============================================= || || 28th December 2014 || || 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 1100 people and we are keen to encourage even more readers to subscribe. Please send this URL to friends who might join the Bulletin mailing list: 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.... *** High winds on Monday morning, 22nd brought a Little Egret into the garden, disturbed on my 5.30am dog walk. It had been roosting in a pine tree. [Carol: "...and an egret in a pine tree!"] It was there again on the morning of the 23rd. More confident now, it did not fly off. It has not been seen since. https://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/discoverandlearn/birdguide/name/l/littleegret/ I see we have a yellow alert for snow and ice on the Met Office website for Friday and Saturday. See: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/warnings/#?tab=warnings®ionName=em&fcTime=1405724400 New Year's resolutions: If any reader has a "must do" resolution for 2015, please let us know. I am thinking of places to visit, wildlife to see, etc. Your suggestions, please. One of mine is to spot a Brambling in the garden. We often have a couple mixing with the Chaffinches. See: http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/discoverandlearn/birdguide/name/b/brambling/ Please mention the Bulletin to anyone who might find it useful and send them this special sign-up address to use. It would be good to see reader numbers rise towards the 1250 mark. The link is on: http://eepurl.com/zmFMT If you have unreported 2014 records for LNU recorders, please send them in, directly or via the Bulletin. LNU Recorder contact details: http://www.lnu.org/recorders.php Thanks for all the information you have sent in this year. Fantastic. Roger *** Ray Halstead - Recorder - Fungi *** No records or queries for now, please. Due to illness, Ray has asked everyone to give him a bit of a break. Hopefully he will be back in the [Dryad's] saddle later in the new year. I will put a note in the Bulletin when he is again "open for business". *** LNU Events - guests are welcome *** 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. To check on the details, especially if weather suggests a possible cancellation, visit: http://lnu.org/events.php Saturday, January 17th, 2015 - Joint meeting with Lincs Bird Club. Phil Espin, Chairman of the Lincolnshire Bird Club, will be speaking about' 'Rare Breeding Birds in Lincolnshire and the Rare Breeding Birds Panel." Guests are welcome at our meetings. *** Donna Nook Seals *** Rob Lidstone-Scott writes: Pup number 1798 for the 2014 season was born at 1.15pm on Saturday 20th December - will this be the last one or will the Donna Nook seals reach 1800 pups? http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/donna-nook/weekly-update *** Reminder: Mistletoe Spotting with an invertebrate difference *** Charlie Barnes writes: Now is the perfect time of year to collect up fallen mistletoe twigs to try and rear out saproxylic species, e.g. the beetle Gastrallus knizeki, which are associated with mistletoe. I would be happy to receive twigs of mistletoe with details of collection date and location or you can try rearing through yourselves (get in touch for details). I am also interested in looking for mistletoe specific species during the spring and summer - this would ideally involve easily accessible (head height!) mistletoe clumps or using a device similar to the telescopic fruit pickers available for apples if they're just out of reach. If you have any suitable clumps on your garden trees, let me know! Charlie Barnes: charlie@cucaera.co.uk http://www.kew.org/science-conservation/plants-fungi/viscum-album-mistletoe *** Lincoln RSPB *** http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ Maureen Staples writes: On Thursday 8th January 2015 at 7.30pm we invite you to join us for a presentation by Paul Hobson for a look at Scotland's amazing wildlife. This will take place in The Robert Hardy Building, Bishop Grossteste University, Longdales Road, Lincoln RSPB members and Students £3.00. Non Members £4.00. Free Parking. *** South Lincs RSPB *** Members and non-members welcome. http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ 19/12 2 Shorelarks, 30+ Snow Buntings on beach by Buck Beck, Cleethorpes Coast Great Grey Shrike, Will Pits east side of Warping Drain, Thorpe Moor 2 Hen Harriers, 1 male, over saltmarsh, Frampton Marsh, ringtail Hen Harrier, Cut End 20/12 Waxwing between station approach road and Tesco car park, Market Rasen Rough-legged Buzzard, juv SSE of Heckington east of Helpringham by Great Drove over fields by Poplar Farm Snow Buntings, Frampton Marsh 2 Shorelarks on beach by Buck Beck, Cleethorpes Coast 7 Snow Buntings, Frampton Marsh 2 Hen Harriers, 1 male, Freiston Shore 40 Snow Buntings, Donna Nook 21/12 8 Snow Buntings, Barnacle Goose, 2 White-fronted Geese, male Hen Harrier, Frampton Marsh 6 