============================================= || || 14th June 2015 || || LNU Website: || http://www.lnu.org/ || News of Lincolnshire Wildlife || ============================================ In this issue..... 1. Readers hints, tips and requests 2. Wildlife Highlights 3. Wildlife reports from around the county 4. News from the Lincolnshire Coast 5. News from Far Ings NNR 6. News from Bardney Limewoods NNR 7. Sending in Reports - contributors please read! 8. Contact information 9. Notes about these wildlife reports 10. Bulletin publicity policy 11. Events Diary 12. ...and finally..... ============================================ The Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Bulletin is being read by 1100 people and we are keen to encourage even more readers to subscribe. If you know someone who would like to receive the Bulletin please send them this webpage link so they can sign up for it: http://www.lnu.org/wildnews.php Past LNU Wildnews Bulletins are available on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Note: Each address contains the relevant date. Views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union or any associated organisations. Reports here are open and are available to county recorders of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. Please contact the Editor to contribute articles or reports. E-mail: rparsons@enterprise.net [A backup e-mail address you can use if ever you experience problems with my "Enterprise" address is: aintree2@yahoo.co.uk ] ============================================ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. Readers hints, tips and requests ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** From the Editor.... *** This year, as never before, we have observed the hunting abilities of the stoat. A small adult, we assume a female, has been tireless in her search for prey. Bounding across the orchard, scaling the trees, trying to get into nest boxes, she has terrorised the local bird population. On 29th April, looking out of the kitchen window, I saw her on the side of the old wash house trying to get into a wall-mounted sparrow terrace and I violated the "Prime Directive" by going outside, shouting "Go away, you %$&*$!" The house sparrows, in an anxious row on the fence, had already been shouting something very similar. The stoat whipped onto the Wash house roof, went down the side and into a flower border. Only that morning I had seen her hunting on an old apple tree. She not only knows her territory but can obviously reach things I thought impossible. I shall give thought to relocating and replacing boxes this year. I wonder whether her arrival here reflects some change in local populations of her more usual prey, or whether by feeding birds we are in fact feeding stoats? See: http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/species/stoat http://www.mammal.org.uk/stoat Stoat kills rabbit ten times its size https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNbqvqf3-14 http://www.arkive.org/stoat/mustela-erminea/video-16a.html Thank you for the reports that were waiting for me - all very well organised, saving me a lot of work. Please keep the contributions coming. If you know someone who might like to receive the Bulletin, please send them this link and suggest they sign up for it: http://www.lnu.org/wildnews.php Roger *** LNU Events - full list in section 11 below - guests welcome *** To check on the details, especially if weather suggests a possible cancellation, visit: http://lnu.org/events.php 2015 Field Meetings. Field Meetings generally start at 12 noon for 1.00pm, but please check the website details for each event. Saturday, 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 *** Second colony of oil beetles found in Lincolnshire *** Last week I received an email and photos confirming a new (second) location for oil beetles in the county - the species is currently unknown, but it is almost certainly Meloe proscarabaeus, the black oil beetle which was found near Ropsley in 2012. The site is, interestingly, on the Wash sea bank at Terrington Marsh, on the border with Norfolk. This excellent news holds out hope for further colonies waiting to be discovered - as this record shows they can turn up in the most unexpected places! Charlie Barnes County recorder for beetles *** Free Wildflower Identification Field Class in July *** At Water's Edge Centre, Barton-upon-Humber. Mark Schofield of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust and LNU President will be running two Wildflower Identification Field Classes in support of the 'Life on the Verge' project. The class will be from 10am-1pm at the Waters' Edge Centre in Barton-upon-Humber on Saturday 4th July. Beginners and improvers are welcome. A systematic but informal approach to learning wildflowers will be taken. The aim will be to help students remember important local species as well as basic family traits to make identification quicker and more enjoyable by avoiding the frustration of 'picture flicking.' A free wildflower identification booklet will be provided. The third wave of Life on the Verge is being launched this month and hopes to recruit more volunteers to look for important wildflowers on more road verges. This time the focus is the North Lincolnshire Edge - a narrow belt of limestone that follows the A15 north of Lincoln (Ermine Street) past Scunthorpe up to the Humber and includes the rural side roads along the way. It is hoped that more wildflower-rich verges will be discovered to add to those identified south of Lincoln and across the Wolds. This continuation of