============================================= || || 12th April 2015 || || 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. If you know someone who would like to receive the Bulletin please send them this webpage link so they can sign up for it: http://www.lnu.org/wildnews.php Past LNU Wildnews Bulletins are available on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Note: Each address contains the relevant date. Views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union or any associated organisations. Reports here are open and are available to county recorders of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. Please contact the Editor to contribute articles or reports. E-mail: rparsons@enterprise.net [A backup e-mail address you can use if ever you experience problems with my "Enterprise" address is: aintree2@yahoo.co.uk ] ============================================ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. Readers hints, tips and requests ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** From the Editor.... *** I note that a cuckoo has been seen at Gibraltar Point. Excellent! The first swallow of the year arrived here on Thursday 9th. I had just put the final touches to their nest site, so I hope all is to their satisfaction. Many members of the Lincolnshire Beekeepers Association and the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust will have been saddened by the news of the death of Nobby Hickling. He made an great contribution to beekeeping and conservation in the county and will be much missed. Eyes down for Oil Beetles, please, everyone. Charlie Barnes writes: John Davison, John Petyt and I visited the only known Lincolnshire colony near Ropsley on the 5th April and counted over 70 adults, both males and females. Although some were seen mating, no egg-laying females were found. Also present, and at times immediately adjacent to the oil beetles, were at least 30 bloody-nosed beetles. See Charlie's reminder below. There is an alert for air pollution which may affect those with certain health conditions. Best be aware of this. Warning of high air pollution levels in UK http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-32233922 Thanks for this week's contributions - please keep your reports coming in. Roger *** Reminder - Oil Beetles - Eyes Down - Records Please *** Charlie Barnes writes: Following the plea in the Wildnews Bulletin for sightings of oil beetles in 2012, it was a pleasure to confirm their existence in Lincolnshire. Adults will begin to start emerging in the coming weeks. If you would be interested in looking for oil beetles in your area you can either get in touch for more information or just take a camera with you when out walking and snap anything that's big and black! To get an idea of what you're looking for take a look at http://flic.kr/s/aHsjyUmfao With the paucity of records in Lincolnshire we have no "hot-spots" to concentrate on - they could be just about anywhere! As a rule, oil beetles like firm bare ground so road verges, footpaths or tracks are ideal. If you think you've seen one, let us know! Charlie Barnes County Recorder for Beetlers charlie@cucaera.co.uk *** LNU Events - full list in section 11 - guests are welcome *** To check on the details, especially if weather suggests a possible cancellation, visit: http://lnu.org/events.php 2015 Field Meetings. Field Meetings generally start at 12 noon for 1.00pm, but please check the website details for each event. Sunday, April 26, 2015 Little Haw Wood - (Courtesy of Forestry Commission) Southwest of Castle Bytham, 12.00 for 13.00 start. Park in turning area off track near west end of Clipsham Wood at SK9703 1705. Take minor road between Clipsham and Castle Bytham to reach Clipsham Wood. NB. There is about a 800m walk to Little Haw Wood from the parking spot. Habitats: Mixed Woodland. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com *** Find that Grid Reference *** Chris Manning recommended the following website to help you find grid references. Really straightforward to use. Have a go. http://www.bnhs.co.uk/focuson/grabagridref/html/index.htm *** Interested in identification? Like to know more? *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust (Lincoln Area Group) 2015 Workshops, in conjunction with the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union June 6th: Entomological Techniques Workshop Interested in Invertebrates but would like to know more in particular about entomological techniques such as sweep netting, following identification keys and dealing with specimens? Come along and find out more with local expert David Sheppard. July 4th: Grasses Workshop Interested in Plants but would like to know more in particular about Grasses? Come along and find out more with local expert Tim Harvey. August 1st: Bug Workshop Interested in Invertebrates but would like to know more in particular about Bugs? Come along and find out more with local expert David Sheppard. September 19th: Spider Workshop Interested in Invertebrates