============================================= || || 5th October 2014 || || LNU Website: || http://www.lnu.org/ || News of Lincolnshire Wildlife || ============================================ In this issue..... 1. Readers hints, tips and requests 2. Wildlife Highlights 3. Wildlife reports from around the county 4. News from the Lincolnshire Coast 5. News from Far Ings NNR 6. News from Bardney Limewoods NNR 7. Sending in Reports - contributors please read! 8. Contact information 9. Notes about these wildlife reports 10. Bulletin publicity policy 11. Events Diary 12. ...and finally..... ============================================ The Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Bulletin is being read by 1100 people and we are keen to encourage even more readers to subscribe. A Sign-up Form to join the mailing list can now be found on: http://eepurl.com/zmFMT Past LNU Wildnews Bulletins are available on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Note: Each address contains the relevant date. Views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union or any associated organisations. Reports here are open and are available to county recorders of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. Please contact the Editor to contribute articles or reports. E-mail: rparsons@enterprise.net [A backup e-mail address you can use if ever you experience problems with my "Enterprise" address is: aintree2@yahoo.co.uk ] ============================================ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. Readers hints, tips and requests ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** From the Editor.... *** September has, unsurprisingly, been found the driest September across the UK since records began in 1910, with exceptionally low rainfall for many parts of the country. See: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/news/releases/archive/2014/early-september-stats This of course raises the question of what might come next. See: http://www.theweatheroutlook.com/ Clear skies permitting, the Orionid meteor shower can be observed from 16th to 27th October, with a peak on 21st. Paul Money suggests in his Night Scenes 2014, that the best time to see these will be 'in the early hours as Orion rises.' Let us know if you have any luck. Initial information on three indoor meetings is now available in the LNU website. Ian Rotherham's talk on the Isle of Axholme will be interesting and informative and the Recorders' Meeting and AGM are always entertaining and sometimes surprising. Guests are welcome at all LNU meetings. Biological records are a vital resource in the protection and conservation of wildlife. All Bulletin readers have an interest in natural history, but may not appreciate that every sighting has the potential to become a useful record, a snapshot of today's wildlife that can be compared with past records and used to monitor and measure environmental change. If you find the Bulletin useful, please have a go at some recording. [If you have not yet made the leap.] There are many ways to start, but the easiest place is right here in the Bulletin. Don't be put off by the hugeness of the task. There will be a great deal to learn, but 'The longest journey starts with a single step'. See section 7 below: Sending in reports to Roger Parsons. Thanks. Roger *** LNU Events - guests are welcome *** Indoor Meetings are held on Saturdays at the Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park, Moor Lane, Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln and start at 2pm. Field Meetings generally start at 12 noon for 1.00pm, but please check the details for each event and this may vary. The 2014 LNU Field Meeting programme is listed below in section 11. To check on the details, especially if weather suggests a possible cancellation, visit: http://lnu.org/events.php Sunday, 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 Guests are welcome at our meetings. *** Sir Joseph Banks Society - President's Lecture *** 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' successful 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 *** Dormouse Open Day - Report *** Anne Goodall writes: The first Dormouse Open Day was held in Chambers Woods on September 21st this year, on what promised to be a lovely sunny day, though it clouded over later. We had debated