Bewick's Swans with c90 Whooper Swans, Wroot Pomaraine Skua flew north past, 2 Bonxies flew south, Great Northern Diver, 32 Snow Buntings, Gibraltar Point Rough-legged Buzzard, juv SSE of Heckington east of Helpringham by Great Drove over fields by Poplar Farm 2 Shorelarks on beach, 90 Snow Buntings, 20 Twite, by Buck Beck, Cleethorpes Coast Waxwing between station approach road and Tesco car park, Market Rasen 46 Whooper Swans, Donna Nook 22/12 100+ Snow Buntings, 50+ Twite, Cleethorpes Coast Waxwing in Tesco car park, Market Rasen Woodlark in sheep field by River Trent, with Pied Wagtails and Meadow Pipits, Knaith 11 Snow Buntings, Gibraltar Point 23/12 Great Northern Diver past Gibraltar Point Short-eared Owl, Crowland Waxwing in Tesco car park, Market Rasen 2 Shorelarks on beach, 100+ Snow Buntings, 3+ Twite, by Buck Beck car park by railway box, Cleethorpes Coast 8 Snow Buntings on sea wall, 2 Eurasian White-fronted Geese, Frampton Marsh 24/12 4 Whooper Swans, Torksey Lock at Little London caravan site Hen Harrier, Frampton Marsh Black Brant and 3 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, with Dark-bellied Brent Geese in field south of Horseshoe Point, NW of Grainthorpe Haven Great Grey Shrike along Carr Lane towards railway embankment, Blyton, NE of Gainsborough Great Northern Diver off, 2 Whooper Swans flew south, Gibraltar Point 25/12 Firecrest, caught by cat at Fifth Drove, Gosberton Clough 2 Water Pipits at Chorder Ness near Barton-upon-Humber 100+ Snow Buntings, 3 Twite, Jack Snipe, Cleethorpes Coast 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: 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 LOCATIONS: please give full information on each individual Gorse record: the location [with grid ref], your name, the date, and any habitat notes of interest. GORSE LOCATIONS: Gorse locations: M180 eastbound near junction 4 to Brigg SE 954 063 Wendy Handford 19.12.14 Steep, sandy verge under Scots pine and Silver birch. Six plants, 3 with first flowers M180 eastbound at junction 5 near Barnetby TA 048 110 Wendy Handford 19.12.14 Steep, open, grassy ban. Ten plants, 4 with first flowers *** 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. CAISTOR - note the bat! Wendy Handford (WH) Reports from contributors to Caistor records Week beginning 19.12.14 Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 WH Bat, probably Common pipistrelle, landed on window shutter at 4pm 23.12.14 Fox, on Trailcam, visits orchard 9 times for fallen fruit between 17.40pm and 4.20am 19/20.12.14 Woodmouse nest, disused, found in base of fern fronds 22.12.14 Blackbirds 14 feeding on fallen apples and pears 19.12.14 Buzzards 3 circling over Norway spruce wood 20.12.14 Caterpillars, green on Scabious, brown and yellow with dark spots on Cranesbill 23.12.14 Winter gnats 5 in lee of conifer hedge 22.12.14 Winter moth in fern fronds 22.12.14 First flowers on Stinking hellebore 23.12.14 MABLETHORPE SEA WALL SOUTH Ian Whitaker 23/12/2014 Purple Sandpiper young and possibly injured MORKERY WOOD SK95/17 Jane Ostler 21/12/14 Now that most of the fruiting bodies of fungi have been turned to 'mush' by the frosts, the few that remain fertile get more attention. Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor)- the variegated caps of this very common bracket are in such a range of colours that it is always worth checking for the white, small pored undersurface. Hairy Curtain Crust - another very common bracket, yellow on both top and under surfaces Bleeding Oak Crust (Stereum gausapatum) - scratch orange surface and it produces red fluid. On oak. Similar species on hazel most likely to be Stereum rugosum. Wood Blewit (Lepista nuda). Bluish lilac gills but similar coloured cap fades to buff. Blue Leg or Field Blewit (Lepista saevum) - Also found in wood along rides.Similar but stems more swollen at base and paler flesh. Scurfy Twiglet (Tubaria furfuracia) On woody debris but often appears to be in grassland. Seems to turn up throughout winter unlike its close relative T.dispersa which I find in autumn associated with old hawthorn hedges. Branching Oyster (Pleurotus cornucopae) - Large specimens (one 10cms across) in cluster on felled oak. This is cream rather than the grey brown of the Oyster Mushroom usually on beech. Snowy Waxcap (Hygrocybe virginea) In grassland these small white fruiting bodies can look like other groups(e.g. Mycena) but close examination of their white gills helps identify them - they are widely spaced strongly decurent and waxy and the caps are greasy , soon flat and developing a yellow-brown tinge at centre. Notably absent from this wood this year and scarce in Twyford wood is the usually ubiquitous Clouded Agaric THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 13/12/14 Blackbird x 5 Carrion Crow x 2 Common Buzzard x 1 Dunnock x 2 Fieldfare x 151 Kestrel x 2 Magpie x 2 Moorhen x 3 Redwing x 29 Reed Bunting x 2 Robin x 2 Starling x 85 Tree Sparrow x 17 Wood Pigeon x 17 Wren x 1 Field Vole x 1 under recording sheet 19/12/14 Fieldfare x 159 Lapwing x 3 Starling x 125 WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 20/12 3 freshly-nipped dead brown rats, one adults, two juvenile. Killer unknown, but prime suspect is Bramble - black tom cat. They were left out near the trailcam and were taken by a fox. Since then foxes have taken 2 pheasant carcases and several dead woodmice. We seem to have 2 regular foxes through the garden, one very nervous and cringy, one very confident and decisive. 