============================================= || || 19th 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.... *** Sorry about the wrong date at the top of last week's Bulletin, 5th rather than 12th. Missed updating that. It is correct on the web page. http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html The onset of autumn is marked by birds migrating. This excitement is reflected in pager reports this week, as the birders spot interesting and unusual sightings. This is an opportunity for beginners to add a few species to their memories. I recommend Ring Ouzels and Great Grey Shrikes as especially good species to look out for. Great birds. I noticed many Harlequin ladynbirds on the house walls this week. Keep a look out - i think these might have had a good year. See: http://www.harlequin-survey.org/ May I remind you all that the best publicity for the Bulletin is word of mouth and there is a very easy way to help people sign up for it. Just copy, paste and send them this web address: http://eepurl.com/zmFMT Please don't forward your copy of the Bulletin - it is unique to you with your own personalised links. 'http://eepurl.com/zmFMT' will do. I am very grateful to the stalwarts who manage to get in regular news and reports each week - it is really encouraging to hear from you and your contributions add greatly to the interest and usefulness of each Bulletin. Please keep them coming. Thanks. Roger *** LNU Events - guests are welcome *** Indoor Meetings are held on Saturdays at the Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park, Moor Lane, Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln and start at 2pm. Field Meetings generally start at 12 noon for 1.00pm, but please check the details for each event and this may vary. The 2014 LNU Field Meeting programme is listed below in section 11. To check on the details, especially if weather suggests a possible cancellation, visit: http://lnu.org/events.php Saturday, November 22, 2014 Ian Rotherham to talk on 'The Lost Fens - England's greatest ecological disaster' Guests are welcome at our meetings. *** 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. *** 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 *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** Carolyn Lovely writes: On Saturday 25th October 2014 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them on a morning bird walk with Ray Hume. Meet outside the Discovery Centre (near the boating lake) Kings Road, Cleethorpes at 8am. Please wear suitable outdoor clothing and stout footwear and bring binoculars. This is a free event but donations will be welcomed for the Trust. For further information please contact Ray Hume 01472 320878 *** 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 19th, 10 am to 12 noon Lead by: Dan Scullian Booking essential: contact the Ranger Station on 01522 873577 *** Lincoln RSPB *** http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ *** Lincoln RSPB Indoor Meeting 13.11.14 *** On Thursday 13th November 2014 at 7.30pm we invite you to join us for a presentation by Steve Cale on The World Of Raptors. This will take place in The Robert Hardy Building, Bishop Grossteste University, Longdales Road, Lincoln RSPB members and Students £3.00. Non Members £4.00. Free Parking. *** South Lincs RSPB *** Members and non-members welcome. http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2. Wildlife Highlights ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Bird News from Rare Birds Alert *** Rare Bird Alert has kindly given permission to reproduce reports. A big thank you from us all. Interested readers should have a look at the RBA website: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ 11/10 Lapland Bunting, Snow Bunting, Saltfleet Slavonian Grebe in creek by Paradise Pond, Saltfleet Haven Arctic Warbler, 2 Yellow-browed Warblers, 2 Bean Goose flew south, Whinchat, Tree Pipit, Donna Nook Spoonbill, 2 Spotted Redshanks, 7 Twite, Yellow-browed Warbler in plantation, 2 Lapland Buntings flew south, Purple Sandpiper, Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point Rose-coloured Starling, Anderby Creek 12/10 Radde's Warbler, Arctic Warbler, Donna Nook 2 Lapland Buntings, 2 Spoonbills, 5 Spotted Redshanks, Gibraltar Point Grey