============================================ || || 6th January 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 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 *** Welcome to the first Wildnews Bulletin of 2013. The next fortnight is forecast to be mild for the time of year. This may well result in early signs of insect activity. e.g. I noted honeybees working early tree blossom in Coningsby on Friday, 5th. I also noted snowdrops and winter aconite breaking into flower the same day. There is a hedgehog report in this week's Bulletin. Early sightings like these may tie in with weather patterns, giving indications of longer-term climatic trends. Please keep sending in your reports. BBC's Stargazing Live is back next week. Do join in! Paul Money has Starnights planned at Barton-upon-Humber, Tattershall and Gibraltar Point. I hope skies are clear. Saturn should be visible and if you point a telescope at Jupiter you should be able to spot the Galilean Moons. Also, watch out for the "encounter" between Venus and t he Moon from 10th January. Roger See: Paul Money's website http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/Starnights/starnights.html BBC's Stargazing 2013 http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b019h4g8 Sky and Telescope http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/ataglance *** Weather Trends *** Rodge Brownlow sent in the following data. I attach rainfall figures for Sturton by Stow, these may vary over short distances. Year mm 2000 830 2001 624 2002 750 2003 531 2004 705 2005 492 2006 617 2007 839 2008 800 2009 739 2010 615 2011 456 2012 949 mm 2013 ?? *** Seal Season Closes *** Rob Lidstone-Scott writes on 30/12/12 Seals counted from the viewing area on Sunday 30th December: one bull, one cow and 25 pups. Last couple of adults are expected to leave very soon, leaving just a few pups to welcome in the new year. *** Starnights 2013 *** Paul Money has some 2013 Starnights coming up across the county. To find one near you, visit: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Home2.htm *** Next LNU Event - note correction *** For LNU meetings see http://www.lnu.org/events.php Or 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. ALL VERY WELCOME. NOTE ALTERATION TO DATE GIVEN PREVIOUSLY. 12th, NOT 19th. Saturday, January 12, 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 *** Boston Area, Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust *** Indoor meeting. WILDLIFE OF TEESDALE AND THE RIVER TEES by Geof Lee An illustrated talk on the flora and fauna of the river Tees from its source to the sea, including the nature reserves to be found along its length. Venue - Centenary Methodist Church, Boston Friday, 11th January, 2013, 7.30 p.m.. Free, refreshments, a leaving collection. For more information contact Brian Redman, tel. 01205 351406 *** Gainsborough Area LWT *** Wed 23 January 2013 (extra meeting): The Wildlife Trust - 100 years of Nature Conservation A specially commissioned DVD celebrating The Wildlife Trusts, their formation and work. Sir David Attenborough and others take us on the journey, featuring an interview with Lincolnshire's own Ted Smith OBE. Indoor meetings are held at Morton Village Hall (just north of Gainsborough), and begin at 7.30 p.m.. A (minimum) donation of £1.00 includes refreshments, and there is usually a raffle, bird food available if pre-ordered (tel: 01427 613128) and other items for fundraising. People of all ages, Wildlife Trust members or not, are welcome. For more information, please ring Joy on 01427 628457 or E-mail Linda woodentops@darter.plus.com *** Climate Trends *** 'Extreme Rain': UK Warned Over Flood Risk http://uk.news.yahoo.com/extreme-rain-uk-warned-over-flood-risk-175749021.html#mVwgyLs *** Resolutions *** A good New Year resolution - use local libraries more. John Redshaw helped me with a bit of advice last week. I was looking for a biography to link to from my website. He told me the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography would let me access its database from home using the number on my Lincolnshire Library card! He was right. I discovered a number of websites can be accessed in this way. Visit Lincs County Council's website and see the page: "Online resources in our libraries" for more information. *** Improve your Identification Skills *** Charlie Barnes sent in the following