============================================= || || 11th May 2014 || || LNU Website: || http://www.lnu.org/ || News of Lincolnshire Wildlife || ============================================ In this issue..... 1. Readers hints, tips and requests 2. Wildlife Highlights 3. Wildlife reports from around the county 4. News from the Lincolnshire Coast 5. News from Far Ings NNR 6. News from Bardney Limewoods NNR 7. Sending in Reports - contributors please read! 8. Contact information 9. Notes about these wildlife reports 10. Bulletin publicity policy 11. Events Diary 12. ...and finally..... ============================================ The Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Bulletin is being read by 1100 people and we are keen to encourage even more readers to subscribe. A Sign-up Form to join the mailing list can now be found on: http://eepurl.com/zmFMT Past LNU Wildnews Bulletins are available on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Note: Each address contains the relevant date. Views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union or any associated organisations. Reports here are open and are available to county recorders of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. Please contact the Editor to contribute articles or reports. E-mail: rparsons@enterprise.net [A backup e-mail address you can use if ever you experience problems with my "Enterprise" address is: aintree2@yahoo.co.uk ] ============================================ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. Readers hints, tips and requests ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** From the Editor.... *** I don't know what I did to stop the links working in the last Bulletin. Hopefully you managed to cut and paste the ones you wanted to see. I have repeated a selection in the main text here and in "And finally......" Reminder: the JBS Mark Seaward annual lecture is on Thurs 15th May at Horncastle College at 7.00pm - NOT Weds 14th as originally posted. Managing your Mailchimp account: If you need to change your e-mail address remember there is no need to resign and re-register. Just use the link at the end of every Bulletin which says: "update subscription preferences". Driving down to our apiary on 7.30pm Friday evening after a day flat out extracting honey I saw a roe deer, barn owl, marsh harrier and 10+ brown hares. Thanks. Roger *** LNU Events - guests are welcome *** Indoor Meetings are held on Saturdays at the Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park, Moor Lane, Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln and start at 2pm. Field Meetings generally start at 12 noon for 1.00pm, but please check the details for each event and this may vary. The 2014 LNU Field Meeting programme is listed below in section 11. To check on the details, especially if weather suggests a possible cancellation, visit: http://lnu.org/events.php Sunday, 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 Guests are welcome at our meetings. *** Heads up for the 209P-id Meteors - 24th May *** In "Night Scenes 2014, Paul Money tips us off about a new meteor shower due on the 24th - the 209P-id meteors. http://www.skyandtelescope.com/astronomy-news/observing-news/meteor-storm-brewing-for2014/ http://www.imo.net/calendar/2014 *** Barton LWT group *** Sunday 18th May Far Ings NNR A half-day walk around the reserve to see summer visitors. Contact; Dave Moir, phone; 01469 532887 for details. All welcome, membership not required. *** What's That Butterfly? *** Your butterfly and Caterpillar records will be very welcome. http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/index.php http://butterfly-conservation.org/ What's That Caterpillar? http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/species_family.php?name=all&stage=larva *** Identifying Dragonflies *** http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/content/uk-species http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/content/dragonfly-and-damselfly-identification-help *** The South Lincolnshire Fenlands Partnership *** Amanda Jenkins - South Lincolnshire Fenlands Project Officer - writes: South Lincolnshire Fenlands Partnership is working to promote the enhancement and re-creation of an iconic fenland landscape and its wildlife within our highly productive and important Lincolnshire farmlands. Our aim is to recreate fenland and other wetlands centred