============================================= || || 19th 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.... *** No sooner had I put in the piece about Bee Flies [below] than I saw one working Forget-me-nots in the garden. Remember- when you report pollinators, you often get "two for the price of one" by also recording the associated plant being pollinated. Plant records are always very welcome. Insect records are starting to come in, mostly butterflies, but look out for bees, bee flies, ladybirds and St Mark's Flies. I am still hoping for a report of a new oil beetle site. Keep looking! Readers will notice the number of Ring Ouzel and Wagtail records this week. If you don't know Ring Ouzels, look out for them. See: http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/discoverandlearn/birdguide/name/r/ringouzel/ Most will know the Pied Wagtail, but other species have been seen this week. http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/discoverandlearn/birdguide/families/pipits.aspx Please note - To reduce the bulk of the bulletin have had a 'thinning out' session of links which were seldom being used. If you would like to suggest useful replacement links, please feel free to do so. Thanks for this week's contributions - please keep your reports coming in. Roger *** Mining Bees *** Bob Mortimer writes: LOUTH, Lincolnshire; town garden; grid reference: TF 324873 Yesterday (9 April 2015), we had ten mining bee "hills" in the grass in the garden. There were six together, another three about two metres away (some in the border), and another one alone in the grass another two metres away. All of the hills had clearly visible "clean" holes in the top. In the early evening there were up to five bees showing interest in the area; one bee looking out of one hole; the others generally "hoovering" the area with some of them appearing to settle into the grass. Today (10 April 2015) there were a total of 23 hills: 14 + 8 + 1 in the three locations noted. The bees are about 10-12 mm long, and are very brightly ginger-coloured, with the thorax darker ginger than the abdomen. From the internet, they look like the tawny mining bee, Adrena fulva. We saw a smaller number of these bee hills in the same area of grass over the weekend 20-21 April 2013, but didn't notice any in 2014 (perhaps our poor observation). Editor adds - a great description. See: http://www.gardensafari.net/english/mining_bees.htm http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/species/tawny-mining-bee *** Bee Flies - the Bombyliidae *** Have you seen one of these Bee Mimics that in flight somewhat resembles a Hummingbird Hawkmoth? They have an amazing life-cycle. Bombylius major (large bee-fly) http://www.nhm.ac.uk/nature-online/species-of-the-day/biodiversity/loss-of-habitat/bombylius-major/ Bee-flies and false widow spiders confound public http://www.nhm.ac.uk/about-us/news/2014/apr/bee-flies-and-false-widow-spiders-confound-public129835.html Dark-edged Bee-fly Bombylius major http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/species/dark-edged-bee-fly Bee-fly identification http://www.brc.ac.uk/soldierflies-and-allies/bee-flies *** St Mark's Fly *** St Mark's Fly got its name from the date on which adult flies emerge each year - typically 25th April. It would be interesting to see how their emergence goes this year across the county - so eyes out for them, please. http://www.nhm.ac.uk/nature-online/species-of-the-day/scientific-advances/industry/bibio-marci/ http://www.wildlifewatch.org.uk/explore-wildlife/animals/minibeasts/st-mark-s-fly *** 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 the Grid Reference *** Chris Manning recommended the following websites to help find grid references. Grab a Grid Reference http://www.bnhs.co.uk/focuson/grabagridref/html/index.htm UK Grid Reference Finder: http://www.gridreferencefinder.com/ *** Interested in identification? Like to know more? *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust (Lincoln Area Group) 2015 Workshops, in conjunction with the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union are listed below in section 11. 