============================================= || || 12th 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.... *** Orionid meteors 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.' Please let us know if you have any luck. You can order Night Scenes 2015 via Paul's website: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Home2.htm Constant vigilance! Are you aware of "Ransomeware"? Have you received emails that seem a bit strange. These sometimes contain links or attachments which may cause unwelcome and costly invasions of your computer. Unsafe websites are another way to pick up computer infections. Read up on Ransomeware before you become a victim. Make sure your anti-virus and anti-malware measures are up-to-date and never "click" on anything that seems not quite right. Ebola could never spread widely here. Could it? [New Scientist] http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn26354-ebola-could-never-spread-widely-here-could-it.html#.VDfZiFd0Yg8 Golden Plovers Andrew Chick has reminded us of the International Golden Plover Survey 11-12 October 2014 - see below. Please help if you can. 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. *** International Golden Plover Survey 11-12 October 2014 *** Andrew Chick writes: On 11-12 October 2014 (WeBS Count weekend) there will be a coordinated census of Eurasian Golden Plovers across Europe, repeating comparable surveys carried out in 2008 and 2003 Therefore please can you submit any additional counts of Golden Plover (and Lapwing) into BirdTrack (www.birdtrack.net) seen over this weekend. *** 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 *** Lincolnshire Grazing Marshes LIDAR Film Screening *** Rachel Milner writes: I am writing to invite you to an exclusive viewing of the new CGI animated LIDAR flyover film showing footage across the Wolds and Marshes east of Louth. The film, narrated by Jim Broadbent, is colour-coded according to the lands elevation, to show how the landscape was reclaimed for salt making and grazing - including ancient river systems, settle- ments, salterns, and ridge and furrow. The screenings will take place - Wednesday 15th October Conoco Rooms, Louth 7.30-9pm Thursday 16th October Huttoft Village Hall 7.30-9pm This is a very exclusive event that we expect will book up very quickly so we advise booking as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. For more information about the films and to book your place please contact the team on 01507 613134. *** 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. *** 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. *** 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/ *** 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/ 3/10 2 Little Stints, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, juv Hen Harrier, Donna Nook Little Stint, Ruddy Shelduck, Mablethorpe, Queens Park 5/10 Glossy Ibis, Spoonbill, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, Frampton Marsh Rose-coloured Starling, Chapel St Leonards, Trunch Lane yellow-browed Warbler, Ponderosa, Donna Nook 6/10 Firecrest, Donna Nook Spoonbill on Jackson's Marsh, 4 Little Gulls, Arctic Skua, 4 Arctic Terns, Pomarine Skua over, Grebe sp on sea, Gibraltar Point 7/10 Firecrest, Willow Tit at south end, Donna Nook Grey Phalarope on reservior, Freiston Shore Pomarine Skua past, Black-throated Diver, 4 Little Gulls, 5 Arctic Terns, Lapland Bunting south over, Spoonbill on Tennyson Sands, Black Redstart, Gibraltar Point 8/10 Spoonbill from Tennyson north hide, Gibraltar Point 4 Whooper Swans, Frampton Marsh Grey Phalarope on reservoir, Freiston Shore Firecrest, North Somercotes Whinchat, south of Howden's Pullover, f Hen Harrier, Slavonian Grebe, Saltfleet Pied flycatcher, Sea View, Salfleetby 4 Spotted Redshanks on Tennyson Sands, as Yellow-legged Gull on beach, Little Gull, 2 Bonxies flew south, Gibraltar Point 9/10 Grey Phalarope on reservior, Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Pomarine Skuas past, 12 Bonxies, Freiston Shore Pomarine Skua, pale morph, Frampton Marsh Spoonbillon Jackson's Marsh, Spotter Redshank, Gibraltar Point Black-throated Diver between Stonebridge and Pye's Hall, juv Hen Harrier, Puffin, 11 Arctic Terns, 2w Little Gull, Long-tailed Skua flew south, Donna Nook Slavonian Grebe, Saltfleet Rose-coloured Starling, Anderby Creek, for 3rd day 10/10 Slavonian Grebe, Saltfleet on new pits north of haven Richard's Pipit flew south, Spoonbill on Jackson's Marsh, Woodlark, Gibraltar Point Note: I am adapting my RBA pager information for the Bulletin by eliminating or summarising/consolidating repeated messages. When there is a lot of information I will stick to highlights. Please visit the RBA website for updates or fuller details. Bird Alert website: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ Here you can register free to use the site and get free trials of their subscription services. Strongly recommended. [Please mention the Bulletin if you decide to subscribe.