============================================= || || 11th January 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.... *** The Met Office is warning of strong winds. See: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/ 2014 is officially the UK's warmest year on record. Details: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/news/releases/archive/2015/Record-UK-temps-2014 This winter seems remarkably mild so far, and TWO's January predictions make little mention of snow or freezing conditions. http://www.theweatheroutlook.com/ Please continue to report records for gorse and its flowering status. That will be very helpful. Following on from Charlie Barnes' eponymous record of Gorse in flower in Gorse Lane, Carlton le Moorland, I would like to ask for other good examples of a species record matching the name of its location. See what you can do. Charlie's mistletoe-related research is still on-going so do please have a go at helping him with that. See below. I devote a lot of attention to computer security. An incoming "worm, trojan or virus" could cause chaos to Bulletin readers. Quite a few people have experienced dodgy emails containing a link that would lead you to trouble if you clicked it. Delete such mail unopened. Whatever brand of anti-virus and anti-malware programs you use, please make sure these are regularly updated and run. I do this daily. Do your bit to keep us all safe. 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, January 17th, 2015 - Joint meeting with Lincs Bird Club. Phil Espin, Chairman of the Lincolnshire Bird Club, will be speaking about' 'Rare Breeding Birds in Lincolnshire and the Rare Breeding Birds Panel." Guests are welcome at our meetings. *** Peter Roworth's Weather Facts *** 2014 observations of interest: Lowest minimum was ground -7.75°C 12th January and air -3.25°C on 21st January. A late ground frost of 0.0°C on 4th May (note +1.75°C on 26th June.) The highest daytime temperature was 26.25°C on 16th July (note unseasonal 14.25°C on 20th February and 18th December). The most continuous rain days was from 20th - 29th August. The most rainfall recorded during a 24hr period was 28.1mm on 10th July (more than 20mm on 9th June; 2nd, 8th, 10th August; 26th December). The wettest month was August with 93.0mm (3.6"). The total rainfall for 2014 was 670.4mm (26.4"). [Note: 2013 437.9mm (17.25")]. The longest without rain was from 8th - 17th March. The driest month was September with 11.5mm (0.4"). A south westerly gust of 65.9mph was recorded near Sea View on 12th February. The only time snowfall was recorded was on 11th February which was a very raw day with rain, hail and wet snow. Dense fog observed on 14th March; 2nd April; 4th and 14th November. Dec 2014: The first week of December was cold with some showers and occasional weak sunshine, influenced by raw winds from the North but then veering from the SW. From the 5th - 16th frosts were frequent. However pressure rose quickly from a deep low (1001MB) on the 17th to give a few days of very mild south westerlies when temperatures rose to an unseasonal high of 14.25°C on the 18th and 14.0°C on the 22nd. On the 23rd the 24hr difference in temperature was only 1.5°C (11.0°C ground, 10.5°C air and 12.5°C air max). A rapidly moving cold front meeting warm air gave 23.3mm of rain on the 26th (note - snow fell on the Lincs Wolds). The last few days of the month saw conditions return to cold, clear sunny days with sharp frosts. There were several days when winds were a fresh to strong breeze (f5-6 plus). Of note the following gusts were measured N 39.4mph on 2nd, SW 44.9mph on 18th and SW 40.4mph on the 22nd. Total ppt for month 670.4mm (26.4"). *** Scunthorpe Museum Society Talk *** Keith Scarrot writes: The Natural History and Geology Section of Scunthorpe Museum Society. Our first talk for 2015 is on Monday, 12th January, when well-known local Professional Ornithologist and Photographer, Graham Catley, visits us again to give his talk entitled "Snow Birding". Graham's talk will be on birds of the ice and snow of Northern Europe and North America. ALL ARE WELCOME. We meet at St. Bernadette's Parish Centre which is opposite The Priory Hotel, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, postcode DN16 2RS. The meeting starts at 7.15pm. There is no entry charge but a donation bowl is provided. Light refreshments are available at the interval for a small charge. For any further details please contact Keith Scarrott on 01724 762098. *** Alford & Mablethorpe LWT Area Group *** Monday 12th January The Half Moon Hotel, Alford 7.30pm The Biodiversity of the Wash with Paul Espin The Wash is a haven for a great variety of wildlife and Paul will discuss this and how the wildlife can