============================================= || || 31st 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.... *** Heads up for the Chambers Farm "Bioblitz" next weekend. Your support will be very welcome indeed. Please join in. Details below. "And the voice of the turtle is heard in the land..." Again, many reports of Turtle Doves this week. RSPB Turtle Dove page: http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/discoverandlearn/birdguide/name/t/turtledove/ BTO Turtle Dove page: http://www.bto.org/birdtrends2010/wcrturdo.shtml Birdlife International page on the Turtle Dove: http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/factsheet/22690419 Springwatch returns to our screens: http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20150522-springwatch-meet-the-stars Note: I am on a botanical walkabout in June and this will affect Bulletins of 7th and possibly 14th. Please keep your reports coming in, consolidated if possible. Thanks. I have left selection of links for your entertainment in "And finally..." While I am away, if you know someone who might like to receive the Bulletin, please send them this link and suggest they sign up for it: http://www.lnu.org/wildnews.php Roger *** 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 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 *** Reminder - Ray Halstead - Recorder - Fungi *** Request: No records or queries for now, please. *** Good sources of seeds of Bee-friendly Wild Flowers *** Mark Schofield writes: Always consider the provenance and sustainable sourcing of seed. Plantlife and Flora locale have defined protocols that can guide the conservation-minded shopper. Bee-friendly gardeners should refer to their A-Z suppliers list which can be found here: www.floralocale.org/Alphabetical+supplier+listing Advice: www.wildlifetrusts.org/Bees-needs/growmore bumblebeeconservation.org/get-involved/managing-your-land/wildflower-seed/ *** 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 *** National Rural Crime Network *** Call for case studies as new website to tackle rural crime is launched. http://www.lincs.police.uk/Advice/Wildlife-and-Rural-Crime/National-Rural-Crime-Network.html Why not do their survey? See: http://www.nationalruralcrimenetwork.net/ *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Events 2015 *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/whats-on ***Alford & Mablethorpe Branch LWT*** George Rutter writes: Tuesday 16th June 6.30pm Visit to Growing Wild Located on the right immediately before the Pilgrim Hospital heading towards Boston on the A16 Growing wild is a major supplier of British Native Plant Seed in the country, if anyone has ever wanted to start a wildflower meadow or need more help with one then come along. David Jenkins will explain their work and show us their plants and propagation techniques. *** 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. *** 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. *** 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 *** 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/ [Don't forget to scroll down to "And finally ....."] *** NHM 'Orchid Observers' Project on Zooniverse *** 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 Also see: Orchid spotters are helping to map climate change http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20150520-orchid-spotters-help-map-climate-change *** 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. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ 22/5 3 Turtle Doves, 2 drk Garganey, Quail m singing, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, Frampton Marsh Temminck's Stint, Manby Flashes Black Stork over Kirky on Bain GPs Black Stork over SE Boston 23/5 Turtle Dove, Quail, Garganey, 3 Curlew Sandpipers, Frampton Marsh Turtle Dove, Baumber Park, Horncastle Turtle Dove on wires, Donna Nook 2 Turtle Doves, 3 Spoonbills on Tennyson's Sands, Gibraltar Point Osprey over Worlaby Lakes, Worlaby Quail singing, on county boundary, Wroot 24/5 2 Turtle Doves, Baumber Park, Horncastle Turtle Dove, Dunsby Turtle Dove in dunes, Donna Nook Spoonbill flew towards Tennyson's Sands, Curlew Sandpiper, Gibraltar Point Garganey drk, 2 Wood sandpipers, Paradise Pool, Saltfleet 25/5 Turtle Dove, Temminck's Stint, Gibraltar Point 27/5 2 Black-winged Stilts 1m, 5 Curlew Sandpipers, Temminck's Stint, Frampton Marsh 4 Spoonbills on Tennyson's Sands, Turtle Dove, Honey Buzzard, Gibraltar Point 28/5 2 Black-winged Stilts 1m, Turtle Dove, Temminck's Stint, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, Garganey, 