============================================= || || 23rd 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.... *** We have reports of early swallows in this week's Bulletin. It has been fantastic Spring so far, with many butterflies and bumblebees about and Yellow Dung Flies, intriguing creatures. http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/life/Scathophaga_stercoraria Please keep your reports and other contributions flowing in. It is these that keep the Bulletin interesting and every bit helps. We will only have "something for everyone" if everyone helps. What would we do without our regular contributors? In this Bulletin: There is an interesting Butterfly Conservation talk coming up. Alkborough Flats has reopened this week - very good news. Annette Faulkner has updated her information on emerging bats. Derbyshire Wildlife Trust is about to launch vaccination of badgers against TB - an interesting and important initiative. Two Insect Identification "workshops" are to be run by the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Lincoln Area Group and the LNU. The hunt for the Broom Seed Beetle continues - any luck yet? Helen Gamble is giving a talk to Scunthorpe Museum Society, Natural History and Geology Section on the "God's Acre project" We have an article about an event with the "Humber Hounds"! Riger Wardle is running a Lowland wet grassland workshop in May. We have had a lot of suggestions for "And finally.." Thanks. I recommend the RSPB event on 4th April - at Boston Cemetery. "FREE GUIDED WALK at Boston Cemetery (meet in Crematorium car park) April 5th at 10am Looking for Spring migrants and wild flowers" Special thanks for the Gorse and "Lords and Ladies" records. Please keep them coming. See Paul Kirby's notes in section 3. Can you help us to recruit a few more readers to take us beyond the 1100 mark? Please use the convenient "forward to a friend" link at the end of the Bulletin. As the LWT has switched to its new website, I have endeavoured to remove any obsolete links in the Bulletin. Should you come across any I have missed, please let me know so I can zap or replace them. 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 - note updated Grid Ref. 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 SE928080 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 very 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 *** Lincolnshire Branch of Butterfly Conservation *** Lesley Robinson writes: Spring Indoor Meeting on the 29th March 2:00 for 2:30pm Title: All the UK Butterflies in a Year - by Cheating! Speaker: Martin Davies of the RSPB Sponsored by Red Dog Films Venue: Chambers Farm Wood Education Centre, Wragby Grid reference: TF148738 Light refreshments will be available. *** Alkborough Flats reopens *** Anna Moody writes: Alkborough Flats reopened on the 21st March. Extensive work has been carried out to restore the site after the damage caused by the surge tide on the 5th December. Recovery and repair work is still being carried out in some parts of the site, including near the main hide. Please take care when visiting the site while this work is being under- taken. Thank you to everyone for your patience whilst we restored the site. http://www.northlincs.gov.uk/your-council/about-your-council/news/latest-news/alkborough-flats-is-reopening-tomorrow/ *** Bat Update *** Annette Faulkner writes: It's encouraging to see records of a big surge in the invertebrate populations over the last week and bats are now starting to emerge from hibernation at the proper time, though we've had a few more casualties since I first wrote my Bats Alert! piece and the message still applies. Do keep your eyes open and record your first bats in the Bulletin, where I will pick up the record. We've already had one from a Skegness garden on 12th, and they've also been recorded from Harlaxton and Denton. 