Life on the Verge is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Lincolnshire Wolds AONB, Lincolnshire County Council and the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. Between 2009 and 2013 over 250 volunteers helped to survey over 2,700km of road leading to the designation of 146 new Local Wildlife Sites along 233km of road. This has extended the known network of potential wildlife corridors which can help to safeguard their future management for wildlife and enable a landscape-scale approach to wildlife conservation in the county. To book a place and for more information on the classes please contact Mark Schofield on 01507 526667 / 07825970930, mschofield@lincstrust.co.uk For more information on the project visit www.lifeontheverge.org.uk Address for field class venue: Waterfront, Maltkiln Road, Barton-upon-Humber, North Lincolnshire DN18 5JR http://uk.multimap.com/p/browse.cgi?pc=DN18%205JR Main Reception 01652 631500 Directions: 1. Starting from the A15 follow signs for Barton on the A1077 continue straight ahead on the A1077 at the first roundabout 2. At the second roundabout take the first exit left onto the B1218 towards the station. 3. Bend sharp right and stay on the B1218 now called Fleetgate and continuing to follow signs for the station. 4. Pass Lidl and take the left at the next roundabout still following signs for the station *** Reminder - Ray Halstead - Recorder - Fungi *** Request: No records or queries for now, please. *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Events 2015 *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/whats-on *** Alford & Mablethorpe Branch LWT *** George Rutter writes: Tuesday 16th June 6.30pm Visit to Growing Wild Located on the right immediately before the Pilgrim Hospital heading towards Boston on the A16 Growing wild is a major supplier of British Native Plant Seed in the country, if anyone has ever wanted to start a wildflower meadow or need more help with one then come along. David Jenkins will explain their work and show us their plants and propagation techniques. *** Barton Area Group LWT *** Adrian White writes: Saturday 27th June Field trip to Bempton RSPB reserve. A day trip to this premier site for seabird colonies. For details contact; Adrian White (01724 732152) Meet at Ness Farm Centre for 9am start. All welcome - Trust membership not required. *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** Carolyn Lovely writes: On Saturday 20th June 2015 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them on an all day's visit looking at wild flowers in Bonby Upper Meadow and verge and South Ferriby Churchyard. This will be led by Andrew Taylor, Ecology Officer for North Lincolnshire. Please wear outdoor clothing and stout boots. This is a free event but donations will be welcomed for the Trust. For full details and to book a place contact Jennie Redpath 01472 502858 *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch *** http://www.lincolnshire-butterflies.org.uk/index.html *** Lincoln RSPB *** http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ *** South Lincs RSPB *** Members and non-members welcome. http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire Programme of events and booking of Wash Trips. *** Mermaid's Purses - request for records. *** Dave Miller writes: If anyone is visiting the coast could they please look out for mermaid's purses. Take a picture and send to me, with location, at: dmiller@lincstrust.co.uk *** Find the Grid Reference - always useful *** Chris Manning recommended the following websites to help find grid references. Grab a Grid Reference http://www.bnhs.co.uk/focuson/grabagridref/html/index.htm UK Grid Reference Finder: http://www.gridreferencefinder.com/ [Don't forget to scroll down to "And finally ....."] *** NHM 'Orchid Observers' Project on Zooniverse *** Photograph orchids to support climate change research. Orchid Observers is a new project bringing together photography, biological recording and the online analysis of museum specimens to better understand the effects that climate change is having on the flowering times of UK orchid populations. You can photograph orchids anywhere in the UK between now and September and upload your images to the website where you can also analyse flowering dates of museum specimens. http://www.orchidobservers.org Also see: Orchid spotters are helping to map climate change http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20150520-orchid-spotters-help-map-climate-change *** Volunteers needed to help with Riverfly Survey *** Clare Sterling writes: Fiona McKenna, Project Officer for the Lincolnshire Rivers Trust has asked me to pass on the details of some riverfly training days they are running. Their project will follow the standardised methods set out by the national Riverfly Partnership. http://www.riverflies.org/ They are currently looking for volunteers who can dedicate one hour a month to collect invertebrate samples in a local watercourse within the Barlings Eau catchment. If you live nearby and are interested please get in touch! Full training will be provided by a very experienced Riverfly trainer and full kit will be provided free of charge. Training days will take place on Saturday 25th July and Sunday 26th July 2015 at Sudbrooke (near Nettleham) Village Hall. Please contact Project Officer Fiona McKenna: lincsrivers@gmail.com or phone 07895423983" Website: http://lincsrivers.co.uk/ *** Improve your Invertebrate Identification skills. *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust (Lincoln Area Group) 2015 Workshops, in conjunction with the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union are listed below in section 11. Limited to 20 participants. Booking essential via Richard Davidson on 01522 525725 or Email rel.davidson@btinternet.com. Scroll down for more information below in section 11. Events Diary. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ Reports will start again in next Bulletin. Note: I am adapting my RBA pager information for the Bulletin by eliminating or summarising/consolidating repeated messages. When there is a lot of information I will stick to highlights. Please visit the RBA website for updates or fuller details. Bird Alert website: Here you can register free to use the site and get free trials of their subscription services. Strongly recommended. [Please mention the Bulletin if you decide to subscribe.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3. Wildlife news from around the county ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** The Roger Goy Column *** Remembering Roger Goy's wildlife information work. GORSE LOCATIONS: please give full information on each individual Gorse record: the location [with grid ref], your name, the date, and any habitat notes of interest. The stage of flowering is a key observation, from plants with no flowers through the range to plants in full flowering. Road kills: BLYTON SK 493 9456 Peter Morrell 03.06.15 Hedgehog road kill on the A159 Gainsborough Road. FENTON SK 8501 7660 Peter Morrell 02.06.15 Hedgehog road kill on the A156 Lincoln Road. GAINSBOROUGH SK 8429 9059 Peter Morrell 03.03.15 Hedgehog road kill on Thorndike Way, A631. SCUNTHORPE SE 8703 1116 Peter Morrell 06.06.15 Hedgehog road kill on Doncaster Road *** County Wildlife Reports From Readers *** Please keep your reports coming. We rely on you to send in your observations and we welcome information from ALL readers, be they beginners or experts. Thanks. DON'T FORGET Please include the year in your reports in case they are copied and thus lose their context. BOSTON (South by A16) 11/06/2015 Kath Pearson Green Woodpecker feeding on the lawn. Painted Lady butterflies have appeared this week. GRIMSTHORPE Chris Howes - Park Ranger 04/06 Grimsthorpe Park 2 faded Duke of Burgundy seen today, could these be the last for this year? Grimsthorpe Park TF 023191 Cuckoo still calling Swayfield Drift TF 004221 Single Brown Argus Grimsthorpe Park TF 045206 Superb carpets of Horseshoe Vetch with occasional Purple Milk Vetch Quarry Cottage TF 045204 Poor Moth trap only 13 species but single Privet and Poplar Hawk in good condition. HARROWBY 'SETTLEMENTS' Jane Ostler May 23 -June 4th 2015 (Looking after daughter's smallholding for a month) No chickens as a fox feeding cubs wiped out the last of them just before we came. Cat bringing in voles and mice (no young rats thank goodness.) Dead shrew on gravel path Stoat seen with a rabbit Grass snake after tadpoles in pond Magpies raiding small birds nests Harlequin ladybirds only, have they finished off the native ones? We are not used,in our relatively tamed garden, to nature so red in tooth and claw. However the hedgehog is welcome to the slugs The pigs, after the cold and wet are today getting sunburnt. A pair of holly blues in garden and peacock caterpillars on nettles Swallows are nesting in stables. House martins on a neighbours eaves are feeding over the paddock In ornamental pond the late toadspawn has developed into tadpoles, sheltering under lily pads. Part of paddock fenced off for a wildflower meadow to develop is finally attracting in bumble bees.) HUTTOFT Jane PenningtonHuttoft TF512763 (my garden) 31/5/15 Blue tits 2 (feeding young) Collared dove 1 (picking up twigs) Holly blue butterfly 1 2/6/15 Blue tits 3 (2 chicks at mouth of bird box when mother feeding them) Mole 1 (dead in garden - there are many many mole runs in the garden - in previous years, there have just been a few mole hills in the ditch. I keep thinking I might twist my ankle as my foot goes down in the grass! Fortunately, I'm not a lawn lover and only have a grass path) 3/6/15 Chaffinch 2 4/6/15 Common blue butterflies 5 TF533765Â 5/6/15 Collared dove 2 Dunnock 1 Great tit 1 Speckled wood butterfly 1 Wren 1 9/6/15 Blackbirds 5 (includes 2 fledglings) 10/6/15 Blue tits 2 (still feeding in nest box) Collared dove 1 Great spotted woodpecker 1 (very unusual - drinking from bird bath) Great tits 2 Robins 2 (adults forever collecting food but haven't seen fledglings yet) RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF309847 (unless otherwise stated) Silvia Fowler 31.05.2015 9.40 pm: Barn Owl hunting low over meadow (TF309847/TF309848/TF308848) 03.06.2015 Barn Owl Bat 04.06.2015 5 House Martin pairs now actively building nests (lowest number so far; max. 11 active nests in 2011) 2 Swifts flying with House Martins Harlequin Ladybird on ornamental grass 2 Rabbits regularly seen in garden 2 Common Newts in pond 05.06.2015 Bluetit fledgling being fed by adult Several House Sparrow fledglings Brimstone Southern Hawker dragonfly (f) emerging over 24 hrs from pond in cold and windy conditions (ID confirmed by Nick Tribe, Recorder) 06.06.2015 Sound of Bluetit nestlings begging in nest box, but very quiet in/ around the second (i.e. first occupied) nest box Family of Long-tailed Tits (heard) 07.06.2015 Grey Wagtail Sparrowhawk Peacock butterfly Bat x 2; emergence and flight pattern suggest Common Pipistrelle 09.06.2015 2 x Kestrel hunting over pasture Medium-sized (2nd-year) Common Frog in garden border Blue or Azure Damselfly (not sure which/no photo) 10.06.2015 One House Martin nest has had its entrance hole enlarged overnight (Tawny Owl