============================================ || || 1st December 2013 || || LNU Website: || http://www.lnu.org/ || News of Lincolnshire Wildlife || ============================================ In this issue..... 1. Readers hints, tips and requests 2. Wildlife Highlights 3. Wildlife reports from around the county 4. News from the Lincolnshire Coast 5. News from Far Ings NNR 6. News from Bardney Limewoods NNR 7. Sending in Reports - contributors please read! 8. Contact information 9. Notes about these wildlife reports 10. Bulletin publicity policy 11. Events Diary 12. ...and finally..... ============================================ The Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Bulletin is being read by 1094 people and we are keen to encourage even more readers to subscribe. A Sign-up Form can now be found on: http://eepurl.com/zmFMT Past LNU Wildnews Bulletins are available on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Note: Each address contains the relevant date. Views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union or any associated organisations. Reports here are open and are available to county recorders of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. Please contact the Editor to contribute articles or reports. E-mail: rparsons@enterprise.net [A backup e-mail address you can use if ever you experience problems with my "Enterprise" address is: aintree2@yahoo.co.uk ] ============================================ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. Readers hints, tips and requests ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** From the Editor.... *** There has been a steady flow of new readers over the past months, taking us up to a total of 1094. A warm welcome to them. We hope they all enjoy the information we provide and in due course will make their contributions. It makes my day when a new contributor sends in their first "go". Readers' input forms a vital part of the Bulletin. Reports, questions, news, events and activities are of interest to everyone. Many of our regular contributors are very busy people who somehow make time to send in something, so everyone ought to be able to help in some way. You could start with out winter survey of Gorse and Lords and Ladies. See Section 3 below. Thanks. Roger *** LNU Events *** 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. The programme of indoor meetings starts next month and final arrangements are being made. To check on the details as these fall into place, visit: http://lnu.org/events.php Saturday, January 11, 2014 Talk by Richard Jefferson Conserving England’s high value grasslands: a health check and future prospects. Everyone is welcome at LNU meetings, but of course it is always good to have new members sign up and become involved in our work. You can do this via the LNU website: http://lnu.org/join.php *** Donna Nook Seals *** Readers of the Bulletin are urged to respect and support the advice and policy of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust in relation to access to seal breeding areas. Please stay behind the fence in the viewing area and do not venture out onto the beach. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-24872049# For the latest Seal news see LWT webpage: http://lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/index.php Rob Lidstone-Scott writes: 2nd Nov: Bulls 82, cows 85, pups 30 9th Nov: Bulls 315, cows 412, pups 200 16th Nov: Bulls 423, cows 960, pups 701 23rd Nov: Bulls 495, cows 1309, pups 1239 *** Goodbye Comet Ison: *** Comet Ison seemingly did not make it round the Sun intact. http://www.cometison2013.co.uk/ http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/ataglance? *** Farmland Birds *** Stuart Britton writes: A couple of years ago I did an ornithological survey at Cote Hill Farm, Osgodby for their Higher Level Stewardship Scheme application. A few weeks ago the farmer Michael Davenport invited me to have a look at an area of wild bird seed he had planted to see what was there. Today (Saturday) myself and 7 other members of the Mid-Lincs Ringing Group put up 900 feet of mist netting on three sides of the area. After three hours we had ringed the following, all new birds: Sparrowhawk 1, Wren 3, Dunnock 24, Robin 3, Great Tit 1, House Sparrow 1, Tree Sparrow 82, Chaffinch 16, Greenfinch 4, Yellowhammer 1 and Reed Bunting 35!! The number of Tree Sparrows