============================================= || || 22nd 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.... *** 35 people attended the recorders Meeting on 14th February, to enjoy a series of fascinating summaries of records from 2014, from Crossbills to Barn owls, Moths to Ferns, Caddis flies to Leaf Hoppers, Flies, Beetles, Serotine bats, Polecats and Otters. The final indoor meeting of this winter is on Saturday, March 07 2015, the AGM of the LNU. Your support will be much appreciated. The Presidential Address will be given by Nick Tribe on "Aspects of Dragonfly Recording in Lincolnshire". The LNU programme of 2015 Field Meetings is up on the LNU website and these are also listed in section 11 below. Lots of good sites to visit so it look a very interesting year ahead. A big thank you to everyone who has given the Bulletin a "plug". Please keep spreading the word and sending in your records. Feel free to send this sign-up link to friends who might like to join the Bulletin mailing list: http://eepurl.com/zmFMT Please keep an eye on the "mailfails" in section 12, as you might able to recognise an address. If you do, please tell that person the reason why their Bulletin will not have arrived. If they get in touch I will help if I can. Thanks. Roger *** 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, March 07, 2015 AGM Followed by the Presidential address by Nick Tribe: "Aspects of Dragonfly Recording in Lincolnshire". Guests are welcome at our meetings. *** Lincolnshire Environmental Awards 2015 *** The deadline for entries in the Lincolnshire Environmental Award 2015 is 31 March 2015. To learn more, visit the website: http://www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk/ *** Find that Grid Reference *** Chris Manning recommended the following website to help you find grid references. http://www.bnhs.co.uk/focuson/grabagridref/html/index.htm *** Coastal Grazing Marshes *** The Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes project has produced two films of the Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes. They are based on Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) which measures topography accurately. The films reveal many historical and geomorphological features that are not always obvious to the eye. Note that the vertical perspective is exaggerated to enhance the features. Narrated by Jim Broadbent. Watch them here: Southern marshes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwhVamd4j6E Northern marshes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZjqzcMFXi8 *** Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project practical days *** Will Bartle writes: Have some free time and looking for a new challenge? Why not help preserve one of England's rarest natural habitats. The Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project is looking for enthusiastic and willing volunteers to help maintain and improve chalk streams throughout February and March, at Laceby, Welton-le-Wold and Ashby- cum-Fenby in the Lincolnshire Wolds. Volunteers will be involved in the practical conservation of the chalk streams and their banks, helping to provide and improve the habitats of local wildlife including trout, otters and water voles. No experience is needed, but you must be physically fit and confident when working near or in water. Safety training will be provided to volunteers in the sessions. Give a helping hand to a local habitat on: Tuesday 24 February - 10.30am - 3pm - Moorhouse Farm, Barton Street, Ashby-cum-Fenby, North East Lincolnshire, DN37 0RU Saturday 7 March - 10am - 3pm - Laceby Village, North East Lincolnshire. The work will be on the footpath, near the bridge as you come into the village past the Mini garage. Please park in the pub car park (Nags Head) and walk down. Saturday 14 March 10am - 3pm - Welton-le-Wold To sign up contact: William.bartle@lincolnshire.gov.uk or phone Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service on 01507 609740. For more details/to find out more about the Chalk Streams of Lincolnshire, visit: http://www.lincswolds.org.uk/chalk-streams/volunteering Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LincolnshireChalkStreams?ref=hl *** WEA Butterfly Course *** Kay Raby writes: A butterfly course which we hope to run at Sutton-on-Sea (numbers permitting) BUTTERFLIES ON MY MIND a 5 week course at the Methodist Church Rooms, Station Road, Sutton-on-Sea starting Monday March 2 ND 10 am- 12.30 pm. Organised by Mablethorpe and Sutton-on-Sea W.E.A. with Tutor Graham Beaumont Information from Kay Raby Branch Secretary. Enrolment necessary by February 23 RD but payment