============================================= || || 17th April 2016 || || 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. NNRs including RSPB and LWT Reserves 5. Bardney Limewoods NNR 6. Other Reserve Reports and Highlights 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 link so they can sign up for it: http://www.lnu.org/wildnews.php Text versions of past Wildnews Bulletins since Feb 2009 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, the Lincolnshire Bird Club and Lincolnshire Environmental Record Centre [LERC]. 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 am back from my walkabout and was pleased to find many reports waiting, plus several new signed-up subscribers thanks to readers clicking the "forward to a friend" button at the end of each Bulletin. Thanks for all that support. I have had a bit of a scramble to put together the Bulletin this week, but think I have managed to get everything in and to thank everyone. If I have overlooked anything, please let me know! This week many of us will have been delighted by 'our' swallows arriving back from their journeys. Ours arrived on 12th, and took up a station on overhead wires across the garden, with an eye on the usual nesting site. Their apparent joy in greeting friends and family is a pleasure to share. Reminder: If any link in the Bulletin does not work, please look at the URL. See if an extra http:// has crept in. If it has, delete the error in the URL and try it again. This problem seems to affect 'long URL addresses'. Thank you for all your contributions. Please keep them coming. Roger *** LNU EVENTS- list in section 11 below - guests welcome *** Section 11 now includes the LNU Field Meetings for 2016. 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. Field Meetings generally start at 12 noon for 1.00pm, but please check the website details for each event. Saturday, April 23, 2016 Potterhanworth Wood SSSI Joint meeting with BSBI (South Lincs Flora Group) (A private woodland site with access courtesy of F.G Battle & Sons Ltd) Southeast of Lincoln 12.00 for 13.00 start. Park at TF07306621 which is a hard-standing area next to a barn. Follow minor road east from Potterhanworth through wood and then take track immediately on right where road bends. NB. As a private woodland no exploring before the set time please and we have been asked to stick to the rides due to nesting birds. The South Lincs Flora Group intend to be recording in the general area on both Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th April. Habitats: Broadleaved Woodland. Leader (LNU): Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Leader (BSBI): Sarah Lambert sarah.lambert7@ntlworld.com *** Space Stuff *** In pictures: Stargazing http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-36024751 Paul Money's 'Monthly Night Sky' for April can be found on the link below: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html Expect a couple of Meteor Showers in late April/early May, the Lyrids and the Eta Aquarids. See: http://popastro.com/meteor/reference/meteorshowers/index.php There is a transit of Mercury coming up on May 9th, so check out safe ways to observe this. You should never attempt to look at the Sun without safe Solar- viewing equipment or by 'projection'. Solar viewers can be ordered on Amazon. https://britastro.org/transit2016 http://www.nakedeyeplanets.com/mercury-transit-2016.htm *** Opportunity in Romania for Small Mammal Scientist *** Georgie Scott writes: We are currently recruiting a small mammal scientist to collect data on the status of small mammal populations within the Tarnava Mare region of Transylvania. This position will ideally between 8 weeks during mid-June to mid-August. The position will involve various different surveys including using traps to assess the diversity, distribution and abundance of different species. Applicants should have experience of working in the field with a biological undergraduate degree level or higher or equivalent experience. Experience of conducting similar work with small mammals would be ideal, but most important is a desire to learn and enthusiasm for conducting field work in remote locations. In return, successful applicants receive full accommodation and food onsite, current and future research opportunities, networking and skills development, flight bursaries for more experienced candidates, and of course the opportunity to contribute towards long-term conservation efforts. If you would like to apply for the position of Small Mammal Scientist, please fill in our online application form at www.opwall.com/jobs and send a CV or resume to Georgie Scott at georgie.scott@opwall.com Georgie Scott - Fundraising Coordinator and Romania Country Manager Operation Wallacea +44 1790 763194 www.opwall.com http://www.facebook.com/opwall www.youtube.com/opwall Operation Wallacea is registered in England and Wales. Registered office: Wallace House, Old Bolingbroke, Lincolnshire, PE23 4EX *** SCUNTHORPE MUSEUM SOCIETY *** www.scunthorpemuseumsociety.btck.co.uk ***Alford & Mablethorpe Branch LWT*** George Rutter writes: Tuesday 19th April 7:00pm St Wilfrid's Church Hall, Alford Talk: The work of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Paul Learoyd, Chief Executive of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, will speak about recent achievements and plans