predation in previous years) Bat x 2, probably Common Pipistrelle 11.06.2015 3 x Kestrel over pasture, one on ground, presumably a fledgling 2 x Common Toad, almost black in colour The damaged House Martin nest appears abandoned. Water Boatman in pond SANDILANDS PROMENADE 6 June 2015 Ian Whitaker 2 Painted Ladies THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 29/05/15 Barn Owl x 1 (Clare Holmes & Sam Hiner) 30/05/15 Cuckoo x 1 SK8199 1/06/15 Blackbird x 1 Black Headed Gull x 2 Hobby x 1 SK788994 Lesser Black Backed Gull x 5 Robin nest with young in stables Stock Dove x 1 young in nest box Swallow nest in stables, 4 eggs Tree Sparrow started laying (1 egg) in nest box Whitethroat x 1 Yellowhammer x 1 Yellow Wagtail x 3 Common Toad x 1 01/06/15 Rabbit x 7 SE804000 02/06/15 Lesser Whitethroat x 1 SE789010 03/06/15 Mute Swan x 1 + 4 young SK809993, 2 + 4 young SK799989 04/06/15 Blackbird x 1 Common Buzzard x 1 Coot x 4 Linnet x 2 Robin, several fledged young around stables Stock dove x 1 Swallow x 1 on nest Tree Sparrow x 3 Tufted Duck x 3 males 1 female Whitethroat x 1 Willow Warbler x 1 Yellowhammer x 1 THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 05/06/15 Barn Owl x 1 Common Buzzard x 1 Goldfinch x 2 Kestrel x 1 Whitethroat x 1 Yellowhammer x 1 Common Pipistrelle x 2 Soprano Pipistrelle x 1 also possible Noctule 06/06/15 Blackbird x 1 Common Buzzard x 1 (being mobbed by Kestrel as it flew over nest box) Goldfinch x 4 Robin x 1 Swallow x 4 Tree Sparrow x 2 Whitethroat x 1 Yellowhammer x 1 Garden Tiger moth larva x 1 (Clare Holmes & Sam Hiner) 07/06/15 Little Owl chasing Swallows round inside stables near their nest. nest box update; Stock Dove nest empty, likely 1 young predated Swallow x 5 eggs Tree Sparrow, box 8 = 4 eggs, box 10 = 1 egg, box 14 = 5 eggs 09/06/15 Barn Owl x 1 Chaffinch x 2 Magpie x 4 Wood Pigeon x 6 Yellowhammer x 1 11/06/15 Barn Owl x 1 Blackbird x 1 Chaffinch x 1 Cuckoo x 1 Magpie x 7 Swallow x 3 Tree Sparrow x 3 Wood Pigeon x 6 Wren x 3 fledged young from nest in stables WATER RAILWAY, WASHINGBOROUGH TO STAMP END LINCOLN. [HALF WAY ALONG] TF557835 John Nickson 3rd June 2015 Grass snake crossed the cycle path as I biked to work at 12:45 WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 11/6/2015 Swallow next had 5 eggs, but one has since been knocked out. 2 Buzzards low over garden examining pine tree! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 RSPB Frampton Marsh RSPB Freiston Shore Gibraltar Point NNR Other sites John Badley [Assisted by Colin Jennings] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GIBRALTAR POINT NNR. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Gibraltar Point News. Reports always welcome. See: Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog. http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE DUNES NNR. http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/38015?category=59026 and DONNA NOOK ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE NNR. Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR Report 29th May - 4th June 2015 Contributors: Peter Roworth, Janet Roworth, Nigel Lound, John Walker Weather Temperatures May was a particularly cold month even though days were generally sunny with showers; the day time temperatures struggled to reach the late teens. Highs of 20°C and above only occurred on three days reaching a max of 22°C on the 22nd. Rainfall There was a period of heavy rainfall from 2nd - 8th May when a total of 46.5mm was recorded. This was more than the total for the previous March and April rainfall (32.5mm). Frequent storms on the 19th included thunder and hail. There was also a period of heavy rainfall on the 29th and 30th giving 33mm of rain. Total rainfall for the month was 82.9mm (3.27 inches). Ground frosts were observed on the 1st with -2.25°C (air -0.5°C) and the 17th with -0.75°C. Wind Winds were fairly fresh and blustery throughout the month, the force regularly reached 4 or more. Heavy rainfall and very strong SW winds on the 1st and 2nd June. A gust of 46.1mph recorded at Quarry Hill in the afternoon of the 2nd. A south westerly gust of 44.9mph was recorded on the 5th. Birds 29th two siskin at Sea View. 1st single yellow wagtail at Paradise Ponds. Three sparrowhawk together north of Sea View and 9 reed warbler between Sea View and Paradise. 3rd 2 manx shearwater flew south off Crook Bank. 10 sandwich terns were on the beach and 3 great crested grebe were on the sea with 2 of them displaying. There were 3 cuckoos between Crook Bank and Brickyard Lane. A turtle dove was purring at Crook Bank and a Barn Owl was out and about during the day, presumably with young to feed. 4th 194 sanderlings with 12 ringed plover, must be on the way to the far north. Also 2 sandwich terns, 4 singing turtle doves, 2 singing cuckoos, 2 little owls, 1 barn owl and 1 tawny owl seen on the NNR. Flora Recent rainfall continues to freshen up the vegetation and provide good growth on the reserve. The following plants have recently started to come into flower - dewberry, goatsbeard, common catsear, silverweed and viper's bugloss. Sea milkwort is flowering on the edge of the saltmarsh. The yellow iris in the freshwater marsh near Rimac has been a particularly good show. Insects The first mother shiptons (moth) of the year have been seen, with 4 being seen on 4th. Other Lepidoptera also around were orange tip, small copper, wall brown, peacock, small heath and meadow brown. There were good numbers of large red and azure damselflies around Churchill Lane and a few 4 spot chasers. 