============================================= || || 2nd March 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 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.... *** I hope some readers signed up for AuroraWatch and received Thursday evening's Amber alert at 22.05 UT. I did not read it in time and so missed seeing the display. If anyone did see it, a description would be interesting. See: http://aurorawatch.lancs.ac.uk/ I went to the Joseph Banks exhibition this week. See below for details. It is excellent, but I will need to make a return visit as there is a lot to digest. Many fascinating objects, books and pictures are displayed. Don't forget to take your reading glasses, as there are interesting letters and maps to read and lighting is subdued. If you have the slightest interest in the county's foremost naturalist, don't miss this opportunity. The full 2104 programme of LNU Field Meetings is below in section 11. See: http://lnu.org/events.php Has anyone found a Broom Seed Beetle yet? See Charlie Barnes' piece below. Please keep sending those Gorse and Lords & Ladies reports. Thanks. Roger *** Nest Site Security *** Please use discretion in bird reports now we are entering the nesting season. If in your judgement a report should not be made public, please direct it to the appropriate Bird Recorder rather than sending it to me for the Bulletin. *** LNU Events *** 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. To check on the details, especially if weather suggests a possible cancellation, visit: http://lnu.org/events.php March Meeting: Saturday, March 08, 2014 AGM Followed by the Presidential Address by Ian Macalpine-Leny: “The contribution that the management of land for sporting purposes has made to conservation in Lincolnshire” 2014 LNU Field Meeting programme is below in section 11. See: http://lnu.org/events.php Everyone is welcome at LNU meetings, but of course it is always good to have new members sign up and become involved in our work. You can do this via the LNU website: http://lnu.org/join.php *** Seawatch and Harbopur Porpoise video *** Dave Miller [Coast and The Wash Warden] writes: On Sat 8th March we will be running our regular Shoresearch beachcombing event from 3pm at Seacroft, Skegness. Meet at South Parade car park. The parking here is charged but the event is free. We have had quite a few sightings of harbour porpoise reported recently including a pod of 8 from Skegness Pier Angling Club during their competition at chapel Point on 15th Feb. Chas Tibble took some great footage which can be viewed here: http://www.planetseafishing.com/catchreports/read/skegness-pier-angling-club-february-2014/ *** BAT ALERT! *** Annette Faulkner The mild weather is bringing bats out of hibernation far too early, there's little for them to eat and the Bat Group's already had four casualties this week. If you have a bat in your house, or find one grounded outside, PLEASE don't put it out or leave it where it is. These bats will all need taking into care, weighing and checking over. If they are left they are usually too weak to fly, or fly far, cats may get them or they may die either from starvation/injuries several days later. Find an escape proof box (they can get through a hole the size of a thumb nail), pick the bat up, using gloves, or scoop it up in a cloth, put it in the box and phone us on 01775 766286. We will do the rest. *** Bird Club AGM *** Andrew Chick writes: Lincolnshire Bird Club Annual General Meeting Tuesday 18 March 2014 at The Admiral Rodney Hotel, Horncastle at 7.30pm Dr. Stuart Butchart is Head of Science at BirdLife International He will be talking on; State of the World's Birds - Indicators for our changing world The talk is FREE to everyone and will be followed by the Annual General Meeting (members only) Dr. Stuart Butchart is Head of Science at BirdLife International where he leads a team who help to set conservation priorities for the 117 Partners that form the BirdLife International Partnership. Stuart is a past pupil at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Horncastle, so we look forward to welcoming him back to his hometown. http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk/ *** Must-see Exhibition about Sir Joseph Banks *** "A Great Endeavour" - 15th February to 11th May 2014 at The Collection, Lincoln. An exhibition on the life and work of Sir Joseph Banks, who should need no introduction to Lincolnshire naturalists. Sir Joseph Banks Society http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk http://www.visitlincoln.com/whats-on/joseph-banks-a-great-endeavour *** The hunt for Bruchidius villosus, the Broom Seed Beetle *** Charlie Barnes, County recorder for beetles, writes: Now is a great time to search for Bruchidius villosus, the broom seed beetle. The beetle feeds within the seed pods of broom, Cytisus sp., the larva eating the individual seeds from the inside out. Having pupated within the seed, the adults then eat their way out but remain inside the seed pod until it bursts open. As some seed pods of broom remain "un-burst" over winter it's possible to find the adults now - select a few firm and bumpy seed pods and gently split them open. If you're lucky you should find an adult beetle or two. Look for small black "seeds" - the broom seeds themselves are normally brown. The adults should be drowsy for a few moments, but will quickly arouse once disturbed! There's an excellent write up and videos of the life-cycle of Bruchidius villosus, the broom seed beetle, and the weevil Exapion fuscirostre which also feeds on broom, at http://www.kerbtier.de/Pages/Themenseiten/enGinsterkaefer.html Despite broom being widespread over Lincolnshire, there are only 5 records of Bruchidius villosus, the broom seed beetle in the database. Can you add a dot to the map? *** Gainsborough Area LWT *** Dave Stockley writes: Wed 19 March 2014: (Sales stall: books/magazines) The Chesterfield Canal – John Lower John is a Committee Member of the Chesterfield Canal Trust and his illustrated talk will tell us about the Canal, its history and the work involved in getting all 46 miles of its towpath walkable and hopefully a bit of wildlife along the way. For more information, please ring Joy on 01427 628457 or E-mail Linda – woodentops@darter.plus.com *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** Carolyn Lovely writes: On Monday 10th March 2014 at the next meeting of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, Chris Manning will give an illustrated talk on the mammals of Lincolnshire. This will be held at Grimsby Town Hall and starts at 7.30pm. Admission £2, raffle, Trust goods stall and tea/coffee available. All are welcome. For further details please contact Jennie Redpath - 01472 502858. *** Scunthorpe Museum Society Natural History and Geology Section.*** Keith Scarrott writes: At the third meeting for 2014, on Monday, 10th March, starting at 7.15pm, Tim Newbery, a meteorologist working at RAF Coningsby, will be giving a talk entitled "How to read the weather". As well as predictions through weather charts on the media and through folklore, Tim provides a brief, informal guide to predicting the weather through clues in the sky. The meeting will take place in the upper room of the North Lincolnshire Museum on Oswald Road in Scunthorpe. ALL ARE WELCOME. There is no admission charge but a donation bowl is provided. There is free parking behind the museum and on Oswald Road. For further details please contact Keith Scarrott on 01724 762098. *** Survey of Plants and Lichens associated with Ash (SPLASH) *** Chris Manning sent in this: Ash dieback is described as a potentially landscape-altering disease. What are the ecological impacts? Botanists and lichenologists are required assist in a survey conducted by the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology in partnership with the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland, British Bryological Society and the British Lichen Society. See: http://www.brc.ac.uk/splash/ *** Wash Cruises 2014 - not to be missed *** Jeremy Eyeons writes: The South Lincs RSPB ( www.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire ) has announced the dates for their 2014 series of Birdwatching Cruises into The Wash estuary and River Welland. 