============================================= || || 26th 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.... *** Don't forget to put your clocks back to GMT this Sunday morning. Jays visit the garden every autumn, attracted by the chestnuts, acorns and hazel nuts. Grey squirrels enjoy these too. Both can be observed caching nuts as winter stores, and tell-tale evidence can be found scattered across the garden, most notably the cases of chestnut fruit. I sometimes come across caches of cherry or plum stones which mice have hidden. Thanks to jays, I have found and replanted two hazel saplingss into our hedges, both of which are growing well. To discover what has been feeding in your garden, visit: http://www.discoverwildlife.com/british-wildlife/how-identify-wildlife-feeding-signs This week there has been a great deal of late insect activity. Queen bumblebees can still be seen on the wing and butterflies are stil nectaring or feeding on fruit. A few dragonflies are about, hunting and basking. Did anyone else notice a surge in the activity of Harlequin ladybirds? I did not observe any Orionid meteors - did anyone see any? We would welcome more readers - please mention the Bulletin to anyone who might find it useful and give them this sign-up link. http://eepurl.com/zmFMT Thanks. Roger *** LNU Events - guests are welcome *** Indoor Meetings are held on Saturdays at the Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park, Moor Lane, Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln and start at 2pm. 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. *** Local Tide Tables *** I have come across a useful-looking website where you can order local tide tables. Well worth bookmarking. Everyone who uses the coast ought to have local tide tables handy. £1.50 + p&p. https://www.tidetimes.org.uk/ *** Night Scenes 2015 *** I have just received Paul Money's invaluable annual publication with its information on astronomical matters. At £6.00 plus p&p this would make an excellent stocking-filler for the person who has everything! I buy 2 copies, one to write on/take outside, one for the bookshelf. For Paul's on-line shop, see: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Home2.htm *** Rare Bird Alert *** Rare Bird Alert has kindly given permission to reproduce pager reports in the Bulletin. RBA now provides bird information by phone and On-line, as well as via the traditional pager SMS. Interested readers should have a look at the RBA website: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ *** 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 *** Response on nighingale habitats at Whisby *** Phil Porter writes in response to the perceived “nightingale issue” due to the new railway bridge, Whisby Nature Park. Inevitably when major construction work is carried out on a nature reserve, there will be some temporary habitat damage. The original railway bridge, owned and maintained by Lincolnshire County Council, had gone beyond economic repair. Network Rail closed the pedestrian crossing because they considered that the thousands of Nature Park visitors of widely differing ability and manoeuvrability crossing the track constituted an unacceptable risk of an accident. A new bridge, which will be paid for and maintained by Network Rail, was therefore the only answer and it had to be big enough to carry Trust management vehicles as well as visitors. To pass Disabled Discrimination Act planning regulations, the new access ramps had to be over twice as long as the previous ones to provide an accessible gradient for wheelchair users. We have negotiated long and hard with the Network Rail contractors to provide this new facility with Nightingales in the forefront of our minds. The original plan for a straight ‘up and over’ ramp would have been visually horrible and would have impacted on several nightingale territories. As a result of the negotiations only a minimum amount of tree cover has had to be sacrificed to the east of the railway crossing. A pair of Nightingales sometimes used this area, but the traditional