============================================= || || 2nd August 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.... *** The 'Orchid Spotters' project is already providing useful data: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-33652194 You can photograph orchids anywhere in the UK between now and September and upload your images to the website: http://www.orchidobservers.org The Perseid Meteor Shower, 17th-24th Aug, peaks on 13th. Cloud permitting, should be good. For meteor links to details please scroll down my "Cosmic Events" webpage: http://www.rogerparsons.info/cosmic.html Horncastle Astronomy Weekend this year is 11-13 Sept and is based at Twin Lakes Conference Centre, Shearman's Wath, Horncastle. Further details on Paul Money's website: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/HAW/haw.html Shearman's Wath is Lincolnshire's answer to Stonehenge, but with nothing much remaining! http://www.stone-circles.org.uk/stone/shearmanswath.htm Get ready for the Great British Beach Clean - 18th - 21st September 2015 http://www.mcsuk.org/beachwatch/greatbritishbeachclean Thank you for your contributions - always appreciated. Please keep them coming. Every bit of information helps to make the bulletin more interesting and useful. If you know someone who might find the LNU Bulletin useful, please send them this link and suggest they sign up for it: http://www.lnu.org/wildnews.php Don't forget to have a look at: 12. ...and finally..... Lots of good links this week! Thanks for the suggestions. Roger *** LNU Events - full list in section 11 below - guests 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. Saturday, August 8, 2015 [Changed from 15th August.] 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 *** Barton Area Group of the LWT *** Adrian writes: Friday 7th August Moth and Bat night at Ness Farm, Far Ings Road 8pm 'til late Warm clothes and stout shoes or boots recommended Moth lights and Bat Detectors will be available. Contact: Adrian White (01724 732152) for details. All welcome to attend Saturday 15th August Visit to Elsham Quarry A half-day walk around this plant and butterfly-rich area. Meet at Ness Farm, Far Ings Road for 9am start. Contact: Adrian White (01724 732152) for details. Everybody welcome. *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** Carolyn Lovely writes: On Saturday 8th August 2015 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them on a morning walk from Laceby village to Laceby Acres along the River Freshney led by Mick Binnion. Meet in the Market Place at 10.30am. Please wear suitable outdoor clothing and footwear. This a free event but donations will be welcomed for the Trust. For full details and to book a place phone Jennie Redpath 01472 502858. *** Identifying Hawkers *** Nick Tribe writes: Common hawker Aeshna juncea is a species of dragonfly with a very restricted distribution is Lincolnshire these days. It is a peat- land breeder and is usually encountered on the acid bogs of North Lincolnshire. Can I ask contributors to double-check their identifications of hawker dragonflies (never easy!)? Southern hawker, migrant hawker and brown hawker can turn up anywhere in Lincolnshire. The latter is usually straightforward to identify as the wings have an obvious brown hue but the other two are trickier. Some identification tips are available here: http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/content/anisoptera-dragonflies Thanks Nick Tribe Joint odondata recorder *** Caring for God's Acre *** Sue Cooper writes: The Beautful Burial Ground Conference Monday 7th Sept, 10am to 4.30pm at St John the Baptist Church, High Toynton, Lincs Simple ways to create a haven for wildlife, for heritage and for people. Hear from specialists in the natural and historic environment, attend workshops of your choice, meet organisations who can help, claim a reduced price Burial Ground Action pack. Cost £15 to include lunch and refreshments To book contact Caring for God's Acre tel: 01588 673041, e-mail: info@cfga.org.uk www.caringforgodsacre.org.uk *** Reminder - Ray Halstead - Recorder - Fungi *** Request: No records or queries for now, please. *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Events 2015 *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/whats-on *** Coastal Events with the LWT *** Dave Miller writes 1st & 2nd August I will be running sea watches at Skegness Pier and at the Round-and-Round hide at Anderby Creek. These will run from 10 - 4 both days with the hope of spotting harbour porpoise as part of this national survey in association with Sea Watch Foundation. You are more than welcome to drop in and see how we have done or help with more formal volunteering. *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch *** Note their new website: http://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.