on the nature reserves of Baston, Thurlby and Willow Tree Fen near Bourne to benefit people and wildlife. Villages included in the project area include Baston, Langtoft, Tongue End & Thurlby Fen. We also want to tell the story of the history and culture of our fens and inform visitors about our unique countryside and encourage them to come and explore it. To learn more about the partnership please visit our website at http://www.lincsfenlands.org.uk/ or contact the project officer at slincsfens@lincstrust.co.uk *** Volunteer Shorebird Wardens Still Needed - Any Offers? *** Volunteer Shorebird Wardens - Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve Dave Miller, Coast and The Wash Warden, writes: Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust is a partner in a major new five-year partnership including the RSPB, Natural England and the National Trust which has been established to help little terns adapt to climate change and secure their future in the UK. This partnership, supported by the EU LIFE + programme will lay the foundations for the long-term recovery of the little tern in the UK by protecting and creating nest sites and increasing public awareness and support. A key part of the recovery plan is ensuring that the few sites little terns continue to breed are protected from disturbance. The Shorebird Sanctuary at Gibraltar Point is a fenced area that protects ground nesting birds including little terns, ringed plover and oystercatcher. These birds are very vulnerable to predation and to disturbance by people. It is the only place on the Lincolnshire coast where little terns nest. Volunteer Shorebird Wardens are needed to staff the sanctuary area and provide information about little terns and other nesting birds to visitors on the beach. For more information please contact Dave Miller, Coast and The Wash Warden dmiller@lincstrust.co.uk tel: 01754 898079 *** Coastal Events in May *** Dave Miller sent in the following event information: Sat 10th May: 10am Shoresearch at Chapel Six Marshes. Beachcombing with a purpose, surveying what can be found along the strandline. If the weather's good we may even have a go at seadipping with some nets. Sunday 11th May: 9am Anderby Creek: a walk along the dune path listening and looking for migrants that will have dropped in. Meet at the car park at Anderby Creek. *** 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. *** Making Your Sightings Count *** Julie Ellison writes: Free 1-day courses funded by the GLNP and the LWT for everyone with an interest in wildlife, demonstrating how to turn everyday wildlife sightings into valuable wildlife records. The course will cover: - Why Wildlife Recording is important - Practical data-gathering - Practical record-submission Far Ings: Sunday 01/06/14 Whisby: Sunday 22/06/14 Willow Tree Fen (date TBC) To book your place contact LWT on 01507 526667 or info@lincstrust.co.uk For more information about the course contact Julie Ellison on 01724 735349 / 07586 293860 or julie@julieellison.co.uk (County Recorders are most welcome, especially to prove how friendly and helpful you are! Please let Julie know if you would like to come.) *** Wash Cruises 2014 - updated *** Jeremy Eyeons writes: The South Lincs RSPB have started their 2014 series of Birdwatching Cruises into The Wash estuary and River Welland. http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire During 2013 over 105 species were seen, averaging 64 per cruise, and each cruise is manned by experienced Spotters. Apart from birds, basking seals are also regularly seen. Each cruise departs from Boston's Grand Sluice lock and lasts between four and five hours. Everybody is welcome. RSPB members £17-50 (under 16 £9-50). Non members £20 (£10-50) Booking is via The South Holland (Spalding) ticket agency and is essential. Call 01775-764777 or go online www.southhollandcentre.co.uk where full details including sailing times of those cruises which haven't sold out can be found. 14 cruises have been arranged for 2014 which started on 25th April, with various sailing times every month, and concluding on 16th October. These cruises are once again proving very popular. *** Lincoln RSPB *** http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ *** South Lincs RSPB *** Jeremy Eyeons writes: Forthcoming dates for the 2013/2014 programme of Events. Members and non-members welcome. http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire FREE GUIDED WALK 13th MAY at 6-30pm WILLOW TREE FEN RESERVE Located between Bourne and Spalding at OS 130 TF 181 213 Further details at www.