interesting information: Biodiversity Fellows - Field Studies Council FSC Biodiversity Fellows taxonomic training courses. Next year at least 70 taxonomic training courses will be run on a range of difficult plant and animal groups and will be led by national and regional experts. Day courses will be free of charge to those biodiversity fellows who wish to attend whilst longer residential courses within the programme may be available at a discount of 50% of the published price. To qualify for these rates and to attend FSC biodiversity fellows courses participants must first register via the website and fill in the online form. http://www.field-studies-council.org/bio.fell The course list, which includes lichens, bryophytes, fungi, seaweeds, freshwater algae, charophytes, diptera, aculeate hymenoptera, arachnids, hemiptera, coleoptera, micro-lepidoptera and soil mesofauna such as earthworms, mites and springtails can also be found here. It is hoped that this network of biodiversity fellows made up of course participants, tutors, biological recorders, professional ecologists and site managers and others will help the FSC tackle some of the obvious problems with the provision of taxonomic training and resources in the future and be a strong and cohesive voice in championing these groups of taxa and their identification over time. Please become a biodiversity fellow with the FSC and support our work. Editor adds: You may be eligible for an LNU bursary towards the cost of residential courses - contact a member of the Executive Committee for further information. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. 28/12 20 waxwings, A52 near barracks entrance Great Northern Diver, Ashbyville Lake 6 Scaup, 26 Whooper Swans, Frampton Marsh 29/12 15 Waxwings, west of Grimsby 6 Waxwings, Boston, London Road 2 Waxwings, Lincoln, Waterside north Iceland Gull, SSW of Barton-upon-Humber, NE of Bonby Long-billed Dowitcher, Alkborough Flats Great Northern Diver, Ashbyville Lake 5 Water Pipits, Gibraltar Point 30/12 80 Waxwings, Smew ad Drk, 3 Bitterns, fem Red-crested Pochard, Far Ings, Barton-upon-Humber 12 Waxwings south over Gibraltar Point 7 Waxwings, Tetney on Lock Road @ Conoco oil tanks junction 3 Waxwings, Lincoln, flew over Swanpool Great Northern Diver, Ashbyville Lake Caspian Gull, South of Barton-upon-Humber, NE of Bonby 31/12 70 Waxwings, Mediterranean Gull, SSW of Barton-upon-Humber, at Bonby Lodge 28 Waxwings, Wyberton, Westwood Lakes 12 Waxwings, Lincoln A158, east of roundabout 27 Waxwings SE of Crowle @ Ealand on Wharf Road 10 Waxwings, Rough-legged Buzzard, Gibraltar Point Great Northern Diver, Ashbyville Lake Long-billed Dowitcher, Alkborough Flats 1//1/13 14 Waxwings, Spalding between Morrison's and Springfields roundabouts 9 Waxwings, male Hen Harrier, Frampton Marsh 10 Waxwings north of Potterhanworth just before Pottergate Golf Club turning 24 Waxwings, 2 Bitterns, Far Ings Red-crested Pochard, Mealy Redpoll, Waters' Edge 5 Spotted Redshank, Alkborough Flats Great Northern Diver, Ashbyville Lake Great White Egret, Baston Langtoft gravel pits Hen Harrier ringtail, Saltfleetby St Peter flew between Long Eau and Back Road Lesser Spotted Woodpecker SW of Lincoln at Boultham Park 5 Snow Buntings, Purple sandpiper, Rough-legged Buzzard, Gibraltar Point Bittern, Kirkby on Bain gravel pits 4 Scaup. Messingham Sand Quarry Black Redstart, Covenham Reservoir 2/1/13 7 Waxwings, Skegness opp Seacroft Court Nursing home 4 Waxwings, Gainsborough, Corringham Road/Thornedike Way Water Pipit, Gibraltar Point Iceland Gull, SSW of Barton-upon-Humber at Bonby 2 Caspian Gulls at TF 022169 Kumlien's Gull, Glaucous Gull, 2 Caspian Gulls, Lea Marsh Bittern, Kirkby on Bain gravel pits 4 Scaup. Messingham Sand Quarry 3/1/13 20 waxwings, Lincoln, between Carholme Grandstand and traffic lights 31 Waxwings, Saxilby, south side by A47 3 Waxwings, Rough-legged Buzzard, Gibraltar Point 2 Waxwings, Grantham opposite VOSA test Centre on High Dyke Scaup, 2 Eurasian White-fronted Geese with Pink-footed Geese, Frampton Marsh Scaup, Covenham Reservoir Ring-necked Duck, West Ashby, no general access Hen Harrier fem, 100 Twite, Short-eared Owl, 16 Whooper Swans, Saltfleetby St Peter Bean Goose, Barnacle Goose, Gedney Drove End 2 Glaucous Gulls at Lea Marsh Smew drk, Bittern, Kirkby on Bain gravel pits Great Northern Diver, Ashbyville Lake 4/1/13 19 Waxwings, 3 