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. *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Lincoln Area Group and LNU workshops *** Richard Davidson writes: Interested in insects but would like to know more? Come along and find out more from LNU experts at joint Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Lincoln Area Group and LNU workshops. Two workshops are being held in 2014; one on beetles on the 14th June, is being run by Charlie Barnes county recorder for beetles. The second, covering hymenoptera on the 2nd August, is being run by David Sheppard county recorder for sawflies. Both will be at Whisby Nature Park, in the Lafarge Education Building from 1:30pm until 4:30pm. The workshops are free of charge and refreshments are included. As places are limited, please book via Richard Davidson on 01522 525725 or email rel.davidson@btinternet.com. *** DWT Badger Vaccination Article *** Julia Smith sent in the following DWT article. Very interesting. Badger Vaccination Thank you to everyone who has donated to our badger vaccination appeal. We have already reached our initial £50,000 target and will be starting vaccination soon. Please continue to spread the word and to donate as the more money we raise the more badgers we will be able to vaccinate. There's more information here. http://www.derbyshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/badgers *** Must-see Exhibition about Sir Joseph Banks *** "A Great Endeavour" - 15th February to 11th May 2014 at The Collection, Lincoln. 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? See: http://www.kerbtier.de/Pages/Themenseiten/enGinsterkaefer.html *** Free "Humber Hounds" Dog Training Event *** Tania Davey writes: Do you have a dog? Do you like to walk your dog around the Humber Estuary? If the answer is yes then why don't you become a member of the Humber Hounds. Humber Hounds is a membership group of like-minded dog friendly people. By joining you will receive a Humber Hounds goody bag and invitation to special events. All we ask is that you follow the Doggy Do Code. We will be holding a number of dog training events for our members to get involved in. Our first event will be held at 10.30am on 29th March at outside Waters' Edge Visitors Centre, Barton upon Humber. To join us at the event and to become a member of the Humber Hounds, please contact tania.davey@humbernature.co.uk or call 01652 631521. For more information please visit the Humber Hounds webpage http://humbernature.co.uk/humber-hounds.php and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Humber-Hounds/285043081651106?ref=hl *** Scunthorpe Museum Society, Natural History and Geology Section *** Keith Scarrott writes: Scunthorpe Museum Society, Natural History and Geology Section meeting on Monday, 14th April, starting at 7.15pm, the last indoor meeting before our spring and summer visits for members only. (Insurance reasons.) At this fourth meeting Helen Gamble, Project Officer for the Lincolnshire Country- side Service, working to protect the Lincolnshire AONB, will be giving us an illustrated talk entitled "God's Acre Project", a project concerned with the heritage, as well as wildlife, of graveyards. As usual, the upper room of the North Lincolnshire Museum will be the venue for the meeting. ALL ARE WELCOME. here 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. *** Lowland wet grassland workshop on Tuesday 13th May *** Forwarded by Charlie Barnes: Flora locale is running a Lowland wet grassland re-creation and management workshop led by Roger Wardle on Tuesday 13 May. Lowland wet grassland re-creation and management Tuesday 13 May Location: Skegness, Lincolshire Facilitator: Roger Wardle, Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes Project A practical day spent mainly in the field looking at wet grassland sites re-created using Higher Level Stewardship funding. We will focus on two key successful breeding wader habitats recreated from arable and examine in detail methods used. The landscaping, access, design, sward composition and establishment, grazing, weed control and water management and monitoring will be discussed with participants encouraged to contribute. This workshop is suitable for land managers, restoration consultants and contractors interested in re-creating, restoring and managing lowland and wet grassland for breeding waders or botanical diversity in a variety of situations. http://www.lincsmarshes.org.uk Details of how to book and fees can be found by clicking on the workshop link or by emailing info@floralocale.org http://www.floralocale.org/Lowland%20wet%20grassland%20recreation%20and%20management%20under%20Higher%20Level%20Stewardship Flora locale is committed to promoting and supporting good practice in ecological restoration projects. *** Wash Cruises 2014 *** 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. 