============================================= || || 19th February 2017 || || 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 over 1000 people and we are keen to encourage even more readers to subscribe. If you know someone who might like to receive the Bulletin please use the "forward to a friend" link at the end of every Bulletin or send them this link so they can sign up for it: http://www.lnu.org/wildnews.php Text versions of past Wildnews Bulletins back to Feb 2009 are available on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html 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: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk ] ============================================ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. Readers' hints, tips and requests ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** From the Editor.... *** The annual Recorders Meeting is always a pleasure to attend. The information is fascinating, the recorders' enthusiasm is infectious. There were some 36 people there, despite the weather and Wales- England rugby match. [I got home in time to watch the final stage.] I have posted details of 2017 LNU Field Meetings in Section 11 below. Great locations with lots of interest to offer. You will also find these details on the LNU Website. Bookmark: http://www.lnu.org/events.php Dave Miller has asked me to give a plug for a Beach Clean at Anderby Creek. He writes: Saturday 4th March 10am: come and join us for a beach clean at Anderby Creek, as part of the Great British Spring Clean. Litter pickers and bin bags provided. A few interesting links are posted here - more at the end of the Bulletin. BTO's National Nest Box Week takes place from 14-21 February. https://www.bto.org/about-birds/nnbw 'Record numbers' of dolphins detected off west Scotland http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-38920305 Sound of crickets 'could become a thing of the past' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-38920199 The SIXTH annual World Pangolin Day will be celebrated on 18 February 2017 http://www.pangolins.org/ Thank you to all who have sent in reports and other useful contributions. If you have events or activities that need a 'plug', please let me know. Roger rparsons@enterprise.net *** Find the Grid Reference - don't forget - it's important *** Grab a Grid Reference: http://www.bnhs.co.uk/focuson/grabagridref/html/index.htm UK Grid Reference Finder: http://www.gridreferencefinder.com/ *** TWO Weather Forecast - for your postcode *** "Spring weather - Warmer than normal?" http://www.theweatheroutlook.com/ *** February Night Sky *** "Comet 2P/Encke brightens from mid month in the evening sky not far from Venus before plunging towards the encroaching twilight." Paul Money's 'Monthly Night Sky' webpage will be found on: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html *** LNU Events Diary *** LNU events and "Whisby Workshops 2017 " are listed below in section 11. For LNU meetings, see: http://www.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. Next meeting: Saturday, March 04, 2017 AGM & Presidential Address by Annette Faulkner “The Fens revisited. An update” Whisby Education Centre, 2pm *** Bryophyte recording at Woodhall Spa Airfield *** Steven Heathcote writes: Sunday 26th February. Bryophyte meeting at Woodhall Spa Airfield (with the Midlands Bryology Group). The aim is to cover as much of the reserve as we can recording bryophyte species. All abilities welcome. Likely to be slow- moving so wrap up warm! Meet in the reserve car park at 10am - see the Wildlife Trust website for location details. Please bring a packed lunch if you intend to stay all day. If you plan to attend it would useful if you can let Steven know via email in case there are last minute changes due to weather. Steven.heathcote@gmail.com *** A Caddis to look out for - The Grannom *** Brachycentrus subnubilus - a caddis known as The Grannom. https://www.ispotnature.org/species-dictionaries/uksi/Brachycentrus%20subnubilus Richard Chadd says: It has a characteristic pattern of yellowish spots on a grey background & flight period is March to June. It's also day flying so no need to mess about with moth traps. It's an ongoing issue, as the species used to be entirely absent in Lincolnshire, then appeared in the Witham near Grantham & the Welland upstream of Stamford 5-10 years ago. We have plenty of larval records, but some adult sightings may fill-in the gaps in Lincolnshire distribution. *** Lincolnshire Environmental Awards - pass the word on...