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3. Wildlife news from around the county ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** The Roger Goy Column *** Remembering Roger Goy's wildlife information work. Weasel Question FIVE MILE END Jacquie Harrison and John Margetts 28/09/2014 Sunny Sunday lunchtime and minor road/sustrans junction busy with cyclists, walkers and fishermen. Initially one juvenile weasel - slightly darker backed than some we've seen, but a weasel - was trying to find a way back without passing Jacquie too closely - to under the first bush at the junction. Then another juvenile weasel shot out towards the river. The first juvenile managed to return under the bush and there was immediately screaming as though a weasel was biting another animal but then several young weasels scattered out with an adult appearing to chase them including the first one we had seen. ?Mother continued to seem to chase them away despite all the people passing? Was it likely the mother had bitten one of them or was something else going on? None of the weasels were carrying anything as they left. Nearby robin was singing, no alarm calls from birds. We would love to know if our guesses were right. *** 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. BOSTON (South by A16) 05/10/2014 Roy and Kath Pearson Jay in garden today. CAISTOR Wendy Handford (WH) Reports from contributors to Caistor records Week beginning 3.10.14 Brigg Road garden TA 113 020 J Foster Red kite flying east 8.10.14 Pestle puffballs 2, 3.10.14 Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 WH Field vole crosses stream on metal girder 2.10.14 Grey squirrel 7.10.14 Fox, one of this year's cubs 5.10.14 Jays 2 in meadow daily Pheasants 4m in meadow daily Honeybees 5 on Sedum 3.10.14 Tawny owl calling daily Apple mussel scale bugs 10s on Discovery apples 4.9.14. New Small tortoiseshell on Michaelmas daisies 3.10.14 Peacock on wooden shed 8.10.14 Fungi, 8.10.14 Clouded funnels 34 in spruce wood Coral spot on birch twigs Hairy curtain crust on dead Alder Jelly ears 5 on Elder Turkeytail on Ash Others not yet identified Caistor Town Hall car park TA 116 016 8.10.14 Housesparrows 30 in Holly Silverleaf fungus on Sycamore stump Stinking parasols 3 Hundon Manor Farm ponds TA 112 026 P Robinson Mute swans 3 on 3 days Mill Lane TA 119 012 WH Ivy first flowers 8.10.14 Nettleton Lodge Game Farm TA 090 012 B Jacob Blackening brittlegill in oak wood. New HUTTOFT Jane Pennington Huttoft TF512763 (my garden unless lstated otherwise) Date:4/10/2014 Devil's coach horse beetle 1 (TF515768, crossing the road from a field to a ditch) Frog 1 (very comfortable under a pile of wet leaves) Robins 2 (chasing each other around the garden) Date: 5/10/2014 Rabbit 1 Swans 5 (2 adults, 3 cygnets TF521764 - wandering around a farmer's field) Date: 10/10/2014 Great spotted woodpecker 1 Wren 1 LINCOLN SK972738 W/E 11/10/2014 Jayne Knight 14/09/14 Group of 5 Swallows hawking over the grass at East Kirkby Air Museum. There were also 3 Lancasters about, too! 29/09/14 Female Tawny Owl calling "ke-wick" around dawn. Not heard for a number of years, but another resident who lives few hundred yards away regularly hears one. 02/10/14 Wren, as dusk falls, bombs across shed roof into either the honeysuckle or nestbox partially covered by the plant. Observed a couple of evenings after this. RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF 309 847 (unless otherwise stated) Silvia Fowler As elsewhere, September Rainfall very low with only 14.5 mm, but it looks like October will try to make up for it. 04.10.14 First Lacewing in bedroom 05.10.14 Sparrowhawk caught small bird Adult Common Frog near pond, yellowish colouring Devil's Coach Horse beetle 09.10.14 2 Mistle Thrushes feeding on yew berries, also a flock of what looked like Redwing in the fading light. THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated)Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 05/10/14 Little Owl x 2 Roe Deer x 4 SK790989 Ruddy Darter x 8 07/10/14 Brent Goose x 4 flying north along Trent at SE830015Little Owl x 2 Pike x 1 approx. 600mm long seen by torch light 11.55pm SK796987 Owston Ferry Warping Drain 09/10/14 Blackbird x 1Golden Plover x 13 Linnet x 2 Red Legged Partridge x 15 Tree Sparrow x 17 Wren x 1 Red Admiral x 1 WAINFLEET CONSERVATION PONDS 05/10/2014 Roy and Kath Pearson A BirdTrack count today was quite rewarding with 21 species counted. Of particular interest were Green Sandpiper (1), Little Owl (1), Mallard (50), Stock Dove (1) and Swallow (20). I think that for the first time ever, no Woodpigeons were recorded. WRANGLE COMMON 05/10/2014 Roy and Kath Pearson A BirdTrack count today was highly productive with 34 species recorded. Of particular interest were Buzzard (1), Corn Bunting (1), Goldfinch (45 feeding on thistles), Kingfisher (1), Meadow Pipit (2), Sparrowhawk (1), Teal (2), Yellowhammer (14 feeding on sunflower seeds) and superb views of a Water Rail on the edge of a very small patch of reeds. Few butterflies were about, but Red Admiral, Spotted Wood and Large White were seen. WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 8/10/2015 Several Small Tortoiseshell hibernating in an old chicken ark. In garden Comma 2, Red Admiral 6, Peacock 1. Large and Small whites. 