5th -11th June 2015 Contributors: Peter Roworth, Janet Roworth, Nigel Lound, John Walker, Cliff Morrison Butterflies & Moths Yet another cool dry week with chill early mornings and cool onshore winds prevailing for most of the week. No surprise therefore that butterfly numbers are lower this year compared to the past two years. Species seen include; wall brown, common blue, small heath, small copper, peacock, speckled wood, green veined white, orange tip. The first large skipper on the reserve was seen on 10th June. Moths seen this week include; yellow shell, yellow belle, drinker moth larvae, burnet companion x7, mother shipton x2, marsh moth x15, brown silver lines and latticed heath. Dragonflies & Damselflies Azure, common blue, blue tailed and large red damselflies all noted on the reserve this week. Also seen were hairy dragonfly, four spotted and broad bodied chasers as well as ruddy darter dragonflies. Flowers Yellow iris, field mouse-ear, red and white campion, storksbill, marsh and common spotted orchids, twayblade, yellow rattle, marsh bedstraw and birds foot trefoil are all in flower on the reserve. The show of flowering cotton grass is very good, the best it has ever shown on the NNR. Birds Only a few birds of note this week. Red Kite was seen drifting north on Saturday 6th in the afternoon, redpoll flew south over the dunes at Brickyard Lane on the morning of 9th. Also this week at Rimac were a jay and an early morning bee-eater flying south on 5th and a hobby on the evening of 10th. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. News from Far Ings NNR ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Far Ings News W/E 05.06.15 Birds: avocet 4 barn owl bearded tit 2 bittern blackbird 10 blackcap 10 black headed gull 50+ blue tit 10 canada goose 20 carrion crow 4 cetti's warbler 4 chaffinch 10 chiffchaff 8 common gull common tern 6 coot 40 cormorant 2 dunnock 6 gadwall 2 goldfinch 6 GS grebe 2 GS woodpecker great tit 6 greenfinch 4 grey heron greylag goose 15 house martin 12 house sparrow 6 jackdaw 6 kestrel kingfisher LBB gull lesser whitethroat 4 little egret little ringed plover 2 long tailed tit 2 magpie 4 mallard 9 marsh harrier 3 mistle thrush moorhen 4 mute swan 5 oystercatcher 2 pochard 4 reed bunting 6 reed warbler 12 robin 8 sedge warbler 10 shelduck 6 song thrush sparrowhawk starling 4 swallow 50+ swift 100+ tree creeper tufted duck 15 water rail 3 whitethroat 10 willow warbler 8 wood pigeon 4 wren 10 See: Far Ings NNR on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-Of-Far-Ings-National-Nature-Reserve/186876774685595 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6. Bardney Limewoods NNR http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/publications/limewoods-walks/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Limewoods are notable for the few reports we receive for the Bulletin, so you can help by sending in sightings if you visit. Two good links about the Limewoods are: Adrian Royle's superb Flickr photo-site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/adiroyle/collections/72157624803742908/ Colin Green has produced the following video about visiting Southrey Wood in Oct 2012. Well worth a look. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1SpBvd9Ib0 The NNR includes the following sites: Chambers Farm Wood (please detail specific area when reporting e.g. Ivy Wood, Little Scrubbs Meadow etc.); College Wood, Cocklode & Great West Woods, Hardy Gang Wood, Newball Wood, Scotgrove Wood, Southrey Wood, Wickenby Wood. Other woods included in the NNR but without public access: Stainfield Wood; Stainton & Fulnetby Woods (access by public bridle way only) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7. Sending in reports to Roger Parsons ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The purpose of the Bulletin is to encourage biological recording in Lincolnshire using modern Information and Communication Technology. We hope to increase the number of people reporting observations to LNU Recorders and improve the quality of reports, as well as the quantity and the geographical coverage. In return for this FREE service, we ask you to provide reports, questions, news or relevant articles from time to time. Descriptive pieces are welcome - you don't have to stick to lists! Mailing times vary, depending on what I am doing. The Bulletin usually 'goes to bed' on Fridays. Please e-mail in contributions as early as possible to ensure they are included, to: rparsons@enterprise.net [A backup e-mail address you can use if ever you experience problems with my "Enterprise" address is: aintree2@yahoo.co.uk ] When sending in reports please follow this layout to save re-editing: Place Name: IN CAPITALS with Grid Reference if you have it. Your Name: Real names please, not aliases. Put it in each time, for each location Date: Species list [Alphabetical?] & numbers [and observations?] e.g. Blackbird - 24 [And please, no home-grown abbreviations. Species Names in full.] *** Find the Grid Reference *** Chris Manning recommended the following websites to help find grid references. grab a Grid Reference http://www.bnhs.co.uk/focuson/grabagridref/html/index.htm UK Grid Reference Finder: http://www.gridreferencefinder.com/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 8. Contact Information & Useful Websites ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please let me know ASAP if any of these weblinks fail! *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Website *** A full list of LNU Country Recorders is given here. http://www.lnu.org/ LNU e-mail: info@lnu.org If you are not yet a member, the LNU needs good naturalists like you! Anyone