============================================ || || 22nd 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 1096 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.... *** Yuletide greetings to all Bulletin readers. I hope the weather stimulates you to get out on a healthy walk where you will find lots of gorse bushes to report! We could do with more data on gorse distribution and flowering so please keep it coming. Once past the Winter Solstice, we will begin to notice a hint of lengthening days. However, we can expect winter weather to arrive in earnest any time now. Have a look! http://www.theweatheroutlook.com/ There will be concerns that the next spring tides will offer a threat to weakened sea banks. Critical dates for these are the 30th and 31st and you will need to check 2014 tables. I have not yet got mine as these are usually a Christmas present! I suggest you refer to Easytide before making a visit to coastal nature reserves and also that you refer to the relevant blogs or websites to make sure that they are open for business. See: http://www.ukho.gov.uk/easytide/EasyTide/index.aspx Should there be any hint of flooding problems please stay away and allow staff and volunteers to deal with any remedial work. Anna Moody reports that Alkborough Flats is closed. See note below. At the time of writing LWT reserves at Donna Nook, Far Ings and Gibraltar Point are closed. Check the LWT website and blogs for updates on reserve closure: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/ ACCESS FROM RIMAC ONTO THE FORESHORE PATH IS NOW POSSIBLE PAST THE CORDONED OFF DAMAGED SECTION CAUSED BY THE SURGE TIDE The Ursid meteor shower will peak during the day on 22nd, so you may be lucky and spot a few early that evening before moonrise, according to Paul Money in his "Nightscenes 2013". Heads up! Please keep the contributions coming. 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. To check on the details, especially if weather suggests a possible cancellation, visit: http://lnu.org/events.php Next Meeting: 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 *** Alkborough Flats closed *** Anna Moody writes: North Lincolnshire Council has closed Alkborough Flats after it was badly affected by the severe floods on the 5th December and it was found to be unsafe for people to visit the site. The site will remain closed for the foreseeable future while essential work to make the site safe and accessible is carried out. The above paragraph is partly taken from a press release the council has issued, full details of which can be found at: http://www.northlincs.gov.uk/your-council/about-your-council/news/news-releases/alkborough-flats-has-been-closed-due-to-the-floods/ *** Donna Nook Seals *** Reserve closed at time of writing. For details of the storm surge and aftermath, see facebook page: www.facebook.com/pages/Donna-Nook-Warden/572875042778098 Surge Seal Run Over http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-25430437# *** Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes Project *** Rachael Clark, Project Support Officer, writes: We have amended our photography competition slightly and have now extended the competition closing date until 20 June 2014. Those entries already submitted previously will still be counted, but you are now able to submit as many entries as you wish! Good luck and happy snapping! http://www.lincsmarshes.org.uk *** 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. 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/ 14/12 Long-tailed Duck, Kirkby on Bain gravel pits Bewick's Swan and 23 Whooper Swans, Branston Fen 2 Bewick's Swans and 3 Whooper Swans, Nocton Fen 9 Snow Buntings, Frampton Marsh 15/12 11 & 12 Long-tailed Duck, 2 f Common Scoters, f Scaup, Rock Pipit, Covenham Reservoir Long-eared Owl reported, Deeping Lakes Black-throated Diver, Bonxie, Swallow over beach car park, Gibraltar Point Great Grey Shrike, Bassibgham, east end of Fen Lane 16/12 10-11 10 Lapland bunting, Hen Harrier, Donna Nook 17/12 Parrot Crossbill, Bardney, Chamber's Farm Wood Hen Harrier, 5 Short-eared Owls, Keisby Iceland Gull, Grimsby Fish Docks 150 Snow Buntings, Cleethorpes Coast 9 Snow Buntings, Glossy Ibis over, Frampton Marsh Probable Parrot Crossbill, Bardney, Chamber's Farm Wood 18/12 Parrot Crossbill, Bardney, Chamber's Farm Wood Iceland Gull, Grimsby Fish Docks Scaup f, m Hen Harrier, 18 Whooper Swans, Frampton Marsh 19/12 Parrot Crossbill m, Bardney, Chamber's Farm Wood 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 - reports p[lease. 