============================================= || || 9th 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.... *** I enjoyed joining in the Seawatch this week, but did not manage to spot anything other than the occasional seal. Please send in reports of anything interesting, See: Seals, turtles and other marine mammals http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/species-explorer/seals%2c-turtles-and-other-marine-mammals The full "Blue Moon" has made it a week of "Lincolnshire Shining Nights". You can help the Police to counter wildlife and rural crime. Visit: http://www.lincs.police.uk/Advice/Wildlife-and-Rural-Crime/ If you are not yet a member of Farm and Country Business Watch, you might find it a useful source of information: http://www.lincs.police.uk/Services/Watch-Schemes/Farm-and-Country-Business-Watch.html Heads up for The Perseid Meteor Shower, 17th-24th Aug, peaks on 13th. Cloud permitting, it should be good. 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 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..... Thanks for the suggestions for the links. 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 *** RSB Poll to find UK's favourite insect: *** http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-33750628 Link to the poll: http://www.rsb.org.uk/news/14-news/1314-rsb-launches-poll-to-find-the-uk-s-favourite-insect *** Barton Area Group of the LWT *** 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. *** Organic Gardening at Whisby *** Richard Davidson writes: Sunday 9th August. Whisby Nature Park. 10am to 12 noon. Lincs Organic Gardeners Organisation (LOGO) is running a workshop on organic gardening. We will cover all the basics of soil building, compost making, crop rotation, companion planting. You’ll have the Garden Organic publications ‘Organic gardening Guidelines’ and ‘Veg Grower Planner’ plus lots of fact sheets to take home and help with your own garden/ allotment. Please book with Whisby 01522 688868 *** Apple Days 2015 *** Searching the web I have found that much Apple Day information is out of date and relates to 2014 or earlier. If you have news of this year's Apple Days in Lincolnshire, please send in details. Useful links: A Brief History of Isaac Newton's Apple Tree https://www.york.ac.uk/physics/about/newtonsappletree/ Orchards, Trees & Orchard Produce http://www.englandinparticular.info/orchards/o-lincs-i.html Fruit Tree Orchards and Community Growers Lincolnshire http://local.greenfootsteps.com/Fruit_Tree_Orchards_and_Community_Growers_Lincolnshire-r1327142-Lincolnshire_EC.html East of England Apples and Orchards Project http://www.applesandorchards.org.uk/ Brogdale Collections - The National Fruit Collection http://www.brogdalecollections.org/ Bramley Apple Festival 2015 Celebrate the UK’s favourite cooking apple in its hometown of Southwell. http://www.experiencenottinghamshire.com/whats-on/bramley-apple-festival-2015-p474161 *** 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 hyyp://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 *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch *** 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/ 30/7 3 Turtle Doves, 14 Spoonbills on Jackson's Marsh, Spotted Redshank, Hen Harrier, Gibraltar Point 2 Spoonbills on South Scrape, Short-eared Owl over saltmarsh, Frampton Marsh 4 Spoonbills, Alkborough Flats 31/7 4 Spoonbills, Alkborough Flats Bittern, Boultham Mere 10 Crossbills on Tennyson's Sands, , 10 Spoonbills, on Jackson's Marsh, Montagu's Harrier ringtail, Gibraltar Point 1/8 16 Spoonbills, on Jackson's Marsh, 2 Spotted Redshanks, 2 Turtle Doves, 2 Short-eared Owls, 2 Bee Eaters, Montagu's Harrier Gibraltar Point 3 Short-eared Owls, Montagu's Harrier, Frampton Marsh 7 Spoonbills, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Alkborough Flat 2/8 Wood Sandpiper, Manby Flashes 5 Spoonbills, 3 Little Stints, Curlew Sandpiper, Frampton Marsh