============================================= || || 13th September 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 Test 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.... *** I gave you a dud link last week - here is is again, correctly. Work starts on new Gibraltar Point nature reserve visitor centre http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-34136451 Early risers will have enjoyed the sign of the crescent moon and the planet Venus this week, a striking prelude to some stunning autumn dawns. Mars is also visible to the naked eye. Ten reasons to love autumn: http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20150904-ten-reasons-to-love-autumn Never heard of Wilson's Phalarope? See: https://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=057033 Wilson's Phalarope - "Spinning" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heEUPbxmYgQ I had a photo and record of a Wood wasp/Horntail from Oakham this week which Jason Proctor has reported via "British Sawflies". Woodwasp (Urocercus gigas) Jason Procter Taken 6/9/15 SK856079 Oakham, Rutland If you are lucky enough to see one of these please send your records to the Bulletin or direct to David Sheppard, please. d.a.sheppard@btinternet.com See: http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/species/horntail https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ww8Qu_TlfCg Reminder: Total Lunar Eclipse on 28th September. See: http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse.html Paul Money reminds readers in 'Night Scenes 2015' that as the Moon will be at Perigee - at its closest to the Earth. He also mentions the Taurids [southern] meteor shower between September 10th to November 20th, with a peak on October 10th. Cloud permitting the Moon should not interfere with observations. We have a stable readership of just over 1000 people, but would like it to be more like 1250. 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..... Here you will find links to local, national and international stories, most of them with an environmental, or a wildlife spin. Your suggestions for 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 A useful on-line mycology resources is Roger Phillips' website: http://www.rogersmushrooms.com/ *** A Joint BTO and Lincolnshire Bird Club Conference *** Andrew Chick writes: 'Monitoring Birds' to be held at 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! Organised by Lincolnshire BTO Representatives Supported by The British Trust for Ornithology and Lincolnshire Bird Club 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 *** Open House - Kew Herbarium *** 19 September 2015 to 20 September 2015, 10am to 5pm Visit Kew's Herbarium, Library, Art and Archives during Open House weekend for the chance to look round the Herbarium and to meet Kew's scientists. See: http://www.kew.org/visit-kew-gardens/whats-on/open-house-herbarium *** Barton LWT Area Group *** Adrian White writes: Wednesday 16th September "Hedgehogs, their care and rescue" A talk by Frank Tett Meet at Ness End Farm, Far Ings Road, For a 7:30pm start. Everybody welcome. Saturday 20th September A visit to; Blacktoft Sands RSPB reserve Contact the leader; Vernon Chapman (01652 660957) for details Meet at Ness End Farm for 09:00am start Everybody welcome. ***Alford & Mablethorpe Branch LWT*** George Rutter writes: Monday 14th September 7:30pm Half Moon Hotel, Alford Mammals in Lincolnshire with Chris Manning Several mammals such as deer and otter have increased in the county in recent years whilst others such as hedgehog have not been so fortunate. Chris, who works for the Lincolnshire Marsh Drainage Board and is also a member of the Lincolnshire deer group, will tell us the fortunes of the different animals. *** Lincoln LWT Area Group *** Richard Davidson writes: September 17th "British Meadows and Pastures" - Richard Jefferson. Talk at Whisby Nature Park starting at 7:30pm. Admission £2.50 which includes refreshments. An illustrated talk by local grassland expert Richard Jefferson on the history of British meadows and pastures, their plants and wildlife. *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** Carolyn