============================================= || || 16th 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.... *** Thanks for this week's Gorse and "Lords and Ladies" records. Please keep them coming. See Paul Kirby's notes below in section 3. I was very interested to see we had a reader in Hong Kong last week. It is amazing how far afield the Bulletin is read. Many thanks to those who attended the AGM and enjoyed the Chairman's address - a compelling review of the positive contribution made to conservation by field sports. We hope to see you at the first Field Meeting of the year on April 27th. All welcome. See below. The past week has brought out masses of insect life, bees, butterflies and beetles, notably the ladybirds. This is reflected in the reports. A visit to our apiary found the honeybees in good heart, all the hives trailing in nectar and a very yellow pollen. We think we shall have an early flowering of oil seed rape over a relatively short period, after which other nectar and pollen sources will hopefully come into play. Has anyone found a Broom Seed Beetle yet? See Charlie Barnes' piece below. Please see if you can drum up a few more Bulletin readers this month. Thanks. Roger *** 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. 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, 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 Guests are always welcome at our meetings, but of course it is 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 *** 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. 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 *** Ibis eating newts? *** Roy Harvey writes: On March 7th Linda and I were just over the county border in Nottinghamshire and took the opportunity of seeing the long- staying Glossy Ibis that has been in the Lowdham area since before Christmas. The bird was feeding in old water-logged pasture field and seemed to be consuming quite large quantities of newts. The Glossy Ibis feeds quickly, and with its head down for most of the time, but every now and then a fairly large feed item would be visible with a few people commenting that they could see an orange coloured underside on the unfortunate victim. Is it likely that newts would be in wet pasture land at this time of year? If not newts, could anyone suggest what the bird was consuming? *** Save our Barns *** Extract from Friends of the Peak District newsletter March 2014. Sent in by Julia Smith. Save our Barns Some good news recently for National Parks. Ministers have changed their minds about government proposals to allow redundant barns in national parks to be converted into housing without planning permission. CPRE’s Chief Executive, Shaun Spiers, said: ‘We are pleased that the Government has listened to concerns about how the planning reforms are being implemented at the local level. In particular, the first signs of greater support for brownfield development are very welcome. ‘We remain concerned, however, by other aspects of the guidance, not least the proposal to make local authorities release more greenfield land around villages where housing has become more expensive. This will destroy countryside without doing anything to control house prices’. See: http://www.friendsofthepeak.org.uk/Latest_News/2014/01/30/ *** 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: 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? 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 *** Gainsborough Area LWT *** Dave Stockley writes: Wed 19 March 2014: 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. (Sales stall: books/magazines) For more information, please ring Joy on 01427 628457 or E-mail Linda – woodentops@darter.plus.com *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** Carolyn Lovely writes: On Saturday 22nd March 2014 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them on a walk round Wold Newton with Clifford Jukes. Meet at 1.30pm near North Farm, just north of the village. Grid ref TF 243972. Please wear suitable clothing and boots or wellies. This is a free event but donations will be welcomed for the Trust. To book a place ring 01472 502858. *** Market Rasen LWT *** Wendy and Geoffrey Handford will be giving an illustrated talk for the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust (Market Rasen Group) entitled 'Andes to Atacama - Wildlife of Central Chile' at 7.30 on Friday 21st March at Caistor Town Hall (car park entrance off North St behind the hall). Admission £1.50 to include refreshments. *** Survey of Plants and Lichens associated with Ash (SPLASH) *** Chris Manning sent 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/ *** 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 *** Sir Joseph Banks Annual Lecture *** Paul Scott writes in the SJBS newsletter: Don’t forget the Annual Lecture coming up on Wednesday May 14th. Professor Mark Seaward will give a talk on Lincolnshire Botanists. See http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ 6/03 Little Bunting in stubble field, Lea, SSE of Gainsborough 2 Common Cranes, NE over Willow Tree Fen 7/03 Long-tailed