hard on the best time to hold it; definitely more visitors to the wood during the school holidays, but we know from experience that there are a lot more dormice around from September onward, as the young of the year get adventurous, wave goodbye to mum, and head off to explore the world for their gap-month. Sadly, we didn't get as many visitors as we'd hoped, but we did get a fairly constant movement through, and everyone who came enjoyed themselves; most importantly, every visitor who joined one of the guided walks saw at least one dormouse, and came back thrilled by the experience. Back at the Wood Centre, faces were painted, pom-pom dormice were made and even a few dormouse-themed word-searches were attempted. The box and tube check was also a success from the population point of view; 13 new mice were found, including 3 'teenage' juveniles in a part of the wood where we've been hoping they would move to, but haven't found them before. Even more exciting, this last weekend we checked a set of boxes erected last winter in superb dormouse habitat at least a mile from the release site - and found a male and a female dormouse, in different boxes! So they clearly got there ahead of us, and we next need to erect boxes at least half a mile further away. This spread was always hoped for, but its still lovely to find that it is happening. The mice have now reached the wood edge in at least four directions, and have begun to move out of the wood along the hedges. Watch this space! *** Birds, Butterflies and Bees *** The Natural History and Geology Section, Scunthorpe Museum Society. Keith Scarrott writes: The second meeting, on Monday, 13th October, AT OUR NEW VENUE ST BERNADETTE'S PARISH CENTRE, ASHBY ROAD, DN16 2RS, starts with a brief AGM followed by an illustrated talk entitled "Birds, Butterflies and Bees" given by Janette Merilion, who is a registered speaker of the Royal Horticultural Society. Her talk will give you all the information you need to plant up your garden to encourage wildlife to visit it. Everything from blackbirds to hoverflies and butterflies to hedgehogs. There will also be plants for sale during and after the meeting. ALL ARE WELCOME. There is no entry charge but a donation bowl is provided. There is ample free parking in the grounds of St Bernadette's Church. The entry gates are opposite The Priory Hotel on Ashby Road. Please contact Keith Scarrott on 01724 762098 for further details. *** Boston Area Group LWT *** Geof Lee writes: COASTAL WILDLIFE an illustrated talk by Dave Miller, the Trust's Coastal Ranger. The meeting will be held in the Centenary Methodist Church Hall in Red Lion Street, Boston. on THURSDAY, 9th October, 2014 at 7.30 pm All are welcome, free - leaving collection, refreshments For more information, contact Brian Redman, tel. 01205 351406 PLEASE NOTE ALL MEETINGS THIS WINTER ARE ON THURSDAYS *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** Carolyn Lovely writes: On Monday 13th October 2014 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them at their indoor meeting where John Badley will give an illustrated talk about Freiston Shore and Frampton Marsh nature reserves near Boston. This will take place in Grimsby Town Hall and starts at 7.30pm. Admission £2, all are welcome. There will be a Trust goods stall, raffle and tea & coffee will be available. For further information please contact Jackie Kirk - 01472 316772. *** Grantham Area Group LWT *** Marion Ellis sent in the following: Meetings a Barkston & Syston Village Hall Barkston, Grantham, NG32 2NH (on A607) Friday 10th October The Wildlife of Far Ings Lionel Grooby, Warden *** Horncastle & Woodhall Spa Area Group LWT *** Les Binns writes: Fungus Foray - Sunday October 19, 10 am to 12 noon Venue: Woodhall Country Park (just outside Woodhall on the Stixwould road) Lead by: Colin Faulkner *** Hartsholme Country Park Fungus Foray *** Sunday October 5th, 10 am to 12 noon Sunday October 19th, 10 am to 12 noon Lead by: Dan Scullian Booking essential: contact the Ranger Station on 01522 873577 *** Wash Cruises 2014 *** Jeremy Eyeons writes: The South Lincs RSPB have started their 2014 series of Birdwatching Cruises into The Wash estuary and River Welland. http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire During 2013 over 105 species were seen, averaging 64 per cruise, and each cruise is manned by experienced Spotters. Apart from birds, basking seals are also regularly seen. Each cruise departs from Boston's Grand Sluice lock and lasts between four and five hours. Everybody is welcome. RSPB members £17-50 (under 16 £9-50). Non members £20 (£10-50) Booking is via The South Holland (Spalding) ticket agency and is essential. Call 01775-764777 or go online www.southhollandcentre.co.uk where full details including sailing times of those cruises which haven't sold out can be found. 