeders has increased. Can now get half a dozen birds at a time, usually 3m and 3f. There has also been a couple of fledglings, too. When I first moved here in '98 I could muster over 30 at a time (when feeding white bread!) but numbers dwindled for no apparent reason. There has been no major loss of lawn or borders to decking/gravel on the estate and the roof tiles have not been replaced so their nest sites are still accessible. MARSHCHAPEL, by church 25.6.14 Spotted Flycatcher PORTERS LODGE MEADOWS SK963195 Jane Ostler 21/6/14 An hour in the sunshine walking only the field edge nearest the entrance gate. The diversity was overwhelming. The first impression was of the flowering grasses particularly those associated with limestone grassland. The crested dog's tail and the golden oat were fully open and the the upright brome and tor grasses ,though closed, towered above the smaller bents. The dainty quaking grass was frequent but best seen from the edge of the path. Common spotted orchids and betony, lesser stitchwort and meadow cranesbill, sorrel, field scabious and tufted vetch, agrimony and meadowsweet were amongst the plants which had come into flower since the end of May. Birds foot trefoil, vetches and clovers, fairy flax , yellow rattle and buttercups were still in flower and yellow composites l were showing even above the grasses. Both dark and light forms of meadow brown butterflies were abundant and common blues, small skipper and small heath frequent. Brimstone and cinnabar moths were flying but I saw no chrysalids of six spot burnet attached to grass stems. These were very abundant last year. A humming bird hawk moth was hovering on blackberry flowers. The four kinds of bumble bee seen were all workers. We were quite startled by what seemed a huge hornet wasp flying out from the hedge. It rapidly flew into the distance but we had the distinct impressin of an orange-brown abdomen. The few fungi fortunately waited for attention. They were:- Field Mushroom (Agaricus sylvestris) Egg Yellow(Bolbitius vitellinus) Now called Yellow fieldcap (B.titubans) Oh dear. Choke (Epichloe typhina)The orange rings of this encircled the stems of cocksfoot grass. RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF 309 847 (unless otherwise stated) Silvia Fowler 19.06.14 Small Tortoiseshell, in pristine condition 20.06.14 Sawfly Larvae of Nematus pavidus on willow Six Spot Burnet moth - Zygaena filipendulae 21.06.14 Red Admiral (first this season) Wren, juv. Blackbird fledgling 23.06.14 15 Swifts overhead at 9.30 pm Bombus terrestris nest found in empty compost bags stored underneath a pallet behind greenhouse. Saw a worker chewing the plastic to enlarge the entrance. An inspection in the autumn, when the colony has died off, should be very interesting. 25.06.14 Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell THEDDLETHORPE Ian Whitaker Tuesday 17 June 2014 About 12 COMMON DARTERS floating around a hawthorn bush on the track east of the Churchill Lane car park. THURNHOLMES (SK79767 98400) and surrounding area Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 06/06/14 Turtle Dove x 1 Common Blue x 1 SK808999 07/06/14 Hedgehog x 1 (dead) Owston Ferry Speckled Wood x 1 SK809993 Green Cellar Slug x 1 SK814993 13/06/14 Brown Hare x 3 SE799009 21/06/14 Blackbird x 2 Blue Tit x 4 fledged young Goldfinch x 2 Kestrel x 1 female + 6 young flying around over nest site. Pied Wagtail x 2 Robin x 5 fledged young in stables Stock Dove x 2 Tree Sparrow x 3 nest boxes with young, 2 with eggs Wood Pigeon x 5 Wren x 1 Small Tortoiseshell x 2 Speckled Wood x 1 Cinnabar x 1 Snout x 1 Leopard Slug x 1 (also 26/06/14) 24/06/14 Ringlet x 8 SE803002 Cinnabar x 1 25/06/14 Blackbird x 3 young fledged Chaffinch x 1 male with grubs in beak to feed 5 young (fledged later on in day) Common Buzzard x 1 Pied Wagtail x 2 feeding young in nest Stock Dove x 2 Swift x 5 Small Tortoiseshell x 1 Cinnabar x 4 Wasp Beetle x 1 26/06/14 Great Tit on second clutch Owston Ferry Turtle Dove x 1 MOTHS on security light; Common Footman x 3 Cream-bordered Green Pea x 1 Fan-foot x 4 Middle-barred Minor x 1 Silver Y x 1 Small Fan-footed Wave x 1 WELBOURN Welbourn 22/6/14 Green Woodpecker WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 21/6 Cuckoo still calling. Probable Brown Hawker dragonfly hunting in garden next door. Large adult grass snake by compost bin - a regular laying site. [AP] 22/6 Large grass snake seen again, once by AP, then by RP. Cuckoo heard and seen 6am. Calling all morning. 2 in altercation over garden 4pm. 24/6 Cuckoo still calling. Got a good look at a grass snake backing by the compost bins. Adult f, 3"+ long, - a beautiful snake. 25/6 Snake still active - basking on top of a bin today. Cuckoo still in good voice. 26/6 2 Buzzards and 2 Cuckoos calling early morning. 2 adult Grass Snakes still caught on camera trap. 27.6 Cuckoos still calling. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 27th June 2014 John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Peter & Janet Roworth The fresh on-shore winds continued all week, with a brief shower of rain on the 24th. By the end of the week there was a fall in pressure and a cloudy wet day on the 27th. The dune vegetation is looking at its best and there is now the distinctive smell of lady's bedstraw, particularly in sheltered dune hollows. Other flowers of the dunes include crow garlic, self-heal, rest-harrow, agrimony and eyebright. Pyramidal orchids are flowering well, and common century is beginning to open on sunny days. On the saltmarsh Sea plantain and sea lavender is beginning to flower. There appears to be good numbers of ringlets plus small skippers, several sightings of Essex skippers, meadow browns, large skippers and small heaths. An Emperor dragonfly was on the wing at Rimac on the 21st. Towards the end of June there is the expected first return of waders from their northern breeding grounds and some movement of sea birds. Sightings have included small groups of Curlew and Redshank, 2 adult Gannets on the 22nd and 6 mixed ages on the 24th when 6 Sandwich Terns were also seen flying south. Swifts have been seen feeding high and moving south all week. Starlings, mainly young birds, are increasing in number with c300 seen on the 27th. A fine male Peregrine Falcon was hunting over the saltmarsh on the 25th, a juv Golden Plover was seen on the beach near Churchill on the 24th and 25 Black-tailed Godwits were tucked in tight against the edge of Rimac lagoon on the 23rd. During the week a juv Green Woodpecker has observed between Rimac and Sea View feeding off ants on the dunes. Cliff commented that up to 16 Skylarks have been seen on the new dunes north of Brickyard and two pairs have bred in the area with birds still singing and holding territory. This has also been noted north of Rimac up to Paradise with at least 3 pairs breeding on the dunes. Similarly birds are still in song over the saltmarsh so it seems to have been a successful year for this wonderful songster of the English skies where in the UK the population halved during the 1990s and is still declining. In the preferred habitat of farmland Skylarks declined by 75% between 1972 and 1996. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. Badgers: Ministers 'wilfully' ignoring science advice http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-27926951 Environmental Award 2014 finalists announced http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/news/2014/06/25/environmental-award-2014-finalists-announced ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/