============================================= || || 28th 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.... *** The Bulletin is a early this week as I am off to Norfolk. I was interested to note that we had a Red Alert for the Aurora this week following a severe geomagnetic storm on June 22nd. It is not a good time of year to observe the Aurora from the UK, but let us know if you were lucky. See: http://www.spaceweather.com/ Sign up for free Aurora Alerts on: http://aurorawatch.lancs.ac.uk/ While on the topic of Space, look out for the conjunction of Jupiter and Venus on 30th June/1st July - which, cloud permitting, is expected to be 'a fine sight' according to Paul Money's Night Scenes 2015. Telescopes at the ready. Thank you for the contributions - very much appreciated. Please keep them 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 Don't forget to have a look at: 12. ...and finally..... 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 *** 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 *** 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: Thursday 9th July 7:15pm Visit to Woodhall Spa Airfield The entrance is on the B1192 between Tattershall and Woodhall Spa marked by large metal gates with brick pillars. This large area has only recently come into the Trust's ownership and Dave Bromwich, Head of Reserves, will show us what there is at present and how the Trust aims to provide a variety of habitats. Possible sightings include Glow worms and Nightjars. *** 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 Sunday 28th June 2015 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them on a guided walk with the wardens around Tetney Blow Wells nature reserve. Please meet outside Tetney Parish church at 2pm. This is a free event but donations will be welcomed for the Trust. All are welcome but no dogs please. Please wear suitable outdoor clothing and stout footwear. For further information please contact Clifford Jukes - 01472 814887. *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch *** Note their new website: http://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html Lesley Robinson, Branch Secretary, writes: Lincolnshire Branch of Butterfly Conservation Moth Night Saturday 25th July Chambers Farm Wood Education Centre (TF147740) 9:30pm to late See and identify the amazing variety of moths in the Limewoods Please wear warm clothing and bring a torch Open Day and AGM Sunday 26th July Chambers Farm Wood Education Centre (TF147740) 11am to 1pm wallk in the Limewoods. Your opportunity to see White Admirals and other butterflies at close quarters. Light refreshements available in the education centre. 3pm AGM of the Lincolnshire Branch of Butterfly Conservation *** 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 ....."] Woodland Trust’s annual ‘Tree of the Year’ competition. http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/tree-of-the-year/ any ideas? The Bowthorpe Oak perhaps? Believed to be over 1000 years old. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSpRBU1_8Uw *** 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 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. *** National Whale and Dolphin Watch *** The National Whale and Dolphin Watch takes place from 25th July – 2nd August. You don’t need to have any experience to get involved. You can join organised watches or set up your own with some guidance from the team at Sea Watch Foundation. To find out more please visit: http://www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/nwdw Sightings of whales, dolphins and porpoises can easily be submitted online at www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/sightingsform/ You can also find out more information about the work of the charity and download species fact files too. