============================================= || || 24th 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.... *** Note - I am doing a botanical walkabout in early June and this will affect Bulletins of 7th and possibly 14th. If you have June events coming up that you would like to put into the Bulletin of 31st May, please let me know. There were some cracking projects in this year's Lincolnshire Environmental Awards this week. An earlier date brought more school applications, all of which were outstanding. If you have missed sending in an application this year, make a mental note to try next year. You never know.... http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/awards 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 below - guests welcome *** To check on the details, especially if weather suggests a possible cancellation, visit: http://lnu.org/events.php 2015 Field Meetings. Field Meetings generally start at 12 noon for 1.00pm, but please check the website details for each event. 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 *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Events 2015 *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/whats-on *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** Carolyn Lovely writes: Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT 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 to Sunday 31st 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. *** 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/ *** Water Vole Question *** Geoff Annibal asks: TATTERSHALL A few weeks ago I noted that water voles had returned to my patch in Tattershall (TF214578) after an absence of some ten years. Today (19/5) I was watching the area through binoculars and a mink appeared, took a water vole and disappeared into the undergrowth. It would seem that the recolonisation is likely to be short lived. Are mink numbers increasing? I had heard that mink did not do well when otters were present and I believe that there are otters on the Bain, but it does seem that the mink are still managing to survive. Chris Manning adds: Research into the otter is continuing, endoparasites Pseudamphistomum truncatum and Metorchis albidus have been reported in both otters and mink, the parasite does appear to cause more damage to the biliary system in mink and may be a factor in mink decline when otters are present. *** Hedgehogs *** UK hedgehog numbers 'in drastic decline' http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02ryrgd [Don't forget to scroll down to "And finally ....."] *** 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. You can photograph orchids anywhere in the UK between now and September and upload your images to the website where you can also analyse flowering dates of museum specimens. http://www.orchidobservers.org *** Volunteers needed to help with Riverfly Survey *** Clare Sterling writes: Fiona McKenna, Project Officer for the Lincolnshire Rivers Trust has asked me to pass on the details of some riverfly training days they are running. Their project will follow the standardised methods set out by the national Riverfly Partnership. http://www.riverflies.org/ They are currently looking for volunteers who can dedicate one hour a month to collect invertebrate samples in a local watercourse within the Barlings Eau catchment. If you live nearby and are interested please get in touch! Full training will be provided by a very experienced Riverfly trainer and full kit will be provided free of charge. Training days will take place on Saturday 25th July and Sunday 26th July 2015 at Sudbrooke (near Nettleham) Village Hall. Please contact Project Officer Fiona McKenna: lincsrivers@gmail.com or phone 07895423983" Website: http://lincsrivers.co.uk/ *** Improve your Invertebrate Identification skills. *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust (Lincoln Area Group) 2015 Workshops, in conjunction with the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union are listed below in section 11. Limited to 20 participants. Booking essential via Richard Davidson on 01522 525725 or Email rel.davidson@btinternet.com. Scroll down for more information below in section 11. Events Diary. *** 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: 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. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ 15/5 3 Golden Orioles, 2 ad males, Little Stint near spit, 2 Spoonbills over East Dunes, Gibraltar Point 1+ Bee-eater [heard only] near church, Alkborough 2 Temminck's Stints, drk Garganey, 5 Curlew Sandpipers, Frampton Marsh Little Stint on realignment, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, Donna Nook Blue-headed Wagtail, Blackmoor Bridge, Aubourn 16/5 13 to 19 Golden Oriole male at Mill Hill, 3 Turtle Doves, Spoonbill on Tennyson's SandsGibraltar Point Blue-headed Wagtail, Blackmoor Bridge, Aubourn Turtle Dove, Donna Nook Black Redstart, 1s male, in garden, Garthorpe 17/5 Osprey NW over, Little Stint on realignment, Whinchat, Donna Nook 2 Temminck's Stints, Little Stint, drk Garganey, Frampton Marsh 2 Temminck's Stints, Kirkby-on-Bain GPs Golden