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 via The South Holland (Spalding) ticket agency is essential 01775-764777 or online www.southhollandcentre.co.uk where full details can be found. 14 cruises have been arranged for 2014 starting 25th April, with various sailing times every month, and concluding on 16th October. *** Lincoln RSPB *** http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ Maureen Staples writes: RSPB indoor meeting at Bishop Grosseteste University, Longdales Road, Lincoln on Thursday 13th March 2014 on The RSPB's Natural Secrets by Peter Holden, MBE Start 7.30pm, RSPB members £3.00 Non members £4.00 *** South Lincs RSPB *** Jeremy Eyeons writes: Forthcoming dates for the 2013/2014 programme of Events. Members and non-members welcome. ILLUSTRATED TALK at Boston's Sam Newsom Music Centre March 20th at 7-30pm "Puffin around Shetland" by Richard Ashby, highlighting Spring migrants RSPB members £2 non-members £3-50 FREE GUIDED WALK at Boston Cemetery (meet in Crematorium car park) April 5th at 10am Looking for Spring migrants and wild flowers ILLUSTRATED TALK at Boston's Sam Newsom Music Centre April 24th at 7-30pm "Montana USA" by Alan Knight, featuring the wildlife of The Rockies, prairies and Yellowstone Park RSPB members £2 non-members £3-50 *** S Lincs RSPB *** 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/ 22/02 11-16 Two-barred Crossbill m with 6+ Crossbills ESE of Scunthorpe, SSW of Broughton at Forest Pines golf course Slavonian Grebe, 2 Long-tailed Ducks, Covenham Reservoir Scaup, Frampton Marsh c75 Snow Buntings, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Dunes near Brickyard Lane Little Stint or reservoir, Freiston Shore 23/02 4- 10 Slavonian Grebe, 2 Long-tailed Ducks, Covenham reservoir 3 Pale-bellied Brent Geese with Dark-bellied Brent Geese, Glaucous Gull Jackson's Marsh scrape, Gibraltar Point 2 Scaup, i drk, 4 Eurasian White-fronted Geese, 2 Hen Harriers, Little Stint, Frampton Marsh Great Grey Shrike SW of Scunthorpe by M180 near M181 junction Little Stint or reservoir, Freiston Shore Two-barred Crossbill m with 6+ Crossbills ESE of Scunthorpe, SSW of Broughton at Forest Pines golf course 24/02 1-3 Scaup, Barton-upon-Humber pits Two-barred Crossbill m with 6+ Crossbills ESE of Scunthorpe, SSW of Broughton at Forest Pines golf course Caspian Gull, Teal Lake, Whisby Nature Park Glaucous Gull Jackson's Marsh, then flew towards the Wash, Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point Slavonian Grebe, 2 Long-tailed Ducks, Covenham Reservoir 22 Snow Buntings, Cleethorpes 25/02 Slavonian Grebe, Covenham Reservoir Two-barred Crossbill m with 8+ Crossbills ESE of Scunthorpe, SSW of Broughton at Forest Pines golf course 26/02 Slavonian Grebe, 2 Long-tailed Ducks, Covenham Reservoir 2 Great Northern Diver flew past Gibraltar Point 27/02 Long-tailed Duck f, Barton-upon-Humber pits 28/02 Little Bunting on wires in hedge by stubble field, Lea, SSE of Gainsborough Caspian Gull, as Mediterranean Gull, NE of Skegness Tip 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 please Gorse - Is it in flower? If it is, are there abundant flowers or just a few? http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/species/gorse http://www.plantlife.org.uk/wild_plants/plant_species/gorse/ Lords and Ladies - reports please. Are the leaves spotted or not? http://www.plantlife.org.uk/wild_plants/plant_species/lords-and-ladies http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/species/lords-and-ladies Reports may be sent in via the Bulletin. Please separate them from your main report so I can include them here. Many thanks. Gorse records Swinstead valley (TF0022) - 23 February 14 (Vin Fleming) gorse in flower - probably about 5% of branches with flowers Stanton's Pit LWT reserve (TF035171) - 17 February 2014 (Vin Fleming) gorse in flower - <10% branches with flowers Lords & Ladies Swayfield Drift (SK996233 -TF004217) - 23 February 2014 (Vin Fleming) numerous plants - all without spots LORDS & LADIES Silvia Fowler 25.02.14 TF 308 847 Lords & Ladies, several clumps on bank, mostly plain green, but also some SPOTTED TF 305 846 (Raithby Borehole) Lords & Ladies: Extensive mixed clumps growing among ivy in small copse