============================================= || || 17th 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.... *** Many thanks to those contributors who are managing to get in reports promtly. This is a real help to me. If you can only manage to do so last minute, that's fine. If you miss the boat I will put your report into the next one, as there is always one on the go! This week I took a welcome walkabout in Norfolk, visiting RSPB and NWT reserves which is always a pleasure. I was flagged down by a lone twitcher desperate to find dotterels that had recently arrived. He was trying to find someone who to give him directions and my binocs were a brief but futile reawakening of hope! For more on Dotterels: http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/discoverandlearn/birdguide/name/d/dotterel/ Note - I am doing a botanical walkabout in early June and this will affect the Bulletin of 7th and possibly 14th. If you have any events coming up that you would like to put into the Bulletin of 31st May, please let me know. Readers may recall that I saw a stoat attempting to raid a bird box earlier this year. There is still one about. This week it managed to get onto the sill of my study window and attempt to catch a sparrow perched on a mealworm feeder, 2 feet away. I could hardly believe my eyes. Here is a clip of a Family of stoats playing - BBC wildlife: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C860DZpKTX0 Please keep your reports coming in. Thank you. Roger p.s. If you know someone who would like to receive the Bulletin please send them this link and encourage them to sign up for it: http://www.lnu.org/wildnews.php *** 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 - always useful *** Chris Manning recommended the following websites to help find grid references. Grab a Grid Reference http://www.bnhs.co.uk/focuson/grabagridref/html/index.htm UK Grid Reference Finder: http://www.gridreferencefinder.com/ *** NHM 'Orchid Observers' Project on Zooniverse *** Mark Spencer suggested I tell you about this. Photograph orchids to support climate change research. Orchid Observers is a new project bringing together photography, biological recording and the online analysis of museum specimens to better understand the effects that climate change is having on the flowering times of UK orchid populations. By bringing these data together, we hope to develop a deeper understanding of the effects that climate change is having on this charismatic and much- loved group, some of which are declining – even in protected sites, which in turn may help inform how we can plan and protect key populations and areas. You can photograph orchids anywhere in the UK between now and September and upload your images to the website: http://www.orchidobservers.org where you can also analyse flowering dates of museum specimens. *** 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 to start up a Riverfly Monitoring project in the Witham catchment. 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. Our project will follow the standardised methods set out by the national Riverfly Partnership. http://www.riverflies.org/ 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 McKenna: lincsrivers@gmail.com or phone 07895423983" Website: http://lincsrivers.co.uk/ *** Improve your Invertebrate Identification skills. *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust (Lincoln Area Group) 2015 Workshops, in conjunction with the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union are listed below in section 11. Limited to 20 participants. Booking essential via Richard Davidson on 01522 525725 or Email rel.davidson@btinternet.com. *** 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 corrected 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 *** Barton Area Group LWT *** Adrian White writes: Sunday 17th May A visit to North Cave Wetlands A half-day trip to this expanding reserve For details contact; Martin Broadbridge (tel; 01652 632673) Meet at Ness Farm Centre for 9am