interested can get membership application forms from Wilma Gammon at the Lincs Wildlife Trust office, e-mail wgammon@lincstrust.co.uk LNU publications [listed on LNU website] may be ordered via: Ian Macalpine-Leny http://lnu.org/publications.php ian@macalpine-leny.co.uk *** Contacts List *** No hotlinks in this section, just copy and paste URLs, please. FIGHTING WILDLIFE CRIME *** Rural Crime Officer *** Pc 160 Nick Willey Force Wildlife, Rural Crime Officer Force Dog Training Establishment Lincolnshire Showground. Grange-De-Lings. Lincoln nicholas.willey@lincs.pnn.police.uk OFFICE: 01522-731897 MOBILE :07768-501895 PAGER : 07654-330877 Website: http://www.lincs.police.uk/Advice/Wildlife-and-Rural-Crime/ *** National Rural Crime Network *** Call for case studies as new website to tackle rural crime is launched. http://www.lincs.police.uk/Advice/Wildlife-and-Rural-Crime/National-Rural-Crime-Network.html See: http://www.nationalruralcrimenetwork.net/ STAYING SAFE No hotlinks in this section, just copy and paste URLs, please. *** EasyTide *** Check tide times on Admiralty EasyTide: http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx *** Local Tide Tables *** Here is a useful-looking website where you can order local tide tables. Well worth bookmarking. Everyone who uses the coast ought to have local tide tables handy. £1.50 + p&p. https://www.tidetimes.org.uk/ *** TWO - The Weather Outlook *** Check the weather forecast for the location or postcode: http://www.theweatheroutlook.com/ *** Met Office E-mail Service *** Be warned of the possibility of severe weather. The Met Office website now offers an e-mail notification service for severe weather and other matters which may interest readers. Worth having a look and signing up. See: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/guide-to-emails *** Environment Agency Flood Information/Floodline *** http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/default.aspx *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/ Care of Sick or Injured Animals - information on LWT website *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/sick-and-injured-animals SPECIES IDENTIFICATION AND RECORDING No hotlinks in this section, just copy and paste URLs, please. *** iSpot Keys for computer or mobile *** If you are a beginner to identification of species, you might find the following link useful. http://www.ispot.org.uk/keys The LNU is now represented on the popular iSpot website. A full list of the organisations, recording schemes and societies represented is here: http://www.ispot.org.uk/representatives *** What's That Butterfly? *** http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/index.php http://butterfly-conservation.org/ What's That Caterpillar? http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/species_family.php?name=all&stage=larva *** Identifying Dragonflies *** http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/content/uk-species http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/content/dragonfly-and-damselfly-identification-help *** Spiders *** Imogen Wilde writes: Regional Co-ordinator (RC) and Mentor for Lincolnshire for the British Arachnological Society (BAS). I will be organising a few field meetings to hunt for spiders and other arachnids in due course, but if any LNU members wish to get in touch in the meantime then please contact me on my e-mail address: Imogen@imogenwilde.co.uk *** Lincs Amphibian and Reptile Group *** The Lincolnshire ARG (Amphibian & Reptile Group) For further details please contact: Ashley Butterfield learningoutdoors@btinternet.com or tel 07864967057 Ashley Butterfield, LNU Reptile and Amphibian Recorder, adds: The recordpool is a joint ARGUK and ARC Trust project that aims to collect herpetofauna data from the uk that might not otherwise be recorded and make it available for conservation purposes. As such you will have access to your own records at full resolution and other records at a lower resolution. You can input reptile and amphibian data at: http://www.recordpool.org.uk/ Please remember, common species are just as important as rarer species, so please give it a go. Please contact Dr Angela Julian ARGUK with any specific questions. angela.digges@clara.co.uk *** Local Bat Helpline *** Grounded bats, bat problems, advice and information. Contact Annette and Colin Faulkner on 01775 766286 or e-mail: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** Bat Recorder *** You may send confidential bat records direct to Annette Faulkner on: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** LNU Bees, Wasps and Ants Recorder *** Alan Phillips Willing to examine specimens or check photos (but bear in mind only a relative few of the 300+ species in the county are identifiable using photos). Aculeates only please, no parasitic wasps such as Ichneumons. If in doubt please contact for advice: aculeates@gmail.com *** How to Identify Bees *** BWARS - Bees Wasps & Ants Recording Society http://www.bwars.com/ Bumblebee Conservation Trust http://bumblebeeconservation.org/ *** Good sources of seeds of Bee-friendly Wild Flowers *** Mark Schofield writes: Always consider the provenance and sustainable sourcing of seed. Plantlife and Flora locale have defined protocols that can guide the conservation-minded shopper. Bee-friendly gardeners should refer to their A-Z suppliers list which can be found here: www.floralocale.org/Alphabetical+supplier+listing Advice: www.wildlifetrusts.org/Bees-needs/growmore bumblebeeconservation.org/get-involved/managing-your-land/wildflower-seed/ *** Mammal Records *** Mammal records can reported to