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire Booking is essential 01400 230445. A voluntary donation to South Lincs RSPB gratefully accepted. FREE GUIDED WALK 1st JUNE at 10am BELTON HOUSE NATIONAL TRUST Near Grantham at NG32 2LS Further details at www.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire Booking is essential 01400 230445 A voluntary donation to South Lincs RSPB gratefully accepted. FREE GUIDED WALK 13th JUNE at 6-30pm BOSTON WEST GOLF COURSE At Hubberts Bridge PE20 3QX With Richard Owens,head green keeper,who has created an amazing wildlife habitat. There will hopefully be a bird ringing demonstration. Further details at www.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire A voluntary donation to South Lincs RSPB gratefully accepted. *** Sir Joseph Banks Annual Lecture *** The JBS annual lecture is on Thurs 15th May at Horncastle College at 7.00pm - note the date is 15th and not Weds 14th as posted earlier. 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/ 2/5 6 Arctic Terns, Deeping Lakes Spoonbill ad, Little Stint, 4 Garganey, 3 drks, Little Gull, Frampton Marsh Quail, 130 Little Terns, 110 Barnacle Geese flew north, Gibraltar Point Arctic Tern, Baston Langtoft pits Great White Egret, Turtle dove off Ingoldmells road, Burgh le Marsh Turtle Dove, Redstart, Gibraltar Point Great White Egret, South Ferriby, flew NW over Humber towards Brough Little Gull, 2 drk Scaup, Kirkby-on-Bain gravel pits 3/5 Spoonbill ad, Wood Sandpiper, Turtle Dove, Redstart at Tabb's Head, Frampton Marsh Little Gull, Turtle Dove, Kirkby-on-Bain gravel pits Great White Egret, Pied Flycatcher male trapped and ringed in East Dunes, Gibraltar Point Grey-headed Wagtail, 3 White Wagtails, Covenham Reservoir 10 Dotterel, Tetney Lock 4/5 Slavonian Grebe, Barton-upon-Humber pits Little Stint, Garganey, Little Gull, Frampton Marsh 5/5 3 Black Terns, 2 Little Gulls, 2 Black-necked Grebes, Covenham Reservoir 2 Spoonbills, 2 Garganey, Little Stint, 2 Wood Sandpipers, Turtle Dove, Frampton Marsh Little Tern on raft, Boultham Mere Montagu's Harrier ringtail flew north over Gibraltar Point 2 Garganey Jackson's Marsh, male Redstart, Hen Harrier, Turtle Dove, Gibraltar Point Wood Sandpiper, Kirkby-on-Bain gravel pits 6/5 2 Garganey, 1 drj, Jackson's Marsh, Gibraltar Point 2 Black-necked Grebes, Arctic Tern, Covenham Reservoir 4 Dotterel, near North Cotes Point 2 Spoonbills, 2 Wood Sandpiper, 2 Garganey, Little Gull, Frampton Marsh Wood Sandpiper, Kirkby-on-Bain gravel pits Whinchat, south of Baston Fen Turnstone, Baston Langtoft gravel pits 2 Garganey, near Stonebridge car park, Donna Nook 7/5 14 Dotterel, near North Cotes Point Wood Sandpiper, Fiskerton Fen 2 Garganey, Frampton Marsh Wood Sandpiper from hide, Kirkby-on-Bain gravel pits Red-rumped Swallow 1 flew south past visitor centre, 1 flew south past shorebird hut, 2 Garganey, Jackson's Marsh, Gibraltar Point 2 Garganey, by pumping station near Stonebridge car park, Donna Nook Sanderling, Baston Langtoft pits 8/5 Wood Sandpiper, Fiskerton Fen 25 Dotterel, Tetney Lock Serin at feeding station in plantation, Turtle Dove, Gibraltar Point 20 Dotterel flew north through Donna Nook 9/5 2 Whinchat, Arctic Tern, Water's Edge Country Park, Barton- upon-Humber Dotterel, Grainthorpe Haven Dotterel, Tetney Lock Black Tern, 4 Turtle Doves, Great White Egret, Serin at feeding station in plantation, Firecrest at Mill Hill, Gibraltar Point Turtle Dove, Kirkby on Bain gravel pits Wood Sandpiper, Fiskerton Fen 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. Gorse TF 309 850 Silvia Fowler 05.05.14 Small patch, about 50% in flower since late March; unable to inspect closely, but the only record in the local area that I have come across. Lords & Ladies RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY area Silvia Fowler TF 310 850 05.05.14 Extensive clumps of arums in deep shade, all plain green, inflorescences mostly with greenish spathes (one with thin purple edging) and palish pinky/purple spadices, all unspotted. *** 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. CAISTOR Wendy Handford (WH) Reports from contributors to Caistor records Week beginning 1.5.14 Audleby Top Farm TA 123 043 Crosswort 2.5.14 Brigg Road farmland TA 109 030 Yellow