for the future. Starting in 1949 with 119 members, the Trust now has over 26,000 members, 1,500 volunteers, more than 50 members of staff and manages nearly 100 nature reserves. The talk will be preceded by the AGM of the Alford & Mablethorpe Area Group Refreshments from 7pm, meeting starts at 7.30pm *** Barton LWT *** Adrian White writes: Barton Area Group of the LWT Saturday 16th April A half-day walk around Far Ings Contact Alice Nunn (01724 732152) for details Meet at Ness End Farm for a 9am start. Strong boots or shoes recommended All welcome, membership not required. Barton Area Group Annual General Meeting Reports and election of committee members Wednesday 20th April Starts at 7:30pm at Ness End Farm Followed by a quiz. Barton Area Group of the LWT is now on Facebook; https://www.facebook.com/LWT.Barton.Group *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** Carolyn Lovely writes: On Sunday 17th April 2016 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them on a guided walk around Tetney Blow Wells. Meet outside Tetney Parish Church in Church Lane Grid Ref TA316009 at 2pm. The walk will cover about 1.5 miles in 2 hours. Please wear suitable outdoor clothing and walking boots or willies. This is a free event but donations will be welcomed for the Trust. No dogs please. For further information contact Clifford Jukes 01472 814887 On Saturday 23rd April 2016 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them when they listen to the beautiful dawn chorus in Weelsby Woods, Grimsby with Ray Hume. Meet Ray at 4.30am in car park within the woods. 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 (Lincoln Area Group) Workshops 2016 *** in conjunction with the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union See section 11 below for details. All workshops will be held in the Lafarge Education Building at Whisby Nature Park from 12:30pm until 4:30pm. They are free of charge and refreshments are included. Limited to 20 participants. Booking essential via Richard Davidson on 01522 525725 or Email rel.davidson@btinternet.com. *** More Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Events 2015 *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/whats-on *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch *** http://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html *** RSPB *** Lincoln RSPB http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ South Lincs RSPB http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire Grimsby & District RSPB http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/grimsby *** 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 ....." There should be something for everyone. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ Reports will resume next week. Note: I am adapting 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. Rare Bird Alert website: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ Here you can register free to use the site and get free trials of their subscription services. [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. HORKSTOW 13 April 2016 Jenny Haynes First sighting this year of bats flying around my house at dusk. Editor adds: If you can't identify a bat, you can at least report its location. This often leads on to an accurate identification at a later date. ROAD KILL BUCKNALL Catherine Wilson 01/04/16 About 10.00 I noticed a dead hare (road kill) on the side of the road. Returning along the same stretch of road at about 3.00pm a buzzard was busily engaged with the remains of said hare. He flew off as the car approached into some nearby trees where he was harassed by a few corvids who obviously wanted their share. *** 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 BUCKNALL Platts Lane, Bucknall TF172697 Catherine Wilson 28/03/16 Barn owl hunting alongside the road DEEPINGS Venue: Deeping Lakes LWT Reserve Date: 08/04/16 Time: 1320 - 1600 Observer: Ian Gordon Weather: Sunny, cool Birds: Barn Owl Blackbird Blackcap Black-headed Gull Blue Tit Buzzard Canada Goose Carrion Crow Cetti's Warbler Chaffinch Chiffchaff Coot Cormorant Great Crested Grebe Greenfinch Grey Heron Greylag Goose Egyptian Goose Goldeneye Great Tit Green Woodpecker Jackdaw Lapwing Lesser Black-backed Gull Little Egret Little Grebe Magpie Mallard Moorhen Mute Swan Oystercatcher Red-crested Pochard Reed Bunting Reed Warbler (reported by another observer) Robin Sand Martin Song Thrush Swallow Shelduck Treecreeper Tufted Duck Willow Warbler Woodpigeon Wren Flowers: Cowslip EAST HALTON SKITTER TO GOXHILL HAVEN (and return) (Grid reference TA1423 to TA1225) 10/04/2016 Jon Drakes Species recorded whilst undertaking the monthly WeBS count along this stretch of the River Humber were: Barnacle Goose 2 Blackbird 2 Black-Headed Gull Blue Tit 1 Canada Goose 15 Carrion Crow Cetti's Warbler 8 Chaffinch 6 Chiffchaff 4 Coot 8 Curlew 168 Dunnock 1 Grasshopper Warbler 1 Grey Heron 4 Greylag Goose 6 Herring Gull Lapwing 13 Linnet 10 Little Egret 7 Little Grebe 1 Magpie Mallard 42 Marsh Harrier 2 Meadow Pipit 6 Mute Swan 7 Pheasant 16 Pochard 4 Redshank 28 Reed Bunting 23 Sedge Warbler 1 Shelduck 26 Short Eared Owl 1 Skylark 9 Teal 4 Wheatear 1 Woodpigeon Wren 1 Yellowhammer 3 Early Bumble Bee 3 Roe Deer stag 1 Brown Hare 1 EAST KEAL TF 379640 02/04/2016 Garry Steele Brimstone - 1 GRANTHAM CANAL SK885338 Jane Ostler 