============================================= || || 8th March 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 AGM of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union takes place this Saturday, March 07, 2015 - 2pm start - and we hope to see a good turn-out. The Presidential address by Nick Tribe is: "Aspects of Dragonfly Recording in Lincolnshire". The AGM of the Lincolnshire Bird Club is detailed below and takes place on March 24th. I can think of many examples of environmental initiatives in the county which would make good candidates for the 2015 Lincolnshire Environmental Awards. The deadline for applications is 31st March. Scroll down for details. Heads up for a partial solar eclipse this month: Friday 20th March, starting 8.27hrs, mid-eclipse 9.33hrs, finishing 10.42hrs as given in Paul Money's useful "Night Scenes 2015". Useful eclipse links: http://www.rogerparsons.info/cosmic.html Never view the Sun directly. You need to be properly protected when watching solar eclipses. This means proper safe solar viewers or some form of projection like a solarscope. Suitable Solar Viewers can be ordered from the BAA shop from £1.75, but you will need to get your skates on! http://www.britastro.org/ A big thank you to everyone who has given the Bulletin a "plug". Feel free to send this webpage link to friends who might like to join the Bulletin mailing list: http://www.lnu.org/wildnews.php Thanks. Roger *** LNU Events - guests are welcome *** To check on the details, especially if weather suggests a possible cancellation, visit: http://lnu.org/events.php 2015 Indoor meetings: 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. Saturday, March 07, 2015 AGM Followed by the Presidential address by Nick Tribe: "Aspects of Dragonfly Recording in Lincolnshire". 2016 Field Meetings. Field Meetings generally start at 12 noon for 1.00pm, but please check the website details for each event. Sunday, April 26, 2015 Little Haw Wood - (Courtesy of Forestry Commission) Southwest of Castle Bytham, 12.00 for 13.00 start. Park in turning area off track near west end of Clipsham Wood at SK9703 1705. Take minor road between Clipsham and Castle Bytham to reach Clipsham Wood. NB. There is about a 800m walk to Little Haw Wood from the parking spot. Habitats: Mixed Woodland. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com *** Lincolnshuire Bird Club *** Andrew Chick writes: The Lincolnshire Bird Club invites you to The Admiral Rodney, Horncastle at 7.30pm on Tuesday, March 24th 2015 for a talk on Man and Birds by Mark Cocker We are pleased to announce our speaker will be Mark Cocker, the well-known author, naturalist and environmental activist who writes and broadcasts on nature and wildlife in a variety of national media. He is a co-founder of New Networks for Nature, an eco-organisation that asserts the central importance of landscape and nature in British cultural life. For the last 35 years his home has been Norfolk, where his time is divided between the county's celebrated wildlife, an organic allotment and the restoration of a small wooded fen. His recent book Birds and People, is a hugely acclaimed survey of the cultural importance of birds worldwide and it is on that subject he will be speaking to LBC. The committee are all looking forward to this opportunity to listen to a top class wildlife speaker in the county and I hope you will find the evening a hugely enjoyable one. The talk will be followed by the Annual General Meeting (members only). *** Lincolnshire Environmental Awards 2015 *** Do you know any environmental projects that deserve recognition? The deadline for entries in the Lincolnshire Environmental Award 2015 is 31 March 2015. To learn more, visit the website: http://www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk/ *** Reminder - Ray Halstead - Recorder - Fungi *** Request: No records or queries for now, please. *** Annual Bat Alert! *** Annette Faulkner writes: Bats will start emerging from hibernation in the next couple of weeks, so keep a look out for them over your gardens. I would be most interested in early records. Depending on the weather they will be dipping in and out of hibernation until well into April, or even early May if we have any late frosts, but we have already had four grounded bat calls in the last week, for bats out of hibernation too early. Three of these were pipistrelles, and all were 25% under- weight. Two are being fed up for return to the the wild in due course, but the third had a broken elbow and had to be euthanased. They were from Spalding, Scunthorpe and Gosberton respectively. Today (Thursday) we have had a grounded brown long-eared bat from Bucknall taken into care. If you find a bat on the ground, or one low down on a wall or other odd place, PLEASE don't assume it will sort itself out. It won't. It will either die from starvation several days later or be mangled by a cat, also to die several days later. Scoop it up with a cloth, or wear gloves to handle it, put it into an escape-proof box, phone the helpline number (ours) on 01775 766286 and we will do the rest. *** Find that Grid Reference *** Chris Manning recommended the following website to help you find grid references. http://www.bnhs.co.uk/focuson/grabagridref/html/index.htm *** Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project practical days *** Will Bartle writes: Have some free time and looking for a new challenge? Why not help preserve