pair at the corner of the Oakwood will find their habitat entirely intact and of course the rest of the Coot Lake circuit, where several pairs breed is completely unaffected. Nightingales are THE iconic bird of Whisby and we have made the very best out of an essential engineering project which was imposed on us for understandable reasons. The provision we have negotiated was not the cheapest or by any means the easiest, and is nothing like the original preferred solution offered by Network Rail. We will use the opportunity we have now to restore most of the banks to new Nightingale habitat with large-scale planting of the thorn scrub which they favour. Phil Porter Warden, Whisby Nature Park Editor adds: Thanks for this contribution. The disruption to habitats by necessary work often throws up interesting and good surprises. Long- dormant seeds germinate, long-absent pioneer species come in and the process of re-colonisation and succession is full of interest for the observer.' Dave Bromwich has picked out a few good examples. What visitors won't have seen is the completely new bank on the north side of the railway, which has opened up a long lost pond and the 'donor' site, the old viewpoint mound, which is now an extensive area of sandy flats, which may well throw up some very interesting lost species. Gravel pits are often at their most interesting when they are 'new', pioneer species etc, which all tend to disappear as the site develops and more aggressive or dominant species take over. Another benefit is a lot of concrete in the old working yard has been dug up or buried for ramp foundations, making some more interesting sandy habitat. *** The Natural History and Geology Section, Scunthorpe Museum Society *** Our last meeting before Christmas is on Monday, 10th November, when, following a brief full society AGM, we shall be given an illustrated talk on the controversial process of "Fracking". Two of our geologist members, Malcolm Fry and Paul Hildreth, will provide us with up-to-date information in an unbiased overview of the processes and products of Fracking. It is anticipated that an open question and discussion time will follow the talk. The meeting starts at 7.15pm in our new venue: ST BERNADETTE'S CHURCH PARISH CENTRE, ASHBY ROAD, SCUNTHORPE, DN16 2RS. ALL ARE WELCOME. There is no entry charge but a donation bowl is provided. There is ample free parking space in the grounds of the church. The entry gates are opposite the Priory Hotel on Ashby Road. Please contact Keith Scarrott on 01724 762098 for further details. *** Grantham Branch LWT *** Marion Ellis writes: Meetings a Barkston & Syston Village Hall Barkston, Grantham, NG32 2NH (on A607) Friday 14th November Northern Malawi's Diverse Flora & Fauna Peter & Marianne Overton Expedition Leaders *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT On Monday 10th November 2014 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them at their indoor meeting which takes place in Grimsby Town Hall and starts at 7.30pm. Speaker Frank Tett will be talking about hedgehogs and the Hedgehog rescue centre. Of possible please bring a tin of Butcher's Tripe and Chicken dog food for Frank's prickly friends. Admission £2 and all are welcome. There will be a Trust goods stall, raffle and tea & coffee available. For further information please contact Jennie Redpath 01472 502858. *** Lincoln RSPB *** http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ *** Lincoln RSPB Indoor Meeting 13.11.14 *** On Thursday 13th November 2014 at 7.30pm we invite you to join us for a presentation by Steve Cale on The World Of Raptors. This will take place in The Robert Hardy Building, Bishop Grossteste University, Longdales Road, Lincoln RSPB members and Students £3.00. Non Members £4.00. Free Parking. *** South Lincs RSPB *** Members and non-members welcome. http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2. Wildlife Highlights ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Bird News from Rare Birds Alert *** Rare Bird Alert has kindly given permission to reproduce reports. A