*** The closing date for entries is Thursday 31 March 2017 http://www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk/ *** The "Len Pick Trust's Owl Camera" is back. *** I saw an owl in the box on the afternoon of the 10th Feb at 15.40hrs approx. First time for a while - but it does happen. Keep visiting and hoping. http://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project/4593449091 *** Lincolnshire Chalk Streams - Second Volunteer Day *** Will Bartle writes Sunday 12th March 2017 - Thorganby Practical day with the LCSP Volunteer Group - The group will be working on a previous river restoration site to help maintain part of the Waithe beck near Thorganby. Work will include in-stream and bank work to maintain flow and improve the habitat for wildlife. Both days will also include a 'stream dip' to look at the important invertebrates that form such an important part of the delicate ecosystem. Full details can be found on the LCSP webpage and Facebook pages: http://www.lincswolds.org.uk/chalk-streams/volunteering https://www.facebook.com/LincolnshireChalkStreams Please contact Will Bartle (Monitoring officer) for more details: william.bartle@lincolnshire.gov.uk or phone 01522 555783. *** Bird Watching Cruises 2017 *** Jeremy Eyeons writes: The RSPB South Lincs Group will once again be running birdwatching and seal spotting cruises aboard the famous Boston Belle running from Bostons Grand Sluice,up the river Witham,into The Wash and up the river Welland. During 2016 over 100 bird species were seen, averaging about 64 per cruise. Highlights included kingfisher, godwits, turnstone, dunlin, knot, marsh harrier, peregrine, terns, buzzard, gannet and eider. Cruises run from May until October and full details, including ticket arrangements are at www.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire *** Scunthorpe Museum Society Indoor Meetings *** www.scunthorpemuseumsociety.btck.co.uk *** Barton Area Group LWT *** Barton Area Group of the LWT is now on Facebook; https://www.facebook.com/LWT.Barton.Group Sunday 19th February A visit to "Bubwith Ings" Swans, Geese and Ducks will feature Meet at Ness Farm car park for a 9am start Contact; Adrian White (01724 732152) for details. Wear appropriate clothing and footwear. All welcome, Trust membership not necessary. *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** Carolyn Davis writes: On Saturday 25th February 2017 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them on a morning bird walk starting from Cleethorpes Discovery Centre. Meet walk leader Ray Hume at the Discovery Centre on Kings Road, Cleethorpes at 8am. Please wear suitable outdoor clothing and stout footwear and bring binoculars if you have them. This is a free event but donations will be welcomed for the Trust. For further details contact Ray Hume - 01472 320878. *** More Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Events 2016 *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/whats-on *** February Meeting and Trip of RSPB Grimsby Local Group *** Martin Francis writes: The next meeting of the Grimsby RSPB Group is at 7.30pm on Monday 20th February at Corpus Christi Community Centre, corner of Machray Place, Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes DN35 7AE. Graham Catley will give us a talk about "Alkborough Flats". There will also be an opportunity to sign up for the Group's coach trip to the Attenborough Reserve in Nottinghamshire on Sunday 26th February as well as refreshments, a raffle, and a quiz. Entry is £3, payable at the door. The cost of the coach trip is £20 per person. All are welcome. You don't have to be a member of the RSPB. For more information, contact Martin Francis (Group Leader) at martin.francis2@ntlworld.com (preferred) or on (01472) 883436 We look forward to seeing you at the meeting, or on the trip, or both! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ Note - I have been leaving out late reports to save myself going back to re-do entries. From now on I shall squeeze in important ones, indicating them with a " * ". 