============================================= || || 19th March 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: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk ============================================ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. Readers' hints, tips and requests ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** From the Editor.... *** I hope I did not spook anyone by emailing a test version of the Bulletin last week. I sometimes send Bulletins drafts to myself to check all is working as it should, only instead of going to my 3 addresses I sent it to everyone! Interestingly it prompted an additional 100+ people to open their Bulletins. The beautiful sunny day on Thursday last taught us that one of our unused chimneys has a feral honeybee colony in it. This explains why I had noticed a few worker bees peering into our windows recently and I also noticed there is "bee poo" on a skylight. Thanks, girls. It is not comfortable being in a cluster waiting for spring, and honey- bees will take advantage of good weather to make what beekeepers delicately term "cleansing flights". Suitable wild nest sites are scarce these days, so swarms will occupy any dark, weatherproof space like a chimney. This can be an issue where there is an open flue, as bees may find their way down it. There is also the complication of beeswax if you plan to light a fire. Remember that. Some beekeepers consider feral colonies to be possible places for the development of resistance to the Varroa mite through natural selection. There is no harm in hoping. However, it is possible that as one colony falters and dies, a new swarm will come in to take over and go through the same cycle. If resistance should be discovered in such circumstances it will probably be because the incoming swarm already had some Varroa- resistant characteristics. Have you heard about Hygenic Bees? See: http://www.sussex.ac.uk/lasi/sussexplan/hygienicbees Here are a few of this week's interesting links: For the historians: Domesday Book to go on display at Lincoln Castle http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-39224331 For the palaeontologists: Oldest crocodile eggs discovered http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-39219795 For the entomologists: Robber fly: Hunting secrets of a tiny predator revealed http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-39219015 For everyone who enjoys natural history programmes: Watching the scratching bear is good for you http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-39218801 Tracking Cuckoos to Africa - and Back - check the map. https://www.bto.org/pt-pt/science/migration/tracking-studies/cuckoo-tracking?curr_year=2013 More topical links below in "...and finally..." It would be good to have more plant records coming in to the Bulletin. Also, as spring arrives, keep an eye out for Herpetofauna - Amphibians and reptiles. A full list of LNU Country Recorders is given here and in Communiqué. http://www.lnu.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 old.museum@yahoo.co.uk *** 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: 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 *** Butterfly Conservation Work Day *** Sunday 19th of March Chambers Farm Wood, between Wragby and Bardney. 10.00 am to 3.30 pm. Meet in the first car park. Tools provided but bring gloves and refreshments including packed lunch if staying all day). Wear suitable clothes and work boots or wellies. Cutting down ride side vegetation, to manage it for benefit of butterflies, particularly Brown Hairstreaks. Contact - Richard Davidson on 01522 525725 or 078 144 14285, for further information or directions. Or Email rel.davidson@btinternet.com *** Last-Minute Plug - Lincoln LWT *** Richard Davidson Lincoln Area Group Talk March 16th: Beetles in Lincolnshire Local expert and county recorder Charlie Barnes looks at the variety of beetles found in Lincolnshire including