Osprey, Pye's Hall, Short-eared Owl, 2 Turtle Doves in dunes, Donna Nook 3 Short-eared Owls, Frampton Marsh Short-eared Owl, Whisby Nature Park 3/8 Black Stork west of Tetney Lock 6 Curlew Sandpipers and Little Stint on lagoon, Freiston Shore 3 Short-eared Owls, Frampton Marsh Black Stork over Alkborough village viewable from Singleton hide, Blacktoft Sands 5 Spoonbills at Alkborough Flats 2 Spoonbills flew west past Cleethorpes Coast into River Humber 8 Spoonbills on Jackson's Marsh, Gibraltar Point Osprey, 2 Short-eared Owls, Horseshoe Point, North Cotes 4/9 Osprey, Donna Nook Osprey north of Horseshoe Point, 2 Short-eared Owls, North Cotes Bee Eater, 5 Spoonbills, ad Little Gull, Spotted Redshank, Alkborough Flats 14 Spoonbills on Jackson's Marsh, Montagu's Harrier, Curlew Sandpiper on Tennyson's Sands, Spotted Redshank, Gibraltar Point Black Stork, Donna Nook, flew south over Stonebridge car park 10am Black Stork, Theddlethorps St Helen drifted SE over Church Lane 11.05am Black Stork, Rimac, flew south over saltmarsh 11.05am Black Stork SW of north Somercotes flew south over Conisholme 11.51am Black Stork south over Read's Island at 3.30pm and then flew over South Ferriby and drifted inland 5/9 4-11 Osprey, Donna Nook 5 Spoonbills, Little gill, Spotted Redshank, Alkborough flats Wood Sandpiper, 104 Black-tailed Godwits, Manby Flashes Quail male singing in barley field NE of Middlegate Lane junction, Saxby All Saints Black Stork circled low over plantation at 10.15am, Gibraltar Point Black Stork flew SW over saltmarsh at 10.24am, Gibraltar Point Black Stork circled north over Croft Marsh, 11.25am. Black Stork reported just north of Gibraltar Point, seen again midday and appeared to land in field 14 Spoonbills on Jackson's Marsh, Montagu's Harrier, Gibraltar Point 6/9 14 Spoonbills on Jackson's Marsh, Wood Sandpiper on Tennyson's Sands, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Gull, Spotted Redshank, Gibraltar Point Nightjar at north end of West Dunes early morning, Gibraltar Point 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: ROAD KILL TF321761 Bluestone Heath Road between Belchford and Tetford Silvia Fowler Grass Snake dead on road *** 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. ANDERBY CREEK TF553762 R & A Parsons 2/6/2015 - noon Chafer-like beetle, 10mm est, metallic emerald head/green pronotum, light brown [coppery?] elytra. On sand by dunes. Very active. We have tentatively identified it as Euchlora dubia (Scopoli). (Anomala dubia) https://data.nbn.org.uk/Taxa/NBNSYS0000147069 Grid map: https://data.nbn.org.uk/Taxa/NBNSYS0000011543/Grid_Map Charlie Barnes adds: Yes, I'm sure you're right. Copper coloured elytra (at least, well polished copper!) is right; habitat & timing fits as well, The other species have started to go over/gone over now. Serica brunnea is the only other chafer that has been (commonly) recorded in August. A. dubia has been recorded from Gib to Donna Nook - but also occurs at Scunthorpe heathland sites. CAISTOR Reports from contributors to Caistor records Week beginning 31.7.15 Wendy Handford Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 Bat flying under Silver birches 9.30pm 2.8.15 Bat, sadly dead behind watering can 5.8.15 Badger and Fox cub on same video clip 31.7.15. Trailcam Rabbits 2 adults, 4 juvs on lawn daily Green woodpecker calling 6.8.15 Sparrowhawk catches Blackbird 6.8.15 Tawny owl calling 4.8.15 7 spot ladybird 2.8.15 Blue-tailed damselfly on window 2.8.15 Emperor dragonfly flying over hedge 2.8.15 Seen when cutting, turning and collecting hay from wildflower area 3-5.8.15 Mole. The first live mole I've ever seen! Field voles 13 Common frogs 7 Common toads 18 15 minute butterfly count 2pm, 23C, sunny 2.8.15 3 Comma 2 Green-veined white 1 Large white 2 Meadow brown 1 Painted lady, first sighting since 2012 6 Peacock 1 Red admiral 3 Small white, 1 Speckled wood First flowers this week Hemp agrimony, Teasel, Tufted