not required before the first class. Some people with low household income can get it free. Contact by e-mail as below Or telephone 01507 442077 Kay Raby kay.raby@live.co.uk kay.raby@mypostoffice.co.uk *** Scunthorpe Museum Society *** Keith Scarrott writes: The Natural History and Geology Section, Scunthorpe Museum Society. At our next meeting, on Monday, 9th March, we Imogen Wilde, Regional Co-ordinator and Mentor for Lincolnshire for the British Arachnological Society (BAS), coming to give us an illustrated presentation all about "Spiders". We will be introduced to the fascinating and often misunderstood world of spiders. We will be learning about the variety, behaviour, importance and, yes, THE BEAUTY OF SPIDERS. Imogen issues the challenge to COME ALONG IF YOU DARE! We meet, as usual, in: St. Bernadette's Parish Centre (DN16 2RS) which is opposite the Priory Hotel on Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, 7.15pm start. ALL ARE WELCOME. There is no entry charge but a donation bowl is provided. Light refreshments are provided for a small charge during mid-talk break. The Church has ample free parking. For more details contact Keith Scarrott on 01724 762098. *** LWT Alford & Mablethorpe branch events - I am checking the date *** Natalie and George Rutter write: March - Monday 19th at The Half Moon, West St, Alford at 7.30pm The work of the Wildlife Police with PC Nick Willey. Wildlife is under constant pressure from a variety of causes and Nick will describe the types of problems they have to deal with. *** Lincoln RSPB *** http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ *** 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 *** Scrub It Out *** Julia Smith sent this in: Did you know that tiny plastic particles are lurking in hundreds of toiletries available in the UK? Whether you use them or not, many do and they are ending up in the ocean and our food chain - large plastic pellets are even being found in otter spraint! Help encourage businesses to stop this environmentally unfriendly use of plastic! Take the pledge to Scrub It Out! http://www.mcsuk.org/what_we_do/Clean%20seas%20and%20beaches/Campaigns%20and%20policy/Microplastics%20-%20scrub%20it%20out ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ 12/2 Scaup 1w drk, male Hen Harrier, Frampton Marsh Bittern, north side Whisby Nature Park Great Grey Shrike, Wold Newton 13/2 14/2 Iceland Gull, North Quay, Grimsby 2 Snow Buntings, outer dunes, Cleethorpes Coast Water Pipit on flash, Donna Nook Great Grey Shrike, Wold Newton Scaup, 2 Hen Harriers, 1m, over saltmarsh, possible Rough- legged Buzzard over wet grassland, Frampton Marsh 7 White-fronted Geese, Alkborough Flats 5 Commin Cranes flew east over Crowland Long-eared Owl, on island from hide, Deeping Lakes 15/2 30+ Snow Buntings, on saltmarsh opposite Meridian Centre, Cleethorpes Coast 150 Twite near Stonebridge Car Park, Donna Nook Tundra Bean Goose at Candy Farm, Wroot Black Brant ad with 800 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, in field south of Grainthorpe Haven 16/2 Bittern, flew to east end, Boultham Mere Scaup, Hen Harrier, Twite, Frampton Marsh Bittern, Cleethorpes Country Park 17/2 5 Hen Harriers, 2 males, Water Pipit, Scaup, Great White Egret, Black Brant, Frampton Marsh Tundra Bean Goose, Candy Farm, Wroot Iceland Gull 1w, North Wall at Kirwin Bros, Grimsby Great Grey Shrike, Wold Newton Long-eared Owl, on island from hide, Deeping Lakes 3 Shorelarks, 30 Twite, 16 Snow Buntings, near Brickyard Lane, Saltfleetby 80 Twite, Donna Nook 2 Waxwings end of Aylmer Avenue, Water Pipit, Gibraltar Point 18/2 Water Pipit on marsh, Donna Nook Male Hen Harrier, Spotted Redchank, Frampton Marsh 19/2 c40 Snow Buntings, near Meridian Centre, Cleethorpes Bittern flew SW over West Common, Lincoln Bittern, Boultham Mere Great Grey Shrike, Skillington, south of Grantham Woodlark, West Dunes, 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. Gorse record John Walker 16 Feb 2015 Gorse c 80 bushes some in flower along road verges of A 46 south of Nettleton *** 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. BOSTON (South by A16) 18/02/2015 Roy & ath Pearson Three Blackcaps in the garden today. CAISTOR Wendy Handford (WH) Reports from contributors to Caistor records Week beginning 13.2.15 Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 WH Badger digging 3am 18.2.15 Trailcam Fox in Spruce wood 2am 13.2.15 Trailcam Rabbit, very young 14.2.15 Buzzard perched in Field maple 14.2.15 Rooks 2 nestbuilding 18.2.15 Sparrowhawk f 16.2.15 Songthrush in full song 13.2.15 onwards Varied carpet beetle larva (Woolly bear) 17.2.15 Zebra spider on window 14.2.15 A46 summit near Caistor TA 130 015 Shieling farm TA 106 027W Collins First lambs! 