Scaup, Frampton Marsh 6 Waxwings, Water Pipit, Hen Harrier, Gibraltar Point 6 Waxwings, Lincoln, Swanpool in birches by railway by Skewbridge crossing Bittern, Deeping Lakes Smew drk, Kirkby on Bain gravel pits Great Northern Diver, Ashbyville Lake 13 Lapland Bunting, Donna Nook, stubble fields west of Somercotes Haven water Pipit, Jack Snipe, Hen Harrier, Saltfleetby Kumlien's Gull, Caspian Gull, Gainsborough landfill site 5/1/13 Rough-legged Buzzard, Gibraltar Point Short-eared Owl, Anwick Fen flew to Ruskington Fen also 4 Whooper Swans Long-billed Dowitcher, Hen Harrier, Alkborough Flats Great Northern Diver, Ashbyville Lake 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. CAISTOR Wendy Handford Reports from contributors to Caistor records Week beginning 29.12.12 Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 Bank vole in rockery 3pm Common shrew in flowerbed Fox 8am Blue tits removing lichen from pear tree Lichens on old pear tree: Evernia prunasti Parmotrema chinense Physcia aipolia Physcia leptalea Punctelia subrudecta Fungus: Marasmiella candida Canadian fleabane in flower Red dead nettle in flower Hundon Manor Farm TA 113 022 Brown hare Grey heron Brigg Road garden TA 114 022 Pheasants feeding on Snowberries Caistor Sports ground TA 111 015 Daisies in flower Nettleton TA 105 002 Gorse in flower *** 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. BARDNEY New Years Day walk along River Witham at Bardney Lock 1.1.13 Mary and Phil Porter Among the many waterfowl etc. 4 goosanders 2x2 mute swans 1 kingfisher Many mixed flocks of finches, mostly goldfinches Bardney Garden Mary and Phil Porter 3.1.13 5 waxwings on top of sycamore tree on verge outside the house BRANSTON - TF025670 Charlie Barnes 26/12/2012 Mistletoe on fruit trees in garden CROWLAND Venue: fields off Cloot Drove Observer: Ian Gordon Date: 02/01/2013 Time: 1445 – 1530 Weather: Cloudy and mild Birds: Hen Harrier (Ringtail) Fieldfare 50+ Redwing 5-10 DEEPING LAKES Venue: Deeping Lakes LWT Reserve - TF187083 Observer: Ian Gordon Date: 03/01/2012 Time: 1300 – 1530 Weather: Mainly cloudy and mild Birds: Blackbird Black-headed Gull Blue Tit Canada Goose Carrion Crow Coot Cormorant Gadwall Goldeneye Great Crested Grebe Great Tit Green Woodpecker Grey Heron Greylag Goose Kestrel Lapwing Little egret Magpie Mallard Moorhen Mute Swan Pintail Pochard Rook Teal Tufted Duck Wigeon Wood Pigeon Date: 04/01/2013 Time: 1415 - 1345 Weather: Sunny and mild Additional sightings to visit of 3rd: Birds: Barn Owl (hunting Welland bank close to reserve) Bittern (flew into reeds in right hand corn of lake adjacent to car park) Chaffinch Robin Wren FISHTOFT Roy Pearson 05/01/2013 14 Waxwings in bush by side of road approx. 200 metres east of church. HORNCASTLE TF261691 Robert Walker 29/12/12 LONG TAILED TITS 8 On fatball feeder in my garden, 3rd sighting in recent weeks. HUTTOFT TF512 763 (my garden) JANE PENNINGTON Date: 2/1 Long-tailed tits 10 Field mouse 1 (on bird table at 7.30am) Wren 1 Date 4/1 Wren 1 Starlings 6 Shield bug Hawthorn 1 There was also a beautiful sight of 50+ ducks (this is a guess but it's what they sounded like to me) flying overhead in a huge V formation heading west. KIRTON Mike Polling 29/12/2012 20 – 30 waxwings taking berries from rowan tree in garden in Kirton this lunchtime. NOCTON RISE - TF043644 Charlie Barnes 03/01/2013 Hedgehog - adult snuffling on lawn at 6pm [P.S. speckled wood in Cornwall - spring is almost here!] RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF 309 847 Silvia Fowler Re: Stockdoves, I agree with other contributors that they get overlooked. I had no awareness of stockdoves until I came to Lincolnshire, and even then it took me quite a while to notice that there was a different species feeding among the woodpigeons. I haven't reported them for some time as I now see them as part of the regular local bird population in my area. 20.12.12 Yellowhammer in local hedgerow. 