co-exist with the commercial life. *** Barton Area Group LWT *** Adrian White writes: Wednesday 14th January "The Butterflies of Lincolnshire" A talk by Martin Broadbridge Meet at Ness Farm starting at 7:30pm Everybody welcome Sunday 18th Barrow Haven A half-day walk from Barton to Barrow Haven For details contact; Vernon Chapman 01652 66095 Meet at Far Ings Visitor Centre 09:00am start Everybody welcome *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** Carolyn Lovely writes: On Monday 12th January 2015 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them at their next indoor meeting where Pete Pounds will give an illustrated presentation - "Volcanoes of Kamachatka" - a fascinating area area that he visited in the far east of Russia. This takes place in Grimsby Town Hall and starts at 7.30pm. All are welcome admission £2. Trust goods stall, raffle, tea/ coffee available. For further details contact Jennie Redpath 01472 502858. *** Lincoln Area Group LWT *** Richard Davidson writes: January 15th: Mammals of Lincolnshire An illustrated talk by LNU county recorder Chris Manning about the range of mammals found in Lincolnshire and how to read their tracks and field signs. The event will be held at Whisby Nature Park Education Centre starting at 7:30pm. Admission is £2.50 which includes refreshments. *** Reminder: Mistletoe Spotting with an invertebrate difference *** Charlie Barnes writes: Now is the perfect time of year to collect up fallen mistletoe twigs to try and rear out saproxylic species, e.g. the beetle Gastrallus knizeki, which are associated with mistletoe. I would be happy to receive twigs of mistletoe with details of collection date and location or you can try rearing through yourselves (get in touch for details). I am also interested in looking for mistletoe specific species during the spring and summer - this would ideally involve easily accessible (head height!) mistletoe clumps or using a device similar to the telescopic fruit pickers available for apples if they're just out of reach. If you have any suitable clumps on your garden trees, let me know! Charlie Barnes: charlie@cucaera.co.uk http://www.kew.org/science-conservation/plants-fungi/viscum-album-mistletoe *** Lincoln RSPB *** http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ *** South Lincs RSPB *** Members and non-members welcome. http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire *** WWF Forest Campaign *** WWF say: "Every two seconds an area of forest the size of a football pitch is destroyed. Yet here in the UK you can still buy furniture, books, cards and other products made from illegally or unsustainably sourced wood. It's time to say no to this nonsense." http://www.wwf.org.uk/how_you_can_help/campaign_with_us/forest_campaign/?pc=VCM003002 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ 1/1/2015 Hen Harrier male, Frampton Marsh 2/1 Black Brant adult with Dark-Bellied Brent Geese, on marsh off Stonebridge car park, Donna Nook Great White Egret, Deeping Lakes 3 Eurasian White-fronted Geese, Frampton Marsh Great Grey Shrike, 2.5mls NE of Gainsborough SW of Blyton along Carr Lane by railway embankment Shorelark, c70 Snow Buntings, c20 Twite, Cleethorpse Coast 3/1 Iceland Gull 2w, in field, probably Kumlien's Gull by Humber Bridge, Barton-upon-Humber Great Grey Shrike, 2.5mls NE of Gainsborough SW of Blyton along Carr Lane by railway embankment 100+ Snow Buntings on beach, Cleethorpes Coast Reed Warbler, Marston sewage works 2 Short-eared Owls, Hawthorpe Lapland Bunting, 18 Twite, Hen Harrier, Rimac Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point 4/1 Reed Warbler, Marston sewage works Black Brant adult with Dark-Bellied Brent Geese, 60 Snow Buntings, on marsh off Stonebridge car park and Pye's Hall, Donna Nook Little Stint, Water Pipit, Snow Bunting, Alkborough Flats Water Pipit opposite Marsh Farm reservoir, Frampton Marsh 33 Snow Buntings, Gibraltar Point Shorelark, 22 Snow buntings, Cleethorpes Coast near Buck Beck car park 5/1 32 Snow Buntings, Gibraltar Point 2 Eurasian White-fronted Geese, Water Pipit, Frampton Marsh 6/1 Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point 2 Eurasian White-fronted Geese, Water Pipit, Frampton Marsh Reed Warbler, Marston sewage works 7/1 Waxwing between Limber and Kirmington on hedge by road 2 Eurasian White-fronted Geese, Water Pipit, Frampton Marsh Rough-legged Buzzard reported near A16, Kirton White-fronted goose flew south over Gibraltar Point 8/1 Great Northern Diver south past Gibraltar Point Water Pipit, Frampton Marsh 40 Snow Buntings, 15 Twite, Northcoates Point Long-eared Owl, Deeping Lakes 2 Velvet Scotes off Freiston Shore 9/1 40 22 Snow buntings, Cleethorpes Coast near Buck Beck car park 2 Water Pipits, Frampton Marsh 5 Bewick's Swans, 47 Whooper Swans, Huttoft Bank 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. *** 'Roadkill'*** Jane Ostler Has anyone else noted the absence of both dead birds and mammals on our roads? For example on 2nd January travelling on both Al and on minor roads, about 20 miles in all, south of Colsterworth to include Holywell Lakes, not a single one. On 3rd January between Colsterworth and Frampton Marsh, mainly on B6403 and A52, just one dead swan at TF 150361. On this same journey 3 barn owls were seen out between 10.30 and 11a.m. at Easton, Horbling and Frampton Marsh. 