============================================= || || 16th 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.... *** I saw a good meteor trail as 21.20hrs when driving home from a Watch leaders' meeting on 7th November. It was easily distinguished from a firework, before you ask! It must have been a Northern Taurid meteor. Remember the Leonid meteor shower peaking on 17th should offer a good display. Links to meteor information can be found on this webpage: http://www.rogerparsons.info/cosmic.html We had a good visit to Donna Nook on Sunday with lots of interesting activity from the seals, and the helpful presence of the seal wardens dealing with a steady flow of interested visitors. Well done to them. It really is a most exceptional example of managing a big colony of seals and a huge number of humans. Advice as always is avoid weekends if you possibly can, to help spread the load. Or get there early. It is satisfying to identify an interesting plant or animal. Perhaps you keep a notebook or diary of such things. Every observation will be part of a jigsaw, a missing piece in a story of distribution and change in a species. If you are not a regular contribution, please take a minute to send in your sighting and your record may become an important part of a county and national picture. 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: 08/11/2014 Latest seal count: 278 bulls, 427 cows, 218 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. *** Identification Trainers for the Future - astounding opportunity *** Sent in by Charlie Barnes. The NHM, in partnership with the Field Studies Council and National Biodiversity Network, have received funding from the HLF's Skills for the Future programme to offer 15 early-career biological recorders or ecologists the opportunity to take part in a 12-month work-based training programme in UK wildlife identification, scientific communication and training delivery over the next 3 years. Applications are being accepted until the 12th December for the first cohort of 5 trainees who will start with us in March 2015. The challenge There has never been a greater need to document, monitor and understand changes in the UK's wildlife. Yet the number of people with the skills to survey and accurately identify species, handle and preserve reference specimens, and share their skills with others is declining. Be part of the solution. Identification Trainers for the Future is a new work-based training programme for individuals who would like to develop a career in the UK biodiversity sector. It aims to address the critical and growing shortage of wildlife identification and recording skills. The programme is led by the Museum in partnership with the Field Studies Council and National Biodiversity Network Trust. What we offer: - Fifteen 12-month traineeships, delivered over the next three years. - A work-based training programme that will provide you with the knowledge, confidence and skills to understand and communicate the value of biological recording; survey and identify a wide range of UK species groups and train others, so that you can help reverse the decline in biological recording. - A tax-free bursary of £16,500 for each trainee, to cover living costs. The scheme is generously supported by the Heritage Lottery Funds Skills for the Future programme. For further information see http://www.nhm.ac.uk/nature-online/british-natural-history/uk-biodiversity-portal/identification-trainers/index.html *** 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/ *** Barton Group LWT *** Adrian White writes: 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. *** 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 *** Lincoln RSPB *** http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ *** 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/ 7/11 Glossy Ibis, Lapland Bunting, Snow Bunting, 3 Whooper Swans, Frampton Marsh Hoopoe flew east towards Barrow Haven, Barton-upon-Humber Ring Ouzel, Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Donna Nook 2 Bewick's Swans flew south past, 10 Bonxies, Gibraltar Point Hen Harrier, Saltfleet St Clement