============================================= || || 1st February 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. Please send this URL to friends who might join the Bulletin mailing list: http://eepurl.com/zmFMT Past LNU Wildnews Bulletins are available on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Note: Each address contains the relevant date. Views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union or any associated organisations. Reports here are open and are available to county recorders of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. Please contact the Editor to contribute articles or reports. E-mail: rparsons@enterprise.net [A backup e-mail address you can use if ever you experience problems with my "Enterprise" address is: aintree2@yahoo.co.uk ] ============================================ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. Readers hints, tips and requests ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** From the Editor.... *** I had a strange red patch appear on my lower leg this week, not painful exactly, just irritated, a bit itchy and bruise-like. At the same time I found a groggy queen wasp on a window. I did not notice being stung, but Occam's Razor makes her a Prime Suspect! BWARS is requesting records of Bombus terrestris winter activity. If you wish you can submit records via the BWARS website. http://www.bwars.com/ This week there has been a notable change in birdsong in the garden. Starlings and Robins are especially noisy, proclaiming territories and overseeing nest sites. Other species have been inspecting boxes and collecting nest material, including house and tree sparrows, blue and great tits and wrens. 20 goldfinches are using the niger seed feeders in a 'sunburst' of yellow. St Valentine's day is said to be the day birds pair up, so things are well ahead this year. BTO's National Nest Box Week is 14-21 February. http://www.bto.org/about-birds/nnbw Aconites are out in the garden and Hazel catkins are showing well, so plants are on the move. First flowerings are a useful reminder to send in a Bulletin record. Everyone needs to do a bit of Botany! http://www.naturescalendar.org.uk/ On the other hand, winter visitors are still about, as reports from the coast will show, so there is still plenty to observe and record. We may yet have some winter weather ahead of us. See: http://www.theweatheroutlook.com/ Heads up for a partial solar eclipse this year: Friday 20th March, starting 8.27hrs, mid-eclipse 9.33hrs, finishing 10.42hrs as given in Paul Money's useful "Night Scenes 2015". Useful eclipse links: http://www.rogerparsons.info/cosmic.html Never view the Sun directly. You need to be properly protected when watching solar eclipses. This means proper safe solar viewers or some form of projection like a solarscope. Suitable Solar Viewers can be ordered from the BAA shop from £1.75, but you will need to get your skates on! http://www.britastro.org/ I very much enjoyed the FutureLearn course The Night Sky - Orion. I think a few Bulletin readers had a go at it. There are some great courses coming up, including one on Ecology. They are free. See: https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/categories Thanks to everyone who has been giving the Bulletin a "plug". We had five new subscribers this week. Please keep spreading the word. Thanks. Roger *** Earthquake on 28th *** Oakham earthquake recorded at 3.8 in magnitude http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-31032930 *** Reminder - Ray Halstead - Recorder - Fungi *** Request: No records or queries for now, please. *** LNU Events - guests are welcome *** Indoor Meetings are held on Saturdays at the Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park, Moor Lane, Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln and start at 2pm. To check on the details, especially if weather suggests a possible cancellation, visit: http://lnu.org/events.php Saturday, February 14, 2015 Recorders’ meeting - overview and highlights in the past year's recording provided by the county recorders. Arrive at 12 noon fpr a chance to catch up with recorders and view exhibits including a demonstration of online recording software, 'Living Record' and a discussion of online recording starting at 12.30. The Overview starts at 2pm. Guests are welcome at our meetings. *** Circular Sun Halo *** RSPB Frampton Marsh Jonathan Bye Tuesday 20th Jan 2015 11am An impressive halo seen around the sun today for perhaps 5 minutes. Through a largely cloudy sky the sun was bright but then surrounded by a large darker ring. That ring was itself surrounded by a relatively small brighter ring which showed the rainbow spectrum where it broke through the clouds. I wonder how common these are and whether anyone managed a better photo than my very partial one. *** Pellets *** John Nickson writes: I would suspect your pellet is from a Barn Owl. They can be very big 30 