============================================= || || 3rd May 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.... *** Sunday 3 May 2015 is International Dawn Chorus Day. See: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/events/2015/02/06/international-dawn-chorus-day http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/events/2015/03/18/dawn-chorus?instance=0 http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/events/2015/01/29/early-nightingale-walk?instance=0 I am always glad to have your suggestions for useful or interesting links to include in the Bulletin - I'm also pleased to have local or wacky links for "and finally...." Don't forget to look at section 12. We need a trickle of new readers to build up our numbers. Please will you help? If you know someone who would like to know what species are being reported each week, what natural history events they can go to, or how to help with county recording, then please send them the address of the sign-up page on our Website. Remind them it is free, but we do hope that in return readers will send in the occasional report or contribution, question, or requests for help with identification. http://www.lnu.org/wildnews.php Thanks for this week's contributions - please keep your reports coming in. Roger *** 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, 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 *** 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/ *** Questions for the "Experts" *** Annette Faulkner writes: 1. The botanists. Many years ago I grew garlic mustard from locally collected seed, in the days when it was far scarcer than it is now, as it's the food plant for both orange tip and green veined white butterflies. It's highly invasive and I spend a lot of time pulling out the seedlings, but allow it to grow in the hedge bottom and one or two other places. This year, I think for the first time, I have noticed a few of the plants have deeply cut leaves, instead of the relatively smooth edges normally found. Can any of the botanists explain how this could have come about? We have a town garden, so no chance of crossing with other plants from elsewhere. 2. The birders. For years I have been interested in blackbirds' songs. As a musician in another life I find a few of their phrases fit well to our own musical scales and are easy to remember, particularly when heard week in week out - to the point where I'm singing along with them! My questions are these: each bird has its own signature phrases, which presumably are genetically programmed? Or are they, as the song, but not the phrase, seems to evolve over the season? I've heard the same phrase two years running from different places, suggesting the same blackbird in different territory. I've also heard, this year, a shorter phrase of four notes, first heard last year, incorporated much less obviously into a different part of our local bird's song. Is this the same bird as last year, or has he 'inherited' the phrase from his parents? Has anyone used this as a way of: a) aging the birds, b) in genetics and c) in working out territories? Or indeed studied it at all? *** What do you know about... Bats? *** http://www.planet-science.com/categories/under-11s/what-do-you-know-about/2012/10/what-do-you-know-aboutbats.aspx *** 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. "Lincolnshire Rivers Trust have secured funding from the National Lottery Awards for All fund to start up a Riverfly Monitoring project in the Witham catchment. Our project will follow the standardised methods set out by the national Riverfly Partnership (http://www.riverflies.org/). This involves taking kick samples from a watercourse and recording the number of the most sensitive riverfly species, on a regular basis. Riverflies are made up of the aquatic larval form of mayflies, stoneflies and caddisflies. By regularly monitoring these pollution sensitive species we can detect any issues in the watercourse as early as possible and alert the appropriate authorities ensuring swift action. Riverflies are often referred to as the 'canaries of the river' due to their use as biological indicators to monitor water quality! Just by regularly being out on a watercourse Riverfly Monitors also act as a deterrent to any would be polluters and show that the local watercourse is valued. We 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 (pictured below). 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 : lincsrivers@gmail.com or phone 07895423983" Website: http://lincsrivers.co.uk/ *** Hedgehog Awareness Week *** Marion Ellis writes: Did you know it is Hedgehog Awareness Week 3 - 9 May? We were pleased to see a hedgehog on the prowl the other evening. http://www.britishhedgehogs.org.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. 