25/3/16 After walking part of the Grantham Canal at Harlaxton on 3rd March and finding vegetation more advanced here than on local roadside verges I returned on Good Friday in the sunshine (Max 13C) to look for insects and plants in flower. In a one mile length there were l2 species in flower including spring whitlow grass Ground Ivy, White Deadnettle and Lesser Celandine were providing valuable nectar sources. Insects Brimstone Butterflies (l female, two male), Commas (2), Small Tortoiseshell (6), Buff-tailed Bees, female of Hairy-legged Flower fly (A.plumipes), 7-spot ladybirds, an irridescent ground beetle and the black ant Lasius niger. Many unidentified small black flies were on yellow flowers but I didn't see any honey bees. Vertebrates Toads in the water at Bridge 62. Much evidence of badger. Surprised to find a small group of fieldfares still about. Watching activity at a rookery with 17 nests with birds sitting. HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden) 24/3/2016 Great tits 2 Goldfinch 1 (on teasel) Sparrow hawk 1 Tawny owl 1 (heard 8pm) Wren 1 25/3/2016 Bees red tailed 2 Bombus terrestris 2 Goldfinch 1 Long tailed tits 2 Peacock butterfly 1 29/3/2016 Dunnock 1 Great tits 2 Squirrel 1 (just sunning itself on huge woodpile) Woodmouse 1 Wren 1 30/3/2016 Long tailed tits 2 Rabbit 1 31/3/2016 Chiffchaff 1 (heard) Forget-me-nots in flower Small tortoiseshell 1 2/4/2016 Bombus terrestris 1 Carder bee 1 Harlequin 1 Starlings 2 3/4/2016 Bee white tailed bumble 1 Celandines in flower Honesty in flower Starlings 2 4/4/2016 Pheasants 4 (2 females together and later 2 males together) 5/4/2016 Carder bee 1 KEELBY (Grid reference TA1610) 09/04/2016 Jon Drakes Noted whilst carrying out the weekly BTO Garden Birdwatch in our back garden were: Blackbird 3 House Sparrow 10 Dunnock 3 Collared Dove 3 Goldfinch 2 Chaffinch 2 Tree Sparrow 1 Wren 1 Siskin 2 Robin 1 Woodpigeon 1 Starling 2 Red-tailed Bumble Bee 1 6 spot Ladybird 1 KETTLETHORPE Kettlethorpe SK 847757 27/03/2016 Alison Brownlow Tree bumblebee queen Kettlethorpe SK 847757 08/04/2016 Alison Brownlow Red Tailed Bumblebee queen KIRKBY ON BAIN C. Brady 6/4/2016 Two Sand Martins flew over the road between the pits. KIRKBY MOOR NATURE RESERVE Grid reference TF 225629 John Margetts On an oak tree near the entrance: Lichens: Evernia prunasti Melanelixia fulginosa glabratula Parmotrema perlata Physcia adscendens Physcia tenella Xanthoria parietina LINCOLN WINN STREET, LINCOLN John Margetts Black bee (fairly certain of bee) with some whitish markings underneath. 15 to 20 mm long and feeding on plum blossom. Seemed to be unsure of its feeding technique. LOUTH STEWTON LANE LOUTH C. Brady 4/4/2016 Garden Warbler hunting in through the lavender in the garden. LOUTH HUBBARD'S HILLS, TF315861 Silvia Fowler 31.03.2016 Chiffchaff - first I've heard this season and only one MOOR CLOSES NR Jane Ostler 10/4/16 Plants in flower. Apart from common species like daisy,dandelion, hairy bittercress, groundsel, wood avens,common chickweed and white deadnettle the insects were making use of an abundance of ground ivy and lesser celandine. Blackthorn and goat willow had lots of blossom and there were the first flowers I had seen this year of Good Friday grass (Luzula campestre) and Marsh Marigolds. Fungi. Two grassland species - Turf mottlegill (Panaeolus fimicola (=ater) and, just coming through in time for its birthday, St George's Mushroom (Calocybe gambosa) Insects. On this sunny morning, a Small Tortoiseshell laying eggs on young nettle on disturbed ground. Lots of bees. Bombus terrestris , several searching for nesting sites in grass B.lucorum, B. lapidarius, B. pascuorum and the mining bee Andrena haemorrhoa. The bee fly which lays its eggs in the nests of mining bees was also about, feeding on dandelion flowers. In the hedge a Hawthorn shield bug. Birds. These included chiffchaff and green woodpecker - but best of all three pairs of snipe got up from the rushes. Mammals. This is the place to study moles. they have to retreat in the wet conditions to any high ground they can find. As this is sandy they have to work very hard for the few worms. There are hundreds of molehills including places which look like nurseries. Rabbits - apart from much evidence of them two or three out in day. A single hare in one of the drier fields. Evidence of squirrel MORKERY WOOD SK956183 Jane Ostler 24th March 2016 To the picnic site to check on the Yellow Star of Bethlehem, here and on the verges. The plant is still spreading to new areas in the picnic site but is confined to one end of the verges where it was flowering well. A plant which always flowers sparsely, the flowers are also eaten off by rabbits and muntjak deer. Moschatel now spreads widely and had abundant flowers and the primroses are exceptional this year. Dog's mercury is a very modest green flower but the lesser celandines, daisies, violets and coltsfoot in disturbed areas brightened up the scene on a dull day. Best of all the first toothwort was through under the sycamore trees. RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF309847 (unless otherwise stated) Silvia Fowler 19.03.2016 Moorhen x2 Ca. 150 Starlings Long-tailed Tits x3 (more heard) House Sparrows collecting nesting material 21.03.2016 Long-tailed Tit on trellis collecting cobwebs Tree Sparrow x1 Tawny Owl (heard) Wren 25.03.2016 (a rare fine day) Buff-tailed bumblebee, Red-tailed bumblebee (first of the season) White butterfly (first of the season, not sure which species, but definitely not Orange Tip) 28.03.2016 Blackbird (f) carrying worms Harlequin Ladybird leaving winter quarters 29.03.2016 Frog spawn in pond (approx. 