============================================= || || 11th October 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 Text versions of 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.... *** An Amber Alert for the Aurora prompted me to hope that the cloud would clear, but it did not. A tremendous display in Scotland and Northern England produced some good photos and there is a possibility of yet more displays. If you are not registered for Aurora Alerts, visit: http://aurorawatch.lancs.ac.uk/ Check the Flickr link too. https://www.flickr.com/groups/aurorawatch Also see: Your pictures: Northern Lights http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-34472301 Cloud permitting, it is worth getting up before dawn to see the line up of a crescent moon with Venus, Mars and Jupiter: http://www.astronomy.co.uk/skytonight The recent rain has softened the ground and local farmers anticipate this will lead to an increase in the activities of hare coursers. There is less risk of injury to dogs on damp ground, whilst the softer 'going' reduces the hare's speed somewhat, and therefore the chance of escape. If you should notice hare coursing in progress then please report it. The advice is: Call 999 immediately if you see coursing taking place. See the CLA link: https://www.cla.org.uk/your-area/east/regional-news/hare-coursing-warning-signs-be-issued-lincs-farmers-cla-nfu-and-police Thanks for the many interesting contributions this week, including: First for Lincolnshire - rare falcon spotted at Skegness reserve http://www.louthleader.co.uk/news/local/first-for-lincolnshire-rare-falcon-spotted-at-skegness-reserve-1-6989850 Identification "Spider in Da House", a Spider app, will help you identify 12 of the most common invaders frequenting homes during autumn mating season. http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/sep/16/spider-app-spider-in-da-house Do you need help identifying "winter thrushes"? See the BTO video link. Other useful BTO videos can be found on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4hxUNvzmJU Can you identify the UK's most common trees? Try a 10 tree quiz: http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/oct/01/can-you-identify-the-uks-most-common-trees Apple days on 11th: Don't forget that Woolsthorpe Manor has an Apple Day on 11th October. http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/woolsthorpe-manor/things-to-see-and-do/events/ Gunby Hall also has an Apple Day on Sunday 11th October, 11am - 5pm. See: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/gunby-hall/things-to-see-and-do/events/ It would be good to find some new readers. If you know someone who might find the LNU Bulletin useful, please send them this link and suggest they sign up for it: http://www.lnu.org/wildnews.php Roger p.s. Don't forget: 12. ...and finally... links to local, national and international stories, most with an environmental/wildlife spin. Your suggestions for interesting links are always very welcome. *** 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, October 11, 2015 Fungi Foray Gibraltar Point NNR Use main car park at TF556580. Parking fee of £3 applicable. Toilets and refreshments available. Meet up from 12.00 for 13.00 start. Leader: Ray Halstead Contact: brian_hedley@hotmail.com Roger Phillips' website: Fungi http://www.rogersmushrooms.com/ *** Diseases of Elder? *** TATTERSHALL THORPE 02.10.15 M & R POCKLINGTON We have noticed that something seems to be affecting the elderberry bushes on our morning walk and several look dead now. Whatever it is seems to affect young and old multi- stemmed bushes and there is no fruit this year. The bushes did flower in the spring but not as profusely as usual and started to deteriorate quickly. Can anyone let us know what causes this? *** Joint BTO and Lincolnshire Bird Club Conference *** 'Monitoring Birds' Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park LN6 9BW Saturday 28th November 2015 From 9.30 - 15.15 Conference Fee: £14 Includes coffee, tea and lunch Everyone is Welcome! More details at http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=23067 Download booking form at http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk/information/Booking_Form_Conf_2015.doc *** Scunthorpe Museum Society *** Keith Scarrot writes: The Natural History and Geology Section - Scunthorpe Museum Society. Our second "indoor season" meeting is on Monday, 12th October, 7.15pm start. After our AGM (Approx. 