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. *** Find the Grid Reference - always useful *** 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/ [Don't forget to scroll down to "And finally ....."] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ 24/9 Great White Egret, 4 Spoonbills, Alkborough Flats 8 Spoonbills on Jackson's Marsh, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, Arctic Tern, at Tennyson's Sands, Little Stint, 4 Turtle Doves, ad Little Gull, 250+ Little terns, 3,500 Sandwich Terns, Gibraltar Point Great White Egret, Messingman Sand Quarry 3 Curlew Sandpipers, 4 Spotted Redshanks, 2 Short-eared Owls, Frampton Marsh Honey Buzzard flew over A158 1mile NH of Horncastle Wood Sandpiper, Manby Flashes Wood Sandpiper flew south from Teal Lake, 3 Turnstone, Whisby Nature Park Osprey on post at Pye's Hall. Donna Nook 25/7 Great White Egret, 4 Spoonbills, 2 Spotted Redshanks, 800 Avocets, Alkborough Flats 5 Short-eared Owls, Frampton Marsh 14 Spoonbills, Little Stint, 2 Turtle Doves, Short-eared Owl, 2,000 Sandwich Terns, Gibraltar Point 26/7 Montagu's Harrier, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Little Stint, Gibraltar Point 8 Spoonbills flew towards The Wash from Gibraltar Point 2 Curlew Sandpipers flew south past Donna Nook 27/7 13 Spoonbills on Jackson's Marsh, Spoonbill on Tennyson's Sands, Gibraltar Point 5 Spoonbills, Spotted Redshank, Alkborough Flats Little Gull on Paradise Pool, Rimac Short-eared Owl, Donna Nook 28/7 4-7 5 Spoonbills, Alkborough Flats 3 Short-eared Owls on South Marsh, Frampton Marsh Little Gull on Paradise Pool then flew west, Rimac 13 Spoonbills on Jackson's Marsh, Gibraltar Point 29/7 1-3 Turtle Dove, Woodhall Spa 13 Spoonbills, Gibraltar Point 30/7 3 Turtle doves, 14 Spoonbills on Jackson's Marsh, Spotted Redshank, Gibraltar Point 2 Spoonbills on South Scrape, Short-eared Owl over saltmarsh, Frampton Marsh 4 Spoonbills, Alkborough Flats 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. ROAD KILLS: Peter Morrell's list: SCUNTHORPE SE 9532 0630 Peter Morrell 18.07.15 Hedgehog road kill on M180. HEMSWELL SK 9373 9013 Peter Morrell 20.07.15 Hedgehog road kill on the B1398. SCAMPTON SK 9735 7817 Peter Morrell 20.07.15 Hedgehog road kill on A15. WEST RASEN TF 0647 89192 Peter Morrell 21.07.15 Hedgehog road kill on A631. CORRINGHAM SK 8847 9077 Peter Morrell 28.07.15 Badger road kill on A631. COLSTERWORTH SK 9354 2437 Peter Morrell 28.07.15 Badger road kill on A1. SCUNTHORPE SK 9067 0890 Peter Morrell 29.07.15 Hedgehog road kill on Queensway. MESSINGHAM SE 8818 0440 Peter Morrell 29.7.15 Hedgehog road kill on North Moor Road. LINCOLN SK 9863 7291 SK 9879 7270 Peter Morrell 29.07.15 Hedgehog road kills on Ruskin Avenue. WILLOUGHTON SK 9322 9305 SK 9879 9296 Peter Morrell 30.07.15 Hedgehog road kills on Hollowgate Hill and Gainsborough Road. Peter Morrell adds I noticed a buzzard feeding on the dead hedgehog on Gainsborough Road. I rarely see buzzards feeding on road kill, maybe because the road was quiet, it took the opportunity. It isn't often that I see anything feeding on hedgehogs either. TATTERSHALL THORPE 30/7/2015 at 8.26am R. Parsons Hedgehog roadkill near Bell Bell pub. TF 218595 approx. also note a Caistor record below. *** 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. CAISTOR Reports from contributors to Caistor records Week beginning 24.7.15 Wendy Handford Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 Badger digging at base of conifer 1am 21 and 26.7.15. Trailcam Foxes, adult and cub most nights. Trailcam Sparrowhawk catches and plucks Woodpigeon in mixed woodland 24.7.15 Swallows 2 feeding over lawn 28 to 30.7.15 Wrens 2 fledge 26.7.15 Brimstone f 27.7.15 Comma on nettle. First 2015 sighting. 