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 *** Invitation to a Family Pond Dip at Rimac *** Lizzie Lemon - Outer Humber and Coastal Assistant Warden - writes: On Sunday 28th May there will be a free pond dipping session for families. Come along and discover what creatures can be found in our pond! Meet at the Rimac Eco-classroom 10am-12noon, no need to book, contact Lizzie on 07557 038522 for more information. *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** Carolyn Lovely writes: On Sunday 26th April 2015 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them on an early morning bird walk in Cleethorpes Country Park with Ray Hume. Meet in the car park at 8am. Please wear suitable outdoor clothing and stout footwear and bring binoculars. This is a free event but donations will be welcomed for the Trust. For further information contact Ray - 01472 320878. *** 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 *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch *** http://www.lincolnshire-butterflies.org.uk/index.html *** Grimsby & District RSPB *** Julie Harrison writes: Nightingales! On Monday 20 April 2015 we invite you to join us at Corpus Christi Community Centre, Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes, DN35 7AE for an Indoor Meeting at 7-30pm when Grahame Hopwood, Asstant Warden at Whisby Nature Reserve will be presenting his talk ˜Nightingales of Whisby Nature Park". Admission £3 Everyone is welcome, not just RSPB members, tea/coffee available. Also a chance to book a place on a coach trip to Titchwell RSPB Reserve on Sunday 26 April 2015. *** 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/ 9/4 Long-eared Owl in elder in dunes, Saltfleetby NNR Wood Sandpiper, Manby Flashes Great White Egret on freshwater marsh, Rimac Black-necked Grebe, 6 Yellow Wagtails, Toft Newton Reservoir Cuckoo, Yellow Wagtail, Gibraltar Point 10/4 Wood Sandpiper, Manby Flashes Short-eared Owl, Freiston Shore Ring Ouzel m in paddock at Weelsby Woods, Grimsby Short-eared Owl, Tree Pipit flew over, Garganey drk on Jackson's Marsh, Gibraltar Point 11/4 Wood Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, Manby Flashes Whinchat, Goosemans Fields, Grimsby Garganry drk on North Marsh, Crowle Waste Ring Ouzel m in paddock at Weelsby Woods, Grimsby 2 Black-throated Divers on sea, Gibraltar Point Great Grey Shrike north of Stonebridge Car Park, Donna Nook 12/4 2 Ring Ouzels both males, horse paddocks off bank end, North Somercotes Ring Ouzel m in paddock at Weelsby Woods, Grimsby Garganey drk on wet grassland, Blue-headed Wagtail male, Frampton Marsh Blue-winged Teal drk, on flash at Quad, Donna Nook 13/4 3 Ring Ouzels, 1m north of howden's Pillover - flew inland Redstart male, Weelsby Woods, Grimsby Blue-winged Teal drk, on flash at Quad, Donna Nook Ring Ouzel, paddock down Littltborough Lane, Masrton Osprey, east of Spilsby, flew over Gunby Park Blue-headed Wagtail male, Frampton Marsh 14/4 Spoonbill flew south over Gibraltar Point 3 Ring Ouzels, 1m north of Howden's Pullover then flew west, Blue-winged Teal of pool south of Quad, Hen Harrier, Donna Nook 2 Whimbrel, Rimac, Saltfleetby 4 White Wagtails, 2 Rock Pipits, Toft Newton Spotted Redshank, Blue Headed Wagtail is reidentified from photo as hybrid Blue-headed x Yellow Wagtail, Frampton Marsh Hobby flew north over Tetney Marshes Blue-headed Wagtail Willow tree Fen Ring Ouzel in paddock along Littleborough Lane, Marton Green Sandpiper, Manby Flashes 15/4 Spoonbill imm briefly on Roads Farm wet grassland, Frampton Marsh Spoonbill on middle scrape, probable Ashy-headed Wagtail or Grey-headed Wagtail, hybrid Blue-headed x Yellow Wagtail male, 50+ Yellow Wagtails, Frampton Marsh 16/4 Ring Ouzel, along Cloot Drove, Crowland 3 Ring Ouzels, Spoonbill, Gibraltar Point Garganey drk, Hide pit, Kirkby on Bain Probable Ashy-headed Wagtail, Frampton Marsh Blue-headed Wagtail, Toft Newton Reservoir 2 Ring Ouzels between Stonebridge and south end, Redstart, 57 Twite, Donna Nook Spoonbill, Black Brant on wet grassland, Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Frampton Marsh Possible Eastern Yellow Wagtail in sheepfield with 70 Yellow Wagtails, Blue-headed Wagtail and 7 White Wagtails, by Wyndham Garden Hotel SW of Marston, Grantham 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. 