Iceland Gull Swanpool, west of Lincoln 8/11 2 Taiga Bean Geese, 58 Whooper Swans, Shorelark flew south along beach, Donna Nook 2 Scaup drks, Kirkby-on-Bain gravel pits Glossy Ibis, Lapland bunting, Rough-legged Buzzard over, Twite, Snow Bunting, Short-eared Owl, Frampton Marsh 3 Short-eared Owls, Vine House Farm, Spalding Little Auk, Holbeach St Mark's 2 Bean Geese flew south, Trusthorpe 9/11 Rough-legged Buzzard, Short-eared Owl, Glossy Ibia, Frampton Marsh Iceland Gull Swanpool, west of Lincoln 2 Hen Harriers, 2 Snow Buntings, 12 Twite flew south, Gibraltar Point 2 Taiga Bean Geese, 5 Lapland Buntings, Donna Nook Iceland Gull, Whisby Nature Parrk 18 Jack Snipe, Tetney Marshes 10/11 2 Taiga Bean Geese, 6 Snow Buntings, Donna Nook Ad Yellow-legged Gull, as Mediterranean Gull, Whisby Nature Park Rough-legged Buzzard, Frampton Marsh 11/11 Rough-legged Buzzard juv, Killingholme Marshes - since IDd as a Common Buzzard from photos. 2 Common Scoters, Toft Newton Reservoir 2 Little Auks, Cleethorpes 2 Hen Harriers, Gibraltar Point Hen Harrier, Freiston Shore 12/11 Rough-legged Buzzard, Glossy Ibis, Frampton Marsh 2 Snow Buntings near Chowder Ness, Common Scoter on Ness Pit, Far Ings Hen Harrier, Frampton Marsh 13/12 Black Kite 6 mls ENE of Barton-upon-Humber, flew NNW over Goxhill Haven Common Gull, pos heinei form, North Hykeham - Whisby Nature Park, Teal Lake 3 Little Gulls flew south past Gibraltar Point 14/12 3 Water Pipits on Jackson's Marsh, Gibraltar Point Swift, Donna Nook 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 LOCATIONS: Near Grimsby Fishing Heritage Centre, TA 269 096. Wendy Handford 7.11.14 Carpark flowerbed. One heavily pruned plant with a few flowers Off A46 near Nettleton, Girl Guide camping ground, TF 097 991. Margaret Roach 7.11.14 Sides of sandy track. 30 plants, 5 with a few flowers Four areas at Nettleton Lodge Game Farm 1. Garden TA 092 011 Ben Jacob 9.11.14 Sandy open area. One plant without flowers yet 2. Nettleton beck, TA 090 012 Ben Jacob 9.11.14 On bank. 114 plants, 16 with first flowers, 11 with a few flowers, 5 with many flowers 3. Daves Wood TA 090 013 Ben Jacob 9.11.14 Southern boundary of oak wood. 16 plants, 3 with first flowers, 5 with a few flowers 4. New Field, TA 089 014 Ben Jacob 9.11.14 Dyke banks through a field not maintained for over 40 years. Ten plants, 3 with first few flowers and 1 with many flowers WHISBY NATURE PARK SK96 Phil Porter writes: Early November With the cessation of open-ground domestic waste tipping at Station Road, North Hykeham, the numbers of gulls in the area was always bound to collapse; but currently there have been up to 5,000 Black-headed Gulls and 750 Common Gulls coming in to roost at Teal Lake. An Iceland Gull roosted there on 9th. It is also very noticeable that both Canada Geese and Greylag Geese have vacated the area; 400 of the latter were present in early September. The WeBS count for Coot totalled 462 which is on the high side for this time of year. The same could be said of the 44 Cormorants at Teal Lake but the new scrapes seem to have provided an ideal resting place for them. Another good WeBS score was the 130 Gadwall, which like the Coots, are almost entirely to be found at Willow Lake. This is awkward to get to at the moment but such gatherings have been noted there before so this is not just a question of peace and quiet. Goldeneyes are just dribbling in and there were 6 on various lakes on 8th. Kingfishers have been strongly reported in recent weeks, most often at Thorpe Lake but in a range of sites, almost daily at times. The population seems to have finally recovered, more or less, from the freeze-up in 2010/11. Up to 147 Lapwings have been counted resting at Teal Lake; there is never a great deal of feeding going on though. The newly created surface is unlikely to be very rich in pickings even for surface feeders. The semi- regular Little Egret seems to do better there in catching small fish and invertebrates in the shallows. It is not clear whether Snipe are going to winter at Thorpe Lake in large numbers again this year; although there may be several more, there have been a maximum of 12 