============================================= || || 20th 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 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Dr Ted Smith CBE, a founder of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust *** Readers will be saddened to learn of the passing of Ted Smith, who died on Sunday 13th September 2015. He made a deeply significant contribution to nature conservation, locally and nationally, and inspired many people to become involved conservation work. A press release from the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust can be found on: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/who-we-are/ted-smith *** From the Editor.... *** Our second brood of swallows vacated their nest site on Sunday and the door to their 'wash house' has been closed, marking the end of summer for us. I expect many readers will have similar stories of migrants preparing to set out on their travels. I attended the "Beautiful Burial Ground" conference last week [Caring for God's Acre], which was very interesting. I met several LNU members and Bulletin readers there. It is amazing how much good conservation work is going on in churchyards. See: http://www.caringforgodsacre.org.uk/ The annual Horncastle Astronomy Weekend was a excellent too, and I was struck by the fact that we were observing the stars beside an early neolithic site, Shearman's Wath. Humans must have been using that part of the Bain Valley for star-gazing over many thousands of years. A humbling thought. Next year's HAW will be the 44th - 9th-11th September 2016. Reminder: Total Lunar Eclipse on 28th September. See: http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse.html Paul Money reminds readers in 'Night Scenes 2015' that 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 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. There are some interesting stories/articles this week. 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/ *** How brambles can help solve murder cases *** Forensic scientist Dr Mark Spencer explains why brambles are a useful tool in his work. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p031yl5k *** Marine population halved since 1970 - report *** Populations of marine mammals, birds, fish and reptiles have declined by 49% since 1970 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-34265672 *** 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 *** Countering Hare Coursing *** Nick Willey writes: "We are still runing Operation Galileo but don't have a dedicated team as such. However will be doing days of action and other intelligence- led work." See: http://www.lincs.police.uk/News-Centre/News-Releases-2014/Operation-Galileo-Warning-to-Hare-Coursers-.html *** 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 *** Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project Volunteer days *** Will Bartle writes: We've got a couple of volunteer days coming up, 17th September - Snipe Dales [Missed that one!] Practical day with the LCSP Volunteer Group – Clearing vegetation and Himalayan Balsam away from the streams that run through Snipe Dales in partnership with the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. 3rd October - Owmby Practical day with the LCSP Volunteer Group – The day will involve removing some of the vegetation from the banks to allow light to reach the stream, and light raking of the stream bed to loosen and wash some of the unwanted silt away. The day will also include a ‘stream dip’ to look at the important invertebrates that form such an important part of this delicate ecosystem. Full details can be found on our website and Facebook pages: http://www.lincswolds.org.uk/chalk-streams/volunteering https://www.facebook.com/#!