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. Gorse locations via Wendy Hanford. Walesby, field past old school TF 136 926 Corinne Brant 11.4.15 Thin soil on Wolds hillside. Many bushes all fully in bloom. Normanby-le-Wold, just past the church on Viking Way towards Walesby. TF 122 944 Corinne Brant 11.4.15 Field known in the past as "The Goss", with thin, rough Wolds land. Many bushes, some in bloom. Acre House, Normanby-le-Wold TF 111 964 Corinne Brant 11.4.15 Field known traditionally as "Great Furze Close", of very poor grade 3 land. Large patch of bushes not yet in bloom. A46 Nettleton TA 105 098 Wendy Handford 11.4.15 Open roadside verge. Three plants, now with abundant flowers Nettleton mines TF 105 995. Wendy Handford 11.4.15 Grazed fields on site of spoil heaps from ironstone mine. About 70 bushes, most with abundant flowers A46 Holton le Moor junction TF 095 983 Wendy Handford 11.4.15 Roadside verge shaded by oaks. Three plants, all now with abundant flowers A46 Holton le Moor TF 096 986, Wendy Handford 11.4.15 Roadside verge shaded by oaks. 20 plants, most now with abundant flowers A46 Holton le Moor railway crossing TF 092 474 Wendy Handford 11.4.15 Disturbed ground next to railway track. Three plants with abundant flowers A46 Claxby bypass TF 090 964 Wendy Handford 11.4.15 Sandy roadside verge with mixed shrubs. About 200 plants, most now with abundant flowers A46 junction with A1103 TF 099 919 Wendy Handford 11.4.15 Roadside verge shaded by conifers. Twelve plants with abundant flowers A631 approach to Gainsborough SK 821 891 Wendy Handford 11.4.15 North-facing roadside bank with shrubs. Three plants with abundant flowers ROOKERIES Jane Ostler Travelling to Norfolk from Colsterworth on 9th April I made notes (as I usually do when someone else is driving) on all the rookeries I saw and an idea of how many nests in each. I have done this for a number of years on all the routes I regularly travel in Linconshire - the Al and the B6403 north, the A151 onto the A17 to Sutton Bridge, the A46 to Lincoln the A153 to West Keal and from the A16 to coasts roads to Skegness north to Sutton on Sea. My impression is that over the last four years both the number of rookeries and the numbers of nests in each have increased and that this was more marked this year. Has anyone else made a more scientific study of this in Lincolnshire? (Also KESTRELS. It now seems that I note at least one in each parish I travel through.) WASPS NEST and... Jerry Gunner writes on 14/4/2015: At the moment I'm looking out of the window at a pair of blackcaps foraging in a cherry tree and yew and laurels. I saw the male yesterday about this time (0730L) but didn't note the lady. Through the binocular she's very striking with her chestnut cap and he's a dapper little chap. With my poor eye sight I can only see grey small birds at the 15 yards or so distance. The WD-40 experiment with the bird feeder (spraying the pole so the squirrels can't get a grip) didn't work 100% but it does seem to have reduced their pillaging - back to the drawing board. A really unusual sighting away from home on Sunday at RAF Cranwell. On a ploughed field on the eastern boundary alongside the main road there was a stone curlew feeding. I've never seen one in Lincolnshire before so that pleased me. Earlier that morning, around six, I'd taken the dogs our for an hour or so and the only remarkable thing I noticed were the preponderance of jays. Never a common sighting around the woods at Potterhanworth and Wasps Nest I saw six - two singletons and