but would like to know more in particular about Spiders? Come along and find out more with local expert Imogen Wilde. All workshops will be held in the Lafarge Education Building at Whisby Nature Park from 1:30pm until 4:30pm. They are free of charge and refreshments are included. In conjunction with the Lincolnshire Naturalists Union. Limited to 20 participants. Booking essential via Richard Davidson on 01522 525725 or Email rel.davidson@btinternet.com. *** Reminder - Ray Halstead - Recorder - Fungi *** Request: No records or queries for now, please. *** Mermaid's Purses - request for records. *** Dave Miller writes: If anyone is visiting the coast could they please look out for mermaid's purses. Take a picture and send to me, with location, at: dmiller@lincstrust.co.uk If you do this regularly, Dave can send you an identification sheet from the Shark Trust. Also See: http://www.sharktrust.org/en/great_eggcase_hunt *** Alford & Mablethorpe Branch LWT *** George Rutter writes: Tuesday 14th April 7:15 for 7:30pm start St Wilfred's Church Hall, Alford Gardening for wildlife with Mary Porter & AGM Mary is education and community officer(wildlife watch) for the trust and has a great interest in gardening for wildlife which she is enthusiastic about putting over to others. Gardens provide a valuable habitat for wildlife and we could all do more. Followed by AGM. *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** Carolyn Lovely writes: On Sunday 12th April 2015 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them on a guided walk by the wardens around Tetney Blow Wells. Quite a short but interesting walk of one and a half miles in one and a half hours. Meet outside Tetney Parish Church, Church Lane, Tetney, Lincs at 2pm. Grid ref TA316009. This is a free event but donations will be welcomed. Please wear suitable outdoor clothing and wellies or stout boots recommended. No dogs please. For further details ring Clifford Jukes 01472 814887. On Monday 13th April 2015 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them at their next indoor meeting where speaker Vivienne Booth will give an illustrated talk entitled " Bats and us". This will be preceded by the group's AGM which will start at 7.00pm and the talk starts at 7.30pm. This takes place at Grimsby Town Hall. Admission £2, all are welcome. There will be a raffle and Trust goods stall. Tea/ coffee available. For further information contact Jennie Redpath 01472 502858. On Saturday 18th April 2015 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them on a visit to a new reserve, Woodhall Spa Airfield Nature Reserve, with the Trust's Reserves Manager Dave Bromwich. This visit is by special appointment so if you would like to go please ring Jennie Redpath 01472 502858 to book a place and for more details of where to meet. The visit will start at 10am. Please wear suitable outdoor clothing and footwear. This is a free event but donations will be welcomed for the Trust. *** Scunthorpe Museum Society 13th April *** Keith Scarrott writes: The Natural History and Geology Section, Scunthorpe Museum Society. Our last indoor meeting before the members only summer field visits is on Monday, 13th April, 7.15pm start, when STEVE MEARS, Regional Manager for the Forestry Commission (GB South), will give a presentation entitled "TREE PESTS AND DISEASES" Steve, who has worked for the Forestry Commission for many years, will be covering current problems with Ash, Oak and Horse Chestnut trees as well as many other problems and some yet to come. We meet in St Bernadette's Parish Centre (DN16 2RS) opposite the Priory Hotel on Ashby Road, Scunthorpe. ALL ARE WELCOME. There is no entry charge but a donation bowl is provided. Light refreshment is provided at the mid-talk break for a small charge. There is ample free parking in the Church grounds. For more details contact Keith Scarrott on 01724 762098. *** Lincolnshire Wolds Walking Festival launch Saturday 16th May *** To find out more about this 16 day Festival and download the brochure: http://www.woldswalkingfestival.co.uk *** About BirdTrack *** Stuart Britton suggests: Birdtrack - The bird recording partnership. http://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/birdtrack/about *** Rabbit and hare population mapped *** http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-32160617 *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch *** http://www.lincolnshire-butterflies.org.uk/index.html *** Lincoln RSPB *** http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ *** South Lincs RSPB *** Members and non-members welcome. http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire Programme of events and booking of Wash Trips. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ 4/4 2 Firecrests, Gibraltar Point 2 Spoonbills Donna Nook flew towards North Somercotes Warren 3 Hen Harriers, 1 male, Short-eared Owl, Frampton Marsh 2 Water Pipits, 70 Twite, Donna Nook 5/4 Firecrest, East Dunes, Gibraltar Point Avocet, Woodhall Spa Hen Harrier at Pye's Hall, Short-eared Owl, Donna Nook 6/5 3 Spotted Redshanks, Alkborough Flats Firecrest trapped and ringed in East Dunes, Gibraltar Point Hen Harrier ringtail, 2 Short-eared Owls, Frampton Marsh 2 Common Scoters, 1 drk, on river Trent at Garthope 3 Firecrests, Gibraltar Point water Pipit, 49 Twite, Donna Nook Possible Black Redstart male singing. south side of Lincoln Cathedral 7/4 Firecrest, 2 Hen Harriers, both ringtails, Gibraltar Point 8/4 2 Spotted Redshank. Yellow wagtail, Frampton Marsh Possible Scarce Tortoiseshell butterfly, Grimsby cemetery. Ring Ouzel in horse paddock near A16 at Peaks Lane, Grimsby Ring Ouzel on paddock by Weelsby Woods, Grimsby Garganey drk, 2 fem Common scoter, Covenham reservoir Hawfinch f, in garden, Saltfleetby 4 Yellow Wagtails, 2 White Wagtails, Toft Newton reservoir 9/4 2 m Ring Ouzels, Gooseman's Fields by Weelsby Woods, Grimsby 11 Twite, Donna Nook Woodlark over Gibraltar Point Black Kite over Donna Nook Ring Ouzel m, Saltfleetby Cuckoo, 6 Yellow Wagtails, Gibraltar Point Black-necked Grebe, 6 Yellow Wagtails, Toft Newton Reservoir 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: 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. Stuart Britton writes: Summer migrants are somewhat late this year. I heard my first Chiffchaff in Willingham Woods, Market Rasen on March 27th but, to date (April 3rd), I haven't seen or heard another summer migrant. I was delighted to see a Water Vole on the River Rase at Market Rasen Golf Course on March 26th, the first I have seen there for two years. GORSE LOCATIONS: please give full information on each individual Gorse record: the location [with grid ref], your name, the date, and any habitat notes of interest. The stage of flowering is a key observation, from plants with no flowers through the range to plants in full flowering. SCUNTHORPE Lots of Gorse in full flower on area of land at Scunthorpe GR: SE 869 123. All the area is on Coversands. Eddie Gaunt. 8th April 2015. WASPS NEXT NEWS and.... Gerry Gunner writes: Something I've never seen before! I took the dogs for their normal walk along the Carr Dyke near Wasps Nest and noticed a commotion in the water. It was a frog, or two, or three or at least 400! It seemed that for at least six hundred yards there were groups of frogs congregating with a bit, but not a lot, of spawn in evidence near them. Many seemed to be spending a very long time under the water rather than swimming on the surface. All sorts of different camouflage patterns from quite light yellow to dark brown, all with spots. The resident kingfisher was in evidence but didn't seem to be interested in the spawn. The second rarity, further up the dyke, were two kestrels displaying. One was flying around twittering and flapping its wings rapidly while the other sat on a branch doing the same thing. Further round, up near Potterhanworth, the resident flock of reed buntings, long-tailed tits, yellowhammers and linnets had been joined by at least two male blackcaps. I didn't know where to look! Butterfiles today were a couple of the big yellow ones, several tortoiseshells and quite a lot of peacocks. In the garden the goldfinches have been eating a week's worth of niger seed a day at the moment. There are at least 16 of them. Sunflower hearts are still being hoovered up by the chaffinches, four green finches, sundry great, blue, long-tailed and coal tits, robins and of course the goldfinches. The mallard in the veg patch is still sitting on her 14 eggs and saving my back, no digging allowed! Our chiffchaff has declared his territory in the paddock and is doing the rounds of the four corners singing his heart out. This has been going on for years now, I don’t suppose it's likely to be the same bird. Several hares seen both in the garden and the surrounding fields and loads of rabbits. Sadly, the jackdaws have built their nest over the active chimney. They have loads of inactive ones, but no, they choose the one over the fireplace. Two sackloads of sticks when I got the sweep in this winter! *** 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. ATTERBY CARR - HARLAM LOCK, TF019942 Patty Phillips 6 April 2015 Erophila verna (Spring whitlow grass) on old concrete. Teesdalia nudicaulis (Shepherd's cress) BARDNEY TF121692 Charlie Barnes 9 April 2015 Hedgehog (dead on road) BOSTON (South by A16) 07/04/2015 Roy & Kath Pearson Butterflies seen in the garden today were:- Comma Brimstone Small Tortoiseshell BOSTON 08/04/2015 Roy and Kath Pearson Butterflies seen in garden today:- Peacock Small White Green-veined White CAISTOR Wendy Handford (WH) Reports from contributors to Caistor records Week beginning 3.4.15 Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 WH Badger on path through long grass 1am 5.5.15 Trailcam Fox in long grass 2am 5.5.15 Trailcam Pipistrelle bats 4 found roosting behind bricked-up stable door 5.4.15 Bullfinches, pair on Discovery apple tree 3.4.15 Buzzards, pair, possibly preparing to nest in Spruce wood 4.4.15 Carrion crow takes dead mole 2.4.15 Jays 3 on lawn 7.4.15 Mallards m and on stream 3.4.15 Pied wagtails, pair on lawn 3.4.15 Songthrush killed by window strike. 