Phalarope on reservoir, Freiston Shore Hen Harrier ringtail, Saltfleetby Garganey, 5 Little Stints, Curlew Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh Hooded Crow south over Grainthorpe Marsh towards Donna Nook Yellow-browed Warbler, Tetney Lock Osprey past Cleethorpes Coast 13/10 Sooty Shearwater south past, Long-tailed Skuas flew south, Black Redstart at Syke's Farm, 25 Ring Ouzels, Yellow-browed Warbler, Gibraltar Point 15 Pomarine Skuas off River Nene mouth near Sir Peter Scott Lighthouse, 42 Bonxies, 12 flew inland, 30 into The Wash 2 Pallas's Warbler, 2 Yellow-browed Warblers, Radde's Warbler, Pale-bellied Goose, Donna Nook Leaches Petrel north past, Sabine's gull, 20 Pomarine Skuas, Sooty Shearwater, 180 Bonxies, 10 Manx Shearwaters, 40 Arctic Terns past, Sandilands Long-tailed Skua south past, Pomarine Skua, 15 Little Gulls, 4 Sooty Shearwaters, Huttoft Car Terrace 14/10 Radde's Warbler, Great Grey Shrike in East Dunes, Rough-legged Buzzard flew south, 5 Yellow-browed Warblers, 8 Ring Ouzels, Purple Sandpiper, ringtail Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owl, 2 Jack Snipe, Spoonbill, 2 Black Redstarts, 2 Long-eared Owls, Olive-backed Pipit, Gibraltar Point Great Grey Shrike, 2 Ring Ouzels, Glossy Ibis, Little Stint, Frampton Marsh Radde's Warbler, Arctic Warbler, Pallas's Warbler, Barred Warbler, Great Grey Shrike, probable Red-throated Pipit, Lapland Bunting, 2 Long-eared Owls, 2 Short-eared Owls, Donna Nook 15/10 Rough-legged Buzzard, Shorelark, 2 Great Grey Shrikes, 3 Little Gulls, 6 Yellow-browed Warblers, Hen Harrier, 15 Ring Ouzels, 2 Black Redstarts, Gibraltar Point Pallas's Warbler south of Pye's Hall, 2 Great Grey Shrikes, Donna Nook Great Grey Shrike, Nocton Fen between Wasp's Next and Bardney 2 Great Grey Shrike, Frampton Marsh 16/10 9- Great Grey Shrike, 40 Ring Ouzels, Hen Harrier, 2 Spotted Redshanks, 2 Yellow-browed Warblers, Spoonbill, Black Redstart, Jack Snipe, Lapland bunting south over, 2 Short-eared Owls, Gibraltar Point 2 Ring Ouzels, Pallas's Warbler, Yellow-browed Warbler at Pye's Hall, Donna Nook Hen Harrier south over Baumber Rough-legged Buzzard, between Moulton Marsh and Welland Mough 3 Grey Phalaropes in The Wash, off Wiver Witham mouth Possible Rough-legged Buzzard, Possible Red-flanked Bluetail reported, Frampton Marsh Yellow-browed Warbler, Freiston Shore Yellow-browed Warbler, Sea view Farm, Saltfleetby 2 Yellow-browed Warblers, Water's Edge, Barton-upon-Humber Possible Red-flanked Bluetail reported, 17/10 1-7 Ring Ouzel, Donna Nook Yellow-browed Warbler, Horncastle, Madely Close Great Grey Shrike, 3 Yellow-browed Warblers, Rough-legged Buzzard, Spoonbill, 2 Black Redstarts, Hen Harrier, Jack Snipe on Jackson's Marsh, Gibraltar Point Snow Bunting, Frampton Marsh Yellow-browed Warbler, Marsh Lane, Ring Ouzel, Toby's Hill, Saltfleet Possible Rough-legged Buzzard, Irby Dales, Grimsby Rough-legged Buzzard south over Rimac 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 reports: Gorse locations Wendy Handford Week beginning 10.10.14 A46 Claxby bypass TF 090 964 50 bushes, 6 with first few flowers LNU Annual Foray. High Wood near North Rauceby. TF0146 12th October 2014. Ray Halstead The driest September since records began did not bode well for a fruitful foray this year and this is proving to be the case wherever I've been so far this season. A recent damp spell has done little to improve the situation and so the 20 people who turned up for the Annual LNU foray at High Wood on a bright autumnal day, were destined to go home a little disappointed. How wrong this proved to be. Certainly there weren't the fruit-bodies in the numbers one would expect to see in a good season and many of the old favourite were noticeable by their absence but this had everyone searching that little bit harder with a few surprises for us. We managed to record 45 species in a couple of hours and amongst those were some really special finds, most notably, Daedalea quercina, Pleurotus dryinus and Cyathus striatus. A fantastic find was Phleogina faginea, the fenugreek stalkball. Until last year this had not been recorded in Lincolnshire when it turned up in a garden in Caistor and has only been recorded a few times in the south of the country; it was found by John Lamin on the dead