those found in the Lincoln area. Talk at Whisby Nature Park in the Lafarge Education Building starting at 7.30 pm. Admission £2.50 which includes refreshments. *** LBC AGM - FREE to everyone *** The Lincolnshire Bird Club Cordially invites you to The Admiral Rodney, Horncastle at 7.30pm on Tuesday, March 21st 2017 for a talk by Andy Clements Director of the British Trust for Ornithology He will be talking on; "The latest bird tracking technology" The talk is FREE to everyone and will be followed by the Annual General Meeting (members only) Andy Clements is responsible for leading the work of the British Trust for Ornithology *** Butterfly Conservation Spring Indoor Meeting *** Lesley Robinson writes: It is that time of the year again when the Lincolnshire branch of Butterfly Conservation is holding its spring indoor meeting. Date: 1st April at 2 pm Place: Chambers Farm Wood education centre, near Wragby - grid reference TF1477380 Speakers: Patrick Barkham (Guardian journalist and author of Butterfly Isles) and Allan Rodda (Lincs Branch member) *** 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 *** http://www.theweatheroutlook.com/ *** March Night Sky - Spring Equinox on 20th. *** Spring equinox falls on 20th March. British Summer Time starts on 26th. Paul Money's 'Monthly Night Sky' webpage will be found on: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html *** EasyTide *** Check tide times on Admiralty EasyTide: http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx *** Spring Bees to look out for..... *** David Sheppard writes [with RP's added links]: Bumblebees can be seen and heard on most spring days now. All of the records so far have been for Bombus terrestris (yellow and black bands and a buff tail) which is the only species with this colour pattern. http://www.bwars.com/bee/apidae/bombus-terrestris Not so for the yellow & black banded species with white tails which could be any of about 4 species and should be flying now as well. Sightings of these will be logged as 'White-tailed Bumblebees' but not as any particular species. If you are sure which species you have seen, please record it using its scientific name to avoid any confusion. Bombus lapidarius (black with a red tail) should also be about by now but I have yet to see one this year. http://www.bwars.com/bee/apidae/bombus-lapidarius Similarly Bombus pascuorum (brown with some black patches on abdomen) will be flying soon. Be careful when recording this one because there is another pale brown bumblebee, Bombus muscorum, which is very rare in Lincolnshire and another wides- pread species, Bombus hypnorum, which has a brown thorax, black abdomen and a white tail and has a habit of flying in such a way as to hide its critical identification features. Anthophora plumipes should be active soon, so keep a look out for it on garden lung- worts and primroses. The male is like a small brown bumblebee and has extremely long hairs on its middle legs. The female is black with the hind legs partly yellow. The males tend to shadow the females, flying above and behind her. Sometimes two or three males do this at the same time, occasionally having fights between themselves. If you find a nesting colony the aggression is almost continuous. They have a much higher pitched buzz than the deep hum of the bumblebees. http://www.bwars.com/bee/apidae/anthophora-plumipes Finally, some small spring solitary bees should be active as soon as the blackthorn and sallows are in flower. These cannot be identified without a microscope. If you have positively identified any, please give the scientific name in your report. General BWARS gallery: http://www.bwars.com/species_list?title= *** A Caddis to look out for - The Grannom - spotted one yet? *** Brachycentrus subnubilus - a caddis known as The Grannom. https://www.ispotnature.org/species-dictionaries/uksi/Brachycentrus subnubilus 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. We have plenty of larval records, but