visible at Dave’s Island in front of The Barn (the new building near the entrance to the routes). Up to 10 Tree Sparrows are now regular at the feeders. As mentioned above Willow Lake has been packed with waterfowl and all but a very few of the Wigeon WeBS count of 268 were there. The demographic at Willow Lake, not for the first time in recent years, has been remarkable; 253 Wigeon, 370 Coot, 107 Gadwall joined by 16 Mute Swan and Tufted Duck, Pochard, Little Grebe, Canada Goose, and Moorhen which could only muster 17 between them! 2 Whooper Swans visited Teal Lake on 5th. *** 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. BILSBY TF475764 Robert Walker 9/11/14 Badger 1 roadkill BARDNEY to BARDNEY LOCK on 'Water Rail Way' TF106697 area Robert Walker 31/10/14 Highlights on the walk were:- Kingfisher 1 near moorings Redwings 17 feeding on hawthorn berries. my first sighting this autumn. Pied Wagtails 3 near lock CAISTOR Wendy Handford (WH) Reports from contributors to Caistor records Week beginning 7.11.14 Brigg Road garden TA 113 020 J Foster Common inkcaps 6 on decayed wood 7.11.14 Stinking parasols 10 in flowerbed 10.11.14 Horse mushrooms, 10s in copse 8.11.14 Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 WH Bank vole crossing terrace 12.11.14 Grey squirrel collecting Hawthorn berries 8.11.14 Long-tailed fieldmice 2 on Trailcam in Spruce wood most nights Fieldfares 12, first of the season 7.11.14 Great spotted woodpecker f on feeder daily Green woodpecker calling 7.11.14 Long-tailed tits 4 in Hawthorn hedge 11.11.14 Sparrowhawk m perched in orchard 7.11.14 Harlequin ladybird, active on Lime 110.11.14 Hawthorn shieldbug in kitchen 12.11.14 Dead man's fingers on Wild cherry root 7.11.14 Hairy curtain crust on Alder 9.11.14 Hare'sfoot inkcap on Hawthorn debris 11.11.14 King Alfred's cakes on dead Ash 9.11.14 Oak crust on dead Pedunculate oak branch 12.11.14 Sulphur tuft on Scots pine needles 13.11.14 Caistor bypass TA 121 013 Geoffrey Handford Barnowl 7pm 10.11.14 Hundon Manor Farm TA 116 024 P Robinson Mute swans 5, 2 displaying. 9.11.14 North Street verge TA 116 016 WH Honey fungus 100s on buried dead Silver birch roots 7.11.14 Shieling farm TA 106 027 W Collins Brown rats under shed 10.11.14 Parasol fungi 6, up to 15 ins/37cms across 3.11.14. New COLSTERWORTH SK93/22 Garden A 11/11/14 Jane Ostler Examination of bird box contents Beneath a sticky mass of plant material and animal hair there was the nest of a bumble bee. This contained the remains of two tree bumble bees (Bombus hypnorum) confirming observations made in the summer. In addition there were three adult, and quite beautiful, hibernating lacewings (Chrysops 7-punctata). Numerous beetle larvae and empty brown coccons were in the plant material, but no evidence of wax moths was found as in a nearby box last year. Garden B The late mild autumn has meant that honeybees have run out of room within their hives and constructed elaborate honeycombs of wax outside the hives. DEEPING HIGH BANK R & K Heath 8/11/14 Only winter birds on count. 400 Golden Plover. 377 Lapwings. 1 Pr of Stonechat. Very few Tufted Duck or Coot yet. HARRINGTON Clare Brady 13/11/14 Red Kite flew over the road at 7.30am on my way to work. Resident? HARROWBY SK940344 Arable field Jane Ostler 12/11/14 Volvariella gloiocephala(=V.speciosa) (Stubble Rosegill) This has appeared in hundreds in a field sown with oil seed rape. It was fertillised earlier in the year with manure from a chicken farm. This species was seen in huge numbers in recently harvested corn fields in the first years following the stubble burning ban. HOGSTHORPE TF530714 Robert Walker 9/11/14 Kestrel 1 HOLBEACH RANGE. NORTH END. Very poor count due to mist. 1 Marsh harrier 2000 Pinkfeet on beet tops were impressive when they got up after mist cleared. 