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/ 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 Little Stint, Frampton Marsh 14/03 Two-barred Crossbill m ESE of Scunthorpe, SSW of Broughton at Forest Pines golf course Black Brant, Frampton Marsh 2 Scaup drks, Riverslea Pit, 2 Long-tailed Duck, NW Pit, Kirkby on Bain 15/03 Two-barred Crossbill m ESE of Scunthorpe, SSW of Broughton at Forest Pines golf course Water Pipit, Donna Nook Slavonian Grebe, Pit 25, fem Long-tailed Duck, Barton-upon-Humber Hen Harrier male, Grainthorpe Haven Little Stint, 2 Spotted Redshanks, drk Scaup, ringtail Hen Harrier, 2 Egyptian Geese, Frampton Marsh 16/03 Two-barred Crossbill m ESE of Scunthorpe, SSW of Broughton at Forest Pines golf course 17/03 Two-barred Crossbill m ESE of Scunthorpe, SSW of Broughton at Forest Pines golf course Scaup, 4 Eurasian White-fronted Geese, male Hen Harrier, Mediterranean Gull, Frampton Marsh 12 Crossbills south over, Spotted Redshank, Tennyson's Sands, Swallow flew south, Gibraltar Point Spoonbill, Short-eared Owl, c60 Twite, Grainthorpe Marsh 18/03 Slavonian Grebe, f Long-tailed Duck, drk Scaup, Barton-upon- Humber Pits 2 Scaup drks, Kirkby on Kain, Riverslea Pit 3 Eurasian White-fronted Geese, Frampton Marsh 19/03 7-9 Slavonian Grebe, Pit 25, f Long-tailed Duck, 2 Scaup 1 drk, Barton-upon-Humber Pits 4 Eurasian White-fronted Geese, Scaup drk, Hen Harrier, Frampton Marsh Osprey, f Hen Harrier flew east, Theddlethorpe All saints East by Long Eau Two-barred Crossbill m ESE of Scunthorpe, SSW of Broughton at Forest Pines golf course Firecrest, Gibraltar Point 20/03 1-6 2 Scaup drks, Kirkby on Kain, Riverslea Pit Slavonian Grebe, Pit 25, f Long-tailed Duck, Scaup, Sailing Pit, Barton-upon-Humber Pits Scaup drk, 45 Whooper Swans, Frampton Marsh 2 White Wagtails, Gibraltar Point 21/03 Spotted Redshank over South Scrape, Frampton Marsh Two-barred Crossbill m ESE of Scunthorpe, SSW of Broughton at Forest Pines golf course Water Pipit, Gibraltar Point 22/03 Scaup drk, 4 Eurasian White-fronted Geese, Frampton Marsh Hen Harrier, Donna Nook Rock Pipit, Toft Newtomn Reservoir 23/03 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. THURNHOLMES (SK79767 98400) and surrounding area Steve Hiner & Paul Snow Lords and Ladies 1 clump, 100+ leaves no spots SK79426 98474 25 Lords and Ladies no spots SK80599 1 small gorse no flowers SK80599 also Butterbur in flower River Trent bank, Owston Ferry 12/03/14 Lords and Ladies in Garden at DN15 9PU Alice Nunn For a number of years I have had a small to meduium clump of this plant in my north facing front garden. They have always been of the spotted leaf variety. This year they have spread and are doing well. For the firt time I have noticed a few plants in my back garden under the trees. These are of the plain leaved variety. At the moment I would estimate 65% spotted leaf and 35% plain leaf TETFORD John Robinson Lords and Ladies Tetford TF330 749 Many clumps on roadside verge all plain leaved except one large clump of spotted. Oxcome TF309 771 Many clumps on roadside bank of hill down to village - all plain leaved. Wood near Forfarth TF 324 785 Wood carpeted with clumps, all plain leaved. Reports from Jane Ostler Records of Arum maculatum Woolsthorpe-by-Colsterworth SK92/22 No spotted Twyford Wood SK950220 No spotted Tortoiseshell Wood SK963198 About 40per cent spotted Woolsthorpe Line SK917242 No spotted Morkery Wood Sk945180 About 10 percent spotted GORSE KIRKBY-ON-BAIN AREA Jacquie Harrison Sunday 16/03/14 Gorse 4 bushes near car park in Kirkby Pits reserve in various levels of flowering - seems to be more when catch more sun. Bush at entrance to the waste disposal site lane has been in full flower since January. Small bushes along Riverslea pit - a few flowers and was the same for those inside hedge on north -west pit. Most of bushes on Kirkby - Woodhall Spa road starting to flower with those nearer Kirkby and less in shelter of large trees having the most