/LincolnshireChalkStreams *** 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/ Maureen Staples writes: We invite you to join us for a presentation by Mike Lane entitled "A Lane around the UK" at THE VENUE, Bishop Grosseteste University, Longdales Road, Lincoln. Start 7.30pm Special price for all this month of £3.00 Free Parking. *** 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 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/ 10/9 2 Wood Sandpipers, Curlewe Sandpiper, 2 Wood Sandpipers, 6 Spotted Redshanks, Little Stint, Frampton Marsh 2 Caspian Gull 2w, 19 Yellow-legged Gulls, Millennium Green, North Hykeham 11/9 Balearic Shearwater south past Huttoft Bank 2 Caspian Gulls ad + 2w, Millennium Green, North Hykeham Little Stint on realignment, Curlew Sandpiper, Redstart, Donna Nook Icterine Warbler with tit flock, Pied Flycatcher, 5 Redstarts, 9 Whinchats, Saltfleetby Pied flycatcher, Redstart, 3 Spotted Redshanks, 3 Spoonbills on Tennyson's sands, Long-tailed skua flew north offshore, 3 Sooty Shearwaters, Gibraltar Point Garganey juv, Marston Sewage works 3 Whinchats, 2 Wood Sandpipers, Curlew Sandpiper, 6 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh 12 Turtle Doves on wires by stubble field, Woodhall Spa 12/9 Wood Sandpiper, Killingholme Haven pits 2 Caspian Gull 2w, Millennium Green, North Hykeham 2 Pied Flycatchers, Donna Nook 8 Redstarts, Pied Flycatcher, Saltfleet Wood Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh Pied Flycatcher, 3 Redstart, Osprey, Donna Nook Pied Flycatcher, Redstart, Whinchat, Rimac 8 Spoonbills, Gibraltar Point 13/9 Snow Bunting, 7 Spotted Redshanks, 2000 Black-tailed Godwits, Wood Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper, Whinchat, Little Stint, Pied Flycatcher at Tabb's Head, Frampton Marsh 5 Spoonbills, 2 Redstarts, Whinchat, Gibraltar Point Black-necked Grebe, Osprey, Garganey, Kirkby-on-Bain gravel pits 2 Black Terns, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Freiston Shore Garganey juv, Marston Sewage works Black-necked Grebe, Woodhall Spa old airfield pit 5 Pied Flycatcher at south end, 5 Whinchats, 4 Redstarts, Garganey, Donna Nook Pectoral Sandpiper, Bagmoor on flood, Scunthorpe 14/9 Pectoral Sandpiper on lagoon, Freiston Shore Pectoral Sandpiper, Aklborough Flats Garganey ecl. drk on scrapes then flew towards Ness Pit, Far Ings Great White Egret, Boultham Mere 3 Spoonbills, 2 Redstarts, Gibraltar Point 15/9 Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, 2,500 Black-tailed Godwit, Freiston Shore Little Stint on reservoir, 3 Common Cranes flew over Frampton Marsh Garganey, Kirkby-on-Bain gravel pits 2 Caspian Gulls ads, 16 Yellow-legged Gulls, Millennium Green, North Hykeham 5 Spoonbills, Little Stint, Pied Flycatcher, 3 Spotted Redshank, Gibraltar Point Short-eared Owl, Bonxie, 2 Arctic Skuas, Little Stint flew south, Black Tern flew north east past Huttoft Car Terrace 16/9 7-11 Garganey juv, Marston Sewage works 2 Spoonbills on Tennyson's Sands, Fieldfare, Redstart, 2 Tree Pipits, Gibraltar Point 2 Spotted Redshanks, Wood sandpiper, 2 Little Stints, Turtle Dove, Curlew Sandpiper, Black Tern jub by sea bank on Roads Farm wet grassland, Frampton Marsh Caspian Gull ad, Millennium Green, North Hykeham Gannet juv Hemingby, taken into care Redstart 1w male trapped and ringed, Kirmond le Mire 17/9 Great White Egret flew towards Tabb's Head, Pied Flycatcher, Frampton Marsh Spoonbill on Tennyson's Sands, Gibraltar Point Honey Buzzard reported, unconfirmed report of Rough-legged Buzzard, Donna Nook Whinchat, Saltfleet Haven Great White Egret, Boultham Mere Garganey juv, Marston Sewage works Hobby flew south, Friskney Caspian Gull ad, North Hykeham 1w Redstart, 3 Spoonbills at Trent Falls, north of Alkborough flats 18/9 2 Spoonbills on Tennyson's Sands, 2 Spotted Redshanks, 2 Redstarts, Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point Note: I am adapting my RBA pager information for the Bulletin by eliminating or summarising/consolidating repeated messages. When there is a lot of information I will stick to highlights. Please visit the RBA website for updates or fuller details. Bird Alert website: Here you can register free to use the site and get free trials of their subscription services. Strongly recommended. [Please mention the Bulletin if you decide to subscribe.