start. Car share available. All welcome - Trust membership not required. Saturday 27th June Field trip to Bempton RSPB reserve. A day trip to this premier site for seabird colonies. For details contact; Adrian White (01724 732152) Meet at Ness Farm Centre for 9am start. All welcome - Trust membership not required. *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** Carolyn Lovely writes: Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT On Wednesday 20th May 2015 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them on a guided walk around Tetney Blow Wells nature reserve with the wardens. Meet outside the parish church in Church Lane, Tetney, Grid ref TA316009 at 2pm. The walk will cover 1.5 miles in about 90 minutes. Please wear suitable outdoor clothing and stout boots or wellies are recommended. This is a free event but donations will be welcomed for the Trust. All are welcome but no dogs please. For further details contact Clifford Jukes - 01472 814887. On Saturday 30th May 2015 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them on a visit to Julian's Bower in Alkborough village and Alkborough Flats led by Julie Harrison. Meet at 11am at Julian's Bower, off Back Street, Alkborough. Please wear suitable outdoor clothing and stout footwear. This is a free event but donations will be welcomed for the Trust. There will be the opportunity to have a picnic afterwards or visit the Paddocks Tearoom in the village. To book a place ring Jennie Redpath 01472 502858. *** 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/ 8/5 3 Little Stints, 2 Curlew Sandpipers ad, Garganey, 2 Temminck's Stints, Frampton Marsh 2 Turtle Doves, Donna Nook Dotterel, Curlew Sandpiper, leethorpes 9/3 Spoonbill at Tennyson Sands, 4 Turtle Dove, Great Northern Diver flew north over, Little Gull flew south, probably Red- necked Grebe, ringtail harrier sp, Short-eared Owl, 2 Curlew Sandpipers on estuary, Gibraltar Point 2 Garganey, Freiston shore Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Little Stints, 2 Little Gull, Frampton Marsh 2 Turtle Doves, Whinchat, Donna Nook Little Tern, Thurlby Pits Osprey flew west over Teals Pit, North Hykeham Great White Egret, Huttoft Pit Spoonbill, Read's Island montagu's Harrier, Alkborough Flats 10/5 22-15 Possible Cattle Egret on south side of Elsea Meadows, Bourne Turtle Dove singing, Baumber Park Osprey over Grebe Lake, Messingham Sand Quarry Great White Egret, drk Garganey, Huttoft Pit Firecrest trapped and ringed in East Dunes, 2 Spoonbills on Tennyson's Sands, Turtle Dove, Gibraltar Point Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stints, Frampton Marsh Osprey SSE of Scunthorpe flew north over Pink Pig Farm 2 Turtle Doves, Night Heron in tree by Ingoldmels Road, Burgh-le-Marsh Little Gull, Covenham Reservoir 3 Turtle Doves, Arctic Skua past, Donna Nook 11/5 Blue-headed Wagtail, Blackmoor Bridge, Aubourn Night Heron in tree by Ingoldmels Road, Burgh-le-Marsh Black Brant, Curlew Sandpiper, Whinchat, Turtle Dove, Frampton Marsh Black-winged Stilt, near Grainthorpe - no access 2 Turtle Doves, 4 Whinchats, 21 Whimbrels, between Saltfleet Haven and Howden's Pullover Hen Harrier ringtail flew NE over Sturton by Stow Hen Harrier ad male, Weelsby Woods, Grimsby Golden Oriole flew south over Theddlethorpe dunes 2 Little Stints, 4 drk Garganey, Frampton Marsh 12/5 2 Bee Eaters near Grantham Dotterel, upper foreshore, Theddlethorpe Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, 3 drk Garganey, Frampton Marsh 11 Dotterel flew north over, 2 Arctic Skuas flew north, 2 Little Terns, Donna Nook 13/5 Short-eared Owl, Black Brant with Darl-bellied Brent Geese, Garganey drk, Wood sandpiper, Little Stint at Roads Farm, 2 Gasrganey 1 drk, Frampton Marsh Golden Oriole male singing, flew towards Paradise Pool, Rimac Golden Oriole imm male singing in East Dunes, Spoonbill opposite beach car park on Tennyson's Sands, Gibraltar Point Little Gull, Freiston Shore 14/5 3 Golden Orioles 1 ad male in East Dunes, Golden Oriole imm male singing in plantation, Turtle Dove, Gibraltar Point Redwing, off A52 near Skegness Spoonbill flew north over Huttoft Bank 15/5 2 Golden Orioles 1 ad male in East Dunes, Gibraltar Point Note: I am adapting my RBA pager information for the Bulletin by eliminating or summarising/consolidating repeated messages. When there is a lot of information I will stick to highlights. Please visit the RBA website for updates or fuller details. Bird Alert website: Here you can register free to use the site and get free trials of their subscription services. Strongly recommended. [Please mention the Bulletin if you decide to subscribe.