1 Stonechat. HORNCASTLE TF261691 Robert Walker 1/11/14 Sparrowhawk 1 Seems this local bird keeps coming to my garden, this time trying to catch a blackbird in the pyracantha shrub - failed. This all took place within eight feet of me! HUTTOFT Huttoft TF512763 Jane Pennington Date: 8/11/2014 Blackbirds 12 Great tits 4 Pheasant 1 Date: 9/11/2014 Wren 1 Date: 11/11/2014 Ladybird 1 (orange no spots, in the sun, on a fence) Ladybirds 15 (harlequins, in the sun, on a shed) Red admiral butterfly 1 Sparrowhawk 1 TF516767 (sitting on a fence post) Date: 12/11/2014 Robin 1 Wren 1 Not unusual except they were both pecking on the ground within a foot of each other. The robin usually chases everything; the wren always ignores other birds. RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF 309 847 (unless otherwise stated) Silvia Fowler 07.11.14 Small flock of Fieldfares descended to feed on yew berries in spite of protestations by resident Mistle Thrush (in song late afternoon) 09.11.14 Red Admiral x 2 11.11.14 Woodmouse (dead) Meadowsweet in local hedgerow with a fresh crop of flowers 12.11.14 Harlequin Ladybird (conspicua variant) in bathroom SLOOTHBY TF505712 Robert Walker 9/11/14 Kestrel 1 over field edge, and nearby Buzzard 1 sat in tree near road. TATHWELL TF303822 Robert Walker 1/11/14 Sparrowhawk 1 flew off from hedgerow near roadside THEDDLETHORPE DUNES John Cowell Friday 7th Nov 2014 at 9.30am) Woodcock was startled as I walked by to the North of Brickyard Lane Carpark. THIMBLEBY TF233702 Robert Walker 5/11/14 Kestrel 1 hunting over field edge near roadside. THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 28/10/14 Barn Owl x 1 Owston Ferry 29/10/14 Grey Squirrel x 2 SE807003 04/11/14 Sparrowhawk x 1 female flew into privet hedge after Tree Sparrows Red Admiral x 1 SK813999 06/11/14 Ruddy Darter x 3 THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 08/11/14 Barn Owl x 1 Wood/Y N Mouse x 1 09/11/14 Barn Owl x 2 Blackbird x 7 Tawny Owl x 1 10/11/14 Blackbird x 3 Little Owl x 2 12/11/14 Lapwing x 400+ over Owston Ferry Snipe x 2 13/11/14 Hedgehog x 1 (dead) SE804004 14/11/14 Pink Footed Goose x 1120 over Crowle Moors SE7516 TWYFORD WOOD SK945235 Jane Ostler Car Park Area. Week beginning 3/11/14 A flock of 24 bullfinches reported from an area near the car park. WOOLSTHORPE LINE SK 917 242 Scrub and grassland Jane Ostler 9/11/14 Ground now saturated enough for a late flush of fungi which included Coprinus commatus (Shaggy Ink Cap) Coprinus plicatilis (Pleated Inkcap) Coprinus macrocephalus An uncommon dark-capped inkcap found on horse dung heap Pluteus cervinus (Deer Shield) on a decaying stump Agaricus xanthodermas (Yellow Stainer) A mushroom to which some people are allergic Amanita fulva (Tawny Grisette) There were also the dead remains of a species which appeared earlier in the year Geastrum triplex (Collared Earth Star) WRANGLE COMMON 08/112014 Roy and Kathleen Pearson The rain had stopped by the time we arrived at Wrangle and we were able to do a full BirdTrack count in high winds. The winter thrushes have now arrived and we counted one Fieldfare and fourteen Redwings. Blackbird numbers reached fifty-five, a total that was queried by BirdTrack as unusually high, but may even have been understated owing to excessive caution in counting birds moving along a hedge. The feeding flock of finches/buntings/sparrows is still present, but now more widely dispersed Nevertheless we were able to count five Linnets, six Goldfinches, six Greenfinches, thirteen Reed Buntings, thirty-three Tree Sparrows and thirty Yellowhammers. The tit flocks that we had encountered earlier in the week were absent, but several Goldcrests were still around. A count of ten Grey Partridges was the highest for some time. Two Buzzards were patrolling the area and a female Sparrowhawk caused alarm amongst the Blackbirds. Two Skylarks and one Meadow Pipit were seen and a Mistle Thrush flew over. There is a huge shortage of water birds. The Canada and Grey- lag Geese seem to have moved away and only three Mallards were counted. No waders were seen. WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 8/11/2014 Flock of fieldfares moving through the fen. 10/11/14 Flock of 50 Fieldfares over garden late morning viewing orchard. 