============================================= || || 25th October 2015 || || News of Lincolnshire Wildlife || LNU Website: || http://www.lnu.org/ || ============================================ 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.... *** The morning sight of Venus, Jupiter and Mars [and Mercury] has been well worth an early start to the day. The Sun has been quite active recently. Check "Space Weather" to get an idea of what is going on: http://www.spaceweather.com/ No meteors reported this week - has anyone been luckier? It is official, says the RSB: we love the buff-tailed bumblebee. This insect has been overwhelmingly voted as the UK’s favourite. http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20151015-bumblebee-crowned-as-uks-favourite-insect The Most Interesting Star in Our Galaxy Astronomers have spotted a strange mess of objects whirling around a distant star. Scientists who search for extraterrestrial civilizations are scrambling to get a closer look. http://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2015/10/the-most-interesting-star-in-our-galaxy/410023/ The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust has helpful information and regular seal updates on their Donna Nook webpage. See: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/donna-nook Guidelines for visitors: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/nature-reserves/donna-nook/viewing-seals-donna-nook Annette Faulkner has given us a helpful reminder about how best to deal with bats in trouble at this time of year. Thanks for the many interesting contributions this week. Great. If we have helped by publicising your event, please tell your audiences about the Bulletin 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 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 Indoor meetings - details awaited. *** Bats; records and crises *** Annette Faulkner writes: First, I would like to say a big thank you to all the people who have sent in bat records this year, and particularly if you haven't submitted records before, as you may be the only recorder in your area, and it all helps to fill gaps in our knowledge. Over the season I have had some interesting dialogues with some of you which has added “I hope“ to your knowledge, and certainly to ours, and I always welcome enquiries. It is still not too late to catch the last few bats before they go into hibernation at the beginning of next month, though some will have already settled down for the winter, apart from the odd surfacing from their deep torpor to excrete waste and change location as needed. With sunset now between 5.45 and 6pm by the weekend, depending on where in the county you live - and by next week being an hour earlier - this is a good time to go out and see if there are any still around. Do let me know if you see any, please, as it's good to know last dates as well as first ones! This year has been our busiest year ever for bat calls, with over 200 now logged across the county, double what we had in 2013 and at least 50% more than we had last year. Some of these calls were undoubtedly weather related, as observed in previous posts, and certainly we had a big problem with late- born pipistrelle babies (interestingly, other species don't seem to have been affected) after cold weather delayed the onset of pregnancy. They should be born around the middle of June, but we had some born even as late as early August - at which point the mothers rear them so far, their biology then tells them it's time to find the males as they enter the mating season - and the babies are abandoned. But I am sure the increase in calls is at least as much attributable to the internet and general awareness, as these days it is frequently the first place people look for help. Once we get into September it becomes injury time, and this year has been no different (I started writing about this several weeks ago, but too many bat calls intervened and it didn't get finished). Juveniles who haven't quite got their act together over the summer, but have managed during the season of relative plenty now find it gets harder to find their dinner, get