some adult sightings may fill-in the gaps in Lincolnshire distribution. *** Lincolnshire Environmental Awards - deadline on 31st. *** The closing date for entries is Thursday 31 March 2017 http://www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk/ *** The "Len Pick Trust's Owl Camera" is back, briefly *** Bob Sheppard reports on 11th March: "male owl today, Saturday 6-12pm" Keep visiting and hoping. http://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project/4593449091 *** Bird Watching Cruises 2017 - strongly recommended. *** 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 - All Welcome *** www.scunthorpemuseumsociety.btck.co.uk ***Alford & Mablethorpe Branch LWT*** Alford & Mablethorpe Area Group Find us on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/LWT-Alford-Mablethorpe-Area-Group-175413729474673/ *** Barton Area Group LWT *** Barton Area Group of the LWT is now on Facebook; https://www.facebook.com/LWT.Barton.Group *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT www.grimsbywildlifetrust.org.uk ***Louth and District LWT *** Ray Woodcock writes: Note correction * The 24 March * meeting at 7.30pm will be at the Methodist Church Hall at Nichol Hill, Louth when 2017 Rob Lidstone-Scott, Outer Humber LWT Warden, will tell us about his experiences of, "Seal Management" in the UK. The cost for entry is £2.50 for adults. Children are most welcome and are not charged. For more information about the wide activities of the group contact Ray on lag2014rww@aol.com AN INTRODUCTION TO MOTHS Ray Wodcock adds a piece about a recent meeting: Lincolnshire County Moth Recorder Colin Smith gave the Louth LWT group the benefit of his 45 years of studying and recording moths when he illustrated a range of species on 24 February 2017. There are 2,500 species of moth in the UK with 1,600 of these recorded in Lincolnshire. The adult moth sizes range from the huge Death's Head at with a wing span of 4 inches down to the myriad of species that are less than 5mm in size. The caterpillars are voracious feeders and it is possible to identify these larvae by the distinctive patterns that they make on leaves when feeding. These "mining" moths are the ones that damage our plants. Many species of moths live a very short time, just long enough to breed, as they have no mouth parts while others survive well and species have developed a proboscis to probe into nectar producing flowers whilst certain species, such as the Varied Coronet moth which favours Sweet Williams, live their life cycle on a specific type of plant. I was delighted that other members present said they that saw very few moths. Colin indicated, very politely, that we should be out at night and look harder at our plants by day using a hand lens. Nevertheless, sharp-eyed birds such as Blackbirds and Blue tits have no problem in finding the tiny larva in the grass which form a vital part of the food chain. I offer the information that I gleaned from an RSPB source, that a pair of Blue tits need 15,000 insect larvae to sustain a brood of 4 nestlings. Colin showed us some of his mounted specimens and has kindly agreed to arrange a "Moth Evening" for us as part of our 2018 programme to look for the Marsh moth which is found only in the Rimac and Theddlethorpe beach area. *** More Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Events 2016 *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/whats-on *** Grimsby RSPB Group *** Martin Francis writes: The next meeting of the Grimsby RSPB Group is at 7.30pm on Monday 20th March at Corpus Christi Community Centre, corner of Machray Place, Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes DN35 7AE. Allan and Susan Parker will give us a talk entitled "Shetlands Re-visited". There will also be refreshments and a raffle. Entry is £3, payable at the door. The Group's next trip is to Clumber Park and Messingham NR on Sunday 19th March, (i.e. the day before the meeting) leaving Millman's Coach Depot in Wilton Road, Humberston at 7.30am. The cost of the coach trip is £20 per person. Booking is essential All are welcome. You don't have to be a member of the RSPB for either event. For more information, contact Martin Francis (Group Leader) at martin.francis2@ntlworld.com (preferred) or on (01472) 883436 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 " * ". 