============================================= || || 9th 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. Please send this URL to friends who might join the Bulletin mailing list: 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.... *** LNU members should receive their mailing shortly with 'Communiqué' and 'Transactions' aka 'The Lincolnshire Naturalist'. Please note the details of the January 17th meeting, where Phil Espin will be speaking about "Rare Breeding Birds in Lincolnshire and the Rare Breeding Birds Panel." Transactions is available to non-members at £8.00 and back copies of most Transactions are available at reasonable cost to fill gaps in your collection. Contact Ian Maclpine-Leny on: ian@macalpine-leny.co.uk Ian continues to handle sales of LNU publications, so please contact him if you wish to order any of these. There was a lot of behind-the- scenes activity over the weekend to relocate the stock, followed by the 'stuffing and stamping' routine involved in sending out the LNU mailing. Many thanks to everyone who played a part in this. Remember the 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 meteor peaking on 17th should offer a far better show. For more information, refer to Gary Kronk's webpage: http://meteorshowersonline.com/ 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. To check on the details, especially if weather suggests a possible cancellation, visit: http://lnu.org/events.php Saturday, November 22, 2014 Ian Rotherham Professor of Environmental Geography at Sheffield Hallam University, will speak on: 'The Lost Fens - England's greatest ecological disaster' Guests are welcome at our meetings. *** Donna Nook Seals *** The latest numbers for the past week from Rob Scott are as follows: 31/10/2014 Latest seal count: 113 bulls, 70 cows and 34 pups. If you plan to make a visit, do please check the LWT website first. If you can avoid weekends you should find Donna Nook less crowded. 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!" *** Tree Planting Volunteers needed *** Su Coleman writes: Nettleham Woodland Trust has identified Chalara fraxinea at Monks Wood and on the advice of the Forestry Commission are going to remove 4000 ash trees and replant. The FC has given a grant for the new trees and planting sessions will happen on Saturday 22 and 29 November. Any volunteers should arrive with their spades and any food and drink they will need, at the North Wood, TF042791, sessions will run between 10.00 and 14.00hrs. *** 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/ *** Mammals of Nottinghamshire *** Michael Walker writes: A provisional atlas of the mammals of Nottinghamshire has been produced and is available to download from: http://www.nottinghamshirewildlife.org/images/uploads/Notts_Mammal_Atlas_2014.pdf Our aim is to produce a full atlas in the next few years but we need to increase the number of records of many species, especially the common ones which often go unrecorded. The border with Lincolnshire has few records for many species so any help your members can give would be very much appreciated. Michael Walker, Nottinghamshire Mammal Recorder *** Barton Group LWT *** Adrian White writes: Saturday 8th November "Broughton Woods" A half-day walk in the woods. Leader; Vernon Chapman (01652 660957) for details Meet at Ness Farm for a 9am start. Everybody welcome, membership not required. Wednesday 19th November "Members Photographs" A selection of pictures from the members. Contact; Keith Mitchell (01652 632673) for details. Either slides or CD/memory stick in jpeg format. About 20 pictures of any subject. Meeting held at Ness Farm for 19:30 start. Everybody welcome, membership not required. Saturday 6th December "Donna Nook Seals" A half day visit to the colony with more to see than seals. Leader; Adrian White (01724 732152) for details. Meet at Ness Farm for 9am start. Everybody welcome, membership not required. *** Boston Area Groups, LWT *** Geof Lee writes Wildlife Gardening - an illustrated talk by Mark Schofield in the hall of the Centenary Methodist Church, Boston on THURSDAY, 13th November, 2014, at 7.30 P.M. All welcome, free, refreshments, leaving collection For more info, contact Brian Redman, tel. 01205 351406 *** 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/ 