weak, ground - and get caught by cats and other predators; males, busy chasing females, don't eat enough, get weak and ground, with the same result; and of course older animals coming to the end of their lives also frequently finish up grounded. A lot have to be euthanased because their injuries are too bad, but some have relatively minor injuries and with the aid of anti- biotics and good veterinary care can recover and be released back into the wild. And calls are still coming in - three already this week (Wednesday). Finally, one thing I would ask. If you find a grounded bat PLEASE don't leave it where it's found, thinking "nature will take its course". It will - but it'll take several days to do it, and meanwhile the bat can fall prey to (further) predation, injuries become infected, they can become fly-struck, or other horrors overtake them. For all their tiny size they're tough little beasts and take a long time to die. Scoop them up in a cloth or wear gloves, put them in an escape-proof box and phone 01775 766286, the Lincs Bat Group's Helpline number. *** Badger persecution *** Taken from Wildlife Crime Awareness Week mailing. October 19th to 25th marks Wildlife Crime Awareness Week. This is a national campaign between the World Animal Protection Organisation and Crimestoppers, to increase public knowledge on the types of wildlife crime and how to spot the signs that it is taking place. The badger is one of the most persecuted animals despite being protected under The Protection of Badgers Act (1992). Badger diggers use dogs and digging equipment to take badgers from their setts. The captured badgers are then attacked by dogs for sport, whilst the spectators gamble on the performance of the dogs, called baiting. The badger is always killed, whether at the scene or after being taken away in cages. Badger baiting was made illegal in 1835, but still very much happening today. If you are aware of an active badger sett and have suspicions it has been disturbed (recently moved earth, human/dog footprints, blood, or fur around sett or objects blocking the entrances to the setts) please report this to the police on Tel: 101, or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. *** 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 *** Waxcaps and Wood-pasture: Identification & Diversity *** South Yorkshire Biodiversity Research Group (Econet), 15th & 29th October 2015 29th October – Waxcaps & Wood-pasture in the Upper Derwent Cost: BES Members: £30 per day; Non-BES Members: £60 per day. Places limited, pre-booking essential Limited Student / Volunteer places are available at £20 per day – please enquire before booking. http://www.ukeconet.org email contact: info@hallamec.plus.uk *** Natural History & Geology Section of Scunthorpe Museum Society *** Keith scarrott writes: At the next meeting of the Natural History and Geology Section of the Scunthorpe Museum Society, on Monday, 9th November, Alison Foyster of the Weirfield Wildlife Hospital, Lincoln, will be giving a talk about Badgers. Alison's talk will include the natural history and care of badgers in the wild and in the hospital. Starting at 7.15pm, the meeting will be held in St. Bernadette's Parish Centre, opposite the Priory Hotel on Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2RS. There is free parking in the Church grounds. ALL ARE WELCOME. There is no entry charge but a donation bowl is provided. Refreshments will be available at the mid-talk break for a small charge. For further details please contact Keith Scarrott on 01724 762098. *** Barton LWT *** Adrian White writes: Barton Area Group of the LWT is now on Facebook; https://www.facebook.com/LWT.Barton.Group *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** Carolyn Lovely writes: On Saturday 31st October 2015 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them on a morning bird walk starting from the roundabout at junction of Moody Lane and Gilbey Road, Pyewipe, Grimsby. Meet leader Ray Hume at 9am. Please wear suitable outdoor clothing and stout footwear. This is a free event but donations will be welcomed for the Trust. For further information contact Ray - 01472 320878 *** 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/ 15/10 Yellow-browed Warbler between Pye's Hall and seal colony, 2 Ring Ouzels in South Dunes, Little Gull along shore, Donna Nook 2 Great Grey Shrikes, Yellow-browed Warbler, Redstart, Twite, Dusky Warbler near East Dunes, Gibraltar Point 2 Yellow-browed Warblers, Sea view Farm, saltfleetby slavonian Grebe, Freiston Short Great White Egrat flew from Saltfleet St Clements towards Theddlethorpe Garganey juv, Marston sewage works 16/10 Hen Harrier juv on posts near hide, Frampton Marsh Yellow-browed Warbler, Sea View, Rimac Yellow-browed Warbler, 2 Ring Ouzels, ringtail Hen Harrier, Firecrest, Redstart, Gibraltar Point Yellow-browed Warbler, Lapland Bunting, Ring Ouzel, Donna Nook 17/10 Rough-legged Buzzard flew towards East Dunes, Dusky Warbler trapped and ringed in East Dunes, Richard's Pipit flew south, 2 Rough-legged Buzzards, 2 Yellow-browed Warblers, Firecrest, Black Redstart, 2 Ring Ouzels, Jack Snipe, Bonxie, Hen Harrier, Great Northern Diver, Crossbill, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Palas's Warbler by yacht club, Gibraltar Point Yellow-browed Warbler, 2 Ring Ouzels, Pomarine Skua. Sooty Shearwater, Donna Nook Hen Harrier, Frampton Marsh 18/10 Firecrest on Wetland Trail, Ring Ouzel, Freiston Shore Pallas's Warbler at north end in Sycamores, 2 Richard's Pipits, Great Grey Shrike to rear ringing hut and from Wash viewpoint, Short-eared Owl, ad Caspian Gull on beach, Jack Snipe, Firecrest, Grasshopper Warbler, Yellow-browed Warbler in ease dunes, Caspian Gull on beach, Gibraltar Point Lapland bunting between Stonebridge and Pye's Hall, 5 Snow Buntings, Long-eared Owl, 2 Firecrests on track to Pye's Hall, Donna Nook 15 Spotted Redshanks, Alkborough Flats Pectoral Sandpiper, Frampton Marsh Snow Bunting on chowder car park bank, Far Ings 19/10 Dusky warbler by cycleway in roadside scrub, Great Grey Shrike in east dunes, 2 Yellow-browed Warblers, Spotted Redshank, Firecrest, Gibraltar Point 11 Spotted Redshanks, Alkborough flats Great Grey Shrike at Crossbank, Lapland Bunting, Frampton Marsh Yellow-browed Warbler by Europarc Innovation centre, Grimsby 20/10 Red-flanked Bluetail trapped and ringed, Dusky warbler, Great Grey Shrike, Gibraltar Point Hawfinch flew north over Rimac Hill Hen Harrier ringtail over fields, Spalding Great Grey Shrike in scrub behind Blundell Park, Cleethorpes 21/10 Short-eared Owl in off sea, Donna Nook Dusky warbler by cycleway by Tennyson's Sands, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Gibraltar Point Lapland Bunting over, Pale-bellied Brent Goose towards Tabb's Head, Scaup, Frampton Marsh 22/10 Garganey juv, Marston sewage works Scaup, Frampton Marsh 2 Spotted Redshanks, Gibraltar Point Scaup, Saltfleet Haven on new ponds 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! ROPSLEY SK 973347 M. Ellis 13. 10. 15 Braceby Road Roadkill 1 hedgehog WITHAM ST HUGHS SK 8747 6187 Peter Morrell 19.10.15 Barn owl road kill on A46. STALLINGBOROUGH TA 1905 1281 Peter Morrell 20.10.15 Barn owl road kill on A180. DEAD BUNKERS PLANTATION TF 285867 Peter Crick 20.10.2015 On Public Right of Way - remains of large bird - skull, bone + a few feathers etc. Not a lot to ID but possible/ probable Buzzard. *** 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. APLEY John Hiscox. Since the start October, in and around the garden, totally white (leucistic) House Sparrow. With a flock of 20+ "normal" sparrows. Also, October 12th, solitary juvenile Swallow feeding on the wing. Not seen since then. CAISTOR Week beginning 15.10.15 Wendy Handford Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 Feral cat prowling along hedgerow 15 and 16.10.15 Rabbit juv with myxomatosis in flowerbed 15.10.15 Buzzard disturbed in coniferous wood 16.10.15 Long-tailed tits 20 in Silver birches 16.10.15 Sparrowhawk flying over 16.10.15 Sparrowhawk m on drive 19.10.15 Stockdoves 25 in meadow 15.10.15 Commas 2 on Ivy flowers, temp 12C Common wasps 2 queens dormant in greenhouse 18.10.15 Leopard slug in greenhouse 18.10.15 Harlequin ladybirds 2 in wooden bunker 19.10.15 Peacock. Temp 8C, 19.10.15 Sap beetles on fallen apple 16.10.15 