============================================= || || 2nd November 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.... *** For some months now I have not been able to make URL addresses active in the Bulletin. Something had changed - I don't think it was anything I did. After lots of 'umming and arrhing' to and fro with MailChimp, I have rediscovered how to activate URLs in the Bulletin so you can click on them when interested. I am not going to fix all the possible links, for the sake of my sanity, but will try a reasonable selection this week to see how you get on with it. If I miss out linking any you feel I really ought to include, please let me know and I will try to oblige in future Bulletins. You can of course always copy and paste text URLs that have not been 'linked'. Heads up for two meteor showers this month. The Northern Taurids peak on 12th, but are likely to be spoiled by moonlight and Paul Money suggests we try to spot them before moonrise on 12th. On the other hand, the Leonid meteors peak on 17th and should offer a far better show. For more information, refer to Gary Kronk's webpage: http://meteorshowersonline.com/ At this time of year I get enquiries about the seals at Donna Nook. The latest numbers for the past week from Rob Scott are as follows: Weekend count was 51 bulls, 14 cows and one pup - there were 5 pups on 27th. The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust website has been very helpful in keeping everyone up to date with grey seal arrival and pupping, so if you plan to make a visit, do please check the LWT website first. There may be important updates as the season progresses or weather changes. See: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/ http://lincstrust.org.uk/donna-nook http://lincstrust.org.uk/donna-nook/about-grey-seals Note the LWT guidelines - stay behind fence, no dogs etc. as listed on web page. If we don't set a good example, who will? You also need to take weather conditions into account, especially if there should be early ice or snowfalls. The local roads can be hazardous. This seems unlikely in this warm autumn, but conditions can change very quickly. "Constant vigilance!" Please mention the Bulletin to anyone who might find it useful and give them this special sign-up address to use. http://eepurl.com/zmFMT 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, November 22, 2014 Ian Rotherham to talk on 'The Lost Fens - England's greatest ecological disaster' Guests are welcome at our meetings. *** Bird Club - a big Thank you! *** Editor writes: I have just received my mailing from the Lincolnshire Bird Club with the newsletter, plus two important publications, Bird Report 2012 and Rare & Scarce Bird report which covers the years 2003 - 2007. These are the result of a lot of careful work and the team which put them together should get the warmest congratulations and thanks from all Lincs birders. There is much to digest and I shall enjoy reading them. *** Local Tide Tables *** Here is a useful-looking website where you can order local tide tables. Well worth bookmarking. Everyone who uses the coast ought to have local tide tables handy. £1.50 + p&p. https://www.tidetimes.org.uk/ *** Night Scenes 2015 *** Night Scenes 2015 is available, Paul Money's annual publication with its information on astronomical matters. At £6.00 plus p&p this would make an excellent stocking-filler for the person who has everything! For Paul's on-line shop, see: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Home2.htm *** Rare Bird Alert *** Rare Bird Alert has kindly given permission to reproduce pager reports in the Bulletin. RBA now provides bird information by phone and On-line, as well as via the traditional pager SMS. Interested readers should have a look at the RBA website: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ *** Sir Joseph Banks Society - President's Lecture - Nov 27th *** Paul Scott has asked me to draw readers' attention to the following lecture, which should be of particular interest to those who attended Mark Spencers' fantastic Herbarium training sessions this summer. REMINDER The 2014 President's Lecture will be delivered by Dr Mark Spencer FLS senior curator of the British & Irish Herbarium NHM and Hon. Curator of the Linnaean Society of London. The lecture will be held at Lincoln University on Thursday November 