Oriole, Spoonbill on Tennyson's Sands, 4 Turtle Doves, Gibraltar Point 18/5 20+ Arctic terns, Deeping Lakes 2 Arctic terns, 4 sanderlings, Teal Lake, Whisby Nature Park 2 Arctic Terns flew east, Boultham Mere Turtle Dovs, Kirkby-on-Bain GPs Turtle Dove, Frampton Marsh 2 Spoonbills on Tennyson's Sands, Gibraltar Point 2 Little Stints on realignment, Little Gull, Donna Nook 19/5 2 Turtle Doves, Gibraltar Point Spoonbill, Teal Lake, Whisby Nature Park Unconfirmed report of Black Kite near Grantham Temminck's Stint, Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Turtle Dove, Frampton Marsh Osprey over Gibraltar Point 20/5 Osprey over, Spoonbill, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, Frampton Marsh Black-necked Grebe on The Wash at Mouth of the River Welland Caspian Gull, Teal Lake, Whisby Nature Park 21/5 Short-eared owl at realignment, Donna Nook Little Stint, 2 Curlew Sadndpipers, drk Garganey, Turtle Dove, Frampton Marsh Icterine Warbler singing, sycamores in Drake Road, Skegness 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 STAMFORD Peter Morrell Stamford TF 0153 0612 18.05.15 Badger road kill on the hard shoulder of A1. Hemswell Cliffe SK 9579 8958 17.05.15 Hedgehog road kill on the A631. Colsterworth SK 9232 2652 21.05.15 Badger road kill on central reservation of A1.. GRANTHAM Peter Morrell Grantham SK 9013 3404 21.05.15 Badger road kill on the hard shoulder of A1.. Long Bennington SK 8469 4298 21.05.15 Otter road kill on the hard shoulder of A1.. Scotter SE 8856 0158 21.05.15 Hedgehog road kill on North Moor Road Kirton in Lindsey  SK 9622 9697 21.05.15 Badger road kill on side of A15 Tales from the Carr Dyke bank Jerry Gunner writes: A lot has changed along the section of the Carr Dyke I choose to let the dogs run free. The other side of the water is partly taken up with woodland that was cleared back from the water's edge to a depth of around 20 yards last year or more likely the year before; I forget. This year the area is full of weeds - or native flowers if you prefer. A truly wonderful sight. The oil seed rape is in poisonous flower on the other side of the path, acres of it stretching out to the Witham. Martins and Swallows love to patrol the skies above it and they in turn attract predators. It's not unusual to see a peregrine falcon but in the last ten days (today is Tuesday the 19th of May 2015) I've had several sightings of hobbys which is always a thrill. I have not seen any swifts yet. Last Monday I had a great view for about half an hour of a grass snake, about two and a half feet long, swimming along the dyke investigating nooks and crannies in the rushes growing at the edge. There are several families of ducklings along there. I haven't seen the kingfisher for two or more weeks but there are rich pickings in the water. Using binoculars I was able to see the water is infested with thousands of tadpoles. Clearly a product of the frantic activity I saw about a month ago! The woods seem to have lots of chiffchaffs and whitethroats. I still haven't seen, or heard, a willow warbler this year. Yesterday I saw the first damselfly of the year, a common blue, resting on a blade of grass. It was almost next to a hatching of caterpillars, I think from tortoiseshell. Also noticeable was the number of spiders of different shapes and sizes, far more than is usual. Today I had a most exciting sighting. Cuckoo calls are very frequent in the woods where we walk at the moment but today I was treated to magnificent views of a gorgeous slate grey bird that landed on a fence post no more than 50 yards away. It was facing away, towards Nocton with its wings hunched down and appearing to strain as it repeated its call. It moved a post along every minute or so and then flew off. The little diamonds at the end of the tail feathers were very noticeable. This was exciting enough, I've never had such good views of a cuckoo in my near 60 years but what happened next really took the biscuit. Two small grey hawks flew over the cuckoo and settled in a tree, close enough to have really good views through the bins. It took me a while to realise that they weren't hawks at all but two smaller, slimmer, cuckoos. They were a slightly paler grey too. When the bigger singing bird flew off they all flew off in the same direction, back towards Potterhanworth. I'm assuming they were two females. On the home front, yesterday morning I stumbled across a small muntjac in the garden while looking for the spaniel which had gone AWOL. I thought it was her for a minute. It rocketed around from cover to cover and then stood still in the bottom of the hedge looking at me. This was strange. Fortunately both the dobermann and the cocker were in another part of the garden minding their own business. The bird- feeders are still being visited by lots of goldfinches and greenfinches plus all the usual suspects. There are at least one nest's-worth of blue tits and a clutch of blackbirds in the front garden. I haven't seen the blackcaps for a fortnight but I can hear them, which is about the only way to detect the chiffchaff now the leaves are out. Regular stacks of buzzards over the house paying way too much