big thank you from us all. Interested readers should have a look at the RBA website: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ 18/10 10-14 Black Redstart, 2 Yellow-browed Warblers, Red-necked Grebe, Arctic Skua, 9 Little Gulls, Velvet Scoter, Gibraltar Point Ring Ouzel, Baston Fen 15 Grey Phalarope, 3 on sea, 12 flew south, Gibraltar Point Glossy Ibis, 3 Little Stints, Frampton Marsh 19/10 2 Yellow-browed Warblers, Sea view, Saltfleetby Yellow-browed Warbler, 2 Rough-legged Buzzards over, Hen Harrier ringtail, 12 Grey Phalarope flew past, Gibraltar Point Glossy Ibis, Frampton Marsh 2 Yellow-browed Warblers, Bank end, North Somercotes 20/10 2 Little Stints, Frampton Marsh 7 Whooper Swans flew East over Boultham Mere. Yellow-browed Warbler north of Cook Bank, Saltfleetby Ring Ouzel, Far Ings Yellow-browed Warbler, Rough-legged Buzzard flew south, Spoonbill on Jackson's Marsh, Hen Harrier, Gibraltar Point 21/10 Yellow-browed Warbler, Saltfleetby Hen Harrier male, Freiston Shore 3 Gray Phalaropes flew south past, Pomarine Skua, Great Northern Diver, Spoonbill on Tennyson's Sands, Rough-legged Buzzard, Gibraltar Point Rough-legged Buzzard flew in off sea, Sandilands 7 Pomarine Skuas south past Mablethorpe 2 Pomarine Skuasoff River Nene mouth, Grey Phalarope flew west, 5 Bonxies, 2 Arctic Terns, NNE of Sutton Bridge Rough-legged Buzzard in off sea, then flew south, Tetney Marshes 22/10 Lapland bunting, Donna Nook Hen Harrier, Ring Ouzel, Spotted Redshank, Gibraltar Point Bittern, Boultham Mere Rough-leggd Buzzard reported, Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Frampton Marsh 8 Whooper Swans flew east over Swanpool 23/10 Grey Phalarope flew south past, 3 juv Pomarine Skuas, 6 Little Gulls, Gibraltar Point 24/10 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. SMALL CONKERS? Don Wright asks: Did you see CountryFile last Sunday? There was an interesting bit about disease in horse chestnut trees caused by a moth larva and possible effect on reducing size of fruit/conker. A couple of years back we noticed the avenue of horse chestnuts lining the main road through Grimsthorpe Park had early leaf fall, probably caused by the larvae but there was no mention of reduced size of conker. I wonder if anyone in the county has noticed (or even measured) reduced size if there is early turning colour and leaf fall ? An interesting thought. GORSE LOCATIONS: Wendy Handford Nettleton mines TF 105 995. Many bushes, 1 with first few flowers A46 Claxby bypass TF 090 964. 50 bushes, 1 abundant, 12 with a few flowers 46 Holton le Moor TF 096 986. No flowers yet A46 Swallow TF 184 040. 2 bushes with a few flowers A46 Riby junction TF 192 044. No flowers yet Ben Jacob Nettleton Lodge Game Farm TA 090 012. 6 x 7year old bushes, 3 with first few flowers *** County Wildlife Reports From Readers *** Please keep your reports coming. We rely on you to send in your observations and We welcome information from ALL readers, be they beginners or experts. Thanks. DON'T FORGET Please include the year in your reports in case they are copied and thus lose their context. BOSTON (South by A16) 18/10/2014 Roy and Kath Pearson Female Sparrowhawk killed and plucked a Collared Dove on the lawn today. CAISTOR Wendy Handford (WH) Reports from contributors to Caistor records Week beginning 17.10.14 Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 WH Brown rat, dead on path 18.10.14 Hedgehog and fox under pear tree Trailcam 10pm 19.10.14 Long-tailed fieldmice 2 in compost in greenhouse 18.10.14 Pheasants 3 females walk across drive 18.10.14 Pheasants 8 males feeding in meadow 22.10.14 Frogs 3, 2yr old, by stream 17.10.14 Frogs 3, 1 adult, 2 2yr old in orchard 21.10.14 Toad adult female in shed 17.10.14 Jay in meadow 17.10.14 7 spot ladybird on Lemon balm 18.10.14 Common wasps 5 on fallen fruit 18.10.14 Parent bug m on brambles 22.10.14 Small tortoiseshell in garage 20.10.14 Blue roundheads 2 under Siver birch 18.10.14 Brown rollrims 2 under Field maple 18.10.14 Glistening inkcaps 10s on Alder 17.10.14 Meadow puffballs 10 in deciduous wood 