10/10 Family of 5 Mistle thrushes making a racket about their territory. Juv Grass snake in garden. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. Lincolnshire Coast NNRs and S Lincs Highlights including RSPB Wash Reserves South Lincolnshire bird sightings September 2014 RSPB Frampton Marsh The Glossy Ibis’s stayed extended into a fourth month. Up to four Spoonbills (10th) were also present for much of September. Two Red- crested Pochards (9th) and up to three Garganey (2nd) added variety to the increasing duck numbers. Little Stint numbers peaked at 23 (15th) with Curlew Sandpipers reaching an impressive 51 (11th). Other waders included Temminck’s Stint (2nd-7th), Red-necked Phalarope (5th) and up to three Pectoral Sandpipers (1st-18th). While 20 Spotted Redshanks (18th) was a record count. A juvenile White-winged Black Tern was a brief visitor (3rd), but a Barred Warbler (6th-8th) stayed a little longer. A Yellow-browed Warbler (21st & 27th) was reported on two dates. Several Whinchat and Stonechat were seen and both Pied Flycatcher (4th) and Redstart (12th) were also recorded during the month. Gibraltar Point NNR On the sea the highlights were Long-tailed Skuas on three dates and Sooty Shearwater (25th). Onshore, Spoonbills were seen occasionally and peaked at 10 (9th & 10th). Wader numbers increased with 78,000 Knot (28th) being a highlight. Also seen were Purple Sandpiper (13th), Wood Sandpiper (21st) and two Jack Snipe (25th). Firecrests were seen on five dates, but more numerous were up to two Yellow-browed Warblers on seven dates. Conversely just one Wood Warbler was recorded (13th), and a single Barred Warbler remained for a few days (4th-6th). Possibly the rarest bird of the month was a (possible) Blyth’s Reed Warbler (5th & 6th). Red-breasted Flycatchers were much more in evidence with up to three seen (6th-21st). An Olive-backed Pipit (17th – 20th) was appreciated by many visitors, but a fly-over Red- throated Pipit was not appreciated by many! The first Lapland Bunting of the autumn arrived towards the end of the month (22nd). Other sites A Red-creasted Pochard made it to Denton Reservoir, near Grantham (1st). Garganey were reported at Willow Tree Fen (3rd) and Thurlby Sand Pit (22nd). A Great White Egret was seen twice at Whisby NP (20th & 24th). Perhaps surprisingly the only Osprey reported in South Lincs in September was at Stubton, near Newark (10th). Long-tailed Skuas were seen at Sutton Bridge (21st & 24th) with a Pomarine Skua there too (24th). Four Ravens at Grantham (25th) with three at Fulbeck (11th) illustrate how this species is increasing in the county. A Grey Plover and up to five Little Stints at Baston-Langtoft Pits (8th- 19th) were good inland records. While a Black Redstart was a nice garden tick at Seacroft, near Mablethorpe (4th). John Badley Assisted by Colin Jennings ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GIBRALTAR POINT NNR. http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designations/nnr/1006059.aspx ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Press release from LWT 21/2/2014: Paths and hides are open at Gibraltar Point (except to Fenland Lagoon and a section of the West Dunes). Refreshments and temporary toilets are now available in the main car park. Please show your support for our volunteers and staff by visiting. Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog. http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE DUNES NNR. http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designatedareas/nnr/1006128.aspx Week ending week ending 09 10 14 John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Peter & Janet Roworth 25 mm of rainfall measured so far this month is more than double the September total, patchy ground frost early in the week, and much cooler day time temperatures with maxima of only 16.0 oc, and some strong winds. Insects: only a few butterflies now. Species seen: a single wall brown and brimstone. Also a few red admirals, small tortoiseshells, small and green-veined whites and 2 commas. Dragonflies: numbers decreasing, ruddy and common darter and 4 migrant hawkers. Birds: A notable arrival of wintering birds and a few late migrants. Dark bellied brent goose, 322, wigeon 486, teal c85, scoter c 65, shelduck 44, pintail 2, little egret 22, snipe 9, rock pipit 5, lapland bunting 2, linnet c75, ring ouzel 1, redwing 1, song thrush c 20, goldcrest c 25, chiffchaff 7, crow c 75, jackdaw c 260, hen harrier 1 marsh harrier 1, buzzard 1, sparrowhawk 2, little owl 1, barn owl 1, reed bunting 35, stonechat 1, woodcock 2 , jay 1 , yellow browed warbler 1, blackcap 3. It has been nice to see the extensive area of samphire on the foreshore is attracting good numbers of wigeon and brent seen feeding avidly on it over the past few days as the high spring tides have washed the sand off it, linnets larks and lapland buntings are also feeding amongst it. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RSPB RESERVES http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/collections/thewash_northnorfolk.aspx ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. News from Far Ings NNR http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designations/nnr/1083404.aspx ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Far Ings News See: Far Ings NNR on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-Of-Far-Ings-National-Nature-Reserve/186876774685595 Far Ings News ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6. Bardney Limewoods NNR http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designations/nnr/1006846.aspx ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The NNR includes the following sites: Chambers Farm Wood (please detail specific area when reporting e.g. Ivy Wood, Little Scrubbs Meadow etc.); College Wood, Cocklode & Great West Woods, Hardy Gang Wood, Newball Wood, Scotgrove Wood, Southrey Wood, Wickenby Wood. Other woods included in the NNR but without public access: Stainfield Wood; Stainton & Fulnetby Woods (access by public bridle way only) For the Limewoods, see: http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/publications/limewoods-walks/ http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/about/conservation/bardney-limewoods-nnr/ and Adrian Royle's superb Flickr photo-site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/adiroyle/collections/72157624803742908/ Colin Green has produced the following video about visiting Southrey Wood. Well worth a look. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1SpBvd9Ib0 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7. Sending in reports to Roger Parsons ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The purpose of the Bulletin is to encourage biological recording in Lincolnshire using modern Information and Communication Technology. We hope to increase the number of people reporting observations to LNU Recorders and improve the quality of reports, as well as the quantity and the geographical coverage. In return for this FREE service, we ask you to provide reports, questions, news or relevant articles from time to time. Descriptive pieces are welcome - you don't have to stick to lists! Mailing times vary, depending on what I am doing. The Bulletin usually 'goes to bed' on Fridays. Please e-mail in contributions as early as possible to ensure they are included, to: rparsons@enterprise.net [A backup e-mail address you can use if ever you experience problems with my "Enterprise" address is: aintree2@yahoo.co.uk ] When sending in reports please follow this layout to save re-editing: Place Name: IN CAPITALS with Grid Reference if you have it. Your Name: Real names please, not aliases. Put it in each time, for each location Date: Species list [Alphabetical?] & numbers [and observations?] e.g. Blackbird - 24 [And please, no home-grown abbreviations. Species Names in full.] *** Find the Grid Reference *** Chris Manning recommended the following website for help with find grid references. http://www.bnhs.co.uk/focuson/grabagridref/html/index.htm ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 8. Contact Information & Useful Websites ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please let me know ASAP if any of these weblinks fail! *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Website *** A full list of LNU Country Recorders is given here. http://www.lnu.org/ LNU e-mail: info@lnu.org If you are not yet a member, the LNU needs good naturalists like you! Anyone interested can get membership application forms from Wilma Gammon at the Lincs Wildlife Trust office, e-mail wgammon@lincstrust.co.uk LNU publications [listed on LNU website] may be ordered via: Ian Macalpine-Leny http://lnu.org/publications.php ian@macalpine-leny.co.uk *** Contacts List *** WILDLIFE CRIME *** Rural Crime Officer *** Pc 160 Nick Willey Force Wildlife, Rural Crime Officer Force Dog Training Establishment Lincolnshire Showground. Grange-De-Lings. Lincoln nicholas.willey@lincs.pnn.police.uk OFFICE: 01522-731897 MOBILE :07768-501895 PAGER : 07654-330877 http://www.lincs.police.uk/Advice/Wildlife-and-Rural-Crime/ *** Report Ash Dieback in Lincolnshire *** Link for Chalara fraxinea reports: http://www.forestry.gov.uk/chalara STAYING SAFE *** EasyTide *** Check tide times on Admiralty EasyTide: http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx *** TWO - The Weather Outlook *** Check the weather forecast for the location or postcode: http://www.theweatheroutlook.com/ *** Met Office E-mail Service *** Be warned of the possibility of severe weather. The Met Office website now offers an e-mail notification service for severe weather and other matters which may interest readers. Worth having a look and signing up. See: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/guide-to-emails *** Environment Agency Flood Information/Floodline *** http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/default.aspx *** Care of Sick or Injured Animals - information on LWT website *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/sick-and-injured-animals SPECIES IDENTIFICATION *** iSpot Keys for computer or mobile *** If you are a beginner to identification of species, you might find the following link useful - especially if you are encouraging young people to have a go - e.g. Wildlife Watch group members. "They suggest the species in your area that best match what you have found." http://www.ispot.org.uk/keys The LNU is now represented on the popular iSpot website: http://www.ispot.org.uk/node/275032 A full list of the organisations, recording schemes and societies represented is here: http://www.ispot.org.uk/representatives This is a project run by The Open University as part of Open Air Laboratories (OPAL), where you can "Learn more about wildlife, share your interest with a friendly community and get help identifying what you have seen." The project is essentially in the business of helping people learn how to identify the wildlife they encounter, and encouraging them to get involved in biological recording. *** What's That Butterfly? *** http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/index.php http://butterfly-conservation.org/ What's That Caterpillar? http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/species_family.php?name=all&stage=larva *** Identifying Dragonflies *** http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/content/uk-species http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/content/dragonfly-and-damselfly-identification-help *** Spiders *** Imogen Wilde writes: Regional Co-ordinator (RC) and Mentor for Lincolnshire for the British Arachnological Society (BAS). I will be organising a few field meetings to hunt for spiders and other arachnids in due course, but if any LNU members wish to get in touch in the meantime then please contact me on my e-mail address: Imogen@imogenwilde.co.uk *** Lincs Amphibian and Reptile Group *** The Lincolnshire ARG (Amphibian & Reptile Group) For further details please contact: ashleybutterfield@btinternet.com tel. 07984 66 5847 *** Limestone Grassland Project *** Mark Schofield, Limestone Grassland Project Officer, mschofield@lincstrust.co.uk Mobile: 07825970930, Switchboard: 01507 526667. To find out more and to become involved with the survey and management of Lincolnshire's limestone grassland on road verges see: See: http://www.lifeontheverge.org.uk/ *** Local Bat Helpline *** Grounded bats, bat problems, advice and information. Contact Annette and Colin Faulkner on 01775 766286 or e-mail: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** Bat Recorder *** You may send confidential bat records direct to Annette Faulkner on: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire link *** http://www.lincolnshire-butterflies.org.uk/index.html *** LNU Bees, Wasps and Ants Recorder *** Alan Phillips Willing to examine specimens or check photos (but bear in mind only a relative few of the 300+ species in the county are identifiable using photos). Aculeates only please, no parasitic wasps such as Ichneumons. If in doubt please contact for advice: aculeates@gmail.com *** Mammal Records *** Mammal records can reported to Chris Manning E-mail: Chris.LincsDeer@gmail.com Mink/Otter reports are of interest and can be sent via the Bulletin. *** New Botanical Group in South Lincs *** Sarah Lambert writes: We'd be happy to welcome new people, whether experienced or not, particularly if they are located towards the northern part of the vice county! If anybody would like to join us, please get in touch with me at sarah.lambert7@ntlworld.com *** Grow-your-own Mistletoe *** http://www.mistle.co.uk/ *** Slug ID Help *** Chris du Feu will help with slug identification. You can telephone him on: 01427 848400 or e-mail: chris@chrisdufeu.force9.co.uk *** Identification of Non-Marine Molluscs *** John Redshaw is still available to identify specimens of non- marine shelled molluscs, including brackish marsh species. For larger and medium sized species (down to 1cm) a digital image will usually suffice. For smaller species it may be possible, in some cases, to ID specimens from digital images, but usually actual specimens will be required. If providing specimens, they may be enclosed in old film pots (which photographic shops are usually glad to get rid of). Details of location where specimen found, (with grid reference if known), date and finder's name should be provided. If specimen