attention to the chickens - they hide under the table when they hear that mournful cry! *** 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 Reports from contributors to Caistor records Week beginning 15.5.15 Wendy Handford Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 WH Brown long-eared bat possibly, 11pm 20.5.14. Trailcam Fox cubs 2 playing in rough grass 11pm 16 and 17.5.15. Trailcam Muntjac in rough grass 5am 17.5.15. Trailcam Rabbits, 2 adults, 3 juv feeding on lawn 19.5.15 Green woodpecker calling 19.5.15 Pheasant f jumping onto bird-feeder to dislodge seeds! Daily Pheasants m and f sheltering under garden table during hailstorm 19.5.15 Sparrowhawk catches Woodpigeon 16.5.15 First flowers 15.5.15 Elder, Horse chestnut, Solomon's seal 20.5.15 Brooklime, Common comfrey, Common vetch, Guelder rose, Meadow buttercup, Pignut B Jacob Nettleton Lodge Game Farm TA 090 012 Great tits 3 in nest 17.5.15 Oak apples. First time seen 17.5.15 Ailsa Wish North Kelsey Road TA 116 015 Field mouse-ear and Mouse-ear Hawkweed on closely mown verge 17.5.15 Hedgehog roadkill 16.5.15 HORKSTOW Jenny Haynes 16 May Discovered a wren's nest hidden under violas in one of my hanging baskets. Will have to stop watering now! HUTTOFT Jane PenningtonHuttoft TF512763 (my garden) 15/5/2015 Green veined white butterfly 1 18/5/2015 Great tit 1 Going into nest box. Starlings 2 Feeding chicks in apple tree. Parents have no need to go in now but I can't catch sight of the chicks. 20/5/2015 Blue tit 1 Going into nest box. Magpie 1, Wren 1 1/5/2015 Chaffinch 1 Holly Blue butterfly 1 Song thrush 1 heard singing Wood pigeon one egg broken on ground under oak tree. 16/5/2015 I joined a very informative walk by Dave Miller from Anderby Creek to Wollabank. Saw my first cuckoo and reed warblers. NETTLEHAM TF 03161 75493 Su Colman & Mark Townsend 22/5/15 Starlings fledging in multitudes - must have hundreds visiting our garden during the day. They are particularly enjoying the ground sited baths - big plastic barrel lids - and are hilarious as they flap and duck OUTSIDE the bath before they realise they have to get into the water RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF309847 (unless otherwise stated) Silvia Fowler 11 + 13.05.2015 Bat seen briefly from downstairs window. 15.05.2015 First House Martin nest adopted and the pair have built a small ledge for roosting. Hardly any other martins around. 16.05.2015 Bat Barn Owl hunting over meadow behind house, briefly landing in the garden - wow! Badger, dead on verge near base of hedgerow - road kill? (TF300857) 19.05.2015 Orange Tip butterfly - first this season 20.05.2015 Woundwort Shieldbug (Eysarcoris venustissimus) adult. Several (probable) Hedgehog droppings in garden over last 2-3 weeks after about 4 years absence. Young Robin foraging independently on ground though I could hear an adult in a nearby shrub. One resident Blackbird pair are only at nest-building stage, while another male was seen singing with a very small worm in its bill. 21.05.2015 Can hear House Sparrow chicks begging in nest Large Common Toad in garden border Buzzard (TF309848) Still very little House Martin activity at nest sites and only brief sightings of 6-8 birds in the air. SLEAFORD Richard Dawson w/e/ 15/5/15 Cogglesford Mill: Leucistic blackbird desperately and vainly courting a female The Drove allotments: Pair of english partridge nesting in overgrown raspberry canes. Grass snake under tarpaulin River Slea and adjoining fields: skylarks singing, swallows swooping over in-flower rape fields. Large brave brown hare lolloping about. Deer droppings. Kingfisher x2. Ducks and moorhens absolutely everywhere. Large broods. Wilsford: red kite swooping down to ground THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner 16/05/15 Nest boxes; Blue Tit x 4 eggs Stock dove x 2 eggs Tree Sparrow x 5 young ringed, + 4 blind young in another box Whitethroat x 2 Willow Warbler x 1 17/05/15 Coot x 2 Greylag Goose x 2 Kestrel x 1 Mute Swan x 2 Swallow x 2 Whitethroat x 2 Willow Warbler x 1 Yellowhammer x 1 Common Toad x 1 20/05/15 Greylag Goose x 4 SK801991 Tawny Owl x 1 calling 11.55pm Cinnabar x 1 21/05/15 Blackbird x 2 Blackcap x 1 Chiffchaff x 1 Common Buzzard x 1 Gadwall x 1 SK801991 Grey Partridge x 2 Kestrel x 1 Moorhen x 1 Mute Swan x 2 Robin x 1 Tufted Duck x 1pr. Turtle dove x 1 Whitethroat x 1 Willow warbler x 1 Wood Pigeon x 4 Rabbit x 1 Orange Tip x 2 SK809993, x 4 SK797984 WAINFLEET CONSERVATION PONDS 13/05/2015 Roy and Kath Pearson A little excitement was caused today with the catching of a French- ringed Reed Warbler in the same net site where a French Sedge Warbler was caught in early May last year. That had been ringed in the Loire Valley. It will be interesting if this is the same. WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 15/5/2015 First swallow egg in nest. Much excited coming and going of parents and others. m & f Yellowhammers and stockdove under feeders. 16/5/2015 Resident kestrel on lawn being mobbed by swallows. Whitethroat - singing and making characteristic display flights. 18/5/2015 Barn owl hunting along hedge at 7pm. 20/5/2015 Stock doves observed using Owl Box.