Speckled wood on Ivy 20.10.15 Fungi this week Blue roundhead 14 in mown rough grassland Hazel woodwart on fallen Alder Silky piggyback fungi on Clouded funnel host. Ray is checking this. New Shaggy inkcaps 3 emerging in mown rough grassland Willow bracket on Crack willow Laurie Fox North Street TA 117 015 Cares for injured and underweight hedgehogs. Has 14 at the moment Wendy Collins Shieling farm TA 106 027 17.10.15 Greenfinches 6 feeding on Sunflower heads Long-tailed tits 15 feeding on Rowan berries Sparrowhawk f takes Bluetit from feeder 18.10.15 2-spot ladybird, black with 4 red spots, on car window Buff-tailed bumblebee on Fuschias Parasol fungus in Hawthorn hedgerow DEEPINGS Venue: Deeping Lakes LWT Reserve Date: 19th October 12015 Time: 1330 - 1610 Observer: Ian Gordon Weather: Sunny, cool. Birds: Blackbird Blackcap Black-headed GullBlue Tit Canada Goose Carrion Crow Chiffchaf Coot Cormorant Gadwall Goldfinch Great Crested Grebe Green Woodpecker Grey Heron Greylag Goose Great Tit Jackdaw Kestrel Little Egret Magpie Mallard Moorhen Mute Swan Pheasant Reed Bunting Robin Rook Starling Shovelor Stonechat Teal Tufted Goose Wren Mammals: Grey Squirrel Dragonflies: Common Darter Others: 5-spot Ladybirds HATCLIFFE - east of TA 216006 Peter Crick 16.10.2015 Great Spotted Woodpecker HALLINGTON - west of TF 297859 Peter Crick 20.10.2015 White Tail Bumble Bee and several wasps on hedge ivy. HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF512763 (my garden) Date 15/10/2015 Redwing 1 Date 16/10/2015 Field mouse 1 Magpie 1 Red admiral 1 Robins 2 Date 17/10/2015 Blackbirds 6 Chaffinch 1 Goldfinch 1 Magpie 1 Thrush 1 (not sure which type) Wren 1 and one very yellow small bird which was too quick for me to identify Date 18/10/2015 Blackbirds 6 Field mouse 1 Great spotted woodpecker 1 Woodpigeons 6 Date 19/10/2015 Collared dove 1 Crows 6 or 7 (seemed to be eating acorns in the oak) Dunnock 1 Red tailed bumble bee 1 Wren 1 LOUTH - WESTGATE FIELDS TF 319870 Peter Crick 20.10.2015 Ladybird X 2 From ID chart both appear to be Harlequin 1 has red w/case and approx 18 spots 1 has black w/case with approx 4 spots NEW WALTHAM. TA 287046 Peter Crick 16.10.2015 Carder Bee - entangled, then escaped from spiders web NORTH ELKINGTON TF 279907 driveway entrance to Grange Farm Peter Crick 16.10.2015 Wasps - around hawthorn hedge, flying well in strong wind despite temp. of 9C. RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF309847 (unless otherwise stated) Silvia Fowler 18.10.2015 Grey Heron (TF309848) Wren 19.10.2015 Red Admiral Pied Wagtail x 2 Wren x 2 (different locations) 21.10.2015 Little Egret feeding on pasture (TF309849) SAPPERTON TF021339 M. Ellis 9.10.15 4 young hedgehogs happy to accept food THEDDLETHORPE 15 October 2015 John Cowell Theddlethorpe (Brickyard Lane ) Two Fieldfares & a number of Redwings in our neighbours Rowan tree, eating the very last of the berries in competition with two 'scared' blackbirds. THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 19/10/15 Barn Owl x 1 calling 23:15hrs Little Owl x 2 calling 23:15hrs Lunar Underwing x 1 on security light 21/10/15 Robin x 2 Common Pipistrelle x 1 Noctule x 1 Rabbit x 1 22/10/15 Black Headed Gull x 39 on arable fields around Thurnholmes Common Buzzard x 1 Owston Ferry Warping Drain Common Gull x 15 on arable fields around Thurnholmes Golden Plover x 2 calling 23:30hrs Lapwing x 52 east over Thurnholmes Little Owl x 1 calling 23:30hrs Moorhen x 5 Owston Ferry Warping Drain Robin x 1 Brown Hare x 2 Rabbit x 2 WAINFLEET CONSERVATION PONDS 18/10/2015 Roy and Kath Pearson After a fortnight's absence we returned to find that winter had arrived with large numbers of Redwings and Blackbirds feeding on a good berry crop in the hedges. Also present was a Great Spotted Woodpecker. Birds were absent from the diminishing open water areas, but there was considerable activity in the reed beds where there appears to be higher than normal numbers of Water Rails. WAINFLEET CONSERVATION PONDS 20/10/2015 Roy and Kath Pearson A Coal Tit was caught and ringed today, the first ever seen at this site. Also ringed was a Kingfisher, quite a common bird here. Sight record included two Ring-necked Parakeets, which were no doubt refugees from the local parrot zoo, the first Fieldfares of the Autumn and singles of Snipe, Sparrowhawk, Little Egret and Heron. Water Rails were very vocal in the reed-beds. WELTON LE WOLD TF 281878 Peter Crick 20.10.2015 Buff Tail Bumble Bee - sunbathing in middle of road (retrieved to a sunny, safer location) WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 22/10/2015 Stoat - young adult. 