2 Little Gull, Frampton Marsh 2 Spoonbills on Tennyson's Sands, Turtle Dove, 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: HATTON TF179757 A158 Robert Walker 28/5/15 Badger 1 roadkill MARTIN (near Horncastle) TF242667 Robert Walker 22/5/15 Stoat 1 roadkill on B1191 GAINSBOROUGH SK 8429 9059 Peter Morrell 25.05.15 Munjac road kill on Thorndike Way, A631. HIBALDSTOW SE 9780 0317 and SE 9768 0214 Peter Morrell 25.05.15 Hedgehog road kill x 2 on Brigg Road and Redbourne Road. SCOTTER SE 8868 0039 Peter Morrell 23.05.15 Hedgehog road kill on the Scotten Road. SCUNTHORPE SE 9328 0776 Peter Morrell 23.05.15 Muncjac road kill on the Mortal Ash Hill. WRAGBY TF144776 Robert Walker 19/5/15 Badger 1 roadkill on side of A158 *** 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) 25/05/2015 Kath Pearson A Wood Mouse visited the garden today and managed to climb up to a seed cake feeder and get inside, where it had a lengthy meal. Still many gulls coming into the garden with two Black-headed, two Lesser Black-backed and three Herring Gulls down on the lawn at the same time. CAISTOR Reports from contributors to Caistor records Week beginning 22.5.15 Wendy Handford (WH) Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 WH Fox, vixen and cub by log pile in Spruce wood 9pm 22.5.15. Trailcam Grey squirrel roadkill 26.5.15 Muntjac m by log pile in Spruce wood 10pm 22.5.15. Trailcam Buzzard in Willows 50m from house 23.5.15 Pied wagtails 2 on lawn daily Treesparrows fledge from nestbox 22.5.15 Willow warbler 22.515 Wren's nest in Cotoneaster 23.5.15 First flowers 23.5.15 Bush vetch, Crab apple, Dissected cranesbill, Ragged robin, Rowan, Silverweed Fungi Brown puffball (which emerges white) 6 under Horse chestnuts 23.5.15 Clouded agaric 5 under Hawthorns 23.5.15 A46 summit near Caistor TA 130 015 Kestrel hovering 26.5.15 A46 Claxby TF 096 939 Badger roadkill 28.5.15 Ben Jacob Nettleton Lodge Game Farm TA 090 012 First flowers of Holly m and f, Star of Bethlehem, 24.5.15 Ailsa Wish North Kelsey Road TA 116 015 Blackbirds chasing Jay across allotments 26.5.15 Wendy Collins Shieling farm TA 106 027 Wrens nesting in old swallow nest Sue Neave Bigby High Road, Brigg TA028 074 Cuckoo calling 26.5.15 And a couple of late additions: Pied wagtails, 2 adults feeding 2 juveniles on lawn 28.5.15 (soooo sweet) Hat rattle in flower 28.5.15 CONINGSBY Battle of Britain Flight - in front of main hanger. R & A Parsons 28/05/2015 - mid morning 10.30am approx. 2 Swifts feeding over. DEEPINGS Venue: Deeping Lakes Nature Reserve Date: 22/05/2015 Time: 1330 to 1630 Observer: Ian Gordon Weather: Mainly cloudy, warm and humid Birds: Arctic Tern Barnacle/Greylag Goose Hybrid Blackcap Blackbird Black-headed Gull Blue Tit Buzzard Canada Goose Cetti's Warbler Chaffinch Chiffchaf Common Tern Coot Cormorant Egyptian Goose Garden Warbler Great Crested grebe Great Tit Green Woodpecker Grey Heron Greylag Goose Herring Gull Jackdaw Kingfisher Lapwing Lesser Black-backed Gull Mallard Mute Swan Oystercatcher Pheasant Red Kite Reed Bunting Reed Warbler Robin Sedge Warbler Stock Dove Tufted Duck Whitethroat Willow Warbler Wren Mammals: Grey Squirrel Hedgehog Rabbit Butterflies: Orange Tip Small White Dragonflies + Damselflies Banded Demoiselle Common Blue Dmselfly Emerald Damselfly GIBRALTAR POINT Gibraltar Point TF556580 23/5/15 Su Colman & Mark Townsend Lots of things to see today - Butterflies - green hairstreak, speckled wood, small heath, common blue, orange tip Birds - swans with cygnets, coot with cootling (?), avocets, nesting black headed gulls, cormorants, lots of shelduck, little egrets, THREE spoonbills, at least two cuckoos heard We also saw a fox trotting along the edge of the Tennysons Sands lagoon, it wasn't in a hurry or really hunting. It disappeared into reeds for a while, then came back to the shore and waded out to an island. It checked around, then waded to the next island, finally swimming about 10 metres to the next bit of land, followed by a dozen ducks and other water birds - presumably keeping an eye on it. Great sighting. And finally, someone had laid a Lesser Spotted Dogfish on the rail at the edge of the carpark, almost as if was on display HEATH'S MEADOW Les Binns 23 May 2015 16:00 Heath's Meadows nature reserve Turtle dove (Streptopelia turtur) - calling but not seen Many Green-winged Orchid (Anacamptis morio) showing a variety of colours. https://www.flickr.com/photos/ecoheathen/17865399360/ Mating Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus) butterflies, one Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas). HORNCASTLE