hammer 1.5.14 Brigg Road garden TA 113 020 J Foster 1.5.14 Roe deer Birds nesting: Blackbird in Privet hedge Blackbird in Pyracantha Blue tit in box in barn Blue tit in box in copse Great tit in box in copse Jackdaws in Lime tree Tree sparrows in box in copse Wood pigeons in conifer Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 WH Badger 4am 1.5.14 Foxes 2 1.5.14 Muntjacs 2 calling 3pm 3.5.14 Muntjacs 2 in meadow 6pm5.5.14 Moorhen in meadow 4.5.14 Treecreeper in orchard 4.5.14 Toad 1 yr 2.5.14 Black bean aphid 1.5.14 Brown centipede 4.5.14 Caddis fly Phrygania grandis 5.5.14 Small white butterfly 3.5.14 St Mark's fly 1.5.14 White ermine moth 3.5.14 Yellow meadow anthills, 3, 4.5.14 1stflowers Bistort 5.5.14. New (introduced) Bush vetch 3.5.14 Common sorrel 5.5.14 Common vetch 7.5.14 Guelder rose 7.5.14 Horse chestnut 1.5.14 Pignut 3.5.14 Ragged robin 7.5.14 Sycamore 1.5.14 Brown puffballs 6 under Horsechestnuts 1.5.14 Caistor Airfield TA 090 020 Oystercatchers 2 Hundon Manor Farm TA 116 024 P Robinson Barnowl in owl-box Jackdaws in owl-box Tawny owl nesting in wood Wheatear Skylarks 2 nests Wild garlic Navigation Lane TA 105 011 Cuckoo 3.5.14 Nettleton Lodge Game Farm TA 090 012 B Jacob Great tit nest in pipe 6.5.14 Treecreeper on Oak 6.5.14 North Kelsey Road TA 116 015 A Wish Swifts return 4.5.14 Frogs 1yr old Brimstones Orange tips Dryad's saddle fungus on Sycamore 2.5.14. New Swallow TF 184 040 Red kites 2 circling 1.5.14 CARLTON LE MOORLAND Carlton le Moorland 4/5/2014 Jeremy Hutchinson I am pleased to report that our first Swifts have returned today, which is several days earlier than usual. I am also very pleased to say that we’ve had a Cuckoo calling on and off for the last 2 weeks +. This is the first I’ve heard calling here for about 5 years; until then it was every year. I’d thought we’d lost them for good, but I’m glad to say that I was wrong. CHAMBERS FARM WOOD 2/5/2014 Chambers Farm Wood Brenda Edlington Red and White routes Blackbird Blackcap Blue tit Chiffchaff (several) Coal tit Garden warbler Robin Willow warbler (several) Wood pigeon Heard Pheasant Wren Not heard Cuckoo Nightingale Butterflies Peacock Speckled wood Bluebell Bugle Cowslip Daisy Dandelion Forget-me-not Ground ivy Primrose Red campion Stitchwort Violet DONNA NOOK Donna Nook TA416001 5 May 2014 Chris J Manning My first Cuckoo of the year, calling. HEIGHINGTON Garden John Nickson 1st to 4th May 2014 (3rd no catch, frost?) Early Grey 1 Hebrew Character 5 Shuttle Shaped Dart 11 Spectacle 1 HUTTOFT Jane Pennington Huttoft TF518777 Date 5/5/2014 Hare 1 (stopped in the middle of the road while I was out for a walk) Huttoft TF521765 Date 5/5/2014 Orange tip butterfly 1 (same walk, definitely a male as orange tip was very clear) White butterfly 1 (flying around orange tip above, so assuming the female but don't know) Huttoft TF512763 (my garden) Date 7/5/2014 Lacewing 1 Red-tailed bumble bee 1 Speckled wood butterfly 1 White-tailed bumble bee 1 Date 8/5/2014 Robins 4 (2 parents and 2 fledglings) Wren 1 (collecting nesting material) LINCOLN SK972738 W/E 03/05/2014 Jayne Knight 05/05/14 Two Pholcus phalangioides spiders taken up residence in the kitchen again. 06/05/14 Not seen male Bullfinch since this day, but for the previous 5 days he'd been regular visitor to the feeders. 08/05/14 A single Swift flying overhead. No Swallows or House Martins observed yet. MESSINGHAM SAND QUARRY Alice Nunn 5/5/2014 Sorry to say I saw one Harlequin Ladybird on a walk round Messingham LWT yesterday, the 5th May. This is the first I have seen at this location and probably is bad new for our native ladybirds. Weather conditions were bright and lots of invertebrate life around. MORKERY wOOD SK957174 Jane Ostler 2/5/14 A cool cloudy morning Forty two kinds of plants were in flower. Amongst those which had flowered in the last fortnight were Wild Arum, Wood Forget-me-not, Mustard Garlic, Yellow Archangel, Wood Spurge, Wood Speedwell, Wood Sorrel, Cuckoo Flower, Greater Stitchwort, Water Avens and its hybrid with Wood Avens, Bush Vetch, Bugle, Wild Strawberry, Sweet Woodruff, Sweet Vernal Grass, Glaucous Sedge, Hairy Woodruff. The violets were still abundant but Wood Anemone was nearly over. Fungi - Only one gill fungus noted Psathyrella marcescibilis a fragile white brittle stem which develops cocoa brown spores. Some rose stems were covered in the bright orange rust Phragmidium mucronatum. Rotting Wood had