[AP] Young starling noted in garden. Adult and young skylark noted on road at Canada Farm TF225538.{RP] 21/4 Barn owl hunting across neighbouring rape field at 6.45am. Stoat observed climbing trees to inspect nest boxes [AP] 22/5 Cuckoo calling 9.45am and 10.50am. Heard every day or so. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 21 May 2015 Cliff Morrison, Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker & Rob Lidstone-Scott Overall, it was a changeable week with wide ranging temperatures and periods of heavy rain and even hail. There was a ground frost on the 17th (-0.75°C). 14th 20+ ringed plover & 70+ sanderling on the beach 15th wheatear, 1 common sandpiper at Black Bridge & 1 whimbrel at Paradise lagoon 18th 6 ringed plover, I greenshank, some linnets still in flocks 20th 5 whimbrel on the saltmarsh and a single flock of waders on the outer beach consisting of 61 ringed plover, 27 dunlin and 2 knot Butterflies: Green-veined white, small white, orange tip, peacock, small copper, small heath, green hairstreak, wall brown & common blue. Dragonflies: Large red damselfly, azure damselfly, blue-tailed damselfly, hairy dragonfly and 4-spot chaser. Flora: Early & southern marsh orchids, twayblade, yellow iris, field mouse-ear & herb Robert flowering in the freshwater marsh and dunes. Scurvy grass, thrift and arrow grass in flower in the saltmarsh. Some of the hawthorns in tremendous flower, hence the name ‘may flower’. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. News from Far Ings NNR ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Far Ings News W/E 22.05.15 Birds: Bearded tit 2 bittern blackbird 10 blackcap 10 black headed gull 50+ blue tit 10 canada goose 2 carrion crow 4 cetti's warbler 4 chaffinch 12 chiffchaff 10 common gull common tern 6 coot 40 cormorant 2 dunnock 6 gadwall 2 goldfinch 6 GS grebe 2 GS woodpecker great tit 6 greenfinch 4 grey heron greylag goose 10 house martin 8 house sparrow 6 jackdaw 6 kingfisher LBB gull Lesser whitethroat 4 little egret little ringed plover 2 long tailed tit 6 magpie 4 mallard 9 marsh harrier 3 mistle thrush moorhen 4 mute swan 5 oystercatcher 2 pochard 2 redshank2 reed bunting 8 robin 8 sand martin 15 sedge warbler 8 shelduck 6 song thrush sparrowhawk starling 6 swallow 20+ swift 40 tufted duck 15 water rail 4 whitethroat 10 willow warbler 8 wood pigeon 8 wren 14 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.lincstrust.org.uk/awards The Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes project produced two films of the Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes. They are based on Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) which measures topography accurately. The films reveal many historical and geomorphological features that are not always obvious to the eye. Note that the vertical perspective is exaggerated to enhance the features. Narrated by Jim Broadbent. Watch them here: Southern marshes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwhVamd4j6E Northern marshes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZjqzcMFXi8 *** Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service *** A dedicated service to protect and enhance the Lincolnshire Wolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). 01507 609740 http://www.lincswolds.org.uk *** Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project *** Project Officer: Ruth Craig http://www.lincswolds.org.uk/chalk-streams/volunteering or contact the project officer ruth.craig@lincolnshire.gov.uk *** The South Lincolnshire Fenlands Partnership *** http://www.lincsfenlands.org.uk/ Contact: slincsfens@lincstrust.co.uk Amanda Jenkins - South Lincolnshire Fenlands Project Officer *** RSPB local webpages *** http://www.rspb.org.uk www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh John Badley, Site Manager for RSPB Lincolnshire Wash reserves e-mail: john.badley@rspb.org.uk S Lincs RSPB http://www.southlincsrspb.org.uk Lincoln RSPB http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire link *** http://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. Helgi.Gudmundsson - hard bounce - Delivery has failed jeff goodley - soft bounce - Delivery has failed - bad-domain maria phipps - soft bounce - Delivery has failed - bad-domain viv gartewell - soft bounce - Delivery has failed - bad-domain 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. UK among worst in wildlife league http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-32812993 Saving North Yorkshire's Tansy beetle from extinction http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-32770109 Woodhall Spa's Dambusters memorial repair complete http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-32767475 Commemorative Battle of Britain Eurofighter Typhoon unveiled http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-32827538 Record number of England's beaches face water quality failures http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-32739655 El Niño and its impact on global weather http://blog.metoffice.gov.uk/2015/05/14/el-nino-and-its-impact-on-global-weather/ ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/