Lovely writes: On Saturday 19th September 2015 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them on a morning bird walk with Ray Hume. Meet Ray at the Cleethorpes Leisure Centre car park at 10am. Please wear suitable outdoor clothing and footwear and bring binoculars. This is a free event but donations will be welcomed for the Trust. For further details contact Ray - 01472 320878. *** Scunthorpe Museum Society Indoor Meetings *** The Natural History and Geology Section of Scunthorpe Museum Society. The new indoor season for this year starts on Monday, 14th September. Trudy Norris, FNIMH, BACP, Herbalist, Lymphoedema Therapist and Counsellor, will be giving a talk on "Medicinal Plants of Lincolnshire and Their Uses". Please remember that we meet in St Bernadette's Church Parish Hall, opposite The Priory Hotel on Ashby Road, DN16 2RS. Meetings start at 7.15pm There is no entry fee but a donation bowl is provided. There is ample free parking in the church grounds. For more information ring Keith Scarrott on 01724 762098. *** Great British Beach Clean *** Get ready for the Great British Beach Clean - 18th-21st September 2015 http://www.mcsuk.org/beachwatch/greatbritishbeachclean Dave Miller writes: I am running a beach clean at Anderby Creek on Saturday 19th September starting at 10am. Just turn up. I will provide pickers, gloves, hoops and bags. *** Spider Workshop - final reminder *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust (Lincoln Area Group) Workshops, in conjunction with the Lincolnshire Naturalists Union 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 *** Riverflies *** Editor writes: You may remember me posting information on volunteering with the The Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project (LCSP) to help with riverfly surveys earlier in the year. See: http://www.lincswolds.org.uk/chalk-streams/volunteering They brought our attention to the very useful website of The Riverfly Partnership. http://www.riverflies.org/ Richard Chadd is the LNU Recorder for this group of insects, though he most usually deals with larvae rather than adults, but he records both. See: http://www.lnu.org/recorders.php I have been contacted by Sophie Bennett, who sent me the following information - aimed in particular at moth trappers. Richard Chadd says it would be very helpful if you would copy him in on any records, please. email: richard.chadd@environment-agency.gov.uk Adult Ephemeroptera survey The Ephemeroptera Recording Scheme is calling for you to record and submit adult Ephemeroptera records to help inform knowledge of the current flight periods of the various Ephemeroptera species. More people recording and more records are needed to get a better picture, including collecting specimens after the close of the fishing season so that we can see what is happening throughout the year. For more information and collection tubes contact Craig Macadam via email: info@ephemeroptera.org.uk In the 'standard' flight period tables the only British species that is currently listed for every month is the Large dark olive Baetis rhodani, however Small dark olives Baetis scambus crop up in winter and there's even a record of Mayfly Ephemera danica from New Year's Day. See article In the month of the mayfly by Craig Macadam: 389.3 MB http://www.riverflies.org/sites/172.16.0.99.riverflies.local/files/In_The_Month_of_Mayfly.pdf For more information on mayflies or to contribute records to the Ephemeroptera Recording Scheme please contact the Scheme co-ordinator: Craig Macadam c/o Buglife Scotland Balallan House 24 Allan Park Stirling FK8 2QG Email: info@ephemeroptera.org.uk *** Identifying Hawkers *** Some identification tips are available here: http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/content/anisoptera-dragonflies *** 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 *** Members and non-members welcome. http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire Programme of events and booking of Wash Trips. *** Find the Grid Reference - always useful *** Chris Manning recommended the following websites to help find grid references. Grab a Grid Reference http://www.bnhs.co.uk/focuson/grabagridref/html/index.htm UK Grid Reference Finder: http://www.gridreferencefinder.com/ [Don't forget to scroll down to "And finally ....."] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ 4/9 3 Whinchats, south of Chowder Ness, Far Ings 2 Little Stints on realignment, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, Osprey, Ruddy Shelduck, Donna Nook 2 Curlew Sandpipers, Manby Flaches 6 Spoonbills, Black-throated Diver offshore, Garganey, Gibraltar Point Long-tailed Skua flew south-east past Chapel Point 2 Spoonbills, 4 Little Stints, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, Wood Sandpiper, Frampton Marsh 5/9 Snow Bunting, Trusthorpe 2 Curlew Sandpipers, Manby Flashes 6 Spoonbills on Tennyson's Sands, 3 Spotted Redshanks, Pied Flycatcher, Redstart, Long-tailed Skua juv flew north past, Pomarine Skua, Storm Petrel, 12 Sooty Shearwaters, Black- throated Diver, Gibraltar Point Pomarine Skua flew north past Huttoft Car Terrace 3 Long-tailed Skuas past Cut End, 3 Wood Sandpipers, Black Tern, Frampton Marsh Long-tailed Skua juv dark morph flew north past, 2 Sooty Shearwaters, Mablethorpe 2 Long-tailed Skuas ad + juv, 51 Arctic Skuas, past Mablethorpe Long-tailed Skua, 2 Black Terns, past Chapel Point 6/9 Spoonbill, Spotted Redshank, Alkborough Flats Spoonbill, Pied flycatcher, 2 Redstarts, Gibraltar Point Barred Warbler trapped and ringed, Gibraltar Point Unconfirmed report, Purple Heron, Kirton Marsh Black Tern juv over reservoir, 2 Wood Sandpipers, 4 Little Stints, 3 Turtle Doves, Whinchat on freshwater marsh, Frampton Marsh Red-necked Grebe past, Sooty Shearwater past, Donna Nook Short-eared Owl over New Pits, Far Ings 7/9 3 Little Stints still on middle scrape, 2 Wood Sandpipers, Frampton Marsh 2 Caspian Gulls ad + 2w, 10 Yellow-legged Gulls, Millennium Green, North Hykeham 4 Spotted Redshanks on Tennyson's Sands, 2 Spoonbills, Gibraltar Point curlew Sandpiper, 2 Spoonbills on South Scrape, Short-eared Owl on saltmarsh, Black Tern at Marsh Farm reservoir, Frampton Marsh Garganey, Kirkby on Bain gravel pits Black Redstart juv, Marston Sewage Works 8/9 Wilson's Phalarope, Red-necked Phalarope, Temminck's Stint, 2 Wood Sandpipers, Pied Flycatcher at Tabb's Head, Black tern on Marsh Farm reservoir, Spotted Redshank, Turtle Dove, 2 Spoonbills, Frampton Marsh 3 Caspian Gulls, 21 Yellow-legged Gulls 16 ads 2.2w, 3 juv Millennium Green, North Hykeham Pied flycatcher, Donna Nook 9/9 Garganey juv, Marston Sewage Works 3 Spotted Redshanks on Tennyson's Sands, Redstart, Pied Flycatcher trapped and ringed at Aylmer Avenue, White-winger Black Tern off Mill Hill, Gibraltar Point Bittern in flight, Boultham Mere Curlew Sandpiper, Wood sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, Black Tern on Marsh Farm reservoir, Black Tern flew towards Rover Welland mouth, 4 Wood Sandpipers, Turtle Dove, Spoonbill, Frampton Marsh 4 Little Stints on realignment, Pied Flycatcher in dunes between Stonebridge and Pye's Hall, Redstart, Donna Nook Caspian Gull ad, North Hykeham, 2w Caspian Gull Millennium Green. 10/8 Osprey, Kirkby on Bain gravel pits, then flew south Whinchat, Saltfleet Haven 5 Spoonbills, Wood sandpiper, 6 Spotted Redshanks, 3 Whinchats, Gibraltar Point Garganey juv, Marston Sewage Works 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. WINTERTON Alice Nunn writes: Thought you'd be interested in sighting of Hedgehog in my Winterton garden (DN15 9PU) On arrival home around 10.00pm on Wed 2 Sept I noticed the largest Hedgehog I think I have ever seen on the path /doorstep area near my front door. It didn't seem bothered that my arrival triggered off the porch lights. It was a damp evening and there was a distinct absence of the large slugs that ususally hang around the area on such evenings. Hopefully the hog had been hoovering them up! I suspect my cat had previosly encountered it, as she walked in with me, giving Hedgehog a VERY wide berth! This is the first sighting I've had for a long time, though I suspect they are around as we sometimes find droppings. As soon as I turned my back (intending to fetch a camera) it had shuffled off, presumably into the undergrowth and was seen no more. ROADKILLS NEW