============================================= || || 18th 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. 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 last 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. *** 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 Sunday 18th May ( Meet at 9-45am in carpark) FREISTON SHORE,Near Boston Simon Rummery will lead this walk onto the saltmarsh (so suitable footwear is essential) looking for nesting birds, plants and animals. Further details at www.rspb.org/groups/southlincolnshire 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. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ 10/5 Turtle Dove, Serin at Syke's Farm feeding station in plantation, Gibraltar Point Garganey, Frampton Marsh Wood sandpiper flew over Cleethorpes Coast LNR 2 Turnstones, Toft Newton Reservoir 2 Dotterel, Donna Nook 11/5 2 Turtle Dove, Serin at Syke's Farm feeding station in plantation, 2 Garganey, 1 drk, Jackson's Marsh, 3 Turtle Doves in East Dunes, Gibraltar Point 2 Turtle Dove off Ingoldmells Road in wood, Burgh-le-Marsh Dotterel, Spoonbill, Frampton Marsh 12/5 3 Turtle Doves, Serin at Syke's Farm feeding station in plantation, Gibraltar Point Spoonbill, Frampton Marsh 13/5 Osprey, over Market Deeping by pass towards Maxey gravel pits Turtle Dove at main car park, 6 Arctic Terns over, Fiskerton Fen 2 Turtle Doves, Kirkby on Bain Temminck's Stint, Spoonbill, Little Stint, Frampton Marsh Quail male singing south of westwoodside in field between Langholme and Broomston 2 Garganey, 1 drk, Jackson's Marsh, Gibraltar Point Little Stint near Middlemarsh Landfill, west of Skegness. 14/5 3 Temminck's Stints, Spoonbill, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 3 Little Gulls, Frampton Marsh Turtle Dove, female Redstart towards A15, Baston Fen Serin at Syke's Farm feeding station in plantation, Gibraltar Point 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 locations: Wendy Handford on 15/5/2014 A46 Norton Disney stretch SK 88 62. About 500 bushes. 5% with abundant flowers, 15% with a few remaining and 80% finished. Nettleton mines TF 105 995. Many bushes, a few flowers remaining A46 Holton le Moor TF 096 986 a few flowers remaining *** 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 9.5.14 Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 WH Kestrel on shed roof 15.5.14 Pied wagtails 2 on lawn 15.5.14 Stockdoves 3 15.5.14 Treesparrows fledge 12.5.14 Common froghopper+cuckoo spit 9.5.14 Leatherjackets 1st Green-veined white 12.5.14 1stflowers Brooklime 10.5.14 Clary 15.5.14 Comfrey 12.5.14 Elder 13.5.14 Goosegrass 12.5.14 Greater bittercress 12.5.14 Hairy tare 14.5.14 Hay rattle 9.5.14 Jacob's ladder (introduced) 12.5.14 Meadow buttercup 9.5.14 Red clover 9.5.14 Sheep's sorrel 12.5.14 Silverweed 14.5.14 Slender trefoil 12.5.14 Caistor bypass farmland TA 114 005 Marsh harrier, needs confirmation Caistor Wildlife Area TA 111 015 WH 10.5.14 Blackcap Chiffchaff Garden warbler Willow warbler Hundon Manor Farm ponds TA 112 026 Oystercatcher flying over 9.5.14 Mallard Drive TA111 014 Ann T Blue tits in box Robins in box Mill Lane TA 119 012 Housemartins arrive 10.5.14 Swifts 10 flying over town centre 14.5.14 Hedgerow cranesbill 10.5.14 Nettleton Lodge Game Farm TA 090 012 B Jacob Great tits, 4 hatch 1stflowers Fiddleneck Holly Rhododendron Rowan Coprinopsis radiata dung fungus North Kelsey Road TA 116 015 A Wish Jackdaws fledge DOGDYKE PUMPING STATION TF 206558 Catherine Wilson 10.05.14 After the visitors to the preserved steam and diesel engines had gone and the rain had stopped the volunteers were treated to an aerial display by at least one swift, 2 swallows and 4-6 house martins hunting to and fro across the grass car park and adjacent farmland. The kestrels have been back for a few weeks and seem to like the new nest box that was put up over the winter to replace the previous one that had seen better days. The site has plenty to interest the naturalist as well as the engineer. Next Open Day is Sun. 1st June, 1.30-4.30. All welcome. KIRKBY ON BAIN Clare Brady 9/5/14 Lots of Swifts over the gravel pits. LOUTH Clare Brady 8/5/14 1 Swift on the outskirts of Louth. MESSINGHAM SAND QUARRY SE 908032 R Julier 21 April 2014 A pint sized rabbit and a female stoat met me in the car park as I was finishing my coffee by the open door. The rabbit hid under the car while the stoat paused, probably thinking shall I, shan't I? before slinking into the brambles. I was still trying to catch a glimpse of the retreating stoat when the rabbit casually hopped back out and across to its bramble patch. White tailed bumblebee Red tailed bumblebee Brimstone L white GV white Comma Peacock Speckled wood Common lizards 2 adults and 1 first hibernation juvenile. HEALING TA 214106 R Julier 22 April 2014 Fledged blackbird, being chaperoned by dad. Orange-tip Speckled wood RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF 309 847 (unless otherwise stated) Silvia Fowler 12.05.14 Swallow x 5 13.05.14 Brown Hare x 2 (TF 309848) Skylark over field (TF 311 849 approx.) 