5pm. Active hunting through flowerbed and onto shed roof. Wasp - now identified by David Sheppard as a parasitic wasp of the genus Ophion (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae). Location: Aintree Cottage, Hurnbridge Road, New York LN4 4XT Grid Ref: TF216534 Roger and Anne Parsons Date 17/10/2015 In house on internal door. David adds: They are mostly nocturnal, frequently turning up at light traps and at house lights. They are parasites of moth larvae, a single wasp grub developing in each host. There are a number of species but they are not identifiable from photographs. Oddly they sting quite readily. Presumably this is a liquid injected from the ovipositor. I have been a victim once or twice and recall it as being like a mild sting of a social wasp. Yellowtail [moth] caterpillar In garden: 19/10/2015 Location: Aintree Cottage, Hurnbridge Road, New York LN4 4XT Grid Ref: TF216534 Anne Parsons det. Roger Parsons. Photo taken if needed. on 22/10/2015 it had moved to the house wall - we presume in search of a site to pupate. WILLOUGHTON SK 9313 9319 21.10.15 Peter Morrell 6 great crested newts and two toad foraging in the garden after heavy rain earlier in the day. WRANGLE COMMON 18/10/2015 Roy and Kath Pearson A BirdTrack count today yielded 30 species. Star billing was first record here of a Grey Wagtail, which was with a party of eight Pied Wagtails. The first Redwings (8) of the year were recorded along with a similar number of Fieldfares in the orchard. The only raptor seen was Buzzard (2) and the only wader, Lapwing with a count of eight flying over. Eleven Goldcrests were seen and a count of ten Robins was high for this species. Mallard numbers were quite low for this time of year with only twenty- nine counted, though water levels are still very low. Ten Yellowhammers were present and a very high count of Goldfinches (30), was made. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. WILDLIFE NEWS Week ending 15th-22nd October 2015 With the continuing E-NE winds over the early part of the period, there were daily arrivals of continental migrants, with Goldcrests again being the dominant feature, although rain on the continent slowed arrivals after the weekend and by Tuesday/Wednesday with westerly winds, most Goldcrests had moved on. Birklands' Ringing Group had ringed 400 Goldcrests by the 15th, with a grand total of 903 by Tuesday of this week, a record for their October ringing on the reserve over almost 50 years. One Goldcrest caught had a Swedish ring, indicating the origin of these tiny birds and also of great interest, was a Northern Treecreeper they caught, which would have had similar origins. Its plumage was far more silvery/greenish dappled than our UK birds and described as perfectly matching the background colours of the lichen covered conifers of Scandinavia. This was in contrast to a darker coloured bird caught a little later, which was speculated to have been from the forests further south in Scandinavia. Also caught on the 15th, was a Dusky Warbler, which had its origins probably over 2000 miles further east and was just one of many "Siberian warblers" reaching the UK this autumn. These bird species should be heading to winter in SE Asia, rather than making for Western Europe. This bird stayed in the locality through until at least 20th. There were also a couple of Yellow-browed Warblers at Sea View during the period and one at Crook Bank on 21st with a tit flock. Thrush migration has been relatively light so far during October, with small numbers of Song Thrushes and Redwings most days with a Ring Ousel on 19th, but the Blackbird immigration is yet to pick up. There has been a steady movement of finches