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3. Wildlife news from around the county ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** The Roger Goy Column *** Remembering Roger Goy's wildlife information work. GORSE LOCATIONS: please give full information on each individual Gorse record: the location [with grid ref], your name, the date, and any habitat notes of interest. The stage of flowering is a key observation, from plants with no flowers through the range to plants in full flowering. Road Kills BOURNE 10 May 2015 TF10041877 1 otter roadkill at very eastern end of Bourne by-pass (Raymond Ways Way) close to the ponds at the entrance to Elsea Park Estate to which it seemed likely to be heading. Carcass too mangled to collect. *** County Wildlife Reports From Readers *** Please keep your reports coming. We rely on you to send in your observations and we welcome information from ALL readers, be they beginners or experts. Thanks. DON'T FORGET Please include the year in your reports in case they are copied and thus lose their context. BOSTON (South by A16) 09/05/2015 Kath Pearson Five Lesser Black-backed Gulls feeding on lawn together today. CAISTOR TA127019 Robert Walker 26/4/15 Stopped off in lay-by on side of A1175, above Caistor, to have coffee on way to Far Ings & Chowder Ness. In bright morning sunshine, top of hawthorn bushes were: Cornbunting 1 Yellowhammer 1 on return journey on A15 roadside TA022210 near Barton was: Fox 1 roadkill CAISTOR Week beginning 8.5.15 Wendy Handford (WH) Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 Bat 11pm 12.5.15 trailcam Feral cat catches Bank vole under feeder 9.5.15 Fox nightly on Trailcam Fox cubs 2 or 3 on nights Grey squirrel on feeder 10.5.15 Muntjac f 4am 12.5.15 Trailcam Woodmouse nest under table in greenhouse 12.5.15 Blackbird feeding fledged juvenile 8.5.15 Blue tits hatch in nestbox 12.5.15 Buzzard catches juvenile rabbit 14.5.15 Firecrests heard daily in Spruce wood Jackdaw 14.5.15. Seldom seen Magpies 2, 11.5.15. Seldom seen Pheasant f sipping dew from Lady's mantle leaves 8.5.15: a charming sight Songthrush eggs hatch 11.5.15 Swallow swooping over lawn 9.5.15 Tree creeper nest under bark of Crack willow 10.5.15 Wren nesting near base of Clematis Flat-backed millipede on rotting log 8.5.14 Garden carpet moth on window 9.5.15 First flowers 8.5.15 Greater celandine, Holly, Meadow foxtail, Star of Bethlehem 10.5.15 Cocksfoot grass, Hawthorn, Lady's smock, Thyme-leaved speedwell North Street TA 118 015 Swifts 4, first sighting this year 11.5.15 Wold View verge TA 120 013 13.5.15 Common vetch, Corn sowthistle, Common toadflax, Lesser yellow trefoil, Red valerian Jenny Foster Brigg Road garden TA 113 020 Fox in paddock 10.5.15 Blackbirds 3 fledge 11.5.15 Robins 4 fledge 8.5.15 Gordon Askew Grimsby Road garden TA 120 014 House martin investigating nest site 12.5.15 Brimstone, Holly blue and Peacock butterflies on most days Clive and Jenny Rudd Nettleton TA 108 002 Cuckoo calling 8.5.15 Ben Jacob Nettleton Lodge Game Farm TA 090 012 10.5.15 Artist's bracket fungus on Beech Pleated parasol Re-currant bushes in flower in wood DONNA NOOK - TF432 993 - land side of dunes Jacquie Harrison 03/05/13 many peacock butterflies Avocets Black headed gulls Chaffinches Cuckoo - good view as well as calling Dunlin Linnets - small flock as well as nest-building pair Little egrets Mallards Oystercatchers Redshank Shelduck Whitethroats