14 cruises have been arranged for 2014 which started on 25th April, with various sailing times every month, and concluding on 16th October. These cruises are once again proving very popular. *** Lincoln RSPB *** http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ Maureen Staples writes: Lincoln RSPB Indoor Meeting 9.10.14 On Thursday 9th October 2014 at 7.30pm we invite you to join us for a presentation by Martin Davies on All The U.K's Butterflies In A Year - By Cheating. 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/ 28/09 Possible Yellow-browed Warbler, Boston garden, Witham Bank, heard only. Glossy Ibis, Garganey, Frampton Marsh 29/9 Great White Egret at Blow Wells, Far Ings Yellow-browed Warbler with tit flock, 2 Whinchats, Saltfleetby, at Sea View Red-brested Flycatcher, 3 Little Stints, 2 Tree Pipits, 4 Whinchats, Lapland Bunting, Redstart, Donna Nook Little Stint, Mablethorpe, Queens Park Glossy Ibis, Frampton Marsh 30/9 Firecrest trapped and ringed in East Dunes, Yellow-browed Warbler in Plantation, Gibraltar Point 1/10 Great White Egret at Blow Wells, Far Ings 3 Spotted Redshanks, Alkborough Flats Firecrest, Glossy Ibis, Little Stint, 3 Curlew Sandpipers, Frampton Marsh 2 Whinchats, Donna Nook Lapland bunting over Gibraltar Point 3/10 Smew redhead, with 1,100 Wigeon, Barton-upon-Humber Curlew Sandpiper, 3 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3. Wildlife news from around the county ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** The Roger Goy Column *** Remembering Roger Goy's wildlife information work. GORSE Wendy Handford writes: When gorse is in bloom, it's time for courting', a saying an elderly farmer told me. Well, the first flowers are out! Gorse in flower locations 26.9.14 A46 Claxby bypass TF 090 964, 50 bushes, 3 with first flowers A46 Swallow TF 184 040, 2 bushes, 1 with first flowers Jane Pennington Date 1/10/14 Gorse in flower TF542774 *** County Wildlife Reports From Readers *** Please keep your reports coming. We rely on you to send in your observations and We welcome information from ALL readers, be they beginners or experts. Thanks. DON'T FORGET Please include the year in your reports in case they are copied and thus lose their context. BARDNEY to LINCOLN Robert Walker 28/9/14 Cycleride along 'Water Rail Way' revealed:- Kingfisher 1 flying low over the water at Bardney Lock. Also at the lock area - Pied Wagtail 2 Grey Partridge 1 Great Crested Grebe 1 Near Washingborough old station - Cormorant 1 Weasel 1 Grey Squirrel 1 ( which managed to run faster than I was cycling ! ) At Five-Mile Bridge : Migrant Hawker dragonfly 4 Buzzards 2 South Delph Drain: Mute Swans 70+ all along the length of the drain. CAISTOR Wendy Handford (WH) Reports from contributors to Caistor records Week beginning 26.9.14 Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 WH Grey squirrel in meadow 26.9.14 Fox adult on Trailcam 27.9.14 Moles 3 making molehills on lawn Muntjac on Trailcam 26 and 28.9.14 Jay daily Pheasants 1m 2f but one very lame 30.9.14 Carder bees on Lavender daily Speckled wood butterfly still flying 1.10.14 Acorns 12 buried by Jays in molehills 26.9.14 Fungi Candlesnuff 100s on dead Ash 30.9.14 Leaf parachute 10s on fallen oak twigs 26.9.14 Parasol 2 in Spruce wood 26.9.14 A46 near Nettleton TA 111 005 WH Stoat roadkill 28.9.14 Nettleton Lodge Game Farm TA 090 012 B Jacob Common shrew dead on grass 28.9.14 Blushing bracket on dead willow 28.9.14 Fungi in oak wood Blusher. New Clustered toughshank. New DEEPINGS Venue: Deeping Lakes Nature Reserve Date: 01/10/2014 1300 – 1630 Observer: Ian Gordon Weather: Warm, sunny periods, breezy Birds: Black-headed Gull Buzzard Canada Goose Carrion Crow Chaffinch Coot Cormorant Great-crested Grebe Great Tit Green Woodpecker Grey Heron Greylag Goose Herring Gull Lapwing Little Egret Little Grebe Magpie Mallard Moorhen Mute Swan