large patches of the slime mould Lycogala epidendron which forms pink globes. Insects - The weather meant few seen. Just one Speckled Wood Butterfly, one Red Tailed Bee, Several Carder Bees collecting pollen, a Red and Black Frog- hopper and a St Mark's Fly drifting low over vegetation, showing off its legs. Birds The few snatches of song included Chiff, Whitethroat and Blackcap NETTLEHAM TF 005756 Brenda Edlington 21/4/2014 Blackbirds nested in jasmine below our bedroom window and we watched the nest with binoculars. Could see at least 3 eggs and the chicks fledged on 21st. The same day found one dead chick on the patio and one dead in the pond. Hope the last one survived. This week the robins nesting in ivy on the fence fledged, parents making very noisy alarm calls in the green lane behind. Hope the chicks survived. Too many cats! RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF 309 847 (unless otherwise stated) Silvia Fowler 28.04.14 14-Spot Ladybird inside tulip flower Skylark over meadow (TF 309 848) heard and seen regularly on fine days. Brown Hare (TF 309 848) 29.04.14 Goldfinch x 1 on wire A new blackbird nest in the making Bluetits 'hammering' inside another nest box while the initially active box appears deserted Lily beetle (dispatched) Small Toad Smooth Newt in pond 30.04.14 Great Black-Backed Gull x 5 in meadow (TF 309 848) Orange Tip butterfly (first this year) 02.05.14 Swallow x 1 Chiffchaff calling every day Sparrowhawk chasing blackbirds/fledglings (not sure if successful) 03.05.14 Yellowhammer (m) feeding below cattle trough alongside jackdaws, rooks, woodpigeons and pheasants (TF 309 848) Buzzard soaring (TF 310 847) 04.05.14 Goldfinches x 2 feeding on dandelion seeds Orange Tip butterfly Bats x2 (one larger than the other) emerging about 9.15pm - first sighting this year, about 2 weeks later than last year. Lily Beetle No. 2 Goldcrest (probable, very brief sighting; song heard more like Firecrest, but that would seem improbable) 06.05.14 Bat x1 along N. house wall at 9.20 pm Very young Rabbit feeding on fallen cherry blossom on lawn 07.05.14 3 House Martins flying around nest site on N. house wall. RAUCEBY WARREN Jane Ostler 3/5/14 Warm, sunny afternoon Plants Forty kinds of plants were noted in flower. Those distinctive to this dry, sandy site included Spring Beauty, Hairy Rock Cress, Thale Cress, Bugloss, Early Forget-me-not, Rue-leaved Saxifrage, Bur Chervil, Meadow Saxifrage, Wild Mignonette, and a very early group of the dainty Knotted Pearlwort. The first Common Vetch I had seen out this year. Fungi One large group of a gilled fungus with pink spores Entoloma clypeatum Insects The Orange Tip and Brimstone Butterflies were out in number. The Small Coppers which seemed to follow us down the path were, because of this, rather difficult to count but we think were in double figures. We saw a single Green Veined White and a single Small Tortoiseshell. The red tailed bumble bees were frequent but only two buff tailed bumble bees were seen. A crane fly ( one of the smaller Tipula spp. ) is yet to be identified and there was also St Mark's Fly and a drone fly noted SPALDING TF245208 (Our garden) Annette Faulkner 4/5/14 The micro moths Pyrauster aurata and P purpuralis flying together around sage and marjoram. They have been around for a week or two, though I hadn't separated them to species until the above date. SWEETING THORNS, HOLME (Nr Scunthorpe) SE932076 27 April 2014 LNU field meeting to a private woodland site courtesy of Philip Marshall and led by Brian Hedley. Attended by 15 people on a dry and partly sunny afternoon. A wide variety of plants mirrored the variety of habitats present (dry woodland, wet woodland, marsh, ponds, ditches, acid grassland and disturbed areas). Plants included lady fern, wood sorrel, angelica, wood small-reed, marsh bedstraw, three-nerved sandwort and bugle. Thirty three bird species noted including nuthatch, treecreeper, buzzard, sparrowhawk, green and great spotted woodpeckers, blackcap and bullfinch. A restricted selection of fungi were noted including hoof fungus, birch polypore, witch's butter and a cup fungus species. Seven mammal species were from sight or signs and included roe deer, common shrew and fox. Several young frogs were seen. A good selection of invertebrates comprised at least 24 beetle species mainly recorded by Charlie Barnes (including Corticeus unicolor, a RDB3 species) plus another