============================================= || || 25th 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 still do not understand why the Bulletin links do not seem to be working, though they did for me when viewed in my browser. You could try that option if you are also experiencing this problem. Use the link at the top right hand side of the Bulletin. Please have a go at spotting some 209P-id Meteors - 24th May. Keep those reports coming, including records of "Lords & Ladies" 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 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 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 *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** Carolyn Lovely writes: On Saturday 31st May 2014 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them on a morning bird walk in Cleethorpes Country Park with Ray Hume. Meet Ray in the car park at 9am. Please wear suitable clothing and stout footwear and bring binoculars. This is a free event but donations will be welcomed for the Trust. For further details contact Ray - 01472 320878. *** FREE Photography Workshops! *** Joe Blissett writes: Join us in celebrating the unique Beauty of the Coastal Grazing Marshes at one of our free Photography Workshops. These will be taking place on Saturday 24th May in Saltfleet and Wednesday 4th June in Anderby. To book your place please call the team on 01507 613134 or email rachel.milner@e-lindsey.gov.uk Don't miss your chance to win £500 in our Photography Competition which closes this year (closes 20 June). Categories; Working life, The grazing marshes in all weathers, Hidden heritage, Wildlife . See our website for more details http://www.lincsmarshes.org.uk/gallery/photo-competition *** Have you joined 'Riddle of the Marshes' ? *** Joe.Blissett adds: The key to unlocking a vault containing around £9,000 of gold lies within Lincolnshire – can you crack the Riddle before 6 October 2014? SOMEWHERE hidden amongst the ancient pastures and rolling landscape of East Lindsey lies the answers to a riddle which will unlock a vault containing gold worth around £9,000. The unique treasure hunt will lead those taking part on a journey of knowledge and wonderment, through Lincolnshire’s Grazing Marshes , discovering local wildlife, history, myths and legends – a great way to explore the coast this year. The Riddle of the Marshes Project has been developed to showcase a landscape teeming with wildlife and cultural history to visitors. It is hoped that the Riddle of the Marshes will help to tell the story of this landscape in a completely new way. Each ‘Riddle of the Marshes’ pack contains a short story, map and a ‘golden compass’ to guide you through the clues . Packs cost £15 and are currently available from Louth, Skegness and Mablethorpe Tourist information centres, or can be ordered over the phone by ringing 01507613134. See you in the marshes! http://www.lincsmarshes.org.uk/get-involved/the-riddle-of-the-marshes/how-to-play *** Tree Awareness Group Walk - Sunday 1st June 10.30am *** Nigel Sardeson writes: Tree Awareness Group Walk Sunday 1st June 10.30am Lincolnshire Tree Awareness Group, Guided walk at Morton Estate near Retford An opportunity to visit a wooded estate with many interesting and experimental plantings by an expert silviculturalist. The walk should last about 2 hours and will be led by Chris Reynolds of the Forestry Commission. To access, follow signs from the A1 to Retford A620, the gate is near the southbound A1 sliproad and will be signed, postcode DN22 8HW. Enquiries tel 07717431765 *** 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 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/ 19/5 Terek Sandpiper, Covenham Reservoir 26 Barnacle Geese south past Donna Nook Curlew Sandpiper, Jackson's Marsh, Gibraltar Point 2 Temminck's Stints, Spoonbill, drk Garganey, 2 Wood Sandpipers, Frampton Marsh Turtle Dove, Burgh-le-Marsh - also Turtle Dove taken by Sparrowhawk 20/5 8 Black Terns, Terek Sandpiper, 3 Black-necked Grebes, Covenham Reservoir Spoonbill, 3 drk Garganey, 3 Temminck's Stints, Little Stint, 3 Little Gulls, Frampton Marsh Terek Sandpiper, Covenham Reservoir 2 Spoonbills over, Curlew Sandpiper, Jackson's Marsh, Gibraltar Point Osprey fem over Fen Lane, Tetney Blow Wells 21/5 Terek Sandpiper, Covenham Reservoir 4 Temminck's Stints, Frampton Marsh Spoonbill, 3 Turtle Doves, Donna Nook Marsh Warbler singing, by River Bain at Dalderby 22/5 Black Tern, Toft Newton Reservoir Pectoral Sandpiper