a separate flight of four at low level over some hedgerows. Our resident mummy mallard was sitting on at least two freshly hatched chicks yesterday. The bad news is that once they're gone I'll have no excuse to not dig the veg patch where she's nested. As I finish this there is now one, (possibly two), goldcrest(s) in the big yew tree. The blackcaps are not in evidence. As well as the resident and very hungry charm of goldfinches the bird feeders are being visited by a lot of chaffinches as usual, and blue tits and great tits. A pair of greenfinches is also on the bushes watching. They are very welcome, we haven't seen many over the winter. A pair of stock doves is feeding on the fallen niger seeds dropped by the finches. Postscript on 14/4 Mrs Mallard and her brood left the nest sometime between eight last night and six this morning - presumably to make the 150-yard walk through the garden down to the beck! *** 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. Correction: Patty Phillips writes Sorry but the Teesdalia nudicaulis record on Wildnews of 12/04/2015: Atterby Carr, Harlam Lock, TF019942, 6 April 2015 is incorrect. I should have waited a bit longer and seen that it would turn into Cardamine hirsute (hairy bittercress). DON'T FORGET Please include the year in your reports in case they are copied and thus lose their context. ANDERBY CREEK 14th April 2015 Dave Miller Buzzard 1 Swallow 5 Peacock 1 Small Tortoiseshell 1 BOSTON (South by A16) 13/04/2015 Roy and Kath Pearson First Willow Warbler of the year singing in the garden. We are also getting up to three Lesser Black-backed Gulls feeding frequently in the garden, together with the occasional Herring Gull. CAISTOR Wendy Handford (WH) Reports from contributors to Caistor records Week beginning 10.4.15 Brigg Road garden TA 113 020 J Foster First flowers 13.4.15 Blackthorn, Herb Robert, White deadnettle, Wild cherry Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 WH Great spotted woodpecker 12.4.14. Not seen for many weeks Stockdove 12.4.14. Not seen for many weeks Treecreeper on Silver birch 13.4.15 Velvet mite 10.4.15. New species on Caistor list First sightings of insects 10.4.15, Peacock butterfly, Red mason bees, Tortoiseshell butterfly, Violet ground beetle 13.4.15, Beefly on Grape hyacinths, Carders bee on Scillas, 2-spot ladybird active on Pulmonarias, Large white? butterfly flying by window First flowers 10.4.15, Common dog violet, Germander speedwell, Ground ivy, Snakeshead fritillary, Water avens, Wild plum, Wood forget-me-not 14.4.15, Bluebell, Danish scurvy grass on verge edge, Wood anemone, introduced last year Chichester Drive garden TA 114 013 B Fraser Woodmice in garage Holton le Moor, TA 095 950 B Fraser Grass snake 10.4.15 Hundon Manor Farm TA 116 024 Sally Robinson Oystercatcher 10.4.15 Swallows 3 arrive, 9.4.15 Yellow wagtail 14.4.15 Normanby Road TA 114 097 Gwen Bain and Gill Lawledge Barnowl using owl box Great spotted woodpecker preparing to nest in old willow Housemartins arrive 13.4.15 Swallows arrive 10.4.15 Spa Top TA 122 017 Linda Mason Ring ouzels 2 feeding on lawn 11.4.15. This is the first time they have been seen at Spa Top and they are a new species on the Caistor Wildlife List Other Roadkills seen on trip to Gainsborough 11.4.15 WH Badger A631 Near Glentham. SK 992 900 Badger A631 near Hemswell. SK 912 905 Badger A1103 near junction with A631. TF 052 911 Hedgehog A46 near Holton le Moor. TF 096 986 CARLTON LE MOORLAND Jeremy Hutchinson 11/4/2015 Carlton le Moorland 490962 358385 Weasel CHAPEL SIX MARSHES 10th April 2015 Dave Miller Cetti's Warbler 2 singing COLEBY Jeremy Hutchinson Coleby 496721 360252 Weasel DEEPING LAKES Deeping Lakes - visit report Date: 10/04/2015 Observer: Ian Gordon Birds: Blackbird Blackcap Black-headed Gull Blue Tit Buzzard Canada Goose Carrion Crow Cetti’s Warbler Chaffinch Chiffchaf Coot Cormorant Dunnock Egyptian Goose Great Crested Grebe Great Tit Green Woodpecker Grey Heron Greylag goose Herring Gull Jackdaw Kestrel