23.7.15 Fairy rings 4 on lawn 27.7.15 A46 Caistor top TA 128 016 Hedgehog roadkill 24.7.15 Sandtoft Trolleybus Museum SE 748 081 7-spot ladybird 26.7.15. Worth mentioning as so few seen anywhere locally Peter Robinson Hundon Manor Farm ponds TA 112 026 Mute swans 2 adults with 5 cygnets. This is the first time in 12 years that the swans have raised young: usually foxes take the eggs or young cygnets. HUTTOFT Jane Pennington Huttoft TF512763 (my garden) Date 23/7/2015 Comma butterfly 1 Date 24/7/2015 Collared dove Date 26/7/2015 Dunnock 1 Robins 4 (2 fledglings and parents - second brood) 29/7/2015 Blackbirds 3 Collared dove 1 Dunnock 1 Wrens 3 (2 fledglings and parent) 30/7/2015 Dunnock 1 Robins 4 (2 fledglings and parents) LINCOLN SK972738 W/E 25/07/2015 Jayne Knight 20/07/15 Assisted large female Red-tailed Bumblebee outside from the kitchen window. Later noted 3 smaller specimens of the same breed feeding on the white clover growing in back lawn. 21/07/15 Heard gulls calling like you hear at the seaside so assuming Herring Gulls. There were four circling in a thermal and drifting slowly to the east. 23/07/15 Preparing to clean bathroom floor noticed a Common Centipede navigating across from bath to skirting board. Took it outside to a much safer habitat! LINCOLN SK972738 W/E 01/08/2015 Jayne Knight 29/07/15 Was very pleased to see that, after a good number of years, the House Sparrows were forming a crèche on top of the west facing shed roof again. There were only 4 fledglings in situ, but they remain there, basking in the sun, while the parents go off foraging. Security is provided by the dense honeysuckle trailing over part of the roof and the ad- joining fence, handy for when the local Sparrowhawk does a fly-by, and a helpful human is also around to shoo off predatory cats. In the past this roof has supported sometimes over a dozen youngsters, from fresh out the nest babies, to the more independent who by accessing the guttering enjoyed seeking out insects hiding under the tar felt. RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF309847 (unless otherwise stated) Silvia Fowler 18.07.2015 Rosebay Willowherb and Meadowsweet in flower House Martins x 12-15 Swallow x 3 Collared Dove fledgling Song Thrush in song 18.07.2015 TF313843 Common Centaury, Rosebay Willowherb nearby Gatekeeper butterflies x 5 18.07.2015 TF314842 Peacock butterfly caterpillar, fully grown, traversing road 19.07.2015 Tawny Owl seen on power line near the only remaining active house martin nest 20.07.2015 Wren, juv. Grey Partridge x 2 21.07.2015 Collared Dove fledglings x 2 Blackbird fledgling, recently fledged Toad (tiny, about 1cm body length) Blue-tailed Damselfly 22.07.2015 Green Woodpecker 23.07.2015 Hoverflies in great numbers on honeysuckle. Red-tailed Bumblebee male 'piggy-backing' queen while she continued bumbling around in short grass, feeding on Selfheal. I understand that in this species copulation can take several hours; see this very informative link: http://abugblog.blogspot.co.uk/2010/08/mating-red-tailed-bumblebees.html Southern Hawker dragonfly (f) freshly emerged; also numerous exuvia found around the pond recently, as well as pairs of wings of those that made a meal for another creature. 24.07.2015 Southern Hawker still in same place, apparently sheltering from the rain and cold weather; seems very vulnerable at this stage. 25.07.2015 A second Southern Hawker emerges over a 3-4 hour period (photos) on a wooden post in pond; next day found sheltering on same plant as the earlier dragonfly. 27.07.2015 Both dragonflies still sheltering in same spot in unseasonably cool and damp weather, but both gone on 28th in spite of the weather. Common Toad. Toads seem very plentiful this year; I've seen more toads than frogs in the last 2-3 months; usually it’s the other way round. 28.07.2015 Starling x 2 juv. 29.07.2015 Azure Damselfly rescued from pond surface Young House Martins now visible at nest entrance, hopefully to fledge soon if the weather improves. THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 17/07/15 Kestrel x 4 juvs Brown Hare x 1 (Clare Holmes) Comma x 1 Meadow Brown x 15 Ringlet x 12 Small Skipper x 1 Small White x 1 Grey Pug x 1 Wormwood Pug x 1 Blue-tailed Damselfly x 3 18/07/15 Little Owl x 2 Meadow Brown x 15 Ringlet x 22 Small Tortoiseshell x 5 Small White x 2 Small Magpie x 1 Smoky Wainscot x 2 Snout x 1 Swallow-tailed Moth x 1 Yellow Shell x 2 20/07/15 Common Pipistrelle x 2 Agapeta hamana x 1 Brimstone Moth x 1 Dark Arches x 1 Plain Wave x 1 Snout x 3 White Plume Moth x 1 Yellow Shell x 1 21/07/15 Common Pipistrelle x 2 Common Carpet x 1 Crambus perlella x 1 Small Magpie x 1 Smoky Wainscot x 1 Snout x 1 Yellow Shell x 1 22/07/15 Common Toad x 1 Toadlet (Clare Holmes) Gatekeeper x 1 Brimstone Moth x 1 Buff Ermine x 1 male Swallow-tailed Moth x 1 23/07/15 Pied Wagtail x 1 adult + 2 fledged young Common Pipistrelle x 2 Common Footman x 2 Dingy Footman x 1 Light Arches x 1 Single-dotted Wave x 3 Smoky wainscot x 1 24/07/15 Blackbird x 3 fledged