7 kestrels were seen along the route, a sparrowhawk, two kites and a buzzard at intervals and the most common birds by far, apart from the pigeons associated with crops, were rooks. 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. GORSE LOCATIONS: GORSE LANE, CARLTON LE MOORLAND SK905588 01/01/2015 Charlie Barnes A gorse in flower record on an aptly named track! Gorse location: Irby valley TA 183 043. Wendy Handford 8.1.15 Dry valley across grazed fields. About 6 plants, 2 now with abundant flowers LINCOLN SK972738 Jayne Knight 08/01/15 Gorse in flower, Hartsholme Country Park, specifically on the path between the lake and the road. Re: Gorse - update of record. R & A Parsons 28/12/2014 2 gorse bushes well in flower noted east side on B1192 Tattershall to Woodhall Spa road at approx TF195615. Update: We drove by on 8/1/2015 and in addition to the bushes reported above, saw one gorse bush with only a few flowers and one with no visible flowers. *** County Wildlife Reports From Readers *** Please keep your reports coming. We rely on you to send in your observations and we welcome information from ALL readers, be they beginners or experts. Thanks. DON'T FORGET Please include the year in your reports in case they are copied and thus lose their context. CAISTOR Wendy Handford (WH) Reports from contributors to Caistor records Week beginning 1.1.15 Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 WH Blackbirds up to 25 on fallen fruit daily Bullfinches pair pecking buds on apple tree 1.1.15 Buzzard disturbs 25+ Woodpigeons feeding in meadow 6.1.14 Fieldfares up to 12 on fallen fruit daily Jays 2 daily Redwings 2 on lawn 1.1.15 Caistor Grammar School TA 115 012 to North Kelsey Road TA 116 015 Ailsa Wish A flock of 10+ Long-tailed tits follows the same route through the shrubs daily Navigation Lane TA 108 013 Clive Rudd Snipe 3, disturbed when walking dog across rough field 17.12.14 Nettleton Beck TA 090 011 Ben Jacob Little egret 30.12.14. New on Caistor List Nettleton Lodge Game Farm TA 090 012 Ben Jacob Greylag geese, family of 7, 2.1.15 Greylag geese skein of 50, 2.1.15 Tufted duck 8, 2.1.15 DEEPINGS Venue: Deeping Lakes Nature Reserve Date: 08/01/2015 1340 to 1630Observer: Ian Gordon Weather: Sunny, cold. Birds: Blackbird Black-headed Gull Blue Tit Canada Goose Carrion Crow Chaffinch Common Gull Coot Cormorant Dunnock Gadwall Goldeneye Goldfinch Great Crested Grebe Great Spotted Woodpecker Great Tit Greenfinch Green Woodpecker Grey Heron Greylag Goose Kestrel Lapwing Little Egret Little Grebe Long-eared Owl Magpie Mallard Moorhen Mute Swan Pheasant Pochard Redwing Robin Rook Sparrowhawk Teal Tufted Duck Wigeon Woodpigeon Mammals: Grey Squirrel (7) HORNCASTLE TF261691 My garden Robert Walker 8/1/15 Robins: Here in our town garden we have 2 Robins, 'Front Garden Robin' and 'Back Garden Robin'. The latter over the past month has become very accepting of my wife and I. Flying to us and feeding on suet pellets from our hand. It will often just stay on the palm of the hand and take 4 or 5 pellets before flying off. In fact he (or she) has become quite demanding at times! Have any other readers witnessed this particular behaviour? The only other example I know of is when Chris Packham who was filmed a few years ago,sitting on a garden seat, having 'trained' his robin to come onto his hand and feed. We just hope that 'our' robin doesn't get caught by our local Sparrowhawk, who made yet another incursion into the front garden this morning (8/1/15),chasing our feeding birds but failing to make a capture yet again! HUTTOFT Jane Pennington Huttoft TF512763 (my garden) 29/12/2014 Starlings 4 (checking out their regular nesting hole in a very old apple tree) 30/12/2014 Collared dove 1 (collecting nesting material) 1/1/2015 Wood pigeons 16 (having a sleepover in the garden) 4/1/2015 Wrens 2 5/1/2015 Chaffinches 2 (pair together on the ground) Great tits 4 Robins 2 Wren 1 7/1/2015 Collared dove 1 Magpies 2 LINCOLN SK972738 W/E 10/01/2015 Jayne Knight 02/11/14 While doing a town trail around Worksop noted dead bees scattered on pavement outside the Town Hall. Looked up and saw more bees going in and out a gap in the masonry at the top of the building. Back on the ground watched a bee and a wasp locked in mortal combat. No idea what the bees were, except slim, small and dark in colour. 