yet to be confirmed which might be a county first! Many of the beetles were noted around a dead fox. A variety of flies were noted by John Flynn. Butterflies comprised brimstone, green-veined white, orange-tip and peacock. Moths included drinker caterpillars and various micro-moths including Stigmella aurella. Other invertebrates included two-spot and 14-spot ladybirds, birch shieldbug, green shieldbug, forest bug, red-tailed, buff-tailed and white-tailed bumblebees, common carder-bee and pill woodlouse. THEDDLETHORPE John Cowell Theddlethorpe Dunes Sunday 4/5/14 Turtle Dove calling to the North of Brickyard carpark 5 adult shelduck flew down the top of Theddlethorpe beach yesterday afternoon, 8th May, 4pm, heading for Mablethorpe THURNHOLMES (SK79767 98400) and surrounding area Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 03/05/14 Mallard x 2 Skylark x 2 Stock Dove x 1 Swallow x 4 Tree Sparrow x 5 Whitethroat x 1 Willow Warbler x 1 Orange Tip x 3 Small Tortoiseshell x 4 04/05/14 Chaffinch x 1 Collared Dove x 2 Dunnock x 1 nest predated Great Tit x 2 Scotton Common Magpie x 1 Mallard with small young Mute Swan x 2 + nest Pied Wagtail x 5 young Redpoll sp. x 2 Scotton Common Robin x 7 young Stock Dove x 1 Tree Sparrow x 10 Wood Pigeon x 2 Bat sp (small) Brown Rat x 3 Rabbit x 6 Drinker Moth Caterpillar SK798990 05/05/14 Blackbird x 1 Skylark x 1 Swift x 1 Tree Sparrow x 4 Orange Tip x 1 Small Tortoiseshell x 4 Cinnabar Moth x 1 LOW MELWOOD CLAYPITS Black Headed Gull x 50+ nests Canada Goose with small young 07/05/14 Common Frog x 1 08/05/14 Barn Owl x 1 Swallow x 2 Common Toad x 1 Coot x 2 nests WAINFLEET CONSERVATION PONDS 03/05/2014 Roy and Kath Pearson Recorded the first Green Veined White of the year today. Quite a few Orange Tips around. Little in the way of birdlife except a Sedge Warbler sporting a ring inscribed 'Museum Paris'. Be interesting to see where it was ringed. WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons Cuckoo heard from garden 4, 5 6, 7 and 8/5/14 and also at Canada Farm TF 2253 on 5/5. 5/5 Brimstone butterfly 7/5 Holly Blue 8/5 Marsh harrier f in area 9/5 at 7/30pm Roe deer f crossing road and Barn owl hunting along dyle at Great Beets Farm Marsh harrier patrolling area. 10+ brown hare in area. WILLOWTREE FEN NR 28/04/2014 John Redshaw Floodwater @ 1.2m Still plenty of wildfowl with 7 Greylags, 7 Shelducks, 10 Gadwall, 21 Mallard, 3 Shoveler, 8 Teal and 7 Tufted Ducks. Also 6 Little Egrets, 14 Lapwings, 2 Redshanks,16 Coots and 6 Moorhens and 2 Grey Partridges. Passerines of interest were 6 Skylarks, 9 Meadow Pipits, 28 Jackdaws, 6 Sedge Warblers, 3 Reed Warblers plus single Chiffchaff and Blackcap. WOOLSTHORPE BY COLSTERWORTH SK922224 JANE OSTLER 8/5/14 1.45P.M. A swift has just flown low over the back garden! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 9th May 2014 John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Peter & Janet Roworth Bird observations for the week have included a Red Kite drifting N over the reserve on the 3rd and next day seen over the saltmarsh before flying off, gaining quite a height, in a northerly direction. A flock of 34 Golden Plover were reported over Churchill, 15 Lapwing flying high from the east on the 3rd. An unexpected sight and sound of a single Wood Warbler near Brickyard was a pleasant surprise for Cliff on the 6th. Generally it appears that the 'expected' warblers are now in and holding territories and are well up on last year particularly Lesser Whitethroat. Swifts have been passing through in small numbers most days but on the 7th parties of 8+ birds were seen regularly over Sea View most of the morning. Wheatears have also been passing through with sightings of occasional birds throughout the reserve. A Common Sandpiper was seen at Paradise Ponds and Turtle Dove heard 'purring' near Crook Bank on the 7th with a further 2 birds establishing a territory near Brickyard. The areas of short vegetation on the salt marsh continue to attract feeding Whimbrel with up to 15 birds seen most days. On the 8th 3 birds were feeding accompanied by 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 10 Jackdaws, 50+ Wood Pigeon and 4 Wheatears. At the high tide on the 2nd 48 Ringed Plovers were seen on the beach along with 60 Dunlin and 60+ Sanderling. Cliff comments "The waders, particularly Ringed Plovers and Sanderling are long distant migrants from Africa heading up to the high