around Raithby Borehole; about 35% spotted, remainder green 26.02.14 TF 305 850 to TF 303 852 (Raithby to Hallington Road) Several spotted Lords & Ladies have emerged among green ones previously reported TF 301 856 to TF 295 859 (Louth Road from Hallington towards Withcall) So far no spotted Lords & Ladies visible among green clumps 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. BELTON PARK (National Trust) SK9238 Brian Hedley 22 February 2014 Fallow deer 200+ Otter spraints (lake edge in south of park) Raven 2 flying west. Buzzard 4 Goosander 16 Siskin 2 (song heard) Honeybees active on aconites BELTON PARK SK936394 Vin Fleming 16 February 2014 A single pipistrelle-sized bat feeding actively over the lake close to the boathouse at about 1300 Also 9 goosander, 2 nuthatch, 17 siskin CALLAN'S LANE WOOD TF0625 Vin Fleming 15 February 2014 Scarlet elfcup - Sarcoscyphea austriaca - 3 fruitbodies Fruiting on a mossy hazel branch over a ditch - same location as fruiting in 2013 and same time of year (almost to the day - clearly a good time to get out and look for more sites) CHAPEL PITS Dave Miller Fri 28th Feb 2014 Pink-footed Goose 2 Pochard 1 Wigeon 1 Magpie 1 Coot 1 Greylag Goose 36 Woodpigeon 1 Great tit 2 Canada Goose 3 Feral Geese 8 Wren 1 COASTAL COUNTRY PARK Dave Miller Weds 26th Feb 2014 Mute Swan 2 Whooper Swan 70 Thurs 27th Feb 2014 Mallard 2 Whooper Swan 73 (incl. 6 juveniles) Mute Swan 3 Fri 28th Feb 2014 Whooper Swan 70 Mute Swan 2 Muntjac 1 Kestrel 1 DEEPINGS Venue: Deeping Lakes LWT Reserve TF187083 Date: 26/02//2014 Observer: Ian Gordon Time: 1320 – 1640 Weather: Sunny, no windy and cold Birds: Blackbird Black-headed Gull Blue Tit Bullfinch Buzzard Canada Goose Carrion Crow Chaffinch Coot Cormorant Gadwall Goldeneye Goosander Great Crested Grebe Great Tit Green Woodpecker Greylag Goose Herring Gull Lapwing Lesser Black-backed Gull Magpie Mallard Moorhen Mute Swan Oystercatcher Reed Bunting Robin Rook Shoveler Teal Tufted Duck Water Rail Wigeon Mammals: Brown Hare(3) Grey Squirrel(2) HUMBERSTON Bill Meek 20.2.14 Queen Bombus pratorum HUTTOFT TF512 763 (my garden) Jane Pennington Date: 24/2/14 Muntjac 1 (5.30pm and it just stared at me when I tried to chase it out!) Date: 27/02/14 Great spotted woodpecker 1 Not in garden but in a field when out for a walk about 8.30am: Date 26/2/14 Fox 1 HUTTOFT BANK PIT Dave Miller Fri 28th Feb 2014 Pintail 2 (pair) Common Gull 18 Teal 11 Mallard 2 Gadwall 4 Black-headed Gull 40 Coot 3 Skylark 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull 1 Greylag Goose 14 LOUTH, STEWTON LANE 20th Feb 2014 Clare Brady Toads calling in the pond. Went on for about twenty min's before the cats disturbed them. MARTON SK842820 Brian Hedley 16 February 2014 Brown house moth 1 Red-tailed bumblebee 1 21 February 2014 Tree Bumblebee 1 Buff-tailed Bumblebee 1 False ladybird (Endomychus coccineus) 20+ adults found in habitat pile in garden. Common Buzzard 4 (soaring on thermals) 23 February 2014 Common frog 1 noted in garden pond. MORKERY WOOD (E) SK957174 Jane Ostler 23 February 2014 LICHENS Trees and shrubs along the edge of the wood bordering the road have, unfortunately, become covered over the last few years with 'dust lichens'. These species, most obviously the orange shield lichen, tolerate pollutants like quarry dust and fertilisers in the air and have spread dramatically now that atmosphere is less acidic. Further in the wood it was good to find Evernia prunastri growing on ash alongside the less sensitive Ramalina farinacea. FUNGI Common inkcap (Coprinus atramentarius), Scurfy Twiglet (Tubaria furfuracea) Trooping Funnelcap (Clitocybe geotropa) all in grassland. Blackfoot Polypore (Polyporus leptocephalus), Birch Polypore (Piptoporus betulinus), the very common brackets Hairy Curtain Crust and Turkey Tail, Blushing Bracket (Daedaleopsis confragosa) on cut oak. Sycamore leaf litter was heavily infested with tar spot. FLOWERS Very little pussy willow showing yet but hazel catkins fully out. No open female flowers seen. Blackthorn showing white in bud. Dog's Mercury, male flowers only showing. First primroses out in car park area. BIRDS Very little about but included p arties of