11/11/2014 Single fieldfare in orchard scolding RP for being there - 9.30am. 11.30am - Sparrowhawk calling over orchard. Other Birds in garden: Mistle thrush 4, Blackbird 12, Robin 3, Wren, Goldfinch 8, Tree Sparrow, House Sparrow, Dunnock, GS Woodpecker 2, Green Woodpecker heard, Tawny Owl heard. Mammals: Moles signs conspicuous, Brown Rat signs, much woodmouse activity in apple shed and in both cars! Smell of fox in garden. 14/11 Small brown plume moth inside front door as 5.30am. 4 more brown plume moths on window, 5.30pm. WAINFLEET CONSERVATION PONDS 08/11/2014 Roy and Kath Pearson Sad news today. Some years ago the Environmental Agency told us it was attempting to off-load several sites because of financial cutbacks and the Bycroft Conservation Ponds at Wainfleet was one of the sites chosen. They contacted various agencies, but none seemed interested. On arrival today we were faced by an estate agent's sign proclaiming 'FOR SALE'. I rather fear the site, which is near to holiday lets, could be used for fishing and 'sanitised'. This would be extremely unfortunate given its conservation value. A count wasn't attempted owing to the onset of heavy rain. WAINFLEET CONSERVATION PONDS 09/11/2014 Roy and Kath Pearson Complete transformation today with bright sunshine and calm winds which produced some excellent birding. The hedges were full of birds, especially Tree Sparrows. This species is making a welcome come-back after a disastrous decline since the 1970s. They are now quite numerous in parts of the East Fen and we have ringed seventy-seven this year already at two sites, the highest total since 1981. A Little Egret perched in a tree and gave us excellent views, whilst the reed beds resounded to the squeals of Water Rails that have now taken-up their winter quarters here. A Sparrowhawk patrolled the hedges, but perhaps the bird of the day was a large raptor that at first we assumed was one of the area's Buzzards, but it flew across the field towards us quite low at less than 10 metres until, at a distance of approx 100 metres, it first banked to the left and then the right allowing us to see both its under and upperparts, giving us the opportunity to confirm its identity as a Rough-legged Buuzzard. As dusk fell, a few Reed Buntings came in to roost and were joined by a murmeration of about 100 Starlings, which produced some aerobatics before settling-down in the reeds. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. Lincolnshire Coast NNRs and S Lincs Highlights including RSPB Wash Reserves South Lincolnshire bird sightings October 2014 RSPB Frampton Marsh The Glossy Ibis, present since June, remained all month. A single Spoonbill was seen on one date (4th). The first Whooper Swans began arriving, with a peak of 31 (16th). Pink-footed Geese were also coming in, with a maximum count of 101 (1st). eal increased to 1063, and with them was a late Garganey (12th). A Rough-legged Buzzard took up at least temporary residence (22nd onwards). A Pomarine Skua was an unexpected visitor to the scrapes (9th). Wader numbers generally declined, but there were peak counts of six Little Stints (11th), four Curlew Sandpipers (10th) and 50 Ruff (3rd). A Jack Snipe was also present (18th). Up to two Ring Ouzels were seen at the same time as Great Grey Shrike (14th & 15th). Finally a Snow Bunting was reported passing through (17th) and Yellow-browed Warbler on several dates at the end of the month. RSPB Freiston Shore A Grey Phalarope spent several days on the reservoir (6th – 12th). Single Curlew Sandpiper (8th-9th) and Jack Snipe (13th) were also seen. Offshore, Slavonian Grebes were seen on two dates, with a peak of three (13th), four Manx Shearwaters were seen (13th), Pomarine Skuas were recorded on three dates with a peak of five (13th), along with 15 Great Skuas and up to three Little Gulls (13th). Gibraltar Point NNR A busy month for migration with up to 47 Whooper Swans (11th) and 1200 Pink-footed Geese (27th) passing through. On the sea the highlights were Sooty Shearwater (13th) Balearic Shearwater (27th) an amazing peak of up to 15 Grey Phalaropes (18th – 25th), with birds seen on at least five dates, all four Skuas, including two Long-tailed (13th) and Red-necked Grebe (18th). Up to two Spoon- bills were present (from 6th). A Rough-legged Buzzard was seen daily (from 15th), with two on one date (19th). A Pectoral Sandpiper was on the beach briefly (18th). 