Duck, Covenham Reservoir Long-tailed Duck flew south past Gibraltar Point 8/03 26 Little Gulls south past Gibraltar Point 2 Scaup, 1 drk, 4 Eurasian White-fronted Geese, Pale-bellied Brent Goose m, Hen Harrier, Snow Bunting on sea bank wall, Frampton Marsh Mealy Redpoll, Lea Park SSW of Gainsborough Little Bunting in stubble field, Lea, SSE of Gainsborough 56 Whooper Swans near Haddington flew north over A46 9/03 Spoonbill, Grainthorpe Haven 2 Common Cranes, Wroot at Alderfen Fisheries Little Bunting in stubble field, Lea, SSE of Gainsborough Two-barred Crossbill m ESE of Scunthorpe, SSW of Broughton at Forest Pines golf course Long-tailed Duck, Slavonian Grebe, Covenham Reservoir 10/03 Iceland Gull, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, Bonby Carrs Long-tailed Duck, Covenham Reservoir 3 Common Cranes circled over Grantham Two-barred Crossbill m ESE of Scunthorpe, SSW of Broughton at Forest Pines golf course 11/03 GYR imm grey morph, Read's Island on logs on mudflats later reported as: flew west thru Far Ings NR Smew redhead, Kirkby on Bain gravel pits near washing plant Long-tailed Duck, Covenham Reservoir Long-tailed Duck, Slavonian Grebe, Barton-upon-Humber pits, Sailing Pit 12/03 Long-tailed Duck, Barton-upon-Humber pits, end of pit 25 Little Stint, Frampton Marsh on newly flooded grassland Two-barred Crossbill m ESE of Scunthorpe, SSW of Broughton at Forest Pines golf course Black Brant with Pale-bellied Brent Geese, Croft Marsh, Gibraltar Point Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh 13/03 Long-tailed Duck, Covenham Reservoir Two-barred Crossbill m ESE of Scunthorpe, SSW of Broughton at Forest Pines golf course 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 has asked us to look out for and report locations of the easy-to-recognise species, Gorse and Lords and Ladies. The issue is not that they are under-recorded. Instead Paul is interested to find the flowering period of Ulex europaeus in Lincs and whether the distribution of plants of Arum maculatum with spotted leaves differs from that of plants with unspotted leaves. So: 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 - 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. HUTTOFT - Gorse Jane Pennington Date: 9/3/2014 Gorse in abundant flower at Huttoft Bank TF540786. HUMBERSIDE with Lords & Ladies records: A Buckle S Smith 7/3/2014 Far Ings: Hawthorn in flower also Flowering currant. Normanby Hall: Small nettle, Lords and Ladies, Italian Lords and Ladies, Hairy bittercress, Spring Squill. Immingham: Lesser Celandine. Roxton Green: Hellebore, Lords & Ladies, Spotted Lords a& Ladies. WINTERTON - Lords & Ladies Winterton, Vicarage Garden (front), High Street. Alice Nunn For many years I have had a smallish clump of presumably self seeded Lords & Ladies in a fairly shady part of my front garden. To the best of my recollection they have always had spotted leaves. This year there seem to be more plants and they are all of the spotted leaf variety. Can't yet see any buds/flower spike. Lords and Ladies records :- JACKIE FREEMAN 10/03/2014 Walesby TF 133 877 Footpath from Mill Farm to Otby. Plants in hedge bottom, all plain-leaved. Kingerby Beck meadows TF 051 941 Plants in hedge bottom in green lane, all plain leaved *** County Wildlife Reports From Readers *** Please keep your reports coming. We rely on you to send in your observations and We welcome information from ALL readers, be they beginners or experts. Thanks. DON'T FORGET Please include the year in your reports in case they are copied and thus lose their context. BOSTON (South, by A16) 09/03/2014 Roy and Kath Pearson An amazingly early Comma butterfly in the garden today. CAISTOR Wendy Handford (WH) Reports from contributors to Caistor records Week beginning 7.3.14 Brigg Road garden TA 113 020 J Foster Grey squirrel Fox most evenings Rabbits 4 Blackbirds 6 Blue tits 4 Brambling Chaffinches 4 Collared doves 2 Goldfinches up to 12 Great tits 2 Jackdaws 4 Jays 2 Lesser redpoll Long-tailed tits 2 preparing to nest Magpie Mealy redpoll Mistlethrush Pheasant Red-legged partridge Robins 2 Siskin Sparrowhawk Songthrush Starlings 4 Treesparrows 10 Wren Buff-tailed bumblebees 2 Earwigs 7-spot ladybirds Lacewings Brigg Road verge TA 113 020 WH Peacock 9.3.14 Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 WH Badger 4am, 9.3.14 Fox, lame, 8.3.14 Muntjac m 1am, 8.3.14 Buzzard circling 3pm 7.3.14 Long-tailed tits 6 13.3.14 Magpies 6 9.3.14 Mallards 2 12.3.14 Pheasants 2 males 4 females 9.3.14 Black ants active 13.3.14 Winter moth 13.3.14 1stflowers of: Great forget-me-not 9.3.14 New Green alkanet 9.3.14 Ivy-leaved speedwell 11.3.14 Primrose 7.3.14 Wood forget-me-not 9.3.14 Clixby J Foster Buzzards 2 circling 12.3.14 Nettleton Lodge Game Farm TA 090 012 B Jacob Brimstones 2 9.3.14 Peacocks 2 9.3.14 Red admiral 9.3.14 North Kelsey Road TA 116 015 A Wish Goldcrest caught by cat 8.3.14 Skylark heard 9.3.14 Frogs paired 1.3.14 Frogspawn 12.3.14 Brimstone 2 males 9.3.14 Buff-tailed bumblebee 1.3.14 Comma 9.3.14 Honeybees 4 9.3.14 Tortoiseshell butterfly 1.3.14 White-tailed bumblebee 9.3.14 7-spot ladybird 1.3.14 