and Reed Buntings really surprised us and a conservative estimate would be that we only ringed 25% of the birds present! This shows just how vital the provision of suitable food is in an area of predominantly grass and arable crops. It would be remiss of me not to mention that Cote Hill Farm produces the excellent Cote Hill cheese and I am not on commission! *** Chalara fraxinea question. *** Silvia Fowler writes: Although our 3 ash trees displayed all the symptoms of Chalara fraxinea infection last autumn, this year the foliage seemed quite healthy overall. I'm wondering whether last year there were other fungal diseases involved causing similar symptoms, particularly in the context of the very wet weather we experienced in 2012. Any observations from other contributors? *** LWT Grantham Branch *** M. Elis writes: Next meeting: Friday 13th December 7.30 pm Barkston & Syston Village Hall A607 north of Grantham LINCOLNSHIRE'S UNDERSEA WORLD Helen Craven - LWT Marine Officer *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** Carolyn Lovely writes: On Monday 9th December 2013 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them at their indoor meeting where expert photographer Geoff Trinder will give an illustrated talk - " India a Land of Contrasts." He will show slides of birds in Bharatpur an internationally recognised wetland, Agra and the Taj Mahal, the Chambral River and the endangered Gharial Crocodile and Tigers at Tadoba. This will take place in Grimsby Town Hall and starts at 7.30pm. Admission £2, all are welcome. Festive refreshments, tea/coffee, raffle and Trust goods stall. For further details please contact Jennie Redpath - Grimsby 502858. *** Lincoln RSPB *** http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ *** South Lincs RSPB *** Jeremy Eyeons writes: Forthcoming dates for the 2013/2014 programme of Events. Members and non-members welcome. 12th December at 7-30pm illustrated TALK Sam Newsom Music Centre, Boston COAST AND ISLAND by Paul Hobson Members £2,non-members £3-50 16th January 2014 at 7-30pm illustrated TALK Sam Newsom Music Centre, Boston WILDLIFE OF THE NENE WASHES AND THE CORNCRAKE by Charlie Kitchen Members £2,non-members £3-50. *** S Lincs RSPB *** http://www.southlincsrspb.org.uk ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ 23/11 2 Lapland Buntings, 24 Snow Buntings, Jack Snipe, Long-tailed Duck flew north, juv Pomarine Skua flew south, Gibraltar Point 2 Storm Petrels past, Long-tailed Duck, Black-throated Diver, 3 Velvet Scoters, Slavonian Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Cut End, 64 Twite, Lapland Bunting flew south over Churchill Lane, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Dunes Bittern, Messingham Sand Quarry 2 Common Scoter, Covenham Reservoir 24/11 [6-] 9 Shorelarks, 80 Snow Buntings, 60 Twite, Glaucous Gull past, 5 Red-necked Grebes, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Dunes near Brickyard Lane car park 2 Short-eared Owls, Bonby Carrs 2 Long-tailed Ducks, Kirkby on Bain gravel pits 3 Black-throated Divers past, 2 Slavonian Grebes, 9 Long- tailed Ducks, Freiston Shore 13 Snow Buntings, Frampton Marsh 25/11 [1-5] Snow Bunting, Toft Newton Reservoir 2 Long-tailed Ducks, Kirkby on Bain gravel pits 4 Shorelarks, Donna Nook 2 Snow Buntings, Gibraltar Point 26/11 7 Shorelarks, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Dunes near Brickyard Lane car park 27/11 7 Shorelarks, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Dunes near Brickyard Lane car park 2 Little Stints, 12 Snow Buntings, Frampton Marsh Probable Yellow-browed warbler heard only, West Dunes, Gibraltar Point 28/11 Water Pipit, Snow Bunting, Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point Caspian Gull, Gainsborough Tip 7 Shorelarks, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Dunes near Brickyard Lane car park Hen Harrier male, Snow Bunting over Marsh Farm, Frampton Marsh Note: I am adapting my RBA pager information for the Bulletin by eliminating or summarising/consolidating repeated messages. When there is a lot of information I will stick to highlights. Please visit the RBA website for updates or fuller details. Bird Alert website: 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. GORSE and Lords and Ladies - reports please Gorse - Is it in flower? If it is, are there abundant flowers or just a few? http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/species/gorse