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ 18/6 Ring Ouzel male, near Lissington by road 19/6 3 Spoonbills, Jackson's Marsh, Gibraltar Point Bee-eater, fields near South forty Foot, Dowsby Fen 20/6 4 Spoonbills, Jackson's Marsh, Gibraltar Point 21/6 4 Spoonbills on Tennyson's Marsh, Redwing trapped and ringed in East Dunes, Gibraltar Point Red-necked Phalarope, Frampton Marsh 22/6 4 Spoonbills on Tennyson's Marsh, Gibraltar Point 23/6 Fieldfare, 4 Spoonbills on Tennyson's Marsh, Gibraltar Point Turtle Dove, hawthorn hedge at rear of ridings off Linwood Road, Market Rasen 24/6 4 Spoonbills on Tennyson's Marsh, Gibraltar Point 2 Turtle Doves on picket fence of cottage, Baumber 25/6 4 Spoonbills on Tennyson's Marsh, 2 Spotted Redshanks, 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. Urban Wildlife Jacquie Harrison writes: I know that urban birding is all the fashion at present but wildlife sightings in the city do always lift my spirit. On our way across the Usher Gardens in Lincoln on 30th May followed another man's gaze - he was watching a hedgehog in full daylight crossing the road by the Collection. Must have been disturbed. In all the rain on Saturday 13th June heard a light clatter and looked up to see a young very wet sparrowhawk shaking its feathers perched on wall about 3-4 feet between ours and neighbour's kitchens on Winn Street, Lincoln (terraced housing). Checked windows for an imprint - not there - but neighour's feeder was askew so think it must have hit it hunting. Soon gathered itself and flew off. 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 Kirkby Moor LWT/ Wellsdyke Lane - TF224618 and surrounds Tuesday 16/05/2015 Jacquie Harrison Gorse flowers now dying down but some on several bushes - mainly those in partial shade. Road kills: INGHAM SK 9559 8491 Peter Morrell 25.06.15 Hedgehog road kill on the B1398. LEASINGHAM TF 05557 4815 TF 0505 3483 Peter Morrell 24.03.15 Hedgehog road kill x 2 MESSINGHAM SE 8821 0409 SE 8852 0183 Peter Morrell 20.06.15 Hedgehog road kill x 2 RAVENTHORPE SK 9372 0747 Peter Morrell 20.06.15 Badger road kill on the A18 SAXILBY SK 8961 7640 SK 8982 7537 Peter Morrell 22.03.15 Hedgehog road kill x 2 on B1241 SOUTH HYKEHAM SK 9509 6505 Peter Morrell 24.06.15 Hedgehog road kill on the Meadow Lane. STOW SK 9323 8269 Peter Morrell 23.06.15 Hedgehog road kill on the Stow Lane. STURTON BY STOW SK 8919 7912 Peter Morrell 23.06.15 Hedgehog road kill on the B1241. *** 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. BARTON UPON HUMBER Carol Jacklin 16/6/15 'Rogue' unmated male Swallow destroyed all four newly hatched chicks over a period of 2 hours by throwing them to the ground. Original male disappeared fortnight previously after been seen with injured wing. 'Rogue' male & original female are now showing signs of bonding. Hopefully they will build a new nest. I have observed Swallows here for 30 years & although I know this behaviour occurs it is the first time it has happened at my house. CAISTOR Reports from contributors to Caistor records Week beginning 19.6.15 Wendy Handford (WH) Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 WH The following were all seen or heard on 24th June 2015, the day after we returned from our holiday Moles, 6 active territories throughout the plot Buzzards 2 circling over spruce wood Chiffchaff Firecrests in spruce wood Great spotted woodpecker, juvenile, on lawn Jay in orchard Kestrel flying out of hawthorn hedge Pied wagtails 2 juveniles on lawn Skylark over neighbouring field Swallows 2 feeding over lawn Yellowhammer in Hawthorn hedge Frogs 2 adult males seen while cutting orchard grass Bees - Carder bees on Cranesills, Honeybees on Campanulas, Tawny mining bees on Feverfew, Tree bumblebees on Astrantias, White-tailed bumblebees on Foxgloves Fungi - Brown puffballs 6 under Horse chestnuts, Fairy rings, several in lawn, Shaggy inkcap on lawn, Yellow fieldcap on lawn Flowers now in bloom - Common cat's-ear, Common mallow, Common poppy, Common spotted orchid, Dog rose, Feverfew, Fool's watercress, Foxglove, Fox-and-cubs, Greater knapweed, Ground elder, Hairy tare, Hedge woundwort, Honeysuckle, Lesser stitchwort, Meadow vetchling, Ox-eye daisy, Red clover, Southern marsh orchid, Tutsan, White campion Also Field pennycress fruits. New on Caistor wildlife list Ben Jacob Nettleton Lodge Game Farm TA 090 012 Nettle weevil on young Oak 14.6.15 Soldier beetle, Cantharis rustica 14.6.15 As yet unidentified creature cutting and rolling leaves of young oak Unidentified 6 inch pale peach-coloured bracket fungus 7.6.15 DEEPINGS Venue: Deeping Lakes LWT Reserve Date: 15/06/15 Time: 1400 - 1630 Weather: Sunny periods, warm Observer: Ian Gordon Birds: Blackcap Black-headed Gull Black-tailed Godwit Blue Tit Buzzard Cananda Goose Carrion Crow Cetti's Warbler Chaffinch Chiffchaf Common Tern Cormorant Garden Warbler Great Crested Grebe Great Tit