8/2 7 Waxwings at Hebdon Moor Way, North Hykeham 30 Waxwings at First Avenue, off Laceby Road, Grimsby 5 Short-eared Owls, north of car park, Howden's Pullover, Donna Nook 11 Bewick's Swans at Thorne Bank, by Four Mile Bar Bridge, + Great White Egret, Long-tailed Duck, 3 Short-eared Owls, 3 Scaup 1m 2f, Deeping High Bank c28 Russian White-fronted Geese, Willowtree Fen 15+ Russian White-fronted Geese, Frampton Marsh 9/2 55 Whooper Swans, Frampton Marsh 10/2 8 Tundra Bean Geese, track from Queen's Bridge to Saltfleetby, Skidbrooke 15 Russian White-fronted Geese, Croft Marsh, Gibraltar Point Great Grey Shrike near Deeping St Nicholas, Great White Egret, Deeping High Bank Hen Harrier near realignment, 80 Twite, Donna Nook 11/2 21 Shorelarks, c 30 Lapland Buntings, Donna Nook 4 Russian White-fronted Geese in field north of Chapel Pit, Chapel St Leonards 5 Russian White-fronted Geese, Manby Flashes Hen Harrier ringtail, Short-eared Owl, c 80 Russian White-fronted Geese flew over visitor cente, Gibraltar Point Short-eared Owl, American Wigeon reported, Frampton Marsh Bluethroat by 2nd passing point on centre track along reedbeds, Tundra Bean Goose with 28 Russian White-fronted Geese, Willowtree Fen Great Grey Shrike, near Deeping St Nicholas, Great White Egret, Long-tailed Duck, 2 Scaup 1drk, 3 Short-eared Owls near Four Mile Bar Bridge, Deeping High Bank 12/2 Bluethroat by 2nd passing point on centre track along reedbeds, Tundra Bean Goose with 30 Russian White-fronted Geese, Willowtree Fen Great Grey Shrike, Great White Egret, near Deeping St Nicholas, Long-tailed Duck, 3 Scaup, 3 Short-eared Owls near Four Mile Bar Bridge, Deeping High Bank 2 Scaup 1w drks at Cove Farm gravel pits north of Westwoodside 2+Short-eared Owls, Hen Harrier, Frampton Marsh 13/2 Bluethroat on centre track along reedbeds, Pink-footed Goose, 29 Russian White-fronted Geese, Willowtree Fen Great Grey Shrike, Long-tailed duck, Great White Egret, Deeping High Bank 3 Long-eared Owls, Deeping Lakes Smew redhead by golf course, Maud Foster Drain, Boston Scaup drk, Toft Newton Reservoir* 14/2 Scaup fem on lagoon, Freiston Shore Scaup 1w drk. Apex Pit, North Hykeham Bittern, from far hide, Far Ings Lesser Whitethroat with tit flock, Marston sewage works Mealy Redpoll with 5 Lesser Redpolls, Park Road, Willingham by Stow, Tundra Bean Goose + 104 Russian White-fronted Geese, Croft Marsh, Gibraltar Point 2 Long-eared Owls, Deeping Lakes Bluethroat on centre track along reedbeds, Willowtree Fen Great Grey Shrike by River Welland, Four Mile Bar Bridge, Great White Egret, Long-tailed Duck*, Scaup*, Deeping High Bank Glaucous Gull juv, juv Iceland Gull, Riverslea pit, Kirkby on Bain gravel pits* 15/2 Bluethroat on centre track along reedbeds, Willowtree Fen c20 Shorelarks, c30 Lapland Buntings, Donna Nook Great Grey Shrike by River Welland, Four Mile Bar Bridge, Long-tailed Duck on island, Deeping High Bank 3 Long-eared Owls, Deeping Lakes Short-eared Owl, off East Marsh Road, Goxhill Haven Hen Harrier, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh Note: I am adapting RBA pager information for the Bulletin by eliminating or summarising/consolidating repeated messages. Please visit the RBA website for updates/fuller details. Here you can register free to use the site and get free trials of their subscription services. Rare Bird Alert website: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ [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. Jerry Gunner writes: Nothing much to report but a few harbingers of spring this morning while I was out in the garden. I was helped by four robins which got very close, one even alighting on my boot for about a minute while I was taking a breather. A brown butterfly, either peacock or tortoiseshell is flying around the garden as I speak and a honey bee was feeding greedily on the winter aconites. The bird feeders are busy with goldfinches and chaffinches in the majority but lots of blue tits, great tits and less regularly coal tits. A pair of collared doves have worked out how to eat the peanuts from the feeders which is fun to watch. Lots of dunnocks about too looking spiffing in their breeding plumage. I think we have seven pairs of blackbirds but it may be more. Some are already nesting. This morning we had three buzzards spiralling over the house calling noisily. ROADKILLS - "Dead, but worth recording!" Every drive is a transect! Roadkill Records always welcome. *** County Wildlife Reports From Readers *** "If it is worth observing, it is worth recording." 