to 70 mm. They are black and shiny when fresh. Tawny are somewhat smaller and not shiny and more of a dull black grey colour The big difference between an Owl and a Buzzard pellet would be the contents. I have never dissected a Buzzard pellet but many Owl pellets. The owl would have whole bones from small rodents and possibly birds. It is possible to identify the animals eaten from the skulls and teeth extracted from the pellet. A buzzard would not, I suspect, have small bones but broken bones from carrion/rabbits and longer fur. *** Scunthorpe Museum Society *** The Natural History and Geology Section, Scunthorpe Museum Society. Keith Scarrot writes: At our next meeting, on Monday, 9th February, we have Matthew Blissett, our local North West Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Reserves Warden, coming to give us an illustrated presentation all about "Moths". We will be learning about the moth identification skills needed for recording, monitoring and conservation purposes and also about the different techniques of moth trapping. We meet in St. Bernadette's Parish Centre (DN16 2RS) opposite the Priory Hotel, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, 7.15pm start. ALL ARE WELCOME. There is no entry charge but a donation bowl is provided as are light refreshments, for a small charge, at "half-time". The Church car park has ample free parking. For more details contact Keith Scarrott on 01724 762098. *** Lincoln RSPB *** http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ On Thursday 12th February 2015 at 7.30pm. we invite you to join us for a presentation By Santiago Bejerano on Hummingbirds. This will take place at The Robert Hardy Building, Bishop Grosseteste University, Longdales Road, Lincoln. RSPB members and students £3.00 Non members £4.00. Editor adds: A talk not to be missed. Santiago is an exceptional naturalist with a wealth of experience. *** South Lincs RSPB *** Members and non-members welcome. http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire *** Try some Citizen Science with Zooniverse *** https://www.zooniverse.org/projects We make citizen science websites so that everyone can be part of real research online ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ 23/1 Iceland Gull 3w, Grimsby fish docks Water Pipit on outmarsh, Donna Nook Great Grey Shrike in hedge by road to East Ravendale, north of Wold Newton Long-eared Owl on island from main hide, Deeping Lakes 24/1 Great Northern Diver juv, Bardney by main bridge on River Witham Black Brant at realighment with Dark-bellied Brent Geese, Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 5 Lapland Buntings, ringtail Hen Harrier, Donna Nook 4 Snow Buntings, Scaup 1w drk, male Hen Harrier, Water Pipit, Frampton Marsh Long-eared Owl on island from main hide, White-fronted Goose, Deeping Lakes Iceland Gull 3w, Grimsby fish docks ringtail Hen Harrier, Nocton Fen 11 Snow Buntings on beach east of dunes, 40 Twite, Brickyard Lane, Theddlethorpe 25/1 Long-eared Owl on island from main hide, 2 Eurasian White- fronted Geese, Pink-footed Goose, Deeping Lakes Great Northern Diver juv, Bardney by main bridge on River Witham Scaup 1w drk, 2 Water Pipits, Frampton Marsh Great Grey Shrike in hedge by road to East Ravendale, north of Wold Newton Iceland Gull 3w, Aukland Road, Grimsby fish docks Water Pipit on outmarsh, 30 Snow Buntings, 25 Twite, Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owl, Donna Nook 41 Snow Buntings, 2 Hen Harriers 1 male, Gibraltar Point 26/1 Great Grey Shrike in hedge by road to East Ravendale, north of Wold Newton Great Northern Diver juv, Bardney by main bridge on River Witham Water Pipit, drk Scaup, Hen Harrier, Frampton Marsh Long-eared Owl on island from main hide, Deeping Lakes 27/1 Great Grey Shrike in hedge by road to East Ravendale, north of Wold Newton Black Brant with Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 8 Lapland Buntings, Donna Nook Great Northern Diver juv, Bardney by main bridge on River Witham Long-eared Owl on island from main hide, Deeping Lakes Scaup 1w drk, Hen Harrier, Frampton Marsh 28/1 Iceland Gull 3w, Aukland Road, Grimsby fish docks Scaup 1w drk, Tallington Lakes 29/1 Pacific Golden Plover, Alkborough Flate withv 3000 Golden Plovers Scaup 1w fem, Gainsborough landfill site 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. Paul Kirby [County Recorder - Botany] writes: Does anyone know of any Gorse in these areas: South Ferriby [SE92] Spilsby - Partney - Candlesby - Irby in the Marsh [TF46] Donna Nook - North Somercotes - Rimac [TF49] Gorse record. Caroline Steel South Common, Lincoln. Gorse in flower on 23 December 2014. SK980 695. Gorse location: Caistor Co-op car park TA 117 015 Wendy Handford 24.1.15 Steep bank with mixed shrubs. Four large plants with many flowers WEST KEAL TF358639 Robert Walker 27/1/15 Gorse Approx 10 bushes along field boundary with about 25% flower. *** 