one of England's rarest natural habitats. The Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project is looking for enthusiastic and willing volunteers to help maintain and improve chalk streams throughout February and March, at Laceby, Welton-le-Wold and Ashby- cum-Fenby in the Lincolnshire Wolds. Volunteers will be involved in the practical conservation of the chalk streams and their banks, helping to provide and improve the habitats of local wildlife including trout, otters and water voles. No experience is needed, but you must be physically fit and confident when working near or in water. Safety training will be provided to volunteers in the sessions. Give a helping hand to a local habitat on: Saturday 14 March 10am - 3pm - Welton-le-Wold To sign up contact: William.bartle@lincolnshire.gov.uk or phone Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service on 01507 609740. For more details/to find out more about the Chalk Streams of Lincolnshire, visit: http://www.lincswolds.org.uk/chalk-streams/volunteering Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LincolnshireChalkStreams?ref=hl *** Scunthorpe Museum Society *** Keith Scarrott writes: The Natural History and Geology Section, Scunthorpe Museum Society. At our next meeting, on Monday, 9th March, we Imogen Wilde, Regional Co-ordinator and Mentor for Lincolnshire for the British Arachnological Society (BAS), coming to give us an illustrated presentation all about "Spiders". We will be introduced to the fascinating and often misunderstood world of spiders. We will be learning about the variety, behaviour, importance and, yes, THE BEAUTY OF SPIDERS. Imogen issues the challenge to COME ALONG IF YOU DARE! We meet, as usual, in: St. Bernadette's Parish Centre (DN16 2RS) which is opposite the Priory Hotel on Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, 7.15pm start. ALL ARE WELCOME. There is no entry charge but a donation bowl is provided. Light refreshments are provided for a small charge during mid-talk break. The Church has ample free parking. For more details contact Keith Scarrott on 01724 762098. *** LWT Alford & Mablethorpe branch events - note 9th, not 19th! *** Natalie and George Rutter write: March - Monday 9th at The Half Moon, West St, Alford at 7.30pm The work of the Wildlife Police with PC Nick Willey. Wildlife is under constant pressure from a variety of causes and Nick will describe the types of problems they have to deal with. *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** Carolyn Lovely writes: Morning Bird Walk - Cleethorpes On Sunday 8th March 2015 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them on a morning bird walk starting from the Cleethorpes Discovery Centre with Ray Hume. The walk starts at 9am and will last between 90 minutes and 2 hours depending on the weather. All are welcome and is a free event but donations will be welcomed for the Trust. Please wear suitable outdoor clothing and stout footwear and bring binoculars. For further details ring Ray Hume 01472 320878. Lincolnshire Chalk Streams On Monday 9th March 2015 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them at their latest indoor meeting where Ruth Craig will give an illustrated talk about the Lincolnshire Chalk Stream Project including video footage of otters. This will take place in Grimsby Town Hall and starts at 7.30pm. Admission £2, all are welcome. Trust goods stall, raffle, tea and coffee available. For further information ring Jennie Redpath 01472 502858. *** Lincoln RSPB *** http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ On Thursday 12th March 2015 we invite you to join us at our indoor meeting for a presentation by Danny Green called Land of Fire and Ice. This will take place at Bishop Grosseteste University, Longdales Road Lincoln in the Robert Hardy Building. Start 7.30pm. RSPB members £3.00 Non members £4.00 *** South Lincs RSPB *** Members and non-members welcome. http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ 27/2 Long-eared Owl on island from hide, Deeping Lakes Short-eared Owl, Deeping High Bank Bittern, Far Ings Black Brant with Dark-bellied Brent Geese, Croft Marsh. Gibraltar Point Black Brant, Pale-bellied Brent Goose, on realignment with 1,400 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 85 Twite, Donna Nook 28/2 Slavonian Grebe, on sea off Mill Hill, Pale-bellied Brent Goose with Dark-bellied Brent Geese, Gibraltar Point 3 Shorelarks, 25 Twite, 10 Snow Buntings, near Brickyard Lane, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe 12 Tundra Bean Geese, South Ferriby Pale-bellied Brent Goose with Greylag and Canada Geese, west of South Ferriby 1/3 3 Shorelarks, Water Pipit near Brickyard Lane, Saltfleetby/ Theddlethorpe 2/3 3 Shorelarks, Water near Brickyard Lane, Saltfleetby/ Theddlethorpe 4 Waxwings on road near Aylmer Avenue, Water Pipit, Gibraltar Point 12 Tundra Bean Geese, South Ferriby 3/3 12 Tundra Bean Geese with Canada and Greylag Geese, in rape field west of cement works, South Ferriby Slavonian or Black-necked Grebe offshore, Gibraltar Point 3 Shorelarks, Water near Brickyard Lane, Saltfleetby/ Theddlethorpe Water Pipit, Tetney Lock 4/3 12 Tundra Bean Geese with Canada and Greylag Geese, in rape field west of cement works, South Ferriby 3 Long-eared Owls on island from hide, Deeping Lakes 3 Shorelarks, Water near Brickyard Lane, Saltfleetby/ Theddlethorpe 2 Pale-belied Brent Geese, 3 male Hen Harriers, Frampton Marsh 