flowers. CAISTOR Wendy Handford (WH) Gorse locations: Swallow valley TA 183 043. Few bushes coming into flower A46 Swallow TF 184 040 still with abundant flowers A46 Riby junction TF 192 044 coming into flower MESSINGHAM Messingham Sand Quarry SE 908032 Sunday 16th March 2014 Keith and June Scarrott Gorse: There is much common gorse in flower at Messingham Sand Quarry nature reserve, although there did not seem to be a lot of flowers on each bush. Since then we have seen flowering gorse on both sides of the A1 dual carriageway between the A1/B1174 junction and the A1/A52 junction near Grantham. There were quite a few bushes and all seemed to have lots of flowers as we sped by in the car. The dates were Wednesday, 19th March and Saturday, 22nd, (today). The bushes were on the higher part of this stretch, nearer to the A1/A52 junction. Also see Messingham report below. *** 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 15.03.14 Mick Todd Although the frogs have been quite vocal for some time in my pond, I was very surprised to find a clump of spawn this morning. I know other people already have been finding spawn in their ponds but this is 2 - 4 weeks earlier than normal for my pond. BOSTON (South by A16) 18/03/2012 Roy and Kath Pearson Female Blackcap in garden today. BOSTON (South by A16) 20/03/2014 Roy and Kath Pearson Chiffchaff feeding in silver birch in garden. CAISTOR Wendy Handford (WH) Week beginning 17.1.14 Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 WH Muntjac in orchard eating daffodils, 6pm 16.3.14 Muntjac 2 3am 18.3.14 Foxes 2 interacting 19.3.14 Great spotted woodpecker f 18.3.14 Lapwings calling nearby 16.3.14 Pied wagtails pair 14.3.14 Red-legged partridges 2 18.3.14 Dog violet 16.3.14 Grey willow catkins 14.3.14 Marsh marigold 15.3.14 Red-tailed bumblebee 16.3.14 2-spot ladybird 16.3.14 Caistor bypass farmland TA 114 005 M Gallighan Brown hares 2 14.3.14 Caistor bypass verge TA 121 013 WH Danish scurvy grass 18.3.14 Caistor Wildlife Area TA 111 015 WH 18.3.14 Buzzards 2 circling Chiffchaff arrives Tawny owls calling nightly Treecreeper Common daisies 100s Germander speedwell Lungwort Grimsby Road TA 120 014 Blackthorn in bloom 18.3.14 Ground ivy 18.4.14 North Kelsey Road TA 116 015 A Wish Blackbird nest-building CRANWELL While driving; Junction of A17 and Main St, near SE corner of Cranwell airfield Les Binns. 16:35 Date: 20 Marc 14 Red Kite (Milvus milvus) - 2 DEEPINGS Venue: Deeping Lakes LWT Reserve TF187083 Date: 15/03//2014 Observer: Ian Gordon Time: 1340 - 1630 Weather: Sunny, breezy, mild Birds: Blackbird Black-headed Gull Blue Tit Buzzard Canada Goose Carrion Crow Chaffinch Chiffchaf Common Gull Common Redpoll Coot Cormorant Goldeneye Goosander Great Crested Grebe Green Woodpecker Grey Heron Greylag goose Great Tit Herring Gull Kingfisher Lapwing Lesser Black-backed Gull Long-tailed Tit Little Egret Magpie Mallard Mandarin Duck Moorhen Mute Swan Oystercatcher Reed Bunting Rook Siskin Woodpigeon Teal Mammals: Grey Squirrel (3) DEEPINGS Venue: Deeping Lakes LWT Reserve TF187083 Date: 22/03//2014 Observer: Ian Gordon Time: 0900 – 1120 Weather: Sunny, breezy and cold Birds: Blackbird Black-headed Gull Blue Tit Bullfinch Canada Goose Carrion Crow Cetti’s Warbler Chaffinch Chiffchaf Coot Cormorant Dunnock Gadwall Goldeneye Great Crested Grebe Great Tit Green Woodpecker Grey Heron Greylag Goose Herring Gull Kingfisher Lesser Black-backed Gull Lapwing Little Egret Little Grebe Magpie Mallard Mistle Thrush Moorhen Mute Swan Oystercatcher Reed Bunting Robin Rook Sand Martin Sparrowhawk Teal Tufted Duck Woodpigeon Mammals: Brown Hare (2) Grey Squirrel (4) ERMINE STREET BETWEEN ANCASTER AND BYARDS LEAP Jacquie Harrison Saturday 15/03/14 c 5pm - Dead badger on West side of road. GIBRALTAR POINT NNR TF568576 Robert Walker 9/3/14 Harbour Porpoise 1 Approx 200 yards offshore, seen for 3 - 4 mins breaking surface normally with dorsal fin visible, but also frequently, to quote 'Wildguides' - it was 'rooster-tailing' causing a fan of water with it's tail, quite impressive! HEALING TA214106 R Julier 9th March Brimstone 1m Peacock 3 Small Tortoiseshell 1 Hairy footed flower bees 2m White tailed bumblebee Garden bumblebee Early bumblebee Red tailed bumblebee Bombylius