young Common Buzzard x 1 Goldfinch x 4 Robin x 4 fledged young Stock Dove x 1 on nest Tree sparrow x 1 Wood Pigeon x 4 Wren x 1 Small Tortoiseshell x 1 Large Yellow Underwing x 1 25/07/15 Nest Boxes; Box 10 Tree Sparrow 5 young rung Box 12 Stock Dove 2 young Box 14 Tree Sparrow 4 eggs Blackbird x 1pr. + 3 fledged young Black headed Gull x 4 Blue Tit x 1 Goldfinch x 5 Kestrel x 1 Oystercatcher x 2 Robin x 1 adult + 3 fledged young Sparrowhawk x 1 male Starling x 15 Whitethroat x 3 fledged young Wren x 1 Gatekeeper x 9 Green Veined white x 4 Large Skipper x 8 Large White x 2 Meadow Brown x 23 Ringlet x 12 Small Skipper x 2 Small Tortoiseshell x 1 Small White x 1 Buff Ermine x 1 male Garden Tiger x 1` 26/07/15 Small White x 1 Dusky Sallow x 1 Mother of Pearl x 1 Snout x 1 27/07/15 Blackbird x 4 males, 2 females + 12 fledged young Grey Partridge x 5 Tree Sparrows x 37 + 4 Whitethroat feeding on Hogweed seeds 28/07/15 Endotricha flammealis x 1 Mouse Moth x 1 29/07/15 Little Owl x 2 Common Pipistrelle x 2 SK792982 Soprano Pipistrelle x 1 SK792982 Bee Moth x 2 Buff Ermine x 1 male Clay x 1 Endotricha flammealis x 2 Epagoge grotiana x 1 Mother o Pearl x 1 Plain Wave x 1 30/07/15 Stock Dove nest predated TWYFORD WOODS SK 9423 ? Airfield Jason Proctor 23/7/2015 Purple Emperor butterfly - male [Photo taken] WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 25/7/2015 Harvesting our cherries today we noted several Harlequin Ladybirds, Harlequin ladybirds 8+ (H. axyridis) variety: succinea 26/7 10+ brown hares in area. 27/7 Marsh Harrier m TF2254 hunting in fen. 29/7 2 Marsh Harriers doing display over TF2254. 4 Peacock butterflies, freshly emerged. Holly Blue. Swallows sitting on 4 eggs. 30/7 Buzzards calling at TF 2253 and Buzzard carrying prey at TF235530. Honeybees noted fetching a brick-orange pollen and evicting drones - the usual pre-winter chuck out. WOODHALL SPA R.Parsons 30/7/2015 at 4.30pm. Buzzard calling high over TF2063. WRANGLE COMMON 28/07/2015 Roy and Kath Pearson A bird and butterfly count today was only moderately successful owing to inclement weather. Despite 26mm of rain since Friday, the shallower watercourses on the wet grassland were dry and no waders were encountered, though eighteen Mallard were on the pits and fourteen Canada Geese moved between the pits and the arable land. Most birds have now stopped singing, an exception being Yellowhammer with three singing males present. Raptors were singles of Sparrowhawk and Buzzard and two Kestrels. The Buzzard was being attacked quite persistently by a Carrion Crow. Four Reed Warblers were the only summer visitors present, though five Swifts were later seen flying over at height. Butterflies were:- Small Skipper (1), Large White (9), Small White (5), Red Admiral (6), Peacock (2), Speckled Wood (2), Gatekeeper (20), Meadow Brown (21) and Ringlet (4). Several dragonflies were about and four Common Darters, one Ruddy Darter and one Southern Hawker were identified. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 Pending. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GIBRALTAR POINT NNR. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Gibraltar Point News. Reports always welcome. It would be great if a Gib "regular" could let us have a contribution from time to time. See: Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog. http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE DUNES NNR. http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/38015?category=59026 and DONNA NOOK ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE NNR. Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR Report Week ending 29 July 2015 Cliff Morrison, John Walker & Rob Lidstone-Scott 87mm of rainfall recorded this month - this has raised water levels on the Freshwater Marsh from a low of 8cm mid-month to 24cm on 29th. Birds 2 light-phase Arctic skuas chasing Sandwich terns, which numbered around 200 birds along whole beach, common and little terns also moving through. Adult peregrine on beach putting up both terns and 350+ herring gulls, mainly immature birds, which are now collecting on the beach. 360+ curlew roosting on outer marsh towards Saltfleet Haven, which is almost the full wintering population now, which is interesting. There were 24 whimbrel on the upper salt marsh. Very few other waders, with 1 green sandpiper, 25 oystercatchers, 9 sanderling and 1 dunlin. 