============================================= || || 22nd 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. 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.... *** I am hoping to be watching the partial eclipse tomorrow morning, so I am sending the Bulletin out tonight. Shall we get lucky? http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b019h4g8 Do you participate in WWF's Earth Hour? This year it takes place on Saturday 28 March at 8.30pm to 9.30pm. Hundreds of millions of people will switch off their lights for one hour to show they care about our planet. Sign up/find out more on: http://earthhour.wwf.org.uk/ The 2015 Lincolnshire Environmental Awards deadline for applications is 31st March. The application process is easy - give it a go. Link: http://www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk/ Charlie Barnes is keen for us to continue hunting for Oil Beetles. See his note below. It would be wonderful to find them this year. Will you all make an effort to spot them, please. For photos, see: http://flic.kr/s/aHsjyUmfao Thanks for all the support. Please keep your reports coming in. Roger p.s. Don't forget to look at "12 ....and finally......" and click on any of the links that catch your eye. Suggestions are welcome. *** LNU Events - full list in section 11 - guests are 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. 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 *** Find that Grid Reference *** Chris Manning recommended the following website to help you find grid references. Really straightforward to use. Have a go. http://www.bnhs.co.uk/focuson/grabagridref/html/index.htm *** Northern Lights? - Heads Up *** On Tuesday 17th I got an email from AuroraWatch UK to say that a Red Alert for an Aurora had been issued. During the course of the day the alert status had been building. I went outside to find a few stars and Jupiter visible, but thick mist was making any aurora impossible to detect. Deeply disappointing. See: http://www.flickr.com/groups/aurorawatch If you have not registered for AuroraWatch's free alert service, why not do so now? It gives a timely 'heads up' so you stand a chance of observing the Northern Lights, weather permitting. http://aurorawatch.lancs.ac.uk/ *** Reminder - Ray Halstead - Recorder - Fungi *** Request: No records or queries for now, please. *** Oil Beetles? Eyes Down - Let's Find Some! *** Charlie Barnes writes: Following the plea in the Wildnews Bulletin for sightings of oil beetles in 2012, it was a pleasure to confirm their existence in Lincolnshire. Adults will begin to start emerging in the coming weeks. If you would be interested in looking for oil beetles in your area you can either get in touch for more information or just take a camera with you when out walking and snap anything that's big and black! To get an idea of what you're looking for take a look at http://flic.kr/s/aHsjyUmfao With the paucity of records in Lincolnshire we have no "hot-spots" to concentrate on - they could be just about anywhere! As a rule, oil beetles like firm bare ground so road verges, footpaths or tracks are ideal. If you think you've seen one, let us know! Charlie Barnes County Recorder for Beetlers charlie@cucaera.co.uk *** 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 or, if you do this regularly, I can send an identification sheet from the Shark Trust. *** 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. 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. *** Scunthorpe Museum Society *** Keith Scarrott writes: The Natural History and Geology Section, Scunthorpe Museum Society. Our last indoor meeting before the members only summer field visits is on Monday, 13th April, 7.15pm start, when STEVE MEARS, Regional Manager for the Forestry Commission (GB South), will give a presentation entitled "TREE PESTS AND DISEASES" Steve, who has worked for the Forestry Commission for many years,will be covering current problems with Ash, Oak and Horse Chestnut trees as well as many other problems and some yet to come. We meet in St Bernadette's Parish Centre (DN16 2RS) opposite the Priory Hotel on Ashby Road, Scunthorpe. ALL ARE WELCOME. There is no entry charge but a donation bowl is provided. Light refreshment is provided at the mid-talk break for a small charge. There is ample free parking in the Church grounds. For more details contact Keith Scarrott on 01724 762098. *** Lincolnshire Wolds Walking Festival launch Saturday 16th May *** To find out more about this 16 day Festival and download the brochure go to: http://www.woldswalkingfestival.co.uk *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch *** Lesley Robinson writes: Spring Indoor Meeting 28th March 2015 At: Chambers Farm Wood Education Centre, near Wragby (grid reference: TF148738) Time: 2pm for 2:30pm Speaker: Martin Davies "Butterflies of the Mediterranean Area" Hot and cold drinks available with biscuits. *** LWT Barton Group *** Adrian White writes: Sunday 22nd March "East Halton Skitter" A half-day walk along the riverbank. Looking for the last of the winter visitors. Leader; Adrian White (017254 732152) Meet at Ness Farm for a 9am start and car share. *** 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. *** ‘Refloating the Ark’ conference *** Charlie Barnes sent in the following: ‘Refloating the Ark’ is a two-day meeting (17-18 June 2015) exploring how museums with natural history collections can maximise their contribution towards environmental sustainability, by engaging effectively with the public and the scientific research community, including biological recorders. The meeting is aimed at museum workers, environmental educators, conservationists, scientific researchers, students, amateur naturalists, funders and the biological recording community. The meeting is very reasonably priced, at £25 for one day and £40 for both days, including lunch and refreshments. Please do come along, and spread the word! https://naturemanchester.wordpress.com/2015/03/06/refloating-the-ark-detailed-conference-programme/ *** Advice for Organisations wanting publicity *** Editor writes: As you know, we are happy to give a plug for Lincolnshire events and activities run by conservation/natural history organisations. The Bulletin compares well with the 'Sector average' for charity newsletters; 37% opens within 3 days compared with 22.5%. 400+ readers open and look at the Bulletin each week. However, only a few readers trouble to click on the links, a 6.3% click rate, low but OK compared with a 2.8% not-for-profit sector average. Best advice is to include a paragraph rather than just a link in the Bulletin, as the 'active 400' are much more likely to notice and read it. The rule seems to be: People seldom click on links. example: This week 28 people read the piece about oil beetles and 17 'grabbed a grid reference', but the best of the organisation blog links only scored 1-3 hits each. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2. Wildlife Highlights ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Bird News from Rare Birds Alert *** Rare Bird Alert has kindly given permission to reproduce reports. A big thank you from us all. Interested readers should have a look at the RBA website: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ 12/3 c70 Twite, Water Pipit, Donna Nook Bittern, Cleethorpes Coast. 13/3 Red-crested Pochard, Messingham Sand Quarry Rough-legged Buzzard flew north over, Water Pipit, Frampton Marsh 14/3 Spoonbill, Alkborough flats 2 Common Cranes flew NW over dunes, Donna Nook Water Pipit, 11 Whooper Swans, Frampton Marsh 3 Shorelarks on beach near Brickyard Lane car park, Saltfleetby 15/3 Great Northern Diver, south of Fishtoft and Cut End 16/3 Osprey, north over town centre, Scunthorpe Firecrest in plantation, Gibraltar Point Water Pipit, Spotted Redchank, Frampton Marsh Scaup drk on lagoon, Freiston Shore 17/3 35 Twite near old car park, Frampton Marsh Common Crane flew SE over Sykes Farm, Gibraltar Point Great White Egret with Little Egret on wet grassland, then flew to The Wash, Water Pipit, Frampton Marsh Scaup drk on lagoon, Freiston Shore 18/3 Great White Egret flew north over A17, Fleet Hargate 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. ROAD KILLS Badgers, foxes, hedgehogs, owls: every road kill can be a record. Make a mental note and let us know the species, date and location. Don't put yourself in danger with one-handed driving or parking on a dangerous stretch of road! Owls etc. can have rings - if safe to so so, please check for this. 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. WRAWBY Barton Road [the B1206] Grid ref. TA017096 Jenny Haynes 13 March 2015 Gorse in flower This is located on the edge of the motorway bridge and has been in flower for several weeks. *** 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. ANDERBY MARSH Dave Miller 18th March 2015 Little Egret 1 Marsh Harrier 1 Ringtail Robin 1 Muntjac 1 19th March 2015 Canada Goose 9 Curlew 11 Grey Heron 1 Greylag Goose 2 Little egret 1 Magpie 1 Mallard 2 Marsh Harrier 1 female Mistle Thrush 1 Moorhen 1 CAISTOR Wendy Handford (WH) Reports from contributors to Caistor records Week beginning 13.3.15 Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 WH Grey squirrel under feeder daily Woodmouse behind shed 16.3.15 Bullfinch on Wild plum 14.3.15 Jay 18.3.15 Long-tailed tits 6 on feeder 16.3.15 Mallards m and f on stream all day 15.3.15 Midges, biting type, 14.3.15 Sparrowhawk f catches Woodpigeon 15.3.15 Red dead-nettle, first flowers 16.3.15 Hundon Manor Farm TA 116 024 P Robinson Green woodpecker calling 16.3.15 Tawny owl calling nightly North Kelsey Road garden TA 116 015 A Wish 8.3.15 Goldfinch collecting nesting material Brimstone Common froghopper bug Honeybees Midges Small tortoiseshell North Street garden TA 118 015 N Newton Goldcrest recovers after window-strike 14.3.15 CHAPEL PITS Dave Miller 13th March 2015 Blackbird 1 Blue Tit 3 Common Gull 7 Coot 1 Great Tit 4 Greylag Goose 6 Long-tailed Tit 4 Mallard 2 Marsh Harrier 1 Moorhen 3 Pheasant 1 Water Rail 1 Woodpigeon 26 Wren 1 GRIMSTHORPE Chris Howes 13/03/15 Quarry Cottage TF 045204 First Moth trap of the season Small Quaker Common Quaker Mottled Grey Grey Shoulderknot Hebrew Character Oak Beauty 16/03/15 Pots and Pans TF 038206 Leaves of Early Purple Orchid just emerging HUTTOFT TF512763 (my garden) Jane Pennington Date 6/3/2015 Chaffinch 2 (m & f) Song thrush 1 Starling 1 (in the bird bath) Date 8/3/2015 Bee 1 (sorry, too quick to try and identify) Chaffinch 1 Date 