13/12/14 While waiting to enter the Cathedral just after 7pm for a Carols Concert, heard the Peregrine Falcon calling very clearly. 02/01/15 Starlings mating in back garden tree. 08/01/15 Gorse in flower, Hartsholme Country Park, specifically on the path between the lake and the road. NETTLEHAM Brenda Edlington TF 005756 20/12/14 2 yellowhammers in garden near bird feeders 24/12/14 Large hedgehog near house, smaller one seen up to 2 weeks ago. They prefer peanuts to meat scraps! Hedgehog box is full of leaves so hopefully inhabited 25/12/2014 Female blackcap on apple tree Christmas rose in flower on Christmas Day - usually not in flower until January 28/12/14 1 yellowhammer on the lawn in the snow eating seed put out Primrose in flower, garden pink starting to flower, penstemon and harebell still flowering NETTLEHAM Su Colman & Mark Townsend 3/1/15 TF 03161 75493 Su Colman & Mark Townsend About 35-40 fieldfares in company with rooks and starlings foraging in the field (wheat planted) behind our house. TF001754 27/12/2014 Nettleham Police HQ near lake Redwings Song thrush Treecreeper ( one previously seen on 2 occasions in Vicar's Wood by Nettleham church) Dandelion in flower TF000757 31/12/2014 Deepdale Lane, Nettleham Small flock of fieldfares on hedgerow TF005375 23/12/2014 Grey wagtail sitting on house roof RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF 309 847 (unless otherwise stated) Silvia Fowler December Rainfall = 64 mm 2014 Annual Rainfall = 763 mm, quite a wet year and very close to the 770 mm of 2012 (my wettest year locally so far). 02.01.15 First Rabbit in garden after a 6-week absence. 03.01.15 2 Brown Rats under bird feeder 05.01.15 First Winter Aconite in flower. A few snowdrop buds starting to show; bluebells and arums poking through the soil. 05.01.15 For 3-4 weeks now, there's been a single Common Gull feeding daily for several hours in a pasture (an area of at least 3 acres) adjacent to our garden. Though I have noted this behaviour before, never has it continued for such a long spell without any other gulls joining in. There are several small flocks of gulls regularly active in neighbouring fields. The other day, a second gull approaching was seen off by the 'resident' gull in no uncertain terms. If this is the same bird every day, it seems to be strongly territorial when gulls generally appear quite gregarious. Any comments from other readers? 08.01.15 Large flock (about 500) of Fieldfares over pasture Mistle Thrush still holding a large cotoneaster shrub with lots of berries remaining, while other cotoneasters of the same species (c. watereri 'Cornubia') have been cleared completely by blackbirds. Larger than usual burrows in my compost bin - I'm wondering whether this year it's not just voles and mice, but rats are getting in as well. RIGSBY WOOD TF42-76- David Sheppard 25/12/2014 Brambles in flower 4/1/2015 Bluebells and Wild Arum shoots appearing Red Campion in flower Hogweed in flower WAINFLEET CONSERVATION PONDS 04/01/2015 Roy and Kath Pearson Green Sandpiper 2 Marsh Harrier 1 WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 4/1/2014 Buzzard seen at several locations in the fen. Great Beats Farm TF222833, Hurnbridge Road TF216535. 5/1/2015 Buzzard at Great Beats Farm TF222833 11.25hrs Marsh Harrier at approx TF 2352 at 11.30hrs. Barn owl at approx TF 216545 at 20.00hrs. WOOLSTHORPE LINE SK925246 Jane Ostler 7/1/15 The only plants in flower were daisy and white deadnettle. Spurge laurel (Daphne laureola) was in bud and was surrounded by seedlings. Cow Parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris) has seeded so prolifically that its small feathery leaves cover the path edges. Fungi In addition to the ubiquitous Scurfy Twiglet (Tubaria furfuracea) there were plenty of new brackets of turkeytail and hairy curtain crust (Stereum hirsutum). New records for the line were Soft puffball (Lycoperdon molle) still shedding spores Iodine bonnet (Mycena filopes) The dark pointed caps with distincive smell ,on the woody base of a garden plant. Leaf parachute (Marasmius epiphyllus) very dainty with papery white caps and hair thin stalks on twigs and leaf stalks. Another ash tree found with a covering on main trunk of the rust lichen Caloplaca ferruginea. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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) ere 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. Christmas 2014 to 8th January 2015: Contributors: Nige Lound, Janet Roworth, Peter Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison; A Christmas-New Year bird count across the reserve resulted in 86 species being noted, amounting to over 5,000 birds utilising the area. Highest counts included 1,500 Common Gulls, 750 Pink-footed Geese, 400 Curlews and 28 Whooper Swans, all of which roosted on the outer sands, whilst up to 400 Herring Gulls, 220 Twite, 200 Teal, 150 Wigeon and 100 Rock Pipits were also to be seen during the day. After New Year, peak counts of waders on the outer beach included 240 Dunlin, 260 Knot and 120 Redshank, so that over the 2 week period, the total bird count exceeded 5,500 using the reserve. Highlights of the period have included an adult Little Gull, immature Glaucous Gull and a Pomarine Skua all seen on 29th December, the latter bird chasing Herring Gulls across the beach, that had been feeding on a starfish and and razor clam washout. It is interesting how the large gulls arrive in the area so soon after a marine wash-out and disappear again as quickly. Across the outer beach, 1 possibly 2 Merlins could be seen, an immature female and a male Peregrine, along with a ringtail Hen Harrier at New Year. The 220 Twite at Theddlethorpe are now ranging widely across 8Km of beach and are proving more difficult to track as the samphire seed supply is exhausted. They are accompanied by up to a dozen Snow Buntings, whilst up to 4 Shorelarks have been seen a couple of times, but are very elusive. A parallel and exhaustive walk across much of the salt marsh yielded over 90 Rock Pipits, with a further 20 seen a couple of days later over the final stretch, so that at least 110 birds are present, along with no less than 70 Skylarks. Over 60 Snipe were also disturbed, so a sizeable population can be anticipated across the marsh as a whole. In addition to the Teal and Wigeon mentioned above, 2 Gadwall, 28 Shoveler, 3 Eiders and Mallard were also recorded, along with 41 Little Egrets, 4 Little Grebes, 2 Great-crested Grebes and 28 Cormorants. 2 wintering Kingfishers and 2 Stonechats are also to be seen north of Rimac to Saltfleet Haven. Heavy rain over the Christmas period resulted in standing water across many of the grass fields landward of the Rimac area. These areas proved to be very good for waders, ducks, swans and geese. Around 30 Whooper Swans, 300 Lapwings, 700 Golden Plovers, Snipe and Redshank, 750 Pink- footed Geese could be seen feeding. The geese flock has now broken up, probably due to disturbance and shooting, but only around 400 are now to be found up to 2 miles away. 3 Tundra Bean Geese accompanied the Pink-feet up until New Year, but haven't been recorded since. On 7th January, between 1,000 and 1,200 Pink-footed Geese were noted flying north across a broad front stretching from the Dunes to 2 miles out to sea. This was between 0815 and 0850 hours and is typical of birds leaving Norfolk in the late winter. However, these migrations used to be recorded in early February, but began in mid January 2014 and are very early this year. It is assumed that they would be heading NW to the west coast feeding area. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. News from Far Ings NNR http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 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/ *** 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/ *** 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 *** 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. 2014 Indoor meetings: Saturday, January 17th, 2015 Phil Espin, Chairman of the Lincolnshire Bird Club, will be speaking about' 'Rare Breeding Birds in Lincolnshire and the Rare Breeding Birds Panel." 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: john.bland - soft bounce victor.adams - soft bounce *** And finally...... Contributions to "And finally......" are always welcome. video by Rob Spray of a dive he did in the Wash. https://www.facebook.com/LincolnshireWildlifeTrust/posts/750797778290984 BTO Bird ID - Redwing and Fieldfare https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4hxUNvzmJU Waxwings in Horncastle 2011 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOWLTblSpi8 Short-eared Owl at Worlaby Carrs, North Lincolnshire https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTUfOyGKDzE Short-eared owl, Freiston [Windy] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yt-QzRSPn4 Twite Recovery Project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6AD68Ea3H0 Cyber warfare in the form of DDoS [Distributed Denial of Service] attacks are commonplace nowadays, as illustrated on the following mind-boggling web page of Top daily DDoS attacks worldwide. Digital Attack Map http://www.digitalattackmap.com/ ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/