16.2.15 Spa top TA 122 016 Linda Mason RSPB Bird survey 25.1.15 Blackbird 3, Blue Tit 2, Chaffinch 5, Great Tit 2, Greenfinch 6, House Sparrow 7, Jay 1, Jackdaw 1, Magpie 1, Pheasant 1, Robin 2, Starling 17, Woodpigeon 1 COLLINGHAM Peter Morrell Collingham SK 8794 9095 Barn owl hunting 07:00 GAINSBOROUGH Ludford Crescent DN21 1XB Chris Coleman 17 Feb 2015 Group of nine magpies in/around a local tall Leylandii in a garden at DN21 1XB HUMBER BANK BARTON UPON HUMBER Angela Buckle 16.2.2015 First Coltsfoot in flower HUMBER BANK BARTON UPON HUMBER Angela Buckle 19/2/2015 Nine Celandines in flower HUTTOFT PITS WETLAND BIRD SURVEY Dave Miller 8th February 2015 “feral” Goose 1 Canada Goose 6 Common Gull 3 Coot 1 Gadwall 2 Greylag Goose 2 Magpie 3 Pochard 1 male Teal 12 Whooper Swan 1 Wigeon 100 Woodpigeon 2 Wren 1 LINCOLN SK972738 W/E 21/02/2015 Jayne Knight 14/02/15 Saw another large flock of the Woodpigeon type bird I mentioned in last week's Bulletin, these were flying over Bracebridge Heath and this timeI had my binoculars. Can now positively identify them as Woodpigeon. 16/02/15 3 Long-tailed Tits searching the apple tree. They then flew off to join more in one of the ornamental cherry trees on the green. 17/02/15 Went to lunch at Woodcocks, pulled up at the A46/A57 roundabout on the bypass and saw a Buzzard sat on one of the concrete fence posts off to the left. Very relaxed and enjoying the sun. After the meal went for a wander round the marina, saw an Oystercatcher feeding on the grass between the boats and railway line. On way back to pub car park spotted a solitary Fieldfare also feeding. Then two Oystercatchers feeding on the mini-roundabout which filters traffic from A57 into Burton Waters. RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF 309 847 (unless otherwise stated) Silvia Fowler 06.02.15 4-5 Long-tailed Tits Wren First Hazel Catkins shedding pollen 08.02.15 Buzzard Skylark x 3 in song over fields (within TF3284) 13.02.15 Grey Squirrel Lesser Celandine, Primrose and the odd Daisy coming into flower; Lords-and-Ladies foliage emerging. Grey Heron by the river Lud off Westgate in Louth (TF 321 872) 18.02.15 Approx. 55-60 Black-headed Gulls on river Lud at Hubbards Hills in Louth (TF 316 867), some clearly in first-winter plumage, others showing signs of their black/brown heads returning. 19.02.15 The Mistle Thrush is still holding my largest cotoneaster with about 30% of berries left on. The solitary Common Gull still returns every day feeding for hours on worms in pasture – has been coming here for about 3 months now. I'm assuming it's the same individual. Pair of Collared Doves spending much time together, but no breeding attempt as yet. STAMFORD Peter Morrell Stamford TF 0198 0572 18.02.15 Otter road kill on the hard shoulder of A1. Although just over the border in Cambridgeshire by a few metres, the nearest water body was the River Welland that marks the County boundary. THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 05/02/15 Common Buzzard x 1 09/02/15 Barn Owl x 1 Common Buzzard x 1 10/02/15 Roe Deer x 6 SE792003 (Clare Holmes) 13/02/15 Grey Partridge x 3 Little Owl x 1 14/02/15 Blackbird x 5 Dunnock x 1 Golden Plover x 27 Kestrel x 4 Little Egret x 4 (SK770976) Robin x 1 Skylark x 2 singing high over Thurnholmes Great Diving Beetle x 1 female 15/02/15 Barn Owl x 1 calling 11.30pm Cormorant x 1 River Trent (SK814999) Dunnock x 1 Golden Plover x 125 Goosander x 2 River Trent (SK814999) Grey Partridge x 2 Kestrel x 2 Moorhen x 3 Mute Swan x 2 Tree Sparrow x 17 17/02/15 Fox x 1 18/02/15 Brown Hare x 1 WAINFLEET FLATS Dave Miller 6th February 2015 Dark-bellied Brent Goose 700 Crow 3 Curlew 2 Golden Plover 95 GBB Gull 1 Grey Plover 1 Hen Harrier 1 Little Egret 3 Magpie 1 Redshank 74 Shelduck 4 Skylark 350 WAINFLEET CONSERVATION PONDS 17/02/2015 Roy & Kath Pearson Both Grey-lag and Canada geese present and seemingly prospecting for nest sites. A few Mallard were about and a single Heron. Wrens and Reed Buntings were vocal in the reed-beds and the hedges held good numbers of tits, plus Greenfinches, Chaffinches and a few Yellowhammers. WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 19/2/2015 Mole [dead] Adult stoat attempting to raid a nest box about 6' up on a pear tree. Could not get in the hole. Box has been occupied by tree sparrows. 5 Long-tailed tits on peanut feeder and "lamb bone" Song Thrush. WILLOUGHTON Peter Morrell Willoughton SK931931 19.02.15 2 female common toads active in my pond, no sign of frogs or newts yet. 8 wrens roosting in disused housemartin nest. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. Lincolnshire Coast NNRs and S Lincs Highlights including RSPB Wash Reserves RSPB Reserves: http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/collections/thewash_northnorfolk.aspx http://www.rspb.org.uk www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh LWT Reserves: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ South Lincolnshire bird sightings January 2014 RSPB Frampton Marsh RSPB Freiston Shore Gibraltar Point NNR Other sites T John Badley [Assisted by Colin Jennings] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GIBRALTAR POINT NNR. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. Week ending 05/02/15 John Walker, Peter and Janet Roworth, Nigel Lound, Cliff Morrison. The last 2 weeks of Jan recorded air temperatures from minus 5 oc to plus 4 oc with some very cold winds and light snowfalls, and on the last day of the month 15mm of rainfall making a monthly total of 34mm so well below average, ( 24mm in the first 5 days of Feb ) Bird song is now getting stronger with, great and blue tit, robin, dunnock, song thrush, mistle thrush and skylark singing, and great spotted woodpeckers drumming. Bird sighting include, merlin 1, little owl 1, tawny owl 1, sparrowhawk 2, common buzzard 1, shoveler 21, brent goose 450 ( including 2 pale bellied brent) snipe 45, jack snipe 3, stonechat 3, water rail 2, dunlin 325, curlew 313, redshank 190, rock pipit c 45, Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe NNR 6th to 19th February 2015 Contributors: Nige Lound, Janet and Peter Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison and several members of Lincs Bird Club An extract from the Lincs Bird Club of 17th February from observers reads as follows: "Unbelievable trip to coast, superb birds all day, too many to post! Brickyard Lane: Shore Lark 3, Snow Bunting about 16, Twite about 30, Pink-footed Goose, skeins of 96 and 81+ north Theddlethorpe all Saints: Whooper Swans on field with Mute Swans 9, Pink-footed Goose c60 north, Rimac: Hen Harrier 1, Peregrine 1, Red Kite 1, Redshank about 30, Rock Pipit 8+ Paradise Pool/Saltfleet Haven: Brent Goose about 500, Shelduck 6, Curlew 55" The weekly notes normally comprise our own local records, but many people also put records onto the Lincs Bird Club site and also onto the national BirdGuide site as well. We can become blasé about our local birds, so it's good to see how well appreciated the area is by visitors. The Shorelarks are a scarce winter visitor to the East Coast from northern Scandinavia and beyond. The samphire beds within the Crook Bank to Churchill area seem to be a favourite location and from 1-4 have been seen throughout the winter here, although they are feeding elsewhere as well and may be absent for many days at a time. However, when noted on BirdGuides recently, as many as 200 birders have visited over several days. In the previous winter, when up to 13 birds could regularly be seen, it's estimated that well over 1,500 birders visited from all over the country. Whilst the Shorelarks and Snow Buntings are good to see, the wintering flock of over 220 Twite, at its peak in January, are without doubt a very important species taking advantage of seed source offered by the samphire plants. They can be seen moving across the samphire beds in a constantly twittering 'rolling flock' where, where the birds at the rear of the group overfly the front of the flock, as they move along. As with Shorelarks and Snow Buntings, Twite move from the UK and Scandinavian uplands to the coasts in winter to feed. Twite is a 'red listed' bird of conservation concern here in the UK, meaning that it has suffered at least a 50% decline in breeding population and has shown a 25 year ongoing decline in population. In fact, 2 colour ringed Twite noted this winter and others noted previously, have indicated that the birds wintering here originate from the (southern) Pennines, where due to changes in farming practice, 90% declines have been noted. However, a RSPB project, with Natural England support is now working to reverse this decline, so having well fed winter birds to return to their summer breeding grounds is really important. The Twite flock was numbering over 110 birds earlier in February, but as noted by the Bird Club reports above, seems to have dropped away to around 30 birds. The samphire seed source is pretty well exhausted by mid February, so the birds are wandering further afield, with 60-100 being recorded at Donna Nook and Cleethorpes/Humberston foreshores recently. Picking up on the Pink-footed Goose northerly movements