Pochard Reed Bunting Rook Shovelor Starling Teal Tufted duck Wigeon Woodpigeon Dragonfly: Common Hawker Migrant Hawker Butterfly: Small White Mammals: Grey Squirrel Rabbit GRIMSTHORPE 26/09 Chris Howes Quarry Cottage TF 045204 – 2 pristine Shuttle Shaped Darts in the moth trap 28/09 Chris Howes Quarry Cottage TF 045204 - An immaculate Swallowtailed Moth and Light Emerald in the moth trap, but very few of the Sallow family so far this year HEIGHINGTON TF025695 John Nickson 27th and 28th September 2014 Moths to Garden Trap Beaded Chestnut 7 Blair's Shoulder Knot 1 Blood-vein 1 Flounced Chestnut 1 Large Yellow Underwing 1 Lesser Yellow Underwing 1 Lunar Underwing 5 Red-green Carpet 1 Red-line Quaker 1 Setaceous Hebrew Character 5 Shuttle-shaped Dart 2 Small Wainscot 2 HEIGHINGTON John Nickson 25th September 2014 Red Admiral butterfly 26 On Ivy flowers near the primary school. HORNCASTLE TF257695 Robert Walker 1/10/14 Hedgehog 1 roadkill A158 Jubilee Way - edge of road next to Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust headquarters. HORNCASTLE TF261691 My garden Robert Walker 26/9/14 Barn owl 1 Flying low, mid-evening, around Walnut and Beech trees at edge of garden - made 2 passes over garden, with its eery vocals in the night sky. HUTTOFT TF512763 (my garden) Jane Pennington Date: 21/9/14 Swans 2 (don't know what type but looked very very large flying together towards the south west and making a lot of noise - beautiful to watch) Woodpigeon 1 (fledging on terrace - no sign of parents - flew to ditch with difficulty) Date: 26/9/14 Ladybird 7-spot 1 Date: 27/9/14 Wrens 2 29/9/14 Ladybird 7-spot 1 (in clothes pegs) Woodpigeons 7 (all been away for a while) 30/9/14 Rabbit 1 1/10/14 Weasel 1 TF542774 (Amazed at this lovely animal at the side of the farmer's field - seemed to be on back legs watching me. 2/10/14 Long tailed tits 8Dragonflies 6 (at least) LOUTH OS 3486 C Byatt 27 Sept. 2014 Red Admiral - 3 Small Tortoiseshell - 1 MANBY TF370863 Robert Walker 21/9/14 Kestrel 1 Hovering over arable field. MARKET RASEN Caistor Road TF107897 Richard Fox 02.10.2014 Great Crested newt hiding within compost bags Goldcrest in neighbour's garden conifer Grey heron in other neighbour's garden conifer Sparrowhawk fly over MIDDLE RASEN Middle Rasen Pastures TF107913 Richard Fox 29.09.2014 Common Blue Speckled Wood Adder slough SALTFLEETBY - THEDDLETHORPE NNR Robert Walker 21/9/14 Walk between Rimac and Saltfleet haven revealed:- Grey Squirrel 1 Seen running along the pipeline over the River Eau at Seaview bridge. Stonechat 1 at Saltfleet haven On Reserve: Speckled Wood 4 males on trackway Red Admiral 1 on ivy bush Tortoiseshell 1 in meadow field. TATTERSHALL THORPE 28.09.2014 M & R Pocklington Seven young grass snakes in compost heap in garden. THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 26/09/14 Grass snake x 1 crossing road (Clare Holmes) 27/09/14 Golden Plover x 1 Pied Wagtail x 2 Robin x 2 Stock Dove x 2 eggs in nest box Tree Sparrow x 71 Green-veined White x 2 Green-brindled Crescent x 2 Light Emerald x 1 Setaceous Hebrew Character x1 Ruddy Darter x 7 29/09/14 Common Buzzard x 1 Little Owl x 1 calling evening (Clare Holmes) Bat sp. (very small) Burnished Brass x 1 security light 30/09/14 Common Buzzard x 1 Swallow x 6 flying south west over Thurnholmes Beaded Chestnut x 2 Frosted Orange x 1 Large Wainscot x 1 Rosy Rustic x 1 Great Diving Beetle x 1 in horse water trough 02/08/14 Common Buzzard x 1 Little Owl x 1 Setaceous Hebrew Character x 1 WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 27/9/2014 Tawny owls calling. Small grass snake in garden. [AP] 28/9/2014 Butterflies notes: Comma, Red Admiral 4+, Large White 4+, Small White 5+, Small tortoiseshell 10+. Common frog x 2. Both strikingly yellow. 29/9 Lepiota freisii in garden associated with old cherry stumps. 2/10 - single Jay seen at Old Fen Lane TF 233523 and Castle Dyke Bank TF 243528 11am approx. WRANGLE COMMON 27/09/2014 Roy and Kath Pearson Of note today were singles of Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Marsh Harrier and Greenshank. Butterflies included small numbers of Red Admirals, Speckled Woods and a single Comma. George Danby reported an unprecedented eight Buzzards circling over his farm on 22/09/2014. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. Lincolnshire Coast NNRs and S Lincs Highlights including RSPB Wash Reserves South Lincolnshire bird sightings August 2014 RSPB Frampton Marsh The Glossy Ibis remained all month. Also seen on and off throughout were Spoonbills, with a peak of six (27th) and a Garganey. Merlin and Hobby were both seen occasionally and a Water Rail was recorded on four occasions. A good variety of waders included highlights of White-rumped Sandpiper (2nd-4th), Pectoral Sandpiper (from 19th) and Red-necked Phalarope (10th – 11th & 15th). Also present were up to six Little Stints (22nd), 10 Curlew Sandpipers (2nd), six Spotted Redshanks (24th) and five Wood Sandpipers (4th). Little Gull (6th), Red-crested Pochard (10th) and Yellow-legged Gull (26th) were all present on one date, with Whinchat seen on five dates and Short-eared Owl on two. Gibraltar Point NNR The sea was generally quiet, but Sooty Shearwater were recorded on four dates and there were peaks of 168 Manx Shearwaters (18th) and 65 Arctic Skuas (26th). Up to five Spoonbills were seen (27th). Raptor sightings included Honey Buzzard (27th), Montagu’s Harriers (3rd & 11th), but rarest of all a Short-toed Eagle reported in off the sea (22nd). A White-rumped Sandpiper (6th, 8th & 12th) could have been the same bird as at Frampton Marsh. Both Pectoral Sandpiper (12th) and Purple Sandpiper (25th) were seen on one date. There were also two each of Curlew Sandpiper and Wood Sandpiper and three Spotted Redshanks. Two Wood Warblers were recorded (12th and 28th-30th) with Wryneck (26th-30th) and Icterine Warbler (28th) towards the end of the month. Other sites Great White Egrets were reported at Grimsthorpe Lake (12th) and Wrangle Brickpits (27th). A Spoonbill was at Freiston Shore (23rd). On the same date a Glossy Ibis popped into Whisby NP. A Black-necked Grebe was at Baston-Langtoft Pits (9th). The Pectoral Sandpiper at Frampton Marsh commuted to Freiston Shore (from 23rd). A Wryneck was a lucky find in a Spalding garden (31st), and a Red-backed Shrike was reported at Baston Fen (2nd), while two or three redstarts were seen at Swanpool, Lincoln. John Badley Assisted by Colin Jennings ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GIBRALTAR POINT NNR. http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designations/nnr/1006059.aspx ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Press release from LWT 21/2/2014: Paths and hides are open at Gibraltar Point (except to Fenland Lagoon and a section of the West Dunes). Refreshments and temporary toilets are now available in the main car park. Please show your support for our volunteers and staff by visiting. Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog. http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE DUNES NNR. http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designatedareas/nnr/1006128.aspx Week ending 3rd October 2014 John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Peter & Janet Roworth September was the driest for at least 20 years with only 11.5mm of rain measured from just the occasional shower. Daytime temperatures were pleasantly warm (unseasonal) but not as high as those recorded inland with the coast being influenced by a period of cool onshore winds from the 11th- 21st. From the 22nd, warm south-westerly winds increased temperatures to reach a high of 21.25°C on the 30th. Although minimum temperatures were unusually high, cold nights were noted on 6 days. A near ground frost of 0.25°C occurred on the 27th. Winds were generally light but fresh north easterlies were observed on the 13th and 14th and blustery southwesterlies of f.5 on the 26th. Interesting sightings for the week have included: 26th - On high tide: Ringed Plover 100+, Dunlin 40, Sanderling 25+, Pink-footed Geese 17 flying south. The samphire beds are now attracting up to 60 Linnets along with the first autumn Rock Pipit. A flock of 65 Curlew feeding on stubble north of Brickyard continue to be the main group in area. 27th - Cliff noted 16 singing Robins between Brickyard and Churchill which reflect a good breeding season. Similarly several singing birds have been heard around Sea View. 28th - Pink-footed Geese 18 flying south and 12 feeding amongst the samphire beds, Common Scoter 80 N, Rock Pipit 2, Wheatear 1. A Pomarine Skua came in off the sea and majestically disturbed 200+ Black-headed Gulls then flew back to sea again with a fine aerial display. 