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3. Wildlife news from around the county ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** The Roger Goy Column *** Remembering Roger Goy's wildlife information work. SLEAFORD 11.9.15 Richard Dawson An early morning walk down the river Slea from Cogglesford MIll towards Anwick priory revealed several scenes from nature's re-make of Fight Club. First I came upon a lengthy, noisy and quite vicious battle between two male kingfishers who took absolutely no notice of me and my Patterdale and allowed us to watch the whole bout from less than ten feet away. We also glimpsed a female watching and calling from within the depths of an adjoining willow. Eventually the upper hand was gained and the male chased the interloper down river at approaching warp speed. Next we came upon a pair of herons being resolutely chased out of town by a couple of carrion crow. The herons were noisily indignant but after a few laps of a stubble field they eventually gave in and headed towards Anwick church. Quite why the crows took exception is anyone's guess. Meanwhile on the river a mute swan herded her three cygnets (now the size of geese) gently away downstream as the dog sniffed inquisitively from the bankside = he's way too savvy to go three rounds with her! ROADKILLS THORNTON TF242678 R.Parsons 12/9/2015 Adult Hedgehog SHEARMAN'S WATH TF 255719 Road from Edlington to West Ashby R.Parsons 12/9/2015 Adult Hedgehog By FULSBY WOOD House TF244609 A153 between Horncastle and Coningsby at 4pm. R.Parsons 15/9/2015 Adult Hedgehog ROADKILL Peter Crick Stoat, adult - East of BEELSBY TA 219025 Hedgehog - large adult - BEELSBY TA 209020 Hedgehog - very small - South of TETNEY TF 318996 ROAD KILLS TF306847 Silvia Fowler 15.09.2015 Hedgehog, large adult, road kill *** County Wildlife Reports From Readers *** Please keep your reports coming. We rely on you to send in your observations and we welcome information from ALL readers, be they beginners or experts. Thanks. DON'T FORGET Please include the year in your reports in case they are copied and thus lose their context. CAISTOR Week beginning 11.9.15 Wendy Handford Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 Common shrew running between bushes 4pm 14.9.15 Feral cat prowling along edge of wood 16.9.15 Woodmouse in coniferous wood 1am. Trailcam Crow, which has our lawn as his territory, seen sipping dew from Lady's mantle leaves 13.9.15 Jay, not heard for several weeks 11.9.15 Long-tailed tits 10s on Silver birches 11.9.15 Pied wagtail, not seen for several weeks 13.9.15 Carder bees 10 on one plant of white lavender 15.9.15 Harlequin ladybird, only the 2nd seen in 2015. 12.9.15 Speckled woods 5 along paths under trees 16.9.15 First ripe fruits this week Dogrose hips Holly Fungi this week Blushing wood mushroom 10 in Norway spruce wood Brown rollrims 22 under Silver birches Common bonnet clump emerging on spruce stump Giant puffballs 4 now 72cms (30 ins) circumference Red-edged brittlestem 100s on Elder woodchip Russula sp 8 in mown grass Tawny funnels 100s in Norway spruce wood Wendy Handford Clixby TA 101 044 Pheasants 4 females crossing road at a very dangerous bend! 11.9.15 Wendy Handford Roadkills Caistor, Mill Lane TA 015 120 Hedgehog juv roadkill 11.9.15 A46 Cabourne TA 148 019 Hedgehog juv roadkill 11.9.15 A46 Caistor Top Fox roadkill 15.9.15 TA 016 130 Molly Nafsgar, Gordon Askew Grimsby Road, Caistor TA 120 014 Speckled wood following same route daily in garden NEW WALTHAM Peter Crick Garden sightings TA 287046 11.09.2015. Red Admiral 12.09.2015 Long Tailed Tits X 3. (Welcome return) 13.09.2015 Hummingbird Hawk Moth on Buddlia (13.15hrs) 14.09.2015 Magpie - eating Fox poo! Never seen this before, anybody else had experience of this? 15.09.2015 Wood Mouse - feasting on sunflower hearts under feeder - a first, usually see the odd house mouse feeding 15.09.2015 Red Admiral 16.09.2015 Large Tortoise Flesh Fly (both on Buddlia) OTHER SIGHTINGS South of TETNEY TF 319994 10.09.2015 Peter Crick Adult Stoat - running along roadside verge into hedge - South of TETNEY TA 315005 13.09.2015 Peter Crick Lapwing - flock of 50+ descended onto ploughed field TICKLEPENNY LOCK - LOUTH CANAL TF 351889 13.09.2015 Peter Crick Grey Wagtail x 2 Wren x 1 Kestrel x 1 RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF309847 (unless otherwise stated) Silvia Fowler 11.09.2015 Sparrowhawk (f) 12.09.2015 Grey Heron (heard, probably at nearby church pond) 2 Robins in song 7-Spot Ladybird Silver-Y Moth Frog croaking in pond (first this autumn) 14.09.2015 9 Collared Doves below cattle feeder 17.09.2015 Brown Hare Buzzard (TF309848 approx) Southern Hawker (m) As reported last week, one pair of House Martins are feeding a second brood; hope the weather stays kind. THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 11/09/15 Common Pipistrelle x 1 12/09/15 Mother of Pearl x 1 13/09/15 Stock Dove x 1 young ready to fly from nest box + another nest box with 1 egg. 15/09/15 Blackbird x 3 adults & 1 fully grown young Dunnock x 1 Robin x Brown Rat x 1 Flounced Rustic x 1 17/09/15 Fox x 1 Red Admiral x 1 18/09/15 Blackbird x 1 Common Buzzard x 2 Dunnock x 1 Golden Plover x 12 Kestrel x 1 Robin x 1 Small White x 7 WAINFLEET CONSERVATION PONDS 12/09/2015 Roy and Kath Pearson A distinct feel of autumn about the site today. The warblers have left the reed beds, but there are good numbers of Reed Buntings there. The hedgerows seem to have produced a good hawthorn crop which should attract thrushes in another month. Meanwhile they are filling-up with flocks of tits and finches, particularly Greenfinches and Chaffinches, but a small flock of four Linnets was unusual for the site. The large ponds at the south end of the site held over fifty Mallards. WAINFLEET CONSERVATION PONDS 13/09/2015 Roy and Kath Pearson Our previous view that the warblers had pulled out was incorrect as we ringed three Reed and two Sedge warblers this morning. Around the Ponds were a Cormorant and a Buzzard. WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 13/9/2015 Swallow chick vacated nest site - no longer roosting overnight. 15/2 woodmice 2 - dead. Bank vole - dead 18/9/2015 2 Buzzards calling in area. Hurnbridge Road TF217533 17/9 Adult Stoat by hedge along road, at 12 noon. Woodmouse - dead. Bank vole - dead Canada Farm TF 223539 18/9/2015 2 Speckled Wood butterflies [RP] WOODHALL SPA Wryneck Albany Road, Woodhall Spa, LN10 6TS Friday 11 September (perched on a TV aerial for about 10 minutes) Seen by Sheila & Derrick Marshall WOODHALL SPA Ostler's Plantation TF 215624 17/9/2015 R and A Parsons Speckled Woods Comma ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 9th – 17th September 2015 Contributors: Peter Roworth, Janet Roworth, Cliff Morrison. A fairly quiet week on the reserve with sightings including: 9th Sparrow Hawk, Green Woodpecker. 10th Turtle Dove 1, Mistle Thrush 1, Goldcrest 2, Linnet 50+ field at Churchill. 11th Yellow Wagtail 2, Siskin 1, Whitethroat 4, Reed Warbler 4, Reed Warbler 1, Redstart 1, Reed Bunting 3. 12th Sparrow Hawk 1, Ruff 4, Wheatear 1, Goldcrest 4 between Brickyard and Churchill. Singles of Lesser Whitethroat, Garden Warbler at Sea View and Hobby at Sea. 13th Wheatear 1 off Rimac, 144 Canada Geese roosting on Rimac lagoon 14th Goldfinch 50+ at Brickyard. These are around most of the time - Long-tailed Tit 24, Great Black-backed Gull 40+, Ringed Plover 18, Dunlin 17, Marsh Harrier 2 (feeding together on beach), Knot 2, sandwich Tern 2, Pied Flycatcher 1, Wheatear 1. 15th Sandwich Tern 5, Ruff 3, no waders seen on beach at high tide. Group of 15 swallows over Sea View plus single Willow warbler. 