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. [Correction - Roger was 61, not 6, when he died! He would have enjoyed that typo!] Jerry Gunner writes: Spring is coming on apace in our garden in Nocton. The weasel I first noticed about a fortnight ago is seen fairly regularly so hopefully is living in the garden somewhere. Haven't seen any stoats for a long time though. Still loads of rabbits for them though. And moles. The birdfeeders are bankrupting me. Our resident charm of around 14 goldfinches is getting through two feeders worth of niger seed every couple of days. They're also helping the chaffinches empty the sunflower heart feeder every day. Peanuts and fat balls seem to be the domain of the tits, robins (we have four in the front garden alone). And squirrels of course. The only deterrent seems to be launching the cocker spaniel at them. She chases them into the trees and after a few times they go away for an hour or so. However, with the light coming earlier than I get, up they are having a peanut fest in the mornings. We had a female siskin last week but she only stayed a couple of days. A pair of goldcrests are flickering around the yew tree I can see from the front room, usually they nest in the garden. There seem to be more wrens than usual and mallards are prospecting for nest sites again. A pair has monopolised the veg patch where a pair successfully nested last year. It's over 150 yards from the beck and pond at the bottom of the garden. A green woodpecker is kindly aerating the lawn for me. No hares seen in the garden yet but I've glimpsed muntjac. Walks with the dogs between Wasps Nest, Potterhanworth and home are getting more exciting every day. The numbers of redwings and fieldfares, which stopped coming in the garden about a week ago, seem to be diminishing but on the plus side there is a kingfisher on the Carr Dyke that I see most days. The same section of the dyke is patrolled by a yellowish barn owl. A cattle egret has been on the fields where a lot of drainage work has been done and it is usually accompanied by grey herons. The over-wintering swans towards Bardney are visible and I know they're not 'just' mute swans. I have seen a couple of Bewicks flying. Highlights for me yesterday were three tree creepers in Potterhanworth woods and one marsh tit - although I heard more. Absolutely stunning little bird. 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. *** 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. BLACKTOFT SANDS area Paul Gee Friday 27th February 2015 Single Red Deer Stag in fields close to Blacktoft Sands RSPB. Blackbirds have started to collect nesting material. BOSTON Mick Todd 28.02.15 With the present mild weather conditions I had a quick (well it is raining!) looked in my ponds tonight and found frogs and smooth newts present. CAISTOR Wendy Handford (WH) Reports from contributors to Caistor records Week beginning 27.2.15 Brigg Road farmland TA 106 036 Kestrel on telephone wire 5.3.15 Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 WH Badger digging marks under Alder 27.2.15 Feral Ferret or similar 4am, 4.3.15 Trailam Grey squirrel on birdfeeder 1.3.15 Muntjac on path through long grass 1am 27.2.15 Trailcam Vole seen while cutting meadow 28.2.15 Jay 3.3.15 Pheasants 1 male following 9 females 28.2.15 Trailcam Skylark singing, first this year 4.3.15 Garden snails 25+ between plastic trays in greenhouse 4.3.14 Leopard slug between stones 4.3.15 Winter moth on porch window 27.2.15 Alders, catkins shedding pollen 2.3.15 Birdcherry, first buds bursting 27.2.15 King Alfred's cakes on dead Ash 1.3.15 Cherry Holt garden TA 115 015 J Rudd House sparrows 12 daily Magpies 4 1.3.15 Chichester Drive garden TA 114 013B Fraser Grey wagtail. Early February Nettleton Lodge Game Farm TA 090 012 B Jacob Hawthorn buds bursting 1.3.15 North Kelsey Road TA 116 015 A Wish Honeybees 2 on Crocuses 25.2.15 DEEPINGS Venue: Deeping Lakes Nature Reserve Date: 04/02/2015 Time: 1340 to 1600 Observer: Ian Gordon Weather: Sunny, cold, very windy Birds: Blackbird Black-headed Gull Blue Tit Canada Goose Carrion Crow Chaffinch Coot Cormorant Dunnock Gadwall Goldeneye Goosander Great Crested Grebe Great Tit Green Woodpecker Greylag Goose Grey Heron Herring Gull Jackdaw Kestrel Lapwing Lesser Black-backed Gull Little Egret Little Grebe Long-eared Owl Magpie Mallard Moorhen Mute Swan Oystercatcher Pochard Robin Rook Song Thrush Teal Tufted Duck Wigeon Woodpigeon Wren Mammals: Rabbit GARTHORPE Paul Gee Sightings this week have been very productive: - Wednesday 25th February, 2015 Pair of Red Kites circling over village, lived here 14 years and this is first sighting although there has been one bird fairly locally last year. Three times this week a Juvenile Buzzard, this has appeared this year and is local to Eastoft/Luddington Garthorpe, fantastic young specimen. Tuesday 24th February 2015 Between Luddington and Garthorpe a pair of Muntjac Deer. HAGNABY LOCK FEN E.A. WETLAND RESERVE TF 341595 Garry Steele Maximum counts and noteworthy ornithological sightings, February 2015 Little Egret - 3 Greylag Goose - 17 Wigeon - 48 Teal - 48 Mallard - 37 Shoveler - 1 Pochard - 1 Tufted Duck - 4 Curlew - 76 Redshank - 1 Stock Dove - 13 Fieldfare - 10 HUTTOFT Jane Pennington Huttoft TF512763 (my garden) 20/2/2015 Pheasant 1 Woodpigeons 11 - both species roosting in the trees 22/2/2015 Hares 3 TF515766 Pheasant 1 Tawny owls 2 - calling at 6.00am 23/2/2015 Common toad 1 - I was just rustling some leaves to see if there were any crocuses trying to get through and he jumped out - don't know which of us was more surprised! 