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. BARDNEY TF132698 Robert Walker 27/1/15 Barn Owl 1 Hunting over pasture field near farmstead, mid morning, whilst I was off to spot the: Great Northern Diver 1 TF112691 near the road bridge over the River Witham. also Buzzard 1 TF144705 on hedgerow close to the road on my journey home. BASSINGHAM Jeremy Hutchinson Bassingham SK909584 18/1/2015, 08.30 Stoat CAISTOR Wendy Handford (WH) Reports from contributors to Caistor records Week beginning 23.1.15 Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 WH RSPB Bird Survey results 25.1.14 Blackbird 5, Blue tit 4, Bullfinch 2, Carrion crow 1, Chaffinch 2, Coal tit 1, Dunnock 1, Fieldfare 3, Great tit 2, Jay 1, Long-tailed tit 4, Pheasant 1, Robin 2, Tree sparrow 4, Woodpigeon 8, Wren 1 Bank vole under birdfeeder 4pm 27.1.15 Grey squirrel takes fat-ball from birdfeeder 26.1.15 Muntjac in orchard 9.30pm 24.1.15 Trailcam Woodmouse in greenhouse 23.1.15 Sparrowhawk m flying over lawn 23.1.15 Sparrowhawk f flies out of Spruce wood 26 and 27.1.15 Yellow flag iris, tips of 12 rhizomes eaten by unknown creature 23.1.15 First flowers: Primrose 24.1.15 A46 summit near Caistor TA 130 015 Geoff Handford Kestrel hovering 28.1.15 Caistor Co-op car park TA 117 015 WH Pied wagtail 24.1.15 Starlings 6 singing 24.1.15 Gorse in full bloom 24.1.15 Cherry Holt garden TA 115 015 Clive and Jenny Rudd RSPB Bird Survey results 25.1.15 Blue tit 2, , Blackbird 17, Chaffinch 1, Collared doves 6, Dunnock 2, House sparrow 2, Jackdaw 11, Magpie 2, Starling 11, Woodpigeon 4 Navigation Lane TA 105 011 Clive Rudd Snipe 24.1.15 CARRINGTON TF312535 Robert Walker 24/1/15 Buzzard 1 Mid morning, flying low over arable field near road. DEEPINGS Deeping High Bank (3 miles N of Crowland Bridge to Deeping St. James - part driven, part walked) Date: 21/01/2015 Time: 1345 to 1620 Observer: Ian Gordon Weather: Sunny, very cold Birds: Barn Owl Blackbird Black-headed Gull Buzzard Canada Goose Carrion Crow Coot Cormorant Dunnock Fieldfare Gadwall Goldfinch Goosander Great Tit Green Woodpecker Grey Heron Greylag Goose Herring Gull Jackdaw Kestrel Kingfisher Lapwing Little Egret Little Grebe Magpie Mallard Moorhen Pink-footed Goose Redwing Rook Sparrowhawk Teal Tufted Duck White-fronted Goose Wigeon Wren Mammals: Grey Squirrel Shrew DODDINGTON PARK LINCOLN M.Scott. 27,JAN,2015 Results From My Big Garden Bird watch. Over 2 Days. 10 Blackbirds 2 Coaltits 4 Collard Doves 9 Dunnocks 6 Goldfinches 6 Great Tits 4 Long Tailed Tits 2 Robins 8 Starlings 8 Woodpigeons 1 Squirrel. Also I Have Got 2 Bird Box Cameras, on the side of my bungalow wall - With 2 Bluetits roosting in each night. First time for me. One of them had another Bluetit come in and Boy did they fight - until the other wne Went. I hope they nest here in Spring. Also Got a Squirrel from Hartsholme Park neaby visting me every day and robbing my Bird Food. Now got quite a number of Snowdrops coming up in my front garden. No sign of Frogs yet in pond. Last year they did appear, then went for a while. Lost a couple of Goldfish at the moment due to cold weather. FRAMPTON TF342389 Robert Walker 24/1/15 Kestrel 1 Hunting over arable field. HORNCASTLE TF261691 My garden Robert Walker 26/1/15 Aconites First flowers now beginning to appear. also 28/1/15 Robins 4 Appeared together in front garden - display and courtship very much in evidence - with one particular bird neck stretching and swaying it's head side to side. All this within a few feet of the Study window! HUTTOFT Jane PenningtonHuttoft TF512763 (my garden) Date 23/1/2015 Wren 1 Date 25/1/2015 Chaffinch 1 male Owl 1 heard at 6.00am Wren 1 Date 28/1/2015 Crocus in flower Dunnock 1 Great tits 4 Robins 2 - they are now a couple :-) Wren 1 Date 29/1/2015 Robins 2 Squirrel 1 very rare in my garden HUTTOFT PIT Dave Miller 23rd January 2015 Blackbird 1 Black-headed gull 18 Blue Tit 1 Buzzard 1 Common Gull 5 Greenfinch 1 Herring Gull 2 Mallard 8 Pochard 1 Snipe 1 Starling 2 Teal 5 Tufted duck 4 Whooper Swan 1 Woodpigeon 308 HUTTOFT CAR TERRACE seawatch Dave Miller 26th January 2015 Crow 6 LBB Gull 2 Rook 1 Grey seal 1 HUTTOFT MARSH Dave Miller 26th January 2015 Chaffinch 1 Dunnock 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 Great tit 3 Magpie 2 Mallard 2 ( a pair) Reed Bunting 1 Wren 1 28th January 2015 Mallard 3 Meadow Pipit 1 Mistle Thrush 2 Redwing 1 Teal 1 KIRKBY MOOR David Robinson 22.01.15 At Moor Farm, Wellsyke Lane lots of very active Wrens. MARTIN DALES David Robinson 23.01.15 Martin Dales one Female Marsh Harrier. MORKERY WOOD SK95/18 - SK94/17 Jane Ostler 29/1/15 After two days of strong wind, Max temp 2C . Afternoon snow following morning walk. There were many fallen small trees, mainly ash and the ground was covered with twigs and branches in the areas where conifers have been removed. Numerous spruce seedlings. Only mammal interest was evidence of rabbit and mole. The only birds seen were blackbirds and blue tits. No