29th - Wheatear 1, Sandwich Tern 5, Linnet 65 in samphire and 80+ Pink-footed Geese south. A Yellow-browed Warbler and 2 Whinchats were reported near Sea View farm. 30th- Great Black-backed Gull  70+ on beach (regular) feeding on yet another dead grey seal (2 last week, 1 common and 1 porpoise), Grey Wagtail near Brickyard. A single Jay over Sea View and a flock of 30+ Long-tailed Tits were feeding amongst the thorn bushes at Rimac. 1st - At morning neap high tide: Red-throated Diver 2, Little Tern 3 flying north, Arctic Tern 6 flying north. 2nd - Swallow 2 , Rock Pipit 2, Wigeon 13 on sea, Pink-footed Geese 57, Yellow-browed Warbler 1 and Jay 1 near Brickyard. Two Blackcaps and a Goldcrest at Sea View. 3rd - Jay at Sea View. On most days singles or doubles of Little Owl, Barn Owl, Tawny Owl, Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Kestrels and Sparrowhawks have been seen over the reserve. Butterflies and dragonflies are now dwindling in numbers to just ones and twos although several red admirals were on the wing on the 27th plus 1 painted lady and 2 commas at Sea View. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RSPB RESERVES http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/collections/thewash_northnorfolk.aspx ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. News from Far Ings NNR http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designations/nnr/1083404.aspx ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Far Ings News See: Far Ings NNR on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-Of-Far-Ings-National-Nature-Reserve/186876774685595 Far Ings News W/E 03.10.14 BIRDS Max nos: Bearded tit 35+ bittern blackbird 12 black-headed gull 20+ blue tit 8 canada goose 30 carrion crow 2 Cetti's warbler 2 chaffinch 12 chiffchaff 2 collared dove 2 common gull 8 coot 100 cormorant 8 curlew 5 dunnock 4 gadwall 57 goldcrest 2 goldfinch 6 great crested grebe 2 great tit 6 great white egret greenfinch 2 grey heron greylag goose 30 herring gull 2 house martin 6 house sparrow 12 kingfisher lapwing 15 linnet 40 little grebe long tailed tit 9 magpie 4 mallard 15 marsh harrier mistle thrush 3 moorhen 6 mute swan 26 pheasant 2 pochard 6 redshank 11 reed bunting 2 robin 6 shelduck 15 shoveler 18 snipe 9 sparrowhawk starling 60 tawny owl teal 20 tufted duck 25 water rail 2 wigeon 24 willow tit 2 wood pigeon 5 wren 6 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 Recorder *** Allan Binding asks contributors of butterfly records to the Bulletin to include their address or contact telephone or e-mail address and Grid Reference if possible. e-mail: allan.binding@ntlworld.com *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire link *** http://www.lincolnshire-butterflies.org.uk/index.html *** LNU Bees, Wasps and Ants Recorder *** Alan Phillips Willing to examine specimens or check photos (but bear in mind only a relative few of the 300+ species in the county are identifiable using photos). Aculeates only please, no parasitic wasps such as Ichneumons. If in doubt please contact for advice: aculeates@gmail.com *** Mammal Records *** Mammal records can reported to Chris Manning E-mail: Chris.LincsDeer@gmail.com Mink/Otter reports are of interest and can be sent via the Bulletin. *** 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-you-own Mistletoe *** http://www.mistle.co.uk/ *** Slug ID Help *** Chris du Feu will help with slug identification. You can telephone him on: 01427 848400 or e-mail: chris@chrisdufeu.force9.co.uk *** Identification of Non-Marine Molluscs *** John Redshaw is still available to identify specimens of non- marine shelled molluscs, including brackish marsh species. For larger and medium sized species (down to 1cm) a digital image will usually suffice. For smaller species it may be possible, in some cases, to ID specimens from digital images, but usually actual specimens will be required. If providing specimens, they may be enclosed in old film pots (which photographic shops are usually glad to get rid of). Details of location where specimen found, (with grid reference if known), date and finder's name should be provided. If specimen is provided this information should be noted on a label stuck to the outside of the pot. Please be aware that it is illegal to send live specimens through the post. For further details please contact