on Jackson's Marsh, Gibraltar Point 3 Little Gulls, 3 Turtle Doves, 3 Temminck's Stints, Spoonbill, Garganey, Frampton Marsh Black Stork over A153 towards Kirkby on Bain gravel pits 2 Arctic Terns, Deeping Lakes 3 Wood Sandpipers, Manby Flashes 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. GREEN LANE, LINCOLN SK 96816 70831 Su Colman 17/5/2014 Lonely gorse bush below the Holiday Inn, most flowers gone *** 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. BARDNEY LOCK TF510701 Robert Walker 19/5/14 Marsh Harrier 1 male Low over arable fields chasing starlings (photo taken). BOSTON 16.05.14 Mick Todd Can I please make a timely reminder to readers about baby birds? This week a well meaning member of the public handed 2 baby tawny owls into my local vets, they contacted me to take them in, the birds about 4 weeks old will be reared by me and released into a suitable site in a few weeks time. Tawny owls leave their nest at a very early age and live on the branches of the nest tree quite happily. Occasionally they end up on the ground, so providing there are no injuries, they can be quite safely put back into the tree where the adult birds will look after them. Even small finches etc. can often be found apparently abandoned, but their parents will be about somewhere nearby. By all means move the fledgling out of danger into cover nearby and keep an eye on the situation. CAISTOR Wendy Handford (WH) Reports from contributors to Caistor records Week beginning 16.5.14 Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 WH Feral cat catches vole 16.5.14 Woodmouse 19.5.14 Bluetit juv in bedroom 17.5.14 Buzzard catches juv rabbit on lawn 20.5.14 Garden warbler 16.5.14 Spotted flycatcher 16.5.14 1st insects Common blue damselfly 16.5.14 Hornet 18.5.14 Small purple and gold moth 20.5.14 Speckled wood 17.5.14 1st flowers Bramble 20.5.14 Cat's-ear 16.5.14 Common bird’s-foot trefoil 19.5.14 Crack willow 17.5.14 Crested dog's-tail 20.5.14 Cut-leaved cranesbill 20.5.14 Dogwood 18.5.14 Oxeye daisy 17.5.14 Southern marsh orchid 20.5.14 Yellow flag iris 20.5.14 Caistor allotments TA 116 015 Coaltits fledge from nest in woodpile Grimsby Road garden TA 120 015 G Askew Housemartins arrive 4.5.14, nest in 3 boxes 13.5.14 Hansard Crescent TA 115 015 Yellow archangel Hundon Manor Farm ponds TA 112 026 Oystercatcher daily Low Farm TA 100 026 Canada geese 6 Shelduck 6 Mill Lane TA 119 012 Common dock 21.5.14 Honeysuckle 16.5.14 Nettleton Lodge Game Farm TA 090 012 B Jacob Kingfisher pm 18.5.14 Cockchafer, 2 dead, 18.5.14 In flower Common storksbill 18.5.14 Dove's-foot cranesbill 18.5.14 Scots pine 18.5.14 Star of Bethlehem 16.5.14 North Kelsey Road TA 116 015 A Wish Muntjac juv on verge Starlings fledge from nest in roof 1st Speckled wood 19.5.14 Shieling farm TA 106 027W Collins Pied wagtails 4 hatch 15.5.14 Robins, 2 nests in boxes Songthrush nest in hedge Swallows nesting in shed Hollyhock rust 17.5.14 CLEETHORPES TA312082 Bill Meek 12.5.14 Holly Blue - 1 COLSTERWORTH SK932251 Jane Ostler 21/5/14 The bare ground and mounds of limestone left by roadworks is colonising up with calcareous plants. In flower are an abundance of Bird's Foot Trefoalong with the first plants of Wild Mignonette, Bladder Campion, Cranesbills, Hop Trefoil, Black Medick, Thyme-leaved Speedwell, Bedstraws, Oxeye Daisies and Blue Fleabane. Scarlet Pimpernel is doing well on the verge edge, but the large, heavily flowered Salad Burnet and Kidney Vetch have the appearance of imported plants. One area was remarkable for the numbers of both Common Blue and Dingy Skipper butterflies. There were singletons of Brimstone, Orange Tip and Green Veined White Butterflies and Lattice Heath, Yellow Shell and Cinnabar Moths. CROWLE MOOR Alice Nunn During a visit to Crowle Moor on 17 May 2014 in VERY warm conditions I was astonished by the number of 4 Spotted Chaser dragonflies, some which were obligingly photogenic. I soon lost count of them. There was also a good number or large red damselflies. DEEPINGS Venue: Deeping Lakes LWT Reserve TF187083 Date: 16/05//20144 Observer: Ian Gordon Time: 0900 - 1015 Weather: Sunny and warm Birds: Arctic Tern Blackcap Black-headed Gull Blue Tit Canada Goose Cetti's Warbler Chaffinch Common Tern Coot Cormorant Crow Garden Warbler Great Tit Great-crested Grebe Green Woodpecker Grey Heron Greylag Goose Herring Gull Hobby House Martin Jackdaw Kingfisher Lapwing Lesser Black-backed Gull Magpie Mallard Moorhen Mute Swan Oystercatcher Pheasant Reed Bunting Reed Warbler Robin