WALTHAM TA 285046 Peter Crick 4 Sep 2015 OTHER: Hedgehog 1 large - dead Hedgehog - large alive 3 SOUTH THORESBY/CALCEBY crossroads Peter Crick 12/8/15 Dead Kingfisher on path alongside A16 Small dead rat lay alongside. TF 391761 BARNOLDBY - le - BECK. TA 2440310 Peter Crick 8/8/15 very large Hedgehog - near KELSTERN AIRFIELD TF 267915 Peter Crick 31/8/15 Large Hare ROUGHTON 4/9/2015 R. Parsons Large dead adult hedgehog @ TF 242649 HAWTHORN HILL 4/9/2015 R. Parsons Dead Juv hedgehog @ TF 231552 Same location 8/9/2015 Small dead hedgehog *** 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. BRACEBY - correction to date M. Ellis Braceby TF015353 01/09/15 2 house martins nests on our house still busy. Goldfinches bring their young daily to drink at fountain. 01/09/15 Have now noticed a third nest with young. CAISTOR Week beginning 4.9.15 Wendy Handford Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 Grey squirrel on Hawthorns 7.9.15 Buzzard juv in Alder near house 7.9.15 Pheasant m in wildflower meadow Froglets 3 by stream 7.9.15 Toadlet in scree bed 8.9.15 Dragonfly (not ID'd) on brick wall 5.9.15 Red admirals 4 on one spray of Buddleia flowers 6.9.15 Speckled woods 4 on Hemp agrimony 6.9.15 First ripe fruits this week Elderberries Silver birch seeds being shed Sycamore keys being shed Lime keys being shed Fungi this week Conifer bluing brackets 4 on Norway spruce stumps False saffron milkcap 3 in spruce wood Plums and custard 5 in spruce wood Shaggy parasols 10 in spruce wood Tawny funnel 8 in spruce wood Ben Jacob Nettleton Lodge Game Farm TA 090 012 Merlin flying over field at 8am. It flew to within 10 metres and I was able to be 100% certain about its identification. 6.9.15. New species on Caistor Wildlife List Forest bug on wall 6.9.15. A first sighting for me Peter Robinson Hundon Manor Farm ponds TA 112 026 Mute swan cygnets now only 4 as 1 killed by Fox 9.9.15 FRAMPTON Tab’s head Frampton 30th August Ian Misselbrook 7 Gannets 2 Arctic terns 6+ Common Terns 10+ Sandwich Terns 1 Greenish Warbler 30+ Willow warblers 10 Chiffchaffs 3 Common Whitethroats 3 Lesser Whitethroats 1 Tree Pipit 50+ Yellow Wagtails 10+ White Wagtails On Frampton Reserve 1 juvenile Red-necked Phalarope 5 spotted redshanks 2 Whinchats GRIMSTHORPE Chris Howes - Park Ranger Still a few butterflies around at Grimsthorpe. 06/09 New Quarry TF 043206 Common Blue 5, Brown Argus 2, Small Heath 2, Clouded Yellow (first of the year). 07/09 New Quarry TF 043206 Yellow Shell - this species seems to go on and on this year! HAVERHOLME PRIORY area (nr Sleaford) TF102494 6 September 2015 LNU Field meeting along River Slea Navigation led by Brian Hedley and attended by 16 people. Over 150 plant species were noted including square-stemmed St.John's-wort, unbranched bur-reed, lesser reedmace, bearded couch and grey sedge. Birds comprised 40 species including 2 kingfishers, 3 spotted flycatchers, 4 marsh tits, 2 or 3 nuthatches, 2 jays plus chiffchaff, blackcap and reed warbler. Common frogs were frequent and sticklebacks and roach were noted in the channel. A few people stayed until the evening and recorded frequent common pipistrelle bats plus possible whiskered and barbastelle bats. Dragonflies were numerous and included swarms of migrant hawkers and frequent common darters plus lesser number of southern hawkers, brown hawkers and ruddy darters. Ten butterfly species were noted include several holly blues, common blue, red admiral and comma. Other insects included Roesel's bush cricket, speckled bush-cricket, rosy rustic moth, tortoise shieldbug, tree damselbug and reedmace bug. HORKSTOW Jenny Haynes 8 September Black Cap in my garden. Can't recall seeing one here before. We seem to have a large number of young Chaffinches and Greenfinches around this year. Also just seen six Red Admirals and three Small Tortoiseshells on one buddleia bush. HUMBERSTON FITTIES (Grid ref TA3304)_ 3/9/2015 Jon Drakes Brief visit coincided with high water of a morning spring tide. Little Egret x29 Mallard Carrion Crow x3 Little Grebe x2 Starling approx 200 Swallow Linnet x1 Herring Gull Black-headed Gull Oyster catcher x22 Woodpigeon Kestrel x1 Cormorant x2 Magpie x3 Collared