Green Woodpecker Grey Heron Greylag Goose Jackdaw Lapwing Lesser Black-backed Gull Little Egret Little Grebe Long-tailed Tit Mallard Mute Swan Oystercatcher Raven Reed Bunting Reed Warbler Robin Sedge Warbler Shovelor Swallow Tufted Duck Willow Warbler Wren Butterflies: Brimstone Meadow Brown Painted Lady Small Heath Small Skipper Speckled Wood Odonata: Azure Damselfly Blue-tailed Damselfly Common Blue Damselfly Four-spot Chaser Southern Hawker Mammals: Grey Squirrel HUTTOFT Jane Pennington Huttoft TF512763 (my garden) Date 20/6/15 Badger 1 (10pm, seen through french windows whilst watching the bats, I'm still on a high about it.) Bats 3 (Catching moths) - assume pipistrelles Date 21/6/15 Bats 3 - as above but no badger Greenfinch 2 Date 22/6/15 Blue tits 2 Dunnock 1 Goldfinch 5 (3 fledglings)Wren 1 (nest building in one of those 'coconut' boxes screwed to the fence, believe it or not!) Date 25/6/15 Frog 1 Spiderlings 50 (a guess - there were many many on a beech leaf in the hedge) KIRKBY MOOR Kirkby Moor LWT - TF224618 - only went to mere down main ride Tuesday 16/05/2015 Jacquie Harrison Birds: Blackbirds Carrion Crows Chaffinches Common Tern Cormorant Coot Green Woodpecker Jackdaws Jay Kestrels - including 2 young practising hovering Robins Sedge Warblers Swallows Tufted Duck Some of flowers seen - not expert so those unsure of with questions mark Cowslips Common spotted orchids of varying shades Early marsh orchids Southern marsh orchids? Insects - again lack of expertise: Blue damselflies in good numbers - I think "variable" 1 Common Hawker - I know a bit early in year, stayed on reed out in water. Brimstone butterflies Buff-tailed bumblebee Common carder bees ? Early bumblebee. RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF309847 (unless otherwise stated) Silvia Fowler 20.06.2015 3 Swallows on wire (inc. 1 juv.) Common Toad 21.06.2015 Kestrel x 1 Red Admiral (first one this year) 23.06.2015 Stockdove x 2 24.06.2015 Orange Tip butterfly Lesser Diving Beetle (Acilius sulcatus) in pond Common Frog croaking in pond Song Thrush (juv) x 2 Great Tit fledglings + adult at feeder RIPPINGALE TF093277 Pauline Warman 23/06/2015 Clouded Border 1 Cinnabar 3 Setaceous Hebrew Character 6 Buff Tip 1 Marbled Minor 4 Angle Shades 1 Burnished Brass 1 Buff Ermine 2 Straw Dot 2 Spectacle 2 Bright-Line Brown-Eye 2 Privet Hawkmoth 1 White Ermine 1 Brown Rustic 2 Dark Arches 1 Silver-ground Carpet 1 Double-striped Pug 1 Common Quaker 2 SLEAFORD Richard Dawson Notable sightings w/e 19/6/15 Garden: Hummingbird hawkmoth River Slea, alighted in adjoining grass field: great white egret - majestic! THURNHOLMES (witin 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 19/06/15 Red Admiral x 1 Small White x 1 Brimstone Moth x 1 Cinnabar x 1 SK810993 Mottled Rustic x 1 Setaceous Hebew Character x 1 Silver-ground Carpet x 1 Snout x 1 White Ermine x 1 20/06/15 Nest boxes; box 8 Tree Sparrow, 5 blind young box 14 Tree Sparrow, 6 young ringed Swallows in stables, 3 blind young Barn Owl x 1 hunting & calling 11.50pm Common Pipistrelle x 2 Soprano Pipistrelle x 1 moths on security light; Small Magpie x 1 White Ermine x 1 21/06/15 Common Pipistrelle x 1 moths on security light; Isotrias rectifascianna x 1 22/06/15 Chaffinch x 1 Common Buzzard x 1 Magpie x 7 Pied Wagtail x 2 with grubs in bill, attending nest in wood pile Robin x 5 fledged young in out building Stock Dove x 2 Swallow x 2 Swift x 15 Tree Sparrow x 2 Wood Pigeon x 12 Wren x 1 Field Vole nest under water trough using reshly cut grass, no young 23/06/15 Red Admiral x 1 in conservatory Garden Carpet x 1 Yellow Shell x 1 24/06/5 Common Pipistrelle x 1 Grey Squirrel x 1 SE810000 Moths; Green Carpet x 1 Snout x 2 Yellow Shell x 2 WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 21/6/2015 Adult barn owl flying through orchard at 19.45hrs. Unusual to see one in the garden. 