17.10.14. New Russula sp 18.10.14 Pestle puffball in meadow 18.10.14 Slender club 100s, 17.10.14. New Snapping bonnets 20 on fallen Alder twigs 17.10.14. New DEEPINGS Venue: Deeping Lakes Nature Reserve Date: 23/10/2014 1015 to 1215 Observer: Ian Gordon Weather: Cloudy, cool, breezy. Birds: Blackbird Black-headed Gull Blue Tit Carrion Crow Chaffinch Common Gull Coot Cormorant Gadwall Goldfinch Great Tit Green Woodpecker Greylag Goose Grey Heron Herring Gull Jay Little egret (7) Little Grebe Magpie Mallard Moorhen Mute Swan Pochard Raven (second time I’ve seen 2 over the reserve) Red-crested Pochard Redwing Robin Rook Shelduck Shoveler Sparrowhawk Starling Stock Dove Teal Tufted Duck Wigeon Woodpigeon Mammals: Brown Hare (1) Grey Squirrel (3) Venue: Deeping High Bank (between Crowland Bridge and Deeping Lakes) Date: 23/10/2014 Time: 1000 to 1235 Weather, Cloudy, cool, breezy Birds: Black-headed Gull Cormorant Golden plover (50+ in field with bigger flock of Lapwing) Great-crested Grebe Greylag Goose Herring Gull Kestrel Lapwing (150+) Linnet Mallard Pheasant Pink-footed Goose (1 in field with flock of 50+ Greylag) HEIGHINGTON. TF025695 John Nickson 17th to 19th 2014 Moths to unattended trap in the garden of the three nights. Beaded Chestnut 3 Blair’s shoulder-knot 1 Green-brindled Crescent 2 Large Yellow Underwing 2 Large Wainscot 1 November Moth 1 Red Line Quaker 2 Shuttle Shaped Dart 7 Wainscot 1 HORNCASTLE TF261691 Robert Walker 23/10/14 08.10 am Sparrowhawk 1 female Came down onto privet hedge trying to capture a blackbird or sparrow for 'breakfast'near feeders - failed ! HUTTOFT 19/10/14 Seashore Jane Ostler Examining the driftline on a sunny but very windy day. At high tide young seals and gulls competing with shore-line fishermen for whiting. The driftline dominated by thousands of razor shells (Ensis arcuatus) which zig-zagged down the shore with tiny tiger scallops trapped amongst them. There were also some of the larger variegated scallops. There was a scattering of tellins, white cowries and a few of the elegant spindle shell whelk. There were also slipper limpets, an American waters introduction and a pest of oyster beds. One area had a pile of broken, large whelks decorated with the acorn barnacle Balanus crenatus. The only sea mat found was Umboloma verrucosa on the carapace of an edible crab. And the only seaweed bladderwrack atached to driftwood. There were some lightweight pieces of blackened wood completely holed by shipworms or more probably by the wood piddock. LINCOLN SK972738 W/E 25/10/2014 Jayne Knight 18/10/14 1300hrs Flock of around 30 Fieldfares flew over, East to West. 21/10/14 A spider morning. First, a quite large member of the Tegenaria species expelled from a measuring jug, then a Clubiona corticalis retrieved from the kitchen sink and finally, a Pholcus phalangiodes persuaded to move elsewhere as cobweb under hanging cupboard in kitchen getting ridiculous. NETTLEHAM TF 03161 75493 Su Colman & Mark Townsend 9.30 19/10/14 Grey Partridge (Perdix perdix) - 4. 3 had the black chest markings identifying males, no.4 hadn't any black chest markings - juvenile? I was surprised to see on the RSPB website that this is a "Red Status" bird, so we were particularly pleased to see them. Common Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) - 4 males in full spectacular colour. They are usually accompanied by up to 8 females, but they were not together this morning. SCUNTHORPE M180 Scunthorpe Richard Fox 19.10.2014 Roe Buck lying in roadside field of winter barley Red Kite soaring above motorway SKEGNESS at Southview lakes, Burgh Road, Skegness. Nev Gurnhill Monday 20th October 2014. Trumpeter Swans - 2 I am aware that these birds are native to Canada and Alaska so imagine my suprise! I have notified Lincs Rare Birds. [reported confirmed] STIXWOULD TF158649 Robert Walker 22/10/14 Kestrel 1 Over river banks on 'Water Rail Way' also Fungi - Amethyst Deceiver ( Laccaria amethystina ) One specimen amongst ground vegetation to side of path. TATTERSHALL THORPE 16.10.2014 M & R Pocklington 3 long tailed tits