Kingfisher Lapwing Lesser Black-backed Gull Little Egret Little Grebe Magpie Mallard Mute Swan Oystercatcher Pheasant Red Kite Reed Bunting Robin Rook Sand Martin Song Thrush Tufted Duck Woodpigeon Butterflies: Comma Peacock Small Tortoiseshell Small White Mammals: Rabbit GRIMSTHORPE Chris Howes - Park Ranger 09/04/15 Quarry Cottage TF045204 First Swallow of the year - a week earlier than last year 10/04/15 Fox Rough TF 033202 - First Cuckoo of the year - heard on same date as last year HEALING R Julier TA212102 Footpath 8th Apr 2015 Comma, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Bombylius major TA214106 Garden 8th Apr 2015 Red-tailed bumblebee, White-tailed bumblebee, Hairy-footed flower bee 3m + 1f on Daphne odora. Tawny mining bee 2m + 2f on redcurrant. 9-10th Apr 2015 Chestnut 3, Common Quaker 3, Early Grey 4, Early Thorn 1m, Hebrew Character 3 HEIGHINGTON FEN Jeremy Hutchinson 10/4/2015 Heighington Fen 507974 371643 First Swallow Marsh Harrier (female) Little Grebe Great Crested Grebes - 2 pairs, one single Heron - several Hares - numerous Buzzard -1 Kestrel - several Lapwings - numerous, many 'tumbling' Long-tailed Tit - 2 pairs, one with partially-built nest. Chiff-chaff Tufted Duck - 2 pairs HUTTOFT BANK PIT 14th April 2015 Dave Miller Marsh Harrier 1 HUTTOFT MARSH 15th April 2015 Dave Miller Blackbird 1 Canada Goose 3 Crow 6 Great tit 2 LBB Gull 1 Magpie 4 Mallard 2 Meadow Pipit 4 Moorhen 1 Pheasant 6 Pied Wagtail 3 Skylark 4 Swallow 2 Woodpigeon 29 Wren 1 Bombus lucorum 1 KIRKBY ON BAIN Clare Brady 14/4/15 Kirkby On Bain AM. x1 Sand Martin flew over the road from gravel pit to another LOUTH Clare Brady 14/4/15 PM. x1 Cuckoo flew over near garden centre Louth. x2 Willow Warblers singing as dusk neared, Stewton Lane Louth. MORKERY WOOD SK956183 Jane ostler 10th April 2015 A visit to see if there were any flowers left on the yellow star of bethlehem or on the toothwort. A listof 24 other plants in flower was made which included early dog, hairy and sweet violets, primroses, cowslips, dog's mercury, moschatel, willow, blackthorn, coltsfoot, whitlow grass, good friday grass, ash and wood anemone. Butterflies - Brimstone, Lesser Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Comma, Small W hite and the first Orange Tips seen this year. Bees - Honey bee, Red-tailed bumble bee, Buff-tailed bumble bee and the mining bee Andrena bicolor on a primrose. There were also a number of bee flies. Birds- Whilst listening to the chiff chaff we saw a bird turning in the air to catch insects. We both thought it could be nothing other than a spotted flycatcher - but too early? (We saw the first swallow on April 6th) RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF309847 (unless otherwise stated) Silvia Fowler 08.04.2015 Red-tailed Bumblebee (first this season) 12.04.2015 Starling x 2 Long-tailed Tits Rabbit Hawthorn coming into leaf 13.04.2015 Small Tortoiseshell (first this year) Forget-me-not in flower, local hedgerow 14.04.2015 Barn Owl hunting over pasture around 7 pm Tawny Mining Bee x 2 15 & 16.04.2015 Frog croaking in pond. Couldn't see it, but the call was repetitive, high-pitched, made me think of a moorhen at first or (as a friend described it, a 'squeaky wheelbarrow'). Do Common Frogs have several calls, or is this the Edible Frog? The Common Frogs' spawn (about 10 clumps) is now disintegrating. Though I hardly saw any adults this year, they were making their familiar low-pitched 'burping' croak for only a couple of days about 2 weeks ago. Can anyone help with ID/clarification? THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 01/04/15 Barn Owl x 1 Goldfinch x 2 Mute swan x 1pr. Tufted Duck x 1 pr. 03/04/15 Goldfinch x 2 Stock Dove x 2 Tree Sparrow x 3 Tufted Duck x 3 pr. 04/04/15 Goldfinch x 2 with nesting material Stock Dove x 2 Common Toad x 5 (11.50pm with lamp) 05/04/15 Barn Owl x 1 calling 1.00am Blackbird x 2 Blue Tit x 2 Chaffinch x 1 Chiffchaff x 1 Fieldfare x 37 Goldfinch x 3 Kestrel x 2 Lapwing x 4 Mute Swan x 2 