24/06/2015 at 12 noon. Painted Lady 2 and Red Admiral butterflies. Hummingbird Hawkmoth Cuckoo Calling Orange Tip male Speckled Wood 25/6/2015 Cinnabar moth on wing ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. News from Far Ings NNR ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Far Ings News See: Far Ings NNR on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-Of-Far-Ings-National-Nature-Reserve/186876774685595 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6. Bardney Limewoods NNR http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/publications/limewoods-walks/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Limewoods are notable for the few reports we receive for the Bulletin, so you can help by sending in sightings if you visit. Two good links about the Limewoods are: Adrian Royle's superb Flickr photo-site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/adiroyle/collections/72157624803742908/ Colin Green has produced the following video about visiting Southrey Wood in Oct 2012. Well worth a look. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1SpBvd9Ib0 The NNR includes the following sites: Chambers Farm Wood (please detail specific area when reporting e.g. Ivy Wood, Little Scrubbs Meadow etc.); College Wood, Cocklode & Great West Woods, Hardy Gang Wood, Newball Wood, Scotgrove Wood, Southrey Wood, Wickenby Wood. Other woods included in the NNR but without public access: Stainfield Wood; Stainton & Fulnetby Woods (access by public bridle way only) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7. Sending in reports to Roger Parsons ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The purpose of the Bulletin is to encourage biological recording in Lincolnshire using modern Information and Communication Technology. We hope to increase the number of people reporting observations to LNU Recorders and improve the quality of reports, as well as the quantity and the geographical coverage. In return for this FREE service, we ask you to provide reports, questions, news or relevant articles from time to time. Descriptive pieces are welcome - you don't have to stick to lists! Mailing times vary, depending on what I am doing. The Bulletin usually 'goes to bed' on Fridays. Please e-mail in contributions as early as possible to ensure they are included, to: rparsons@enterprise.net [A backup e-mail address you can use if ever you experience problems with my "Enterprise" address is: aintree2@yahoo.co.uk ] When sending in reports please follow this layout to save re-editing: Place Name: IN CAPITALS with Grid Reference if you have it. Your Name: Real names please, not aliases. Put it in each time, for each location Date: Species list [Alphabetical?] & numbers [and observations?] e.g. Blackbird - 24 [And please, no home-grown abbreviations. Species Names in full.] *** Find the Grid Reference *** Chris Manning recommended the following websites to help find grid references. grab a Grid Reference http://www.bnhs.co.uk/focuson/grabagridref/html/index.htm UK Grid Reference Finder: http://www.gridreferencefinder.com/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 8. Contact Information & Useful Websites ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please let me know ASAP if any of these weblinks fail! *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Website *** A full list of LNU Country Recorders is given here. http://www.lnu.org/ LNU e-mail: info@lnu.org If you are not yet a member, the LNU needs good naturalists like you! Anyone interested can get membership application forms from Wilma Gammon at the Lincs Wildlife Trust office, e-mail wgammon@lincstrust.co.uk LNU publications [listed on LNU website] may be ordered via: Ian Macalpine-Leny http://lnu.org/publications.php ian@macalpine-leny.co.uk *** Contacts List *** No hotlinks in this section, just copy and paste URLs, please. FIGHTING WILDLIFE CRIME *** Rural Crime Officer *** Pc 160 Nick Willey Force Wildlife, Rural Crime Officer Force Dog Training Establishment Lincolnshire Showground. Grange-De-Lings. Lincoln nicholas.willey@lincs.pnn.police.uk OFFICE: 01522-731897 MOBILE :07768-501895 PAGER : 07654-330877 Website: http://www.lincs.police.uk/Advice/Wildlife-and-Rural-Crime/ *** National Rural Crime Network *** Call for case studies as new website to tackle rural crime is launched. http://www.lincs.police.uk/Advice/Wildlife-and-Rural-Crime/National-Rural-Crime-Network.html See: http://www.nationalruralcrimenetwork.net/ STAYING SAFE No hotlinks in this section, just copy and paste URLs, please. *** EasyTide *** Check tide times on Admiralty EasyTide: http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx *** Local Tide Tables *** Here is a useful-looking website where you can order local tide tables. Well worth bookmarking. Everyone who uses the coast ought to have local