bark of an elm. Other species found that only turn up occasionally were Auricularia mesenterica, the tripe fungus, Mycena pseudocorticola, Mycena rorida, Galerina marginata, the funeral bell and Rutstroemia firma. High Wood has a diverse range of broad-leaf trees with mature oaks and ash being the mainstay. Many sycamores are still standing which is no bad thing, even though they are regarded as a weed tree they do in fact play host to similar fungal species as beech, Fagus sylvatica. This is a venue that is worthy of a return visit. We haven't visited before but one that certainly deserves a visit in the future. *** 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. BOOTHBY GRAFFOE/COLEBY Between Boothby Graffoe and Coleby. Peter Wilson 10th October 2014 Buzzard flying over road towards Coleby. CAISTOR Wendy Handford (WH) Reports from contributors to Caistor records Week beginning 10.10.14 Brigg Road garden TA 113 020 J Foster Collared mosscap 10s in moss on gravel 10.10.14 Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 WH Grey squirrel and Jay 'interacting' around molehills 11.10.14 Grey heron flying over 12.10.14 Long-tailed tits 8 in Silver birch 14.10.14. Not seen for many weeks Cluster flies on window frames 13.10.14 Emperor dragonfly 10.10.14 Lacewings 10 in wooden shed 15.10.14 Brown rollrims 4 under Silver birch 10.10.14 Leaf parachutes 10s under brambles 12.10.13 Pipe chubs 2 under Silver birch 10.10.14. New Nettleton Lodge Game Farm TA 090 012 B Jacob Common lizard basking 12.10.14 Birch polypore. New DODDINGTON PARK LINCOLN M.Scott Sunday 12/10/2014 3 Bluetits 3 Coaltits 3 Dunnocks 6 Goldfinches 1 Robins 4 Starlings every time I put mealworms out. Also one with a white head. 3 Tree Sparrows - never seen in my garden before. My daily visitor - a grey squirrel. Every night on my garden camera hedgehogs feeding on what I put out for them. Under the conifers looks like they are using the hedgehog box again. 1 sparrow hawk, looking at my bird table this afternoon, not a bird in sight. Monday 13-10-2014. HARRINGTON HALL Nr HAGWORTHINGHAM Clare Brady 10/10/14 1 Red Kite flying near the road and had a very clear view. Very nice to see them in Lincolnshire. HUTTOFT Jane Pennington Huttoft TF512763 Date: 11/10/2014 Great spotted woodpecker 1 Date: 12/10/2014 Robins 2 (chasing each other around the garden) Date: 14/10/2014 Blackbirds 6 (not been seen for a while) Dunnock 1 Great tits 4 Wren 1 Date: 15/10/2014 Common carder bees 3 Large white butterfly 1 (brassicas still covered up!) Mouse 1 (very strange - seemed to be eating a leaf and I was just stood next to it, watching it - when it eventually moved off, it seemed to have a problem with its legs) Date: 17/10/2014 Great spotted woodpecker 1 Pheasant 1 LINCOLN Week-ending 10/10/14 Jacquie Harrison For the first time in several years, there have been three dunnocks in our city centre, very small, back garden feeding on insects. It must be over five years since seen any at all despite lots of finches and tits coming to various feeders in vicinity. But we do have lots of visiting cats. LINCOLN SK972738 W/E 18/10/2014 Jayne Knight 14/10/14 Neighbour confirmed there are two Hedgehogs in the area, he saw them both out on this night. I've had evidence of their different sized droppings in my garden, but one small in size so assuming this year's young. 16/10/14 Geese flew over, could hear them calling for quite a while, just after 6.00am this morning. Went to Whisby Nature Reserve on Thursday, 16th and the mild, sunny weather brought out a couple of small dragonflies, who were mating, and a 7-spot ladybird. Was horrified to discover the earthworks necessary for the new footbridge over the railway line has caused the destruction of the shrubs which regularly supported a male Nightingale. I know there are other areas on the reserve where the birds' nest but this was the easiest location to get to in a wheelchair to observe them and hear their song. RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF 309 847 (unless otherwise stated) Silvia Fowler 10.10.2014 Long-tailed Tits (heard) Wren Buff-tailed Bumblebee queen Red Admiral 11.10.14 Buzzard x 2 Collared Dove x 2 Mistle Thrush, juv. Pied Wagtail, juv. Wren Silver-Y Moth in compost bin, reluctant to leave the warmth