invertebrates noted. Flowering plants - A primrose in flower in the car park area. Just a few male flowers visible on dog's mercury and only three female flowers seen on the hazel, although male catkins fully developed. Mosses - these -took centre stage. Three, instantly recognisable and quite beautiful in their different ways are:- Thuidium tamariscinum - as its scientific name suggests looking like the dainty leaves on a tamarisk, a golden green on tree stumps Grimmea pulvinata - a wall moss in low, dense hummocks, dark at the base, green leaves at the top with long grey hair-like points. Plagiomnium undulatum The leaves are strap-shaped and transluscent, some stems having the undulating leaves radiating in a crown. Fungi -Some birch was infected with witches broom There was a moderate infection of tar spot on fallen sycamore leaves. Coral spot(Nectria cinnabarina) was evident on the twigs of several fallen branches. Turkey tail flourishes on most deciduous tree stumps Scurfy twiglet was one of only two gilled fungi found. Velvet Shank (Flammulina velutipes) a mass of golden capped, brown velvet stemmed fruits on a felled sycamore which also had large cinnabar and brown fruits of the blushing bracket. Lichens - There seems to be an increase of the rust llichen (Caloplaca ferruginea) on ash tree trunks. NETTLEHAM TF 03161 75493 Su Colman & Mark Townsend 25/01/15 07.40-08.40 B-G-Birdwatch data In our tennis-court-sized back garden: Blackbird 15 Blue tit 2 Chaffinch 2 Collared Dove 1 Dunnock 1 Goldfinch 6 Great tit 1 Green finch 4 Pheasant 4 Robin 1 Starling 4 Wren 1 NETTLETON (Beck) TF123985 (nominal) Richard Fox 25.01.2015 During a walk along the valley from Nettleton Top to Nettleton village Roe Deer 4 Blue Tit 6 Common Buzzard 2 Great Tit 4 Green Woodpecker Mallard 6 Moorhen 2 Teal 4 NOCTON FEN David Robinson 23.01.15 Nocton Fen one female Marsh Harrier. OLD BOLINGBROKE TF355640 Robert Walker 27/1/15 Buzzard 1 Flying over southern end of the valley. RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF 309 847 (unless otherwise stated) Silvia Fowler 23.01.15 About 10 female pheasants in church yard (TF310 847) More Snowdrops and Winter Aconites coming into flower 24.01.15 Long-tailed Tits x 6 25.01.15 Results of my RSPB Garden Birdwatch (quite representative for this time of year, except fewer sparrows than usual) Blackbird 6 Blue Tit 5 Coal Tit 1 Chaffinch 10 Collared Dove 2 Dunnock 2 Great Tit 4 Greenfinch 7 House Sparrow 4 Jackdaw 4 Mistle Thrush 1 Robin 2 Starling 3 Stock Dove 1 Tree Sparrow 1 Woodpigeon 4 Wren 1 26.01.15 There is an abundance of Snowdrops flowering on the verges in Hallington and in a small copse off the road to Withcall. Always a welcome sight this time of year! (TF302 855, TF304 856) 27.01.15 Buzzard Dunnock and robin in song Buzzard x 2 (TF318 837) 28.01.15 Bullfinch x 2 (m & f) – rare in my garden STAPLEFORD Jeremy Hutchinson Stapleford SK861580 20/1/2015, 17.45 Muntjac Stapleford SK885580 23/1/2015, 08.25 Fox STIXWOLD David Robinson Today 23.01.15 on the Witham at Stixwold Ferry, 10 Goosander probably 5 pairs? THURNHOLMES(within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 10/01/15 Carrion Crow x 2 Kestrel x 2 Little Egret x 1 SE812007 Moorhen x 3 Mute Swan x 3 11/01/15 Little Owl x 1 Sparrowhawk x 1 male 12/01/15 Barn Owl x 1 (Clare Holmes) 14/01/15 Brown Hare x 2 15/01/15 Collared Dove sat on nest Owston Ferry Goosander x 3 16/01/15 Blackbird x 7 Dunnock x 2 Fieldfare x 25 Golden Plover x 250 Goosander x 3 males Lapwing x 27 Moorhen x 3 Mute Swan x 2 Pied Wagtail x 2 Redwing x 2 Robin x 3 Wood Pigeon x 159 Wren x 1 20/01/15 Blackbird x 5 Common Buzzard x 1 SK787974 Dunnock x 2 Fieldfare x 65 Goosander x 1 male, 3 females SK804965 Kestrel x 3 Mute Swan x 2 Pied Wagtail x 2 Robin x 3 Sparrowhawk x 1 female with Reed Bunting kill 22/01/15 Barn Owl x 1 THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 23/01/15 Hazel catkins out 24/01/15 Blackbird x 4 Kestrel x 1 Tree Sparrow x 12 Wren x 1 26/01/15 Barn Owl x 1 Blackbird x 5 Little Owl x 2 Fox x 1 28/01/15 Blackbird x 7 Fieldfare x 39 Magpie x 3 Robin x 3 29/01/15 Owston Ferry village Common Buzzard x 1 Grey Heron x 1 Long Tailed Tit x 6 Snowdrops and winter Aconites in flower WASHINGBOROUGH RIVER WITHAM TF036713 About half way along the Water Rail Way from Five Mile to Washingborough. John Nickson Otter Feeding in the middle of the river. WASPS NEST David Robinson 23.01.15 at Wasps Nest many probably several hundreds of Fieldfare. WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 24/1/2015 Small Tortoiseshell butterfly changed over-wintering position in house. Tawny owls calling 18.30hrs. 25/1/2015 B-G-Birdwatch - 13.30hrs - 14.30hrs chaffinch 3 - 1m, 2f Goldfinches 15+ Greenfinch 2 House Sparrow m + f Dunnock 2 Blue tit - 4 Great tit - 2 Blackbird 14 Robin 2 Wren 2 Woodpigeon 6 Collared Dove 1 28/1 Stock dove under feeder. I wonder which owl box they are in? 30/1 3 Tieldfares on