25/2/2015 Geese 2 - in flight around TF515766 - don't know what type but magnificent Hare 1 - in the area of TF515766 Mallards 4 - around TF576767 5/3/2015 Chaffinch 1 male Great tits 1 Starlings 5 in the apple tree and one collecting nesting material and going into the big hole in the tree that they visit each year Wren 1 LINCOLN SK972738 W/E 07/03/2015 Jayne Knight 04/03/15 Single Long-tailed Tit examined all feeders, continuous dialogue between it and others in the trees. Bird finally ate some sunflower heart crumbs left on top of one of the feeders. Since realised I do not provide anything suet based which they in particular seem to enjoy, so balls and new feeder winging their way to me as I type. Hopefully will be recording an increase in their numbers in a short while! SKEGNESS - SOUTH SHORE TF573625 Jane Ostler 21st February 2015 Driftline - Hornwrack (Flustra foliacea) Piles of this seamat, resembling a round-ended brown seaweed Sea mat (Flustra securiformis) Small amounts, narrower segment and described as found "North of a line between Flamborough Head and Liverpool." Tufted bryozoan (Crisia sp.) attached to the remains of red seaweed Tufted bryozoan (Bowerbankia imbricata) found on the hornwrack Brown seaweed (Fucus ceranoides) a species of brackishh waters and estuaries usually found attached to stones. Mermaids purses, the eggcases of common skate Common dog whelk cases Lesser black backed gulls were feeding amongst debris on lower shore Dunes A single plant found in flower - Scentless Mayweed (Tripleurosperum maritimum ssp. maritimum)" SPALDING Phil Clay Windsor Drive 8 am 26&27/2/15 Great spotted woodpecker drumming on television aerial. STOURTON parkland Private land TF 21 75 15th February Last week's question: Editor's request for identification help: Can anyone help, please? [Chris du Feu says "Not Slugs Eggs"!] We were in parkland recently with the local Watch group and we saw what looked like small irregular clumps of ice crystals scattered randomly on an old stump. It was too warm for ice so we looked more carefully. On closer observation they wobbled like jellies, and we speculated that they could be eggs of some kind, mollusc perhaps. The clumps were of varied size but a typical diameter would be 15mm. I brought one home for a closer look and it seemed to resemble frog spawn, a mass of globular spheres of colourless jelly, each say 1mm in diameter, some with what looked like a nucleus, others without such a feature. They Did not hatch and eventually coagulated into a blob! Jackie Freeman replied: "With regard to the 'ice crystals' that you asked for help identifying - it could be the jelly fungus Exidia nucleata (crystal brain). I recorded it here in Walesby this time last year. It was on an ash stump together with Flammulina velutipes (velvet shank)." I googled Exidia nucleata and got: "Gelatinous irregularly hemispherical or pustular (sometimes brain-like) forming blobs up to 1cm across, often coalescing to form much larger jelly- like patches, whitish with opaque Calcium oxalate inclusions in the form of pure white nodules (rather like fresh frog spawn containing white rather than black embryonic tadpoles)." http://www.first-nature.com/fungi/exidia-nucleata.php Also see: http://www.naturespot.org.uk/species/crystal-brain-fungus http://www.ispotnature.org/species-dictionaries/uksi/Exidia%20nucleata So I offer the record: STOURTON parkland Private land TF F 2175 15th February R. Parsons and Coningsby Wildlife Watch group Exidia nucleata (crystal brain) - many [20+] fruiting bodies, variable in size. Photograph available. On cut surface of large old tree stump spp. Side of farm track in open parkland/mixed woodland. SUTTERTON Mick Todd 27.02.15 Driving along the A16 to work this week, I've noticed the rooks taking interest in the rookery, with a bird sitting on a nest, yesterday, probably reclaiming it ready for the breeding season. WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 2/3/2015 Song thrush singing 6.30am. 2 barn owls, a buzzard and two kestrels along Hurnbridge Road/ Dogdyke road at 6.30am ish. Yellowhammer m below seed feeder. [First for some months] 20 Goldfinches on/under niger feeder. 12+ Starlings in area. Several using seed feeders. 2 regular great spotted woodpeckers. 3/3/2015 Barn owl hunting in paddock next door - 7am. Young grass snake [est 12cm] in step well of outbuilding - 8am. [Checked it on 4/3/2015. It was alive and in a changed position.] A very early record for here - though we expect to see adults on the compost heap or in the greenhouse once it starts to warm up. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. Lincolnshire Coast NNRs and S Lincs Highlights including RSPB Wash Reserves RSPB Reserves: http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/collections/thewash_northnorfolk.aspx http://www.rspb.org.uk www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh LWT Reserves: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ South Lincolnshire bird sightings January 2014 RSPB Frampton Marsh RSPB Freiston Shore Gibraltar Point NNR Other sites John Badley [Assisted by Colin Jennings] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GIBRALTAR POINT NNR. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ See: Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog. http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE DUNES NNR. http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/38015?category=59026 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE NNR. NNR Week ending 05 03 15 Cliff Morrison, Janet and Peter Roworth, Nige Lound, John Walker Feb weather, measured at Seaview, total rainfall 41 mm coldest air temp minus 4.5ºC highest 11.5ºC, in general a sunny but cold month. This week recorded gusts of westerly winds at maximum 59 mph, but drying out the surface ground over recent days, remaining cold with little signs of vegetation growth, although the sunshine is now getting stronger. 2 common toads emerged on Monday with some milder weather but none seen since. Bird sightings, NL experienced the unusual sighting of a total of 339 red throated divers most passing by fairly close to shore and all over in less than 45 minutes this is possibly a mass movement in search of food. Also included was 29 great crested grebes, another fish eating species. Other bird sightings this week included, little owl 2, tawny owl 2, barn owl 1, hen harrier 1, sparrowhawk 2, common buzzard 2, snow bunting 15, shorelark 3, great spotted woodpecker 3, water rail 4, shoveler 31, gadwall 9, whooper swan a maximum of 54 roosting, pink foot geese have been heard passing over at night as they leave Norfolk and make for the north west coast in preparation for there return to Iceland where the majority breed. An adjacent grassfield of 60 acres in Higher Level Stewardship is currently being improved for wildlife with wide shallow ditches being created. On Tues 181 curlews c 150 starlings and c 250 common and black headed gulls and various rooks, jackdaws and magpies, were feeding on the field. The works will soon be completed and the site will be regularly monitored. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 NNR includes the following sites: Chambers Farm Wood (please detail specific area when reporting e.g. Ivy Wood, Little Scrubbs Meadow etc.); College Wood, Cocklode & Great West Woods, Hardy Gang Wood, Newball Wood, Scotgrove Wood, Southrey Wood, Wickenby Wood. Other woods included in the NNR but without public access: Stainfield Wood; Stainton & Fulnetby Woods (access by public bridle way only) For the Limewoods, see: Adrian Royle's superb Flickr photo-site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/adiroyle/collections/72157624803742908/ Colin Green has produced the following video about visiting Southrey Wood in Oct 2012. Well worth a look. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1SpBvd9Ib0 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7. Sending in reports to Roger Parsons ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The purpose of the Bulletin is to encourage biological recording in Lincolnshire using modern Information and Communication Technology. We hope to increase the number of people reporting observations to LNU Recorders and improve the quality of reports, as well as the quantity and the geographical coverage. In return for this FREE service, we ask you to provide reports, questions, news or relevant articles from time to time. Descriptive pieces are welcome - you don't have to stick to lists! Mailing times vary, depending on what I am doing. The Bulletin usually 'goes to bed' on Fridays. Please e-mail in contributions as early as possible to ensure they are included, to: rparsons@enterprise.net [A backup e-mail address you can use if ever you experience problems with my "Enterprise" address is: aintree2@yahoo.co.uk ] When sending in reports please follow this layout to save re-editing: Place Name: IN CAPITALS with Grid Reference if you have it. Your Name: Real names please, not aliases. Put it in each time, for each location Date: Species list [Alphabetical?] & numbers [and observations?] e.g. Blackbird - 24 [And please, no home-grown abbreviations. Species Names in full.] *** Find the Grid Reference *** Chris Manning recommended the following website to help you find grid references. http://www.bnhs.co.uk/focuson/grabagridref/html/index.htm ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 8. Contact Information & Useful Websites ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please let me know ASAP if any of these weblinks fail! *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Website *** A full list of LNU Country Recorders is given here. http://www.lnu.org/ LNU e-mail: info@lnu.org If you are not yet a member, the LNU needs good naturalists like you! Anyone interested can get membership application forms from Wilma Gammon at the Lincs Wildlife Trust office, e-mail wgammon@lincstrust.co.uk LNU publications [listed on LNU website] may be ordered via: Ian Macalpine-Leny http://lnu.org/publications.php ian@macalpine-leny.co.uk *** Contacts List *** No hotlinks in this section, just copy and paste URLs, please. FIGHTING WILDLIFE CRIME *** Rural Crime Officer *** Pc 160 Nick Willey Force Wildlife, Rural Crime Officer Force Dog Training Establishment Lincolnshire Showground. Grange-De-Lings. Lincoln nicholas.willey@lincs.pnn.police.uk OFFICE: 01522-731897 MOBILE :07768-501895 PAGER : 07654-330877 Website: http://www.lincs.police.uk/Advice/Wildlife-and-Rural-Crime/ STAYING SAFE No hotlinks in this section, just copy and paste URLs, please. *** EasyTide *** Check tide times on Admiralty EasyTide: http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx *** Local Tide Tables *** Here is a useful-looking website where you can order local tide tables. Well worth bookmarking. Everyone who uses the coast ought to have local tide tables handy. £1.50 + p&p. https://www.tidetimes.org.uk/ *** TWO - The Weather Outlook *** Check the weather forecast for the location or postcode: http://www.theweatheroutlook.com/ *** Met Office E-mail Service *** Be warned of the possibility of severe weather. The Met Office website now offers an e-mail notification service for severe weather and other matters which may interest readers. Worth having a look and signing up. See: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/guide-to-emails *** Environment Agency Flood Information/Floodline *** http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/default.aspx *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/ Care of Sick or Injured Animals - information on LWT website *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/sick-and-injured-animals SPECIES IDENTIFICATION AND RECORDING No hotlinks in this section, just copy and paste URLs, please. *** iSpot Keys for computer or mobile *** If you are a beginner to identification of species, you might find the following link useful. http://www.ispot.org.uk/keys The LNU is now represented on the popular iSpot website. A full list of the organisations, recording schemes and societies represented is here: http://www.ispot.org.uk/representatives *** What's That Butterfly? *** http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/index.php http://butterfly-conservation.org/ What's That Caterpillar? http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/species_family.php?name=all&stage=larva *** Identifying Dragonflies *** http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/content/uk-species http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/content/dragonfly-and-damselfly-identification-help *** Spiders *** Imogen Wilde writes: Regional Co-ordinator (RC) and Mentor for Lincolnshire for the British Arachnological Society (BAS). I will be organising a few field meetings to hunt for spiders and other arachnids in due course, but if any LNU members wish to get in touch in the meantime then please contact me on my e-mail address: Imogen@imogenwilde.co.uk *** Lincs Amphibian and Reptile Group *** The Lincolnshire ARG (Amphibian & Reptile Group) For further details please contact: 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 that common species are just as important as rarer species, so please give it a go. Please contact Dr Angela Julian ARGUK angela.digges@clara.co.uk with any specific questions. *** Report Ash Dieback in Lincolnshire *** Link for Chalara fraxinea reports: http://www.forestry.gov.uk/chalara *** Local Bat Helpline *** Grounded bats, bat problems, advice and information. Contact Annette and Colin Faulkner on 01775 766286 or e-mail: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** Bat Recorder *** You may send confidential bat records direct to Annette Faulkner on: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** LNU Bees, Wasps and Ants Recorder *** Alan Phillips Willing to examine specimens or check photos (but bear in mind only a relative few of the 300+ species in the county are identifiable using photos). Aculeates only please, no parasitic wasps such as Ichneumons. If in doubt please contact for advice: aculeates@gmail.com *** Mammal Records *** Mammal records can reported to Chris Manning E-mail: Chris.LincsDeer@gmail.com Mink/Otter reports are of interest and can be sent via the Bulletin. *** Slug ID Help *** Chris du Feu will help with slug identification. You can telephone him on: 01427 848400 or e-mail: chris@chrisdufeu.force9.co.uk *** Identification of Non-Marine Molluscs *** John Redshaw is still available to identify specimens of non- marine shelled molluscs, including brackish marsh species. For larger and medium sized species (down to 1cm) a digital image will usually suffice. For smaller species it may be possible, in some cases, to ID specimens from digital images, but usually actual specimens will be required. If providing specimens, they may be enclosed in old film pots (which photographic shops are usually glad to get rid of). Details of location where specimen found, (with grid reference if known), date and finder's name should be provided. If specimen is provided this information should be noted on a label stuck to the outside of the pot. Please be aware that it is illegal to send live specimens through the post. For further details please contact John by e-mail on ejred7fen@tiscali.co.uk *** Mollusc Identification *** David Feld has also kindly offered to assist readers to identify molluscs, both terrestrial and aquatic. Please e-mail him a description and he will advise you whether and where to send a photograph or an actual specimen. Contact: drf@dfeld.freeserve.co.uk *** Lincolnshire Badger Group Update *** Ally Townsend of the Weirfield Wildlife Hospital, writes: If you would like to give people the Lincoln number 01522 530428 a member of staff will record the sighting or RTA. Or use the Weirfield website: http://www.weirfield.co.uk/ where a reporting page can be used to send in badger reports. USEFUL WILDLIFE CONTACTS No hotlinks in this section, just copy and paste URLs, please. *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/ *** Lincs Environmental Records Centre *** Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership (of which LERC is a part) Contact: Charlie Barnes, charlie.barnes@glnp.org.uk or for more general queries: info@glnp.org.uk Website: http://www.gnlp.org.uk *** Limestone Grassland Project *** Mark Schofield, Limestone Grassland Project Officer, mschofield@lincstrust.co.uk Mobile: 07825970930, Switchboard: 01507 526667. To find out more and to become involved with the survey and management of Lincolnshire's limestone grassland on road verges see: See: http://www.lifeontheverge.org.uk/ *** Lincs Bird Club *** Secretary - Robert Carr secretary@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Membership Secretary - Mike Harrison: michael@michaelharrison1.wanadoo.co.uk LBC County Bird Recorders John Clarkson - Covering the north of the county recorder_north@lincsbirdclub.co.uk John Badley - Covering the south of the county recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Bird Club Website: http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk *** The Sir Joseph Banks Society *** Contact 01507 528223 or by e-mail: enquiries@joseph-banks.org.uk. http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk *** Other Useful Websites *** No hotlinks in this section, just copy and paste URLs, please. Suggestions for other useful Websites are welcome. *** Natural England *** http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ Still includes SSSI Information and "Nature on the Map" *** Lincolnshire Environmental Awards *** http://www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk/ *** The Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes Project (LCGMP) *** To learn more about the project or to find out how to get involved, please visit http://www.lincsmarshes.org.uk/ *** Coastal Grazing Marshes *** The Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes project has produced two films of the Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes. They are based on Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) which measures topography accurately. The films reveal many historical and geomorphological features that are not always obvious to the eye. Note that the vertical perspective is exaggerated to enhance the features. Narrated by Jim Broadbent. Watch them here: Southern marshes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwhVamd4j6E Northern marshes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZjqzcMFXi8 *** Lincolnshire 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/ The Wonderful Witham - Lincolnshire Rivers Trust https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Fp9bKSwaBE#t=969 University of Lincoln plus Siren FM - "Nightingales" made possible by Grahame Hopwood at Whisby http://www.sirenonline.co.uk/archives/8926 BBC Radio 4 Tweet of the day: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01s6xyk *** Other Useful E-mail Addresses *** New Botanical Group in South Lincs Sarah Lambert writes: We'd be happy to welcome new people, whether experienced or not, particularly if they are located towards the northern part of the vice county! If anybody would like to join us, please get in touch with me at sarah.lambert7@ntlworld.com Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union: info@lnu.org Gibraltar Point: gibpoint@lincstrust.co.uk Far Ings: farings@lincstrust.co.uk Whisby Nature Park: whisbynp@lincstrust.co.uk NEW Syke's Farm: lwt@sykesfarm.org.uk Lincs. Trust HQ: The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust main e-mail address: info@lincstrust.co.uk Hartsholme Country Park: hartsholmecp@lincoln.gov.uk If you would like your e-mail listed here, please let me know. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9. Notes about these wildlife reports ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We do our best to ensure accuracy in our reporting but these records are sent in by a variety of reporters, from complete beginners to professionals. They therefore vary in reliability and in certain cases they are impossible to verify. If further information is needed on locations or reporters, or if you wish to question/confirm any of these records, contact: rparsons@enterprise.net Bulletins are sent to Biological Recorders at the Lincs. Wildlife Trust, Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. [Note: Where plants are reported, this is usually because they have been seen and identified in flower.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10. The Bulletin's publicity policy ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We will sometimes withhold precise details of the location of rare or endangered species. Please point out any sensitive or "tricky" reports of this kind. Sensitive data should go directly to county recorders, please. We ask that you respect the interests of wildlife and site owners if you report to national networks. Make a point of explaining site sensitivity and any restrictions on access. An interest in wildlife is not a licence to act irresponsibly/thoughtlessly to landowners, who may well be partners in important conservation work. [Remember - views expressed in the Bulletin do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions on the LNU or associated organisations. In particular this applies to such agencies, especially charities, taking a political stance.