20 min.) two of our members will be giving illustrated geology talks. First will be Robert Littlewood telling us about the Island of Skye and second will be Malcolm Fry telling us about other islands of the Inner Hebrides. There will be a break between the talks when coffee/tea and biscuits are available at a small charge. There is no charge for entry to the meeting but a donation bowl is provided. The meeting will take place in St Bernadette's Church Parish Hall, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2RS. (Opposite the Priory Hotel) ALL ARE WELCOME. There is ample free parking in the Church car park. For more details please ring Keith Scarrott on 01724 762098. ***Alford & Mablethorpe Branch LWT*** George Rutter writes: Monday 12th October 7:30pm Half Moon Hotel, Alford Talk: Lincolnshire Trees and their insects Trees are important features on the landscape as well as providing a habitat for a wide variety of insects. Whisby Nature Park warden, Phil Porter has a wide knowledge of the nature of the county and will guide us through the inter-relationships between trees and insects. *** Barton LWT *** Adrian White writes: Here are the Barton Group meetings for October; Wednesday 14th October "Hebridean Islands" A talk by Chris Knowles Meet at Ness End Farm for 7:30pm start Contact; Adrian White (01724 732152) for details Everyone welcome Saturday 17th October Spurn Point A full-day trip to this migration hot-spot Meet at Ness End Farm for a 9am start Contact Adrian White (01724 732152) for details Everyone welcome Barton Area Group of the LWT is now on Facebook; https://www.facebook.com/LWT.Barton.Group *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** Carolyn Lovely writes: On Monday 12th October 2015 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them at their indoor meeting which takes place in Grimsby Town Hall and starts at 7.30pm. Speaker assistant warden Lizzie Lemon will give an illustrated talk about the management Donna Nook National Nature Reserve and the grey seal colony. Admission £2 all are welcome. Trust goods stall, raffle and tea & coffee available. For further information please contact Jennie Redpath 01472 502858. *** Lincoln Area Group LWT *** Richard Davidson writes: October 15th Studying Moths in Lincolnshire - Matt Blissett Talk at Whisby Nature Park in the Lafarge Education Building starting at 7.30 pm. Admission £2.50 which includes refreshments. Our North West Lincolnshire warden, Matt Blissett, gives an introduction to moths, those species you are likely to encounter around the county and his experiences light trapping them. *** Louth Area Group LWT *** Ray Woodcock writes: Information Coffee Morning Saturday 17th October at 12 noon. ConocoPhillips Room, Louth Library An opportunity to learn how the local wildlife sites are maintained. Volunteers from Donna Nook, Red Hill, Toby's Hill and our woodland sites have agreed to come along. Raffle. Purchase wildlife publications, Christmas Cards and gifts. Examine wild flower seeds look under a microscope. Bring your seashells for identification. Admission, including refreshments: £1.50 - no charge for children. We do need Raffle prizes and a few helpers on the day. Please let LAG Chairman, Ray Woodcock, know if you can contribute. lag2104rww@aol.com *** Reminder - Ray Halstead - Recorder - Fungi *** Request: No records or queries for now, please. *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Events 2015 *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/whats-on *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch *** http://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html *** Lincoln RSPB *** http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ *** South Lincs RSPB *** http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire *** 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 ....."] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2. Wildlife Highlights ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Bird News from Rare Bird 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/ 2/10 4 Yellow-browed Warbler south of Sea View, Little Bunting, Sea View, Saltfleetby 3 Yellow-browed Warblers, Spotted Redshank, Gibraltar Point 6+ Yellow-browed Warblers, Donna Nook Firecrest south of gates, Rimac 3/10 Snow Bunting on bank near Target Pit, Far Ings Richard's Pipit flew north over Quad 2, 4 Yellow-browed Warblers, Firecrest, Long-eared Owl, Redstart, Donna Nook 11+ Yellow-browed Warblers, Lapland Bunting flew south, 2 Pied Flycatchers, Great White Egret on new saltmarsh, Gibraltar Point Yellow-browed Warbler along western hedge, Short-eared Owl by tideline, Rimac Yellow-browed Warbler on north side of Sea View Farm, Saltfleetby Yellow-browed Warbler along dune embankment north of car park, 2 Bearded Tits, Saltfleetby Yellow-browed Warbler, North Somercotes Possible Baltic Gull ad, ad Caspian gull, Millennium Green, North Hykeham 4/10 3 Yellow-browed Warblers, MOD, Donna Nook 3 Yellow-browed Warblers, Pye's Hall east of river, Lapland Bunting at south end, Firecrest, Donna Nook Olive-backed pipit flew over and landed near Greenshank Creek, Great White Egret at north end, 5 Yellow-browed Warblers, Lapland Bunting, Woodlark, Redstart, 4 Spotted Redshank, Jack Snipe, Richard's Pipit at north end of Strip saltinghs, Ring Ouzel, Gibraltar Point 4 Yellow-browed Warblers, North Shore Hotel car park, Skegness Yellow-browed Warbler in sycamores by Rowing club, Boston 7 Yellow-browed Warblers, Yellow-browed Warble by bridge just north of pier, Skegness 5/10 Yellow-browed Warbler, Ring Ouzel, Pye's Hall, Donna Nook Yellow-browed Warbler in dunes at south end, Donna Nook Yellow-browed Warbler, Ring Ouzel, Rimac 2 Yellow-browed Warblers, Sea View, Saltfleetby Yellow-browed Warbler at Syke's Farm, 2 Richard's Pipits on new saltmarsh, Ring Ouzel, Gibraltar Point 6/10 5 Yellow-browed Warblers, 2 Ring Ouzels, Sea View Farm and dunes, Saltfleetby Richard's Pipit north of Pye's Hall, 4 Yellow-browed warblers, Short-eared Owl, 3 Ring Ouzels, Redstart, Yellow-browed Warbler at Pye's Hall, Yellow-browed Warbler near Stonebridge, Donna Nook Probable Desert Whitethroat form 'halimodendri', trapped and ringed in East Dunes, 2 Richard's Pipits on spit at end of East Dunes, 6 Yellow-browed Warblers, 2 Ring Ouzels, Gibraltar Point Short-eared Owl on saltmarsh, Cleethorpes LNR Great White Egret flew south over Rimac 2 Yellow-browed Warblers, 3 Ring Ouzels, Theddlethorpe Dunes Yellow-browed Warbler near Grainthorpe Haven 7/10 3 Yellow-browed Warblers, 2 Ring Ouzels, Gibraltar Point Yellow-browed Warbler, Sea View, Saltfleetby Yellow-browed Warbler in dunes south of car park, Rimac Bittern, Boultham Mere 2 Yellow-browed Warblers, 6 Ring Ouzels, Donna Nook 8/10 Spotted Redshank, Short-eared Owl, Black Brant with Dark-bellied Brent Geese at Tabb's Head, Frampton Marsh 3 Yellow-browed Warblers at south end, 1 at Buckthorn Avenue and 1 by the Vine Hotel, 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. ROADKILLS - don't forget your name and date! Why "dead records" are can be so important: Marion Ellis writes: BAT AT NORTH HYKEHAM My friend's cat has turned from criminal to contributor to nature recording in creating the first record of a Long Eared Bat in North Hykeham in 20 years of recording. Shows how important it is to pass information on. HAGWORTHINGHAM TF329696 A158 27/9/15 Robert Walker Fox 1 roadkill RAND TF111781 A158 2/10/15 Robert Walker Badger 1 roadkill SOUTH FERRIBY/BARTON ON HuMBER Jenny Haynes 5 October 2015 SE9981 2108 A1077 South Ferriby/Barton on Humber Dead badger - looked like an adult MORTON TF094235 20 September 2015 Vin Fleming One roadkill polecat on A15 at south end of the Morton. No obvious hybrid features. Sent off to VWT for analysis as part of their polecat survey. See: http://www.vwt.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/vwt-polecat-survey-leaflet.pdf *** 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. ASHBY CUM FENBY TA 253010 02.10.2015 Peter Crick Speckled Wood X 2 Vigorously interacting for 10/15 minutes. BASTON FEN 4th October 2015 John Redshaw The Walking with Wildlife event at Baston Fen this morning (Sunday) turned out to be an interesting Raptor Watch meeting. The walk started with a female Kestrel chasing a Carrion Crow, not particularly noteworthy. This was followed by a female Marsh Harrier circling fairly high in the sky, followed by a second much darker bird. Then a Buzzard was picked out in the clear blue sky. Almost immediately this was joined by a second bird, then by three more until eventually we had ten Buzzards soaring above us and rapidly gaining height until they were lost to view. The only other birds of particular interest were the eight Snipe flushed