Red Admiral (with about 15% of both wings missing as if it had been caught with folded wings and got away) 12.10.14 Butterflies: Brimstone x 1, Red Admiral x 1, Small Tortoiseshell x 3 Green Shieldbug, adult (in exactly the same spot where I reported a 5th instar not so long ago - coincidence?) Harlequin Ladybird (succinea) in conservatory Ca. 30 Canada Geese flew over N to S 2 Robins proclaiming their territories 16.10.14 Green Shieldbug, 5th instar nymph, but with darker colouring than the previous record Butterflies: Comma x 1, Red Admiral x 3, Small Tortoiseshell x 1 Bombus hypnorum queens x 2 Bombus rupestris, f. (probably – photos submitted) Heron (TF 310 850 approx.) Long-tailed Tits x 6 Willow Warbler (juv.) in greenhouse, released Wren REED'S ISLAND Sunday 05/10/2014 c2.30pm Jacquie Harrison A week before the European count - there were about 700 Golden plover with many fewer lapwings on the South side of Reed's Island. Good flocks of other waders and wildfowl. A few avocets still present. Female marsh Harrier. The WEBS site I count is in a different direction from Lincoln so won't be able to check if still in the vicinity for the count. SALTFLEET HAVEN, NEAR ROAD BRIDGE Ian Whitaker 10/10/14 Wall Brown butterfly, 1, possibly 2, at this location SKEGNESS on stubble field at rear off Beacon Park Drive. Nev Gurnhill Thursday 16th October 2014 Whooper Swans - 7. THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 10/10/14 Common Buzzard x 1 fresh dead under power lines SE798008 Golden Plover x 79 Tree Sparrow x 7 11/10/14 Blackbird x 1 Common Buzzard x 1 Little Owl x 2 Mute Swan x 5 Pied Wagtail x 5 Robin x 3 Red Admiral x 1 Blackbird x 1 Robin x 1 Snipe x 1 Tree Sparrow x 25 Wren x 1 14/10/14 Mute Swan x 4 adults 4 young Roe Deer x 1 male 2 females SE797003 15/10/14 Blackbird x 1 Chaffinch x 3 Common Buzzard x 1 Mute Swan x 2 Robin x 2 Snipe x 1 Tree Sparrow x 17 Leopard Slug x 4 16/10/14 Birch Shield Bug x 1 WADDINGTON Waddington Playing Field Peter Wilson 4th October 2014 Whilst sheltering under trees in a downpour with my dog. Pale Tussock Moth caterpillar crawling up tree trunk. WADDINGTON Peter Wilson 10-30am 12th October 2014 250+ geese flying south over Waddington too high up to positively identify with the naked eye but I think they were Canada geese. WAINFLEET CONSERVATION PONDS 12/10/2014 Roy and Kath Pearson The site was very quiet today, in that in-between time after the summer visitors have left and the winter migrants not arrived. Only one species of duck was on the water - Mallard - and that in quite small numbers for this time of year. Wrens were very noticeable in the reed beds and have been joined by an increase in Reed Buntings. The main activity was in the hedgerows where large numbers of Chaffinches and Tree Sparrows were feeding along with a few Greenfinches. Blue and Great Tits, which were very numerous last month, have declined greatly in numbers, though this remains an excellent year for both species here. A young male Sparrowhawk was around. WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 12/10/2014 Juv Grass Snake 6" exploring garden shed. 16/10/2014 Much interest in falling chestnut fruit, with signs of eating and distribution about the garden - with grey squirrel one of the 'usual suspect'. 17/10/2014 Much insect activity, notably many Harlequin Ladybirds, various forms, Basking/crawling on south wall of house. Manly 'succinea'. Butterflies: Comma 2+, Red admiral 4+, Small tortoiseshell 6+ Jays in garden. Tawny owl calling - 8 pellets collected. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. Lincolnshire Coast NNRs and S Lincs Highlights including RSPB Wash Reserves South Lincolnshire bird sightings September 2014 RSPB Frampton Marsh The Glossy Ibis’s stayed extended into a fourth month. Up to four Spoonbills (10th) were also present for much of September. Two Red- crested Pochards (9th) and up to three Garganey (2nd) added variety to the increasing duck numbers. Little Stint numbers peaked at 23 (15th) with Curlew Sandpipers reaching an impressive 51 (11th). Other waders included Temminck’s Stint (2nd-7th), Red-necked Phalarope (5th) and up to three Pectoral Sandpipers (1st-18th). While 20 Spotted Redshanks (18th) was a record count. A juvenile White-winged Black