============================================ || || 25th November 2012 || || LNU Website: || http://www.lnu.org/ || News of Lincolnshire Wildlife || ============================================ In this issue..... 1. Readers hints, tips and requests 2. Wildlife Highlights 3. Wildlife reports from around the county 4. News from the Lincolnshire Coast NNRs 5. News from Far Ings NNR 6. News from Bardney Limewoods NNR 7. Sending in Reports - contributors please read! 8. Contact information 9. Notes about these wildlife reports 10. Bulletin publicity policy 11. Events Diary 12. ...and finally..... ============================================ The Lincolnshire Naturalists Union Bulletin is being read by 1090 people and we are keen to encourage even more readers to subscribe. LNU Wildnews Bulletins are available on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Note: Each address contains the relevant date. Views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union or any associated organisations. Please make contact via the LNU Website: http://www.lnu.org/ or e-mail wildlifenews@lnu.org, or contact the Editor to join up and contribute articles or reports. [Or cancel!] E-mail: rparsons@enterprise.net ============================================ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. Readers hints, tips and requests ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Editor Writes *** This will be the final Bulletin before I have a short break. I shall be back in time to work on the Bulletin for the 16th December - so expect a two week silence. While I am "off web" here are a few things you can be doing if time permits. 1. Sign in to your Mailchimp account using the "update your profile" link at the end of your Bulletins, so you can see how to change your own details: email address etc. Please don't unsubscribe yourself - unless you MEAN to. 2. Have you forwarded the Bulletin to a friend? There is a link at the end of each Bulletin allows you to. Please do. There is nothing like a personal invitation to join. 3. Fit in a visit to Donna Nook - but not at a weekend! 4. If you have any wildlife events or activities needing a plug from 16th December, please send in the details. 5. Try to spot a meteor from the Geminid meteor shower which peaks on 13th December. This looks promising, cloud permitting, of course. 6. Try to see some Waxwings. There seem to be lots about. There was an Amber Alert for the Aurora last night. See: http://aurorawatch.lancs.ac.uk/ Roger *** Next LNU Event *** For LNU meetings see www.lnu.org/events.php See section 11 for full programme. 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. Saturday, January 19, 2013 The Marsh Moth Paul Waring will talk on his work on the Marsh Moth (Athetis palustris) in Lincolnshire, as well as other work around the county including Ancaster and the Bardney Limewoods. See: http://ukmoths.org.uk/show.php?bf=2392 http://www.searchnbn.net/gridMap/gridMap.jsp?allDs=1&srchSpKey=NHMSYS0000501421 *** Seal News *** Grey seal breeding: it will be good to have your updates. Please remember - try to avoid weekend visits when visitor numbers are often rather high. To check tides before you go, see: http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/ To check weather, see: http://www.wunderground.com/ For seal news see: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/index.php Latest seal numbers: Donna Nook seal numbers for Saturday 10 November: Bulls 348, cows 642, pups 444 Saturday 17 November: Bulls 439, cows 1087, pups 951 *** Plantlife's Save Our Magnificent Meadows Project *** [Vikki Fenner wrote the following letter to Lincs Beekeepers. A similar letter came to Chris Manning from Natural England.] We're leading a national partnership working together to save the remaining wildflower meadows and grasslands in key areas of the UK. Nationally, only 2% of the meadows and grasslands that existed in the 1930s survive today. We've brought together a partnership of conservation organisations and local auth- orities to protect the remaining fragments in key areas and raise awareness of their importance and their plight. The partnership has been awarded an initial grant by the Heritage Lottery Fund to plan the three-year project. As part of the planning process, we're undertaking a national survey to find out more about what people know and value, and if/how they might be interested in learning more or taking part in saving wildflower meadows and grasslands. We're keen to publicise the survey as widely as we can to get the maximum returns and are asking organisations with shared interests if they can help by: putting