major 1 Melanostoma sp. 2 15th March Most of the above + Comma 1 Drone fly 1 Readers should look out for the dimorphic Hairy footed flower bees. The males are flying now and resemble a small brown bumblebee with a noticeable yellow face but fly faster with a higher pitch and hover like a hoverfly. They first occurred in my garden last year and are probably spreading. HEIGHINGTON Heighington, John Nickson 13th to 17th March 2014 Our Garden Clouded drab Common Quaker Dotted Border Early Grey Hebrew Character March Moth Pale Brindled Beauty HOLBEACH GARDEN Alan Barker 9.3.2014 Small Tortoiseshell - 5 around heather Peacock 2 Comma 1 All present together. HORNCASTLE TF256695 Charlie Barnes 12 March 2014 Bombus hypnorum (at Blackthorn flowers) Comma Small tortoiseshell Brimstone HORNCASTLE TF261691 Robert Walker 10/3/14 Bumblebee 1 Bombus Terrestris First sighting in my garden this year. HORNCASTLE TF262701 Robert Walker 12/3/14 Brimstone butterfly 1 Small Tortoiseshell 2 In a garden, north side of town. HUTTOFT MARSH 17th March 2014 Dave Miller Small tortoiseshell 1 HUTTOFT PIT 18th March 2014 Dave Miller Coot 7 Greylag Goose 1 Common Gull 64 Woodpigeon 6 Crow 3 Moorhen 1 Mallard 2 (pair) Reed Bunting 2 Black-headed Gull 11 Wren 1 Magpie 1 Lots of bumblebees flying about. CHAPEL POINT - seawatch 20th March 2014 Dave Miller Lesser Black-backed Gull 1 flying north Common Gull 9 Herring Gull 15 Black-headed Gull 4 Kittiwake 4 Gannet 1 adult flying south. Great Black-backed Gull 1 flying south. LANGWORTH TF075774 Robert Walker 8/3/14 Kestrel 1 Hovering above roadside A158 HAGWORTHINGHAM TF323698 Robert Walker 9/3/14 Badger 1 Dead on roadside A158 HUBBARDS HILLS TF314866 13 March 2014 Chris J Manning Grey Squirrel Lots of Mole Hills HUTTOFT Huttoft TF512763 (my garden) Jane Pennington Date: 16/3/2014 Peacock butterfly 1 Hawthorn shield bug 1 Date: 17/3/2014 Forget-me-nots (appeared in the lane) Great spotted woodpecker 1 Date: 19/3/2014 Blue tits 3 (it looked like 2 of them were fighting and 1 was watching) Date: 20/3/2014 Blue tits 2 Great tits 2 Muntjac 1 (grrr) KIRKBY-ON-BAIN AREA Jacquie Harrison Sunday 16/03/14 WEBS survey Kirkby pits reserve Water is till much deeper than usual although outline of islands now visible through the water. Coot Gadwall Goldeneye Great crested grebe pair displaying Greylag Geese Lapwing Little Egret Mallard Moorhen Mute Swans Oystercatchers Scaup Shelduck Shovelers Teal Tufted ducks Wigeon Robins not surveyed but several singing in territories. LINCOLN SK972738 W/E 15/03/2014 Jayne Knight 13/03/14 Tidying up in greenhouse and found two lovely specimens of the Steatoda bipunctata spider sheltering under a seed tray. Also on this same day, a well-formed Hedgehog dropping by the bird bath which is at ground level. I regularly find one in about the same position during the Spring and Summer, indicating, I think, that the Hedgehog has a drink of the water. LINCOLN SK972712 09/03/14 Sat enjoying the evening sun while drinking a coffee by the Brayford Pool and very delighted to see around 20 Wagtails come bouncing over the water from the University area and disappear between the buildings going towards Newland. Heading for their roost? LINCOLN SK972738 W/E 22/03/2014 Jayne Knight 13/03/14 Skylark heard singing to the North. 14/03/14 Spider Amaurobius similis disturbed while in the greenhouse. 19/03/14 My cleaning lady very excited to tell me that she'd just been watching a Muntjac deer grazing in the previous client's garden. This property is on one of the closes off Broadway and backs on to the Bishop G University playing field. The animal eventually left through a gap in the fence and went on to the field. I can give more details if required. LOUTH STEWTON LANE LOUTH Claire Brady 14/3/14 Chiff Chaff calling through the fog. Frogs very busy in the pond, we guesses about 30 or so and frog spawn growing in amount. MANBY PARK TF398868 13 March 2014 Chris J Manning Brimstone MARTON SK842820 Brian Hedley 15 March 2014 Tree Bumblebee 1 Common carder bee 2 Buff-tailed Bumblebee 1 Honeybee 1 7-spot ladybird 20+ 2-spot ladybird 2 Skylark, linnet and yellowhammer all in song in adjacent field. 