is provided this information should be noted on a label stuck to the outside of the pot. Please be aware that it is illegal to send live specimens through the post. For further details please contact John by e-mail on ejred7fen@tiscali.co.uk *** Mollusc Identification *** David Feld has also kindly offered to assist readers to identify molluscs, both terrestrial and aquatic. Please e-mail him a description and he will advise you whether and where to send a photograph or an actual specimen. Contact: drf@dfeld.freeserve.co.uk *** Lincolnshire Badger Group Update *** Ally Townsend of the Weirfield Wildlife Hospital, writes: If you would like to give people the Lincoln number 01522 530428 a member of staff will record the sighting or RTA. Or use the Weirfield website: http://www.weirfield.co.uk/ where a reporting page can be used to send in reports. *** Lincs Bird Club *** Secretary - Robert Carr secretary@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Membership Secretary - Mike Harrison: michael@michaelharrison1.wanadoo.co.uk LBC County Bird Recorders John Clarkson - Covering the north of the county recorder_north@lincsbirdclub.co.uk John Badley - Covering the south of the county recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Bird Club Website: http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk *** Other Useful Websites *** Key links are now being posted on the LNU website. http://www.lnu.org/ This should save space in the Bulletin, Suggestions for other useful Websites are welcome. Natural England http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ Still includes SSSI Information and "Nature on the Map" Lincolnshire Environmental Awards http://www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk/ Lincs Environmental Records Centre Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership (of which LERC is a part) Contact: Charlie Barnes, charlie.barnes@glnp.org.uk or for more general queries: info@glnp.org.uk Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service A dedicated service to protect and enhance the Lincolnshire Wolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). 01507 609740 www.lincswolds.org.uk http://www.lincswolds.org.uk The Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes Project (LCGMP) To learn more about the project or to find out how to get involved, please visit http://www.lincsmarshes.org.uk/ Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project Project Officer: Ruth Craig ruth.craig@lincolnshire.gov.uk 01507 609740 For help with chalk stream management, volunteering opportunities and educational activities on the chalk stream please visit the website http://www.lincswolds.org.uk/chalk-streams/volunteering or contact the project officer ruth.craig@lincolnshire.gov.uk *** The South Lincolnshire Fenlands Partnership *** South Lincolnshire Fenlands Partnership is working to promote enhancement and re-creation of an iconic fenland landscape and its wildlife within our highly productive and important farmlands. To learn more about the partnership please visit our website at http://www.lincsfenlands.org.uk/ or contact the project officer at slincsfens@lincstrust.co.uk Amanda Jenkins - South Lincolnshire Fenlands Project Officer Hartsholme Country Park. To learn more about the park or to get in involved at the park please visit http://www.lincoln.gov.uk/hartsholmecp contact Park Rangers at hartsholmecp@lincoln.gov.uk Tornado and Storm Research Organisation http://www.torro.org.uk Contact Ian Loxley on colarain@tiscali.co.uk Interesting Weather radar website Noel Loxley recommends the following interesting website. http://www.raintoday.co.uk/ Hedgehog Street survey http://www.hedgehogstreet.org/ for 2014 survey, see: http://www.hedgehogstreet.org/pages/hibernation-survey.html RSPB Contact Details RSPB Website: http://www.rspb.org.uk www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh John Badley, Site Manager for RSPB Lincolnshire Wash reserves e-mail: john.badley@rspb.org.uk S Lincs RSPB http://www.southlincsrspb.org.uk Lincoln RSPB http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ Lincsbirders - Lincolnshire's Alternative Birding Group http://www.lincsbirders.org/ Bardney Limewoods Bardney Limewoods NNR http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/Limewoods/ limewoods@lincolnshire.gov.uk The Sir Joseph Banks Society Contact 01507 528223 or by e-mail: enquiries@joseph-banks.org.uk. http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk Readers websites and videos: Joan Gunson's Moths recorded 2013: http:www.flickr.com/photos/angleshades Alan Dale's Bugs and Weeds http://www.bugsandweeds.co.uk/ http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p015pqyz Les Binns: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ecoheathen/sets/ Leslie Hebden http://www.flickr.com/photos/13718295@N07/ Mike Binnion writes: Common Butterflies http://www.grimsbywildlife.co.uk/ Youtube videos