a news story or link on their websites; tweeting or adding information to Facebook; or by sending out an e-mail with the link or including it in an e-bulletin. We've asked the national BBKA to help publicise the survey but we're keen to get the local perspective as well. The survey is online until the end of November at http://tinyurl.com/savingmagnificentmeadows and takes no more than 10 minutes to complete. Alternatively if you have any events scheduled in the near future where copies of the survey could be handed out, I can send a .pdf that can be printed and handed out for people to complete. For more information about the project, please see: http://www.plantlife.org.uk/wild_plants/key_habitats/grassland/saving_our_magnificent_meadows/ If you've got any questions do please call me on the number below. Contact: 07825 748697 *** Possible WATCH Club, Coningsby/Tattershall area *** Roger Parsons writes: I am looking into starting a WATCH club in Coningsby or Tattershall. I am still hoping to hear to hear from people with the relevant natural history interests and enthusiasm. In case you don't know, the Watch Clubs are the junior wing of the Wildlife Trusts. Watch meetings typically last 2 hours on a weekend, once a month. As a first step I need to find at least one other, preferably more adult Watch leaders so we have a team to share the tasks and responsibilities. If you think you might enjoy setting up and helping to run a Watch club, please contact me for further information. E-mail: rparsons@enterprise.net For background information see: http://www.wildlifewatch.org.uk/ http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/watch/index.php ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2. Wildlife Highlights ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Bird News from Rare Birds Alert *** Rare Bird Alert has kindly given permission to reproduce reports. A big thank you from us all. Interested readers should have a look at the RBA website: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ Note: I am adapting my RBA pager information for the Bulletin by eliminating or summarising/consolidating repeated messages. When there is a lot of information I will stick to highlights. Please visit the RBA website for updates or fuller details. 17/11 7 Waxwings, Marston Sewage Works 9 Waxwings, Grantham, Gonerby Moor, Downtown store 40 Waxwings over Gibraltar Point and Purple sandpiper Waxwing, Aylmer Avenue 35 Waxwings flew south, 3 Crossbills, 2 Snow Bunting Water Pipit, Rough-legged Buzzard, Bean Goose, flew NW, Long-tailed Duck, 2 Great Northern Divers, 20 Little Gulls, Hen Harrier, Gibraltar Point Ring Ouzel, Donna Nook Red-crested Po chard,f, Barton-upon-Humber 12 Whooper Swans, Nocton Fen Rough-legged Buzzard over South Somercotes 18/11 2 Waxwings, Lincoln North Carlton 20+ Waxwings, Kirton 4 Waxwings, Tetney Lock 26 Waxwings, Lapland Buntings, 18 Snow Buntings, Gibraltar Point 6 Waxwings. Spalding, Arnolds Meadow 30 Waxwings, Marston, Tollbar Road 26 Waxwings, Marston Sewage Works 13 Waxwings between Toft Newton and Normanby-by-Spital 30+ Waxwings, Middle Rasen, Mill Lane 6 Waxwings, Lincoln, Caenby Corner Smew adult. Far Ings Hen Harrier, Nocton Fen Great Grey Shrike north of Spilsby SW of Ulceby Cross Great Grey Shrike north of Spilsby north of Partney 19/11 22 Waxwings, Marston Sewage Works 14 Waxwings, Water Pipit, 2 Bearded Tits, Gibraltar Point 16 Waxwings, Barton-upon-Humber, Railway station area 27+ Waxwings, Surfleet, south of Spalding Golf Club Long-billed Dowitcher with Redshanks, Alkborough Flats 20/11 76 Waxwings, Marston Sewage Works 2 Waxwings, male Hen Harrier, Water Pipit, Gibraltar Point Long-billed Dowitcher, Alkborough Flats 21/11 58 Waxwings, Marston Sewage Works 24 Waxwings, Grantham, Broad St/New St junction 3 Waxwings. 2 Water Pipits. Gibraltar Point Long-billed Dowitcher, Alkborough Flats 22/11 70 Waxwings, Marston Sewage Works 3 waxwings, Spilsby. west of Ashby by Partney 8 Waxwings, Lapland Bunting, 5 Snow Buntings, Water Pipit, Gibraltar Point 6 Snow Buntings, Frampton Marsh Hen Harrier, Nocton Fen 23/11 Waxwing east of Healing 21 Waxwings, Gibraltar Point by road to main car park 15 Waxwings, Gibraltar Point in hawthorns near visitor centre 45 Waxwings, Marston Sewage Works, south side by Tollbar Road 2 Waxwings, RSPB Frampton Marsh in trees by office Possible Ross/Snow Goose with Pink-footed Geese north past Gibraltar Point also Manx Shearwater Long-billed Dowitcher, Alkborough Flats Bird Alert website: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ Here you can register free to use the site and get free trials of their subscription services. Strongly recommended. [Please mention the Bulletin if you decide to subscribe.