mentioned above, there have been a couple of days where over 1000 and 1500 birds have been counted moving north on a broad front. This is typical of early to mid February, where the Norfolk wintering population is beginning its gradual north westwards migration to the west coast before leaving for Iceland towards the end of March. Blackbirds were also much in evidence earlier in the month, but have now moved on back to the Continent and Scandinavia, whilst several small flocks of Redwings moving on have also been noted in the past few days. Perhaps not regarded as noteworthy, but Meadow Pipits are an uncommon winter bird and 4 flew north high on 15th, marking their spring return. There were also 14 Pied Wagtails on the beach on 19th, which moved off northwards. Other birds of note have included 2 Buzzards, resident birds in the area, 2 Stonechats, that have wintered in the Rimac area, 36 Shovelers, a good number, but a slight increase on the wintering population, 2 Woodcock and Jack Snipe south of Crook Bank. A party of 15 Long-tailed Tits together on 12th was the largest single flock recorded for a while. An interesting record on 9th February was of a large dog Otter making its way along the drain next to Churchill Lane towards the reserve, but it no doubt turned north along the larger drain before it actually made it onto the reserve. It presumably was exploring away from the River EAU about a Km away. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. News from Far Ings NNR ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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: Adrian Royle's superb Flickr photo-site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/adiroyle/collections/72157624803742908/ Colin Green has produced the following video about visiting Southrey Wood in Oct 2012. Well worth a look. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1SpBvd9Ib0 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7. Sending in reports to Roger Parsons ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The purpose of the Bulletin is to encourage biological recording in Lincolnshire using modern Information and Communication Technology. We hope to increase the number of people reporting observations to LNU Recorders and improve the quality of reports, as well as the quantity and the geographical coverage. In return for this FREE service, we ask you to provide reports, questions, news or relevant articles from time to time. Descriptive pieces are welcome - you don't have to stick to lists! Mailing times vary, depending on what I am doing. The Bulletin usually 'goes to bed' on Fridays. Please e-mail in contributions as early as possible to ensure they are included, to: rparsons@enterprise.net [A backup e-mail address you can use if ever you experience problems with my "Enterprise" address is: aintree2@yahoo.co.uk ] When sending in reports please follow this layout to save re-editing: Place Name: IN CAPITALS with Grid Reference if you have it. Your Name: Real names please, not aliases. Put it in each time, for each location Date: Species list [Alphabetical?] & numbers [and observations?] e.g. Blackbird - 24 [And please, no home-grown abbreviations. Species Names in full.] *** Find the Grid Reference *** Chris Manning recommended the following website to help you find grid references. http://www.bnhs.co.uk/focuson/grabagridref/html/index.htm ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 8. Contact Information & Useful Websites ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please let me know ASAP if any of these weblinks fail! *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Website *** A full list of LNU Country Recorders is given here. http://www.lnu.org/ LNU e-mail: info@lnu.org If you are not yet a member, the LNU needs good naturalists like you! Anyone interested can get membership application forms from Wilma Gammon at the Lincs Wildlife Trust office, e-mail wgammon@lincstrust.co.uk LNU publications [listed on LNU website] may be ordered via: Ian Macalpine-Leny http://lnu.org/publications.php ian@macalpine-leny.co.uk *** Contacts List *** No hotlinks in this section, just copy and paste URLs, please. FIGHTING WILDLIFE CRIME *** Rural Crime Officer *** Pc 160 Nick Willey Force Wildlife, Rural Crime Officer Force Dog Training Establishment Lincolnshire Showground. Grange-De-Lings. Lincoln nicholas.willey@lincs.pnn.police.uk OFFICE: 01522-731897 MOBILE :07768-501895 PAGER : 07654-330877 Website: http://www.lincs.police.uk/Advice/Wildlife-and-Rural-Crime/ STAYING SAFE No hotlinks in this section, just copy and paste URLs, please. *** EasyTide *** Check tide times on Admiralty EasyTide: http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx *** Local Tide Tables *** Here is a useful-looking website where you can order local tide tables. Well worth bookmarking. Everyone who uses the coast ought to have local tide tables handy. £1.50 + p&p. https://www.tidetimes.org.uk/ *** TWO - The Weather Outlook *** Check the weather forecast for the location or postcode: http://www.theweatheroutlook.com/ *** Met Office E-mail Service *** Be warned of the possibility of severe weather. The Met Office website now offers an e-mail notification service for severe weather and other matters which may interest readers. Worth having a look and signing up. See: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/guide-to-emails *** Environment Agency Flood Information/Floodline *** http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/default.aspx *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/ Care of Sick or Injured Animals - information on LWT website *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/sick-and-injured-animals SPECIES IDENTIFICATION AND RECORDING No hotlinks in this section, just copy and paste URLs, please. *** iSpot Keys for computer or mobile *** If you are a beginner to identification of species, you might find the following link useful. http://www.ispot.org.uk/keys The LNU is now represented on the popular iSpot website. A full list of the organisations, recording schemes and societies represented is here: http://www.ispot.org.uk/representatives *** What's That Butterfly? *** http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/index.php http://butterfly-conservation.org/ What's That Caterpillar? http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/species_family.php?name=all&stage=larva *** Identifying Dragonflies *** http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/content/uk-species http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/content/dragonfly-and-damselfly-identification-help *** Spiders *** Imogen Wilde writes: Regional Co-ordinator (RC) and Mentor for Lincolnshire for the British Arachnological Society (BAS). I will be organising a few field meetings to hunt for spiders and other arachnids in due course, but if any LNU members wish to get in touch in the meantime then please contact me on my e-mail address: Imogen@imogenwilde.co.uk *** Lincs Amphibian and Reptile Group *** The Lincolnshire ARG (Amphibian & Reptile Group) For further details please contact: 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 No hotlinks in this section, just copy and paste URLs, please. *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/ *** Lincs Environmental Records Centre *** Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership (of which LERC is a part) Contact: Charlie Barnes, charlie.barnes@glnp.org.uk or for more general queries: info@glnp.org.uk Website: http://www.gnlp.org.uk *** Limestone Grassland Project *** Mark Schofield, Limestone Grassland Project Officer, mschofield@lincstrust.co.uk Mobile: 07825970930, Switchboard: 01507 526667. To find out more and to become involved with the survey and management of Lincolnshire's limestone grassland on road verges see: See: http://www.lifeontheverge.org.uk/ *** Lincs Bird Club *** Secretary - Robert Carr secretary@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Membership Secretary - Mike Harrison: michael@michaelharrison1.wanadoo.co.uk LBC County Bird Recorders John Clarkson - Covering the north of the county recorder_north@lincsbirdclub.co.uk John Badley - Covering the south of the county recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Bird Club Website: http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk *** The Sir Joseph Banks Society *** Contact 01507 528223 or by e-mail: enquiries@joseph-banks.org.uk. http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk *** Other Useful Websites *** No hotlinks in this section, just copy and paste URLs, please. Suggestions for other useful Websites are welcome. *** Natural England *** http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ Still includes SSSI Information and "Nature on the Map" *** Lincolnshire Environmental Awards *** http://www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk/ *** The Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes Project (LCGMP) *** To learn more about the project or to find out how to get involved, please visit http://www.lincsmarshes.org.uk/ *** 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, March 07, 2015 AGM Followed by the Presidential address by Nick Tribe: "Aspects of Dragonfly Recording in Lincolnshire". 