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. *** Reminder - Ray Halstead - Recorder - Fungi *** Request: No records or queries for now, please. *** 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 If you do this regularly, Dave can send you an identification sheet from the Shark Trust. *** Invitation to a Family Pond Dip at Rimac 26th May *** Lizzie Lemon - Outer Humber and Coastal Assistant Warden - writes: *Please note amended date* A free family pond dipping activity will be run from the Rimac eco- classroom on Tuesday 26th May from 10am -12pm. Please contact Lizzie on 07557038522 for more information. Booking is not required. *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Events 2015 *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/whats-on *** Alford & Mablethorpe Branch LWT *** George Rutter writes: Sunday 3rd May 10am - 4pm Rigsby Wood Open Day (TF421 762) Winter working parties have concentrated on clearing scrub such as brambles in the hope of promoting the bluebells. As usual we hope the timing of the day will be about right. See: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/events/2015/01/15/rigsby-wood-open-day?instance=0 *** Lincolnshire Wolds Walking Festival launch Saturday 16th May *** To find out more about this 16 day Festival and download the brochure: http://www.woldswalkingfestival.co.uk *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch *** http://www.lincolnshire-butterflies.org.uk/index.html *** Lincoln RSPB *** http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ *** South Lincs RSPB *** Members and non-members welcome. http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire Programme of events and booking of Wash Trips. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ 24/4 Green-winged Teal, 16 Spotted Redshanks, Alkborough Flats 4 Arctic Terns through Boultham Mere Ring Ouzel by Viking Way, Nettleton Spotted Redshank, Elm House Farm, Saltgleet St Clement Blue-winged Teal drk, 2 Redstarts on relalignment, Hen Harrier, Donna Nook Turtle Dove, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh 25/4 Turtle Dove m singing, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh White-tailed Eagle ad west over, 2 Spoonbills, Gibraltar Point, Blue-winged Teal drk on pond south of quad 3, Redstart male, 2+ Jack Snipe, Donna Nook Turtle Dove on wires, Kirkby on Bain GPs Wood Sandpiper, Whimbrel, Manby Flashes Black Brant ad on saltmarsh with Dark-bellied Brent Geese, ringtail Harier, Grainthorpe Haven Rough-legged Buzzard, Firecrest, Gibraltar Point Turtle Dove, Rimac 26/4 6 Arctic Terns flew down River Witham, Wimbrel, Moulton Marsh Turtle Dove, Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh Ring Ouzel male, Risby Warren Blue-winged Teal drk, on pond south of quad 3, Donna Nook 2 Spoonbills, juvs, Gibraltar Point Wood Sandpiper, Manby Flashes 27/4 Blue-winged Teal drk, on pond south of quad 3, Donna Nook Ring Ouzel Male in paddock by Carr plantation, behind Weelsby Woods, Grimsby Turtle Dove on fence in sheep field NE of Burgh le Marsh 28/4 Black-necked Grebe, Toft Newton Reservoir Spotted Redshank, Grainthorpe Curlew Sandpiper on middle scrape, Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Black Brant with Dark-bellied Brent Geese in field south of sea wall, Osprey, Turtle Dove, Spotted Redshank, Whinchat, Frampton Marsh Ring Ouzel Male in paddock by Carr plantation, behind Weelsby Woods, Grimsby Rong Ouzel, Blue-winged Teal drk, on pond south of quad 3, Donna Nook Common Crane, Bishopbridge, Market Rasen [On Tuesday 2 Common Cranes] Green-winged Teal, Alkborough Flats 29/4 3 -7 Curlew Sandpiper, Turtle Dove, Spotted Redshank, Whinchat, Frampton Marsh Garganey drk, Kirkby on Bain GPs 2 Turtle Dobes, Burgh-le-Marsh Spoonbill on, Tennyson Marsh, Gibraltar Point 30/4 Whinchat, Wood Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper, Pale-bellied brent Goose, Turtle Dove, 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. 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. LITTLE HAW WOOD, CASTLE BYTHAM SK968179 26.04.15 LNU field meeting to this woodland courtesy of Forestry Commission with 11 people in attendance and led by Brian Hedley. Fairly cool but dry with sunny periods. A respectable selection of ancient woodland plants was noted including woodruff, early purple orchid, wood anemone, yellow archangel, wood speedwell, wood sorrel and greater stitchwort. A good variety of bryophytes was noted thanks to Steven Heathcote. 30 bird species were noted including several marsh tits, treecreepers and buzzards. Common toads were found under logs and smooth newts were noted in a pool nearby. Two common lizards were seen along the central ride. Seven mammal species were noted including fallow deer and brown hare. Butterflies were sparse (3 species) and included several orange-tips. Other invertebrates (more lists to come) included bee-flies, green shield-bug, a yellow crab spider, common carder bee and red-tailed bumblebee. *** County Wildlife Reports From Readers *** Please keep your reports coming. We rely on you to send in your observations and we welcome information from ALL readers, be they beginners or experts. Thanks. DON'T FORGET Please include the year in your reports in case they are copied and thus lose their context. CAISTOR Week beginning 24.4.15 Wendy Handford (WH) Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 Brown long-eared bat possibly 25.4.15. Trailcam Fox takes dead crow 11pm 24.4.15. Trailcam Fox and 3 cubs running about 1am 25.4.15. Trailcam