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3. Wildlife news from around the county ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** The Roger Goy Column *** Remembering Roger Goy's wildlife information work. Jeremy Hutchinson Writes: Both our neighbours and ourselves are having very few birds visiting our numerous feeders, less than we can ever recall at this time of year. Even our usually abundant House Sparrows are few in number. The are still many unploughed stubble fields around here, presumably because it is so wet, so is there more natural food around than usual? I saw the recent note about Trichomonas, but we've seen no sick or dead birds. Has anyone else had a similar experience? *** County Wildlife Reports From Readers *** Please keep your reports coming. We rely on you to send in your observations and We welcome information from ALL readers, be they beginners or experts. Thanks. CAISTOR Wendy Handford Reports from contributors to Caistor records Week beginning 16.11.12 Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 Buzzard mobbed by rooks(2) and crows(8) Great spotted woodpeckers, adults(2) juvenile(1) Jays(2) on lawn and in orchard Fungi Blushing wood mushroom in coniferous wood Conifer bluing bracket in coniferous wood False chanterelle in coniferous wood Glistening inkcap around base of fallen Ash Shaggy parasol under Hawthorn hedge 13cm cap Wood blewitt in coniferous wood Wood mushroom in coniferous wood Brigg Road verge, disturbed, TA 111 026 Canadian fleabane Hundon Farm ponds TA 113 022 Cormorants(4) flying over Tufted duck(4) Brigg Road farmland TA 106 036 Red kite Wold View verge TA 108 014 Autumn hawkbit Herb robert Hogweed Ivy Shepherd’s purse North Street TA 116 016 Fungus Shaggy scalycap on base of Cherry (new to list) DEEPING LAKES Venue: Deeping Lakes LWT Reserve - TF187083 Observer: Ian Gordon Date: 22/11/12 Time: 0900 – 1100 Weather: Sunny periods, mild and windy. Birds: Blackbird Chaffinch Coot Cormorant Crow Fieldfare Gadwall Chaffinch Goldeneye Goldfinch Great Crested Grebe Great Tit Green Woodpecker Grey Heron Greylag Goose Herring Gull House Sparrow Jay Little Grebe Magpie Mute Swan Pochard Redwing Robin Rook Song Thrush Starling Sparrowhawk Starling Teal Tufted Duck Wigeon Wood Pigeon Others: Grey Squirrel (2) HOLBEACH RANGE. Northern sections. R & K Heath 18/11/12 Winter wader numbers now, such as: Dunlin 3000 Knot 5500 Oystercatcher 1100 Put up at times by; Marsh Harrier 1 Merlin 1 Peregrine 1 Also Barn Owl still hunting in daylight. PINCHBECK 21.11.12 Mick Todd A buzzard has been using a telegraph pole, on West Marsh Road, for a perch on several occasions over the last couple of days. Though was replaced by a kestrel one afternoon! A green woodpecker was also seen on some conifers nearby. SOUTH ELKINGTON South Elkington A 631 TF287890 Chris J Manning 17 Nov 2012 Dead Buzzard on Road SPALDING 23.11.12 Mick Todd A pair of waxwings were eating rowan berries in our works garden, unfortunately the rowan was heavenly pruned in the spring so it doesn't have many berries on it to keep the birds feeding for long. WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons w/e 24/11 Flocks of Fieldfares moving through the hedgerows. Tawny owl calling in garden at 3pm. Otherwise quiet for now. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. Lincolnshire Coast NNRs including RSPB Wash Reserves See: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/species/birds/index.php http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/lwt/seals/index.php ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GIBRALTAR POINT NNR. http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/gib/index.php Katherine Bocock No report yet this week. SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE DUNES NNR. http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/nr/reserve.php?mapref=41 http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designatedareas/nnr/1006128.aspx Week ending: 23rd November 2012. John Walker, Roger Briggs, Steve Hall, Cliff Morrison, Peter & Janet Roworth Compared with the western side of the country we have got off lightly with the amount of rainfall forecast with 23.8mm being recorded from 19th – 22nd. The continuous steady rainfall on the 21st gave 13.5mm in 24hrs. Interesting records from the WeBS on the 18th included Bewick Swans 22, Curlew 334, Dunlin 240, Greenland White-fronted Geese 11, Hen Harrier (male) 1, Sanderling 36, Snow Bunting 8, Twite 60 and Wigeon 173. During the week Skylarks have been active over the