31/10 Lapland Bunting, Saltfleet 2 Water Pipits, 40 Twite, Short-eared Owl, Saltfleetby Hen Harrier, Spoonbill on Tennyson's Sands, Redstart, Spotted Redshank, Gibraltar Point Lapland Bunting, Donna Nook 1/11 Spoonbill on Tenyson's Sands, Black Redstart, 7 Little Gulls offshore, Lapland Bunting and Hawfinch flew south, Hen Harrier, Gibraltar Point 2 Shorelarks, c200 Twite, Saltfleetby Theddlethorpe Dunes Ring Ouzel, North Somercotes 2/11 Grey Phalarope past, Black-throated Diver, Hen Harrier, Spoonbill on Tennyson's Sands, Gibraltar Point Black Redstart, Donna Nook 3/11 Black Redstart, ringtail Hen Harier, Little Gull south, Bonxie south, Gibraltar Point 2 Taiga Bean Geese, Donna Nook Glossy Ibis, Frampton Marsh 4/11 2 Little Auks past, Hen Harrier, Grey Phalarope, Gibraltar Point 2 Taiga Bean Geese, Donna Nook 5/11 12 Snow Buntings, Brickyard Lane, Saltfleetby Yellow-browed Warbler trapped & ringed in East dunes, probable Rough-legged Buzzard in off sea, Gibraltar Point Little Auk over approach road, Frampton Marsh Little Auk, Short-eared Owl, Saltfleet Haven Sooty Shearwater past, 2 Great Northern Divers, 8 Little Gulls, Short-eared Owl, 4 Velvet Scoters, 94 Little Auks past, Gibraltar Point 62 Little Auks past, 19 Pomarine Skuas, Great Northern Diver, Short-eared Owl, 10 Little Gulls, Sutton-on-Sea 2 Taiga Bean Geese, 2 Little Auks past, 2 Short-eared Owls, 2 Little Gulls, Donna Nook 4 Little Auks past, 2 Great Northern Divers flew south, 2 Long- tailed Ducks flew north, Saltfleetby 6/11 3 Little Auks flew north past Huttoft Car Terrace 62+ Little Auks flew past Barton-upon-Humber 2 Taiga Bean Geese with Whooper Swans, north of Howden's Pullover car park, Donna Nook 16 Little Auks north past, fem Hen Harrier over saltmarsh, Saltfleetby Rough-legged Buzzard between Frampton Marsh and Frampton Lapland Bunting, Donna Nook Hoopoe, on Humber bank at Barton-upon-Humber 2 Little Auks north past, Hen Harrier 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 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 A46 at BIRCHWOOD, Lincoln SK929704 Su Colman 31/10/14 Gorse in flower, one bush on either side of the dual carriageway, just a few flowers. GORSE Gorse locations: Wendy Handford 5.11.14 A46 Claxby bypass TF 090 964, 60 plants, 2 with abundant flowers, 30 with a few flowers Wendy Handford 5.11.14 A46 Holton le Moor TF 096 986, 20 plants, 3 with a few flowers Wendy Handford 6.11.14 Brigg Road TA 108 033, 2 plants, one with a few flowers Wendy Handford 6.11.14 A46 Swallow TF 184 040, 2 plants, both with a few flowers Wendy Handford 6.11.14 A46 Riby junction TF 192 044, 2 plants, one with a few flowers *** 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. ALFORD nr PARTNEY ROUNDABOUT Clare Brady 6/11/14 Large flock of Fieldfares. First I have seen this year. CAISTOR Wendy Handford (WH) Reports from contributors to Caistor records Week beginning 31.10.14 Brigg Road garden TA 113 020 J Foster Redpoll juv 31.10.14 Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 WH Blackbirds 8. A sudden increase in number 3.11.14 Great spotted woodpecker. Not seen for many weeks 3.11.14 Jays 2 1.11.14 Pheasants 7m 2f seen onmost days Pheasant roadkill put in front of Trailcam. Video sequences show an adult fox and a juvenile fox took portions, a Tawny owl fed on it 1.11.14 Long-tailed fieldmouse. Trailcam shows it very active every night in Spruce wood Walnut orb-web spiders 8 under trays in greenhouse 2.11.14 Jelly ear on Berberis. Usually seen on Elder. 31.11.14 Shaggy parasols, new crop of 50 in Spruce wood 1.11.14 Shaggy scalycap on Alder stump 1.11.14 Toothed cups 50 on anthill 31.10.14. New Cabourne TA 135 016 WH Kestrel hovering over roadside 6.11.14 Cherry Holt garden TA 115 015 J Rudd Cowslips and primroses in flower 1.11.14 Hundon Manor Farm TA 116 024 P Robinson Tawny owl calling every evening Nettleton Lodge Game Farm TA 090 012 B Jacob Fieldfares, over 100 flying SW 6.11.14 Whooper swans 9 flying SE 7.15am, 5.11.14 Willow bracket, probably, on living willow. New Other Irby woods, Bill and Stewart Overy Red kite 12.30pm 28.10.14 GRIMSTHORPE Chris Howes - Park Ranger Quarry Cottage TF045204 Moth Trap 30/10/14 Mottled Umber, 2 Rosy Rustic, Yellow Line Quaker, Angle Shades. 