tide tables handy. £1.50 + p&p. https://www.tidetimes.org.uk/ *** TWO - The Weather Outlook *** Check the weather forecast for the location or postcode: http://www.theweatheroutlook.com/ *** Met Office E-mail Service *** Be warned of the possibility of severe weather. The Met Office website now offers an e-mail notification service for severe weather and other matters which may interest readers. Worth having a look and signing up. See: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/guide-to-emails *** Environment Agency Flood Information/Floodline *** http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/default.aspx *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/ Care of Sick or Injured Animals - information on LWT website *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/sick-and-injured-animals SPECIES IDENTIFICATION AND RECORDING No hotlinks in this section, just copy and paste URLs, please. *** iSpot Keys for computer or mobile *** If you are a beginner to identification of species, you might find the following link useful. http://www.ispot.org.uk/keys The LNU is now represented on the popular iSpot website. A full list of the organisations, recording schemes and societies represented is here: http://www.ispot.org.uk/representatives *** What's That Butterfly? *** http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/index.php http://butterfly-conservation.org/ What's That Caterpillar? http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/species_family.php?name=all&stage=larva *** Identifying Dragonflies *** http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/content/uk-species http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/content/dragonfly-and-damselfly-identification-help *** Spiders *** Imogen Wilde writes: Regional Co-ordinator (RC) and Mentor for Lincolnshire for the British Arachnological Society (BAS). I will be organising a few field meetings to hunt for spiders and other arachnids in due course, but if any LNU members wish to get in touch in the meantime then please contact me on my e-mail address: Imogen@imogenwilde.co.uk *** Lincs Amphibian and Reptile Group *** The Lincolnshire ARG (Amphibian & Reptile Group) For further details please contact: Ashley Butterfield learningoutdoors@btinternet.com or tel 07864967057 Ashley Butterfield, LNU Reptile and Amphibian Recorder, adds: The recordpool is a joint ARGUK and ARC Trust project that aims to collect herpetofauna data from the uk that might not otherwise be recorded and make it available for conservation purposes. As such you will have access to your own records at full resolution and other records at a lower resolution. You can input reptile and amphibian data at: http://www.recordpool.org.uk/ Please remember, common species are just as important as rarer species, so please give it a go. Please contact Dr Angela Julian ARGUK with any specific questions. angela.digges@clara.co.uk *** Local Bat Helpline *** Grounded bats, bat problems, advice and information. Contact Annette and Colin Faulkner on 01775 766286 or e-mail: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** Bat Recorder *** You may send confidential bat records direct to Annette Faulkner on: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** LNU Bees, Wasps and Ants Recorder *** Alan Phillips Willing to examine specimens or check photos (but bear in mind only a relative few of the 300+ species in the county are identifiable using photos). Aculeates only please, no parasitic wasps such as Ichneumons. If in doubt please contact for advice: aculeates@gmail.com *** How to Identify Bees *** BWARS - Bees Wasps & Ants Recording Society http://www.bwars.com/ Bumblebee Conservation Trust http://bumblebeeconservation.org/ *** Good sources of seeds of Bee-friendly Wild Flowers *** Mark Schofield writes: Always consider the provenance and sustainable sourcing of seed. Plantlife and Flora locale have defined protocols that can guide the conservation-minded shopper. Bee-friendly gardeners should refer to their A-Z suppliers list which can be found here: www.floralocale.org/Alphabetical+supplier+listing Advice: www.wildlifetrusts.org/Bees-needs/growmore bumblebeeconservation.org/get-involved/managing-your-land/wildflower-seed/ *** Mammal Records *** Mammal records can reported to Chris Manning E-mail: Chris.LincsDeer@gmail.com