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11. LNU Events Diary For LNU meetings also see http://www.lnu.org/events.php ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Field Meetings generally start at 12 noon for 1.00pm, but please check the website details for each event. Unless otherwise stated, Indoor Meetings are held on Saturdays at the Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park, Moor Lane, Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln and start at 2pm. 2015 Indoor meetings: Saturday, March 07, 2015 AGM Followed by the Presidential address by Nick Tribe: "Aspects of Dragonfly Recording in Lincolnshire". 2016 Field Meetings. Sunday, April 26, 2015 Little Haw Wood -(Courtesy of Forestry Commission) Southwest of Castle Bytham, 12.00 for 13.00 start. Park in turning area off track near west end of Clipsham Wood at SK9703 1705. Take minor road between Clipsham and Castle Bytham to reach Clipsham Wood. NB. There is about a 800m walk to Little Haw Wood from the parking spot. Habitats: Mixed Woodland. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Sunday, May 31, 2015 Fulsby Wood SSSI - (Private) (Courtesy of Tumby Estate) South of Horncastle 10am to 4pm. Park in Tumby saw mill car park at TF254602 (PE22 7TD) which is on north side of A155 between Coningsby and Mareham le Fen. Leader will be at car park for 10am and then again for 1pm for afternoon only attendees. Habitats: Ancient woodland Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Friday, June 05, 2015 Chambers Farm Wood (Courtesy of Forestry Commission) (multi-organizational Bioblitz event with evening moth sessions) South of Wragby Evening session on Friday from 9pm, then all day recording on Saturday and Sunday. Evening session on Saturday starting at 9pm. Times TBC. Use both car parks near to Wood Centre at TF147739 (LN8 5JR) Toilets available on site. Habitats: Various woodland types, pasture, scrub and ponds. Contacts: Anne Goodall 01526 398182 anne.goodall@esl-lincoln.co.uk and Charlie Barnes 01507 526667 charlie@cucaera.co.uk Saturday, June 06, 2015 Bioblitz - Chambers Farm Wood (Courtesy of Forestry Commission) See 5 June above Sunday, June 07, 2015 Bioblitz - Chambers Farm Wood (Courtesy of Forestry Commission) See 5 June above Saturday, June 27, 2015 Poplar Farm, Low Hameringham (Courtesy of Tony Smith) South of Horncastle, 12.00 for 13.00 start. Evening session starting at 21.15. Use farmyard for parking at TF305662 Habitats: Various grassland types, marsh, chalk stream Leader: Mark Schofield 07825 970930 mschofield@lincstrust.co.uk Saturday, July 11, 2015 Thorne (Beehives) Ltd Rand West of Wragby 12.00 for 13.00 start. Use car park at TF106787 (LN8 5NJ) which is off minor lane northwards off A158 (about 500m on right past Rand Farm Park entrance). Habitats: Broadleaved woodland, wildflower meadows, gardens, ponds and lakes. Leader: Charlie Barnes 01507 526667 charlie@cucaera.co.uk Saturday, August 15, 2015 White House Farm, Branston Fen (Courtesy of Peter Lundgren) SE of Lincoln, 12.00 for 13.00 start. Evening session starting at 20.30. Park in farmyard at TF085705 (LN3 5UP) which is at end of North Causeway found off the B1190 at Branston Booths. Habitats: Grassland, ditches, arable. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Sunday, September 06, 2015 Metheringham Delph East of Metheringham, 12.00 for 13.00 start. Road verge parking alongside Carr Dyke near western end of the Delph at approx.TF114 620. Take minor road off B1189 between Metheringham Habitats: Grassland, river, ditches. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Sunday, October 11, 2015 Fungus Foray - TBC TBC - see Wildnews Bulletin, website or contact a member of the Executive Committee for further details. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails This Week *** If you hear of anyone bemoaning the lack of a Bulletin, please refer them to the Bulletin Portal where they will find a text copy. http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html If you are having difficulties with spam folders et. please make sure you "Whitelist" my address as given in the Bulletin. A "hard bounce" usually results in you being automatically deleted from the mailing list. Latest Mailfails - see notes above. Bulletin bouncing from: caroline.amphlett - soft bounce - delivery failed; will not continue trying k.skingle - soft bounce - Over quota - permanent fatal errors *** And finally...... Contributions to "And finally......" are always welcome. Weasel on woodpecker photograph, in case you have not seen it yet! http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-31722410 7 reed bunting facts you need to know http://www.discoverwildlife.com/blog/7-reed-bunting-facts-you-need-know Whisby Wildlife Watch: Watch Group of the Year Winners 2014 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oa6TdIU-pA Wildlife and Sunset at Snettisham Beach https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pI-3itvhNHc MPs call for reform of EU's 'flawed' rules on GM crops http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-31628160 Fungus plays 'biomusic' duet http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-31655846 New home for BBC Earth http://www.bbc.com/earth/uk How butterflies are harbingers of hope in war-torn Iraq "Nature Iraq: not an oxymoron, but the name of the country’s leading conservation group." http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/commentators/how-butterflies-are-harbingers-of-hope-in-wartorn-iraq-10061698.html ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/