Rook Sand Martin Tufted Duck Willow Warbler Woodpigeon Butterflies: Brimstone Large White Small White DEEPINGS Venue: Deeping Lakes LWT Reserve TF187083 Date: 21/05//2014 Observer: Ian Gordon Time: 1000 - 1205 Weather: Sunny and warm Birds: Arctic Tern Blackcap BlackbirdBlack-headed Gull Blue Tit Buzzard Canada Goose Carrion Crow Cetti's Warbler Chaffinch Chiffchaf Common Tern Coot Cormorant Garden Warbler Great Black-backed Gull Great-crested Grebe Great Tit Green Woodpecker Greylag Goose Jackdaw Kingfisher Lapwing Lesser Black-backed Gull Little Grebe Long-tailed Tit Magpie Mallard Marsh Harrier Moorhen Mute Swan Oystercatcher (reported by another observer) Reed Bunting Reed Warbler Robin Rook Sand Martin Song Thrush Starling Swallow Treecreeper (reported by another observer) Tufted Duck Whitethroat Willow Warbler Woodpigeon Butterflies: Brimstone Common Blue Large White Small White Speckled Wood Dragonflies etc: Common Blue Damsel Emerald Damsel Four-spotted Chaser Migrant Hawker Mammals: Grey Squirrel Orchids: Early Marsh Orchid l DONNA NOOK NNR TF 422998 Gary Cooper 10.30AM 21/05/2014 GREEN HAIRSTREAK butterfly Callophrys rubi EAST KEAL Denise Wheatley 18th May 2014 Cockchafer on window East Keal TF3863 HEIGHINGTON Our garden John Nickson 8th to 10th May 2014 Moths to Light. Flame Shoulder 4 Lime Hawkmoth 1 Poplar Grey 2 Powdered Quaker 1 Shuttle-shaped Dart 9 Spectacle 2 HOLBEACH RANGE NW END. R & K Heath 18/05/2014 Spoonbill 1 Interesting. Little Egrets are now common,2 today. How much longer before this species joins them? HORNCASTLE TF257677 On 'Woodhall Spa Trail' Robert Walker 21/5/14 Corn Bunting 1 In top of small tree (photo taken). Chiffchaff 1 Heard and seen ! (photo taken). Yellowhammer 1 On grass paddock. House Martins 6 near farm buildings Swift 1 Grey Partridge 2 HORNCASTLE TF 261691 My garden Robert Walker 17/5/14 Sparrowhawk low overhead being harried by 8 starlings who persuaded it to go elsewhere ! also 18/5/14 Starlings 5 adults feeding 8 fledglings with suet pellets on patio wall and trellis. HUMBERSTON TA314056 Bill Meek 13.5.14 Merodon equestris - 1 (Hover-fly, a bumblebee mimic) and 18.5.14 Least Black Arches - caught in 15W actinic trap HUTTOFT Huttoft TF512763 (my garden) Jane Pennington Date 15/5/2014 Blue tits 4 (parents feeding at one box and a couple checking out another box) Cardinal beetle 1 Great tits 2 (parents feeding at the box) Holly blue butterfly 1 Rat 1 Speckled wood 1 Wrens 2 Date 16/5/2014 Wood mice 2 (in 2 separate woodpiles at opposite ends of the garden in minutes of each other) Date 17/5/2014 Grass snake 1 (eating a frog in my ditch. The neighbour's little boy told me he'd seen one in my garden and when I was standing on the edge of the ditch talking to him and his mother, I saw it below me. I saw the foot go in the mouth and knew at that point it would leave and it slid up the ditch and into the undergrowth in my garden). Orange tip butterfly 1 (male, the first I've seen in the garden) Jane Pennington Huttoft TF512763 (my garden) Date 18/5/2014 Dunnock 1 Greenfinch 1 Date 19/5/2014 Orange tip butterfly 1 (male) Date 20/5/2014 Blue tits - the box was quiet and they had fledged without me seeing. Number unknown. Orange tip butterfly 1 (male) Speckled wood butterflies 2 Date 21/5/2014 Great tits 2 (seen feeding young at front of the box - later the box was quiet; they had fledged without me seeing. Number unknown.) Red Admiral butterfly 1 Huttoft TF523765 Jolly Common Lane Barn owl 1 (Flying towards me while out for a walk at 11am and completely changed direction when it spotted me. Beautiful). KETTLETHORPE Alison Brownlow Kettlethorpe SK 848757 20.05.2015 Chinmey Sweeper on Pignut Small Copper Green-veined White Orange Tip Brimstone Holly Blue Cuckoo, seen and heard Bull Finch. Song Thrush LEGBOURNE Legbourne Furze Lane TF374859 Chris J Manning 21st May 2014 Red Admiral Legbourne Fir Hill TF362828 Chris J Manning 18th May 2014 Orange-tip LEGBOURNE WOODS Species Name: Nomada ruficornis BRC No : 14321 Grid Ref: TF 3683 Locality: Legbourne Woods NNR Sunday 18/05/2014 Collector: Mr Gary David Cooper Identifier: Mr Adam Carter Source : BWARS Watsonian Vice County No: 54 Nomada ruficornis (bee wasp ~ actually a type of bee, NOT a wasp at all) Apparently it often parasitises Andrena haemorrhoa, early Mining Bee, sowill be going back to Legbourne Woods to see if I can find any of these about. NETTLEHAM TF 03161 75493 Su Colman 18/5/2014 Two colonies of Bombus hypnorum with nest surveillance flights Colony 1 - same species same place last year - in roof space, access through a drilled hole in the fascia board Colony 2 - new this year - in a bird box in the hedge POTTERHANWORTH BOOTHS TF0767 Charlie Barnes 20 May 2014 Fox (cub, dead on road) SANDILANDS TF525805 Ian Whitaker 18/05/14 BLUE TAILED DAMSELFLY - immature male clinging to wall of bungalow SOUTHREY TF142662 On 'Water Rail Way' Robert Walker 10/5/14 Barn Owl 1 Quartering river banks hunting - saw it carry 2 items of prey back to it's nearby nest box, within the space of 15 mins. SPALDING 16.05.14 Mick Todd Having not seen a cockchafer beetle for a year or two, in the last week or so we have had 5 turn up in our warehouse. There were 3 on Thursday morning, following a cooler night, which someone said fell from the roller door when it was opened. Thankfully all 5 of these magnificent creatures seemed unharmed and were released into the cemetery, which is next to our warehouse. SUTTERBY Denise Wheatley 17th May 2014 Turtle doves heard at Sutterby. TF 3872 THIMBLEBY TF222699 Charlie Barnes 20 May 2014 Grey squirrel (dead on road) WAINFLEET CONSERVATION PONDS 20/05/2014 Roy and Kath Pearson Quite a good count today with 18 species represented. Of note were two Common Terns on the nearby River Steeping. The full count was Blackbird 2 Canada Goose 3 Carrion Crow 1 Chaffinch 4 Common Tern 2 Feral Pigeon 1 Grey Heron 1 Greylag Goose 3 House Martin 2 Jackdaw 1 Mallard 5 Reed Bunting 5 Reed Warbler 8 Sedge Warbler 4 Shelduck 2 Skylark 1 Whitethroat 2 Woodpigeon 4 WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 16/5/2014 Yellow wagtail on Hurnbridge road. [RP] WOODHALL SPA TF189642 Robert Walker 10/5/14 Roe Deer 2 Ran across road in front of oncoming car onto arable fields. WRANGLE COMMON 20/05/2014 Roy and Kath Pearson A BirdTrack count today produced 33 species, but it was rather more interesting for the birds we didn't record rather than those we did - no raptors, no tits, no Robins or Dunnocks and only one species of finch - Chaffinch (2). Among the more interesting records were singles of Common Sandpiper, Shelduck, Gadwall, Corn Bunting and a late Curlew. Lapwing are believed to have bred successfully this year, as are Tufted Duck and Gadwall. Apart from Reed Warbler (7) and Sedge Warbler (2), the only other warbler encountered was a single Whitethroat. A lot of work has been done on a farm to encourage Skylarks and at least five singing males were on territories. Brown Hare (1) was the only mammal recorded. Amongst butterflies, several Large and Small Whites were seen, along with Peacock, Small Copper and, to our great surprise, the first record of Green Hairstreak, which permitted an approach to within 30cms. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 23rd May 2014 John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Peter & Janet Roworth The heavy rainfall on the night of the 21st/22nd gave 16.4mm of ppt which is the most recorded in a 24hr period since 20th December 2012 when 17.1mm was noted. The rainfall was very welcome after an 8 day spell of hot dry weather when temperatures reached 24.25°C on the 17th and the dune vegetation was beginning to look dry and withered in places. Large red, azure and blue-tailed damselflies have been seen during the week and on the 21st four-spotted chasers were evident. On the 18th three hairy dragonflies were seen at Rimac. Good numbers of green hairstreak and wall butterflies were on the wing during the week plus several small heaths, small coppers and common blues. A brown argus was reported on the 19th and 20th near Rimac, and holly blues were seen at Sea View on the same days. Additional plants now flowering include yellow rattle, bugloss, white campion, hound's-tongue, dewberry and common twayblade. The WEBS count on 17th gave low number counts but of interest there was a fine male Grey Plover, 5 Bar-tailed Godwits, 27 Ringed Plover and 3 Whimbrel but on the 18th there were c200 Sanderling and Ringed Plover on the shore between Rimac and Churchill. A minimum of 19 Skylarks have been in song over the saltmarsh and 3 Marsh Harriers were hunting over the area most days. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 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. Oil reserves in southern England http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-27529175 Carbon loss from tropical forests 'underestimated' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-27506349 ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/