thrown-out apples. WOLLA BANK PIT Dave Miller 27th January 2015 Fieldfare 10 Lapwing 42 Long-tailed Tit 2 Marsh Harrier 1 Meadow Pipit 1 Pheasant 1 Reed Bunting 4 Sparrowhawk 1 Starling 106 Teal 2 Wren 1 WOLLA BANK REEDBED Dave Miller 27th January 2015 Coot 1 Gadwall 16 Mute Swan 2 Starling 2 Stonechat 1 WRANGLE COMMON 26/01/2015 Roy and Kath Pearson The huge flock of seed-eaters that has been such a feature of the winter, has now declined, but we managed to count Yellowhammer (21), Tree Sparrow (17), Reed Bunting (8, Chaffinch (9) and Goldfinch (2). There was a very large concentration of water-birds on the wet grass- land and whilst the uneven nature of the ground makes an accurate count difficult, we managed to record Canada Goose (56), Grey-lag Goose (27), Curlew (c50), Mute Swan (4), Little Egret (1), Mallard (111), Teal (25), Coot (2), Moorhen (6}, and a very unusual drake Pochard. The only raptor seen was a Kestrel, which is quite worrying as we have heard that a Buzzard has been shot at Friskney. Three Jays was a very high number here, having only been exceeded once when there was an irruption year. Also of interest was an unusually high count of seven Stock Doves. Woodpigeons were estimated at five hundred, whilst Rooks numbered at least two hundred. Skylarks were down, only one being seen and there were two Meadow Pipits. A single Fieldfare was the only winter thrush encountered, though Blackbirds numbered twenty. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. Lincolnshire Coast NNRs and S Lincs Highlights including RSPB Wash Reserves RSPB Reserves: http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/collections/thewash_northnorfolk.aspx LWT Reserves: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ South Lincolnshire bird sightings December 2014 RSPB Frampton Marsh The Glossy Ibis remained until the first hard frosts (7th), a stay of 177 days. Whooper Swans increased to a peak of 61 (30th), accompanying them were up to three Bewick’s Swans (31st). Pink- footed Geese also increased to a record 1226 (23rd). Two European White-fronteed Geese and a hybrid Black Brant were also present. Wigeon also reached record numbers with 4690 (5th). The locally wintering Rough-legged Buzzard was seen on occasion. Waders included up to 8000 Golden Plovers, Spotted Redshank, Woodcock and up to 85 Ruff. Just two Twite were seen. Lapland Buntings were recorded on two dates with up to eight Snow Buntings more regularly seen. RSPB Freiston Shore A Slavonian Grebe was offshore early in the month (1st & 9th), while one or two Common Scoters and two Red-throated Divers were seen offshore on two dates. A first-winter Little Gull flew past towards the end of the month (28th). A Snow Bunting was seen on one date (9th), but a pair of Stonechats were present throughout. Gibraltar Point NNR Three Bewick’s Swans were seen (2nd). Whooper Swans were seen on two dates, with a peak of four. 1500 Pink-footed Geese was the peak monthly count (5th) and one European White-fronted Goose was seen (5th). Offshore records included two Long-tailed Ducks (2nd), impressive counts of 81 Pomarine and 11 Great Skuas (2nd) and 42 Red-throated Divers (16th). Single Great Northern Divers were seen on three dates, with a Slavonian Grebe on one (16th). Little Auks were seen on two dates, with a peak of three (2nd). A Rough-legged Buzzard (28th), Cetti’s Warbler and Waxwing (16th) were all single day visitors. Up to 55 Snow Buntings were regular on the beach (8th) with single Lapland Buntings reported on four dates. Other sites Two Bewick’s Swans were at Nocton Fen (7th). Whooper Swans were more widely reported with peak counts of 55 at Holbeach Marsh (26th) and 36 at Nocton Fen (28th). Two European White-fronted Geese were at Deeping Lakes (14th-17th). The only Bittern reported was at Whiby Nature Park (27th). A Rough-legged Buzzard was at Helpringham Fen (from 15th), while a Caspian Gull was at Croft Marsh (4th). An unusual winter record was at Turtle Dove in a Lincoln garden (from 17th). A Firecrest at Gosberton Clough was a unfortunate Christmas day cat casualty (25th). A Bearded Tit at Whisby Nature Park (6th), was the first reserve record. Cetti’s Warblers were at Marston STW (9th) and Bardney Pits (14th). John Badley [Assisted by Colin Jennings] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GIBRALTAR POINT NNR. http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. Peter and Janet Roworth, Nige Lound, Cliff Morrison and John Walker. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. News from Far Ings NNR http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FAR INGS NEWS 30.01.15 Birds Max numbers: bearded tit 4 bittern blackbird 40+ black-headed gull 100+ blue tit 6 canada goose 6 carrion crow 2 Cetti's warbler chaffinch 5 common gull 20+ coot 80 cormorant 6 curlew 3 dunlin 10 dunnock 6fieldfare 4 gadwall 20 goldeneye 2 goldfinch 4 great crested grebe great tit 6grey heron greylag goose 70 herring gull house sparrow 10kestrel kingfisher 2 lapwing 35 linnet 2little grebe long tailed tit 6 magpie 4 mallard 8 marsh harrier M mistle thrush 2 moorhen 6 mute swan 6 pheasant 2pied wagtail 2 pochard 6 redshank 6 redwing reed bunting 4 robin 10 shoveler 2 snipe song thrush sparrowhawk starling 300+ teal 2 tufted duck 18 water rail 2wigeon 15 willow tit wood pigeon 2 wren 6 See: Far Ings NNR on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-Of-Far-Ings-National-Nature-Reserve/186876774685595 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6. Bardney Limewoods NNR http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/publications/limewoods-walks/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The NNR includes the following sites: Chambers Farm Wood (please detail specific area when reporting e.g. Ivy Wood, Little Scrubbs Meadow etc.); College Wood, Cocklode & Great West Woods, Hardy Gang Wood, Newball Wood, Scotgrove Wood, Southrey Wood, Wickenby Wood. Other woods included in the NNR but without public access: Stainfield Wood; Stainton & Fulnetby Woods (access by public bridle way only) For the Limewoods, see: http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/publications/limewoods-walks/ http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/about/conservation/bardney-limewoods-nnr/ and Adrian Royle's superb Flickr photo-site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/adiroyle/collections/72157624803742908/ Colin Green has produced the following video about visiting Southrey Wood in Oct 2012. Well worth a look. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1SpBvd9Ib0 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7. Sending in reports to Roger Parsons ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The purpose of the Bulletin is to encourage biological recording in Lincolnshire using modern Information and Communication Technology. We hope to increase the number of people reporting observations to LNU Recorders and improve the quality of reports, as well as the quantity and the geographical coverage. In return for this FREE service, we ask you to provide reports, questions, news or relevant articles from time to time. Descriptive pieces are welcome - you don't have to stick to lists! Mailing times vary, depending on what I am doing. The Bulletin usually 'goes to bed' on Fridays. Please e-mail in contributions as early as possible to ensure they are included, to: rparsons@enterprise.net [A backup e-mail address you can use if ever you experience problems with my "Enterprise" address is: aintree2@yahoo.co.uk ] When sending in reports please follow this layout to save re-editing: Place Name: IN CAPITALS with Grid Reference if you have it. Your Name: Real names please, not aliases. Put it in each time, for each location Date: Species list [Alphabetical?] & numbers [and observations?] e.g. Blackbird - 24 [And please, no home-grown abbreviations. Species Names in full.] *** Find the Grid Reference *** Chris Manning recommended the following website for help with find grid references. http://www.bnhs.co.uk/focuson/grabagridref/html/index.htm ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 8. Contact Information & Useful Websites ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please let me know ASAP if any of these weblinks fail! *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Website *** A full list of LNU Country Recorders is given here. http://www.lnu.org/ LNU e-mail: info@lnu.org If you are not yet a member, the LNU needs good naturalists like you! Anyone interested can get membership application forms from Wilma Gammon at the Lincs Wildlife Trust office, e-mail wgammon@lincstrust.co.uk LNU publications [listed on LNU website] may be ordered via: Ian Macalpine-Leny http://lnu.org/publications.php ian@macalpine-leny.co.uk *** Contacts List *** 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 *** 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 *** 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: ashleybutterfield@btinternet.com tel. 07984 66 5847 *** Report Ash Dieback in Lincolnshire *** Link for Chalara fraxinea reports: http://www.forestry.gov.uk/chalara *** Local Bat Helpline *** Grounded bats, bat problems, advice and information. Contact Annette and Colin Faulkner on 01775 766286 or e-mail: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** Bat Recorder *** You may send confidential bat records direct to Annette Faulkner on: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** LNU Bees, Wasps and Ants Recorder *** Alan Phillips Willing to examine specimens or check photos (but bear in mind only a relative few of the 300+ species in the county are identifiable using photos). Aculeates only please, no parasitic wasps such as Ichneumons. If in doubt please contact for advice: aculeates@gmail.com *** 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: www.gnlp.org.uk *** Limestone Grassland Project *** Mark Schofield, Limestone Grassland Project Officer, mschofield@lincstrust.co.uk Mobile: 07825970930, Switchboard: 01507 526667. To find out more and to become involved with the survey and management of Lincolnshire's limestone grassland on road verges see: See: http://www.lifeontheverge.org.uk/ *** Lincs Bird Club *** Secretary - Robert Carr secretary@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Membership Secretary - Mike Harrison: michael@michaelharrison1.wanadoo.co.uk LBC County Bird Recorders John Clarkson - Covering the north of the county recorder_north@lincsbirdclub.co.uk John Badley - Covering the south of the county recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Bird Club Website: http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk *** The Sir Joseph Banks Society *** Contact 01507 528223 or by e-mail: enquiries@joseph-banks.org.uk. http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk *** Other Useful Websites *** Key links are now being posted on the LNU website. http://www.lnu.org/ This should save space in the Bulletin, Suggestions for other useful Websites are welcome. *** Natural England *** http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ Still includes SSSI Information and "Nature on the Map" *** Lincolnshire Environmental Awards *** http://www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk/ *** The Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes Project (LCGMP) *** To learn more about the project or to find out how to get involved, please visit http://www.lincsmarshes.org.uk/ *** Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service *** A dedicated service to protect and enhance the Lincolnshire Wolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). 01507 609740 www.lincswolds.org.uk http://www.lincswolds.org.uk *** Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project *** Project Officer: Ruth Craig ruth.craig@lincolnshire.gov.uk 01507 609740 For help with chalk stream management, volunteering opportunities and educational activities on the chalk stream please visit the website http://www.lincswolds.org.uk/chalk-streams/volunteering or contact the project officer ruth.craig@lincolnshire.gov.uk *** The South Lincolnshire Fenlands Partnership *** South Lincolnshire Fenlands Partnership is working to promote enhancement and re-creation of an iconic fenland landscape and its wildlife within our highly productive and important farmlands. To learn more about the partnership please visit our website at http://www.lincsfenlands.org.uk/ or contact the project officer at slincsfens@lincstrust.co.uk Amanda Jenkins - South Lincolnshire Fenlands Project Officer *** Hartsholme Country Park *** To learn more about the park or to get in involved at the park please visit http://www.lincoln.gov.uk/hartsholmecp contact Park Rangers at hartsholmecp@lincoln.gov.uk *** RSPB Contact Details *** RSPB Website: http://www.rspb.org.uk www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh John Badley, Site Manager for RSPB Lincolnshire Wash reserves e-mail: john.badley@rspb.org.uk S Lincs RSPB http://www.southlincsrspb.org.uk Lincoln RSPB http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire link *** http://www.lincolnshire-butterflies.org.uk/index.html *** Tornado and Storm Research Organisation *** http://www.torro.org.uk Contact Ian Loxley on colarain@tiscali.co.uk Interesting Weather radar website Noel Loxley recommends the following interesting website. http://www.raintoday.co.uk/ Hedgehog Street survey http://www.hedgehogstreet.org/ For 2014 survey, see: http://www.hedgehogstreet.org/pages/hibernation-survey.html Lincsbirders - Lincolnshire's Alternative Birding Group Some great photos. http://www.lincsbirders.org/ Bardney Limewoods - the Lincolnshire Limewoods Project Bardney Limewoods NNR http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/Limewoods/ limewoods@lincolnshire.gov.uk *** Grow-your-own Mistletoe *** http://www.mistle.co.uk/ Readers websites and videos - superb work well worth browsing through. If anyone else is putting work like this on the web, please let us know. Joan Gunson's Moths recorded 2013: http:www.flickr.com/photos/angleshades Alan Dale's Bugs and Weeds http://www.bugsandweeds.co.uk/ Les Binns: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ecoheathen/sets/ Leslie Hebden http://www.flickr.com/photos/13718295@N07/ Youtube videos by Colin Green. Little Scrubbs Meadow in July 2012 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inqCJLrTQmg&feature=relmfu Greetwell Hollow in May 2012 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QmzLFrbjFU&feature=plcp Rimac in June 2012 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s02O5JJoilQ&feature=plcp Starlings at Kirkby on Bain - January 2014 - excellent video by David Robinson http://www.flickr.com/photos/poppops/11685708555/ BBC Radio 4 Tweet of the