6.4.15. This is disappointing as the pair have been feeding and nest-building Yellowhammer, first sighting since 2013, 3.4.15 Frog, m dead under wheelie bin 3.4.15 Buff-tailed bumblebees 3 on Hellebores 4.4.15 Daddy longlegs spiders, pair in utility room 4.4.15 Honeybees 2 on Hyacinths 2.4.15 Tree bumblebee 7.4.15 White-tailed bumblebee 8.4.15 First flowers Goat willow catkins shedding pollen 9.4.15 Great forget-me-not 6.4.15 Oxlip 3.4.15 Sweet violet 4.4.15 Grimsby Road garden TA 120 014 Gordon Askew Brimstone butterfly 1.4.15 Nettleton Lodge Game Farm TA 090 012 B Jacob Himalayan balsam seedlings 1000s in garden and coniferous wood Nettleton Beck TA 114 097 Gwen Bain Water vole 4.4.15 Kingfisher 3.4.15 North Street verge TA 116 015 WH Common dog-violets 10s 4.4.15 Other Cleethorpes Kingsway Road next to Promenade TA 312 083 My husband was driving along this road at 8.30pm and noticed 4 boys running behind a squat, scurrying 'dog' on the pavement. The dog was a Badger! 2.4.15 CALLAN’S LANE WOOD 7th April 2015 Ian Misselbrook Quick lunchtime visit 7 Brimstone 6 Peacock 8 singing Chiffchaff 1 pair Marsh Tits 3 GS Woodpeckers 2 Green Woodpeckers 3 Nuthatches Coltsfoot Common Dandilion Lesser Celandine Primroses CARLTON LE MOORLAND Jeremy Hutchinson Carlton le Moorland 490674, 358304 7/4/2015 Unusual sighting of a Curlew, flying SW at about 300ft, calling occasionally, a rare treat for this area. I understand that a few can be found sometimes on some wet grassland belonging to the MoD a few miles away. Butterflies: Brimstone and Small Tortoiseshell. Mining Bee Andrena armata 9/4/2015 Butterflies: Small Tortoiseshell, Brimstone, Peacock, Comma. A pair of Kestrels is using the hole in an Ash which was used by the Little Owls last year. The male is unusually pale in colour; until I looked at it through the scope I had though they were two females. On a closer look the male's head is a very pale grey, and it appears not to have the usual grey tail feathers, so what's that all about I have no idea. I have seen them mating twice, so all's normal in that department it would seem. In addition to the Kestrels, we are privileged to have a pair of Barn Owls, a pair of Little Owls and a pair of Buzzards within 200 yards of our house. CROWLE MOOR Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 22/03/15 Red Deer x 14 Roe Deer x 1 Adder x 5 DEEPINGS Venue: Deeping Lakes Nature Reserve Date: 06/04/2015 Time: 0900 to 1215 Observer: Ian Gordon Weather: Sunny, cool Birds: Barn Owl Blackbird Black-headed Gull Blue Tit Canada Goose Carrion Crow Cetti’s Warbler Chaffinch Chiffchaf Common Gull Coot Cormorant Dunnock Gadwall Goldeneye Great Crested Grebe Great Tit Green Woodpecker Grey Heron Greylag Goose Herring Gull Jackdaw Kestrel Lapwing Lesser Black-backed Gull Little Egret Long-tailed Tit Magpie Mallard Moorhen Mute Swan Oystercatcher Pheasant Reed Bunting Robin Rook Sand Martin Song Thrush Swallow Teal Tufted Duck Woodpigeon Wren Mammals: Grey Squirrel GARTHORPE Paul Gee Sunday 5/4/15 Noon Male Marsh Harrier quartering winter wheat fields around village. This is second sighting this week and has just been confirmed as a Male by Site Manager at RSPB Blacktoft Sands. HORNCASTLE clare Brady 7/5/2015 Just outside of Horncastle. 1 swallow seen flying low over field. HUTTOFT Jane Pennington Huttoft TF512763 (my garden) 3/4/2015 Blue tit 1, Great spotted woodpecker 1 Great tit 2 (one collecting moss and taking it into a nest box - hurray!) Long tailed tits 2 (landing on the door handle and then picking insects off the glass!) 4/4/2015 Long tailed tits 2 (back again) 6/4/2015 Great tits 2 Great spotted woodpecker 1 (pecking at Great tit nesting box - tits making a commotion about it) Rabbit 1 7/4/2015 Magpies 2 Date 8/4/2015 Great tits 2 Newt 1 (I moved a big stone and had to put it back as the newt was hibernating underneath) Peacock butterfly 1 9/4/2015 Great tits 2 Great spotted woodpecker 1 Small tortoiseshell butterfly 1 Starlings 4 Peacock butterfly 1 LINCOLN SK972738 W/E 11/04/2015 Jayne Knight 14/03/15 3 Buzzard circling and calling over Bennington Carriages at Long Bennington. 18/03/15 Either a Buff-tailed or a White-tailed queen bumblebee, lurched onto honeysuckle, rested then flew off. Seen outside kitchen window so unable to identify any closer than that. 04/04/15 Steatoda bipunctata spider found just inside kitchen door so released back out into garden. 