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. RIVER ANCHOLME River Ancholme, south of Harlam Hill Lock TF020940 Patty Phillips 10/02/17 8am Adult mink with 1 young 12/02/17 8am Otter loping across top of bank from River Ancholme westward to Norton Beck ANDERBY MARSH 10th February 2017 Dave Miller Blackbird 1 Golden Plover 190 Lapwing 74 Little Egret 1 Magpie 3 Starling ca 50 BARDNEY The Green TF120694 R & A Parsons Much mole activity in Bardney churchyard this month. Ladybird sp in flight in the house 15/2/2017 Did not manage to catch and ID it. ANDERBY MARSH 10th February 2017 Dave Miller Blackbird 1 Golden Plover 190 Lapwing 74 Little Egret 1 Magpie 3 Starling ca 50 EAST HALTON SKITTER (Grid reference TA1423) 12/2/2017 Jon Drakes Poor weather conditions resulted in the monthly WeBS count for the BTO being abandoned early. The few species recorded in the Easterly Gale force winds and driving freezing rain were as follows: Lapwing 65 Blackbird Woodpigeon100's Pheasant 2 Redshank 2 Curlew 1 Shelduck 1 Carrion Crow Magpie HOLYWELL LAKE WeBS Holywell Lake Ian Misselbrook Date: Mon, 13 Feb 2017 14:27:02 -0000 I waited until today to do the count as visibility was so poor yesterday. Little grebes 19 Canada Geese 24 Greylag Geese 60 Gadwall 22 Mallard 83 Teal 10 Wigeon 31 Tufted Duck 30 Mandarin Ducks 2 - a pair Coot 4 Moorhen 11 Black-headed Gulls 25 Grey wagtail 1 Red Kite 1 Goldcrests LT Tits Coal Tits Blue Tits Great Tits Wren Dunnocks Robin Blackbird Wood Pigeons Carrion Crows Rooks Jackdaws Starlings Chaffinches Goldfinches HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden) 10/2/2017 Pheasants 3 (male) Song thrush 1 14/2/2017 Robins 3 Tawny owl 1 (heard 6 a.m.) 15/2/2017 Bombus terrestris 1 (I hope she found the mahonia flowers!) Dunnock 1 Chaffinch 2 Great tits 4 Song thrush 1 Starlings 2 Wren 1 + first crocuses in flower KEELBY (Grid reference TA1610) 11/2/2017 Jon Drakes Noted whilst carrying out the weekly BTO Garden Bird Watch in our back garden in less than ideal weather conditions (E Gale, snow and sleet) : Blackbird 4 Starling 30 House Sparrow 40 Chaffinch 1 Woodpigeon 1 Collared Dove 5 Robin 2 Pied Wagtail 2 Rook 1 Long-tail Tit 7 LOUTH Clare Brady 14/2/2017 Two skylarks singing down old rail way to Stewton, Louth. POTTERHANWORTH - NEVILLE WOOD TF067657 John Nickson 13th Feb 2017 Hen Harrier Female. STALLINGBOROUGH - HOBSON WAY (Grid reference TA2113) 9/2/2017 Jon Drakes A pair of Kestrels were seen checking out the nest box located on one of the chimney stacks at my place of employment. WALESBY, LINCOLNSHIRE Grid Ref TF133 924 Records from our garden for the week ended Sunday 12 February 2017 Carol Massen (We have a rural garden of just under a quarter of an acre. There are 2 log piles - one with a camera, a pond, several bird boxes - 3 with cameras and a 'small mammal box' with camera.) Numbers indicate maximum sightings of a species at any one time Blackbird 3 Blue Tit 6 Bullfinch 1 (female) Chaffinch 6 Coal Tit 1 Collared Dove 2 Dunnock 2 Goldfinch 7 Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 Great Tit 1 Greenfinch 4 House Sparrow 7 Jackdaw 6 Long Tailed Ti 9 Pheasant 6 Robin 2 Song Thrush 1 Sparrowhawk 1 Stock Dove 2 Wood Pigeon 2 Wren 1 Grey Squirrel 3 Bank Vole 3 Wood Mouse2 Shrew 1 3 bird boxes have roosting blue tits A flock of 13 Fieldfare were seen in a neighbour's tree RAF WAINFLEET 11th February 2017 Dave Miller Brent Goose 365 Crow 4 Curlew 22 Golden Plover 50 Hen Harrier 1 female hunting low over the saltmarsh. Herring gull 4 Knot 600 Linnet 36 Little egret 3 Mallard 7 Meadow Pipit 8 Mute Swan 3 Redshank 26 Rock Pipit 2 Shelduck 11 Skylark 7 Starling 164 WILDMORE FEN November 1984 - January 2017. R Parsons From now on reports will be for Castle Dyke Bank, Canada Lane and Canada Farm area, TF120694, unless otherwise stated. WOODHALL SPA 10 February 2017 John Hodgson Home GR 201 629 1 x Great White Egret on side of beck at Home GR. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Reports always welcome. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE DUNES NNR including DONNA NOOK http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/saltfleetby-theddlethorpe-dunes http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/donna-nook-nnr http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/38015?category=59026 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR Report 8th February - 15th February 2017 Contributors: Peter and Janet Roworth, Nigel Lound, Gary Cooper, Rob Lidstone-Scott & John Walker General Notes and Weather Observations Bitterly cold easterly winds 8th from the 8th with gusts of 48.6mph and 44.6mph recorded on the 12th and 32.4mph on the 13th. Snow grains observed on the 9th and snow grains/sleet and wet snow on the 10th. Birdsong has become stronger since the weekend with Skylark, Song Thrush, Blackbird, Robin, Dunnock, Chaffinch, Wren, Blue Tit and Great Tit , all heard. The monthly WeBS counts included 477 curlews roosting on Theddlethorpe foreshore, one of the highest counts for the species in this sector, (most feed on nearby cattle grazed permanent pasture) Daily Notes and Wildlife Sightings 10th A Grey Wagtail was around the Haven. 