Tern was a brief visitor (3rd), but a Barred Warbler (6th-8th) stayed a little longer. A Yellow-browed Warbler (21st & 27th) was reported on two dates. Several Whinchat and Stonechat were seen and both Pied Flycatcher (4th) and Redstart (12th) were also recorded during the month. Gibraltar Point NNR On the sea the highlights were Long-tailed Skuas on three dates and Sooty Shearwater (25th). Onshore, Spoonbills were seen occasionally and peaked at 10 (9th & 10th). Wader numbers increased with 78,000 Knot (28th) being a highlight. Also seen were Purple Sandpiper (13th), Wood Sandpiper (21st) and two Jack Snipe (25th). Firecrests were seen on five dates, but more numerous were up to two Yellow-browed Warblers on seven dates. Conversely just one Wood Warbler was recorded (13th), and a single Barred Warbler remained for a few days (4th-6th). Possibly the rarest bird of the month was a (possible) Blyth’s Reed Warbler (5th & 6th). Red-breasted Flycatchers were much more in evidence with up to three seen (6th-21st). An Olive-backed Pipit (17th – 20th) was appreciated by many visitors, but a fly-over Red- throated Pipit was not appreciated by many! The first Lapland Bunting of the autumn arrived towards the end of the month (22nd). Other sites A Red-creasted Pochard made it to Denton Reservoir, near Grantham (1st). Garganey were reported at Willow Tree Fen (3rd) and Thurlby Sand Pit (22nd). A Great White Egret was seen twice at Whisby NP (20th & 24th). Perhaps surprisingly the only Osprey reported in South Lincs in September was at Stubton, near Newark (10th). Long-tailed Skuas were seen at Sutton Bridge (21st & 24th) with a Pomarine Skua there too (24th). Four Ravens at Grantham (25th) with three at Fulbeck (11th) illustrate how this species is increasing in the county. A Grey Plover and up to five Little Stints at Baston-Langtoft Pits (8th- 19th) were good inland records. While a Black Redstart was a nice garden tick at Seacroft, near Mablethorpe (4th). John Badley Assisted by Colin Jennings ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GIBRALTAR POINT NNR. http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designations/nnr/1006059.aspx ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Press release from LWT 21/2/2014: Paths and hides are open at Gibraltar Point (except to Fenland Lagoon and a section of the West Dunes). Refreshments and temporary toilets are now available in the main car park. Please show your support for our volunteers and staff by visiting. Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog. http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE DUNES NNR. http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designatedareas/nnr/1006128.aspx Week ending week ending week ending 16 10 14. Nige Lound, Cliff Morrison, John Walker, Peter and Janet Roworth. Insects: butterflies now scarce with a single small copper (probably a third brood), and 2 comma seen, as well as a few small tortoiseshells and red admirals A few dozens of common and ruddy darters and 1 migrant hawker dragonflies. A deep low pressure with heavy rain and strong NE winds on monday followed by lighter easterlies wed and thurs brought considerable bird migration through the week with sighting including the following. Monday: a marked passage of seabirds with 63 gannets, 27 great skuas, 19 arctic skuas, 6 pomarine skuas, various gulls and kittiwakes and a few wildfowl all seen in a 1 hour watch, 100s of pink foot geese south. In the dune habitats: 1000s of goldcrests, 100s of robins and redwings also blackbirds and song thrushes but few fieldfares, c 8 to 10 ring ouzels, 5 jays, 7 to 10 sparrowhawks, 2 hen harrier, 2 buzzards, 2 little owls, 1 peregrine, 1 merlin, lots of chaffinches and c 30 bramblings, dozens of blackcaps, 4 yellow-browed warblers, 1 dusky warbler 1 garden warbler, 1 radde's warbler, 2 stonechats, 1 swallow, all making for an interesting few days. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. 'Dangerous' mollusc found near Heathrow Airport http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-surrey-29581949 UK waterways face 'invasional meltdown' from European organisms http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-29570347 ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/