5 adult Bank Voles disturbed in garden. Nest covered over again. 22/12 Little egret roosting in garden in pine tree, 5,30hrs. First time I have noted this spp in the garden, though one is often seen along Hurnbridge Road. Must have been due to high winds. 23/12 - Little egret again roosted overnight in garden. 25/12 Windfall apples have attracted 24+ fieldfares, one redwing and 24+ blackbirds. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. Lincolnshire Coast NNRs and S Lincs Highlights including RSPB Wash Reserves RSPB Reserves: http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/collections/thewash_northnorfolk.aspx LWT Reserves: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ South Lincolnshire bird sightings November 2014 RSPB Frampton Marsh A Bittern was a brief visitor (27th), while the Glossy Ibis, present since June remained throughout. Up to 15 Whooper Swans (5th) roosted overnight on the scrapes. A European White-fronted Goose joined the mobile goose flocks (27th) with single Pale-bellied Brent Goose and a Black Brant hybrid also in residence. Over 3800 Wigeon (20th) was a record count, as was 2192 Teal (9th). The Rough-legged Buzzard, mainly present on fields adjacent to the reserve, was present all month. Golden Plover numbers gradually built up to a peak of 8000 (30th). Single Little Stint (1st & 2nd) and Jack Snipe (25th) were also recorded. A Little Auk (5th) flew inland to a fate unknown. A Great Grey Shrike (4th) didn’t linger either, but the reserve’s first Cetti’s Warbler (20th – 25th) remained for a few days. One or two Lapland Buntings were seen on three dates with Snow Buntings on four. RSPB Freiston Shore The highlights were mainly offshore with four Little Auks (7th) and Velvet Scoter, Pomarine Skua and a single Little Auk (26th). A new arrival was a woodcock by the reservoir (7th). Gibraltar Point NNR Awaited Other sites Awaited. John Badley [Assisted by Colin Jennings] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GIBRALTAR POINT NNR. http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ See: Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog. http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE DUNES NNR. http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/38015?category=59026 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE NNR. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. News from Far Ings NNR http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Far Ings News See: Far Ings NNR on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-Of-Far-Ings-National-Nature-Reserve/186876774685595 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6. Bardney Limewoods NNR http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/publications/limewoods-walks/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 in Oct 2012. 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 to bed' on Fridays. Please e-mail in 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 re-editing: Place Name: IN CAPITALS with Grid Reference if you have it. Your Name: Real names please, not aliases. Put it in each time, for each location Date: Species list [Alphabetical?] & numbers [and observations?] e.g. Blackbird - 24 [And please, no home-grown abbreviations. Species Names in full.] *** Find the Grid Reference *** Chris Manning recommended the following website for help with find grid references. http://www.bnhs.co.uk/focuson/grabagridref/html/index.htm ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 *** Contacts List *** FIGHTING WILDLIFE CRIME *** Rural Crime Officer *** Pc 160 Nick Willey Force Wildlife, Rural Crime Officer Force Dog Training Establishment Lincolnshire Showground. Grange-De-Lings. Lincoln nicholas.willey@lincs.pnn.police.uk OFFICE: 01522-731897 MOBILE :07768-501895 PAGER : 07654-330877 Website: http://www.lincs.police.uk/Advice/Wildlife-and-Rural-Crime/ STAYING SAFE *** EasyTide *** Check tide times on Admiralty EasyTide: http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx *** Local Tide Tables *** Here is a useful-looking website where you can order local tide tables. Well worth bookmarking. Everyone who uses the coast ought to have local tide tables handy. £1.50 + p&p. https://www.tidetimes.org.uk/ *** TWO - The Weather Outlook *** Check the weather forecast for the location or postcode: http://www.theweatheroutlook.com/ *** Met Office E-mail Service *** Be warned of the possibility of severe weather. 