from the damp low wash. CAISTOR Week beginning 1.10.15 plus previous week's Trailcam Wendy Handford Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 Feral ferret in mixed woodland 6pm 28.9.15 Trailcam Fox in mixed wood 27 and 30.9.15 Trailcam Muntjac f in mixed woodland 29.9.15. Trailcam 4 clips over 3 hours Rabbit with myxomatosis on drive 4.10.15 Chiffchaff 1.10.15 Jay buries Acorn 4.10.15 Kestrel on workshop roof 5.10.15 Moorhen by stream 7.10.15 Stockdoves 3 in mixed woodland 3.9.15 Pheasants 4m 4f crossing meadow 4.10.15 Greater thorn-tipped longhorn beetle, Pogonochoeris hispidulus 6.10.15. New on Caistor list Fungi this week Clouded funnels 51 under Silver birch Common rustgill clusters on Norway spruce stumps False saffron milkcap Giant puffballs now brown Holly speckle on dead Holly leaves Japanese parasol Ben Jacob Nettleton Lodge Game Farm TA 090 012 Shaggy inkcaps 1.10.15 Golden scalycap cluster on Beech 1.10.15. ID by Ray. New on Caistor list EDLINGTON TF237718 A158 28/9/15 Robert Walker Kestrel 1 hunting over roadside verge. 4.30 pm HORNCASTLE TF261691 My garden Robert Walker 4/10/15 Grey Heron 1 First known visit to our town small front garden, obviously saw the pond, (no fish), probably after frogs. 7/10/15 Coal Tits 2 Wet morning brought more than usual numbers of tits into the feeders. also Hedgehog 1 Still feeding on cat nibbles despite colder nights. 8/10/15 Comma butterfly 1 In sunshine on ivy in rear garden. HUTTOFT Jane Pennington Huttoft TF512763 (my garden) Date 2/10/2015 Common darter 1 Dunnock 1 Great spotted woodpecker 1 (in willow tree) Large white 1Wren 1 Date 4/10/2015 Robins 2 (a mega fight but only feathers down, no deaths) Woodpigeons 3 Date 5/10/2015 Squirrel 1 (rare in garden but the oak has a mass of acorns compared with none last year) Date 6/10/2015 Dunnock 2 Rabbit 1 Shrew 1 (dead on grass - no obvious signs of why) Wrens 2 KENWICK TF335849 A157 3/10/15 Robert Walker Kestrel 1 hunting over roadside verge, 11.40 am NEW WALTHAM. TA 287046 Peter Crick Garden sightings 01.10.2015 Buzzard flying low over, mobbed by crows 02.10.2015 Red Admiral 08.00hrs. Warming up in sun on bungalow roof on very cold morning (+4C) 06.10.2015 Wood Mouse Cleaning up spilt seed around feeders Other sightings 02.10.2015 WALTHAM WINDMILL TA 259033 Peter Crick Buzzard being mobbed by Crows 02.10.2015 WALTHAM AIRFIELD TA 274025 Peter Crick Yellowhammers X 2 (male and female) together in hedgerow. RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF309847 (unless otherwise stated) Silvia Fowler 20.09.2015 (and other times throughout September) Bordered Straw moth (ID confirmed by Colin Smith) 01.10.2015 3 Robins proclaiming their territories 02.10.2015 Pied Wagtail x 2 18.00-20.00 hrs: 7-8 skeins of Geese (mostly Canada G.) criss- crossing our area in all directions 03.10.2015 7-Spot Ladybird 07.10.2015 Common Frog Grey Heron 08.10.2015 Speckled Wood Grey Heron in Louth, Spout Yard (TF327875) THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 02/10/15 White Campion flowering 04/10/15 Barn Owl x 1 06.10hrs Blackbird x 7 Black Headed Gull x 57 Common Buzzard x 1 Dunnock x 2 Grey Partridge x 2 Pied Wagtail x 9 Robin x 2 Stock Dove x 1 young, rung Tree Sparrow x 22 Wood Pigeon x 2 Wren x 1 Common Pipistrelle x 2 Rabbit x 2 Roe Deer x 1 Gunthorpe (Sam Hiner) Migrant Hawker x 1 07/10/15 Golden Plover x 52 Little Owl x 1 calling 06.00hrs Merlin x 1 Peregrine Falcon x 1 feeding on gull (Clare Holmes) Starling x 72 08/10/15 Kestrel x 1 Mallard x 6 Comma x 1 WAINFLEET CONSERVATION PONDS 03/10/2015 Roy and Kath Pearson Heron Little Egret Cormorant 14 Golden Plover flew east. WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 2/10/2015 Comma [AP] - scarce here this year. Speckled Wood - 4 Brimstone m - 2, f - 1. Honeybees working snowberry and ivy. Short-tailed vole. 3/10 Comma [RP] Red Admirals - 3 Small Tortoiseshell - 2 04/10/2015 4 darters [sp] basking on house wall. 8/10/2015 red Admiral bassking on house wall at 08.15 hrs Comma on rotten apple - 11.00hrs 3 dead woodmice. 4 Red Kites have been reported in the locality, including a juv. NEW YORK - Hurnbridge Road TF216532 8/10/2015 O6.45hrs. 2 Roe Deer adults crossing Hurnbridge Road from arable fiend into grass field. 