10/3 2 Glaucous Gulls, juvs, Lapland Bunting, hybrid HoodedxCarrion Crow Donna Nook Bluethroat 1w m, along main track from car park, Willow Tree Fen Cattle Egret in sheep field, along Churchill Lane, Theddlethorpe St Helen 11/3 Bluethroat 1w m, along main track from car park, Willow Tree Fen 2 Great White Egrets west of Crowland Bridge, Long-tailed Duck, Deeping High Bank 22 Waxwings by recyeling factory on Corringham Road industrial estate, Gainsborough Iceland Gull juv, Hen Harrier male, Manby Flashes Long-eared Owl on island, Scaup, Deeping Lakes Glaucous Gull, Hen Harrier, Wheatear between Stonebridge and RAF base, Donna Nook Little Stint, 2 Shore-eared Owls, Hen Harrier, Frampton Marsh 7 Waxwings in hedge by cattle field, Boultham Mere/Swanpool Great White Egret flew SW over Ruskington Glaucous Gull juv, Tetney Haven* 68 Russian White-fronted Geese, Goxhill Marsh* 12/3 Bluethroat 1w m, along main track from car park, Willow Tree Fen Black Brant, Hen Harrier, 2 Short-eared Owls, Frampton Marsh 8 Waxwings in hedge by cattle field, Green-winged Teal, Boultham Mere/Swanpool Iceland Gull juv, Manby Flashes Glaucous Gull imm, Donna Nook 13/3 6 Bewick's Swans, Alderfen, Wroot 2 Scaup 1w drks, Cove Farm gravel pits, Westwoodside 2 Long-eared Owls on island, Long-tailed Duck, Deeping Lakes Glaucous Gull imm at Stonebridge, 17 Shorelarks, Donna Nook Green-winged Teal, Boultham Mere* 14/3 Bluethroat 1w m, along main track from car park, Willow Tree Fen Mealy Redpoll in garden, Park Road, Willingham by Stow 5 Waxwings in hedge by cattle field, male Lesser-spotted Woodpecker, Russian White-fronted Goose, Boultham Mere/Swanpool Caspian Gull on beach, Gibraltar Point* Long-eared Owl on island, Deeping Lakes* 15/3 Goshawk juv flew over Croft Marsh then west, Lapland Bunting flew over Gibraltar Point Firecrest along hide track, Freiston Shore Glaucous gull imm, 2 Shorelarks, Donna Nook Great White Egret, Fiskerton Fen 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 reports: "in my garden in sunny Nocton for the garden and the Fieldfares were in the fields about 800m south of the causeway between Potterhanworth Booths and Bardney." I’ve never seen this before. There were two robins on the lawn this morning, Tuesday March 14, 2017 - nothing unusual there. One of them was clearly displaying to the other one which was watching it closely. The displayer was standing in one place while extending its neck and leaning it to one side, not unlike a dog using its ears to find something. I’ve never seen this behaviour before. It all stopped when a third robin broke up the party before being chased off by the displayer. Other birds in the garden for spring include two pairs of greenfinches on the feeders along with a pair of tree sparrows which are actually the rarest birds in the garden. The bramblings and redpolls are back for the spring and using the feeders. Interestingly both species came back on the exact same dates as they arrived last year. The bramblings are feeding on the ground underneath the feeders, scarfing up nyger seed chucked out by the myriad goldfinches, but the redpolls are infrequent visitors to the garden. In the last three days there has been a pair of mallard on the ground under the feeders and they’ve cramped the style of the other smaller birds. I imagine they will move round to the back garden and will nest in the vegetable patch like they usually do. We had two white ducks on the back lawn yesterday but the spaniel chased them off. Most interesting to me at least are regular sightings of a merlin in the garden – it would be nice to think it would