16th Dunlin 12, Sanderling 2, Ringed Plover 12, Dunlin 12, Redshank 1, Curlew 100+ going to roost in evening, Common/Black-headed Gull c5,000 at roost, Meadow Pipits -southerly movement in morning and 70+ in less than 1 hour in morning. Several small groups of Swallows feeding low over saltmarsh heading south. 1 painted lady Rimac. 17th Singles of Willow Warbler and Pied Flycatcher at Sea View. 5+ Chiffchaffs, 3+ Lesser Whitethroats and few Blackcaps most days. Very few Darters about, but >10 Migrant Hawkers on warmer days. WILDLIFE NEWS Week ending 11 September 2015 Cliff Morrison, Peter & Janet Roworth, Nige Lound, & John Walker Birds 1 Sep 120 ringed plover, 250 dunlin, 3 turnstone, 20 knot, 50 oystercatcher, 19 sanderling, 60 curlew, 5 shelduck, 1 wheatear 3 Sept Sooty shearwater north, 1 greenshank, 1 swift south, 17 long-tailed tit, 8 siskin, yellow wagtail south, 120+ Sandwich terns, 1 turtle dove & 1 great-spotted woodpecker. 30 little egret, 26 redshank, 1 ruff & a single wheatear on the saltmarsh. 4 Sep Hobby at Brickyard lane, 1 turtle dove & 120 Sandwich terns Seawatch at south end included an adult great northern diver north, hen harrier, great crested grebe, 6 Arctic skua mobbing Sandwich terns, 145 teak north, 21 wigeon north and 20 common scoter 5 Sep 5 sooty shearwater north, 4 Arctic skua north, 10 Arctic tern, 47 common scoter north & 100 on the sea, 19 wigeon north, 1 pintail north, 100 Sandwich tern north and gannets offshore. 6 Sep Sooty shearwater north, 11 pintail south, 1 avocet on Rimac Lagoon, 5 redpoll, 2 yellow wagtail, 2 redstart and single goldcrest and willow warbler. 7 Sep 2 willow warbler at Sea View 8 Sep South end seawatch included 85 common scoter north & 20 on sea, 45 teal north, 1 fulmar north, 1 Arctic skua and c.30 Sandwich tern. Goldcrest. Honey buzzard flew along dune/field edge before flying inland. 9 Sep Singles of kingfisher, common sandpiper and black-tailed godwit on Paradise Pool. 9 goldcrest, 2 wheatear, single merlin, redpoll, green woodpecker and great-spotted woodpecker on reserve. Daily Small numbers of chiffchaff, blackcap, greenfinch, chaffinch, blue & great tits, whitethroat and lesser whitethroat each day. Insects Butterfly count along BYL-Churchill circuit; 2 small Heath, 8 speckled wood, 38 small tortoiseshell, 20 small white, 1 large white, 2 peacock, 1 red admiral, & 2 meadow brown. Painted lady, common blue, small copper, small white & green-veined white also seen on reserve. It has probably been the best autumn hatch of small tortoiseshell on the reserve in the last 20 years. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails This Week *** A text copy of past Bulletins will be found on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Latest Mailfails. katjaskupcakes - soft bounce - Sender address rejected by smtp host Contributions to "And finally......" are always welcome. Stolen Boston Stump floodlights found after anonymous tip-off http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-34277479 Twyford Wood ravers sought by Lincolnshire Police http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-34223713 Retired drivers sought for winter gritting shifts in Lincolnshire http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-34249801 'Fireman Sam' the cat rescued from river http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-34200436 Lincoln City dog director-elect dies days before taking office http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-34208967 Seal spotted surfing humpback whale in Australia http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-34276032 Pluto - New Horizons resumes image return http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-34221730 'Ride along' with Philae's comet landing http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-34256954 Oldest UK case of rickets in Neolithic Tiree skeleton http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-34208976 *** Bats perform 'vital pest control' on crops *** http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-34246501 ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/