http://www.plantlife.org.uk/wild_plants/plant_species/gorse/ Lords and Ladies - Are the leaves spotted or not? http://www.plantlife.org.uk/wild_plants/plant_species/lords-and-ladies http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/species/lords-and-ladies Reports may be sent in via the Bulletin. Many thanks. *** County Wildlife Reports From Readers *** Please keep your reports coming. We rely on you to send in your observations and We welcome information from ALL readers, be they beginners or experts. Thanks. DON'T FORGET Please include the year in your reports in case they are copied and thus lose their context. BARDNEY TF128686 Charlie Barnes 29 November 2013 Mole hills CAISTOR Wendy Handford (WH) Gorse locations: Moortown Road TA 105 002 no flowers A46 Claxby bypass TF 090 964 a few flowers A46 Holton le Moor TF 096 986 no flowers A1103 TF 088 918 no flowers Sandbraes footpath TA 109 018 no flowers Reports from contributors to Caistor records Week beginning 22.11.13 Brigg Road garden TA 113 020 J Foster Redpoll on niger seed 27th Nov Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 WH Long-tailed woodmouse in shed 27th Nov Jays 2 in orchard 28th Nov Winter gnats 20 in orchard 27.11.13 Winter moths 2 25th Nov. New on Caistor list More fungi. ID confirmed by Ray Halstead Phleogena faginea, Fenugreek stalkball. New Sowerbyella radiculata, a Peziza-like cup. New Peniophora quercina, crust on oak 17.11.13. New Caistor bypass farmland TA 114 005 J Wright Hedgehogs 2 22nd Nov Health Centre car park TA 120 011 WH House sparrows 20 25th Nov Nettleton TA 108 002 Small bees 3 on Mahonia 22th Nov Nettleton Lodge Game Farm TA 090 012 B Jacob Tawny owl calling 6.30am 28th Nov North Street TA 116 016 Silverleaf fungus on Birch. New on Caistor list DEEPINGS Venue: Deeping Lakes LWT Reserve TF187083 Date: 19/11//2013 Observer: Ian Gordon Time: 0930 - 1115 Weather: Sunny, cold, no wind Birds: Black-headed Gull Blue Tit Chaffinch Cormorant Crow Fieldfare Gadwall Goldeneye Goldfinch Goosander(male) Great Crested Grebe Great Tit Grey Heron Greylag Goose Herring Gull Kestrel Lesser Black-backed Gull Little Egret Little Grebe Mallard Redwing Reed Bunting Rook Sparrowhawk(2) Starling Teal Tufted Duck Wigeon Woodpigeon DEEPINGS Venue: Deeping Lakes LWT Reserve TF187083 Date: 25/11//2013 Observer: Ian Gordon Time: 0910 – 1120 Weather: Cloudy, cold, odd light shower Birds: Blackbird Black-headed Gull Blue Tit Bullfinch Buzzard Collared Dove Chaffinch Chiffchaf Common Gull Coot Cormorant Corn Bunting Crow Dunnock Fieldfare Goldeneye Goosander Great Crested Grebe Great Tit Green Woodpecker Grey Heron Greylag Goose Kestrel Lapwing Lesser Black-backed Gull Long-tailed Tit Little Egret Magpie Moorhen Mute Swan Pochard Redwing Robin Rook Sparrowhawk Starling Teal Tufted Duck Wigeon Woodpigeon Wren Other: Grey Squirrel (1) Rabbit (2) HORSINGTON TF190684 Charlie Barnes 29 November 2013 Mole hills HUTTOFT TF512 763 (my garden) Jane Pennington Date: 15 November 2013 Mistlethrush 1 Great tits 2 Pheasant 1 Robin 1 Siskin 1 Wood pigeons 4 Wren 1 Date: 16 November 2013 Chaffinch 1 Collared doves 2 Great tits 4 Mistlethrush 1 Date: 17 November 2013 Pheasant 1 Wood pigeons 4 Wren 1 Date: 18 November 2013 Pheasants 5 Blackbirds 2 Date: 20 November 2013 Magpies 2 Mistlethrush 2 Wood pigeons 4 Wren 1 Date: 21 November 2013 Collared dove 1 Wood pigeons Date: 22 November 2013 Dunnock 1 (when the dunnock is here, it's in the company of blackbirds. Does it feel protected?) Blackbirds 8 Great tits 4 Magpie 1 Mistlethrush 1 HUTTOFT TF512 763 (my garden) Jane Pennington Date: 23 November 2013 Owl 1 (heard, not seen, 6.30pm) Date: 25 November 2013 Blackcap 1 (I wasn't able to photograph the bird but I have scoured books and photos online and don't believe it can be anything else.) Date: 26 November 2013 Blackcap 1 (As above, same place just 2 days running.) Blue tit 1 Chaffinch 1 Wrens 2 Date: 27 November 2013 Dunnocks 2 (They seemed to be taking turns each tormenting the robin so they could both have some breadcrumbs!) Date: 28 November 2013 Dunnocks 2 (Same antics as yesterday.) POTTERHANWORTH BOOTHS TF068677 Charlie Barnes 29 November 2013 Roe deer x4 POTTERHANWORTH BOOTHS TF071677 Charlie Barnes 29 November 2013 Grey squirrel (dead on road) WAINFLEET CONSERVATION PONDS 24/11/2013 Roy and Kath Pearson Male Merlin present. Parakeet numbers have built up to nine, but this has roused my suspicions as there is a parrot zoo three miles down the road. WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 24/11/2013 Woodmouse m dead 2 Tawny owl pellets in garden under occasional roost. 