vetch, Water mint Fungi Pestle puffballs 4 in rough grass Meadow puffballs 26 under Horsechestnuts Jenny Foster Brigg Road garden TA 113 020 Shaggy bracket on Bramley apple trunk 30.7.15 Ben Jacob Nettleton Lodge Game Farm TA 090 012 15 minute butterfly count 2.8.15 5 Gatekeeper 1 Green-veined white 5 Large skipper 6 Meadow brown 1 Peacock 3 Ringlet 1 Small copper 1 Speckled wood CHERRY WILLINGHAM TF033726 Margaret Roe 5/8/15 In back garden of my bungalow After an apparently abortive attempt at breeding earlier in the year a pair of Linnets started nest building again in early July. A delightful division of labour with the male perched on top of the pyracantha whilst the female did the work of nest building. I went on holiday on the middle of July and it was very wet for the few days immediately following my return. On 30th August I noticed a flurry of activity with both male and female making frequent visits to the nest. On one occasion two birds flew in and three flew out. I was unable to tell how many young fledged but there are still linnets flitting around the neighbourhood a week later including going in and out of the pyracantha. One definite juvenile was seen perched on the fence but I am now confused by young Dunnocks skulking under the shrubs. HUTTOFT Jane Pennington Huttoft TF512763 (my garden) Date 31/7/15 Painted lady 1 Peacock butterfly 1 Date 1/8/15 Green veined whites 6 Peacock butterfly 1 Robins 4 (2 fledglings) Date 2/8/15 Wrens 2 Date 3/8/15 Holly blue 1 Large whites 2 (and eggs on nasturtium which I plant as a decoy for the brassicas) Sparrowhawk 1 (flew through the garden with something in its claws) Date 4/8/15 Holly blue 1 Robins 5 (3 fledglings) Date 5/8/15 Harlequin ladybird 1 Peacock butterflies 2 Date 6/8/15 TF512 764 Arum maculatum (lords and ladies) clump of 7 stems with orangish berries turning red RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF309847 (unless otherwise stated) Silvia Fowler 31.07.2015 Swallow x 5 on power line Great Admiral x 1 01.08.2015 July Rainfall = 68 mm Brimstone Moth Butterflies: 1 each Peacock, Large White, Comma (very tatty), Meadow Brown 02.08.2015 Some House Martins fledged today Pied Wagtail Great Spotted Woodpecker (rare sight in my garden since I started using squirrel-proof bird feeders) 03.08.2015 Song Thrush x 2 About 25 House Martins in the air 7-Spot Ladybird 05.08.2015 12 Canada Geese flying over N to S SWINSTEAD VALLEY August 2nd 2015 Ian and Sue Misselbrook Swinsted Valley TF015232 6+ Marbled White 4 Gatekeepers 6 Ringlets 20+ Meadow Brown 1 Peacock 6+ Small White 10+ Large White 20+ Small/Essex Skippers of which 3 examined closely and one was Essex Skipper and 2 Small Skippers. 1 Brown Hare Several small green grasshoppers and 1 large brown grasshopper 1 Brown Hawker 1 Southern hawker 2 Common Darters also Holywell Lake 10+ Southern Hawkers 4 Banded Demoiselle THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 29/07/15 Large White x 3 Green Cellar Slug x 1 SK813999 30/0/15 Hedgehog x 1 SE804001 31/07/15 Common Pipistrelle x 2 Common Rustic x 1 Common Wainscot x 1 Scarce Footman x 1 Single-dotted Wave x 2 Small Scallop x 1 Green Lace Wing Chrysoperia carnea agg. x 1 02/08/15 Common Pipistrelle x 2 Drinker x 1 Mother of Pearl x 1 Shoulder-stripped Wainscot x 1 Smoky Wainscot x 1 03/08/15 Large White x 5 Owston Ferry Peacock x 10 Owston Ferry 04/08/15 MV Moth trapping at SK79775 98369 22.30hrs - 24.00hrs Agapeta hamana x 1 Common Carpet x 5 Common Rustic x 2 Common Wainscot x 1 Dark Arches x 5 Dark/Grey Dagger x 1 Dot Moth x 1 Drinker x 1 Dusky Sallow x 4 Endotricha flammealis x 1 Large Yellow Underwing x 8 Least Yellow Underwing x 1 Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing x 2 Mother of Pearl x 9 Silver Y x 1 Smoky Wainscot x 3 Snout x 1 Swallow Prominent x 1 Yellow-tail x 1 05/08/15 Common Buzzard x 1 Goldfinch x 4 Swifts gone from Owston Ferry village Green-veined White x 4 Large