Dove x2 HUTTOFT Jane Pennington Huttoft TF512763 (my garden) Date 4/9/2015 Woodmouse 1 Date 6/9/2015 Robins 2 Small tortoiseshell 1 Date 7/9/2015 Blue tits 2 Rabbit 1 Date 9/9/2015 Barn owl 1 (heard 6am) Rabbit 1 Robins 2 10/9/2015 Blackbirds 5 Robins 2 Small tortoiseshell 1 Wren 1 KEELBY (Grid ref TA1610)_ 2/9/2015 Jon Drakes Large white butterfly House Sparrow x25 Dunnock x2 Collared Dove x13 Robin x1 Goldfinch x6 Starling x3 Greenfinch x3 Jackdaw x1 Tree Sparrow x1 Blackbird x1 KEELBY (Grid ref TA1610)_ 3/9/2015 Jon Drakes Collared Dove x5 House Sparrow x25 Starling x25 Woodpigeon Kestrel x1 Magpie x3 Swallow House Martin Pheasant x1 Willow Warbler x2 KEELBY (Grid ref TA1610)_ 5/9/2015 Jon Drakes Collared Dove x4 House Sparrow x25 Dunnock x2 Robin x1 Goldfinch x5 Chaffinch x1 Jackdaw x1 Starling x3 Blackbird x2 Swallow Carrion Crow x1 Greenfinch x1 Woodpigeon x1 Magpie x1 NEW WALTHAM TA 285046 Peter Crick 4 Sep 2015 Black Millepedes 2 Lesser stag beetle 2 Orange ladybird 1 Daddy long legs spider 1 Butterflies: Small blue 1 Comma 3 Peacock -numerous Large and small Tortoise -numerous Red Admiral 4 Painted Lady 1 Distinct drop in numbers of butterflies this year and also drastic drop in numbers of bees on Lavendar etc. 15/8 Rare visitor: Pied Flycatcher 1 juvenile OTHER SIGHTINGS: HAGWORTHINGHAM and BAG ENDERBY GR TF349709 approx. Peter Crick 1/8/15 Brown Hairstreaks cloud of 200+ along public right of way HATCLIFFE TA 211011 Peter Crick 31/8/15 Stoat. NEW WALTHAM TA 285046 Peter Crick September 6th - 10th 2015 6th Large Tortoiseshell x 2 Red Admiral x 1 7th Large Tortoiseshell x 1 7 Spot Lady Bird x 2 ( usually prolific but only 2nd sighting this year, several Harlequin ladybirds found in garden last year) Shield bug (ID? very dark green/black, very prominent yellow spot) 9th Sparrow hawk (at dusk). 1st sighting for a few weeks. 10th Peacock x 2 Large Tortoise x 2 OTHER 6th September 2015 Cornflower - roadside verge SWALLOW VALE ROAD. TA174035 Stoat crossing road just Sth of BEELSBY TA199007 8th Starlings - 400+ noisy - TETNEY LOCK on power lines and hedges near mechanical dam also hedges and trees on road to Oil Tanks. TA 342022 RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF309847 (unless otherwise stated) Silvia Fowler 05.09.2015 Brown Hare 06.09.2015 Brown Hare (juv), again, under cattle trough Fox (large adult) Good numbers of Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral 2, Brimstone 1, Speckled Wood 1 (a first for me in this location) Blackbird (juv, still speckled) Buzzard Willow Warbler Wren Still a few House Martins feeding near nest sites 09.09.2015 Very surprised to hear faintest twittering in the only successful House Martin nest this year; then I saw an adult go in as if to brood. 10.09.2015 Again, sounds from the House Martin nest suggest there may be a second brood in there. Watch this space. Common Darter (m) over pond (probably; unable to distinguish key differences to Ruddy Darter) Brown Hare (adult) Grey Heron (juv) 10-12 Swallows and House Martins briefly on power lines, then moving on. House Sparrows: We have about 5-6 nests under our roof tiles, though the actual number is hard to establish with certainty. They seem to have had quite a good breeding season this year raising at least 2-3 broods. They move around in small flocks of 10-12 birds, but this morning I estimated a group of around 50 sheltering in a large cotoneaster shrub, from where they noisily descended to mop up below a nearby cattle feeder. RIPPINGALE Observers garden TF105283 Ian Misselbrook 29 August 2015 1 Chiffchaff 2 Willow warblers 2 Swallows 14 House Martins 2 Goldcrests 1 GS Woodpecker 1 Migrant Hawker 1 Southern Hawker 1 Painted Lady 2 Peacocks 2 Small Tortoiseshells 2 Red Admirals 1 Comma 1 Holly blue 6 Large Whites 2 Small Whites 1 Hedgehog Garden 4th September Very surprised to see a Hummingbird Hawkmoth feeding on a buddlia in the garden at 0620 on a cool morning! SOUTH SOMERCOTES 3 Sep 2015 TF398934 Chris Manning Kingfisher & snipe in ditches THEDDLETHORPE TF 478900 John Walker 6/9/2015 counted butterflies in Coastguard Cottage Theddlethorpe around garden and on buddlieas, Sunday afternoon in warm sunshine. common blue 2, small tortoiseshell 29, peacock 5, red admiral 3, speckled wood 3, small white 2, large white 2, small copper 1. 