stay. Our male sparrowhawk has worked out that sitting on top of the bird feeders isn’t a good idea – it took him long enough – and is now sitting in the hedge. All the birds know when he is there and I think they are laughing at him. After goldfinches I think chaffinches are the most common garden birds here. We have a lot of wrens flitting about but I haven’t a clue as to how many. The garden is full of their calls. We’re lucky to have lots of skylarks in the fields around us. On our walk yesterday I saw a huge flock – 200+ - of fieldfares that flew from the field into Potterhanworth wood. There didn’t seem to be any redwings among them. ROADKILLS Every drive is a transect! Reports welcome. FROGSPAWN KEELBY (Grid reference TA1610) 8/3/2017 Jon Drakes The first Common Frogs along with lots of frogspawn of the year were seen in our garden pond. LINCOLN LN6 Dot Jefferies 11th March 2017 This year's first frogspawn in my garden (many frogs) SKELLINGTHORPE Sophie Bennett Mon, 13 Mar 2017 13:48:32 +0000 (UTC) After much calling and a tangle of legs and forelimbs on the last couple of evenings, today the first clump of frogspawn in our small garden pond. Most of the 10 frogs seen are a decent size, but generally quite slender and not the chunky whoppers I have seen in previous years. WADDINGTON. SK97557 63996 Peter Wilson 12th March 2017 I was cutting my next door neighbour's lawn last Wednesday. They have a very small pond, quite stagnant, it is round, about 2 metres in diameter and no more than 9 inches deep. It was heaving with frogs, I counted 12 but suspect there are more. It always has frog spawn every year, my pond next door never has any. We do have a visiting frog now and again but that is all. It never takes up residence in the pond. Could it be that they don't like moving water, I have a small waterfall and the water circulates all the time? *** 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. ANDERBY MARSH 10th March 2017 Dave Miller Crow 2 Curlew 6 Lapwing 1 Little Egret 3 Magpie 5 Mallard 12 Meadow Pipit 1 Moorhen 3 Pheasant 3 Pied Wagtail 4 Skylark 2 Stock dove 4 Teal 60 BARDNEY The Green TF120694 R & A Parsons 9/3/2017 Feral honeybee colony in chimney. Butterflies: Around village - 2 Small Tortoiseshells, 1 Peacock. 10/3/2017 First time this year I have noticed a significant dawn chorus here. I'm an early riser but have not heard this extent of song in 2017. Mainly blackbirds. Also robin, starling and great tit. House Sparrow m and f - first time noted here. 12/3/2017 12+ Small Tortoiseshell active in a warm Methodist church today. also several ladybirds spp. 15/3/2017 Brimstone butterfly flew across churchyard, 12.10hrs. Small tortoiseshell basking in garden. Buzzard calling. BOSTON (South by A16) 13/03/2017 Roy and Kath Pearson Shortly after some food was placed on the lawn, a group of seven large gulls landed. One of them was a Herring Gull and six were Lesser Black-backed Gulls. This is probably the largest number we have ever had at one time. CARLTON LE MOORLAND Carlton le Moorland SK 909580 Jeremy Hutchinson 6 March 17.30 Barn Owl hunting uncultivated field Bat hunting over garden (species uncertain, but not Pipstrelle) 13 March Little Owl calling First frogspawn in pond (early for here), but only 3 frogs seen, no croaking beforehand as has usually been the case until last year, when numbers crashed from 40-50 to single figures, reasons unclear. First Brimstone of the year. Bees of various kinds foraging on Blackthorn blossom. General note: we have had very few Chaffinches in the garden over winter this year. Also, I have seen very few Sparrowhawks recently. I was told today that my neighbour's daughter-in-law saw an Osprey in the Grantham area last weekend (11/12 March), which is very early: suspect a misidentification, probably Red Kite? Also: Carlton le Moorland SK909580 15 March 2017 Chiffchaff Comma EAST HALTON SKITTER TO GOXHILL HAVEN (and return) (Grid reference TA1423 to TA1225) 12/3/2017 