2 Grey Partridge and a Peregrine were at Elm House Farm and 8 Tundra Bean Geese were on the track to Queen's Bridge alongside the Greyfleet Drain. 11th Pintail 4? 1? on Paradise lagoon, lapwing 370+ and fieldfare 60 over Rimac 12th 1 Barn Owl and 1 Short Eared Owl, Shoveler 67, pintail ??, hen harrier 1 and Curlew Paradise lagoon; gadwall 6, redshank 10, lapwing 150+, jackdaw 40 and starlings 100+ nearby Campion's ponds 13th Curlew 22, lapwing 12, pintail ?? on Paradise lagoon and a flock of 32 lapwing flying east; a fine male Merlin and a flock of 23 Twite on the edge of the saltmarsh near the outer dunes from Rimac, kingfisher perched on the fence of the pond at Rimac and a barn owl hunting nearby 200 Common Scoter were offshore south of Crook Bank and 2 Buzzard were around. 9 Song Thrush and 7 Redwing were at Brick Yard Lane paddock. A single Egyptian Goose, 28 Shoveler, 18 Tufted Duck and 500 Lapwing were the only birds of note in the Paradise area. 14th A flock of 14 Fieldfares on 14th were the first seen for some weeks, 2 pairs of Little Owls are territorial on edge of NNR, Lapwing 90 flying SE over Sea View, Little Grebe 3 on Great Eau Tawny Owl at Bert's Farm, Sea View, 6 Long tailed Tits at Crook Bank with good flocks of Wigeon along river bank between Rimac and Sea View At least 40 Velvet Scoter were with their common cousins on the sea south of Crook Bank and a lone Fulmar flew south here. A Stonechat was south of Crook Bank and 2 Twite (including a colour ringed bird) were on the beach out from Brick Yard Lane. A Grey Wagtail flew south and a Green Sandpiper was on a drain at CB. 15th A flock of around 50+ Lapwing flying East over Sea View with several Little Egret and good numbers of Wigeon on Great Eau The first common newts in the pond were seen today at Churchill Lane along with a Bumble Bee. Sparrow hawk seen flying North-West over Sea View ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Reports always welcome. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. BARDNEY LIMEWOODS NNR 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. Reports always welcome. http://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/visit/woods-and-nature-reserves/127031.article ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Also see: Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch http://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html LWT Lincolnshire Limewoods http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/what-we-do/living-landscapes/lincolnshire-limewoods ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6. OTHER RESERVE REPORTS AND HIGHLIGHTS - LNRs etc. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 goes out on Thursdays or Fridays in time for the weekend. Please e-mail in contributions as early as possible, to: rparsons@enterprise.net [A backup e-mail address you can use if ever you experience problems with my "Enterprise" address is: old.museum@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 *** 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 copy and paste URLs if necessary. *** 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! You can get membership application forms from Wilma Gammon at the Lincs Wildlife Trust office, e-mail wgammon@lincstrust.co.uk or from the LNU website: http://www.lnu.org/join.php LNU publications [listed on LNU website] may be ordered via: Ian Macalpine-Leny. ian@macalpine-leny.co.uk http://lnu.org/publications.php LNU Mammal Atlas You can download and print off a hard copy or view it online. https://goo.gl/XIqRZg LNU Bursaries: The LNU offers bursaries for natural history courses. The upper limit is £250. If you would like to apply for a bursary for an FSC [or similar] course please contact Richard Chadd on: richard.chadd@environment-agency.gov.uk *** CONTACTS LIST *** Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. *** 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 Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. *** EasyTide *** Check tide times on Admiralty EasyTide: http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx *** TWO - The Weather Outlook *** Check the weather forecast for the location or postcode: http://www.theweatheroutlook.com/ *** Met Office E-mail Service *** E-mail notification service for severe weather and other matters which may interest readers. 