Chris Manning E-mail: Chris.LincsDeer@gmail.com Mink/Otter reports are of interest and can be sent via the Bulletin. *** Slug ID Help *** Chris du Feu will help with slug identification. You can telephone him on: 01427 848400 or e-mail: chris@chrisdufeu.force9.co.uk *** Identification of Non-Marine Molluscs *** John Redshaw is still available to identify specimens of non- marine shelled molluscs, including brackish marsh species. For larger and medium sized species (down to 1cm) a digital image will usually suffice. For smaller species it may be possible, in some cases, to ID specimens from digital images, but usually actual specimens will be required. If providing specimens, they may be enclosed in old film pots (which photographic shops are usually glad to get rid of). Details of location where specimen found, (with grid reference if known), date and finder's name should be provided. If specimen is provided this information should be noted on a label stuck to the outside of the pot. Please be aware that it is illegal to send live specimens through the post. For further details please contact John by e-mail on ejred7fen@tiscali.co.uk *** Mollusc Identification *** David Feld has also kindly offered to assist readers to identify molluscs, both terrestrial and aquatic. Please e-mail him a description and he will advise you whether and where to send a photograph or an actual specimen. Contact: drf@dfeld.freeserve.co.uk *** Lincolnshire Badger Group Update *** Ally Townsend of the Weirfield Wildlife Hospital, writes: If you would like to give people the Lincoln number 01522 530428 a member of staff will record the sighting or RTA. Or use the Weirfield website: http://www.weirfield.co.uk/ where a reporting page can be used to send in badger reports. USEFUL WILDLIFE CONTACTS *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/ *** Lincs Environmental Records Centre *** Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership (of which LERC is a part) Contact: Charlie Barnes, charlie.barnes@glnp.org.uk or for more general queries: info@glnp.org.uk Website: http://www.gnlp.org.uk *** Limestone Grassland Project *** Mark Schofield, Limestone Grassland Project Officer, mschofield@lincstrust.co.uk Mobile: 07825970930, Switchboard: 01507 526667. To find out more and to become involved with the survey and management of Lincolnshire's limestone grassland on road verges see: See: http://www.lifeontheverge.org.uk/ *** Lincs Bird Club *** LBC County Bird Recorders John Clarkson - Covering the north of the county recorder_north@lincsbirdclub.co.uk John Badley - Covering the south of the county recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Bird Club Website: http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk *** The Sir Joseph Banks Society *** Contact 01507 528223 or by e-mail: enquiries@joseph-banks.org.uk. http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk *** Other Useful Websites/contacts *** No hotlinks in this section, just copy and paste URLs, please. Suggestions for other useful Websites are welcome. *** Natural England *** http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ *** Lincolnshire Environmental Awards *** http://www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk/ *** The Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes Project (LCGMP) *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/awards The Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes project produced two films of the Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes. They are based on Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) which measures topography accurately. The films reveal many historical and geomorphological features that are not always obvious to the eye. Note that the vertical perspective is exaggerated to enhance the features. Narrated by Jim Broadbent. Watch them here: Southern marshes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwhVamd4j6E Northern marshes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZjqzcMFXi8 *** Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service *** A dedicated service to protect and enhance the Lincolnshire Wolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). 01507 609740 http://www.lincswolds.org.uk *** Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project *** Project Officer: Ruth Craig http://www.lincswolds.org.uk/chalk-streams/volunteering or contact the project officer ruth.craig@lincolnshire.gov.uk *** The South Lincolnshire Fenlands Partnership *** http://www.lincsfenlands.org.uk/ Contact: slincsfens@lincstrust.co.uk Amanda Jenkins - South Lincolnshire Fenlands Project Officer *** RSPB local webpages *** http://www.rspb.org.uk www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh John Badley, Site Manager for RSPB Lincolnshire Wash reserves e-mail: john.badley@rspb.org.uk S Lincs RSPB http://www.southlincsrspb.org.uk Lincoln RSPB http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire link *** http://www.lincolnshire-butterflies.org.uk/index.html *** Lincsbirders *** Lincolnshire's Alternative Birding Group http://www.lincsbirders.org/ Lincolnshire Limewoods Project Bardney Limewoods NNR http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/Limewoods/ limewoods@lincolnshire.gov.uk Botanical Group in South Lincs Sarah Lambert writes: We'd be happy to welcome new people, whether experienced or not, particularly if they are located towards the northern part of the vice county! sarah.lambert7@ntlworld.