Jon Drakes with Tracey Smith and Mike Wilson Species recorded whilst carrying out the monthly WeBS count for the BTO were: Barn Owl 1 Black Tailed Godwit 1 Blackbird Black-Headed Gull Carrion Crow Chaffinch Chiffchaff 3 heard singing Coot 2 Curlew 60 Dunlin 74 Dunnock Goldcrest 1 Golden Plover 86 - seen feeding in stubble field Great Blackback Gul 3 Herring Gull Lapwing 15 - seen feeding in stubble field Little Egret 1 Little Grebe 1 Long-tailed Tit 2 Magpie Mallard 7 Marsh Harrier 2 Meadow Pipit 4 Mute Swan 1 Pheasant 8 Pink-footed Goose 400 - seen feeding on rough pasture Redshank 15 Reed Bunting 16 Robin Shelduck 7 Skylark 1 Snipe 2 Starling Teal 29 Turnstone 8 White Fronted Goose 90 - seen feeding on rough pasture Wigeon 11 Woodpigeon Wren 1 HOLYWELL LAKE WeBS Holywell Lake 13th March 2017 Ian Misselbrook Little grebes 8 Little Egrets 3 Mute Swans 2 (a pair) Canada Geese 15 Greylag Geese 35 Mallard 35 Wigeon 44 Gadwall 2 (pair) Tufted Duck 10 Coot 14 Moorhen 11 Black-headed Gulls 14 Red-legged Partridge 1 Stock Dove 1 (singing) Woodpigeons Fieldfares 20 Redwings 4 Mistle Thrushes 2 Blackbirds Robins Dunnocks Wrens Pied wagtail Great Tit Blue Tit Coal Tits Long-tailed Tits Goldcrest Carrion Crow Rooks Jackdaws Starlings Chaffinch Goldfinch HORKSTOW 13 March 2017 Jenny Haynes There were five buzzards circling over my house yesterday, the most I've seen together. Last year must have been good for them. HORNCASTLE Banovallum House TF257695 Charlie Barnes 13/03/2017 Small tortoiseshell x1 Brimstone x1 male HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden) 4/3/2017 Song thrush 1 Wren 1 5/3/2017 Great tits 4 Goldfinch 1 6/3/2017 Long tailed tits 2 Starlings 2 Rosemary and primrose in flower 7/3/2017 Chaffinch 2 Great tits 6 Wrens 2 Germander speedwell and self heal in flower 8/3/2017 Dunnocks 2 Song thrush 1 9/3/2017 Bees 2 (couldn't identify) Pheasant 1 11/3/2017 Chaffinch 2 Great spotted woodpecker 1 Long tailed tits 2 12/3/2017 House sparrows 6 (often seen in my lane but not the garden - they were checking out bird boxes) 13/3/2017 Blue tits 2 Starling 1 (taking nesting material into hole in old apple tree) 14/3/2017 Caterpillar of large white (on my purple sprouting broccoli) KEELBY (Grid reference TA1610) 11/3/2017 Jon Drakes Species recorded whilst carrying out the weekly Garden Bird Watch for the BTO in our back garden were: Collared Dove 6 Blackbird 4 Robin 1 Starling 20 Dunnock 5 Tree Sparrow 2 House Sparrow 15 Goldfinch 2 Woodpigeon 2 Chaffinch 3 Wren 1 Jackdaw 1 Also evidence that a Hedgehog has been active was found in the garden. KEELBY (Grid reference TA1610) 11/3/2017 Jon Drakes A late afternoon walk around the fields and woodland to the North of the village found the following species present: Blackbird Blue Tit Chaffinch Chiffchaff 1 heard singing Fieldfare Goldcrest 1 Goldfinch Great Tit Grey Heron 1 Herring Gull Jay 3 Kestrel 1 Linnet 4 Magpie Mallard 5 Nuthatch 1 Pheasant Pied Wagtail Many noted in newly ploughed field. Robin Song Thrush 1 Starling Woodpigeon Yellowhammer 1 KETTLETHORPE Kettlethorpe SK 847 457 Alison Brownlow 09/03/2017 Buff-tailed Bumblebee Brimstone buttrefly Comma Kettlethorpe SK 847 757 15/03/2017 Alison Brownlow Small Tortoiseshell on Lesser Celandine Peacock Brimstone Common Carder bee SK 851 748 Toad Spawn Frog spawn in same pond holes and mounds from Minator beetles Comma Wood Anemone Dog's Mercury LINCOLN UPHILL Ruskin Avenue W/E 12/3 /17 Denis Jones Very active week in garden for birds Max number at any one time observed from Conservatory Numerous feeders set up in garden Blackbird 2 Blue Tit 3 Chaffinch 4 Collared Dove 4 Coal Tit 1 Dunnock 2 Goldfinch 14 Great Tit 3 Greenfinch 3 Long Tail Tit 1 Magpie 2 Robin 1 Sparrow 8 Starling 12 Wood Pigeon 2 Wren 1 Tits and Finches constantly in/out garden therefore assume larger numbers than recorded in the area. NORTH HYKEHAM Colin Green, N. Hykeham - SK939657 1 x Brimstone (M) 08/03/17 First butterfly of the year in my