salt marsh with some in aerial flight displays and giving short bursts of sub- song. Tempted by available prey items Hen Harrier (male and female), Merlin and Kestrel have been seen hunting over the marsh. Two muntjac deer have been seen in the Rimac area. RSPB WASH Reserves - Frampton Marsh and Freiston Shore Reports for October 2012 John Badley Recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Assisted by Grahame Hopwood and Colin Jennings RSPB Frampton Marsh Wader highlights were a Pectoral Sandpiper (2nd – 9th), up to 12 Curlew Sandpipers (7th), up to six Little Stints (11th). Both Osprey (1st) and Spoonbill (8th) made brief appearances. A Long-tailed Skua was also only seen on one day (10th). Geese and ducks arrived in good numbers during the month, with up to 25 Whooper Swans (17th), 1000 Dark-bellied Brent Geese and 500 Wigeon. A Scaup (20th) and Snow Bunting (30th) were also recorded. Gibraltar Point NNR On the sea the first Long-tailed Duck of the winter was recorded (27th). Also at sea were up to 500 Common Scoter (13th), with two Velvet Scoters (8th) and three (13th). Sooty Shearwater (8th) and Black-throated Diver (21st), Long-tailed Skuas (5th, 9th, 10th) and up to 10 Little Auks (28th) added significant variety. Superb numbers thrushes arrived towards the end of the month with 6000 Redwings, 3000 Fieldfares, 1500 Blackbirds, 130 Song Thrushes and 36 Ring Ouzels (23rd – 24th). Scarcer arrivals included three Yellow-browed Warblers (two on 1st and 12th – 14th), Richard’s Pipit (17th) and Pallas’s Warbler (25th). Firecrests were seen on three dates and two Waxwings arrived (27th – 28th). On the freshwater lagoons one of the Spoonbills remained (until 5th) and a late Garganey was seen (10th). Snow and Lapland Buntings, noted on three dates each, were unexpectedly outnumbered by Hawfinch, which was recorded on four dates. Up to eight Black Redstarts were also seen during the month. Other sites A Red-necked Grebe was at Kirkby Pits (29th – 30th) with Black-necked Grebes at Bardney Pits (14th) and Thurlby Pit (15th onwards). A Red-necked Phalarope at West Ashy Pits was a nice find (2nd – 8th). Caspian Gulls were at Kirkby Pits (two on 10th) and North Hykham Pits (29th). Up to three Cetti’s Warblers were present at Marston STW. A Firecrest was at RSPB Freiston Shore (20th) and a Red-breasted Fly- catcher was at Chapel St Leonards (23rd), a Little Auk was seen at RSPB Freiston Shore (29th), while 14 Waxwings flew over Belton Park (31st). Ring Ouzels were reported at several sites including Lincoln, Boston, Skegness, Chapel St Leonards, Witham Mouth and RSPB Freiston Shore, were there were up to four. John Badley Recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Assisted by Colin Jennings ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. News from Far Ings NNR http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/far_ings/index.php ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Far Ings News W/E 23.11.12 BIRDS Max nos. bittern blackbird 12 black-headed gull 40+ black-tailed godwit 4 blue tit 16 carrion crow 5 Cetti's warbler chaffinch 9 collared dove 4 common gull 22 coot 99 cormorant 2 curlew dunlin 6 dunnock 3 fieldfare 4 gadwall 18 goldeneye 9 golden plover 102 goldcrest goldfinch 11 GBB gull 2 GC grebe 2 GS woodpecker great tit 3 greenfinch 2 grey heron greylag goose 83 herring gull 4 house sparrow 8 kestrel kingfisher lapwing 170 little grebe 2 long-tailed tit 11 magpie 5 mallard 17 marsh harrier M mediterranean gull moorhen 3 mute swan 8 pheasant 2 pied wagtail 2 pochard 5 red-crested pochard redshank 15 redwing 8 reed bunting 3 robin 6 shelduck 4 shoveler 13 smew M sparrowhawk starling 5000+ teal 20 tufted duck 29 water rail 2 wigeon 21 willow tit 2 wood pigeon 6 wren 8 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6. News from Bardney Limewoods NNR http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/Limewoods/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Reports from the following locations will now be posted here to give an overview of Limewoods ecology. The NNR includes the following sites: Chambers Farm Wood (please detail specific area when reporting e.g. Ivy Wood, Little Scrubbs Meadow etc.......); College Wood, Cocklode & Great West Woods, Hardy Gang Wood, Newball Wood, Scotgrove Wood, Southrey Wood, Wickenby Wood Other woods included in the NNR but without public access: Stainfield Wood; Stainton & Fulnetby Woods (access by public bridle way only) For the Limewoods, see: http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/publications/limewoods-walks/ http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/about/conservation/bardney-limewoods-nnr/ http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designatedareas/nnr/1006846.aspx and Adrian Royle's superb Flickr photo-site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/adiroyle/collections/72157624803742908/ Colin Green has produced the following video about visiting Southrey Wood. Well worth a look. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1SpBvd9Ib0 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7. Sending in reports to Roger Parsons ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The purpose of the Bulletin is to encourage biological recording in Lincolnshire using modern Information and Communication Technology. We hope to increase the number of people reporting observations to LNU Recorders and improve the quality of reports, as well as the quantity and the geographical coverage. [A backup e-mail address you can use if ever you experience problems with my "Enterprise" address is: aintree2@yahoo.co.uk] When sending in reports please follow Bulletin layout to save 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. Names in full.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 8. Contact Information & Useful Websites ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please let me know ASAP if any of these weblinks fail! *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Website *** A full list of LNU Country Recorders is given here. http://www.lnu.org/ LNU e-mail: info@lnu.org If you are not yet a member, the LNU needs good naturalists like you! Anyone interested can get membership application forms from Wilma Gammon at the Lincs Wildlife Trust office, e-mail wgammon@lincstrust.co.uk LNU publications [listed on LNU website] may be ordered via: Ian Macalpine-Leny http://lnu.org/publications.php ian@macalpine-leny.co.uk *** iSpot *** The LNU is now represented on the popular iSpot website: http://www.ispot.org.uk/node/275032 A full list of the organisations, recording schemes and societies represented is here: http://www.ispot.org.uk/representatives This is a project run by The Open University as part of Open Air Laboratories (OPAL), where you can "Learn more about wildlife, share your interest with a friendly community and get help identifying what you have seen." The project is essentially in the business of helping people learn how to identify the wildlife they encounter, and encouraging them to get involved in biological recording. *** Contacts List *** *** 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 *** Spiders *** Imogen Wilde writes: I have recently agreed to take on the roles of Regional Co- ordinator (RC) and Mentor for Lincolnshire for the British Arachnological Society (BAS). I will be organising a few field meetings to hunt for spiders and other arachnids in due course, but if any LNU members wish to get in touch in the meantime then please contact me on my e-mail address: Imogen@imogenwilde.co.uk *** Lincs Amphibian and Reptile Group *** The Lincolnshire ARG (Amphibian & Reptile Group) For further details please contact ashleybutterfield@btinternet.com tel. 07984 66 5847 *** Limestone Grassland Project *** Mark Schofield, Limestone Grassland Project Officer, mschofield@lincstrust.co.uk Mobile: 07825970930, Switchboard: 01507 526667. To find out more and to become involved with the survey and management of Lincolnshire's limestone grassland on road verges see: See: http://www.lifeontheverge.org.uk/ *** Local Bat Helpline *** Grounded bats, bat problems, advice and information? Contact Annette and Colin Faulkner on 01775 766286 or e-mail: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** Bat Recorder *** You may send confidential bat records direct to Annette Faulkner on: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** Butterfly Conservation Recorder *** Allan Binding asks contributors of butterfly records to the Bulletin to include their address or contact telephone or e-mail address and Grid Reference if possible. e-mail: allan.binding@ntlworld.com See: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/species/bfly/index.php *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire link *** http://www.lincolnshire-butterflies.org.uk/index.html *** LNU Bees, Wasps and Ants Recorder *** Alan Phillips Willing to examine specimens or check photos (but bear in mind only a relative few of the 300+ species in the county are identifiable using photos). Aculeates only please, no parasitic wasps such as Ichneumons. If in doubt please contact for advice: aculeates@gmail.com *** Whisby's Bee and Wasp List *** Dr Michael Archer and Alan Phillips have put together an