Squirrel roadkill 25.4.15 Weazel runs across bridge in garden 29.4.15 Buzzard on Hawthorn 50m from house 24.4.15 Songthrushes nesting in Solanum vine 29.4.15 Common frog m adult by stream 25.4.15 Grass snake 40cms by stream 24.4.15 Brimstones 2 feeding on Honesty 24.4.15 Orange tip butterfly feeding on Honesty, 1st sighting, 27.4.15 Red-tailed bumblebee by stream, 1st sighting 24.5.15 First flowers 24.4.15 Garlic mustard, Sweet woodruff 28.4.15 Bugle, Lily of the valley, Pendulous sedge, Red campion Wold View verge TA 120 013 29.4.15 Cow parsley, Hedgerow cranesbill, Shining cranesbill Ailsa Wish Nettleton Quarry TA 124 002 Red kites 2 circling 25.4.15 Ben Jacob Nettleton Lodge Game Farm TA 090 012 Tree creeper on oak 26.4.15 Grass snake, adult on lawn 26.4.15 Field horsetail fertile spikes 26.4.15 False puffball on Scot's pine trunk 26.4.15 CASTLE CARLTON/AUTHORPE TF 397834 C Byatt 26 April 2015 Early Dog Violet - 2, Marsh Marigolds - approx. 50, Greater Stitchwort - approx. 40, Ground Ivy - 15, Early Purple Orchid - 2. CHERRY WILLINGHAM TF033726 Margaret Roe 30/4/15 In back garden of my bungalow A pair of Linnets taking nesting material into the pyracantha. Last year a pair nested in a Weigela shrub and I found a perfectly formed nest there after the bush shed its leaves along with a small fragment of eggshell. I had seen no sign of food being taken in or of young. Hope this pair is more successful. GRIMSTHORPE Chris Howes - Grimsthorpe Park 24/04/15 Outer Glade TF 047205 First Dingy Skipper of the year 24/04/15 Inner Glade TF 047205 First Grizzled Skipper of the Year 24/04/15 Swinstead Valley SK 002228 16 Pasque Flowers in bloom 24/04/15 Vaudey TF 039214 First Large White of the year HUTTOFT Jane Pennington Huttoft TF512763 (my garden) 23/4/2015 Holly blue butterfly 1 Small tortoiseshell butterfly 1 Starling 1 (collecting nesting material and going into the hole in the old apple tree) 24/4/2015 Muntjac 1 (yes, unfortunately in the garden!) 25/4/2015 Blue tits 2 (they are nesting in the garden) Dunnock 1 Wrens 2 (catching insects - not seen them do that before) 27/4/2015 Dunnocks 2 Speckled wood butterfly 1 Starling 1 (carrying a feather) 28/4/2015 Song thrush 1 Wren 1 30/4/2015 Frog 1 Song thrush 1 Starling 1 Wrens 2 LINCOLN SK972738 W/E 02/05/2015 Jayne Knight 26/04/15 Around 10.00am, eight Buzzard circling and soaring overhead, came from the East and drifted off SW. 27/04/15 ive pairs of House Sparrow (5M 5F) searching the privet hedge bordering the front garden for insects. The most I have seen together for a number of years. 28/04/15 Orange Tip butterfly in back garden. RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF309847 (unless otherwise stated) Silvia Fowler 24.04.2015 Red-tailed Bumblebee queen Red Lily Beetle on fritillaria imperialis 27.04.2015 Peacock butterfly House Martins x 3 feeding over pasture - first sighting this year; 8 days later than last year. 28.04.2015 Goldfinch x 3 29.04.2015 House Martins x 12 over pasture Swallows x 2 on wire 30.04.2014 Bullfinch (m) Kestrel hunting over pasture (TF309847 / TF309848) Greylag Goose x 1, feeding in meadow April Rainfall = 23.5 mm – another dry month. SLEAFORD Toadwatch Martin Thompson Update on this years toad watch on White Cross Lane Sleaford. Over 4700 toads assisted, 73 frogs and 20 newts. One night alone we saw over 1200 crossing . Hearty congratulations on behalf of Bulletin readers, Martin. SOUTH RAUNCEBY RAUNCEBY HALL - open garden Sunday 28th April 2015 Mixed Woodland by lake TF 033458 Understory with Dog's Mercury, Aconite, Bluebell, Violet, Lesser Celandine. THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 24/04/15 Roe Deer x 5 SK8099 26/04/15 Barn Owl x 1 carrying food SK891990 Blackbird x 2 Canada Goose x 2 Chaffinch x 1 Chiffchaff x 1 Goldfinch x 2 nests in Privet, 1 with blind young, 1 ready to lay. Linnet x 2 Moorhen x 1 Pied Wagtail x 1 Robin x 1 Swallow x 7 Tree Sparrow x 3 Willow Warbler x 1 Brown Hare x 4 Roe Deer x 1 large Buck chasing smaller buck 28/04/15 Barn Owl x 1 calling, 1.00am Blackbird x 1 Black Headed Gull x 1 Common Buzzard x 1 Goldfinch x 2 Robin x 1 Whitethroat x 1 Willow Warbler x 1 Yellowhammer x 1 Wood / Y N Mouse x 1 29/04/15 Barn Owl x 1 daytime hunting, Clare Holmes & Sam Hiner 30/04/15 Whitethroat x 1 Rabbit x 1 SK891990 WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons Cuckoo calling daily, 24th to 30th. 25/4/2015 2 Swallows checking nest site in outbuilding. 26/4/2015 4 swallows in a group on wires near gate. 2 have claimed the nest site in the outbuilding. No evidence yet that the "swallow shed" has tenants. 27/4/2015 Housemartin over 14.04hrs. First seen here this year. Song thrush singing from 04.32hrs throughout the day into late evening. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. Lincolnshire Coast NNRs and S Lincs Highlights including RSPB Wash Reserves RSPB Reserves: http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/collections/thewash_northnorfolk.aspx http://www.rspb.org.uk www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh LWT Reserves: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ South Lincolnshire bird sightings RSPB Frampton Marsh RSPB Freiston Shore Gibraltar Point NNR Other sites John Badley [Assisted by Colin Jennings] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GIBRALTAR POINT NNR. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Gibraltar Point News. Reports always welcome. See: Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog. http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE DUNES NNR. http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/38015?category=59026 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE NNR. NNR Week ending 29th April 2015 Contributors: Peter Roworth, Janet Roworth, Rob Scott, Lizzie Lemon This has been a very sunny week with max of 20.5°C on 24th and 18.5°C on 25th but for much of the week the sunshine was tempered by the cold south-westerly winds so that the max was just 11.0°C on 27th. The clear skies led to a sharp ground frost of -4.25°C and air frost of -1.25°C on 27th, and also a frost on 29th. There was a welcome 4.6mm of rainfall on 25th and 0.6mm on 29th. Birds Chiffchaffs, willow warblers and common whitethroats are becoming wides- pread along the dune scrub, with blackcaps at Paradise and Sea View while lesser whitethroats have been recorded at Crook Bank and Rimac. Sedge warblers and grasshopper warblers have also been recorded at Rimac. A raven was heard calling at Brickyard Lane on the morning of the 23rd, also from Brickyard were three buzzards seen circling high with a kestrel circling below them. There have been small groups of whimbrel flying over the dunes and feeding on the salt marsh with 19 on 23rd, but 76 were seen on 29th. 25 were seen on 28th flying over flying over Sea View car park with a similarly sized group seen later that day over the saltmarsh. There have been small numbers of swallows on most days and cuckoos have been vociferous with 4 seen at Rimac on 29th. Three wheatears were seen on the dunes between Sea View and Rimac on 29th. Redpoll, wheatear at Rimac. Butterflies A mild and relatively still day on 23rd resulted in lots of butterflies seen on the wing. The warm weather on the 24th resulted in the first green hairstreak and speckled wood butterflies being seen at Sea View, and there have been good numbers of green-veined whites, orange tips, peacocks, and a few brimstones and small tortoiseshells. Natterjack toads were heard calling on 25th. Flowers On the dunes field wood-rush, field mouse-ear and cowslip are in flower, and the fertile fronds of common horsetail are evident. Common scurvygrass is flowering on the salt marsh. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ 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/ *** Mammal Records *** Mammal records can reported to Chris Manning E-mail: Chris.LincsDeer@gmail.com Mink/Otter reports are of interest and can be sent via the Bulletin. *** Slug ID Help *** Chris du Feu will help with slug identification. You can telephone him on: 01427 848400 or e-mail: chris@chrisdufeu.force9.co.uk *** Identification of Non-Marine Molluscs *** John Redshaw is still available to identify specimens of non- marine shelled molluscs, including brackish marsh species. For larger and medium sized species (down to 1cm) a digital image will usually suffice. For smaller species it may be possible, in some cases, to ID specimens from digital images, but usually actual specimens will be required. If providing specimens, they may be enclosed in old film pots (which photographic shops are usually glad to get rid of). Details of location where specimen found, (with grid reference if known), date and finder's name should be provided. If specimen is provided this information should be noted on a label stuck to the outside of the pot. Please be aware that it is illegal to send live specimens through the post. For further details please contact John by e-mail on ejred7fen@tiscali.co.uk *** Mollusc Identification *** David Feld has also kindly offered to assist readers to identify molluscs, both terrestrial and aquatic. Please e-mail him a description and he will advise you whether and where to send a photograph or an actual specimen. Contact: drf@dfeld.freeserve.co.uk *** Lincolnshire Badger Group Update *** Ally Townsend of the Weirfield Wildlife Hospital, writes: If you would like to give people the Lincoln number 01522 530428 a member of staff will record the sighting or RTA. Or use the Weirfield website: http://www.weirfield.co.uk/ where a reporting page can be used to send in badger reports. USEFUL WILDLIFE CONTACTS *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/ *** Lincs Environmental Records Centre *** Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership (of which LERC is a part) Contact: Charlie Barnes, charlie.barnes@glnp.org.uk or for more general queries: info@glnp.org.uk Website: http://www.gnlp.org.uk *** Limestone Grassland Project *** Mark Schofield, Limestone Grassland Project Officer, mschofield@lincstrust.co.uk Mobile: 07825970930, Switchboard: 01507 526667. To find out more and to become involved with the survey and management of Lincolnshire's limestone grassland on road verges see: See: http://www.lifeontheverge.org.uk/ *** Lincs Bird Club *** LBC County Bird