Yellowhammers - several singing males DONNA NOOK Angela Buckle Monday 11th May 2015 Green Hairstreak Butterfly feeding on Spring Beauty, Claytonia Perfoliata. Flowers 11th of May Mouse eared Hawkweed Common Cornsalad, Thyme Leaved Sandwort. also at Donna Nook Yellowhammer. EPWORTH TURBARY 10/05/15 Steve & Sam Hiner Blackbird x 2 Chaffinch x 1 Chiffchaff x 2 Cuckoo x 1Dunnock x 1 Kestrel x 1 Lapwing x 2 Mallard x 1 Robin x 1 Wren x 1 Green veined White x 7 Orange Tip x 4 Peacock x 1 Speckled Wood x 5 Green Tiger Beetle x 50+ HORNCASTLE TF262692 Robert Walker 28/4/15 Hedgehog 1 roadkill also TF261691 My garden The above previous location is close to the area of my garden, so here's hoping it's not one of 'my' visiting breeding hedgehogs. As of yet (12/5/15) I have still not seen a hedgehog in the garden this season, but there's plenty of fresh droppings appearing! also 9/5/15 Swallows: First pair of the summer seen hawking for insects low over the garden 12/5/15 Swift 1 - First bird of the season to appear over garden HUTTOFT Jane Pennington Huttoft TF512763 (my garden) Date 8/5/2015 House sparrow 1 Speckled wood butterfly 1 Date 12/5/2015 Red-headed cardinal beetle Date 13/5/2015 Great tit 1 - not seen for several days but pecking at nest box today Holly blue butterfly 2 - first time I've seen two together Starlings 1 - 1 seen but chicks making a continuous noise from in the apple tree nest Date 14/5/2015 Blue tit 1 Dunnock 1 Frog 1 Starling 1 - and chicks as above Wren 1 KIRTON MARSH 11/04/2015 Roy and Kath Pearson Yellow Wagtail (3) with a fourth later near Frampton village. LOUTH OS 3486 C Byatt 11 May 2015 Goldfinch - 1 RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF309847 (unless otherwise stated) Silvia Fowler 09.05.2015 Starling drinking from roof gutter 10.05.2015 St. Mark's Flies Brimstone Single male Swallow on wire, singing for long periods as if to attract a mate, but no other swallows around A few House Martins in the air, but no old nest sites adopted so far Approx. 10 Starlings over meadow (TF309848-9) Buzzard (TF308849) Adult Frog in garden border Red Campion in flower; local verges. 13.05.2015 The male Swallow has been joined by a female and they explore our garage for nesting - unfortunately not suitable. At least 2 Robin fledglings being attended by parents. Common Newt in pond Great Diving Beetle in pond Brimstone x 1, Peacock x 1 - still very few butterflies about, presumably due to the strong, gusty winds this week. 14.05.2015 No Mallard ducklings yet on river Lud at Hubbards Hills TATHWELL TF313825 Robert Walker 9/5/15 Buzzard 1 Flying low at hedgerow height, across the road in front of my car, mid morning in bright sunshine, a good close up view of it's underside. TATTERSHALL THORPE Tattershall Carrs – TF216589 Roger and Anne Parsons 7/5/2015 am Muntjac slots noted. THEDDLETHORPE John Cowell May 12 2015 9 a.m. Turtle Dove calling 200 yds South of Brickyard Car Park THEDDLETHORPE May 13th 2015 John Cowell A speckled Wood Butterfly in the Dunes just North of Brickyard Car Park THURNHULMES (within 300m of 797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 09/05/15 Barn Owl x 1 Dawn Chorus; Blackbird, Skylark, Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Wren, Yellowhammer 10/05/15 Common Buzzard x 1 Swallow x 3 Nest boxes;Blue Tit still building Kestrel 2 eggs Stock Dove x 2 eggs Tree Sparrow 3 eggs Tree Sparrow 5 small young Common Toad x 1 WAINFLEET CONSERVATION PONDS 09/05/2015 Roy and Kath Pearson A total of nineteen species today. Summer visitors were six Reed Warblers, three Sedge, three Whitethroats and three Swallows. Singles of Grey Heron, Lapwing and Gadwall were presents, the latter a first for the site. WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 9/5/2015 Honeybees 'roaring' in apple blossom. Cuckoo calling - heard most days. Long-tailed tits seen collecting nesting material. Taeny owl seen and heard. Yellowhammer m 2 Stock dove 2 House sparrow 8+ Tree sparrow 12+ Goldfinch 12+ Chaffinch 12+ Swallow 2 pairs Song