18 March 2014 Moth trap (15watt actinic lamp) in garden overnight produced 33 moth of 8 species: Chestnut 1 Early Grey 3 Twin-spotted quaker 2 Small quaker 1 Common quaker 7 Clouded drab 13 Hebrew character 5 Agonopterix alstroemeriana 1 MESSINGHAM SAND QUARRY Toads at Messingham Sand Quarry LWT Alice Nunn On 14 March during a warm and pleasant walk around the reserve I noticed at least 5 medium to large common toads. They seemed to be sitting around on the paths enjoying the sunshine. One was a magnificent greenish pair in amplexus, and 2 more looked like they might be in the not too distant future. Anyone visiting needs to watch their step as I was horrified to see my amplexus pair VERY close to my foot & oblivious to everything. I would have hated to have ruined it for them. Gorse was in flower, but not very profuse. Smelt of coconut. MORKERY WOOD SK956183 JANE OSTLER 14.3.14 Flowers Hazel, still some male as well as female flowers. Goat Willow and Grey Willow Catkins. Lesser Celandine abundant on some rides. Coltsfoot occasional on disturbed rides. Dandelion - scattered. Primrose - in places frequent. Dog's Mercury - locally abundant. Sweet Violet, Early dog Violet and Hairy Violet. Moschatel - first flowers out. Toothwort - first flowers out. Yellow Star of Bethlehem - first flowers at two of three sites. The last three species are a fortnight earlier than average in flowering. Birds Buzzards circling over main ride Robin singing everywhere but couldn't drown out a strident mistle thrush. Mammals A dead badger on the Castle Bytham road has been there for at least two weeks. The setts in the wood are active. No deer seen in a two hour walk. Insects A single Small Tortoiseshell butterfly and a single Bombus pratorum. Several Bombus terrestris feeding on willow catkins. On a mound of limestone and yellow clay, small ess than l0cm) black solitary bees were entering nesting holes. MUCKTON WOOD Muckton Wood 16 03 14 John Walker Several buff tail bumblebees, 1 early bumblebee and a colony of honeybees taking nectar into tree hole, also 3 small tortoiseshells and 1 comma, 2 treecreepers, 1 buzzard, 3 singing chiffchaffs. RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF 309 847 (unless otherwise stated) Silvia Fowler 05.03.14 Frog croaking in pond (first this year) Lots of whirligig beetles active in pond 07.03.14 Brimstone, Small Tortoiseshell (both first sightings this year) Buff-tailed Bumblebee Goldfinches (10-12 high in tree), ID from their squabbling chatter Long-tailed tits (5-6) on bird feeder Buzzard x 2, TF 310 851 09.03.14 Peacock (first this year), Brimstone, Small Tortoiseshell Wren Small Common Frog (about 1 year old) in damp spot by wall 2-Spot Ladybird, Harlequin Ladybird (succinea var.) Wasp (small for a queen) found in my gardening clogs - first sting of the season! 10.03.14 Another 2-spot Ladybird Pussy Willow (Salix caprea) in flower, TF 313 843 12.03.14 Red-tailed Bumblebee, Buff-tailed Bumblebee Comma butterfly Common Dog Violet, several patches, TF 307 847, TF 306 847, TF 304 846 13.03.14 Chiffchaff (first this year, calling all day) Brimstone, Small Tortoiseshell Wren 17.03.14 Peacock butterfly 2 Goldfinches on bird feeder 19.03.14 2 Buzzards circling above TF 311 849 (roughly) Wren 19.03.14 Male frog embracing female on ground near garden pond. 20.03.14 First 4 clumps of Frog Spawn in garden pond Large mixed flock (about 80 birds) of Fieldfare (mostly), Redwing and a few starlings feeding on pasture (TF 309 848) SARACEN'S HEAD (HOLBEACH) 15/03/2014 Roy and Kath Pearson Swallow by A17. SKEGNESS TF567619 Robert Walker 9/3/14 Brimstone butterfly 1 Small Tortoiseshell 2 Peacock 1 In a garden, near dunes, south end of town. SOUTH ELKINGTON South Elkington valley woodland 20 03 14 John Walker several bufftail bumblebees and 1 red tail bumblebee, also great spotted woodpecker several singing, coal , great and blue tits and 4 singing goldcrests and a buzzard over, an owl pellet thought to be tawny near ivy covered trees and nest box. SOUTH KYME Geoff Annibal Eleven Buzzards over South Kyme golf course 13th March around 1300 hours. TF185504. THURNHOLMES (SK79767 98400) and surrounding area Steve Hiner & Paul Snow Lords and Ladies 1 clump, 100+ leaves no spots SK79426 98474 25 Lords and Ladies no spots SK80599 1 small gorse no flowers SK80599 