garden. First of many I hope. STALLINGBOROUGH - HOBSON WAY (Grid reference TA2113) 9/3/2017 Jon Drakes Noted whilst at work were: Blackbird Carrion Crow Goldfinch Herring Gull Kestrel Magpie SUTTON ST JAMES TF406196 Jonathan Bye 12/3/17 Very active, healthy-looking hedgehog in my Sutton St James garden THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 10/03/17 Pied Wagtail x 2 Reed Bunting x 2 Waxwing x 13 drinking out of puddle and feeding in Hawthorn on track to Thurnholmes Yellowhammer x 1 11/03/17 Kestrel x 2 displaying over Thurnholmes Waxwing x 5 Owston Ferry Warping Drain 12/03/17 Blackbird x 2 Black-headed Gull x 2 over Thurnholmes Chaffinch x 8 Dunnock x 1 Golden Plover x 250 over Thurnholmes Goldfinch x 19 Greenfinch x 1 Greylag Goose x 3 over Thurnholmes Moorhen x 2 Owston Ferry Warping Drain Pied Wagtail x 2 Robin x 1 Skylark x 1 Stock Dove 1 flew out of nest box Tree Sparrow x 12 Wood Pigeon x 18 Wren x 1 Yellowhammer x 1 14/03/17 Blue Tit x 2 Golden Plover x 520 over Thurnholmes Goldfinch x 8 Pied Wagtail x 2 Tree Sparrow x 3 nest building in boxes Yellowhammer x 1 15/03/17 Brimstone x 1 SE804001 WALESBY, LINCOLNSHIRE Grid Ref TF133 924 Records from our garden for the week ended Sunday 12 March 17 Carol Massen Rural garden of just under a quarter of an acre. 2 log piles - one with a camera, a pond, several bird boxes - 4 with cameras and a 'small mammal box' with camera. Numbers indicate maximum sightings of a species at any one time Blackbird 4 Blue Tit 2 Bullfinch 2 (One male, one female) Chaffinch 1 Coal Tit 1 Collared Dove 1 Dunnock 3 Goldcrest 1 Goldfinch 3 Great Tit 1 Greenfinch 5 House Sparrow 3 Jackdaw 3 Long Tailed Tit 2 Pheasant 6 Robin 2 Song Thrush 1 Tree Sparrow 1 Wood Pigeon 3 Wren 1 Grey Squirrel 1 Bank Vole 2 Wood Mouse 3 Frogs in pond 16 3 bird boxes have roosting blue tits Buff tailed bumble bee on 06 March Much more frogspawn than last year Blue tits started nesting in box on 08 March Robins started nesting on 08 March WOODHALL SPA Ostlers Plantation 09 03 17 John Walker Brimstone 5, Peacock 4, Comma 5, Small Tortoiseshell 1, also c 20 7 spot ladybirds and similar number of honeybees all on gorse flowers. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. NNRs including RSPB and LWT Reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RSPB Reserves: http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/collections/thewash_northnorfolk.aspx LWT Reserves: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Reports always welcome. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GIBRALTAR POINT NNR See: Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog. http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Reports always welcome. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE DUNES NNR 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 March - 14th March 2017 Contributors: Peter and Janet Roworth, Nigel Lound, Gary Cooper, Rob Lidstone-Scott & John Walker Daily Notes and Wildlife Sightings 9th In the Crook Bank area were 2 Red-legged Partridge, 2 singing Goldcrest, 2 Redwing, 4 Tree Sparrow, 2 Twite and a pair of Stonechat. At sea was a Long-tailed Duck associating with 34 Velvet and 50 Common Scoter. 12 Great-crested Grebe were also on the sea. Peacock butterfly on the wing at Sea View when the day-time temperature reached 15.0°C, red dead nettle in flower 10th 36 Velvet Scoter were offshore and 109 Red-throated Diver flew north. 4 Harbour Porpoise were seen. In the Crook Bank area were 2 White-fronted Geese, a female Stonechat and 9 Redwing. At Rimac sightings included 2 Marsh Harrier, singles of Peregrine, Merlin, Short-eared Owl and 26 Little Egret. A Cattle Egret was just off the NNR in a sheep field at the top of Churchill Lane. The first Chiffchaff of Spring was around Churchill Lane Car Park. Wigeon 160+ on Great Eau near Sea View 11th On Paradise lagoon were Tufted Duck 18, Shoveler 5, Gadwall 6, Coot 7 and Little Grebe 3; male Merlin on outer dunes off Rimac, plus Stonechat and 2 Marsh Harriers in area; Red-throated Diver 49 moving north; single Goldcrest and Woodcock at Sea View. Little Grebe 2 and Wigeon 150+ on Great Eau 12th Redwing 9 over Sea View and Whooper Swan 23 on Rimac lagoon, 429 curlew on Theddlethorpe foreshore 2 brown 1 grey hen harrier and 2 barn owl over Rimac saltmarsh, 2 little owls calling in Churchill Lane area. 13th At sea 128 Red-throated Diver and 6 Great-crested Grebe flew north. 