25/11/2013 Notable smell of fox in garden. Badger signs in area - location not given. Stupendous display by large starling flock in resoponse to raiding kestrel. WRANGLE COMMON 23/11/2013 Roy and Kath Pearson. Very little about today, but the Curlew flock has reached fifty birds. WRANGLE COMMON 28/11/2013 Roy and Kath Pearson Very quiet today; the most interesting birds recorded were:- Buzzard x1 Curlew x3 Teal x6 Snipe x1 Green Sandpiper x1 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. Lincolnshire Coast NNRs including RSPB Wash Reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GIBRALTAR POINT NNR. http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designations/nnr/1006059.aspx Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog. http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE DUNES NNR. http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designatedareas/nnr/1006128.aspx Week ending 29th November 2013 John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Peter & Janet Roworth There is still a good supply of berries on the sea buckthorn which have been relished by Starlings with over 500 seen south of Churchill and 250+ between Rimac and Sea View. Interestingly with all this supply of food there are very few Fieldfares with only the occasional one or two recorded. There was a time when numbers of Fieldfares reached 2000+ at this time of year on the reserve. Five Song Thrushes have been seen near Brickyard during the week and a similar number of Mistle Thrushes throughout the reserve including one giving a burst of song at Sea View on the 24th. An hour's sea watch at the southern end of the reserve near Mablethorpe North End on the 22nd produced a single flock of 20 Eiders flying north, whilst 4 Bonxies flew south. Other birds were 35 Common Scoters, 3 Gannets north, a Red- throated Diver and a Cormorant; 8 Gadwall were on the sea off Brickyard Lane in the afternoon; they later flew north. Another sea watch on the 24th in fresh NE winds on the high tide produced a single Velvet Scoter flying north, whilst there were c120 Common Scoters flying south, which were probably local birds. Fourteen Guillemots were also seen flying north in small groups, where interest- ingly, 2 were in close company with 3 Great-crested Grebes, 2 further Great- crested Grebes flew north, as did 14 Red-throated Divers, 1 imm Glaucous Gull and 2 Fulmars.  After being absent for several days c9 Shore Larks made a reappearance, whilst Snow Buntings numbers have varied from single figures up to 30 and Twite around 45, with very few Linnets. One of the more common buntings has been Reed Bunting with 20+ recorded between Brickyard and the southern end of the NNR on the 23rd and a further 10 from Rimac to Paradise. Other interesting bird records have included a Red-necked Grebe close to shore on the sea on the 23rd, 1 Corn Bunting (now an uncommon bird in the area) and Brambling near Crook Bank also on the 23rd where there had been a Chiffchaff the previous day, a Green Woodpecker flew over Sea View on the 26th, 3 Siskin on the 28th and there was a male Blackcap feeding on apples near Sea View also on the 28th. Tawny Owls have been vocal around Churchill and Sea View. RSPB RESERVES http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/collections/thewash_northnorfolk.aspx SOUTH LINCS HIGHLIGHTS South Lincolnshire Monthly Bird Highlights Reports for October 2013 John Badley Recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Assisted by Colin Jennings RSPB Frampton Marsh Wildfowl numbers built up steadily through the month with occasional sightings of up to 39 Whooper Swans (24th) and White-fronted Goose (2nd) with peak counts of up to 3000 Wigeon (8th) and 2094 Teal (20th). Regular raptors included both Hen and Marsh Harrier, Merlin and Peregrine. On the scrapes and grassland Buff-breasted Sandpiper (until 7th) and Pectoral Sandpiper were recorded, the latter on most days. Up to eight Spotted Redshanks, five Little Stints, four Curlew Sandpipers and Wood Sandpiper were also regular. The peak count of 7400 Black-tailed Godwits (7th) was a site record. Redstart (13th), Ring Ouzel (15th) and Lapland Bunting (26th) were all seen on a single date and a Hooded Crow was seen at the end of the month (29th). RSPB Freiston Shore The sea produced the highlights of the month with three Grey Phalaropes (10th, 12th & 13th), at least six Leach’s Petrels (11th-13th), Storm Petrel, Sabine’s Gull (13th), four Long- tailed Skuas (13th), nine Pomarine Skuas (10th-13th) and Little Auk (13th). A Ring Ouzel was also seen (16th – 17th) Gibraltar Point NNR Good onshore winds mid-month produced 15 Sooty and nine Manx Shear- waters (10th). Six Leach’s Petrels (four on 13th and two on 14th), four Storm Petrels (one on 11th and three on 13th), Long-tailed Skuas (11th & 12th) and up to nine Pomarine Skuas and up to 48 Little Gulls (12th). Spoonbill (4th), Siberian Stonechat (6th), Spotted Crake and Bluethroat (13th), Hooded Crow (20th), two Shorelarks (22nd), Alpine Swift (23rd) and Waxwing (24th) were all seen on one date. Up to three Great Grey Shrikes were seen (12th – 19th). Woodlarks w ere seen on two dates (14th & 17th) with up to two Firecrests on seven dates. A Pallas’s Warbler was also present on two dates (12th & 13th) and up to four Yellow-browed Warblers were seen (1st – 17th) along with two Wood Warblers (15th) and a Hume’s Warbler (17th). Two Red-breasted Flycatchers were seen (1st-2nd & 14th). A large arrival of thrushes included up to 88 Ring Ouzels and 3800 Redwing (12th). Up to two Richard’s Pipits were also seen (4th – 29th). Reported among the waders were Baird’s Sandpiper (6th) and White- rumped Sandpiper (14th) Fly-overs heading south included eight Cranes (5th), two Glossy Ibis (27th) and a good movement of geese and swans at the end of the month included up to 207 Whooper Swans (29th) and 250 White-fronted Geese (30th). Other sites A Hoopoe was at Skegness (1st & 4th) with a Red-breasted Flycather there later in the month (14th). Ospreys were at Deeping Lakes (from 5th) and Mavis Enderby (5th). Great White Egrets were seen at Deeping Lakes (5th), Wingland Marsh (16th) and Sutton Bridge (22nd). A Richard’s Pipit was a Sutton Bridge (12th). Yellow-browed Warblers were at Whisby area (14th & 15th) and Marston STW (17th). Great Grey Shrikes were seen at Seacroft (17th & 19th), Blackmoor Bridge and Burton-le-Coggles (20th). A Long-tailed Skua was reported to fly over Whisby Nature Park (14th), with two Ring-necked Parakeets seen over North Hykeham Pits (25th). John Badley Assisted by Colin Jennings ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. News from Far Ings NNR http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designations/nnr/1083404.aspx http://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-Of-Far-Ings-National-Nature-Reserve/186876774685595 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Far Ings News W/E 29.11.13 BIRDS Max nos. bar-tailed godwit 2 bittern blackbird 12 black-headed gull 100+ blue tit 10 carrion crow 8 Cetti's warbler chaffinch 8 common gull 50 coot 115 cormorant 11 dunlin 6 dunnock 3 fieldfare 6 gadwall 50 goldeneye 3 goldfinch 2 GC grebe 2 great tit 10 grey heron 2 greylag goose 50 house sparrow 8 kestrel kingfisher lapwing 6 long tailed tit 8 magpie 7 mallard 32 marsh harrier M moorhen 4 mute swan 6 peregrine falcon pheasant 6 pochard 30 redshank 6 redwing 12 reed bunting 2 robin 4 shelduck 4 shoveler 12 snipe sparrowhawk starling 200 teal 55 tufted duck 40 water rail wigeon 20 willow tit wood pigeon 30 wren 3 Far Ings NNR on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-Of-Far-Ings-National-Nature-Reserve/186876774685595 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6. News from Bardney Limewoods NNR http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designations/nnr/1006846.aspx ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ 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. In return for this FREE service, we ask you to provide reports, questions, news or relevant articles from time to time. Descriptive pieces are welcome - you don't have to stick to lists! Mailing times vary, depending on what I am doing. The Bulletin usually goes out on Sundays. Please e-mail in your contributions as early as possible to ensure they are included, to: rparsons@enterprise.net [A backup e-mail address you can use if ever you experience problems with my "Enterprise" address is: aintree2@yahoo.co.uk ] When sending in reports please follow this layout to save reediting: 