Mink/Otter reports are of interest and can be sent via the Bulletin. *** Slug ID Help *** Chris du Feu will help with slug identification. You can telephone him on: 01427 848400 or e-mail: chris@chrisdufeu.force9.co.uk *** Identification of Non-Marine Molluscs *** John Redshaw is still available to identify specimens of non- marine shelled molluscs, including brackish marsh species. For larger and medium sized species (down to 1cm) a digital image will usually suffice. For smaller species it may be possible, in some cases, to ID specimens from digital images, but usually actual specimens will be required. If providing specimens, they may be enclosed in old film pots (which photographic shops are usually glad to get rid of). Details of location where specimen found, (with grid reference if known), date and finder's name should be provided. If specimen is provided this information should be noted on a label stuck to the outside of the pot. Please be aware that it is illegal to send live specimens through the post. For further details please contact John by e-mail on ejred7fen@tiscali.co.uk *** Mollusc Identification *** David Feld has also kindly offered to assist readers to identify molluscs, both terrestrial and aquatic. Please e-mail him a description and he will advise you whether and where to send a photograph or an actual specimen. Contact: drf@dfeld.freeserve.co.uk *** Lincolnshire Badger Group Update *** Ally Townsend of the Weirfield Wildlife Hospital, writes: If you would like to give people the Lincoln number 01522 530428 a member of staff will record the sighting or RTA. Or use the Weirfield website: http://www.weirfield.co.uk/ where a reporting page can be used to send in badger reports. USEFUL WILDLIFE CONTACTS *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/ *** Lincs Environmental Records Centre *** Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership (of which LERC is a part) Contact: Charlie Barnes, charlie.barnes@glnp.org.uk or for more general queries: info@glnp.org.uk Website: http://www.gnlp.org.uk *** Limestone Grassland Project *** Mark Schofield, Limestone Grassland Project Officer, mschofield@lincstrust.co.uk Mobile: 07825970930, Switchboard: 01507 526667. To find out more and to become involved with the survey and management of Lincolnshire's limestone grassland on road verges see: See: http://www.lifeontheverge.org.uk/ *** Lincs Bird Club *** LBC County Bird Recorders John Clarkson - Covering the north of the county recorder_north@lincsbirdclub.co.uk John Badley - Covering the south of the county recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Bird Club Website: http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk *** The Sir Joseph Banks Society *** Contact 01507 528223 or by e-mail: enquiries@joseph-banks.org.uk. http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk *** Other Useful Websites/contacts *** No hotlinks in this section, just copy and paste URLs, please. Suggestions for other useful Websites are welcome. *** Natural England *** http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ *** Lincolnshire Environmental Awards *** http://www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk/ *** The Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes Project (LCGMP) *** The Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes project produced two films of the Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes. They are based on Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) which measures topography accurately. The films reveal many historical and geomorphological features that are not always obvious to the eye. Note that the vertical perspective is exaggerated to enhance the features. Narrated by Jim Broadbent. Watch them here: Southern marshes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwhVamd4j6E Northern marshes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZjqzcMFXi8 *** Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service *** A dedicated service to protect and enhance the Lincolnshire Wolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). 