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 Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. When asking for help: Please give the the very best information you can provide. If you are not sure, ask what is needed from you to confirm identification. Photographs are helpful but not every species can be identified from a photograph. When asked for further details, get back to them promptly. Don't forget a thank you for the help. That is always welcome. *** Identifying Fungi *** http://www.rogersmushrooms.com/ *** What's That Butterfly? *** http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/index.php http://butterfly-conservation.org/ *** 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 *** http://www.bwars.com/ 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 Recorder *** Chris Manning, Chris.LincsDeer@gmail.com Mink/Otter reports are of interest and can be sent via the Bulletin. Mammal Atlas You can download and print off a hard copy or view it online. https://goo.gl/XIqRZg *** 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 information and to submit records contact: Ashley Butterfield learningoutdoors@btinternet.com You can input reptile and amphibian data at: http://www.recordpool.org.uk/ Please remember, common species are just as important as rarer species. *** 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/ *** Confidential Bat Records *** 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 (bear in mind only a relative few of the 300+ species in the county are identifiable using photos). d.a.sheppard@btinternet.com *** Slug ID Help *** Chris du Feu will help with slug identification. Tel: 01427 848400 or e-mail: chris@chrisdufeu.force9.co.uk *** Non-Marine Molluscs *** Alex Pickwell is the LNU Recorder for Non-marine Molluscs Email: alex.pickwell@environment-agency.gov.uk *** Botanical Group in South Lincs *** Contact: Sarah Lambert, who writes: We'd be happy to welcome new people, experienced or not, particularly if they are located towards the northern part of the vice county! sarah.lambert7@ntlworld.com USEFUL WILDLIFE CONTACTS Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/ *** Lincs Environmental Records Centre *** Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership http://www.glnp.org.uk/ (of which LERC is a part) Contact: charlie.barnes@glnp.org.uk or for more general queries: info@glnp.org.uk *** Life on the Verge and Wildflower Meadow Network Project *** http://www.lifeontheverge.org.uk/ Contact: Aidan Neary, aneary@lincstrust.co.uk Mobile: 07825 970930, Switchboard: 01507 526667. *** Good sources of seeds of Bee-friendly Wild Flowers *** Plantlife and Flora locale have defined protocols that can guide the conservation-minded shopper. See: www.floralocale.org/Alphabetical+supplier+listing *** 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 *** http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk Contact 01507 528223 enquiries@joseph-banks.org.uk *** Other Useful Websites/contacts *** Suggestions for other useful Websites are welcome. Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. *** Natural England *** http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ *** Lincolnshire Environmental Awards *** http://www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk/ *** Lincolnshire's Back Garden : Might your project qualify? *** The HLF want to encourage applications for funding from all champions of natural heritage, particularly small, local and community groups with projects that help raise awareness of the wildlife and nature to be found close to home. See: https://www.hlf.org.uk/about-us/news-features/lincolnshires-back-garden *** Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service *** http://www.lincswolds.org.uk Contact: 01522 555780 [New Number} *** Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project *** http://www.lincswolds.org.uk/chalk-streams/lincolnshire-chalk-streams Contact: Ruth Craig Ruth.Craig@lincolnshire.gov.uk *** 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 *** http://www.lincsbirders.org/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 a few cases may be difficult or impossible to verify. If further information is needed 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 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. Interest in wildlife is not a licence to act irresponsibly or thoughtlessly to landowners, who may well be partners in important conservation work. See the RSPB's birdwatchers' code https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/read-and-learn/watching-birds/code/ and BTO's advice: https://www.bto.org/sites/default/files/u10/downloads/taking-part/health/bwc.pdf [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. 