27th. Entry is free however we do need to book seats. Please contact me via email - paul.scott@joseph-banks.org.uk For Herbarium Project background, see: http://rogerparsons.info//LNUHerbarium.html *** The Natural History and Geology Section, Scunthorpe Museum Society *** Our last meeting before Christmas is on Monday, 10th November, when, following a brief full society AGM, we shall be given an illustrated talk on the controversial process of "Fracking". Two of our geologist members, Malcolm Fry and Paul Hildreth, will provide us with up-to-date information in an unbiased overview of the processes and products of Fracking. It is anticipated that an open question and discussion time will follow the talk. The meeting starts at 7.15pm in our new venue: ST BERNADETTE'S CHURCH PARISH CENTRE, ASHBY ROAD, SCUNTHORPE, DN16 2RS. ALL ARE WELCOME. There is no entry charge but a donation bowl is provided. There is ample free parking space in the grounds of the church. The entry gates are opposite the Priory Hotel on Ashby Road. Please contact Keith Scarrott on 01724 762098 for further details. *** Grantham Branch LWT *** Marion Ellis writes: Meetings a Barkston & Syston Village Hall Barkston, Grantham, NG32 2NH (on A607) Friday 14th November Northern Malawi's Diverse Flora & Fauna Peter & Marianne Overton Expedition Leaders *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT On Monday 10th November 2014 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them at their indoor meeting which takes place in Grimsby Town Hall and starts at 7.30pm. Speaker Frank Tett will be talking about hedgehogs and the Hedgehog rescue centre. Of possible please bring a tin of Butcher's Tripe and Chicken dog food for Frank's prickly friends. Admission £2 and all are welcome. There will be a Trust goods stall, raffle and tea & coffee available. For further information please contact Jennie Redpath 01472 502858. *** Lincoln RSPB *** http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ *** Lincoln RSPB Indoor Meeting 13.11.14 *** On Thursday 13th November 2014 at 7.30pm we invite you to join us for a presentation by Steve Cale on The World Of Raptors. This will take place in The Robert Hardy Building, Bishop Grossteste University, Longdales Road, Lincoln RSPB members and Students £3.00. Non Members £4.00. Free Parking. *** South Lincs RSPB *** Members and non-members welcome. http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ 24/10 Black Redstart Rimac, 9 Whooper Swans flew south, Saltfleetby. Rough-legged Buzzard, Firecrest, Bean Goose over plantation, Gibraltar Point 25/10 Great White Egret on pond in sheep field, Thornton Abbey Rough-legged Buzzard on Croft Marsh, Grey Phalarope of river, Yellow-browed Warbler, 2 Hen Harriers, Gibraltar Point 26/10 Hen Harrier, NW corner of realignment, 42 Whooper Swans through, Donna Nook Glossy Ibis, Frampton Marsh 2 Hen Harriers, Rough-legged Buzzard, Spotted Redshank, Gibraltar Point 27/10 2 Glossy Ibises, Frampton Marsh Slavonian Grebe, Reverslea Pit, Kirkby on Bain gravel pits. Great White Egret, Thornton Abbey Yellow-browed Warbler, Rough-legged Buzzard, Balearic Shearwater flew south, Gibraltar Point Rough-legged Buzzard, Occupation Lane, Broadholme 28/10 Rough-legged Buzzard, Manby Flashes Shorelark, Donna Nook Rough-legged Buzzard on Croft Marsh, Spoonbill on saltmarsh, Gibraltar Point Great White Egret, Thornton Abbey 29/10 Yellow-browed Warbler, 2 Snow Buntings, Garganey on Tennyson Sands, Rough-legged Buzzard, Gibraltar Point Reported: Rough-legged Buzzard, Broadholme is a Buzzard Firecrest between Mission and Westwoodside at Idle Stop 2 Snow Buntings between Huttoft and Sandilands, on beach 30/10 Spoonbill, Black Redstart, Hen Harrier, Gibraltar Point 20 Whooper Swans, Crowle, flew south over Seven Lakes fishery Rough-legged Buzzard, Frampton Marsh Lapland Bunting, Pomarine Skua past, Donna Nook 3 Water Pipits, Rimac 4 juv Arctic Terns. 