3 kestrels hunting over upper marsh, 2 immature marsh harriers, an adult male marsh harrier and a short-eared owl. There have been several short-eared owls noted along east coast, so presumably a bad breeding season in Scandinavia, which would tie in with the early wader passage, which began a couple of weeks early this year. The other bird of note out on the marsh was an immature Mediterranean gull. 26 common scoter on the sea, which seems to be the same group that has been around for 3 weeks now, so lower numbers than previous years. Only the odd blackcap singing in the bushes now, other than 3 turtle doves between Churchill and Crook Bank. Warblers are in small feeding parties with the tit species. Insects With the heavy rain showers this week, very few insects of note observed. Flora Flowers coming to or at peak now include, carline and marsh thistle, common and lesser centaury , sea lavender, fairy flax, greater water parsnip, vipers bugloss, knapweed, meadowsweet and ragwort. Common Valerian seems to have spread well in the Freshwater Marsh this year, but is going over now. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. News from Far Ings NNR ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Far Ings News 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/ *** National Rural Crime Network *** Call for case studies as new website to tackle rural crime is launched. http://www.lincs.police.uk/Advice/Wildlife-and-Rural-Crime/National-Rural-Crime-Network.html See: http://www.nationalruralcrimenetwork.net/ 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/ *** Good sources of seeds of Bee-friendly Wild Flowers *** Mark Schofield writes: Always consider the provenance and sustainable sourcing of seed. Plantlife and Flora locale have defined protocols that can guide the conservation-minded shopper. Bee-friendly gardeners should refer to their A-Z suppliers list which can be found here: www.floralocale.org/Alphabetical+supplier+listing Advice: www.wildlifetrusts.org/Bees-needs/growmore bumblebeeconservation.org/get-involved/managing-your-land/wildflower-seed/ *** 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) *** The Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes project 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 local webpages *** 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://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.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. Saturday, August 8, 2015 [Changed from 15th August.] 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. Parking arrangements still to be finalised. 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 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 text copy of past Bulletins will be found on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Latest Mailfails. redpoll dircon - soft bounce - delivery failed; will not continue trying bumptydiddle - recipient is not accepting e-mail that contains specific words or phrases. Contact Editor for more information about this. *** And finally...... Contributions to "And finally......" are always welcome. Overdue recognition: owl issued library card after solving university's gull woes http://www.theguardian.com/education/2015/jul/29/overdue-recognition-owl-issued-library-card-after-solving-universitys-gull-woes Skegness mascot Jolly Fisherman 'should be replaced by fish' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-33694248 Lincolnshire County Council wins second library court battle http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-33622882 Nocton Fen wind farm plan scrapped over 'risk' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-33722044 Purple Emperor: The butterfly that feeds on rotting flesh http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-33596341 Rare wildcats out and about in Scottish wildlife park http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-33632415 Chasing Britain's most threatened duck http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-33642390 Iberian lynx returns to Spain from verge of extinction http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-33648602 Ban lifted on controversial 'neonic' pesticide http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-33641646 Growing threat to England's curlews from climate change http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-33612294 Goalmouth bee swarm halts kick-off at Oldham Athletic http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-33668046 Dog Dives off Cliff in Malta https://uk.screen.yahoo.com/editor-picks/dog-dives-off-cliff-malta-034834414.html?vp=1 ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/