White x 2 Meadow Brown x 1 Peacock x 5 Red Admiral x 2 Small Tortoiseshell x 1 Small White x 1 06/08/15 Mute Swan x 1 adult, 4 young Owston Ferry Warping Drain Wren x 4 fledged young Common Pipistrelle x 2 Soprano Pipistrelle x 1 Roe Deer x 1 male Clouded Border x 1 Dusky Sallow x 1 Blue-tailed Damselfly x 1 Owston Ferry Warping Drain Common Blue Damselfly x 1 Owston Ferry Warping Drain 06/08/15 Theddlethorpe Dunes Clare Holmes, Sam and Steve Hiner Little Tern x 16 Turtle Dove x 2 WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 1/8/2016 Holly blue, 12+ Peacock butterflies. Fox on trailcamera night of 31/7-1/8 Tawny owl on chimney - 20am on 2/8 Canada Lane TF232539 approx. 31/7/2015 at approx noon. Grass snake crossing road south to north towards dyke. 5/8/2015 Tawny owl on roof of outbuilding - 1am approx. 2nd brood of Swallows hatch in old Wash house. Many starlings in area - local flock of 43. Many rooks and gulls on cultivated fields. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 6 August 2015 Cliff Morrison, Peter and Janet Roworth, John Walker & Rob Lidstone-Scott Weather - July summary The first few days of July were hot and sunny with a high of 27.0°C recorded on the 4th. The heat and humidity produced heavy cloud and thunder on the 5th which resulted in a brief, very severe storm of rain and hail giving 11.9mm in under 15 minutes. However the remainder of the month was disappointing with many days cool with some sunshine and further heavy rain particularly during the last week when 45.4mm was recorded. Total rainfall for the month was 85.3mm, making it the wettest July since 2007 (124mm). Hot days were infrequent with no settled period and a further high of 25.75°C was observed on the 10th. Note: BYL = Brickyard Lane Birds 30th Jul - 90+ Sandwich tern, 20+ common tern, 25 curlew and 20 oystercatcher out from Brickyard Lane [BYL]. 31st Jul - 170+ Sandwich tern & 7 Arctic skua 1st Aug - first year peregrine. 3rd Aug - 350+ Sandwich tern, 43 common tern, 2 little tern & 2 little gull out from BYL plus 60+ sanderling, 27 dunlin, 24 ringed plover, a little ringed plover and 2 green sandpiper heading south. Highlight of the day was 2 spoonbill heading south. Green woodpecker at BYL. Immature turtle dove(s) between BYL and Crook Bank. 4th Aug - several sightings of black stork. Red kite and common buzzard seen from CB. 5th Aug - 200+ Sandwich tern, 20 common tern and a solitary Arctic skua out from BYL. Wader movement south included 2 whimbrel, 24 curlew, 8 knot, 3 curlew sandpiper, 54 ringed plover, 50 sanderling and 42 dunlin. 215 black-headed gull and 30 common gull at Paradise Lagoon. Single green sandpiper at Seaview and 9 little egret & 4 whimbrel over nearby saltmarsh. 6th Aug - Wader movement included 100+ knot and 10 turnstone heading south. Dark marsh harrier flying south. Sparrowhawk at BYL Little owl & barn owl seen regularly. Insects Butterflies on the wing this week include comma, peacock, red admiral, small tortoiseshell, common blue, small copper, large white, small white, meadow brown, hedge brown, ringlet, small skipper and speckled wood. Other reports this week include grass egger moth, southern hawker dragonfly and a big hatch of hoverflies. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. Sue cfga - Sender address rejected: Access denied- delivery failed; will not continue trying *** And finally...... Contributions to "And finally......" are always welcome. Deer crashes 'ever increasing' on Lincolnshire roads http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-33787610 Ecology photo prize winners http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-33718151 Comet yields 'rich array' of organics http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-33720951 Dambusters pilot Les Munro dies in New Zealand aged 96 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-33769486 ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/