2 Little Gull on beach, 70 Twite on saltmarsh, Saltfleetby 31/10 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 LOCATIONS: please give full information on each individual Gorse record: the location [with grid ref], your name, the date, and any habitat notes of interest. GORSE Silvia Fowler TF 309 850 28.10.14 1 bush (or group of bushes), about 30% in flower (viewed through binoculars from some distance) *** 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 area Jeremy Hutchinson 23/10/2014 Female Marsh Harrier Covey of 10 approx. Grey Partridges Several hundred Lapwings Skein 100+ Greylags Several Buzzards, Kestrels, Sparrowhawks, Herons and Cormorants Dozen + Mute Swans Otter spraints on river bank CAISTOR Wendy Handford (WH) Reports from contributors to Caistor records Week beginning 24.10.14 Brigg Road garden TA 113 020 J Foster Long-tailed fieldmouse in utility room Buzzards 2 circling Jay Magpies 6 Pheasant, male Red-legged partridges 2 Harlequin ladybird Field mushrooms 12 Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 WH Fox in orchard every night Buzzards 3 circling then 2 settling in Spruce wood 24.10.14 Jays 3 in meadow 24.10.14 Mute swans 3 flying over 24.10.14 Pheasant m roadkill 30.10.14 Tawny owl, 11 pellets under tree in spruce wood 28.10.14 Woodpigeon, killed, plucked and partially eaten by Sparrowhawk. Trailcam showed that overnight the carcass was visited by a Tawny owl, Magpieand Jay. It was finally removed by a male Sparrowhawk 8.10.14 Nest (disused) made of moss and old carpet fibres, two feet above ground in clump of brambles 26.10.14 Bronze shieldbug, Troilus luridus, predatory 29.10.14. New Black sexton beetle Nicrophorus humator in garage 24.10.14. New Ground-lover centipede Haplophilus subterraneus in soil 25.10.14. New Small tortoiseshell butterfly in bedroom 28.10.14 Fly agaric under Silver birch 26.10.14 Lemon disco on Hazel twigs 27.10.14 Grimsby Road TA 123 015 Wh Hedgehog adult roadkill 29.10.14 The Meadow TA 113 009 K Johnson Hedgehog juv 17.10.14 Nettleton Lodge Game Farm TA 090 012 B Jacob Pink-footed geese, over 200 flying SE 25.10.14 Red cracking boletes possibly under Silver birches 27.9.14 Chanterelle or False chanterelle 27.9.14 CARLTON LE MOORLAND Jeremy Hutchinson 24/10/2014 2 Fly Agaric and one Cep growing in lawn beneath Bramley apple tree. Queen Hornet seen inspecting house eaves, presumably looking for site to overwinter, before flying down to have a look at me, which was rather disconcerting! Since my last report I can confirm that our local Hobbies successfully fledged two young, which were last seen about a month ago. But from late August until then they were a daily sight , often in an old Ash which grows in a hedgerow across the field from our garden. For the last 10 days or so they were often seen flying together and having little 'dogfights'. Our local Little Owls, which like the same hedgerow and tree(s) also raised two young (at least). The foreman of the neighbouring farm tells me that the Barn Owls which nest in a box on the farm have had two broods, but I don't know how many young have been raised. DEEPINGS Venue: Deeping Lakes Nature Reserve Date: 27/10/2014 1340 to 1630 Observer: Ian Gordon Weather: Sunny, mild, light breeze Birds: Blackbird Black-headed Gull Blue Tit Bullfinch Carrion Crow Chaffinch Coot Cormorant Goldeneye Goldfinch Great-crested Grebe Great Spotted Woodpecker Great Tit Green Woodpecker Grey Heron Greylag Goose Kestrel Kingfisher Lapwing Little Egret (13 present - clearly bred successfully close by) Little Grebe Magpie Mallard Moorhen Pheasant Pied Wagtail Pochard Redwing Reed Bunting Rook Shovelor Starling Teal Treecreeper Tufted Duck Wren Wigeon Woodpigeon Mammals: Grey Squirrel (3) Rabbit (2 - 1 young with Mixamatosis) Butterfly: Small Tortoiseshell (1) HORKSTOW Jenny Haynes 28.10.14 Brimstone butterfly in my garden today. HUTTOFT Jane Pennington Huttoft TF512763 Date: 19/10/2014 Kestrel 1 (TF526768) Sparrowhawk 1 (TF516767 The bird flew out of a ditch and perched on a fence stake and when we got closer it flew about 50 yards further and did the same. Then it looked over its shoulder at us and flew off.) Date: 27/10/2014 Greenfly Lots and Ladybirds 2 Date: 28/10/2014 Red admiral butterfly 1 Wren 1 Date: 29/10/2014 Bee 1 (white tailed - not sure of proper name) Date: 30/10/2014 Harlequin ladybirds 2 RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF 309 847 (unless otherwise stated) Silvia Fowler 17.10.2014 Frog croaking in pond Froglet (body about 1cm) and 1 medium-sized frog in borders Wasps: Several queens and still a few workers chewing wood. Wasps seem to have been very plentiful this year, but there was/is a large nest in my neighbour's garden. 