40 Velvet Scoter were offshore and a single Whitefront in Joe House's field. 7 Bullfinch were seen around Crook Bank as well as 2 Chiffchaff and 6 Goldcrest with 2 in song. A Grey Wagtail flew north at Crook Bank and a Siskin went south. A Cattle Egret was still in the sheep field at the top of Churchill Lane. A Brimstone butterfly was on the wing at Paradise. A single Common Buzzard was seen drifting NW high of Sea View. Woodcock 2 and Brimstone/Peacock butterflies around Sea View, c 4000 starlings arrived from west and briefly gathered in trees near Churchill Lane, also 2 singing chiffchaffs in the area. A Red Kite was observed riding thermals over Sea View mid-morning. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FAR INGS NNR See: Far Ings NNR on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-Of-Far-Ings-National-Nature-Reserve/186876774685595 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Reports always welcome. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ HAGNABY LOCK FEN E.A. Wetland Reserve TF 331595 Garry Steele Noteworthy ornithological sightings and Monthly maximums - February 2017 Cormorant - 6 Fieldfare - c45 Gadwall - 4 Grey Heron - 1 Greylag Goose - 96 Lapwing - 241 Little Egret - 1 Mallard - 27 Redshank - 7 Rook - c120 Shelduck - 1 Shoveler - 1 Teal - 23 Tufted Duck - 3 Wigeon - 42 Woodpigeon - c250 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. For good advice for all nature-watchers see the RSPB's birdwatchers' code https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/read-and-learn/watching-birds/code/ and BTO's pdf: 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 Field Meetings 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. 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..... Spiders top the global predator charts http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-39273661 'Oldest plants on Earth' discovered http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-39267153 Video captures moment plastic enters food chain http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-39217985 Huge plastic waste footprint revealed http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-39279392 Giant green sea turtle goes overboard http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-39246482 Neolithic flint mine to open to public for the first time http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-39235113 Neanderthals 'self-medicated' for pain http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-39205530 Arrests 'big step' in chimp trade battle http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-39216695 Hotbeds of diversity at the bottom of the garden https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/mar/02/country-diary-compost-bins-are-year-round-hotbeds-of-diversity World Wildlife Day photography competition finalists https://www.theguardian.com/environment/gallery/2017/mar/03/world-wildlife-day-photography-competition-finalists Scientists create electric circuits inside plants https://theconversation.com/scientists-create-electric-circuits-inside-plants-73711 Joking apart, the great tit is a born survivor https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/mar/08/joking-apart-great-tit-born-survivor-country-diary Drone fly stirs for the first feed of spring https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/mar/09/drone-fly-stirs-for-the-first-feed-of-spring#comment-94694342 ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/