2 Grey wagtails on drain bank near bridge. Wildmore Fen - NEW YORK Canada Farm Again - Horntail-like insect in flight in mature Poplar plantation. TF224545 R.Parsons 04/10/2015 at 12 noon. Dry, warm, bright, still. Description - dark body, dark/black antennae, yellow legs. Seemed somewhat smaller that earlier individuals seen. Probable spp: Sirex juvencus ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 Reports always welcome. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GIBRALTAR POINT NNR. See: Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog. http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ Reports always welcome. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE DUNES NNR. http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/38015?category=59026 and DONNA NOOK http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/nature-reserves/donna-nook/viewing-seals-donna-nook ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE NNR. Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR Report 2nd - 8th October 2015 Contributors: Peter Roworth, Janet Roworth, Cliff Morrison, John Walker, Nige Lound, Mike Tarrant. The event of the week has been the Yellow-browed Warbler arrival into the UK. With at least 2 separate arrivals during the latter half of last week and at the weekend and it must have involved more than a dozen birds with minimum counts of 4, 2, 2 and 2 at SeaView, Rimac, Churchill and Brickyard on any one day, but there was turnover and most have now gone. 1st - 1 Short-eared Owl over dunes near Sea View and was mobbed by 3 Carrion Crows to the grazing marsh area. 2nd - Pink-footed Geese skeins over 30, 44, 28, 56, 45. Chiffchaff in song at Paradise Woods. A Kingfisher was on the Eau at Rimac Bridge and there were 2 Yellow-browed Warblers and a Firecrest between Rimac Car Park and the willows/sallows about 1km to the south. A Little Bunting was present in the pasture field immediately west of Sea View Farm from 1130 to 1300 at least. Another Yellow-browed Warbler was at Sea View and another at BYL. Other birds of note at Rimac were a Grey Partridge, a Black-tailed Godwit, a Coal Tit, 22 Long-tailed Tit and 14 Lesser Redpoll. 3rd - In the Sea View area were Goldcrest 6, Chiffchaff 3, Yellow-browed Warbler 1, Blackcap ♀♂, Siskin 1 and Song Thrush 2 4th - Sea View sightings - Goldcrest 1, Grey Wagtail 1, Reed Bunting 20+, Blue Tit 8+, Dunnock 10+, Blackbird 5+, Song Thrush 1, Chiffchaff 1 in song, Great Spotted Woodpecker 2. Brickyard Lane sightings - Redwings came in on the 4th October, a few days earlier than most years, with a few each day up to Monday 5th, Song Thrushes have been arriving all week, but the early morning of Monday 4th saw a good thrush arrival in the SE winds and rain. Probably over 100 were moving SW early on, but had passed through by midmorning. There was also a small Blackbird arrival along with Ring Ouzels. 5th - Peregrine at Brickyard on 5th. Seen between Rimac and Brickyard Lane from 5th - 7th were: a few migrant hawkers and common darters, speckled woods and 2 small white, ring ouzel 4, great spotted woodpecker 3, yellow- browed 2, rock pipit 4, goldcrest c 20, song thrush c 25, redwing c 35 over, linnet c 130, carrion crow 122, jackdaw 88, little owl 2 ,tawny owl 1, common buzzard 2, brent goose 126, teal 87, greenshank 4. 6th - Rainfall of 16.3mm was the first recorded since 21st September. A damp morning with low cloud produced in the Sea View area Yellow-browed Warbler 2+, Goldcrest 6+, Redwing 1, Brambling, Blackbird 30+, Song Thrush 4+, and Chaffinch 20+. Gadwall 2 at Rimac Pools. Pink-feet were moving south in small skeins all week and 80 on the beach at Brickyard on 6th, whilst Brent Geese have been seen moving north along the tide edge in small numbers on most days. A Great White Egret flew south over Sea View at 1045. 7th - Short-eared Owl at Churchill. Stonechat at Rimac. A Kingfisher was again on the Eau at Rimac Bridge, a Marsh Harrier was over the Freshwater Marsh and a Yellow-browed Warbler was with a tit flock in the scrub 100m south of the Freshwater Marsh. A 1st Winter Caspian Gull flew over Saltfleet Lagoon and a Yellow-browed Warbler was present around Sea View Car Park. 8th - Single Yellow-browed Warbler and 2 Goldcrests of note this morning at Sea View. 2 brambling and 2 red admirals on the prolific ivy flowers. Note - a hummingbird hawk moth was seen at Sea View on 29th September. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. News from Far Ings NNR See: Far Ings NNR on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-Of-Far-Ings-National-Nature-Reserve/186876774685595 Reports always welcome. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6. Bardney Limewoods NNR http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/publications/limewoods-walks/ Reports always welcome. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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) Adrian Royle's superb Flickr photo-site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/adiroyle/collections/72157624803742908/ Colin Green has produced the following video about visiting Southrey Wood in Oct 2012. Well worth a look. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1SpBvd9Ib0 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7. Sending in reports to Roger Parsons ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The purpose of the Bulletin is to encourage biological recording in Lincolnshire using modern Information and Communication Technology. We hope to increase the number of people reporting observations to LNU Recorders and improve the quality of reports, as well as the quantity and the geographical coverage. In return for this FREE service, we ask you to provide reports, questions, news or relevant articles from time to time. Descriptive pieces are welcome - you don't have to stick to lists! Mailing times vary, depending on what I am doing. The Bulletin usually 'goes to bed' on Fridays. Please e-mail in contributions as early as possible to ensure they are included, to: rparsons@enterprise.net [A backup e-mail address you can use if ever you experience problems with my "Enterprise" address is: aintree2@yahoo.co.uk ] When sending in reports please follow this layout to save re-editing: Place Name: IN CAPITALS with Grid Reference if you have it. Your Name: Real names please, not aliases. Put it in each time, for each location Date: Species list [Alphabetical?] & numbers [and observations?] e.g. Blackbird - 24 [And please, no home-grown abbreviations. Species Names in full.] *** Find the Grid Reference *** Chris Manning recommended the following 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/ *** 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 See: http://www.nationalruralcrimenetwork.net/ 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/ *** 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/ *** 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 *** Life on the Verge and Wildflower Meadow Network Project *** Aidan Neary, Wildflower Meadow Project Officer, aneary@lincstrust.co.uk Mobile: 07825 970930, 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) *** 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://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.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, October 11, 2015 Fungi Foray Gibraltar Point NNR Use main car park at TF556580. Parking fee of £3 applicable. Toilets and refreshments available. Meet up from 12.00 for 13.00 start. Leader: Ray Halstead Contact: brian_hedley@hotmail.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails This Week *** A text copy of past Bulletins will be found on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Latest Mailfails. None this week. Contributions to "And finally......" are always welcome. How to make an orange birdfeeder http://www.discoverwildlife.com/british-wildlife/your-garden/how-make-orange-birdfeeder Six areas identified for Scottish Wildcat conservation http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-34388538 Antarctic postmasters complete training for penguin-packed peninsula http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-34426259 Seal pup trying to hitch a lift on sea kayak http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2979641/Hilarious-video-shows-seal-pup-trying-hitch-lift-sea-kayak-t-quite-right.html Plastic in fish highlights need for cleaner Thames http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-34408414 Plastic oceans: What do we know? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-34414710 BBMF grounded Lancaster set to start flight testing http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-34416679 Animals thrive in exclusion zome without humans http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/11912972/Chernobyl-animals-thrive-in-exclusion-zone-without-humans.html ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/