08/04/15 A busy day for observing birds. First Goldfinch collecting spider web from trunk of apple tree, followed shortly after by 6 House Sparrows skirmishing in same tree. 5M, 1F. Early evening, one Wren singing loudly on tip of Ash sapling in next door's back garden while another was wing quivering on fence between us. Eventually the singer drove other one off. NETTLEHAM TF 03161 75493 Su Colman & Mark Townsend 4/4/15 10.00 A blue tit has been very busy making a nest box in our hedge habitable for the last several days. We are hoping for residents soon. It is within 2.5 metres of our window, so it will making interesting watching. Nettleham Su Colman & Mark Townsend 5/4/2015 16.00-17.00 SK 9991575060 Little Egret sitting in a tree TF 0019875055 First 7 Spot ladybirds on a large heather bank TF 0146874871 2 Red-tailed bumblebee queens (Bombus lapidarius) foraging on red dead nettle RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF309847 (unless otherwise stated) Silvia Fowler 03.04.2015 7 pm: Barn Owl hunting over pasture TF309848-TF309849 04.04.2015 Sparrowhawk (m) Little Owl (heard) (TF306847) 05.04.2015 7-Spot Ladybird Pheasant has laid 6 eggs in flower border - not a good spot for such a flighty bird. 06.04.2015 Buzzard x2 07.04.15 First butterflies of the season: 1 x Brimstone, 1 x Peacock Buzzard x 2 Skylark Bat (smallish) - first of the season 08.04.2015 Chiffchaff calling every day now. Froglet in garden border Bluetits have adopted a tit box that was taken over by Bombus hypnorum last year. Will they succeed this time? 09.04.2015 Starling x 1 Skylark x 2 RIPPINGALE Observer's Garden 7th April 2015 Ian Misselbrook 2 singing Chiffchaffs 1 singing Goldcrest 1 Brimstone 1 Orange Tip 3 Smooth Newts Lots of frog spawn but frogs now gone 1 Grey Squirrel Early Dog Violet Lesser Celandine Primrose Red Dead Nettle Dandilion SANDILANDS, SUTTON-ON-SEA 05/04/2015 Ian Whitaker Black Redstart [female] on bungalow roof SNITTERBY CARR - BRIDGE FARM, TF018946 Patty Phillips 30 March and 5 April 2015 Dozens of frogs on wet track and in pond croaking noisily and mating. Noticeable that the 30 March event followed the first really wet day. SOUTH ELKINGTON to WELTON LE WOLD South Elkington to Welton le Wold circular walk 7 Km warm 17 °C, sunny light breeze Peter Childs and John Walker Buzzard 6, Chiffchaff 5, Great spotted woodpecker 1, green woodpecker 1, nuthatch 1, grey wagtail 1, Brimstone 5, peacock 3, small tortoiseshell 2, several bumblebees, and honey bees at 2 sets of hives - very active. Only willow trees showing the first hint of leaf and a small section of blackthorn in leaf in sheltered suntrap. Cattle in valley grass field - the first I have seen out, but not much growth in field. THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 26/03/15 Roe Deer x 3 SE801006 27/03/15 Blackbird x 1 Common Buzzard x 1 Kestrel x 1 Skylark x 1 Stock dove x 1 on nest, 2 eggs 28/03/15 Common Buzzard x 1 01/04/15 Barn Owl x 1 Thurnholmes and 1 hunting 7.20am SK812994 Goldfinch x 2 Jackdaw x 5 SE811002 Mute Swan x 2 Tufted Duck x 1pr 03/04/15 Goldfinch x 2 Stock Dove x 2 with 2 egg nest Tree Sparrow x 3 Tufted Duck x 3pr TUMBY R. Parsons TF243606 8/4/2015 at 10.20pm approx. 5 adult deer crossing road east to west - probably Roe. WAINFLEET CONSERVATION PONDS 02/04/2015 Roy & Kath Pearson Fourteen birds present today:- Blackbird 1 , Canada Goose 18, Carrion Crow 3, Chaffinch 1, Feral Pigeon 2, Greylag Goose 4, Kestrel 1, Magpie 1, Mallard 4, Reed Bunting 4, Rook 9, Snipe 1, Teal 2 and Wren 1. WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 4/4/2015 Chiffchaff singing Jackdaws probably occupying Tawny Owl box! 5/4 2 Barn Owls hunting in area - 6.30am. Reed bunting still visiting, under feeders 6/4 Moorhen in garden - unusual m & f Yellowhammer 7/4 Stockdove under feeder - probably using little Owl box Yellowhammer m Reed Bunting. Red-tailed Bumblebee q - B. lapidarius 8/4 Disciotis venosa on pile of wood chippings. See: http://www.rogersmushrooms.com/gallery/DisplayBlock~bid~5693.asp Photo taken. 2 Barn owls perched at TF 216538 - 10.30pm approx. 9/4/2015 B. lapidarius and B. leucorum queens Peacock Butterfly, Small Tortoiseshell 3 Brimstone 1 Large White butterfly seen at a distance. First swallow arrived 'on station' 13.20hrs. Canada Farm apiary TF224538 9/4/2015 Peacock butterfly WRANGLE COMMON 02/04/2015 Roy & Kath Pearson 33 species counted. Of particular interest were Buzzard 2, Chiffchaff 1, Curlew c50, Gadwall 2, Goldcrest 1, Lapwing 2, Mallard 61, Shelduck 4, Skylark 2, Snipe 4, Starling c100, Teal 22, Tufted Duck 1. However n umbers of geese were very low with only 14 Canada and 20 Greylag counted. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. Lincolnshire Coast NNRs and S Lincs Highlights including RSPB Wash Reserves RSPB Reserves: http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/collections/thewash_northnorfolk.aspx http://www.rspb.org.uk www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh LWT Reserves: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ South Lincolnshire bird sightings January 2014 RSPB Frampton Marsh RSPB Freiston Shore Gibraltar Point NNR Other sites John Badley [Assisted by Colin Jennings] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GIBRALTAR POINT NNR. Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve - good video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONdZsUndzAY ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Gibraltar Point News. Reports always welcome. See: Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog. http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE DUNES NNR. http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/38015?category=59026 See: Saltfleetby Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR - good video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nhlOWJHqRc ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE NNR. NNR Week ending 1st-9th April 2015 Nigel Lound, John Walker, Janet & Peter Roworth, Cliff Morrison The coast has mainly remained cool during the period, with cloud most mornings, often clearing in the afternoon, when the sun's strength has brought out a range of insects. Garden, Buff-tailed and a few Red-tailed Bumblebees have been flying most days, despite the cool mornings and are to be found by the perimeter willows and widely spread gooseberry bushes, that are all currently in flower. Not surprisingly, Bee Flies have also been in evidence over the past few days as well. On the warmer afternoons, double figures of Peacock butterflies have been on the wing, along with the odd Tortoiseshell and singles of Brimstone and a Comma on 8th April. Frogs spawned at the end of March/early April, with 235 spawn clumps being counted. Common Toads appeared later in the week and began spawning, but surprisingly, 2 Natterjack Toads were also present at Rimac and attracted the unwanted attentions of Common Toads. Common Newts have declined rapidly over the past few years, with the first one being noted on 7th April. With cool winds, mainly from northerly sectors, departing winter migrants have featured more than those arriving from the south, with a few Field- fares, up to 80 Redwings, several Bramblings and a Siskin being noted, whilst the 3 Shorelarks, that hadn’t been seen for nearly 3 weeks, reappeared briefly again at Brickyard Lane for a day on 31st March. Up to 16 Shoveler and 17 Gadwall have been at Paradise Pools, whilst the peak count of Little Egrets on the marsh has been 17. Up to 4 red-throated divers have been on the see, where double figures of Cormorants are to be seen. Summer migrant arrivals began very slowly, with Chiffchaffs at the end of March, which took up territories along the length of the reserve straight away and over 8 are now to be heard. Next were Blackcap on 2nd and 8th, with a single Swallow on 5th April. Raptors have included a Merlin and a Peregrine, whilst Sparrow-hawks have been displaying, a pair of Marsh Harriers is on territory along with probably 1 pair Kestrels. Litllie Owl, Barn Owl and Tawny Owl territories are all close to the reserve. Other birds of note have included a Kingfisher along the R.Eau, Water Rail. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. News from Far Ings NNR See: Murmuration of Starlings over the Humber Bridge - great video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62lVQKIGieE ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Far Ings News Reports always welcome. See: Far Ings NNR on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-Of-Far-Ings-National-Nature-Reserve/186876774685595 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6. Bardney Limewoods NNR http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/publications/limewoods-walks/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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) The Limewoods are notable for the few reports we receive for the Bulletin, so you can help by sending in sightings if you visit. Two good links are: 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 in Oct 2012. 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 to help you 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 *** No hotlinks in this section, just copy and paste URLs, please. FIGHTING 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 Website: http://www.lincs.police.uk/Advice/Wildlife-and-Rural-Crime/ STAYING SAFE No hotlinks in this section, just copy and paste URLs, please. *** EasyTide *** Check tide times on Admiralty EasyTide: http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx *** Local Tide Tables *** Here is a useful-looking website where you can order local tide tables. Well worth bookmarking. Everyone who uses the coast ought to have local tide tables handy. £1.50 + p&p. https://www.tidetimes.org.uk/ *** 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 *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/ Care of Sick or Injured Animals - information on LWT website *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/sick-and-injured-animals SPECIES IDENTIFICATION AND RECORDING No hotlinks in this section, just copy and paste URLs, please. *** iSpot Keys for computer or mobile *** If you are a beginner to identification of species, you might find the following link useful. http://www.ispot.org.uk/keys The LNU is now represented on the popular iSpot website. A full list of the organisations, recording schemes and societies represented is here: http://www.ispot.org.uk/representatives *** 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: Ashley Butterfield learningoutdoors@btinternet.com or tel 07864967057 