blue tits and great tits and green woodpecker heard from field adjacent to wood. INSECTS A queen bumble bee seen very briefly. It was not a buff or white tailed bee but could have been Bombus lapidarius. In any case it looked very bedraggled. MAMMALS Squirrels out. Fresh molehills. No deer seen, nor evidence of deer. NETTLEHAM TF016761 On the footpath from Nettleham to Scothern Su Colman & Mark Townsend 21/02/2014 09.15 Skylarks (Alauda arvensis)! Spotted two and could hear at least two more, up high and singing as if its Spring! RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF 309 847 (unless otherwise stated) Silvia Fowler 21.02.14 2 Wrens gone to roost in dense cotoneaster 6 Redwing, 2 Mistle Thrushes, 1 Common Gull, several Blackbirds feeding in pasture (TF 309 848) 23.02.14 7-Spot Ladybird in compost 3 Goldfinches on nyger seed (absent since autumn) 24.02.14 Sparrowhawk, Wren Bluetit in song Great Diving Beetle active in pond 50-60 Redwing, ca. 20 Common Gull + 1 or 2 Black-headed, 2 Carrion Crow on pasture (TF 309 848) Buzzard (TF 309 850) 25.02.14 2 Stock Doves in garden White Deadnettle, a few Red Campion, Dandelion and Lesser Celandine flowers, local verges Green Woodpecker (heard) 26.02.14 First Blackbird song of the season 1 Starling feeding alongside flock of ca. 50 Redwing (TF 309 848) 27.02.14 Buzzard (TF 309 850) SANDILANDS PIT Dave Miller Fri 28th Feb 2014 Woodpigeon 4 Mallard 4 (2 pairs) Snipe 2 Carrion Crow 1 Coot 1 Tufted Duck 1 male Reed Bunting 1 singing male Dunnock 2 singing Moorhen 1 SCOTTON Scotton Common LWT Reserve SK868982 24 February 2014 B Hedley Adder 1 basking immature on PRV just to south of reserve SKEGNESS Dave Miller Sat 22nd Feb 2014 Peacock 1 SLEAFORD Richard Dawson 22/2/14 River Slea: Sleaford to PaperMill Lane Blackthorn and Pussy Willow out Pair of Mute Swans Mallards nesting on the banks Kingfisher Barn Owl TATTERSHALL area David Robinson writes: We hadn't seen the Short Eared Owls for well over a week but this afternoon 24/02/14 about 5pm we saw two hunting over rough pasture on Timberland Fen. In addition I have seen a Marsh Harrier (LH primary feathers missing) on several occasions hunting over the same reed beds at Kirkby on Bain pits. Great Crested Grebe are about at Kirkby on Bain Pits and I saw several males 6-8 displaying and looking splendid having lost their winter colours. On two or three occasions I have heard (Not seen) the Water Rail in the reeds of the pit opposite the rubbish dump entrance Kirkby on Bain. Haven't seen the Starling murmurations for ages, a local said he hadn't either. THURNHOLMES (SK79767 98400) and surrounding area Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 23/02/14 Goosander x 6 Kestrel x 1 male, 1 female Kingfisher x 1 Starling x 15 Tree Sparrow x 29 25/02/14 Blackbird x 2 Black Headed Gull x 53 Blue Tit x 2 Chaffinch x 3 Robin x 1 Rook x 29 Tree Sparrow x 15 Wood Pigeon x 3 Pygmy Shrew x 2 under recording sheets 26/02/14 Low Melwood Claypits Blackbird x 3 Black Headed Gull x 76 Canada Goose x 12 Coot x 20 Gadwall x 2 Little Grebe x 2 Mallard x 2 Tufted Duck x 20 WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 26/2/14 Small tortoiseshell am. A rather worn specimen. 27/2/14 Quick sighting of queen bumble bee sp - probable buff-tailed. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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: 28th February 2014 John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Peter & Janet Roworth Day time temperatures are now gradually rising, reaching 13.5°C on the 23rd, and together with some pleasant sunshine are arousing a few more buff-tailed bumblebees and fly sp to be on the wing. A small tortoiseshell butterfly was seen on the 26th near Sea View. There is a noticeable increase in bird song and in particular Great and Blue Tits, Robins, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Reed Buntings, Linnets and Dunnocks all pairing up. A pair of Tree Sparrows has returned to the Sea View area, and a Mistle Thrush was in song on the 27th. The flocks of corvids and winter buntings are now much smaller with around 80 Carrion Crows and 45 Jackdaws at roost and Snow Buntings 