2 pipestrelle bats out at dusk. THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 04/09/15 Barn Owl x 1 Blackbird x 7 Goldfinch x 4 Kestrel x 1 Red Legged Partridge x 10 Tree Sparrow x 29 05/09/15 Brown Rat x 2 Rabbit x 3 06/09/15 Peacock x 2 Red Admiral x 1 Small Tortoiseshell x 5 Small White x 1 Hedge Rustic x 3 07/09/15 Black Slugs x 15 SK813993 08/09/15 Barn Owl x 2 Blackbird x 9 Kingfisher x 1 SK799990 Little Owl x 2 and Tawny Owl x 1 calling from same area 11.00pm Tree Sparrow x 39 09/09/15 Barn Owl x 1 calling 11.15pm Common Pipistrelle x 1 Noctule x 1 10/09/15 Honey Buzzard x 1 moved on by 2 Common Buzzards from Thorne Moors across towards the southern end of Crowle Moors 10.50am WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 6/9/2015 Hummingbird Hawkmoth [AP] 2 Green Woodpeckers in a noisy chase across the garden 5.15pm. [RP] Juv Magpie and young rabbit seem to have formed a play relationship based on chasing each other around the garden, around trees etc. This has been going on for some days. I expect it wil end in tears! 7/9/2015 4 Swallow chicks still using their base in the outbuilding as a dormitory, with adult supervision. Won't be long now..... 8/9/2015 Bank vole in compost heap. Bank vole seen running across garden path. 2 woodmice. [dead] Adult stoat running down side of car park, 15.30hrs. 9/9/2015 Adult stoat [smaller that one seen yesterday?] exploring orchard 08.20hrs, and through flower borders around house at 08.30hrs. Very much at home! Common shrew running across paving slabs. Adult stoat seen rushing about in another location in garden 17.30hrs. 2 woodmice. [dead] 10/9/2015 4 Swallow chicks still using their base in the outbuilding as a dormitory, with adult supervision. Won't be long now..... 2 woodmice. [dead] Bat spp echolocating ['lip smacking' sound]at 40KHz 20.00hrs. Temp 14.2 deg C. WRANGLE COMMON Roy and Kath Pearson 08/09/2015 Little about today, but items of particular interest were three Buzzards (indicating successful breeding this year), upwards of 100 Mallard on the lake and a Green Sandpiper. A brief appearance of the sun produced very large numbers of Speckled Wood butterflies and quite a few Common Blues. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 Pending. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GIBRALTAR POINT NNR. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Gibraltar Point News. Reports always welcome. It would be great if a Gib "regular" could let us have a contribution from time to time. 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 Report follows. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ *** 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 *** 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) *** 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 Also see: Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust (Lincoln Area Group) Workshops, in conjunction with the Lincolnshire Naturalists Union 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. 9 fsnet soft bounces: bad-domain delivery failed; will not continue trying alan upton barrie rbw ben top derek crunkhorn dmf100 geoff gedmond lynn morgan scrimshaw Contributions to "And finally......" are always welcome. Scientists discover birds “shout” to be heard over man-made noises http://www.furfeatherandfin.com/blog/index.php/scientists-discover-birds-shout-to-be-heard-over-man-made-noises/ Boston Stump: Reward offered after new floodlights stolen from church http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-34162766 Wild forest lab studies immunity http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-33967988 Enigma of the trees that resist wildfires http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-34116491 Stonehenge researchers 'may have found largest Neolithic site' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-34156673 Spitfire plane crash-lands in Kent field http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-34174822 ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/