10/3/2015 Bees 2 (1 on crocus) Chaffinch 1 Starling 1 (collecting nest material) Date 11/3/2015 Jackdaws 2 (on a bird table each - never seen in garden before) Great tits 2 Owls 2 (woke me at 4.30am) Wren 1 Date 12/3/2015 Bee 1 (resting on a fence in the sun) Date 13/3/2015 Owl 1 (2am) Starling 1 (collecting nesting material) Jane Pennington Huttoft TF512763 (my garden) 18/3/2015 Blackbird 1 (collecting nesting material) Dunnocks 2 (not seen for months) Great spotted woodpecker 1 (didn't fly away when I was walking in the garden and so I wonder if it was a young one) Greenfinch 1 Starlings 2 (in and out of the hole in the apple tree) Woodpigeons 15 (roosting) Wrens 2 (usually only seen one but these were together) HUTTOFT BANK PITS Dave Miller 17th March 2015 Black-headed gull 3 Canada Goose 15 Common Gull 6 Coot 2 Greylag goose 7 Mallard 1 male Oystercatcher 2 Pink-footed Goose 2 Shoveler 1 male Teal 4 HUTTOFT MARSH Dave Miller 19th March 2015 Buzzard 1 Mistle Thrush 2 Skylark 1 LOUTH STEWTON LANE Clare Brady 15/3/15 Chiff Chaff calling, only called a few times. This is the earliest I have heard one. SLEAFORD Richard Dawson w/e 13/3/15 Sleaford - in tiny Garden: wren robin pair blackbirds pair blue tits 20+ sparrows roosting in jasminoides toad Allotment pair english partridge living in abandoned raspberry canes about a dozen starlings on telegraph wire heron overhead buzzard overhead red tailed kite overhead hungry pigeons galore By the Slea side Heron barn owl blackthorn tree in full bloom kestrel wren robin thrush young brown trout pair kingfishers TATTERSHALL TF 215578 Geoff Annibal 10/03/2015 My first Chiffchaff record of the year on March 10th. WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 12/03/2015 Pair of red-legged partridge caught on trail camera in garden. 17/3 Pair of stockdoves under seed feeder. Bet they are using one of our owl boxes. 19/3 A Kestrel has taken to perching on overhead wires crossing the garden. WOLLA BANK PITS 19th March 2015 Dave Miller Canada Goose 2 Crow 3 Kestrel 1 Magpie 1 Mallard 8 Moorhen 1 Snipe 2 Starling 25 Woodpigeon 25 Wren 2 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 National Nature Reserve - good video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONdZsUndzAY 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 Dunes NNR - good video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nhlOWJHqRc SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE NNR. NNR Week ending 19 03 15 JW NL CM P&J Roworth A cold dry week with 2 frosts cold dry winds and limited sunshine, monthly total rainfall so far 4.0mm Water levels falling and ground cold and dry so no surprise little growth or signs of spring. Birds seen this week include: Shoveler 36, Gadwall 23, Kingfisher 2, Snipe 5, Bullfinch 3 pairs, Little Owl 1 pair, Hen Harrier 1, Merlin 1, Water Rail 2, Great Spotted Woodpecker 3. Most of the wintering Whooper Swans have now left as have some of the Brent Geese. As yet no spring migrant birds have been seen on this coast, as they have been inland. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. News from Far Ings NNR ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Far Ings News See: Murmuration of Starlings over the Humber Bridge - great video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62lVQKIGieE 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) 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 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 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 - hard bounce - will not continue trying - address cleaned rachael.elizabeth - hard bounce - will not continue trying - address cleaned *** And finally...... Contributions to "And finally......" are always welcome. Lincoln Castle revamp work adapted after bat discovery http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-31920440 The perils of feeding bread to ducks http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-magazine-monitor-31903778 UK's first big hedgehog sanctuary http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-31913453 North Sea wind power 'may make East of England a trade hub' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-31914473 Poll to find first national bird for Britain http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-31904842 Shark eDNA study could be conservation 'game-changer' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-31926794 The World's Most Painful Insect Sting http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20150312-the-worlds-most-painful-insect-sting 12 of the "Funniest Animal Faces" [sic] http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20150311-funny-animal-faces The Art of Science http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-31630933 'Drink driver' crashes into Louth War Memorial http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-31902527 Pitcairn Islands get huge marine reserve http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-31943633 Natural World: Galapagos Islands of Change on iPlayer this week. Did you see it? http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b055kldq/natural-world-20152016-3-galapagos-islands-of-change ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/