7-Spot Ladybird Tawny Owl calling 7.30pm Pheasants becoming more vocal Rabbit eating windfall pears 22.10.14 Dunnock in song Goldfinches squabbling Red Admiral x 3, Small Tortoiseshell x 1 23.10.14 Red Admiral x 2 Harlequin Ladybird 25.10.14 Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell Bombus hypnorum queen Wren very vocal Sparrowhawk (heard distress calls of victim) Mistle Thrush in song 27.+28.10.14 Still lots of butterflies about on dahlias and chrysanthemums in spite of the strong, gusty SW winds: Red Admiral x 6, Small Tortoiseshell x 2, Comma x 1, Painted Lady x 1 7-Spot Ladybird 28.10.14 Harlequin Ladybird (H.a. conspicua variant) House Sparrow, dead, had found its way into an external cupboard but hadn't found its way out again. 29.10.14 Buzzard x 2 Rabbit SUTTON ST JAMES Jonathan Bye 23/10/14 TF407 197 Aniseed-loving snails: During recent wet weather the three "going over" fennel plants in the garden have been dotted with small cream lipped banded snails, perhaps 15 to 20 on each plant. The snails are no more than 1cm across and all on the extremeties of the plant, presumably rasping at seeds. I share their taste but they do look vulnerable! WAINFLEET CONSERVATION PONDS 26/10/2014 Roy and Kath Pearson Very little about today with only 13 species recorded in a BTO BirdTrack count:- Black-headed Gull 1 Blackbird 1 Blue Tit 1 Buzzard 2 (possibly the same two seen at Wrangle earlier) Chaffinch 1 Heron 1 Mallard 4 (unusually low count for this time of year - disturbance!) Pied Wagtail 1 Reed Bunting 1 Robin 1 Starling 1 Woodpigeon 6 Wren 2 A quite tame fieldnmouse was feeding by the side of the entrance and permitted us to approach to within less than a metre. WAINFLEET CONSERVATION PONDS 29/10/2014 Roy and Kath Pearson A full count wasn't attempted today because of disturbance due to the harvesting in two adjacent fields of maize. However, a number of interesting birds were recorded. These included singles of Great Spotted Woodpecker, Water Rail, Barn Owl and Goldcrest - the latter being only the second record here. Three Ring-necked Parakeets were about, but as they are likely to be free-flying birds from Friskney Parrot Zoo, these records are of dubious value. Two flocks of Pink-footed Geese passed over; approx. 100 flew west and 29 south. WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 25/10/2014 Two Whooper swans flew north over, calling, 07.35hrs. 28/10/2014 Agaricus arvensis: the Horse Mushroom on Hurnbridge Road at TF 215539 on grass road-verge. 30/10/2012 - 4 Red Admiral butterflies still on the wing. Lepiota rhacodes var hortensis - 12+ fruit bodies at 5 locations in garden, associated with "leylandii", Apple and rotting chippings. Jays still visiting garden. Buzzard on electricity pole along road at TF 216633. 31/10 Barn owl hunting local dyke at TF220533 - 06.40hrs. WRANGLE COMMON 26/10/2014 Roy and Kath Pearson A BirdTrack count yielded 33 species. Though there were no winter thrushes, Blackbird numbers are increasing with 12 counted. Two Buzzards were present as were two Kestrels. Singles of Great Spotted Woodpecker, Mistle Thrush and Snipe were seen, the latter (for the second week running) in a field of kale and sunflowers. The bunting/sparrow/finch flock of last week has split into small foraging parties, though it still numbers quite a lot of birds in total and thirteen Yellowhammers, nineteen Linnets, ten Reed Buntings and sixty-two Tree Sparrows were among the birds counted on the weed and seed-plant fields. The Woodpigeon flocks were back and some two hundred birds were counted, along with two Stock Doves and approximately fifty Feral Pigeons. Five Meadow Pipits and two Skylarks were feeding on an unploughed field. The large flocks of Greylag and Canada Geese, seem to have deserted the area at present. Other things of particular interest were two Roe Deer and large numbers of Shaggy Inkcaps and Puff-balls. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. Lincolnshire Coast NNRs and S Lincs Highlights including RSPB Wash Reserves South Lincolnshire bird sightings September 2014 RSPB Frampton Marsh The Glossy Ibis’s stayed extended into a fourth month. Up to four Spoonbills (10th) were also present for much of September. Two Red- crested Pochards (9th) and up to three Garganey (2nd) added variety to the increasing duck numbers. Little Stint numbers peaked at 23 (15th) with Curlew Sandpipers reaching an impressive 51 (11th). Other waders included Temminck’s Stint (2nd-7th), Red-necked Phalarope (5th) and up to three Pectoral Sandpipers (1st-18th). While 20 Spotted Redshanks (18th) was a record count. A juvenile White-winged Black Tern was a brief visitor (3rd), but a Barred Warbler (6th-8th) stayed a little longer. A Yellow-browed Warbler (21st & 27th) was reported on two dates. Several Whinchat and Stonechat were seen and both Pied Flycatcher (4th) and Redstart (12th) were also recorded during the month. Gibraltar Point NNR On the sea the highlights were Long-tailed Skuas on three dates and Sooty Shearwater (25th). Onshore, Spoonbills were seen occasionally and peaked at 10 (9th & 10th). Wader numbers increased with 78,000 Knot (28th) being a highlight. Also seen were Purple Sandpiper (13th), Wood Sandpiper (21st) and two Jack Snipe (25th). Firecrests were seen on five dates, but more numerous were up to two Yellow-browed Warblers on seven dates. Conversely just one Wood Warbler was recorded (13th), and a single Barred Warbler remained for a few days (4th-6th). Possibly the rarest bird of the month was a (possible) Blyth’s Reed Warbler (5th & 6th). Red-breasted Flycatchers were much more in evidence with up to three seen (6th-21st). An Olive-backed Pipit (17th – 20th) was appreciated by many visitors, but a fly-over Red- throated Pipit was not appreciated by many! The first Lapland Bunting of the autumn arrived towards the end of the month (22nd). Other sites A Red-creasted Pochard made it to Denton Reservoir, near Grantham (1st). Garganey were reported at Willow Tree Fen (3rd) and Thurlby Sand Pit (22nd). A Great White Egret was seen twice at Whisby NP (20th & 24th). Perhaps surprisingly the only Osprey reported in South Lincs in September was at Stubton, near Newark (10th). Long-tailed Skuas were seen at Sutton Bridge (21st & 24th) with a Pomarine Skua there too (24th). Four Ravens at Grantham (25th) with three at Fulbeck (11th) illustrate how this species is increasing in the county. A Grey Plover and up to five Little Stints at Baston-Langtoft Pits (8th- 19th) were good inland records. While a Black Redstart was a nice garden tick at Seacroft, near Mablethorpe (4th). John Badley Assisted by Colin Jennings ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 week ending week ending w/e 31/10/2014 Another balmy week with temperatures up to 19.5oc and a spell of light easterly on Wednesday. The one stand of gorse on the dunes in flower. A wide range of insects still on the wing with wasps, bumblebees, honeybees, hoverflies and various flies all seen also small tortoiseshell, red admiral, comma, common darter and migrant hawker. A single pipestrelle bat out from my house, Bird sightings include: a single great northern diver flying south, up to 640 pink foot geese roosting, 4 whooper swans, peregrine, merlin, hen harrier, rough legged and common buzzards, little, barn, and short eared owls. A fall of hundreds of thrushes on weds night into thurs morning, with redwings, song thrushes, fieldfares, and blackbirds, 3 ring ouzels, dozens of robins, goldcrests, chaffinches, and a few siskins a flock of c 130 linnets and c 100 twite, a single lapland bunting, 2 stonechats and rock pipits are replacing meadow pipits and a local group of 12 mistle thrushes. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RSPB RESERVES http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/collections/thewash_northnorfolk.aspx ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. News from Far Ings NNR http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designations/nnr/1083404.aspx ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Far Ings News See: Far Ings NNR on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-Of-Far-Ings-National-Nature-Reserve/186876774685595 Far Ings News ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 to bed' on Fridays. Please e-mail in 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 re-editing: 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.] *** Find the Grid Reference *** Chris Manning recommended the following website for help with find grid references. http://www.bnhs.co.uk/focuson/grabagridref/html/index.htm ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 8. Contact Information & Useful Websites ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please let me know ASAP if any of