2017 AGM and Field Meetings Saturday, March 04, 2017 AGM & Presidential Address by Annette Faulkner “The Fens revisited. An update” Whisby Education Centre, 2pm Sunday, April 30, 2017 Field Meeting to Gatecliff Wood A private woodland site with access courtesy of Steph Simpson. Southwest of Wragby 12.00 for 13.00 start. Take minor road south from A158 just east of Langworth and sign-posted for Woodside Wildlife Park (Falconry Centre). Go past the park and take track on right (on bend next to Hardy Gang Wood). Park at TF087748 next to corner of Gatecliff Wood. Don't take the private track to Barlings or continue down track to Gatecliff Farm. Possibility of evening bat walk here from 7.30pm with members of the Lincolnshire Bat Group. Best to confirm nearer the time. NB. As a private woodland no exploring before the set time please. Nearest public toilets in centre of Wragby. Habitat: Ancient Woodland. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Saturday, May 27, 2017 Field meeting to Corringham Scroggs with evening bat/moth recording session A private site with access courtesy of Thonock and Somerby Estates. Northeast of Gainsborough. 12.00 for 13.00 start and then at 20.30 again for evening session. Meet and park at SK842919 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 the track where possible and walk to meeting spot at end. NB. Parts of site quite wet. Insect repellent recommended. Additionally, as a private woodland no exploring before the set time please. No mains available for moth traps. Nearest public toilets are in Gainsborough town centre. Habitats: Broadleaved and mixed woodland (partly wet), ponds and scrub. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Sunday, June 25, 2017 Field Meeting to Chapel Six Marshes Part of Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park. North of Chapel St.Leonards 12.00 for 13.00 start. Take minor road north of Chapel St Leonards for about 1km and then track towards sea and parking at TF558741. NB. Nearest public toilets are at Chapel Point. Habitats: Dunes, shore, marsh, waterbodies, grassland, scrub and plantation. Partly a habitat creation area. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Sunday, July 30, 2017 Field Meeting to Thurlby Fen Slipe Thurlby Fen Slipe LWT Reserve Access courtesy of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. Southeast of Bourne. 12.00 for 13.00 start. Car parking on Baston Edge Drove (unmade track) at TF119164. Turn onto Long Drove eastwards from the A15 at Thurlby and look for the LNU sign for the car park. Possibility of evening bat walk here with members of the Lincolnshire Bat Group. Best to confirm nearer the time. NB. Access restrictions may apply to the eastern half of the reserve due to the presence of sensitive wildlife. Nearest public toilets in Bourne town centre. Habitats: Borrow pits, hedgerows, wet woodland, grassland and the north bank of the River Glen. Leader: Nick Tribe 07733 073984 nick.tribe@ntlworld.com Saturday, August 05, 2017 Field Meeting to Mareham Pastures LNR with evening moth/bat recording session Mareham Pastures Local Nature Reserve. South of Sleaford. All day Bioblitz event with evening moth/bat recording session. Joint meeting with Friends of Mareham Pastures. Meeting times: 10am, 1pm and 8.15pm at reserve car park at TF072 447 (NG34 8ST). Follow Mareham Lane south out of Sleaford and turn right towards recycling centre then turn right again into car park. NB. No mains available for moth traps. Nearest public toilets in Sleaford town centre. Habitats: Meadows and woodland over restored landfill site. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Sunday, September 03, 2017 Field Meeting to Gunby Hall (National Trust) Specifically to explore the parkland area with access courtesy of the National Trust. West of Burgh le Marsh. 12.00 for 13.00 start. Meet at the main car park near to Gunby Hall entrance at TF466669 found at end of access track off the roundabout where the A158 and A1028 meet. NB. Toilets and cafe available on site. Habitats: Parkland with various waterbodies. Leader: Dr. David Sheppard 07880 986923 d.a.sheppard@btinternet.com Sunday, October 08, 2017 Field Meeting to Bloxholm Wood LWT Reserve (Fungi Foray) Access courtesy of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. North of Sleaford. 