during the period, with over 100 Greenfinches on some days, Redpolls, Siskins and Bramblings daily in small numbers, but the high- light was a Hawfinch at Rimac on the 20th. The Linnet flock on the samphire is building now, with about 100 birds on 22nd. Odd Woodcock have been seen in the dunes most days and 2 separate birds came in low over the sea on 19th, attracting the attention of a female Peregrine that has been patrolling the area throughout. Both Woodcock managed to survive the several 100 metres flight from the sea across the beach and to crash land into the buckthorn before being caught. However, a Woodpigeon feeding on the recently rolled coastal field was less lucky as it was caught by a young male Peregrine. Other raptors have included 2 Buzzards and a second winter male Hen Harrier, which was hunting over the marsh at Rimac on the 20th. Sparrow Hawks were noted most days moving south. There have been a couple of Long- eared Owls and Short-eared Owls in the area during the period, also having their origins in Scandinavia no doubt. One Short-eared Owl was noted coming in off the sea on 19th, but about a kilometre out, it changed directions and then coasted southwards out of sight off-shore. A Great-grey Shrike, caught by Birklands' was yet another bird typical of arrivals from Scandinavia. Mention of the repentantly ploughed and recently rolled coastal fields earlier, also attracted wagtails with double figures of Pied wagtails and 2 adult White Wagtails, along with 2-3 Grey Wagtails on a couple of days, with 4 being noted flying south on 20th. Magpies were also attracted to the fields, with 35 counted together on one and 12 a little further south, all flying into the dunes when disturbed. The Pink-footed Goose flock, that wintered in the area and roosted at Rimac on the outer sands, has reappeared again this autumn, establishing this as a regular site now. The flock numbers about 500 birds and can be seen leaving the roost a little after dawn. Movements at sea have been quiet during the period, but Birklands' had a very interesting observation of 14 Goosanders flying east out to sea on 14th. A Red- breasted Merganser flew north on 15th and a Velvet Scoter flew south on 16th. There were 2 Bonxies on 15th, 1 on 16th, 3 on 17th and a Pomarine Skua. Guillemots, noted last period, were still to be seen, with 30 north and 30 south (different birds, but feeding locally). 3 Eiders flew south on 17th and over 50 Common Scoters were present on the sea. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. 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 ejohnredshaw@gmail.com *** 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 Indoor meetings - details awaited. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails This Week *** If your Bulletin did not arrive, text copies of past Bulletins can be found on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Latest Mailfails. dandd zen - soft bounce - Requested mail action aborted: exceeded storage allocation Quota exceeded. gw.roman - hard bounce - Undeliverable. Contributions to "And finally......" are always welcome. BBC Inside Science: includes'Bees and diesel'. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06j5qd7 Caffeinated plants give bees a buzz http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-34532636 £1bn tidal lagoon 'desperately needed', Edwina Hart says http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-34531680 Plastic-eating worms may offer solution to mounting waste https://news.stanford.edu/pr/2015/pr-worms-digest-plastics-092915.html Sleeping crocodiles still keep watch. http://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/oct/22/eye-opening-research-suggests-sleeping-crocodiles-still-keep-watch Pluto among the 'most diverse worlds' in our Solar System http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/explainers-34485574 One glass of red wine each day improves type 2 diabetes control, research suggests http://www.diabetes.co.uk/news/2015/oct/one-glass-of-red-wine-each-day-improves-type-2-diabetes-control,-research-suggests-90196652.html ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/