2 Square Spot Rustic, November Moth, Red Green Carpet, Feathered Thorn, Green Brindled Crescent. HALTHAM TF247637 R & A Parsons Stoat crossing road West to East. 5/11/2014 at 10am approx HUTTOFT Jane Pennington Huttoft TF512763 Date: 2/11/2014 Blackbirds 6 Collared doves 2 Great spotted woodpecker 1 Long tailed tits 4 Date: 4/11/2014 Coal tits 12-15 Great spotted woodpecker 1 Date: 6/11/2014 Harlequin ladybird 1 Pheasant 1 RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF 309 847 (unless otherwise stated) Silvia Fowler 31.10.14 October Rainfall = 73 mm; about average for the time of year. 31.10.14 Still lots of insects and butterflies about in hazy sunshine (18 deg. C) Comma x 2, Painted Lady x 1, Red Admiral x 5 (inc. 2 very tatty individuals), Small Tortoiseshell x 1 Pied Wagtail 01.11.14 Painted Lady x 1, Red Admiral x 6 02.11.14 Young Greenfinch all fluffed up and lethargic near bird table (couldn't see any other signs of disease) 04.11.14 (sunny and calm) Great Spotted Woodpecker (f) hogging bird table, apparently feeding on whole black sunflower seeds (seemed to prise them open by wedging them between boards) Long-tailed tit family Red Admiral x 5, Small Tortoiseshell x 1 Buff-tailed bumblebee queen, also other bumblebees, honey bees and numerous other insects on the wing. SPALDING Our garden. TF245218 Annette Faulkner 27/10/14 Red admiral, out in the sun. SWINESHEAD - Bicker Bar TF239390 R & A Parsons Weasel crossing road East to West 31/10/2014 at 12.30hrs TATTERSHALL TF 212579 4/11/2014 D. Robinson Female Eristalis tenax, a Hoverfly (Diptera, Syrphidae). Approx 15-20mm head to tail. Determined from photos - John Flynn and Phil Porter THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 25/10/14 Mole (dead) 26/10/14 Little Owl x 2 Mute Swan x 2 adults Owston Ferry Warping Drain Pink Footed Goose x 62 flying N E over Robin x 1 Starling x 27 27/10/14 Mute Swan x 2 adults Starling x 35 29/10/14 Common Buzzard x 1 Little Owl x 2 Moorhen x 3 Owston Ferry Warping DrainMute Swan x 4 adults Pink Footed Goose x 252 North over Robin x 2 Snipe x 1 Starling x 35 Darter sp. x 1 Golden Plover x 121 North over Kestrel x 2 Small Tortoiseshell x 1 WOOLSTHORPE-BY-COLSTERWORTH Garden SK922224 JANE OSTLER l November 2014 An exceptional day , sunny with temperatures to 20C Butterflies - Single specimens seen flying and feeding - Small White, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral and a brief visit from a Comma. The downside was that a cauliflower ('small but perfectly formed') brought in from the garden had hidden in its deepest recesses, 25 small white caterpillars, some so small that they were presumed newly hatched. We have been removing great numbers of small white and large white caterpillars from the underside of leaves of sprouting brocolli which have grown through the nets. On Sunday 2nd November we watched a fully grown large white caterpillar crawl up a window pane (it took an hourField ) where it has become a chrysalis under an overhang. It will be less welcome as an adult. Grass Field SK917242 Fieldfare, redwings and a jay. In this same area a covey of English partridge has done well this year. Most of young died last year in all the wet. WRANGLE COMMON 04/11/2012 ROY AND KATH PEARSON We didn't do a formal count today, but a walk around the site revealed several interesting points. A clear sky and sunny weather was with us from sunrise, but a huge and persistent fog bank obscured the Wolds to the north. A skein of Pink-footed Geese, (approximately 250) flew north-west over us, but changed to a westerly direction as it approached the fog bank. A second smaller skein (approximately 100 birds) just under one hour later did the same. No winter thrushes were present, but there was a large number of Blackbirds feeding on hawthorn berries in a long hedge, where they were joined by elements of the large finch/bunting/sparrow flock that has been with us for several weeks now. Two flocks of tits were foraging, a smaller flock of Long-tailed Tits and a much bigger one of Blue and Great Tits. The latter also included two Coal Tits, which are very uncommon here. A number of Goldcrests had joined both flocks and were feeding with them. Deer were noticeable in the early morning and four Roe and two Muntjacs allowed close approach. As the day warmed-up, singles of Red Admiral and Common Darter were seen. WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 5/11/2014 Tawny owl calling 5.30am. Buzzard patrolling area mid-morning. Red admiral on wing during mid-morning sunny spell. BETWEEN WOODTHORPE AND WITHERN B1373 Clare Brady 04/11/14 1 short-eared owl, flying along a mist-filled ditch. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 31/10 - Cliff Morrison writes: Mid October to the first week of November is the best time to experience the annual immigration of wintering thrushes from Scandinavia and the Continent. Whilst it usually begins mid September, with a trickle of song thrushes, it lasts right to the end of the year, when blackbirds and fieldfares can still be seen arriving. The first redwings, a few blackbirds and the odd fieldfares arrived on time this year, around 12th October, but in relatively low numbers, thereafter, with mainly SW winds, often strong, immigration dropped to a trickle. However, the birds have to come and so there were increased arrivals against very strong SW winds on 28th October, when small numbers of blackbirds and many flocks of around 50 starlings at a time could be seen coming in low over the sea. Starlings typically come in low, which is why little auks are occasionally be seen caught up in the flocks and can be found far inland. However, for starlings, there is safety in numbers, but when blackbirds come in low, they are normally in small groups, or singles and are then vulnerable to predation. I have seen great black-backed and herring gulls knock blackbirds into the sea on many occasions, which always seems sad, since they have battled 300 miles or so over the sea during the night, only to be caught in sight of land. On the 29th this week, the winds dropped and came from and easterly direction and on that evening, I could hear many redwings flying over when I took the dog out at 9pm. On the 30th, when I opened the door shortly after dawn, the first thing I saw were 50 or so blackbirds in the garden along with a couple of bramblings. There were also redwings calling over head along with the odd fieldfares. This was the first major thrush arrival well underway. As the light improved, I could see small flocks of blackbirds and redwings 'falling' from the sky. This always surprises me, the way they appear as dots high up but then fall vertically, but then break in a series of stoops before eventually dropping into the bushes. What I then find even more amazing is that whilst some will quickly gulp a few hawthorn berries, many will rest no more than minutes, if that, before taking off again in a south westerly direction. Fieldfares more often fly straight over, which redwings will also do, but seem to prefer a quick stop before rising up again, whilst the blackbirds will typically move on at a lower levels across the fields. Song thrush immigration is usually largely over by mid October, but this year there were flocks of 20- 30 mixed in with the redwings and they too carried on. However, the sprinkling of ring ouzels, 3 being seen in the day, often hang around a few hours or even days in quite small areas before moving on. Thrush movements like this are typically over by mid to late morning as the birds that left the continent in waves the evening before make landfall here. Here, thrush departures at dusk can be seen in early spring, as the birds gathering on the coast rise up, circle and then head east, but last night, I experienced a similar event. I had just arrived back at Brickyard Lane car park at dusk after a walk along the dunes, when I had seen perhaps 50 blackbirds, when I noticed a few blackbirds taking off, rising high and flying off to the SW into the gathering dusk. Within 10 minutes, over 250 blackbirds followed from a stretch of dunes no more than 400metres in length. It is difficult to estimate how many thrushes came in, but there must have been 1,500 blackbirds, 1,000 redwings, 200 fieldfares, 70 song thrushes and 3 ring ouzels in the half mile or so stretch of dunes that I watched and it's why I prefer to live next to the sea. What I found interesting was that with all this migration taking place, dog walkers coming and going in the car park, both morning and evening, seemed completely oblivious to the mass movements