Thrush 2 Blackbird 12+ Wren - 2+ Chiff chaff 1 Buzzard over Great-spotted Woodpecker 1 Magpie 2 Jackdaw 2+ Starling 8+ Woodpigeon - many - 20+ Kestrels and Marsh Harrierin area. 12/5/2015 -19.00hrs. 10" Stoat jumped on to my study windowsill to get to a mealworm feeder where sparrows were feeding. A big surprise for the sparrows and also for me 15/5 2 Mallard drakes, occasional visitors, under bird feeders 7am. WRANGLE COMMON 09/05/2015 Roy and Kath Pearson A total of 37 species recorded. Highlights were Skylark (4), Meadow Pipit (3), Yellowhammer (2), Swallow (2), Tufted Duck (2), Lapwing (4) and singles of Curlew, Reed Warbler, Shelduck, Swift, Chiffchaff, Green Woodpecker, Oystercatcher and Sedge Warbler. No raptors were seen. Mammals were three Roe Deer. Butterflies three Speckled Wood. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 Week ending 14 May 2015 Cliff Morrison, Peter and Janet Roworth, Rob Lidstone-Scott, John Walker Some sunny days, with a peak day-time temperature of 21.5°C. Bird sightings: 6th 220 ringed plover on beach, curlew & single whimbrel 8th 6 whimbrel on saltmarsh and male marsh harrier 10th 200 ringed plover on outer beach, plus 100 dunlin, 40 sanderling and 2 turnstone. 2 jays at Brickyard Lane was an odd record. 11th 6 whimbrel, 7 wheatear, golden oriole 12th 290 ringed plover, 1 dotterel. 2 siskin at Sea View. 13th golden oriole flew north from Sea View. 3 wheatear, 3 great-spotted woodpecker, 2 barn owls and 2 common buzzards Also, two turtle doves singing on territory. Butterflies: All whites, orange tip, peacock, small tortoiseshell, small copper, green hairstreak, brimstone, small heath, wall brown & speckled wood. Dragonflies: Large red damselfly and 4-spot chaser. Flora: Sheep's sorrel, sand sedge, germander speedwell, mouse-eared hawkweed, lady's smock and cowslips all flowering. First marsh orchid also in flower. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. News from Far Ings NNR ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Far Ings News W/E 08.05.15 Birds: avocet 2 blackbird 8 blackcap 20 black headed gull 100+ blue tit 20 canada goose 10 carrion crow 10 cetti's warbler 6 chaffinch 20 chiffchaff 10 common buzzard common gull common sandpiper common tern 5 coot 40 cormorant 2 dunnock 8 gadwall 2 goldeneye 2 goldfinch 2 GS woodpecker great tit 11 greenfinch 4 grey heron greylag goose 20 house martin 10 house sparrow 10 jackdaw 12 Kingfisher LBB gull 2 Lesser whitethroat 3 little ringed plover 2 linnet 2 little egret little grebe long tailed tit 12 magpie 12 mallard 7 marsh harrier 3 mistle thrush moorhen 4 mute swan 9 oystercatcher 2 pochard 2 redshank 6 reed bunting 10 robin 8 sand martin 20 sedge warbler 8 shelduck 20 snipe song thrush sparrowhawk starling 6 swallow 20+ swift 2 tree sparrow 2 tufted duck 28 water rail 6 whitethroat 7 willow warbler 8 wood pigeon 20 wren 20 yellow wagtail 2 Butterflies: small tortoiseshell, brimstone, speckled wood, peacock, large white. 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. mwalker - hard bounce - delivery failed; will not continue trying jellis - herd bounce - delivery failed; will not continue trying Amanda jenkses - soft bounce - delivery failed; will not continue trying redpoll dircon - soft bounce - delivery failed; will not continue trying *** And finally...... Contributions to "And finally......" are always welcome. Could the water vole become extinct in the UK? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-32701463 Lincoln WW2 Bomber Command memorial spire being installed http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-32657465 Himalayan 'drop after Nepal quake' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-32625431 We all seem to have Demodex mites living on our faces. http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20150508-these-mites-live-on-your-face Forests are 'key feature' of food security landscape http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-32603799 ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/