TF261691 My garden Robert Walker 27/5/15 Starlings Numbers coming in for their morning feed of suet pellets and dried mealworms have been increasing over previous days. Today saw 9 juveniles and 3 adults, who seem to be in charge of the 'creche' and race around feeding the youngsters. also Robin - the 'pet' robin continues to fly to the hand for suet pellets to feed the 2 youngsters in the garden, the nest having been in the thick ivy cover on the north fence. HUTTOFT Jane Pennington Huttoft TF512763 (my garden) Date 22/5/2015 Large white butterfly 1 Starlings 9 (they fledged today, having nested in a hole in an old apple tree) Wren 1 Date 23/5/2015 Blue tits 2 (feeding young in box) Collared dove 1 Date 25/5/2015 Large white butterfly 1 Rabbit 1 Robin 3 (including 1 fledgling) Date 26/5/2015 Blue tits 2 (feeding young in box) Great tits 2 (feeding young in box) Date 27/5/2015 TF517777 Sea Lane Barn owl 1 Date 28/5/2015 Collared dove 1 Song thrush 1 KIRKBY ON BAIN NR Tip 27/5/15 Clare Brady 2 Turtle Doves sat on the wire. Thought I saw one yesterday, but saw two this morning and quite clearly. LEGBOURN C. Brady 25/5/15 Nr LEGBOURN LOUTH Lots of Ragged Robins flowering near a small pond full of tadpoles. LONG BENNINGTON SK 822 461 Barry Johnson 28/05/2015 Water Shrew 1(cat kill) MIDDLE RASEN (A46) Caistor Road TF103 908 Richard Fox 27.05.2015 Small area of Common Star of Bethlehem (possible garden escape) RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF309847 (unless otherwise stated) Silvia Fowler 22.05.2015 Tawny Owl (heard) 23.05.2015 Buzzard (TF309348) Kestrel Brimstone + Orange Tip butterflies 2 dead nestlings on ground below Blue Tit box (though they look more like House Sparrows) 26.05.2015 Male Common Newt chasing female in pond. 29.05.2015 Cinnabar Moth (TF312844) 29.05.2015 More House Martin activity: 5 old nest sites have been adopted, but only one pair has started building in earnest. 2 Swallows (m+f) seen regularly on electricity cable. RIMAC Saltfleetby Theddlethorpe NNR - Rimac Derrick & Jan Haywood. 21 May 2015 Juvenile Hobby flew within 15 metres got great views, was flying around for several minutes. Also got good sightings of 3 cuckoos. STAMFORD C. Brady 24/5/15 BURLEIGH HOUSE STAMFORD LINCs Two red kites over the grounds of the house. THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 22/05/15 Small Bat sp. Common Blue butterfly x 1 SK813999 23/05/1 nest records 5 Tree Sparrow young rung 4 Kestrel eggs 2 stock Dove eggs Blue Tit nest predated Goldfinch x 2 Kestrel x 3 Pied Wagtail x 1 Turtle Dove x 1 SK809993 Whitethroat x 2 Willow Warbler x 1 Wood Pigeon x 4 Common Toad x 1 Orange Tip x 3 Peacock x 1 White Ermine x 1 male 24/05/15 Blackbird x 1 Common buzzard x 1 being mobbed by Carrion Crow high up Goldfinch x 15 Pied Wagtail x 1 Whitethroat x 1 Willow Warbler x 1 Large Red Damselfly x 1 25/05/15 Grey Squirrel x 1 SK811993 26/05/15 Blackbird x 1 Blackcap x 1 Black headed Gull x 3 Chaffinch x 1 Chiffchaff x 1 Coot x 2 Greylag Goose x 2 Magpie x 2 Mallard x 1 Moorhen x 2 young Mute Swan x 3 Oystercatcher x 1 Stock dove x 1 Tree Sparrow x 1 Whitethroat x 1 Willow Warbler x 1 Small bat sp. x 1 Peacock x 1 Emerald Damselfly x 1 27/05/15 Swallow sat on nest in stables WALESBY MOOR TF114 908 Richard Fox 27.05.2015 Turtle Dove WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 23/5 Butterflies: Holly Blue, Red Admiral, Peacock 24/5 2 cuckoos calling, one regular with familiar "sore throat". 26/5 Cuckoo heard most days. Buzzards frequently heard and seen. Regular passes from kestrel and sparrowhawk. 2 visiting mallard drakes most days. Regular family groups of jackdaws and magpies, with juvs. Stockdoves seen most days. 29/5 Grey Squirrel and Rabbit in orchard - unusual. WRANGLE COMMON 27/05/2015 Roy and Kath Pearson A BirdTrack count today yielded 30 species. Reed(5) and Sedge Warblers (2) were the only two migrants in song. Four Skylarks were singing on the grassland and a similar number of Yellow- hammers in the hedgerows. A Heron was on the wet grassland and a Kestrel and two Buzzards hunting over it. Two pairs of Lapwings are nesting and - unusually - a pair of Common Terns. Large numbers of both Canada and Greylag Geese were present, but numbers are difficult to determine owing to the height of the grass. A Linnet was a less than common record. A few butterflies were seen - Peacock (4), Large White (1), Green-veined White (1),Small Tortoiseshell (1) and Speckled Wood (1). A Broad-bodied Chaser dragonfly was seen and ten Common Damselflies. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 and DONNA NOOK ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE NNR. Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR Report 21st - 28th May 2015 Contributors: Peter Roworth, Janet Roworth, Nigel Lound, John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Rob Scott Birds Early in the week there were 344 sanderling and 119 ringed plover on the beach out from Crook Bank as well as 3 adult little terns on the beach at high tide. 2 sandwich terns went north and a gannet going south at sea. A bullfinch was in song and a wheatear seen in the dunes south of Crook Bank. On 22nd there were three whimbrel flying south and grasshopper warbler in song along Sea View bridge. Sunday 24th saw a drake garganey, 2 wood sandpipers, 10 black-tailed godwit and 2 avocet on Paradise Pool and a grasshopper warbler in song again at Sea View bridge. There were 9 reed warblers between Sea View and the Haven, all along the bank of the Eau. The 2 wood sandpipers were still on Paradise on 25th, along with a Snipe. No sign of the garganey today. On 26th there were 19 black-headed gulls, 2 avocets and 1 ringed plover at Paradise Pools. Turtle dove calling south of Brickyard Lane on Thursday 28th. Cuckoo still calling at Sea View, Rimac and Crook Bank. Insects Lots of butterflies now on the wing, along with increasing numbers of dragonflies and damselflies. Broad bodied chaser on the wing near Sea View on Friday 22nd. 23rd was a good day for butterflies near Sea View. Green hairstreak, small copper, brimstone, wall and peacock all seen on the wing. Small heath on the wing and blue tailed damselfly on 26th. On 27th common blue butterfly near Sea View and in abundance at Rimac on 28th , many seen from the easy access trail. Lots of four spotted chaser's seen this week between Rimac and Churchill Lane. Other insects to note this week were cinnabar moth, grass eggar cater- pillars, long horned moth, tiger beetle and ruddy darter. Plants Plants now in flower along the reserve include, bulbous buttercup, red & white clover, lesser & hop trefoil, quaking grass, common vetch, bird's- foot trefoil, herb Robert and hound's tongue. Good show of yellow iris in freshwater marsh and lesser spearwort in ponds. Twayblade, early and southern marsh orchids also present and in flower on the reserve. Donna Nook Sightings 7th -28th May (Sightings from LincsBirdClub) Avocet Blackcap Black-tailed Godwit Common Buzzard Common Sandpiper Common Swift Common Whitethroat Cuckoo Curlew Curlew Sandpiper Dotterel (flew north over the coastal fields) Dunlin Gannets (headed south over the sea) Garden Warbler Greenshank Grey Plover Hobby House Martin Kingfisher Knot Lesser Black-backed Gull Lesser Whitethroat Little Egret Little Ringed Plover Little Stint Little Tern Marsh Harrier Oystercatcher Peregrine Redshank Red-throated Diver (south at sea) Reed Warbler Ringed Plover Sand Martin Sanderling Shelduck Short-eared Owl (hunting over the realignment scheme) Shoveler Spotted Flycatcher Stonechat Swallow Three Wheatear Tree Sparrow Turnstone Turtle Dove Water Rail Wheatear Wheatear Whimbrel Whinchat (male) Yellow Wagtail Fledged Corn Bunting and Skylark in and near the lucerne field by the dunes. Heading north at sea 10 Gannets, one Fulmar, 2 Arctic Skuas and 2 Sandwich Terns. Southerly passage of Gannet and a dark-phase Arctic Skua. Also, Fulmar, Herring Gulls, Great Back-backs and Lesser Black-backs. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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.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. 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 family sledgey - soft bounce - This is a permanent error *** And finally...... Contributions to "And finally......" are always welcome. Bourne rave attack leaves three police officers hurt http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-32864017 Police arrest 43 people at Bourne illegal rave http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-32874027 BBC Earth - including oil beetles. http://www.bbc.com/earth/uk How spiders create the sounds of love http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-32845010 Woodpecker chicks reared by hand http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-32874130 Beekeeper covered in stinging insects sets record http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-32882165 Heron pays a visit to Downing Street http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-32919708 ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/