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. Please separate them from your main report so I can include them here. Many thanks. GORSE records *** 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. BASTON FEN NR 12.12.2013 John Redshaw WeBS Count Little Egret - 4 Mallard - 2 Mute Swan - 5 Snipe - 6 Teal - 2 Water Rail - 1 CAISTOR Wendy Handford (WH) Reports from contributors to Caistor records Week beginning 14.12.13 Bank Lane TA 118 015 Ivy-leaved toadflax 19th Dec Shaggy scalycap cluster Brigg Road garden TA 113 020 J Foster Jays 2 15th Dec Redpolls 2 15th Dec Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 WH On Trailcam 14-18th Dec Fox 2, nightly Muntjac 2 Rabbit 2, nightly Pheasant 3f Kestrel in Oak 15th Dec Sparrowhawk m 18th Dec Stockdove 19th Dec Pheasants 2m displaying 18th Dec 7-spot ladybird in porch 15th Dec Blue roundhead on Spruce needles 15th Dec Cushion bracket on Plum tree 15th Dec Hairy curtain crust on Alder 15th Dec Caistor Wildlife Area TA 111 015 WH 18th Dec Molehills 10 Sparrowhawk f Wormcasts Common cat's-ear Daisy Dandelion Hedgerow cranesbill Ivy Ragwort Red campion Rosehips White dead-nettle Indigo pinkgill fungus EVEDON Richard Dawson Evedon / River Slea at Paper Mill lock 14th December 2013 Pair of Kingfishers HARTSHOLME CP and SWANHOLME LAKES Hartsholme Country Park and Swanholme Lakes LNR Lisa Blezzard 17/12/2013 Park Rangers Black Headed Gull 120 Wigeon 23 Shoveler 5 Tufted Duck 25 Coot 16 Mallard 78 Mute Swan 12 Red Crested Pochard 2 Great Crested Grebe 2 Gadwall 8 Grey Heron 2 Goosander 20 Greylag Geese 2 Jay 2 Coal Tit 6 Cormorant 1 Canada Geese 12 Egyptian Goose 1 Goldcrest 1 Treecreeper 1 Coal Tit 4 Blue Tit 5 Bull Finch 6 HOLYWELL LAKE WeBS Holywell Lake 15 December 2013 0930 - 10.40 Ian Misselbrook Little Grebes 9 Mute Swans 2 Greylag Geese 42 Canada Geese 81 Northern Shoveler 3 drakes Gadwall 48 Teal 20 Mallard 166 Tufted Duck 26 Coot 15 Moorhen 14 Black-headed Gull 1 Kingfisher 1 Pheasant Stock Dove (singing) Woodpigeons Meadow Pipits - unusually large flock of 40 birds on SSSI limestone grass adjacent to the lake Pied wagtails Dunnocks Wrens Robins Mistle Thrush 1 Fieldfares 50+ Blackbirds Starlings Rooks Carrion Crow Jackdaw Great Tits Blue Tits Long-tailed Tits 9 Goldcrests 2 Linnets 4 Chaffinches Greenfinches Goldfinches PINCHBECK SLIPE NR 12.12.2013 John Redshaw WeBS Count On R. Glen Gadwall - 4 Mallard - 10 Moorhen - 5 Mute Swan - 6 Teal - 28 Tufted Duck - 14 Wigeon - 220 On adjacent oil-seed rape Mute Swan - 95 Whooper Swan - 17 RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF 309 847 Silvia Fowler 27.11.- 18.12.2013 7 male and 2 female Pheasants regularly feeding among sheep in meadow adjoining garden. Adult rabbit in garden. TF 299 858 Silvia Fowler 17.12.2013 (sunny and calm, 6 degC) Peacock butterfly (probably, couldn't get close enough to be 100% sure) flying along hedgerow. Sow thistle in flower on verge. RIPPINGALE Rippingale - my garden Ian Misselbrook 1 Buzzard WADDINGHAM Jenny Hudd 18/12/2013 A kingfisher has been seen flying along Waddingham Beck (near where I live) several times this month, by me and another person. This is on the south part of the beck beside Redbourne Road, just past the junction where the B1205 comes from the A15 into the centre of Waddingham. Also a woodpecker (sometimes two) visit the peanut feeder in my garden. A sparrowhawk has also visited, having caught a small bird, possibly a chaffinch in the hedge, and perched on my cold frame to eat it. 6 long tailed tits visited yesterday – 16th December 2013 WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 17/12/2013 Large heap of rotten wood "sawdust" from an old stump in a hedge, attributed to Rats. Brown Rats later confirmed by camera trap on 18/19th Dec. 18/12/2013 8am 4 Fieldfares in orchard 9am 4 Buzzards over WILLOWTREE FEN NR 12.12.2013 John Redshaw WeBS Count Mallard - 22 Moorhen - 19 Shoveler - 2 Teal - 22 Wigeon 85 (on river) Woodcock - 1 WITHAM ON THE HILL Witham on the Hill/Stanton's Pit NR Ian Misselbrook 1 Red Kite 1 Buzzard 1 Kestrel Scan of lakes revealed a few Pochard and Tufted Ducks WRANGLE COMMON 19/12/2013 Roy and Kath Pearson A BirdTrack count today was affected by agricultural operations and only 23 species were counted. The Curlew flock numbered 33 birds and no other waders were seen except for one Snipe. Duck numbers were down to two Mallards and three Teals. After the large Blackbird counts of recent weeks, it was a surprise to record only eighteen. A few corvids were about - Magpie (6), Carrion Crow (1), Jackdaw (19) and Rook (c100). Other birds of particular interest were Buzzard (1), Lesser Black-backed Gull (2) and a single Meadow Pipit. Only one finch was recorded - a Chaffinch. Three Roe Deer were present. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. Lincolnshire Coast NNRs including RSPB Wash Reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GIBRALTAR POINT NNR. http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designations/nnr/1006059.aspx Reserve officially closed at time of writing. 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 20th December 2013 John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Peter & Janet Roworth Very unseasonal weather was noted for the 16th when strong, mild, south- westerlies gave a daytime high of 14.0°C and a ground minimum of 10.0°C. Interesting counts from the WeBS on the 14th included 45 Shelduck, 85 lapwing, 75 Wigeon, 60 Teal, 1 Common Snipe, 209 Dunlin, 11 Oystercatchers, 2 Red-throated Divers, 136 Sanderling, 8 Whooper Swans, 187 Carrion Crows and 2 Little Grebe. Up to 400 Curlew have been seen in the Brickyard area on the 17th and in the same area 200 Carrion Crows and 300+ Jackdaws gather on the beach before flying to roost. Numbers of Twite remain at around 40 and Snow Buntings c100 but both now very mobile. Pied Wagtails have been attracted to the tide wrack during the week with 15+ birds. On the 15th 50+ Teal flew off the flooded Paradise ponds, a single Fieldfare was seen near Sea View and 200+ Lapwing flew high and south over the dunes. Thirty five Pink-footed Geese and 80 Lapwing were observed on the 17th. A Water Rail was heard near Rimac on the 15th and 3 heard elsewhere on the reserve on the 19th. Over the saltmarsh both Kestrel and a male Merlin have been seen in pursuit of small flocks of Meadow Pipits. Barn Owls have normally been seen hunting over the dunes and saltmarsh during December but only one bird has been reported. Tawny Owls have been vocal near Sea View and a Mistle Thrush was in brief song there on the 19th. There have been 1-2 Woodcock flighting most evenings. ACCESS FROM RIMAC ONTO THE FORESHORE PATH IS NOW POSSIBLE PAST THE CORDONED OFF DAMAGED SECTION CAUSED BY THE SURGE TIDE 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 - Reserve officially closed at time of writing. See: 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. Mareham Pastures - soft bounce Roger *** And finally...... Contributions to "And finally" are always welcome. As featured on BBC radio 4 this week: http://www.uptonchippy.co.uk/ RAF North Witham tower future in doubt http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-25396935# Swans surfing in Australia http://uk.news.yahoo.com/point-beak--group-of-black-swans-spotted-surfing-on-australian-coast-134658172.html?vp=1 My report on the world wide readership of the Bulletin last week includes the USA, Canada, Barbados, Spain, Portugal, France, New Zealand, Switzerland and the Netherlands. 91.5% of readers are from the UK, as you might expect. ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/