feeding on miscanthus grass seeds THURNHOLMES (within 300mof SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 16/10/14 Birch Shield Bug x 1 19/10/14 Blackbird x 5 Kestrel x 2 Mute Swan x 2 adults Tree Sparrow x 21 Common Shrew x 1 SK789989 Common Frog x 1 Beaded Chestnut x 1 Pale November Moth x 1 22/10/14 Whitethroat x 1 Owston Ferry Warping Drain 23/10/14 Blackbird x 7 Mute Swan x 6 adults Flying over Owston Ferry Tree Sparrow x 19 TOTHILL TF419810 Robert Walker 19/10/14 Buzzard 1 Grey Herons 16 ( in loose grouping) Greylag geese 30+ Black-headed gulls 25+ Lapwing 1 Seen on waterlogged pastureland south east of Tothill 'motte & bailey' site. WITHERN TF430819 Robert Walker 19/10/14 Kestrel 1 over pastureland near village. WRANGLE COMMON 19/10/014 Roy and Kath Pearson A BirdTrack count for the BTO today yielded 37 species. There was no evidence of winter visitors present and the highlight of the day was a count of eighty Tree Sparrows. This is believed to be the highest count of this species for over 30 years. In addition some twenty House Sparrows were counted along with twenty Yellowhammers, five Chaffinches, five Greenfinches, eight Goldfinches and singles of Linnet and Corn Bunting. The attraction is an area of land planted with seeding plants to encourage birds. The wet areas yielded few birds other than Coot, Moorhen and Mallard, but four Teal were present and four Snipe. It was noticeable that there were very few Blackbirds or tits present, though a single Song Thrush was seen. Raptors present were singles of Buzzard, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk. Eight Meadow Pipits suggested that this species is building-up to its winter numbers here. WRANGLE COMMON 23/10/2014 Roy and Kath Pearson Very quiet today with very little around. The huge flock of sparrows, buntings and finches that was present at the weekend now seems mainly to have dispersed with just a few Tree Sparrows, Yellowhammers and Reed Buntings remaining. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was very vocal. This species seems to have declined slightly of late. Main point of interest was the presence of three Roe Deer, which were quite happy to remain out in the open, giving good views. WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 19/10.2014 Butterflies: Comma 3, Red Admiral 8, Small tortoiseshell 5. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 23 10 14 Cliff Morrison, Nige Lound , Peter and Janet Roworth, John Walker. Some blustery weather mid week with peak gust of 57 mph but only 5mm of rain measured , remaining mild with no frost recorded. Common and ruddy darter dragonflies, red admirals,small tortoiseshells and peacock butterflies continue to seen in small numbers. Bird sightings include, A notable decrease in overall numbers but winter migrants continue to pass over or arrive. 34 whooper swans and c 750 pink foot geese roost on the foreshore and a peak of 62 shelduck noted, 18 little egret. Little, barn, tawny and short eared owls all seen, also hen and marsh harriers, merlin, peregrine, common and rough legged buzzards, 8 sparrowhawks. A few blackcaps, 2 yellow browed warblers, 5 bramblings, 1 redpoll, 4 jays, c 30 redwings 2 water rails, 8 snipe,70 golden plover, a scattering of blackbirds and song thrushes, and meadow and rock pipits, 1 group of 7 twite. 3 fresh dead badgers seen on edge of main road between Theddlethorpe and Saltfleet on Thursday. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. *** New disease 'killing amphibians' *** A deadly new disease has emerged in Spain that is wiping out amphibians, scientists report. Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-29649273 *** Save those windfalls *** If strong gusts have knocked down your apples, now is the time to pop some into boxes as a vital food supply for your garden birds later on during the winter. Leave some on the ground for them now, don't store the lot. Be mouse-aware when storing them! http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/17754543 ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/