7 clumps) Brown Hare Rabbit Hedgehog dropping (often found in spring, but no subsequent evidence of their presence) Several bumblebees on the wing (mostly buff-tailed) Common Violet, Ground Ivy, Lesser Celandine, Forget-me-not flowering in local hedgerows (TF3084/TF3085) 30.03.2016 Frogs still spawning in pond, at least 2 females and 4 males 02.04.2016 7-Spot Ladybird active in garden border Common Newt x2 in pond – one fairly small ca. 5cm; one tiny but fully developed ca. 2cm 03.04.2016 Chiffchaff calling (first of the season) Peacock butterfly (first of the season) 04.04.2016 Greylag Goose x2 feeding on pasture Frogs x4 spawning in our second pond (1 clump of spawn) 05.04.2016 Starling (dead) found in loft, apparently trapped in loft insulation material Wasp queen emerging from shed Blackthorn in flower (local hedgerows) 10.04.2016 Peacock butterfly Frog-f trying to climb out of pond but constantly being pulled back in/under by male frog on her back, even when I gave them a leg up onto the edge 12.04.2016 Mistle Thrush carrying worms 13.04.2016 (another rare fine day) Harlequin Ladybird Bombus pratorum queen Blackbird-f carrying nesting material Chiffchaff singing every day 2 Robins together at ground bird feeder Pied Wagtail Starling 2 baby Rabbits Bluebells coming into flower 14.04.2016 2 Moorhens foraging on pasture THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 19/03/16 Brambling x 1 SE809003 Lesser Redpoll x 8 SE809003 Siskin x 5 SE809003 Roe Deer x 1 male, 2 females 20/03/16 Roe Deer x 1 male 21/03/16 Blackbird x 2 Black Headed Gull x 7 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 2 Dunnock x 2 Goldfinch x 7 Grey Partridge x 1 road kill SK813993 Kestrel x 1 Lapwing x 3 displaying SK803998 Moorhen x 2 Oystercatcher x 2 Pied Wagtail x 2 Robin x 1 Stock Dove x 2 Tree Sparrow x 15 Wood Pigeon x 27 23/03/16 Common Buzzard x 3 Kestrel x1 25/03/16 Lesser Redpoll x 18 SE809003 26/03/16 Little Owl x 2 Common Pipistrelle x 1 29/03/16 Stock Dove on 2 eggs in nest box 30/03/16 Grey Squirrel x 1 SE804003 31/03/16 Long-eared Owls at roost along Owston Ferry Warping Drain 01/04/16 Tawny Owl x 1 daytime flying SK798992 02/04/16 Blackbird x 1 Chaffinch x 1 Dunnock x 1 Robin x 1 White Campion started flowering 04/04/16 Golden Plover x 8 Goldfinch x 2 Jackdaw x 2 Brown Rat x 1 (dead) WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 10/4/2016 Marsh Harrier f patrolling TF2154 11/4/2016 3 adult bank voles in compost heap. 12/4/2016 First swallow arrived 9am followed by 2 more approx 12 noon. 13/4/2014 Bee Fly [AP] WOOLSTHORPE-BY-COLSTERWORTH SK922224 Jane Ostler 25th March - April 7th 2016 Garden Insects Hairy-legged Flower Fly (A.plumipes - First females March 25th. First males April 7th. Bumble bees - four of six commonly found in gardens and Bombus hypnorum already in a nest box. B.terrestris most common , several in garden almost every day. Now searching for nest sites, particularly in rough grass under apple trees. B.lucorum has also been about since early February. B. lapidarius appeared in last week of March and B.pascuorum in first week in May. Other Bees - Honey Bee on all but coldest, wettest days since Christmas. Tawny mining beefirst seen April 7th. Ichneumon - Amblytes armatorilis. Green Shield Bug. Lacewings. 7-spot ladybirds more numerous this year. Bee fly. Amphibians Frogs laid spawn on 20th March in my garden, on 23rd Feb in a neighbours. In my garden neither frogs nor spawn as numerous as five years ago. By 7th April tadpoles out of jelly. By then I would have expected to see the Commoon Newt, but none seen so far.  In a neighbour's garden three dead frogs beside their pond appeared to have been killed by a cat and left because of their bad taste. Birds Skylarks and chiff chaff heard from garden. Red Kite fly over daily, Buzzards seen circling occasionally. Sparrowhawk regularly predates collared Dove and Blackbird. Unusual visitors in April were a pair of English Partridge which pecked about on the lawn for a while and then flew on. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. NNRs including RSPB and LWT Reserves RSPB Reserves: http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/collections/thewash_northnorfolk.aspx https://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore/ http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh/ LWT Reserves: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/what-we-do/living-landscapes http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/reserves Reports always welcome. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GIBRALTAR POINT NNR. http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/gibraltar-point See: Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog. http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE DUNES NNR including DONNA NOOK. http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/38015?category=59026 http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/saltfleetby-theddlethorpe-dunes http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/donna-nook-nnr ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR Report 31st March – 6th April 2015 Contributors: Lizzie Lemon, Rob Scott, Nigel Lound, Peter and Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison March weather:- A series of depressions swept across the country from the 1st - 10th giving very unsettled weather, cold with frequent periods of rain; of note 23.8mm of ppt recorded from 8th - 9th. Snow briefly lay on the ground on the 7th (depth <25mm) but soon thawed. From the 10th a high pressure system became firmly established over the centre of the country, up to the 24th, which gave continual bitterly cold easterly winds. However it was dry with only 0.2mm of ppt recorded and the average daytime temperature for that period was 9.58degC. The high pressure was then replaced by another low pressure series giving periods of rainfall accompanied by very strong south westerly winds. A gust of 56.4mph was recorded on the 26th and 44.8mph on the 28th. However a ridge of high pressure returned by the end of the month giving night frosts and sunny but fresh daytime weather. Fourteen ground frosts were observed during the month of which the sharpest was -5.0degC on the 8th (-2.5degC air) and the maximum day time temperature was 13.75degC on the 1st (13.5degC on the 25th and 26th. Total rainfall 70.0mm (2.76 inches) 31st March Gadwall 4, Tufted Duck 3, Shoveler 4 all on Paradise pond, Chiffchaff calling nr Paradise wood, Frog spawn 6 clumps and 3 common toad strings at SV natter site. Brambling 2, single Tree Sparrow and a Marsh Harrier nr SV. 5 Bullfinch around CB Car Park and at least 8 Chiffchaff on the NNR today were the only birds of any note. 1st April – Brambling' Siskin with Greenfinch, Goldfinch and Chaffinch at SV, plus a pair of Tree Sparrows. 16 Shoveler (12M and 4F) on Rimac Lagoon, 3 Grey Heron Rimac fresh- water marsh and 4 Bullfinch (2M and 2F) around CLCP. 2 Buzzard flew south together. Pretty cold all day with little visible and few birds in song. 2nd – Ground ivy and willow sp. coming into flower, Song Thrush at SV, water rail squealing nr Rimac. Red Kite flying south from Crook Bank. 3rd – Coal Tit nr SV, Chiffchaff at SV and Paradise A fine Merlin was perched on a roadside fence near the NNR at Sea View. Over the weekend there were several buff tailed and ginger tailed bumblebees, 1 peacock and 3 small tortoiseshells all in the Churchill to Brickyard Lane dunes, also 1 blackcap in song and 1 pipestrelle out at Churchill both days at dusk. 4th – Goldcrest 4 at SV and 1 at Paradise, Swallow 2 over SV, Chiffchaff 3 at SV and 2 at Paradise, Brambling at SV, Tree Sparrow at SV, Marsh Harrier mobbing corvids nr Rimac. A male Wheatear was around CB Car Park first thing and a Blackcap was in song from CB copse. 3 Swallows were seen today, 2 north and 1 south. A single White Wagtail was on the saltings out from BYL with 6 Pied Wagtails. 5 Common Scoter were on the sea and 4 Lesser Black-backed Gull went south. Raptors were represented by Common Buzzard, Kestrel and 2 Sparrowhawk. Merlin and Kingfisher were reported from Rimac today. 5th – On Paradise pool Shoveler 11, Gadwall 2, Mallard 3, Garganey, Tufted Duck, Sand Martin 2. Chiffchaff 2 nr Paradise and 2 Swallows over SV. Male Wheatear nr SV and Water Rail calling at Rimac. Two wheatears at Rimac. Brambling and Fieldfare at Churchill Lane. 6th – Brambling at SV. 2 singing willow warblers this morning. Pair of garganey at Paradise. Plants – ground ivy in flower, willow sp, dandelion and cowslip. Gorse in full flower, first cowslips coming into flower, some ground ivy and dandelions in flower. Buff and ginger-tailed bumblebees and 1 peacock and 3 small tortortoishell butterflies over the weekend. Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR Report 7th - 13th April 2016 Contributors: Lizzie Lemon, Rob Scott, Nigel Lound, Peter and Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison Blackcaps came in and straight onto territory last week. 7th - Little Egret 35 and 30 Curlew on saltmarsh and single Short-eared Owl and 3 Chiffchaffs nr Paradise, evening there were 2 Short-eared Owls and a Sparrowhawk hunting over the saltmarsh at high tide, single Willow Warbler, 15 Magpies in one flock and marsh harrier all around Rimac. Dunes very quiet and no visible migration evident. Only birds of note were 2 Common Scoter on the sea off Crook Bank and 4 Red-throated Diver went north. 3 Buzzards were thermalling around at Crook Bank. 8th - Chiffchaff 1 at Paradise and 2 near Sea View, plus 1 Willow Warbler and 2 Goldcrests. 55 Sanderling on the shore. 9th - Flock of 21 Linnets nr SV, also single Siskin and on saltmarsh 24 Little Egrets, 15 Shelduck, 5 Curlew and 30 Redshank. 2 Whooper Swan were on Paradise Pool first thing together with 31 Mute Swan. There was not a lot of room left for ducks! A Peregrine flew north over the saltmarsh out from Sea View, a Water Pipit and Water Rail were on Rimac freshwater marsh and a Grasshopper warbler was reeling in dune scrub about 200 metres north of the MOD track. 10th - Noted on WeBS section single Short-eared Owl, Peregrine Falcon, Marsh Harrier, 4 Avocets, 45 Curlew and 13 Mute Swans. Willow Warbler in song nr Sea View and up to 20 Linnets again and most days there has been a male Kestrel hunting over the dunes and saltmarsh. Merlin 1, snow bunting 2, brambling 2, sanderling , curlew 38. 