going on all around them. During moth trapping in the my garden this week, I caught and photographed a single autumn green carpet, which is apparently a new county record. Saltfleetby Theddlethorpe NNR Cliff Morrison, Peter and Janet Roworth, John Walker, Nige Lound Week ending November 7th October will be remembered for the unseasonal high day time temperatures. Although 20.0°C and 20.5°C were recorded on the 1st and 3rd it was the regular highs (late teens) of the last week which were of note. These were influenced by a very warm SW air flow. The 63.6mm of precipitation resulted from several days of light showers intermixed with four days of heavy down- pours, notably 12.1mm on the 6th. Very strong easterly winds were reported on the 13th and spells of strong gale force SW observed on the 21st. A gust of 56.9mph was recorded in the afternoon of the 21st. A ground frost of -0.75°C occurred on the 5th. 31st - 49 Dark-bellied Brent, 50+ Shelduck, 48 Twite, 15 Linnet, 30 Goldfinch, 1 Lapland Bunting, 2 Common Snipe - all from Rimac saltmarsh-outer dune ridge. 1 Swallow over Sea view. Single Fieldfare and Redwing at Sea View. Painted lady 1 and 1 red admiral at Sea View. 2nd - Coal Tit 1, Mistle Thrush 1 at SV. Pink-footed Geese 30 over. 3rd - Short-eared Owl at Rimac. 4th - Pink feet 32 and 83 over. Red admiral 1 on wing at SV. 6th - first keen frost with -4.75°C on ground and -0.75°C air recorded. 3 woodcock, c 180 twite, a few blackbirds fieldfares and redwings continuing to arrive, c 600 pinkfoot geese roosting on outer foreshore, a total of 9 little auks seen moving north in a half hour seawatch on tues afternoon. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 W/E 31.10.14 BIRDS Max nos: bearded tit 6 bittern blackbird 12 black-headed gull 30 blue tit 8 bullfinch canada goose 130+ carrion crow 2 Cetti's warbler 2 chaffinch 12 chiffchaff collared dove 2 common gull 8 coot 162 cormorant 6 curlew 2 dunlin 10 dunnock 4 gadwall 58 goldcrest goldeneye 2 golden plover 40 goldfinch 24 great crested grebe 2 great tit 6 greenfinch 2 grey heron greylag goose 150+ house sparrow 10 kestrel kingfisher lapwing 133 linnet 40 little grebe 4 long tailed tit 6 magpie 4 mallard 12 meadow pipit 3 marsh harrier mistle thrush 2 moorhen 6 mute swan 26 pheasant 2 pied wagtail 2 pink - footed goose 3000+ pochard 6 redshank 9 reed bunting 2 robin 6 shoveler 16 snipe 20 sparrowhawk starling 2000+ tawny owl teal 72 tufted duck 130 water rail 2wigeon 74 willow tit 2 wood pigeon 4 wren 6 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 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, Professor of Environmental Geography at Sheffield Hallam University, will speak on: 'The Lost Fens - England's greatest ecological disaster' Sturday, January 17th, 2015 Phil Espin, Chairman of the Lincolnshire Bird Club, will be speaking about' 'Rare Breeding Birds in Lincolnshire and the Rare Breeding Birds Panel." 2015 Saturday, February 14, 2015 Recorders’ meeting - overview and highlights in the past year's recording provided by the county recorders. Arrive at 12 noon fpr a chance to catch up with recorders and view exhibits including a demonstration of online recording software, 'Living Record' and a doscussion of online recording starting at 12.30. The Overview starts at 2pm. Saturday, March 07, 2015 AGM Followed bythe Presidential address by Nick Tribe: "Aspects of Dragonfly Recording in Lincolnshire". ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 *** And finally...... Contributions to "And finally......" are always welcome. Donna Nook Nature Reserve: Hundreds of seal spotters expected http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-29857144 Science check call over badger cull http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-29889067 Urban bees: Can a city roof be an insect haven? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/29890092 Bats sabotage rivals' senses with sound in food race http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-29931995 Bird of prey poisoner given suspended sentence http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-29931463 New measures to protect pollinators http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/29847474 ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/