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9. Notes about these wildlife reports ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We do our best to ensure accuracy in our reporting but these records are sent in by a variety of reporters, from complete beginners to professionals. They therefore vary in reliability and in some cases they are impossible to verify. If further information is needed on locations or reporters, or if you wish to question/confirm any of these records, contact: rparsons@enterprise.net Bulletins are sent to Recorders at Lincolnshire Environmental Records Centre [GNLP] , Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. [Note: Where plants are reported, this is usually because they have been seen and identified in flower.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10. The Bulletin's publicity policy ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We sometimes withhold precise details of rare or endangered species. Please point out any sensitive or "tricky" reports of this kind. Sensitive data should go directly to county recorders, please. Please respect the interests of wildlife and site owners if you report on national networks. An interest in wildlife is not a licence to act irresponsibly/thoughtlessly to landowners, who may well be partners in important conservation work. [Remember - views expressed in the Bulletin do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions on the LNU or associated organisations. In particular this applies to such agencies, especially charities, taking a political stance.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11. LNU Events Diary For LNU meetings also see http://www.lnu.org/events.php ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Field Meetings generally start at 12 noon for 1.00pm, but please check the website details for each event. Unless otherwise stated, Indoor Meetings are held on Saturdays at the Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park, Moor Lane, Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln and start at 2pm. 2015 Field Meetings. Saturday, 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 8, 2015 [Changed from 15th August.] White House Farm, Branston Fen (Courtesy of Peter Lundgren) SE of Lincoln, 12.00 for 13.00 start. Evening session starting at 20.30. Park in farmyard at TF085705 (LN3 5UP) which is at end of North Causeway found off the B1190 at Branston Booths. Habitats: Grassland, ditches, arable. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Sunday, September 06, 2015 Metheringham Delph East of Metheringham, 12.00 for 13.00 start. Parking arrangements still to be finalised. Take minor road off B1189 between Metheringham Habitats: Grassland, river, ditches. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Sunday, October 11, 2015 Fungus Foray - TBC TBC - see Wildnews Bulletin, website or contact a member of the Executive Committee for further details. Also see: Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust (Lincoln Area Group) Workshops, in conjunction with the Lincolnshire Naturalists Union July 4th: Grasses Workshop Interested in Plants but would like to know more in particular about Grasses? Come along and find out more with local expert Tim Harvey. August 1st: Bug Workshop Interested in Invertebrates but would like to know more in particular about Bugs? Come along and find out more with local expert David Sheppard. September 19th: Spider Workshop Interested in Invertebrates but would like to know more in particular about Spiders? Come along and find out more with local expert Imogen Wilde. All workshops will be held in the Lafarge Education Building at Whisby Nature Park from 1:30pm until 4:30pm. They are free of charge and refreshments are included. In conjunction with the Lincolnshire Naturalists Union. Limited to 20 participants. Booking essential via Richard Davidson on 01522 525725 or Email rel.davidson@btinternet.com. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails This Week *** A text copy of past Bulletins will be found on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Latest Mailfails - see notes above. jeff goodley - soft bounce - Delivery has failed - bad-domain maria phipps - soft bounce - Delivery has failed - bad-domain viv hartwell - soft bounce - Delivery has failed - bad-domain Amanda jenkses - soft bounce - Delivery failed; will not continue trying redpoll dircon - soft bounce - Delivery failed; will not continue trying *** And finally...... Contributions to "And finally......" are always welcome. Weekly Photography Challenge – Get Buggy With It http://digital-photography-school.com/weekly-photography-challenge-get-buggy-with-it/ Weed project to improve water quality in Grantham Canal http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-32930290 Why the Common Dolphin is becoming more common http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-32911699 Red Arrows Hawk jet hit by birds off Anglesey's RAF Valley http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-32924557 Last flying season for Vulcan bomber XH558 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-32920274 Drones take whale science to new heights http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-32935898 Unesco reconsidering Great Barrier Reef heritage status http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-32911084 Great Barrier Reef spared 'in danger' listing - for now http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-32932205 Atkins CIWEM Environmental Photographer of the Year 2015 http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20150528-incredible-environmental-photographer-of-the-year-finalists ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/