20 Parakeets passing rapidly south (30th) would undoubtedly be a record county total if they were all Ring-necked. A Great Grey Shrike (14th-17th) was joined by a second bird (15th). Other passerines included Richard’s Pipit and Woodlark (10th), up to six Yellow-browed Warblers (11th – 29th), up to 40 Ring Ouzels (13th – 22nd), Radde’s Warbler (14th), Olive-backed Pipit and Shorelark (15th), Cetti’s Warbler (16th) and Firecrest (24th). Other sites Three Grey Phalaropes were at Witham Mouth (16th) with one at Nene Mouth (21st). A Red-necked Grebe at Witham Mouth (15th), while a Slavonian Grebe was at Kirkby/Tattershall Pits (27th). A Rough-legged Buzzard was at Welland Marsh (16th). Up to 15 Pomarine Skuas were at Nene Mouth (13th and 21st). A Great Grey Shrike was at Nocton Fen (15th) and Firecrest at Witham Mouth (15th). Yellow-browed Warblers were at Butterwick Marsh (16th) and Horncastle (17th) and a Ring Ouzel was at Baston Fen (18th). 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 The Far Ings NNR Bird Race, dawn till dusk, 2/11/14. Total number of species = 75. Excellent results on this day, despite rain and cloud, proving that this is a good autumn for birds on the Humber. Bearded tit 6 bittern 3 blackbird 6 black-headed gull 300 black - tailed godwit 4 blue tit 6 bullfinch 4 canada goose 250 carrion crow 6 Cetti's warbler 5 chaffinch 7 collared dove 2 common buzzard common gull 20 coot 130+ cormorant 6 curlew 20 dunlin 33 dunnock 10 gadwall 30 goldcrest 3 goldeneye 7 golden plover 250+ goldfinch 10 GBB gull great crested grebe great spotted woodpecker 3 great tit 6 greenfinch grey heron 2 greylag goose 200+ herring gull 50+ house sparrow 12 jackdaw 50 jay 2 kestrel kingfisher lapwing 100+ LBB gull 10 linnet little egret little grebe 3 long tailed tit 14 magpie 6 mallard 8 meadow pipit 4 mistle thrush 4 moorhen 8 mute swan 30 peregrine falcon pheasant 2 pied wagtail 2 pink-footed goose 6000+ pochard 10 redshank 17 redwing 11 reed bunting 5 robin 8 shoveler 18 skylark 2 snipe 15 song thrush 3 sparrowhawk starling 2000+ (Murmuration) stonechat 2 tawny owl teal 100+ tufted duck 130 water rail 5 wigeon 80 willow tit 4 wood pigeon 20 wren 6 Far Ings News 14.11.14 Birds Max numbers: Bearded tit 2 bittern 2 blackbird 6 black-headed gull 100 blue tit 6 bullfinch 2 canada goose 200 carrion crow 6 Cetti's warbler 3 chaffinch 7 common gull 20 common scoter coot 164 cormorant 8 curlew 10 dunlin 2 dunnock 6 gadwall 40 goldcrest goldeneye 2 goldfinch 12 GBB gull great crested grebe 2 great spotted woodpecker great tit 6 greenfinch 3 grey heron 2 greylag goose 100+ herring gull 10 house sparrow 12 kestrel kingfisher lapwing 140 LBB gull 4 linnet little grebe 5 long tailed tit 6 magpie 4 mallard 15 meadow pipit 3 mistle thrush 2 moorhen 6 mute swan 24 pheasant 2 pied wagtail 2 pink-footed goose 2000+ pochard 8 redshank 47 redwing 12 reed bunting 4 robin 8 shoveler 17 snipe 4 snow bunting 2 song thrush 3 sparrowhawk starling 2000+ (Murmuration) tawny owl teal 108 tufted duck 50 water rail 4 wigeon 43 willow tit 2 wood pigeon 6 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 dawnwilson - soft bounce - delivery failed db.goddard - soft bounce - delivery failed geoff.cooll - soft bounce - delivery failed gillian.wallhead - soft bounce - delivery failed ian.wilson - soft bounce - delivery failed peter.wood - soft bounce - delivery failed uniomystic - soft bounce - delivery failed rattyphiljs - soft bounce - delivery failed *** And finally...... Contributions to "And finally......" are always welcome. The Space event of the week - Rosetta’s lander Philae gets to the surface of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. http://rosetta.esa.int/ Climate change 'will make lightning strike more'... http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-30023536 Six Scottish wildcat conservation areas identified. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-30002335 GB non-native species secretariat website. http://www.nonnativespecies.org/home/index.cfm ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/