Pied Wagtail x 2 Robin x 1 Skylark x 2 Stock Dove x 2 Tree Sparrow x 3 Tufted Duck x 2pr. Wood Pigeon x 4 Yellowhammer x 1 Brimstone x 1 SK804999 06/04/15 Brimstone x 1 SK814993 07/04/15 Blackbird x 3 Chiffchaff x 1 Coot x 1 Dunnock x 1 Fieldfare x 3 Goldfinch x 2 Kestrel x 1 Linnet x 2 Mallard x 2 Mute Swan x 2 Robin x 1 with nesting material Skylark x 2 Stock Dove x 2 Tawny Owl x 1 calling 11.50pm Tree Sparrow x 5 Wood Pigeon x 4 Wren x 1 Yellowhammer x 1 Common Toad x 2 Peacock x 2 08/04/15 Swallow x 1 SK814993 09/04/15 Barn Owl x 1 Brown Hare x 1 SE800011 10/04/15 Common Buzzard x 1 Kestrel x 1 Roe Deer x 1 buck SK787976 THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 10/04/15 Common Buzzard x 1 Kestrel x 1 Roe Deer x 1 buck SK787976 Brimstone x 1 SE804002 11 - 13 /04/15 Barn Owl x 1 daytime hunting 14/04/15 Barn Owl x 1 11.45pm Coot x 2 Tawny Owl x 1 calling 11.50pm Mute Swan x 2 Peacock x 3 15/04/15 Blackbird nest, 3 eggs Common Buzzard x 3 Goldfinch x 2 Yellowhammer x 1 16/04/15 Chiffchaff x 2 Kestrel x 1 around pole nest box Robin nest built in old Blackbird nest, 5 eggs TORTOISESHELL WOOD SK963199 Jane Ostler 2nd April 2015 To see the wood anemones which are forming a carpet of flowers. Also in flowerwere ground ivy , lesser celandine, dog's mercury, primrose, early dog violet, ash. An area where protection against deer has meant that coppicing has been successful has developed an ancient woodland flora which includes herb paris and where the leaves of pignut early purple orchid and the first flower buds on the wild garlic have appeared. A blackthorn bush in flower on the southern margin, but most bushes still in buid. Some hawthorn and some hazel coming into leaf. A single cowslip in flower in the adjacent Porter's Lodge field. Chaffinches, blackbirds, robins , dunnock in full song. Good to hear a song thrush and a greater spotted woodpecker was drumming but we didn't hear the nuthatch. A pair of toads in the pond. WAINFLEET CONSERVATION PONDS 12/04/2015 Roy & Kath Pearson 18 species were present today, but in small numbers:- Blue Tit 1, Canada Goose 2, Carrion Crow 2, Coot 1, Feral Pigeon 3, Greenfinch 1, Greylag Goose 8, Kestrel 1, Mallard 4, Moorhen 1, Pheasant 4, Pied Wagtail 2, Reed Bunting 2, Rook 3, Stock Dove 2, Tufted Duck 4, Wood pigeon 3 and Wren 1. WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 10/4/2015 1 swallow [still] on wires by gate - 9am. Bee Fly working Forget-me-nots. Second swallow arrived 7.10pm - the reception can only be described as rejoicing! 14/4 Yellow Wagtail on lawn. 10+ Goldfinch flock. 2m-2f Yellowhammers 2-4 Greenfinches 2 Stock dover under feeders 2 Reed buntings under feeders 10+ Tree Sparrows 8+ House sparrows m + f Jackdaw Orangev Tip Butterfly 15/4 Yellow and Pied Wagtails on lawn Orange Tip m butterfly, possibly 2. Canada Farm apiary TF224538 14/4/2015 R.Parsons Queen White-tailed bumblebee, Bombus lucorum. investigating hives. Aintree Cottage - in Kitchen TF216534 Ground Beetle Loricera pilicornis Roger Parsons 14/4/2015 Photo taken. See: http://www.naturespot.org.uk/species/loricera-pilicornis Charlie Barnes identified it and writes: Loricera pilicornis. This species is easy to tell, with experience, just by the way it 'stands'! Otherwise the very obvious bristles on the antennae give it away (hence pilicornis - hairy horns). A common ground beetle, but not one that ventures inside that often. It feeds on things like mites and springtails and you can usually find it under stones and rotten wood. WOLLA BANK PIT 13th April Dave Miller & Steve Birchall Cetti's Warbler 1 Cuckoo 2 Marsh Harrier 1 WRANGLE COMMON 12/04/2015 Roy and Kath Pearson 29 species were counted today. Of interest were Redshank 1, Blackcap 1, Curlew 22, Lapwing 2, Little Egret 1, Skylark 4, Teal 4, Song Thrush 2 and Tufted Duck 2. Blackbirds have fallen considerably over recent weeks with only four recorded, whilst the huge finch flocks are no more with a single Chaffinch being the only record. Large numbers of Rooks (100) and Jackdaws (70) were counted feeding on the fields. It was too windy to find many butterflies, but a sheltered copse yielded two Speckled Woods and a single Green-veined White. Five Roe Deer were recorded and a single Muntjac. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE NNR. NNR Week ending 10th - 16th April 2015 Contributors: Nigel Lound, Peter Roworth, Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison It's been another dry week with just 3.5mm of rainfall. At the weekend temperatures ranged from 2°C to 19.75°C with a ground frost of -2.5°C (air -0.5°C ) on 13th. Friday 10th was the first day of major arrivals, spurred on no doubt by the southerly winds and warm conditions with clear skies. Firecrest, yellow wagtail and the first 2 wheatears of the year were sighted at Crook Bank along with 3 more at Brickyard. Other sightings on the reserve included marsh harrier, siskin, shoveler 2, bittern, great white egret, whimbrel 2, snipe 15, jack snipe 1, kingfisher 2 - flew from Rimac Bridge through the car park towards the dunes, both calling loudly, chiffchaff 8, blackcap 1, bullfinch 2, water rail 1, peregrine 1, willow warbler 3, sedge warbler 1, fieldfare 1, and little owl On Saturday 11th a swallow was seen to the south of the NNR along with 3 blackcaps. Willow warbler still present and singing. Sunday 12th saw more willow warblers in and taking up territory straight away. The afternoon was terrible with gale force WNW winds and horizontal rain. Tuesday 14th brought further SW winds and early ground frost, but soon warming. Further migrants in with the first cuckoo at Crook Bank, yellow wagtail, 2 swallows and more willow warblers. Notable numbers of linnets, 70+, in small flocks 4s-6s+ which will no doubt disperse into pairs for breeding in the next few days. Single natterjack heard calling on Tuesday evening. Wednesday 15th was bright and clear with a cold start. Out at the tide edge, meadow pipits and linnets could be continuously heard flying over north. 2 yellow wagtails, wheatear and cuckoo at Crook Bank. First whitethroats in and on territory. Also seen were sedge warbler 3, grasshopper warbler 2, cuckoo, fieldfare 8, hobby, brambling, swallow, common sandpiper and whimbrel. Thursday 16th's sightings included greylag geese 14, shoveler 10, grey heron 2, coot 7 (1 on nest). In the ponds there were at least 390 clumps of frogspawn, some of which had hatched to tadpoles. Butterflies seen this week were peacock, small tortoiseshell, brimstone and green veined white. With temperatures reaching 19.75°C on 14th and 18.5°C on 15th the number of butterflies on the wing have increased this week. Plants: field mouse ear, red dead nettle, field woodrush, cowslip, ground ivy, cowslip, ash and willows all coming into flower with common hawthorn, sea buckthorn, blackthorn and elder all breaking bud. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. News from Far Ings NNR ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Far Ings News W/E 17.04.15 Birds: barn owl blackbird 10 blackcap 5 black headed gull 22 blue tit 12 bullfinch canada goose 8 carrion crow 4 cetti's warbler 6 chaffinch 12 chiffchaff 13 common buzzard 2 common gull 10 coot 40 cormorant 4 curlew 2 dunnock 6 gadwall 2 goldeneye goldfinch 6 GBB gull GS woodpecker 2 great tit 8 greenfinch 2 grey heron greylag goose 10 herring gull 2 house martin 22 house sparrow 10 jackdaw 5 kestrel kingfisher 2 LBB gull lesser whitethroat linnet 24 little egret long tailed tit 2 magpie 12 mallard 6 marsh harrier 4 moorhen 7 mute swan 4 oystercatcher 5 pochard 4 redshank 2 reed bunting 8 ringed plover 2 robin 10 sand martin 100+ sedge warbler shelduck 12 shoveler 2 snipe 3 song thrush sparrowhawk starling 6 swallow 50+ teal 2 tree sparrow 2 tufted duck 12 water rail 10+ wheatear whitethroat 6 willow warbler 4 wood pigeon 6 wren 12 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 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 about the Limewoods 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 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) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 websites to help find grid references. grab a Grid Reference http://www.bnhs.co.uk/focuson/grabagridref/html/index.htm UK Grid Reference Finder: http://www.gridreferencefinder.com/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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, common species are just as important as rarer species, so please give it a go. Please contact Dr Angela Julian ARGUK with any specific questions. angela.digges@clara.co.