01507 609740 http://www.lincswolds.org.uk *** Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project *** Project Officer: Ruth Craig http://www.lincswolds.org.uk/chalk-streams/volunteering or contact the project officer ruth.craig@lincolnshire.gov.uk *** The South Lincolnshire Fenlands Partnership *** http://www.lincsfenlands.org.uk/ Contact: slincsfens@lincstrust.co.uk Amanda Jenkins - South Lincolnshire Fenlands Project Officer *** RSPB local webpages *** http://www.rspb.org.uk www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh John Badley, Site Manager for RSPB Lincolnshire Wash reserves e-mail: john.badley@rspb.org.uk S Lincs RSPB http://www.southlincsrspb.org.uk Lincoln RSPB http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire link *** http://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html *** Lincsbirders *** Lincolnshire's Alternative Birding Group http://www.lincsbirders.org/ Lincolnshire Limewoods Project Bardney Limewoods NNR http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/Limewoods/ limewoods@lincolnshire.gov.uk Botanical Group in South Lincs Sarah Lambert writes: We'd be happy to welcome new people, whether experienced or not, particularly if they are located towards the northern part of the vice county! sarah.lambert7@ntlworld.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9. Notes about these wildlife reports ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We do our best to ensure accuracy in our reporting but these records are sent in by a variety of reporters, from complete beginners to professionals. They therefore vary in reliability and in some cases they are impossible to verify. If further information is needed on locations or reporters, or if you wish to question/confirm any of these records, contact: rparsons@enterprise.net Bulletins are sent to Recorders at Lincolnshire Environmental Records Centre [GNLP] , Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. [Note: Where plants are reported, this is usually because they have been seen and identified in flower.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10. The Bulletin's publicity policy ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We sometimes withhold precise details of rare or endangered species. Please point out any sensitive or "tricky" reports of this kind. Sensitive data should go directly to county recorders, please. Please respect the interests of wildlife and site owners if you report on national networks. An interest in wildlife is not a licence to act irresponsibly/thoughtlessly to landowners, who may well be partners in important conservation work. [Remember - views expressed in the Bulletin do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions on the LNU or associated organisations. In particular this applies to such agencies, especially charities, taking a political stance.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11. LNU Events Diary For LNU meetings also see http://www.lnu.org/events.php ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Field Meetings generally start at 12 noon for 1.00pm, but please check the website details for each event. Unless otherwise stated, Indoor Meetings are held on Saturdays at the Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park, Moor Lane, Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln and start at 2pm. 2015 Field Meetings. Saturday, 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 failed; will not continue trying maria phipps - soft bounce - delivery failed; will not continue trying viv hartwell - soft bounce - Over quota - permanent fatal errors k.skingles - soft bounce - Over quota - permanent fatal errors redpoll dircon - soft bounce - delivery failed; will not continue trying *** And finally...... Contributions to "And finally......" are always welcome. England's wild beaver colony has kits http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-33247511 'Hoff crab' gets formal scientific name http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-33263621 Drastic action to save endangered tortoise http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-33096261 Galapagos tortoise, aged 150, put down in California http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-33214297 The World at Night program’s 2015 International Earth & Sky Photo Contest http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20150618-night-sky-photo-winners-announced Earth 'entering new extinction phase' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-33209548 ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/