Butterbur in flower River Trent bank, Owston Ferry 12/03/14 Owston Ferry Warping Drain Toad lamping 11.00pm - 12.00pm 09/03/14 - Common Toad x 10 10/03/14 - Common Toad 0 (frost) 12/03/14 - Common Toad 0 (frost) 13/03/14 - Common Toad - 13 09/03/14 Blackbird x 2 Black Headed Gull x 52 Chaffinch x 2 Common Buzzard x 3 Dunnock x 2 Golden Plover x 83 Magpie x 7 Pied Wagtail x 2 Robin x 1 Rook x 25 Tawny Owl x 1 calling 1.15am Tree Sparrow x 23 11/03/14 Common Buzzard x 1 Golden Plover x 32 Goosander x 2 males 1 female Kestrel x 1 male Mute Swan x 2 Oystercatcher x 2 12/03/14 Low Melwood Claypits Black Headed Gull x 170 Canada Goose x 16 Coot x 22 Gadwall x 4 Lesser Black Backed Gull x 1 Little Grebe x 4 Lapwing x 3 Mallard x 8 Moorhen x 2 Tufted Duck x 34 Small Tortoiseshell x 2 Owston Ferry 13/03/14 Fieldfare x 32 Goosander x 2 males 1 female Mute Swan x 2 THURNHOLMES (SK79767 98400) and surrounding area Steve Hiner & Paul Snow Owston Ferry Warping Drain Toad Lamping 11.00pm - 12.00pm 14/03/14 Common Toad x 8 15/03/14 Common Toad x 15 17/03/14 Common Toad x 66 16/03/14 Barn Owl x 1 Dunnock x 1 Golden Plover x 39 Kestrel x 1 Robin x 1 Stock Dove x 1pr on eggs Tree Sparrow x 12 Brown Hare x 1 Pygmy Shrew x 1 under recording sheet 19/03/14 Fieldfare x 35 Goosander x 2 RIVER WELLAND-SPALDING TO DEEPING LAKES. R & K Heath 15/3/14 Still some winter birds left: Goosander 4 Wigeon 12 Birds of prey were: Buzzard 2 Kestrel 1 Red Kite 1 WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 17/03 Common Buzzards calling 9am Green Woodpecker calling most days. Many Yellow Dung Flies upon opening a compost heap. [Where do they come from and how do they know?] 21/03 Small Tortoiseshell [RP] Peacock WOODHALL SPA Coningsby Watch group reported by R Parsons TF 200633 to 216646 approx. Viking Way - Cottage Museum to Sandy Lane 9.3.2014 9.30hrs to 10.30hrs. Many common birds including: robin, bluetit, great tit and chaffinch. 19+ Brimstone Butterflies Small Tortoiseshell Mallard f in ditch Green Woodpecker heard Chiffchaff heard Mistle Thrush heard. 4 Pheasants Brown Hare Grey Squirrel Mole hills Primrose Violet spp Gorse in flower Early Bumblebee [Bombus pratorum] x 6 WOOLSTHORPE-BY-COLSTERWORTH JANE OSTLER Garden SK922224 Sunday 9th March was an exceptional day with temperatures to 16C in the constant sunshine. Last year's diary "This seems like the longest winter ever. Next door's pond where 'our' females hibernate, has been frozen to the bottom and is full of dead frogs." This year saw the first Brimstone (male) as well as Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell with a Comma next door. 3 queen buff-tailed bumble bees, a white tailed bee and early nesting bee (Bombus pratorum) joined the butterflies on the apricot tree in full flower on south facing wall. The first of the solitary bees, a male Anthophora plumipes, with fans of prominent hairs on its middle legs, was feeding on lungwort. 7-spot ladybirds were active. Frogs were heard croaking the night before and 8 were found swimming in the breeding pond. Amongst the many garden flowers out, were coltsfoot, white deadnettle, common whitlow grass and sweet violet. The lawn, before its first cut on 12th March was a scatter of daisies. By Sunday 16th March the larger black female of A. plumipes has emerged and the first red tailed bumble bee (Bombus lapidarius) had been seen on the apricot. Ladybirds were all paired up. A queen wasp was in the porch. Only two females [frogs] had joined about twenty males in pond (just one clump of spawn to date) Both male and female Brimstones have been regular visitors to the garden. WRANGLE COMMON 17/03/2014 Roy and Kathleen Pearson A BirdTrack count today yielded 32 species. The full count was:- Black-headed Gull 1 Blackbird 14 Blue Tit 6 Buzzard 2 Canada Goose 28 Chaffinch 7 Collared Dove 1 Coot 5 Corn Bunting 4 Curlew 10 Dunnock 1 Feral Pigeon 4 Great Tit 4 Green Sandpiper 1 Greylag Goose 26 Jackdaw 8 Lapwing 2 Magpie 1 Mallard 33 Meadow Pipit 10 Moorhen 3 Mute Swan 2 Reed Bunting 1 Robin 1 Rook 5 Shelduck 6 Skylark 1 Stock Dove 1 Teal 9 Tufted Duck 12 Woodpigeon 230 Wren 4 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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: 14th March 2014 