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 *** 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 Bees *** 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 *** 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 *** 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/contacts *** 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/ *** Lincolnshire Environmental Awards *** http://www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk/ *** The Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes Project (LCGMP) *** http://www.lincsmarshes.org.uk/ 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 http://www.lincswolds.org.uk *** Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project *** Project Officer: Ruth Craig http://www.lincswolds.org.uk/chalk-streams/volunteering or contact the project officer ruth.craig@lincolnshire.gov.uk *** The South Lincolnshire Fenlands Partnership *** http://www.lincsfenlands.org.uk/ Contact: slincsfens@lincstrust.co.uk Amanda Jenkins - South Lincolnshire Fenlands Project Officer RSPB Websites: 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 Lincsbirders - Lincolnshire's Alternative Birding Group http://www.lincsbirders.org/ Lincolnshire Limewoods Project Bardney Limewoods NNR http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/Limewoods/ limewoods@lincolnshire.gov.uk 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! sarah.lambert7@ntlworld.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 some 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 Recorders at Lincolnshire Environmental Records Centre [GNLP] , 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 sometimes withhold precise details 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. Please respect the interests of wildlife and site owners if you report on national networks. 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 *** A test copy of past Bulletins will be found on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Latest Mailfails - see notes above. Rob.purle - hard bounce - Recipient address rejected: User unknown in virtual mailbox table lisa.blezzard - soft bounce - recipient's mailbox is full and can't accept messages Jellis - soft bounce - delivery failed; will not continue trying mwalker - soft bounce - delivery failed; will not continue trying *** And finally...... Contributions to "And finally......" are always welcome. Charles Darwin the tortoise opens University of Lincoln science lab http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-32306558 Woodhall Spa redevelopment: First stage of plans revealed http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-32247506 Stolen RAF Wickenby WW2 memorial plaques returned http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-32297540 'Lost' sea turtles don't just go with the flow http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-32237231 Warmer seas 'will change British diet' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-32286800 Amazing macro images of spider camouflage and mimicry http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20150403-camouflage-mimicry-in-spiders Hunters win Malta bird referendum on shooting ban http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-32274233 Panorama from top of Eiffel Tower http://www.gillesvidal.com/blogpano/paris.htm ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/