22.12.12 Little Egret* in meadow behind house, flew up into a tree and spent some time preening in heavy rain. A first for me in this location. (*Poor visibility, poor photos, but settled on Little Egret rather than Great White after consultation with North Lincs Bird Recorder) 29.12.12 Kestrel in local lane. Still quite a few berries left on hawthorn in the local hedgerows - come along now, Waxwings!! RIPPINGALE Ian Misselbrook 28/12/2012 8 Waxwings feeding on Cotoneaster berries in the High Street. WAINFLEET ALL SAINTS TF488597 Robert Walker 1/1/13 BROWN HARE 1 On arable field alongside 'Brewster Lane', - first sighting of a hare this autumn/ winter season. WALESBY TF136919 Robert Walker 25/12/12 BULLFINCHES 4 On hedgerow along 'Catkin Lane' WALESBY TF134920 Robert Walker 25/12/12 BUZZARDS 2 Over fields alongside 'Catkin Lane' WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 1/1/13 Buzzard heard from TF216534 at 10.00hrs then one seen 11.00hrs at Mill Lane TF 235528. Caught on trail camera: Night of 2-3 and 3-4/1/13 - woodmouse foraging. Night of 3-4/1/13 - muntjac deer passing along side of garden - clear slots to be seen next day. WRANGLE COMMON 03/01/2013 Roy and Kath Pearson We did the BTO Winter Thrush Survey today on land outside our normal recording square, which gave us the opportunity to see another area. Unfortunately it was not very productive yielding only 9 Blackbirds, 1 Starling, 3 Mistle Thrushes and 12 Redwings. Whatever happened to all those thrushes that landed on the coast in autumn? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/nr/reserve.php?mapref=22 Katherine Bocock's report follows Kev Wilson writes: Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory team is now doing a blog. Have a look and see what you think. I like it. Worth a bookmark if you are a regular visitor. http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ No report 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 No report this week. RSPB WASH Reserves - Frampton Marsh and Freiston Shore Reports for November 2012 follow. John Badley Recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Assisted by Grahame Hopwood and Colin Jennings RSPB Frampton Marsh Gibraltar Point NNR Other sites John Badley Recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Assisted by Colin Jennings ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. News from Far Ings NNR http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/nr/reserve.php?mapref=67 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Far Ings News BIRDS Max nos. No report this week. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 Reports always welcome. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 *** The British Myriapod & Isopod Group *** Imogen Wilde writes: The British Myriapod & Isopod Group (BMIG) will be having their Annual Field Meeting and AGM in Lincolnshire this year. The dates are Thursday 11th to Sunday 14th April 2013, and the group will be based at Scamblesby, Lincolnshire. Lincolnshire is relatively under-recorded for myriapods and isopods and this will be a good location for exploring under- worked areas, such as the Lincolnshire Wolds, the Limewoods, heaths near Market Rasen and Woodhall Spa and also coastal dunes. The AGM will be held on the evening of Friday 12 April. If you would like further information and a booking form for accommodation then please contact Imogen Wilde: imogen@imogenwilde.co.uk. All LNU members are very welcome, whether staying with the group in Scamblesby or making their own accommodation arrangements. *** 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/ Hartsholme Country park. To learn more about the park or to get in involved at the park please visit http://www.lincoln.gov.uk/visitor-and-leisure/parks-and-open-spaces/hartsholme-country-park/ contact Park Rangers at hartsholmecp@lincoln.gov.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 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 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 12, 2013 NOTE ALTERATION TO DATE GIVEN PREVIOUSLY. 12th, NOT 19th. 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 If you are having difficulties with spam folders etc. please make sure you "Whitelist" my address as given in the Bulletin. *** And Finally ... Roe Deer Numbers Changing Woodlands http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-20713190 Shopper hit by rampaging wild deer http://uk.news.yahoo.com/deer-running-loose-on-essex-high-street-injures-woman---video-163846887.html#MLyWIpl In pictures: Midwinter Magic from round the UK A seasonal selection of images from around the UK, taken by members of the BBC Winterwatch Flickr group. http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/20725430 ---------- ~ 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.