Arctic to breed. These Ringed Plovers tend to be more compact than the local birds and over fly them, wintering much further south and breeding much further north. Interestingly when seen they also tend to occupy drier parts of the beach than local birds." Hawthorn is now in full flower and any dry, warm spells have encouraged more butterflies to be on the wing particularly orange tips and green veined whites. Green hairstreaks have been seen at Sea View, Churchill, Brickyard and Crook Bank. Occasional brimstones have occurred and wall browns, small coppers and small heaths are beginning to emerge. Three large red damselflies were seen at Rimac on the 3rd with a further 10 on the 5th. One common pipistrelle was seen in flight over Rimac on the 6th and 2 near Churchill on the 7th. On the 17th April a harbour porpoise was observed off Crook Bank and another sighting of one occurred on May 3rd. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RSPB RESERVES http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/collections/thewash_northnorfolk.aspx South Lincolnshire bird sightings March 2014 John Badley Assisted by Colin Jennings ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. News from Far Ings NNR http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designations/nnr/1083404.aspx ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Press release from LWT 21/2/2014: Far Ings is partially open. There are no circular routes as the Humber Bank remains closed whilst repairs are carried out. Facilities including toilets and a small shop are available at Ness End Farm (the old visitor centre and now the regional management base). Please show your support for our volunteers and staff by visiting. See: Far Ings NNR on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-Of-Far-Ings-National-Nature-Reserve/186876774685595 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6. Bardney Limewoods NNR http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designations/nnr/1006846.aspx ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The NNR includes the following sites: Chambers Farm Wood (please detail specific area when reporting e.g. Ivy Wood, Little Scrubbs Meadow etc.); College Wood, Cocklode & Great West Woods, Hardy Gang Wood, Newball Wood, Scotgrove Wood, Southrey Wood, Wickenby Wood. Other woods included in the NNR but without public access: Stainfield Wood; Stainton & Fulnetby Woods (access by public bridle way only) For the Limewoods, see: http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/publications/limewoods-walks/ http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/about/conservation/bardney-limewoods-nnr/ and Adrian Royle's superb Flickr photo-site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/adiroyle/collections/72157624803742908/ Colin Green has produced the following video about visiting Southrey Wood. Well worth a look. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1SpBvd9Ib0 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7. Sending in reports to Roger Parsons ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The purpose of the Bulletin is to encourage biological recording in Lincolnshire using modern Information and Communication Technology. We hope to increase the number of people reporting observations to LNU Recorders and improve the quality of reports, as well as the quantity and the geographical coverage. In return for this FREE service, we ask you to provide reports, questions, news or relevant articles from time to time. Descriptive pieces are welcome - you don't have to stick to lists! Mailing times vary, depending on what I am doing. The Bulletin usually goes out on Sundays. Please e-mail in your contributions as early as possible to ensure they are included, to: rparsons@enterprise.net [A backup e-mail address you can use if ever you experience problems with my "Enterprise" address is: aintree2@yahoo.co.uk ] When sending in reports please follow this layout to save reediting: Place Name: IN CAPITALS with Grid Reference if you have it. Your Name: Real names please, not aliases. Put it in each time, for each location Date: Species list [Alphabetical?] & numbers [and observations?] e.g. Blackbird - 24 [And please, no home-grown abbreviations. Species Names in full.