Recorders John Clarkson - Covering the north of the county recorder_north@lincsbirdclub.co.uk John Badley - Covering the south of the county recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Bird Club Website: http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk *** The Sir Joseph Banks Society *** Contact 01507 528223 or by e-mail: enquiries@joseph-banks.org.uk. http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk *** Other Useful Websites/contacts *** No hotlinks in this section, just copy and paste URLs, please. Suggestions for other useful Websites are welcome. *** Natural England *** http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ *** Lincolnshire Environmental Awards *** http://www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk/ *** The Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes Project (LCGMP) *** http://www.lincsmarshes.org.uk/ 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 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 Websites: http://www.rspb.org.uk www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh John Badley, Site Manager for RSPB Lincolnshire Wash reserves e-mail: john.badley@rspb.org.uk S Lincs RSPB http://www.southlincsrspb.org.uk Lincoln RSPB http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire link *** http://www.lincolnshire-butterflies.org.uk/index.html Lincsbirders - Lincolnshire's Alternative Birding Group http://www.lincsbirders.org/ Lincolnshire Limewoods Project Bardney Limewoods NNR http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/Limewoods/ limewoods@lincolnshire.gov.uk Botanical Group in South Lincs Sarah Lambert writes: We'd be happy to welcome new people, whether experienced or not, particularly if they are located towards the northern part of the vice county! sarah.lambert7@ntlworld.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9. Notes about these wildlife reports ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We do our best to ensure accuracy in our reporting but these records are sent in by a variety of reporters, from complete beginners to professionals. They therefore vary in reliability and in some cases they are impossible to verify. If further information is needed on locations or reporters, or if you wish to question/confirm any of these records, contact: rparsons@enterprise.net Bulletins are sent to Recorders at Lincolnshire Environmental Records Centre [GNLP] , Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. [Note: Where plants are reported, this is usually because they have been seen and identified in flower.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10. The Bulletin's publicity policy ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We sometimes withhold precise details of rare or endangered species. Please point out any sensitive or "tricky" reports of this kind. Sensitive data should go directly to county recorders, please. Please respect the interests of wildlife and site owners if you report on national networks. An interest in wildlife is not a licence to act irresponsibly/thoughtlessly to landowners, who may well be partners in important conservation work. [Remember - views expressed in the Bulletin do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions on the LNU or associated organisations. In particular this applies to such agencies, especially charities, taking a political stance.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11. LNU Events Diary For LNU meetings also see http://www.lnu.org/events.php ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Field Meetings generally start at 12 noon for 1.00pm, but please check the website details for each event. Unless otherwise stated, Indoor Meetings are held on Saturdays at the Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park, Moor Lane, Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln and start at 2pm. 2015 Field Meetings. 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. Also see: Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust (Lincoln Area Group) Workshops, in conjunction with the Lincolnshire Naturalists Union June 6th: Entomological Techniques Workshop Interested in Invertebrates but would like to know more in particular about entomological techniques such as sweep netting, following identification keys and dealing with specimens? Come along and find out more with local expert David Sheppard. 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. Jellis - soft bounce - delivery failed; will not continue trying mwalker - soft bounce - delivery failed; will not continue trying *** And finally...... Contributions to "And finally......" are always welcome. Lincoln WWI tank monument: Memorial built near first factory http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-32454648 Second 'unexploded device' found at RAF Waddington http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-32505111 Jane Pennington writes: Here's an And Finally How Wolves Change Rivers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysa5OBhXz-Q I expect a lot of subscribers have seen it but it's wonderful. ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/