John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Peter & Janet Roworth What a difference a very warm sunny day makes when on the 9th the maximum temperature reached 18.5°C with sunshine for most of the day. This brought out the insects with single brimstone butterflies at Brickyard and Sea View, 5 small tortoiseshells and 3 peacocks between Churchill and Sea View; several large bumblebees and lady- birds to have been seen on the wing. In sheltered ponds common newts and toads were active. Similar observations were made during the rest of the week, all the same species but no brimstones. Along the tide edge off Crook Bank up to 35 Sanderling, 200+ Dunlin, 500+ Common Gulls at roost and 500+ feeding Herring Gulls have been reported. Pairs of Tree Sparrows are returning with 2 at Brickyard and one at Sea View. Skylarks are now in song over the dunes and saltmarsh and there are three pairs of Mistle Thrushes, several Linnets, Reed Buntings and Chaffinches all singing and holding territory. Other interesting bird sightings have included a Blackcap, now in full song, at Brickyard (presumably the same wintering bird from earlier records?), a Brambling and Common Buzzard on the 9th, 5 Snow Buntings over the beach at Churchill on the 12th, Goldcrest near Brickyard on the 13th and Green Woodpecker at Rimac on the 14th. Wrens are showing some signs of recovery after the recent cold winters with at least 8 birds heard uttering trills and brief song on the reserve. Two pipistrelle bats were seen flying around Churchill on the evening of the 9th and another on the 11th. Week-ending: 21st March 2014 John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Peter & Janet Roworth Light rain was observed from mid-day on the 18th and this accumulated to give a total of 1.6mm in the 24 hour recording period. This was the first rainfall since 7th. The deep high pressure from earlier in the month which gave exceptional warm, sunny days has now moved off and we are experiencing cooler days but with some good spells of sunshine. Any locations on the NNR sheltered from the cool SW air flow encourage insects to show and buff-tailed bumblebees have been seen on willow flowers and a few small tortoiseshell and peacock butterflies on the wing. Single Chiffchaffs were heard on the 17th at Sea View and near Brickyard, with 3 near Churchill on the 20th. Blackcaps have been heard with 2 near Churchill on the 20th and singles near Brickyard. Other bird sightings of interest have included an increase in Linnets on the reserve with 16+ in one feeding flock near Sea View on the 17th, a Mistle Thrush on 21st and a Woodcock was disturbed on the 18th. Meadow Pipits are evident on the dunes with some noticeable movement of them going north. Two singing Redpoll were heard over Churchill on the 20th. During the week Hen Harriers (2B and 1G) have been quartering the saltmarsh, 10 Shore Larks on the 18thand 100+ Cormorants out on the tide edge roosting and feeding out to sea. Frogs and common toads were evident most days and spawn noticed in sheltered ponds. One particular warm sheltered pond contained at least 58 clumps of frog spawn on the 21st. 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 SE928080 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. *** And finally...... Contributions to "And finally......" are always welcome. Why power lines might scare wildlife http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/26548484 Fracking 'could harm wildlife' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-26553117 Community rallies to save "Lonely Tree" http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-26574401 GM crops: UK scientists call for new trials http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-26554969 Attenborough Nature Reserve's sand martin hide completed http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-26684497 Medical Trial on Chocolate http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-26626507 Mystery "Big Bird" is back with its owner. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-26671020 Naughty Dog on Bed: http://www.today.com/pets/naughty-dog-dances-forbidden-bed-joyful-new-viral-vid-2D79383592 ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/