14.05.14 Wasp beetle Orange Tip, Small White Smooth Newt x 4 in pond, at least 1 male wooing female NO tadpoles visible this year, but plenty of aquatic larvae and other creatures that eat them. 3 male blackbirds in song; 2 occasionally seen feeding side by side on lawn; they seem to be holding smaller territories than in previous years. 2 juvenile Collared Doves, frequently seen together, not attended by adults. Buzzard 15.05.14 5 House Martin nests now active, but numbers still low compared to previous years (except 2013) THURNHOLMES (SK79767 98400) and surrounding area Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 10/05/14 Oystercatcher x 2 Common Shrew x 3 under recording sheet 13/05/14 Barn Owl x 1 14/05/14 Barn Owl x 1 Cuckoo x 1 Swallow x 4 Whitethroat x 1 15/05/14 Barn Owl x 1 Cuckoo x 1 calling 11.45pm Reed Warbler x 1 Brimstone x 2 SK813998 Orange Tip x 1 SK813998 Cinnabar Moth x 2 on garden security light TWYFORD WOOD SK94/23 Jane Ostler 9/5/14 Cool and very windy with intermittent heavy rain. A walk down to Butterfly Sanctuary Plants 32 seen in flower Amongst the woodland species were Bugle (in abundance), Water Avens and its hybrid with Wood Avens, Greater Stitchwort, Wood Forget-me-not, Mustard Garlic and Bluebell. On the grassy verges there was Field Madder, Bush Vetch, Cowslip, Early Forget-me-not, Black Medick, Small-flowered Cranesbill, Self Heal, and Creeping Buttercup. The Wild Strawberry had about a fifth of its flowers with centres blackened by a fungus . Some rose stems were covered in the red rust of Phragmidium. Invertebrates Several of the large slugs Arion ater were washed up on the paths. They were the black form with a cream-coloured soles and orange stripe at the edge of the foot. Marble galls on young oak 7 spot ladybirds A worker buff-tailed bee sheltering in the hanging cup of water avens Green veined white Butterflies (6) - these were flying in between rain showers. Common Blue - One found hidden in grass at edge of Butterfly reserve. We were moved on from here as they were cutting trees nearby. Vertebrates A stoat crossed the path and a field vole disappeared into its burrow in the grass. WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 10/5/2014 Cuckoo heard from garden No eggs in swalow nest yet. Nor wren's nest. 2 female Osmia bicornis (Linnaeus, 1758) using purpose made nest box with artificial tubes. 4pm. Cuckoo now calling daily. 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16/5 Blackbird chicks fledged. 12/5 and 13/5 Orange tip at TF224538 [RP] 13/5 Orange tip in garden TF216534 Tree Bumblebee q, Bombus hypnorum at TF224538 [RP] 16/05 Young, 5" grass snake Juv toad Tree bumblebee foraging in garden. Chiffchaff signing. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 16th May 2014 John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Peter & Janet Roworth It has been a week of heavy showers giving 14.4mm of ppt that gradually gave way to drier weather with warm sunshine when day time temperatures gradually rose to 18.0°C on the 15th. Janet comments "This is 'growing' weather and it seems as if new flowers are appearing every day. The dune scrub is looking particularly attractive with the white hawthorn blossom giving a fine show on the reserve." In the sunshine the hawthorn bushes support a wealth of flying insects including St Mark's flies, longhorn moths which resemble flies and have extremely long antennae and green hairstreak butterflies. Large red damselflies can also be seen at the ponds or perching in the bushes. The flowering plants on the dune grassland include field mouse-ear, daisy, dandelion, mouse-ear hawkweed, common stork's-bill, dove's-foot crane's-bill, common bird's-foot trefoil, lesser trefoil, common vetch, hairy tare, ribwort plantain, sheep's sorrel, cowslip, germander speedwell, bulbous buttercup, sweet vernal grass, sand sedge and glaucous sedge. Butterflies on the wing include wall, orange tip, small copper and the occasional peacock and brimstone. Cinnabar moths can also be seen as they search for ragwort plants to lay their eggs. In the areas of freshwater marsh the first yellow irises and marsh orchids are coming into flower, while the pale pink-mauve flowers of lady's-smock (or cuckoo flower) can still be seen. Out on the saltmarsh thrift and sea arrowgrass are flowering, and sea milkwort can be seen along the edge of the path. Natterjack toads could be heard calling late evening of the 14th. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. *** What's That Butterfly? *** http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/index.php http://butterfly-conservation.org/ What's That Caterpillar? http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/species_family.php?name=all&stage=larva *** Identifying Dragonflies *** http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/content/uk-species http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/content/dragonfly-and-damselfly-identification-help *** Spiders *** Imogen Wilde writes: Regional Co-ordinator (RC) and Mentor for Lincolnshire for the British Arachnological Society (BAS). I will be organising a few field meetings to hunt for spiders and other arachnids in due course, but if any LNU members wish to get in touch in the meantime then please contact me on my e-mail address: Imogen@imogenwilde.co.uk *** Lincs Amphibian and Reptile Group *** The Lincolnshire ARG (Amphibian & Reptile Group) For further details please contact: ashleybutterfield@btinternet.com tel. 07984 66 5847 *** Limestone Grassland Project *** Mark Schofield, Limestone Grassland Project Officer, mschofield@lincstrust.co.uk Mobile: 07825970930, Switchboard: 01507 526667. To find out more and to become involved with the survey and management of Lincolnshire's limestone grassland on road verges see: See: http://www.lifeontheverge.org.uk/ *** Local Bat Helpline *** Grounded bats, bat problems, advice and information. Contact Annette and Colin Faulkner on 01775 766286 or e-mail: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** Bat Recorder *** You may send confidential bat records direct to Annette Faulkner on: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** Butterfly Conservation Recorder *** Allan Binding asks contributors of butterfly records to the Bulletin to include their address or contact telephone or e-mail address and Grid Reference if possible. e-mail: allan.binding@ntlworld.com *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire link *** http://www.lincolnshire-butterflies.org.uk/index.html *** LNU Bees, Wasps and Ants Recorder *** Alan Phillips Willing to examine specimens or check photos (but bear in mind only a relative few of the 300+ species in the county are identifiable using photos). Aculeates only please, no parasitic wasps such as Ichneumons. If in doubt please contact for advice: aculeates@gmail.com *** Mammal Records *** Mammal records can reported to Chris Manning E-mail: Chris.LincsDeer@gmail.com Mink/Otter reports are of interest and can be sent via the Bulletin. *** 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/ *** The South Lincolnshire Fenlands Partnership *** South Lincolnshire Fenlands Partnership is working to promote enhancement and re-creation of an iconic fenland landscape and its wildlife within our highly productive and important Lincolnshire farmlands. To learn more about the partnership please visit our website at http://www.lincsfenlands.org.uk/ or contact the project officer at slincsfens@lincstrust.co.uk Amanda Jenkins - South Lincolnshire Fenlands Project Officer Hartsholme Country park. To learn more about the park or to get in involved at the park please visit http://www.lincoln.gov.uk/hartsholmecp contact Park Rangers at hartsholmecp@lincoln.gov.uk Tornado and Storm Research Organisation http://www.torro.org.uk Contact Ian Loxley on colarain@tiscali.co.uk Interesting Weather radar website Noel Loxley recommends the following interesting website. http://www.raintoday.co.uk/ Hedgehog Street survey http://www.hedgehogstreet.org/ for 2014 survey, see: http://www.hedgehogstreet.org/pages/hibernation-survey.html RSPB Contact Details RSPB Website: http://www.rspb.org.uk www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh John Badley, Site Manager for RSPB Lincolnshire Wash reserves e-mail: john.badley@rspb.org.uk S Lincs RSPB http://www.southlincsrspb.org.uk Lincoln RSPB http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ Lincsbirders - Lincolnshire's Alternative Birding Group http://www.lincsbirders.org/ Bardney Limewoods Bardney Limewoods NNR http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/Limewoods/ limewoods@lincolnshire.gov.uk The Sir Joseph Banks Society Contact 01507 528223 or by e-mail: enquiries@joseph-banks.org.uk. http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk Readers websites and videos: Joan Gunson's Moths recorded 2013: http:www.flickr.com/photos/angleshades Alan Dale's Bugs and Weeds http://www.bugsandweeds.co.uk/ http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p015pqyz Les Binns: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ecoheathen/sets/ Leslie Hebden http://www.flickr.com/photos/13718295@N07/ Mike Binnion writes: Common Butterflies http://www.grimsbywildlife.co.uk/ Youtube videos by Colin Green. Little Scrubbs Meadon http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inqCJLrTQmg&feature=relmfu Greetwell Hollow http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QmzLFrbjFU&feature=plcp Rimac http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s02O5JJoilQ&feature=plcp Starlings at Kirkby on Bain - excellent video by David Robinson http://www.flickr.com/photos/poppops/11685708555/ BBC Radio 4 Tweet of the day: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01s6xyk Helen Mark did an excellent "Open Country" on 25th January with a good interview of LWT's Dave Bromwich. You can hear this on: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03qflhk *** Other Useful E-mail Addresses *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union: info@lnu.org Gibraltar Point: gibpoint@lincstrust.co.uk Far Ings: farings@lincstrust.co.uk Whisby Nature Park: whisbynp@lincstrust.co.uk NEW Syke's Farm: lwt@sykesfarm.org.uk Lincs. Trust HQ: The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust main e-mail address: info@lincstrust.co.uk Lincolnshire FWAG: lincoln@fwag.org.uk Hartsholme Country Park: hartsholmecp@lincoln.gov.uk If you would like your e-mail listed here, please let me know. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9. Notes about these wildlife reports ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We do our best to ensure accuracy in our reporting but these records are sent in by a variety of reporters, from complete beginners to professionals. They therefore vary in reliability and in certain cases they are impossible to verify. If further information is needed on locations or reporters, or if you wish to question/confirm any of these records, contact: rparsons@enterprise.net Bulletins are sent to Biological Recorders at the Lincs. Wildlife Trust, Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. [Note: Where plants are reported, this is usually because they have been seen and identified in flower.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10. The Bulletin's publicity policy ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We will sometimes withhold precise details of the location of rare or endangered species. Please point out any sensitive or "tricky" reports of this kind. Sensitive data should go directly to county recorders, please. We ask that you respect the interests of wildlife and site owners if you report to national networks. Make a point of explaining site sensitivity and any restrictions on access. An interest in wildlife is not a licence to act irresponsibly/thoughtlessly to landowners, who may well be partners in important conservation work. [Remember - views expressed in the Bulletin do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions on the LNU or associated organisations. In particular this applies to such agencies, especially charities, taking a political stance.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11. LNU Events Diary For LNU meetings also see http://www.lnu.org/events.php ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Field Meetings generally start at 12 noon for 1.00pm, but please check the website details for each event. Unless otherwise stated, Indoor Meetings are held on Saturdays at the Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park, Moor Lane, Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln and start at 2pm. 2014 Field Meetings Sunday, 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. Solar wind 'triggers lightning on Earth' http://http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-27406358 UK's oil, coal and gas 'gone in five years' http://http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-27435624 El Nino's threat to major food crop yields gttp://http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-27393087 ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/