impressive list. Have a look and see how many species you recognise by name! http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/whisby/index.php?id=73 Also see: http://norwegica.wordpress.com/author/norwegica/ *** OTTERS *** Readers are reminded that all dead Otters should be reported to the Environment Agency on 0800 807060. *** Hedgehog Survey *** Not yet sure if this will extend to the current autumn/winter. http://www.hedgehogstreet.org/pages/hibernation-survey.html *** Mammal Records *** Mammal records can reported to Chris Manning E-mail: chris@lincsdeer.info Mink reports also of interest and can be sent via the Bulletin. *** Grow-you-own Mistletoe *** http://www.mistle.co.uk/ *** Met Office E-mail Service *** The Met Office website now offers an e-mail notification service for severe weather and other matters which may interest readers. Worth having a look and signing up. Be warned of the possibility of severe weather. See: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/guide-to-emails *** LNU Moths Gallery *** There is a moth page on the LNU Website, to promote the recording of moths across the county. http://www.lnu.org/ Also see: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/species/hawkmoths/index.php *** Slug ID Help *** Chris du Feu will help with slug identification. You can telephone him on: 01427 848400 or e-mail: chris@chrisdufeu.force9.co.uk *** Identification of Non-Marine Molluscs *** John Redshaw is still available to identify specimens of non- marine shelled molluscs, including brackish marsh species. For larger and medium sized species (down to 1cm) a digital image will usually suffice. For smaller species it may be possible, in some cases, to ID specimens from digital images, but usually actual specimens will be required. If providing specimens, they may be enclosed in old film pots (which photographic shops are usually glad to get rid of). Details of location where specimen found, (with grid reference if known), date and finder's name should be provided. If specimen is provided this information should be noted on a label stuck to the outside of the pot. Please be aware that it is illegal to send live specimens through the post. For further details please contact John by e-mail on ejred7fen@tiscali.co.uk *** Mollusc Identification *** David Feld has also kindly offered to assist readers to identify molluscs, both terrestrial and aquatic. Please e-mail him a description and he will advise you whether and where to send a photograph or an actual specimen. Contact: drf@dfeld.freeserve.co.uk *** Lincolnshire Badger Group Update *** Ally Townsend of the Weirfield Wildlife Hospital, writes: If you would like to give people the Lincoln number 01522 530428 a member of staff will record the sighting or RTA. Or use the Weirfield website: http://www.weirfield.co.uk/ where a reporting page can be used to send in reports. *** Lincs Bird Club *** Secretary - Robert Carr secretary@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Membership Secretary - Mike Harrison: michael@michaelharrison1.wanadoo.co.uk LBC County Bird Recorders County Bird Recorder, covering the south of the county recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk for John Badley recorder_north@lincsbirdclub.co.uk for John Clarkson Bird Club Website: http://www.lnu.org/ www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk *** Other Useful Websites *** Key links are now being posted on the LNU website. http://www.lnu.org/ This should save space in the Bulletin, Suggestions for other useful Websites are welcome. Natural England http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ Still includes SSSI Information and "Nature on the Map" Lincolnshire Environmental Awards http://www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk/ Lincs. Wildlife Trust Website http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/ Useful emergency numbers for wildlife crises. http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/factsheets/ Lincs Environmental Records Centre Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership (of which LERC is a part) Contact: Charlie Barnes, charlie.barnes@glnp.org.uk or for more general queries: info@glnp.org.uk The Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes Project (LCGMP) To learn more about the project or to find out how to get involved, please visit http://www.lincsmarshes.org.uk/ Tornado and Storm Research Organisation http://www.lnu.org/ www.torro.org.uk Contact Ian Loxley on colarain@tiscali.co.uk *** Interesting Weather radar website *** Noel Loxley recommends the following interesting website. http://www.raintoday.co.uk/ RSPB Contact Details RSPB Website: http://www.lnu.org/ www.rspb.org.uk www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore http://www.lnu.org/ www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh John Badley, Site Manager for RSPB Lincolnshire Wash reserves e-mail: john.badley@rspb.org.uk Lincoln RSPB http://www.lincolnrsp.org.uk./ Bardney Limewoods http://www.lnu.org/ www.limewoods.co.uk limewoods@lincolnshire.gov.uk The Sir Joseph Banks Society Contact 01507 528223 or by e-mail: enquiries@joseph-banks.org.uk. http://www.lnu.org/ www.joseph-banks.org.uk 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/ Joan Gunson's Moths recorded in my garden 2011: http://www.lnu.org/ www.flickr.com/photos/angleshades Alan Dale's Bugs and Weeds http://www.bugsandweeds.co.uk/ Mike Binnion writes: Common Butterflies http://www.grimsbywildlife.co.uk/otherattractions.htm http://www.grimsbywildlife.co.uk/ Youtube videos by Colin Green. Little Scrubbs Meadon http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inqCJLrTQmg&feature=relmfu Greetwell Hollow http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QmzLFrbjFU&feature=plcp Rimac http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s02O5JJoilQ&feature=plcp *** Other Useful E-mail Addresses *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union: info@lnu.org Gibraltar Point: gibpoint@lincstrust.co.uk Far Ings: farings@lincstrust.co.uk Whisby Nature Park: whisbynp@lincstrust.co.uk NEW Syke's Farm: lwt@sykesfarm.org.uk Lincs. Trust HQ: The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust main e-mail address: info@lincstrust.co.uk Lincolnshire FWAG: lincoln@fwag.org.uk If you would like your e-mail listed here, please let me know. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 certain cases they are impossible to verify. If further information is needed on locations or reporters, or if you wish to question/confirm any of these records, contact: rparsons@enterprise.net Bulletins are sent to Biological Recorders at the Lincs. Wildlife Trust, 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 will sometimes withhold precise details of the location 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. We ask that you respect the interests of wildlife and site owners if you report to national networks. Make a point of explaining site sensitivity and any restrictions on access. An interest in wildlife is not a licence to act irresponsibly/thoughtlessly to landowners, who may well be partners in important conservation work. [Remember - views expressed in the Bulletin do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions on the LNU or associated organisations. In particular this applies to such agencies, especially charities, taking a political stance.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11. LNU Events Diary For LNU meetings also see 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. Indoor meetings: Saturday, January 19, 2013 The Marsh Moth Paul Waring will talk on his work on the Marsh Moth (Athetis palustris) in Lincolnshire, as well as other work around the county including Ancaster and the Bardney Limewoods. Saturday, February 16, 2013 Recorders' Meeting & Annual Exhibition Note - watch for details of early start to give us all additional talking-time. Saturday, March 09, 2013 AGM & Presidential Address by Roger Parsons Subject: The Ecology of Pollination and Pollinators ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails This Week *** If you hear of anyone bemoaning the lack of a Bulletin, please refer them to the Bulletin Portal where they will find a copy. http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Recent Enterprise mailfails: Mostly due to bad reputation of "3" IP address? Mainly affects my thankyous/replies to e-mails. If I have not replied or said thank you - I did - but my reply was blocked! This issue should not affect the Mailchimp mailing. If you are having difficulties with spam folders etc. please make sure you "Whitelist" my address as given in the Bulletin. *** And Finally ... Seal Mothers affect the fate of pups... http://uk.news.yahoo.com/seal-mothers-affect-fate-pups-001824442.html David Robinson writes: Just been sent a link to an incredible photo of the Mars buggy. Click on it to zoom in and look at the detail. http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2012/11/high-res-curiosity-portrait/ ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/ Note: the links below allow you to unsubscribe, send a copy of the Bulletin to a friend or modify your profile/change your e-mail address. N.B. Each reader sees only their own address.