27. Shore Larks have not been seen during the week. There were several skeins of Pink-footed Geese moving north early in the week cumulating in 1500+ by the 26th. Cliff M reminds us of the value of the long lasting sea buckthorn berry crop this year which is still providing food for passing small numbers of Blackbirds, Fieldfares and Redwings. A Barn Owl was seen hunting near Churchill on the 27th, up to 3 Sparrow- hawks have been seen hunting over the reserve most days, and a male Hen Harrier was ‘working’ the saltmarsh on the 24th. Tawny Owls have been heard near Sea View. On the coast there have been Red-throated Divers 2-3 most days, Cormorants 20+ most days flying south from Rimac roost; Sanderling 20+, Dunlin c 90, with a few Bar-tailed Godwits and Grey Plovers; roosting Common Gulls down to c 200, but 400+ on coastal fields on 27th after heavy rain. In sheltered areas which catch the warmth of the sun dandelions are now in flower. Red dead-nettle is flowering at Paradise Wood where the leaves of lords-and-ladies are also coming through. Common whitlowgrass is coming into flower on the short turf areas of the old dunes. RSPB RESERVES http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/collections/thewash_northnorfolk.aspx SOUTH LINCS HIGHLIGHTS South Lincolnshire Monthly Bird Highlights Reports for..... John Badley Recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Assisted by Colin Jennings RSPB Frampton Marsh Gibraltar Point NNR Other sites 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 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. *** 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 County Bird Recorder, covering the south of the county recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk for John Badley recorder_north@lincsbirdclub.co.uk for John Clarkson 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/ 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. Indoor Winter Meetings: Saturday, March 08, 2014 AGM and Presidential Address by Ian Macalpine-Leny Saturday, March 08, 2014 AGM and Presidential Address by Ian Macalpine-Leny AGM Followed by the Presidential Address by Ian Macalpine-Leny: “The contribution that the management of land for sporting purposes has made to conservation in Lincolnshire” Sunday, April 27, 2014 Sweeting Thorns, Holme, Scunthorpe (Courtesy of Philip Marshall) East of Scunthorpe 12.00 for 13.00 start. Park at Raventhorpe Stop (Depot and Café) at SE298080 which is just off the westbound A18. Habitats: Broadleaved woodland, scrub and various grassland types. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Sunday, May 18, 2014 Shire Wood, Revesby (Courtesy of Revesby Estate) 12.00 for 13.00 start. Park at TL297614 in yard of Manor Farm, Revesby (in front of grain store/weighbridge). Access off West Lane which is off the A155 at western end of Revesby village. Once gathered we will move onto woodland in cars. Habitats: A private ancient woodland with connections to Sir Joseph Banks. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Saturday, May 31, 2014 Sutterby Mediaeval Village Southwest of Alford 10.00am to 3pm “mini-bioblitz” as part of the Spirit of Sutterby project. Parking details to be confirmed - see website or contact for details. Habitats: Pasture, arable, woodland, churchyard. Contact: Charlie Barnes 01507 526667 charlie@cucaera.co.uk 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 TF976461. 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. philahyde - hard bounce - delivery failed - address cleaned lisa.blezzard - soft bounce - failure ASimpson - soft bounce - failure *** And finally...... Contributions to "And finally......" are always welcome. Court order stops Derby cycle track work at The Sanctuary nature reserve http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-262650957 BBC Panorama - Richard Bilton's excellent "Britain Underwater" on iPlayer http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b03wyqp4/Panorama_Britain_Underwater/ World War One: The tank's secret Lincoln origins http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-25109879 ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/