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 8. Contact Information & Useful Websites ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please let me know ASAP if any of these weblinks fail! *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Website *** A full list of LNU Country Recorders is given here. http://www.lnu.org/ LNU e-mail: info@lnu.org If you are not yet a member, the LNU needs good naturalists like you! Anyone interested can get membership application forms from Wilma Gammon at the Lincs Wildlife Trust office, e-mail wgammon@lincstrust.co.uk LNU publications [listed on LNU website] may be ordered via: Ian Macalpine-Leny http://lnu.org/publications.php ian@macalpine-leny.co.uk *** LNU Herbarium Project Update *** See Herbaria@Home webpage with a few Lincolnshire entries to click: http://herbariaunited.org/atHome/ For a fuller description of the proposed Herbarium project see: http://rogerparsons.info//LNUHerbarium.html *** Contacts List *** WILDLIFE CRIME *** Rural Crime Officer *** Pc 160 Nick Willey Force Wildlife, Rural Crime Officer Force Dog Training Establishment Lincolnshire Showground. Grange-De-Lings. Lincoln nicholas.willey@lincs.pnn.police.uk OFFICE: 01522-731897 MOBILE :07768-501895 PAGER : 07654-330877 http://www.lincs.police.uk/Advice/Wildlife-and-Rural-Crime/ *** Report Ash Dieback in Lincolnshire *** Link for Chalara fraxinea reports: http://www.forestry.gov.uk/chalara STAYING SAFE *** EasyTide *** Check tide times on Admiralty EasyTide: http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx *** TWO - The Weather Outlook *** Check the weather forecast for the location or postcode: http://www.theweatheroutlook.com/ *** Met Office E-mail Service *** Be warned of the possibility of severe weather. The Met Office website now offers an e-mail notification service for severe weather and other matters which may interest readers. Worth having a look and signing up. See: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/guide-to-emails *** Environment Agency Flood Information/Floodline *** http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/default.aspx *** Care of Sick or Injured Animals - information on LWT website *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/sick-and-injured-animals SPECIES IDENTIFICATION *** iSpot Keys for computer or mobile *** If you are a beginner to identification of species, you might find the following link useful - especially if you are encouraging young people to have a go - e.g. Wildlife Watch group members. "They suggest the species in your area that best match what you have found." http://www.ispot.org.uk/keys The LNU is now represented on the popular iSpot website: http://www.ispot.org.uk/node/275032 A full list of the organisations, recording schemes and societies represented is here: http://www.ispot.org.uk/representatives This is a project run by The Open University as part of Open Air Laboratories (OPAL), where you can "Learn more about wildlife, share your interest with a friendly community and get help identifying what you have seen." The project is essentially in the business of helping people learn how to identify the wildlife they encounter, and encouraging them to get involved in biological recording. *** 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, 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 TF010463 The wood is located on the north side of Church Lane which runs between North Rauceby and High Dike/Ermine Street (B6403). Habitat: Broadleaved woodland. Leader: Ray Halstead 07772 613640 ray.halstead@tiscali.co.uk ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails This Week *** If you hear of anyone bemoaning the lack of a Bulletin, please refer them to the Bulletin Portal where they will find a text copy. http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html If you are having difficulties with spam folders et. please make sure you "Whitelist" my address as given in the Bulletin. Latest Mailfails - see notes above. *** And finally...... Contributions to "And finally......" are always welcome. *** Cuckoos Calling *** Tracking Cuckoos to Africa... and back http://www.bto.org/science/migration/tracking-studies/cuckoo-tracking http://www.bto.org/science/migration/tracking-studies/cuckoo-tracking/what-have-we-learnt Chris Packham tells the story: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-27171529 The Wonder of Bees with Martha Kearney http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01t6nz6 ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/