John by e-mail on ejred7fen@tiscali.co.uk *** Mollusc Identification *** David Feld has also kindly offered to assist readers to identify molluscs, both terrestrial and aquatic. Please e-mail him a description and he will advise you whether and where to send a photograph or an actual specimen. Contact: drf@dfeld.freeserve.co.uk *** Lincolnshire Badger Group Update *** Ally Townsend of the Weirfield Wildlife Hospital, writes: If you would like to give people the Lincoln number 01522 530428 a member of staff will record the sighting or RTA. Or use the Weirfield website: http://www.weirfield.co.uk/ where a reporting page can be used to send in reports. *** Lincs Bird Club *** Secretary - Robert Carr secretary@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Membership Secretary - Mike Harrison: michael@michaelharrison1.wanadoo.co.uk LBC County Bird Recorders John Clarkson - Covering the north of the county recorder_north@lincsbirdclub.co.uk John Badley - Covering the south of the county recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Bird Club Website: http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk *** Other Useful Websites *** Key links are now being posted on the LNU website. http://www.lnu.org/ This should save space in the Bulletin, Suggestions for other useful Websites are welcome. Natural England http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ Still includes SSSI Information and "Nature on the Map" Lincolnshire Environmental Awards http://www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk/ Lincs Environmental Records Centre Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership (of which LERC is a part) Contact: Charlie Barnes, charlie.barnes@glnp.org.uk or for more general queries: info@glnp.org.uk 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 Lincolnshire farmlands. To learn more about the partnership please visit our website at http://www.lincsfenlands.org.uk/ or contact the project officer at slincsfens@lincstrust.co.uk Amanda Jenkins - South Lincolnshire Fenlands Project Officer Hartsholme Country park. To learn more about the park or to get in involved at the park please visit http://www.lincoln.gov.uk/hartsholmecp contact Park Rangers at hartsholmecp@lincoln.gov.uk Tornado and Storm Research Organisation http://www.torro.org.uk Contact Ian Loxley on colarain@tiscali.co.uk Interesting Weather radar website Noel Loxley recommends the following interesting website. http://www.raintoday.co.uk/ Hedgehog Street survey http://www.hedgehogstreet.org/ for 2014 survey, see: http://www.hedgehogstreet.org/pages/hibernation-survey.html RSPB Contact Details RSPB Website: http://www.rspb.org.uk www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh John Badley, Site Manager for RSPB Lincolnshire Wash reserves e-mail: john.badley@rspb.org.uk S Lincs RSPB http://www.southlincsrspb.org.uk Lincoln RSPB http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ Lincsbirders - Lincolnshire's Alternative Birding Group http://www.lincsbirders.org/ Bardney Limewoods Bardney Limewoods NNR http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/Limewoods/ limewoods@lincolnshire.gov.uk The Sir Joseph Banks Society Contact 01507 528223 or by e-mail: enquiries@joseph-banks.org.uk. http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk Readers websites and videos: Joan Gunson's Moths recorded 2013: http:www.flickr.com/photos/angleshades Alan Dale's Bugs and Weeds http://www.bugsandweeds.co.uk/ http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p015pqyz Les Binns: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ecoheathen/sets/ Leslie Hebden http://www.flickr.com/photos/13718295@N07/ Mike Binnion writes: Common Butterflies http://www.grimsbywildlife.co.uk/ Youtube videos by Colin Green. Little Scrubbs Meadon http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inqCJLrTQmg&feature=relmfu Greetwell Hollow http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QmzLFrbjFU&feature=plcp Rimac http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s02O5JJoilQ&feature=plcp Starlings at Kirkby on Bain - excellent video by David Robinson http://www.flickr.com/photos/poppops/11685708555/ BBC Radio 4 Tweet of the day: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01s6xyk Helen Mark did an excellent "Open Country" on 25th January with a good interview of LWT's Dave Bromwich. You can hear this on: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03qflhk *** Other Useful E-mail Addresses *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union: info@lnu.org Gibraltar Point: gibpoint@lincstrust.co.uk Far Ings: farings@lincstrust.co.uk Whisby Nature Park: whisbynp@lincstrust.co.uk NEW Syke's Farm: lwt@sykesfarm.org.uk Lincs. Trust HQ: The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust main e-mail address: info@lincstrust.co.uk Hartsholme Country Park: hartsholmecp@lincoln.gov.uk If you would like your e-mail listed here, please let me know. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9. Notes about these wildlife reports ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We do our best to ensure accuracy in our reporting but these records are sent in by a variety of reporters, from complete beginners to professionals. They therefore vary in reliability and in certain cases they are impossible to verify. If further information is needed on locations or reporters, or if you wish to question/confirm any of these records, contact: rparsons@enterprise.net Bulletins are sent to Biological Recorders at the Lincs. Wildlife Trust, Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. [Note: Where plants are reported, this is usually because they have been seen and identified in flower.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10. The Bulletin's publicity policy ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We will sometimes withhold precise details of the location of rare or endangered species. Please point out any sensitive or "tricky" reports of this kind. Sensitive data should go directly to county recorders, please. We ask that you respect the interests of wildlife and site owners if you report to national networks. Make a point of explaining site sensitivity and any restrictions on access. An interest in wildlife is not a licence to act irresponsibly/thoughtlessly to landowners, who may well be partners in important conservation work. [Remember - views expressed in the Bulletin do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions on the LNU or associated organisations. In particular this applies to such agencies, especially charities, taking a political stance.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11. LNU Events Diary For LNU meetings also see http://www.lnu.org/events.php ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Field Meetings generally start at 12 noon for 1.00pm, but please check the website details for each event. Unless otherwise stated, Indoor Meetings are held on Saturdays at the Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park, Moor Lane, Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln and start at 2pm. 2014 Field Meetings Sunday, October 12, 2014 Fungus Foray High Wood, North Rauceby. (Courtesy of Woodland Trust) West of Sleaford. 12.00 for 13.00 start. Park in the wood car park at TF010463 The wood is located on the north side of Church Lane which runs between North Rauceby and High Dike/Ermine Street (B6403). Habitat: Broadleaved woodland. Leader: Ray Halstead 07772 613640 ray.halstead@tiscali.co.uk Indoor meetings: Saturday, November 22, 2014 Ian Rotherham to talk on the Isle of Axeholme. 2015 Saturday, February 14, 2015 Recorders’meeting Saturday, March 07, 2015 AGM ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails This Week *** If you hear of anyone bemoaning the lack of a Bulletin, please refer them to the Bulletin Portal where they will find a text copy. http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html If you are having difficulties with spam folders et. please make sure you "Whitelist" my address as given in the Bulletin. Latest Mailfails - see notes above. iangordon - mailbox unavailable n.earthy - delivery failed; will not continue trying Laura.Harpham - delivery failed. *** And finally...... Contributions to "And finally......" are always welcome. Open Domesday The first free online copy of Domesday Book http://domesdaymap.co.uk/ I am a great admirer of Danny Macaskill! See: Danny Macaskill: The Ridge https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQ_IQS3VKjA and Danny MacAskill - "Way Back Home" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cj6ho1-G6tw ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/