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 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 Keys for computer or mobile *** If you are a beginner to identification of species, you might find the following link useful - especially if you are encouraging young people to have a go - e.g. Wildlife Watch group members. "They suggest the species in your area that best match what you have found." http://www.ispot.org.uk/keys 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 *** Report Ash Dieback in Lincolnshire *** Link for Chalara fraxinea reports: http://www.forestry.gov.uk/chalara *** 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 *** 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 *** Hedgehog Survey *** Not yet sure if this will extend the next year. Have a look. http://www.hedgehogstreet.org/pages/hibernation-survey.html *** Mammal Records *** Mammal records can reported to Chris Manning E-mail: Chris.LincsDeer@gmail.com Mink/Otter reports are of interest and can be sent via the Bulletin. *** 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 *** 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.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 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/ Hartsholme Country park. To learn more about the park or to get in involved at the park please visit http://www.lincoln.gov.uk/hartsholmecp contact Park Rangers at hartsholmecp@lincoln.gov.uk Tornado and Storm Research Organisation http://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.rspb.org.uk www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh John Badley, Site Manager for RSPB Lincolnshire Wash reserves e-mail: john.badley@rspb.org.uk S Lincs RSPB http://www.southlincsrspb.org.uk Lincoln RSPB http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ Bardney Limewoods Bardney Limewoods NNR http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/Limewoods/ limewoods@lincolnshire.gov.uk The Sir Joseph Banks Society Contact 01507 528223 or by e-mail: enquiries@joseph-banks.org.uk. http://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/ Chef cooks up recipes for Japanese Knotweed http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/sussex/hi/people_and_places/newsid_8634000/8634285.stm Joan Gunson's Moths recorded 2013: http:www.flickr.com/photos/angleshades Alan Dale's Bugs and Weeds http://www.bugsandweeds.co.uk/ http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p015pqyz Les Binns: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ecoheathen/sets/ Leslie Hebden http://www.flickr.com/photos/13718295@N07/ Mike Binnion writes: Common Butterflies 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 BBC Radio 4 Tweet of the day: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01s6xyk *** 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 Hartsholme Country Park: hartsholmecp@lincoln.gov.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 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. Indoor Winter Meetings: Saturday, January 11, 2014 Talk by Richard Jefferson Conserving England’s high value grasslands: a health check and future prospects. Saturday, February 15, 2014 Recorders’ Meeting Saturday, March 08, 2014 AGM and Presidential Address by Ian Macalpine-Leny ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 If you are having difficulties with spam folders etc. please make sure you "Whitelist" my address as given in the Bulletin. Latest Mailfails - see notes above. The following emails have failed this week and I will send you a report you can refer to your ISP should you wish to do so. Andrew Wright - soft bounce Eileen Emberlin - soft bounce Ian Heidi - soft bounce Puttick - soft bounce R W Pool - soft bounce Taylors - soft bounce Note: If you do not contact me your address will be "automatically cleaned" by Mailchimp. Roger *** And finally...... Contributions to "And finally" are always welcome. The Bear - Film by Jean-Jacques Annaud http://www.flixxy.com/bear-animal-nature-film.htm EarthCam Some excellent live views of places near and far. http://www.earthcam.com/ Red squirrels show signs of pox resistance http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-25034405 Every Nuclear Explosion on Earth - time lapse animation. http://memolition.com/2013/10/16/time-lapse-map-of-every-nuclear-explosion-ever-on-earth/ ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/