12.00 for 13.00 start. The reserve entrance and parking spot is situated at the south end of the B1191 (southwest of Ashby de la Launde) close to the junction with the A15 at TF037533. NB. There is a 1km walk to the main woodland area. Some verge parking probably needed. Nearest public toilets in Sleaford town centre. Habitat: Broadleaved and mixed woodland habitats. Leader: Ray Halstead 07772 613640 ray.halstead@tiscali.co.uk *** The Whisby Workshops 2017 *** Richard Davidson - Programme Secretary - writes: The workshops are free to participants as all overhead costs are split between the Lincoln Area Group and the LNU. [Refreshments are also provided.] The aim is not to turn people into experts in an afternoon, but to cascade knowledge and enthusiasm for particular subjects so that participants can go away better equipped to follow them up on their own and also to encourage interest in a broader range of subjects both entomological and botanical. On most of them there has been time inside learning generally about the subject and looking at specimens followed by time outside in the field following this up. The workshops lined up for 2017 are Bees, Flies/ Diptera, Pond Dipping and Odonata. We're very grateful to the various experts who've fronted the workshops for being willing to give up their time and share their knowledge. We couldn't do all this without them. Also to the LNU for being willing to enter into this partnership. In the future we could broaden things to include mammals, birds and many other natural history topics. The dates of the workshops for next year are now finalized. Bees (David Sheppard) on the 3rd of June, Flies/ Diptera on the 15th of July, Pond Dipping on the 22nd of July (Richard Chadd) Odonata (Nick Tribe and Richard Chadd) on the 29th of July. Contact Richard Davidson on: rel.davidson@btinternet.com *** Field Studies Council courses 2017 *** The latest programme of the FSC lists an impressive range of interesting courses in some wonderful places. Note the partner organisations. Strongly recommended. http://www.field-studies-council.org/individuals-and-families/natural-history.aspx LNU Bursaries: The LNU offers bursaries for natural history courses. The upper limit is £250. If you would like to apply for a bursary for an FSC [or similar] course please contact Richard Chadd on: richard.chadd@environment-agency.gov.uk *** Bryophyte Surveys *** Steven Heathcote writes: Bryophyte surveys around Lincolnshire. I have been carrying out some bryophyte surveys at a range of Lincolnshire sites as part of the British Bryological Society's Ecology Group project . See: http://rbg-web2.rbge.org.uk/bbs/activities/brecog/brecog.html The survey involves a series of small quadrats in different bryophyte habitats. I'm visiting a wide range of sites across the county. If anyone would like to join me in 2017 then please drop me an email and I will let you know when I plan a visit. steven.heathcote@gmail.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails This Week *** If you recognise the owner of a 'part-address' below, please let them know that their their Bulletin has 'bounced' this week. steve@wragby - hard bounce - mailbox unavailable -delivery failed; will not continue trying If ever your Bulletin does not arrive, please let me know. Text copies of past Bulletins can be found on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html ....and finally..... Unregistered Lincoln common horses face removal http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-38903869 Lincoln maths expert to be honoured with city statue http://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/lincoln-maths-genius-to-get-statue-in-city-and-here-are-the-designs/story-30122637-detail/story.html http://www.rogerparsons.info/george/boole.html Public parks in danger of falling into neglect, warn MPs http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-38935787 New Zealand rescuers refloat 100 stranded whales http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-38942763 Banned chemicals persist in deep ocean http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-38957549 Air pollution 'final warning' from European Commission to UK http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-38980510 Robot bees vs real bees - why tiny drones can't compete with the real thing https://theconversation.com/robot-bees-vs-real-bees-why-tiny-drones-cant-compete-with-the-real-thing-72769 Birds of prey lock in combat https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/feb/14/country-diary-south-downs-birds-prey-combat-buzzard-red-kite ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/