11th - 30+ Sanderling and 10 Ringed Plovers on the saltings. Redstart 1 female, yellow wagtail 1 male 12th - Whimbrel north, Brambling, 6 swallows north, 4 Sand Martins north, 12 Pied Wagtails on the wet area out from Brickyard Lane. Single Swallow over Rimac. Grasshopper warbler was reeling again in dune scrub about 200 metres north of the MOD track. 19 Shoveler and 42 Teal still around. 4 Avocet were on Rimac Lagoon. Peregrine, Marsh Harrier, Sparrow- hawk, Kestrel, Marsh Harrier and 3 Buzzard seen today. A male Brambling was at CB copse and a Green Sandpiper again. A Short-eared Owl was around Paradise again and a fine male Ring Ouzel was seen in the paddock on BYL late morning. 13th - #Brambling, # Bullfinch, 3 Willow Warblers and 3 Chiffchaffs near SV. Whitethroat 1, 6 Swallows, 4 Sand Martins (same as last night), Little-ringed Plover 1. Wheatear 2 female, cuckoo 1 song, grasshopper warbler 1 song, swallow 3, common buzzard 2, 4 blackcaps song, 6 willow warblers song. House Martin at Sea View Butterflies 10th Several Tortoishell and Peacocks about in the warm weather at Brickyard Lane. 13th - peacock and brimstone butterflies at Sea View and peacock 1 and small tort 1 at Rimac. Flowers Field wood rush, white dead nettle and field mouse ear coming into flower. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FAR INGS NNR http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/far-ings See: Far Ings NNR on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-Of-Far-Ings-National-Nature-Reserve/186876774685595 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. BARDNEY LIMEWOODS NNR http://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/visit/woods-and-nature-reserves/127031.article http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/events/2014/07/07/visit-dormouse-project These cover a huge area, and records from them and records from volunteer recorders are one of the main inputs to management planning and the protection of rare/scarce and critical species. The NNR includes the following sites: Chambers Farm Woods (which comprise Ivy Wood, Little and Great Scrubbs Woods, Minting Wood, Hatton Wood, Hatton Plantation and Minting Park, and also three areas of grassland: Little Scrubbs Meadow (and extension), Small Meadow and Big Meadow. Since all have their own management plans, please give the actual location when reporting); College Wood, Cocklode & Great West Woods, Hardy Gang Wood, Newball Wood, Rand Wood, Scotgrove Wood, Southrey Wood and Wickenby Wood. Many of these include both areas of ancient woodland or important grassland, which are designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest, and non-designated areas. Since managing the SSSI areas carries particular responsibilities to Natural England, records which provide a six-figure grid reference are of particular value to the Forestry Commission. Other woods included in the NNR but without public access: Stainfield Wood; Stainton & Fulnetby Woods (access by public bridle way only) Also see: Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch http://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6. OTHER RESERVE REPORTS AND HIGHLIGHTS LWT Reserves: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/what-we-do/living-landscapes http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ HAGNABY LOCK FEN E.A. WETLAND RESERVE TF 331595 Garry Steele Monthly maximums and noteworthy ornithological sightings - March 2016:- Black-headed Gull - 37 Canada Goose - 3 Common Gull - 101 Cormorant - 8 Curlew - 74 Gadwall - 4 Greylag Goose - 13 Herring Gull - 2 Mallard - 30 Redshank - 3 Red Kite - 1 Sheduck - 2 Shoveler - 1 Teal - 51 Wigeon - 7 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7. Sending in reports to Roger Parsons ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The purpose of the Bulletin is to encourage biological recording in Lincolnshire. 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 or from the website: http://www.lnu.org/join.php 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 *** *** 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 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 Related Website: http://lincs.police.uk/get-help-advice/wildlife-and-rural-crime/ also see: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/issues/crime STAYING SAFE No hotlinks in this section, just copy and paste URLs, please. *** EasyTide *** Check tide times on Admiralty EasyTide: http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx *** Local Tide Tables *** Here is a useful-looking website where you can order local tide tables. Well worth bookmarking. Everyone who uses the coast ought to have local tide tables handy. £1.50 + p&p. https://www.tidetimes.org.uk/ *** TWO - The Weather Outlook *** Check the weather forecast for the location or postcode: http://www.theweatheroutlook.com/ *** Met Office E-mail Service *** Be warned of the possibility of severe weather. The Met Office website now offers an e-mail notification service for severe weather and other matters which may interest readers. Worth having a look and signing up. See: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/guide-to-emails *** Environment Agency Flood Information/Floodline *** http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/default.aspx SPECIES IDENTIFICATION AND RECORDING Copy and paste URLs