these weblinks fail! *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Website *** A full list of LNU Country Recorders is given here. http://www.lnu.org/ LNU e-mail: info@lnu.org If you are not yet a member, the LNU needs good naturalists like you! Anyone interested can get membership application forms from Wilma Gammon at the Lincs Wildlife Trust office, e-mail wgammon@lincstrust.co.uk LNU publications [listed on LNU website] may be ordered via: Ian Macalpine-Leny http://lnu.org/publications.php ian@macalpine-leny.co.uk *** Contacts List *** WILDLIFE CRIME *** Rural Crime Officer *** Pc 160 Nick Willey Force Wildlife, Rural Crime Officer Force Dog Training Establishment Lincolnshire Showground. Grange-De-Lings. Lincoln nicholas.willey@lincs.pnn.police.uk OFFICE: 01522-731897 MOBILE :07768-501895 PAGER : 07654-330877 http://www.lincs.police.uk/Advice/Wildlife-and-Rural-Crime/ *** Report Ash Dieback in Lincolnshire *** Link for Chalara fraxinea reports: http://www.forestry.gov.uk/chalara STAYING SAFE *** EasyTide *** Check tide times on Admiralty EasyTide: http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx *** TWO - The Weather Outlook *** Check the weather forecast for the location or postcode: http://www.theweatheroutlook.com/ *** Met Office E-mail Service *** Be warned of the possibility of severe weather. The Met Office website now offers an e-mail notification service for severe weather and other matters which may interest readers. Worth having a look and signing up. See: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/guide-to-emails *** Environment Agency Flood Information/Floodline *** http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/default.aspx *** 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 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. *** New Botanical Group in South Lincs *** Sarah Lambert writes: We'd be happy to welcome new people, whether experienced or not, particularly if they are located towards the northern part of the vice county! If anybody would like to join us, please get in touch with me at sarah.lambert7@ntlworld.com *** Grow-your-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 Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service A dedicated service to protect and enhance the Lincolnshire Wolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). 01507 609740 www.lincswolds.org.uk http://www.lincswolds.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/ Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project Project Officer: Ruth Craig ruth.craig@lincolnshire.gov.uk 01507 609740 For help with chalk stream management, volunteering opportunities and educational activities on the chalk stream please visit the website http://www.lincswolds.org.uk/chalk-streams/volunteering or contact the project officer ruth.craig@lincolnshire.gov.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 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 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, 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 Indoor meetings: Saturday, November 22, 2014 Ian Rotherham to talk on 'The Lost Fens - England's greatest ecological disaster' 2015 Saturday, February 14, 2015 Recorders’ meeting Saturday, March 07, 2015 AGM ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. A "hard bounce" usually results in you being automatically deleted from the mailing list. Latest Mailfails - see notes above. anthony.hydes - soft bounce - delivery failed anthony.rice - soft bounce - delivery failed gillian.wallhead - soft bounce - delivery failed n.earthy - hard bounce - delivery failed Laura.Harpham - hard bounce - delivery failed *** And finally...... Contributions to "And finally......" are always welcome. 'Tree of the Year' competition finalists announced http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-29739284 Science chief warns on acid oceans http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-29746880 Farmland birds show rapid decline http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-29728558 Legal fight begins to save family of beavers in Devon http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-29754247 The high-stakes world of rare-plant theft http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-29754101 ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/