day: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01s6xyk *** Other Useful E-mail Addresses *** New Botanical Group in South Lincs Sarah Lambert writes: We'd be happy to welcome new people, whether experienced or not, particularly if they are located towards the northern part of the vice county! If anybody would like to join us, please get in touch with me at sarah.lambert7@ntlworld.com Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union: info@lnu.org Gibraltar Point: gibpoint@lincstrust.co.uk Far Ings: farings@lincstrust.co.uk Whisby Nature Park: whisbynp@lincstrust.co.uk NEW Syke's Farm: lwt@sykesfarm.org.uk Lincs. Trust HQ: The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust main e-mail address: info@lincstrust.co.uk Hartsholme Country Park: hartsholmecp@lincoln.gov.uk If you would like your e-mail listed here, please let me know. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9. Notes about these wildlife reports ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We do our best to ensure accuracy in our reporting but these records are sent in by a variety of reporters, from complete beginners to professionals. They therefore vary in reliability and in certain cases they are impossible to verify. If further information is needed on locations or reporters, or if you wish to question/confirm any of these records, contact: rparsons@enterprise.net Bulletins are sent to Biological Recorders at the Lincs. Wildlife Trust, Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. [Note: Where plants are reported, this is usually because they have been seen and identified in flower.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10. The Bulletin's publicity policy ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We will sometimes withhold precise details of the location of rare or endangered species. Please point out any sensitive or "tricky" reports of this kind. Sensitive data should go directly to county recorders, please. We ask that you respect the interests of wildlife and site owners if you report to national networks. Make a point of explaining site sensitivity and any restrictions on access. An interest in wildlife is not a licence to act irresponsibly/thoughtlessly to landowners, who may well be partners in important conservation work. [Remember - views expressed in the Bulletin do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions on the LNU or associated organisations. In particular this applies to such agencies, especially charities, taking a political stance.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11. LNU Events Diary For LNU meetings also see http://www.lnu.org/events.php ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Field Meetings generally start at 12 noon for 1.00pm, but please check the website details for each event. Unless otherwise stated, Indoor Meetings are held on Saturdays at the Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park, Moor Lane, Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln and start at 2pm. 2015 Indoor meetings: Saturday, February 14, 2015 Recorders’ meeting - overview and highlights in the past year's recording provided by the county recorders. Arrive at 12 noon fpr a chance to catch up with recorders and view exhibits including a demonstration of online recording software, 'Living Record' and a discussion of online recording starting at 12.30. The Overview starts at 2pm. Saturday, March 07, 2015 AGM Followed by the Presidential address by Nick Tribe: "Aspects of Dragonfly Recording in Lincolnshire". ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails This Week *** If you hear of anyone bemoaning the lack of a Bulletin, please refer them to the Bulletin Portal where they will find a text copy. http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html If you are having difficulties with spam folders et. please make sure you "Whitelist" my address as given in the Bulletin. A "hard bounce" usually results in you being automatically deleted from the mailing list. Latest Mailfails - see notes above. Bulletin bouncing from: jill.hardy - soft bounce - Mailbox disk quota exceeded roger.briggs - soft bounce - delivery failed *** And finally...... Contributions to "And finally......" are always welcome. Funding boost for attractions on 'underused' North Sea coast http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-30982773 Badgers spotted for first time at Nottinghamshire nature reserve http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-30965245 Flower Girls Of Lincolnshire 1929 - and other vintage clips http://www.britishpathe.com/video/flower-girls-of-lincolnshire/query/daffodils Early Spring flowers in the U.K. Archive film 92751 - 1950s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDMGDFhXu1s NYC's Times Square EarthCam - any signs of snow? http://www.earthcam.com/usa/newyork/timessquare/?cam=tsrobo3 ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/