Ashley Butterfield, LNU Reptile and Amphibian Recorder, adds: The recordpool is a joint ARGUK and ARC Trust project that aims to collect herpetofauna data from the uk that might not otherwise be recorded and make it available for conservation purposes. As such you will have access to your own records at full resolution and other records at a lower resolution. You can input reptile and amphibian data at: http://www.recordpool.org.uk/ Please remember that common species are just as important as rarer species, so please give it a go. Please contact Dr Angela Julian ARGUK angela.digges@clara.co.uk with any specific questions. *** Report Ash Dieback in Lincolnshire *** Link for Chalara fraxinea reports: http://www.forestry.gov.uk/chalara *** 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 *** 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 *** How to Identify Spring Bees *** Discover Wildlife http://www.discoverwildlife.com/british-wildlife/see-it/how-identify-spring-bees Also see: BWARS - Bees Wasps & Ants Recording Society http://www.bwars.com/ Bumblebee Conservation Trust http://bumblebeeconservation.org/ *** 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. *** 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 badger reports. USEFUL WILDLIFE CONTACTS No hotlinks in this section, just copy and paste URLs, please. *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust *** http://www.lincstrust.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 Website: http://www.gnlp.org.uk *** 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/ *** 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 *** The Sir Joseph Banks Society *** Contact 01507 528223 or by e-mail: enquiries@joseph-banks.org.uk. http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk *** Other Useful Websites *** No hotlinks in this section, just copy and paste URLs, please. 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/ *** 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/ *** Coastal Grazing Marshes *** The Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes project has produced two films of the Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes. They are based on Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) which measures topography accurately. The films reveal many historical and geomorphological features that are not always obvious to the eye. Note that the vertical perspective is exaggerated to enhance the features. Narrated by Jim Broadbent. Watch them here: Southern marshes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwhVamd4j6E Northern marshes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZjqzcMFXi8 *** 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 *** 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 *** 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/ *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire link *** http://www.lincolnshire-butterflies.org.uk/index.html *** 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 Lincsbirders - Lincolnshire's Alternative Birding Group Some great photos. http://www.lincsbirders.org/ Bardney Limewoods - the Lincolnshire Limewoods Project Bardney Limewoods NNR http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/Limewoods/ limewoods@lincolnshire.gov.uk *** Grow-your-own Mistletoe *** http://www.mistle.co.uk/ Readers websites and videos - superb work well worth browsing through. If anyone else is putting work like this on the web, please let us know. Joan Gunson's Moths recorded 2013: http:www.flickr.com/photos/angleshades Alan Dale's Bugs and Weeds http://www.bugsandweeds.co.uk/ Les Binns: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ecoheathen/sets/ Leslie Hebden http://www.flickr.com/photos/13718295@N07/ Youtube videos by Colin Green. Little Scrubbs Meadow in July 2012 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inqCJLrTQmg&feature=relmfu Greetwell Hollow in May 2012 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QmzLFrbjFU&feature=plcp Rimac in June 2012 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s02O5JJoilQ&feature=plcp Starlings at Kirkby on Bain - January 2014 - excellent video by David Robinson http://www.flickr.com/photos/poppops/11685708555/ The Wonderful Witham - Lincolnshire Rivers Trust https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Fp9bKSwaBE#t=969 University of Lincoln plus Siren FM - "Nightingales" made possible by Grahame Hopwood at Whisby http://www.sirenonline.co.uk/archives/8926 BBC Radio 4 Tweet of the day: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01s6xyk *** Other Useful E-mail Addresses *** 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 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. 2015 Field Meetings. Sunday, April 26, 2015 Little Haw Wood -(Courtesy of Forestry Commission) Southwest of Castle Bytham, 12.00 for 13.00 start. Park in turning area off track near west end of Clipsham Wood at SK9703 1705. Take minor road between Clipsham and Castle Bytham to reach Clipsham Wood. NB. There is about a 800m walk to Little Haw Wood from the parking spot. Habitats: Mixed Woodland. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Sunday, May 31, 2015 Fulsby Wood SSSI - (Private) (Courtesy of Tumby Estate) South of Horncastle 10am to 4pm. Park in Tumby saw mill car park at TF254602 (PE22 7TD) which is on north side of A155 between Coningsby and Mareham le Fen. Leader will be at car park for 10am and then again for 1pm for afternoon only attendees. Habitats: Ancient woodland Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Friday, June 05, 2015 Chambers Farm Wood (Courtesy of Forestry Commission) (multi-organizational Bioblitz event with evening moth sessions) South of Wragby Evening session on Friday from 9pm, then all day recording on Saturday and Sunday. Evening session on Saturday starting at 9pm. Times TBC. Use both car parks near to Wood Centre at TF147739 (LN8 5JR) Toilets available on site. Habitats: Various woodland types, pasture, scrub and ponds. Contacts: Anne Goodall 01526 398182 anne.goodall@esl-lincoln.co.uk and Charlie Barnes 01507 526667 charlie@cucaera.co.uk Saturday, June 06, 2015 Bioblitz - Chambers Farm Wood (Courtesy of Forestry Commission) See 5 June above Sunday, June 07, 2015 Bioblitz - Chambers Farm Wood (Courtesy of Forestry Commission) See 5 June above Saturday, June 27, 2015 Poplar Farm, Low Hameringham (Courtesy of Tony Smith) South of Horncastle, 12.00 for 13.00 start. Evening session starting at 21.15. Use farmyard for parking at TF305662 Habitats: Various grassland types, marsh, chalk stream Leader: Mark Schofield 07825 970930 mschofield@lincstrust.co.uk Saturday, July 11, 2015 Thorne (Beehives) Ltd Rand West of Wragby 12.00 for 13.00 start. Use car park at TF106787 (LN8 5NJ) which is off minor lane northwards off A158 (about 500m on right past Rand Farm Park entrance). Habitats: Broadleaved woodland, wildflower meadows, gardens, ponds and lakes. Leader: Charlie Barnes 01507 526667 charlie@cucaera.co.uk Saturday, August 15, 2015 White House Farm, Branston Fen (Courtesy of Peter Lundgren) SE of Lincoln, 12.00 for 13.00 start. Evening session starting at 20.30. Park in farmyard at TF085705 (LN3 5UP) which is at end of North Causeway found off the B1190 at Branston Booths. Habitats: Grassland, ditches, arable. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Sunday, September 06, 2015 Metheringham Delph East of Metheringham, 12.00 for 13.00 start. Road verge parking alongside Carr Dyke near western end of the Delph at approx.TF114 620. Take minor road off B1189 between Metheringham Habitats: Grassland, river, ditches. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Sunday, October 11, 2015 Fungus Foray - TBC TBC - see Wildnews Bulletin, website or contact a member of the Executive Committee for further details. Also see: Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust (Lincoln Area Group) Workshops, in conjunction with the Lincolnshire Naturalists Union June 6th: Entomological Techniques Workshop Interested in Invertebrates but would like to know more in particular about entomological techniques such as sweep netting, following identification keys and dealing with specimens? Come along and find out more with local expert David Sheppard. July 4th: Grasses Workshop Interested in Plants but would like to know more in particular about Grasses? Come along and find out more with local expert Tim Harvey. August 1st: Bug Workshop Interested in Invertebrates but would like to know more in particular about Bugs? Come along and find out more with local expert David Sheppard. September 19th: Spider Workshop Interested in Invertebrates but would like to know more in particular about Spiders? Come along and find out more with local expert Imogen Wilde. All workshops will be held in the Lafarge Education Building at Whisby Nature Park from 1:30pm until 4:30pm. They are free of charge and refreshments are included. In conjunction with the Lincolnshire Naturalists Union. Limited to 20 participants. Booking essential via Richard Davidson on 01522 525725 or Email rel.davidson@btinternet.com. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 etc. please make sure you "Whitelist" my address as given in the Bulletin. A "hard bounce" usually results in you being automatically deleted from the mailing list. Latest Mailfails - see notes above. Bulletin bouncing from: Jellis - soft bounce - delivery failed; will not continue trying lisa.blezzard - soft bounce - recipient's mailbox is full and can't accept messages mwalker - soft bounce - delivery failed; will not continue trying *** And finally...... Contributions to "And finally......" are always welcome. Cave crustaceans 'losing visual brain' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-31988721 Brontosaurus dino name is revived http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-32205289 How much would you have to be paid to change this South Dakota light bulb? https://www.youtube.com/embed/f1BgzIZRfT8?feature=player_embedded ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/