by Colin Green. Little Scrubbs Meadon http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inqCJLrTQmg&feature=relmfu Greetwell Hollow http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QmzLFrbjFU&feature=plcp Rimac http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s02O5JJoilQ&feature=plcp Starlings at Kirkby on Bain - excellent video by David Robinson http://www.flickr.com/photos/poppops/11685708555/ BBC Radio 4 Tweet of the day: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01s6xyk Helen Mark did an excellent "Open Country" on 25th January with a good interview of LWT's Dave Bromwich. You can hear this on: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03qflhk *** Other Useful E-mail Addresses *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union: info@lnu.org Gibraltar Point: gibpoint@lincstrust.co.uk Far Ings: farings@lincstrust.co.uk Whisby Nature Park: whisbynp@lincstrust.co.uk NEW Syke's Farm: lwt@sykesfarm.org.uk Lincs. Trust HQ: The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust main e-mail address: info@lincstrust.co.uk Hartsholme Country Park: hartsholmecp@lincoln.gov.uk If you would like your e-mail listed here, please let me know. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9. Notes about these wildlife reports ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We do our best to ensure accuracy in our reporting but these records are sent in by a variety of reporters, from complete beginners to professionals. They therefore vary in reliability and in certain cases they are impossible to verify. If further information is needed on locations or reporters, or if you wish to question/confirm any of these records, contact: rparsons@enterprise.net Bulletins are sent to Biological Recorders at the Lincs. Wildlife Trust, Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. [Note: Where plants are reported, this is usually because they have been seen and identified in flower.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10. The Bulletin's publicity policy ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We will sometimes withhold precise details of the location of rare or endangered species. Please point out any sensitive or "tricky" reports of this kind. Sensitive data should go directly to county recorders, please. We ask that you respect the interests of wildlife and site owners if you report to national networks. Make a point of explaining site sensitivity and any restrictions on access. An interest in wildlife is not a licence to act irresponsibly/thoughtlessly to landowners, who may well be partners in important conservation work. [Remember - views expressed in the Bulletin do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions on the LNU or associated organisations. In particular this applies to such agencies, especially charities, taking a political stance.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11. LNU Events Diary For LNU meetings also see http://www.lnu.org/events.php ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Field Meetings generally start at 12 noon for 1.00pm, but please check the website details for each event. Unless otherwise stated, Indoor Meetings are held on Saturdays at the Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park, Moor Lane, Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln and start at 2pm. 2014 Field Meetings Sunday, October 12, 2014 Fungus Foray High Wood, North Rauceby. (Courtesy of Woodland Trust) West of Sleaford. 12.00 for 13.00 start. Park in the wood car park at TF010463 The wood is located on the north side of Church Lane which runs between North Rauceby and High Dike/Ermine Street (B6403). Habitat: Broadleaved woodland. Leader: Ray Halstead 07772 613640 ray.halstead@tiscali.co.uk Indoor meetings: Saturday, November 22, 2014 Ian Rotherham to talk on 'The Lost Fens - England's greatest ecological disaster' 2015 Saturday, February 14, 2015 Recorders’ meeting Saturday, March 07, 2015 AGM ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails This Week *** If you hear of anyone bemoaning the lack of a Bulletin, please refer them to the Bulletin Portal where they will find a text copy. http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html If you are having difficulties with spam folders et. please make sure you "Whitelist" my address as given in the Bulletin. 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. Birds eating Bats I was very interested to read Sam Hardman's article about this, "The Hunger Games", in the Society of Biology magazine [Oct/Nov] "The Biologist". Also see: http://ecologicablog.wordpress.com/2014/03/12/great-tits-hunt-for-pipistrelle-bats/ Garlic injection could tackle tree diseases: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-29522647 Ash dieback: How to fight diseases in trees http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-29523609 ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/