as necessary, please. Not all are "live". *** Videos and photos - additions welcome *** Starlings at Kirkby on Bain - the excellent 2014 video by David Robinson. http://www.flickr.com/photos/poppops/11685708555/ David sent in another fine video of a starling murmuration in January [2016] at Kirkby on Bain gravel pits - LWT's Hide Pit. https://flic.kr/p/BT6HMp 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 *** Identifying Fungi *** http://www.rogersmushrooms.com/ *** 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 *** How to Identify Bees *** BWARS - Bees Wasps & Ants Recording Society http://www.bwars.com/ Bumblebee Conservation Trust http://bumblebeeconservation.org/ *** 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 *** 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. *** Spiders *** Imogen Wilde Regional Co-ordinator (RC) and Mentor for Lincolnshire for the British Arachnological Society (BAS). 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 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 Lincolnshire Bat Group website: http://www.lincsbatgroup.co.uk/ *** Bat Recorder *** You may send confidential bat records direct to Annette Faulkner on: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** LNU Sawflies, Bees, Wasps and Ants Recorder *** Dr. David Sheppard 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). If in doubt please contact for advice: d.a.sheppard@btinternet.com *** 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 *** 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. 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 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/ *** 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/ *** 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: Jonathan Gahan http://www.lincswolds.org.uk/chalk-streams/volunteering or contact the project officer jonathan.gahan@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 *** https://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore/ http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/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/ Grimsby & District RSPB http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/grimsby *** 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://www.lincstrust.org.uk/what-we-do/living-landscapes/lincolnshire-limewoods http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/Limewoods/ limewoods@lincolnshire.gov.uk ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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.] 2016 Field meetings Saturday, April 23, 2016 Potterhanworth Wood SSSI Joint meeting with BSBI (South Lincs Flora Group) (A private woodland site with access courtesy of F.G Battle & Sons Ltd) Southeast of Lincoln 12.00 for 13.00 start. Park at TF07306621 which is a hard-standing area next to a barn. Follow minor road east from Potterhanworth through wood and then take track immediately on right where road bends. NB. As a private woodland no exploring before the set time please and we have been asked to stick to the rides due to nesting birds. The South Lincs Flora Group intend to be recording in the general area on both Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th April. Habitats: Broadleaved Woodland. Leader (LNU): Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Leader (BSBI): Sarah Lambert sarah.lambert7@ntlworld.com Saturday, May 21, 2016 Wharton Wood (afternoon and evening moth/bat session) (A private site with access courtesy of Thonock and Somerby Estates) Northeast of Gainsborough - 12.00 for 13.00 start. Meet and park at SK 8421 9192 which is at end of track off A159 (east side), found about halfway between Gainsborough and Blyton. The track may be unsuitable for low vehicles on the day, therefore best to park alongside it where possible and walk to meeting spot at end. Evening session from 20.30 until late. No mains available for moth traps. NB. As a private woodland no exploring before the set time please. Nearest toilets are in Gainsborough town centre or in local village pubs (Blyton, Corringham or Morton). Habitats: Broadleaved and mixed woodland, ponds, grassland and scrub. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Saturday, June 04, 2016 BioBlitz Event - Cleethorpes Country Park and Cleethorpes Boating Lake Grounds All Day with evening moth/bat recording session (Courtesy of North East Lincolnshire Council) Cleethorpes Country Park and Cleethorpes Boating Lake Grounds. 10.00 start with evening session starting at 21.00. Meeting point and parking at TA308066 in Country Park carpark which is free (nearest post code DN35 0PB). People can come and go as they wish. The Discovery Centre at Cleethorpes Boating Lake will be the data collection point, which is just over the road from the eastern end of the Country Park. NB. There is a parking charge in the Boating Lake grounds/Discovery Centre. Possibility of mains available for moth traps at Discovery Centre. Toilets and cafe available at the Discovery Centre. Habitats: Lake, dunes, shore, grassland and scrub. Leader: Rachel Graham Rachel.Graham@nelincs.gov.uk LNU Contact: Charlie Barnes 01507 526667 charlie@cucaera.co.uk Sunday, July 17, 2016 Stanton’s Pit LWT Reserve Field meeting to Stanton's Pit LWT Reserve (joint meeting with British Dragonfly Society Southwest of Bourne 12.00 for 13.00 start. Use car park at TF034173 (nearest postcode PE10 0JN) which is about half-way off minor road between Little Bytham and Witham-on-the-Hill. Nearest facilities in village pubs. Habitats: Former sandpit with lake, marsh, acid grassland and scrub. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Saturday, August 13, 2016 Tetney Blow Wells LWT Reserve With evening moth/bat recording session (Courtesy of LWT and Anglian Water) South of Cleethorpes 12.00 for 13.00 start. Evening session starting at 20.15. Park alongside Church Lane in Tetney village in vicinity of church or nearby. There is a footpath which leads to the reserve just to the east. NB. No mains available for moth traps. Facilities available in local village pubs in Tetney or Tetney Lock. Stiles present. Habitats: Blow wells, marsh, woodland, grassland, streams and scrub. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Sunday, September 04, 2016 Burkinshaw’s Covert (A private site with access courtesy of Total Lindsey Oil Refinery) North Killingholme, North Lincolnshire 12.00 for 13.00 start. Meet at the main car park (by Gate No.7), Rosper Road, North Killingholme (grid ref TA16701754 and post code DN40 3DZ will get you nearby). Assemble at security gatehouse to meet Alan Jones from Humber Nature Partnership. Alan’s mobile no. is 07905 491647 if there are any problems finding the location. NB. Gate 7 is on Rosper Road, to the east of the refinery, not on Eastfield Road which is to the west. We will all need to drive to site (under escort by security staff to unlock gates) and will all need to leave at the same time (just after 16.00). May need to car share depending on numbers. Toilets available at security gatehouse. Habitats: Broadleaved woodland, scrub, grassland and pond. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Site Contact: Alan Jones 07905 491647 alan.jones@humbernature.co.uk Sunday, October 09, 2016 LNU Annual Fungus Foray (National Fungus Day) (Access courtesy of the Forestry Commission) North of Bourne 12.00 for 13.00 start. Park at TF058299 at northern entrance track to wood (nearest post code NG34 0HE). Take minor road west from Aslackby, off the A15. Nearest public toilets are in Bourne. Habitat: Broadleaved woodland. Leader: Ray Halstead 07772 613640 ray.halstead@tiscali.co.uk *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust (Lincoln Area Group) Workshops *** in conjunction with the Lincolnshire Naturalists Union All workshops will be held in the Lafarge Education Building at Whisby Nature Park from 12:30pm until 4:30pm. They are free of charge and refreshments are included. Limited to 20 participants. Booking essential via Richard Davidson on 01522 525725 or Email rel.davidson@btinternet.com. May 14th: Spiders Workshop Interested in Invertebrates but would like to know more in particular about Spiders? A second chance to find out more with local expert Imogen Wilde. June 18th: Rushes and Sedges Workshop Interested in plants but would like to know more in particular about Rushes and Sedges? Come along and find out more with local expert Tim Harvey. July 9th: Riverflies Workshop Interested in Invertebrates but would like to know more in particular about Riverflies? (May Flies, Caddis Flies and Stone Flies) Come along and find out more with local expert Richard Chadd. July 16th Diptera (Flies) Workshop Interested in Invertebrates but would like to know more in particular about Flies? Come along and find out more from local experts Phil Porter and David Denman ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails This Week *** If ever your Bulletin does not arrive, text copies of past Bulletins can be found on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Latest Mailfails. If you recognise any of these part-addresses, please let the owners know. leigh.taylor - Mailbox not available. Address cleaned. l.cawkwell -soft bounce - addresses had permanent delivery errors And finally: Rolling history among herb-rich dunes http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/mar/25/country-diary-wash-lincolnshire-shardlow-dunes-marsh-natterjack-coast-wetland-porpoise Grebe joins dippers in the Highlands http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/mar/26/country-diary-collier-highlands-loch-hide-dippers-grebes-goldeneye-ducks Poland approves large-scale logging in Europe's last primeval forest http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/mar/26/poland-approves-large-scale-logging-in-europes-last-primeval-forest What would Brexit really mean for the UK's fishing industry? http://theconversation.com/what-would-brexit-really-mean-for-the-uks-fishing-industry-5631 Ethiopia's vulnerable tropical forests are key to securing future of wild coffee http://theconversation.com/ethiopias-vulnerable-tropical-forests-are-key-to-securing-future-of-wild-coffee-56516 Fourteen years a bachelor - meet the loneliest soul in Britain http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/mar/28/greater-mouse-eared-bat-sussex-extinct Europe's oldest forest is threatened by a beetle infestation – let nature take its course http://theconversation.com/europes-oldest-forest-is-threatened-by-a-beetle-infestation-let-nature-take-its-course-57079 Note: If a link does now work, please look at the URL See if an extra http:// has crept in. ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/