HORNCASTLE TF256695 Charlie Barnes 11 March 2014 Bombus hypnorum x2 HUTTOFT Jane Pennington Date: 9/3/2014 at TF518766 Yellowhammers 2 Huttoft TF512763 (my garden) Peacock butterfly 1 (very bedraggled) Huttoft TF512763 (my garden) Jane Pennington Date: 10/3/14 Great spotted woodpecker 2 (both on oak) Song thrush 1 Date: 11/3/14 Goldfinch 2 Starling 2 (collecting feathers for the nest) Yellowhammer 1 Date: 12/3/14 Small tortoiseshell butterfly 3 (on self heal) Date: 13/3/14 Small tortoiseshell butterfly 1 LINCOLN Colin Green 9 March 2014, 18:40, My garden, Newark Road nr Swallowbeck Church, Lincoln Highest numbers seen from one point: Brimstone (M) x 1 and (Fe) x1 Large White x1 Comma x 2 in aerial combat Small Tortoiseshell x 2 Peacock x 6 (two formations of 3 in aerial combat approx 10 ft apart). Apis melifera and Peacocks nectaring on apricot flowers Commas, Sm Torts and Peacocks were seen constantly all day. Quite unusual so early in year but what a glorious day! LINCOLN Colin J Green 11 Mar 2014. My Garden - Newark Rd nr Swallowbeck Church, Lincoln. Sunny 12 deg C. Comma x 1 One of my favourite insects Bombylus major - Bee Fly x 2 Apis melifera nectaring on hellebores Not a sign of the Peacocks and Sm Torts seen on Sunday! SALTFLEET HAVEN David Cressey 10/03/14 Solitary avocet seen at 15.15 pottering in mud beside Saltfleet Haven at low tide. SLEAFORD Richard Dawson 6/3/14 Lollycocks field - cowslips and daisies in flower plus glorious blackthorn trees in full blossom. Hazel coming in leaf. River Slea towards Evedon - 3 brown hares performing pair mute swans browsing for nest site kingfisher barn owl bumble bees active WAINFLEET CONSERVATION PONDS 12/03/2014 Roy and Kath Pearson Large numbers of geese were present today - Canada and Grey-lag. The birds were very vocal and very active - clearly preparing for the nesting season. A single Water Rail was calling in the reed-bed and a Great Crested Grebe was on the nearby River Steeping. A pair of Buzzards circled overhead on several occasions and a single Red Kite flew past. Other records were a single Small Tortoiseshell and a toad on a path between the reed-beds. WALESBY Jackie Freeman 10/03/2014 - warm, sunny day. Walesby TF 135 925 - my garden 3 x brimstone, 2 x tortoiseshell Buff-tailed bumble-bee on hellebores Dog violet, red deadnettle, field speedwell, dandelion, daisies in flower. In flower around village - primrose, dogs mercury, field speedwell, groundsel, red campion. WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 9/3/2104 Bombus leucorum q; x5 Comma Peacock 10/03 Buzzards calling over garden. 11/03 Brown hare in field south of garden. f Sparrowhawk hunting. 13/o3 Tawny Owl calling, 5.30am. m sparrowhawk perched on outbuilding 7am. WOODHALL SPA R & A Parsons TF 200633 to 216646 approx. Viking Way - Cottage Museum to Sandy Lane 9.3.2014 9.30hrs to 10.30hrs. 5 Brimstone Butterflies Pair of Bullfinches Muntjac Deer WRANGLE COMMON 09/03/2014 Roy and Kath Pearson Today we did the penultimate Winter Thrush Survey and a BirdTrack count. Winter thrushes were absent except for Blackbirds of which we counted 18. The BirdTrack count was much more interesting, with many birds now in song and therefore easier to identify. A total od 38 species was counted. Waders were represented by Curlew (1), Snipe (1), Oystercatcher (2) and Lapwing (2). Only two raptors were seen - Kestrel and Buzzard, though up to two Red Kites have been reported in the area. Waterbirds were represented by Canada Goose (11), Greylag Goose (30), Teal (4), Tufted Duck (2), Moorhen (1), Mallard (13), Coot (4) and Little Egret (1). Other species of interest were Collared Dove (our biggest ever count of nine),Corn Bunting (3), Meadow Pipit (12), Skylark (3), Tree Sparrow (9) and Yellowhammer (1). Mammals - Roe Deer (4). Butterflies - Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock and Brimstone. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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: 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 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/ 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, 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. dawalker - hard bounce - delivery failed - address cleaned ibirch - hard bounce - delivery failed - address cleaned lisa_3 - hard bounce - delivery failed - address cleaned r.jaggs-fowler - soft bounce - failed *** And finally...... Contributions to "And finally......" are always welcome. Tree storm damage 'worst since 1987' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-26478323 Careless farming 'adding to floods' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-26466653 Badger culls were 'ineffective and failed humaneness test' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-26369306 Dogdyke Pumping Station http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WCFFGiSvUY http://www.dogdyke.com/ Video captures hippo saving a gnu from a crocodile http://uk.news.yahoo.com/comment/sideshow/hippos-help-out-a-gnu-in-need-173412649.html#81ic9qZ ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/