2016 Field Meetings. Sunday, April 26, 2015 Little Haw Wood -(Courtesy of Forestry Commission) Southwest of Castle Bytham, 12.00 for 13.00 start. Park in turning area off track near west end of Clipsham Wood at SK9703 1705. Take minor road between Clipsham and Castle Bytham to reach Clipsham Wood. NB. There is about a 800m walk to Little Haw Wood from the parking spot. Habitats: Mixed Woodland. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Sunday, May 31, 2015 Fulsby Wood SSSI - (Private) (Courtesy of Tumby Estate) South of Horncastle 10am to 4pm. Park in Tumby saw mill car park at TF254602 (PE22 7TD) which is on north side of A155 between Coningsby and Mareham le Fen. Leader will be at car park for 10am and then again for 1pm for afternoon only attendees. Habitats: Ancient woodland Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Friday, June 05, 2015 Chambers Farm Wood (Courtesy of Forestry Commission) (multi-organizational Bioblitz event with evening moth sessions) South of Wragby Evening session on Friday from 9pm, then all day recording on Saturday and Sunday. Evening session on Saturday starting at 9pm. Times TBC. Use both car parks near to Wood Centre at TF147739 (LN8 5JR) Toilets available on site. Habitats: Various woodland types, pasture, scrub and ponds. Contacts: Anne Goodall 01526 398182 anne.goodall@esl-lincoln.co.uk and Charlie Barnes 01507 526667 charlie@cucaera.co.uk Saturday, June 06, 2015 Bioblitz - Chambers Farm Wood (Courtesy of Forestry Commission) See 5 June above Sunday, June 07, 2015 Bioblitz - Chambers Farm Wood (Courtesy of Forestry Commission) See 5 June above Saturday, June 27, 2015 Poplar Farm, Low Hameringham (Courtesy of Tony Smith) South of Horncastle, 12.00 for 13.00 start. Evening session starting at 21.15. Use farmyard for parking at TF305662 Habitats: Various grassland types, marsh, chalk stream Leader: Mark Schofield 07825 970930 mschofield@lincstrust.co.uk Saturday, July 11, 2015 Thorne (Beehives) Ltd Rand West of Wragby 12.00 for 13.00 start. Use car park at TF106787 (LN8 5NJ) which is off minor lane northwards off A158 (about 500m on right past Rand Farm Park entrance). Habitats: Broadleaved woodland, wildflower meadows, gardens, ponds and lakes. Leader: Charlie Barnes 01507 526667 charlie@cucaera.co.uk Saturday, August 15, 2015 White House Farm, Branston Fen (Courtesy of Peter Lundgren) SE of Lincoln, 12.00 for 13.00 start. Evening session starting at 20.30. Park in farmyard at TF085705 (LN3 5UP) which is at end of North Causeway found off the B1190 at Branston Booths. Habitats: Grassland, ditches, arable. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Sunday, September 06, 2015 Metheringham Delph East of Metheringham, 12.00 for 13.00 start. Road verge parking alongside Carr Dyke near western end of the Delph at approx.TF114 620. Take minor road off B1189 between Metheringham Habitats: Grassland, river, ditches. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Sunday, October 11, 2015 Fungus Foray - TBC TBC - see Wildnews Bulletin, website or contact a member of the Executive Committee for further details. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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: caroline.amphlett - soft bounce - delivery failed; will not continue trying barrie.hunt - soft bounce - delivery failed; will not continue trying ben.blackburn - hard bounce - delivery failed; will not continue trying BMW_cool - hard bounce - delivery failed; will not continue trying davidwebb - soft bounce - delivery failed; will not continue trying duncan.hall - soft bounce - delivery failed; will not continue trying janet.moss - soft bounce - delivery failed; will not continue trying *** And finally...... Contributions to "And finally......" are always welcome. The Wonderful Witham https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Fp9bKSwaBE#t=969 University of Lincoln plus Siren FM - "Nightingales" made possible by Grahame Hopwood at Whisby http://www.sirenonline.co.uk/archives/8926 Grantham Museum reopens after refurbishment http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-31436879 Conservation concern for UK insects http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-31440646 Bass Rock has world's largest colony of Northern gannets http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-31453488 Plastic waste heading for oceans quantified http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-31432515 Limpet teeth set new strength record http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-31500883 ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/