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. See: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/guide-to-emails *** Environment Agency Flood Information/Floodline *** http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/default.aspx *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/ Care of Sick or Injured Animals - information on LWT website *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/sick-and-injured-animals SPECIES IDENTIFICATION AND RECORDING *** iSpot Keys for computer or mobile *** If you are a beginner to identification of species, you might find the following link useful. http://www.ispot.org.uk/keys The LNU is now represented on the popular iSpot website. A full list of the organisations, recording schemes and societies represented is here: http://www.ispot.org.uk/representatives *** What's That Butterfly? *** http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/index.php http://butterfly-conservation.org/ What's That Caterpillar? http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/species_family.php?name=all&stage=larva *** Identifying Dragonflies *** http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/content/uk-species http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/content/dragonfly-and-damselfly-identification-help *** Spiders *** Imogen Wilde writes: 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 *** Report Ash Dieback in Lincolnshire *** Link for Chalara fraxinea reports: http://www.forestry.gov.uk/chalara *** 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 *** 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 *** 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. *** 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 badger reports. USEFUL WILDLIFE CONTACTS *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/ *** 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/ *** Lincs Bird Club *** Secretary - Robert Carr secretary@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Membership Secretary - Mike Harrison: michael@michaelharrison1.wanadoo.co.uk LBC County Bird Recorders John Clarkson - Covering the north of the county recorder_north@lincsbirdclub.co.uk John Badley - Covering the south of the county recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Bird Club Website: http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk *** The Sir Joseph Banks Society *** Contact 01507 528223 or by e-mail: enquiries@joseph-banks.org.uk. http://www.joseph-banks.org.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/ *** Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service *** A dedicated service to protect and enhance the Lincolnshire Wolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). 01507 609740 www.lincswolds.org.uk http://www.lincswolds.org.uk *** Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project *** Project Officer: Ruth Craig ruth.craig@lincolnshire.gov.uk 01507 609740 For help with chalk stream management, volunteering opportunities and educational activities on the chalk stream please visit the website http://www.lincswolds.org.uk/chalk-streams/volunteering or contact the project officer ruth.craig@lincolnshire.gov.uk *** The South Lincolnshire Fenlands Partnership *** South Lincolnshire Fenlands Partnership is working to promote enhancement and re-creation of an iconic fenland landscape and its wildlife within our highly productive and important farmlands. To learn more about the partnership please visit our website at http://www.lincsfenlands.org.uk/ or contact the project officer at slincsfens@lincstrust.co.uk Amanda Jenkins - South Lincolnshire Fenlands Project Officer *** 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 *** 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/ Lincsbirders - Lincolnshire's Alternative Birding Group http://www.lincsbirders.org/ *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire link *** http://www.lincolnshire-butterflies.org.uk/index.html *** 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/ Hedgehog Street survey http://www.hedgehogstreet.org/ For 2014 survey, see: http://www.hedgehogstreet.org/pages/hibernation-survey.html Lincsbirders - Lincolnshire's Alternative Birding Group Some great photos. http://www.lincsbirders.org/ Bardney Limewoods - the Lincolnshire Limewoods Project Bardney Limewoods NNR http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/Limewoods/ limewoods@lincolnshire.gov.uk *** Grow-your-own Mistletoe *** http://www.mistle.co.uk/ Readers websites and videos - superb work well worth browsing through. If anyone else is putting work like this on the web, please let us know. Joan Gunson's Moths recorded 2013: http:www.flickr.com/photos/angleshades Alan Dale's Bugs and Weeds http://www.bugsandweeds.co.uk/ Les Binns: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ecoheathen/sets/ Leslie Hebden http://www.flickr.com/photos/13718295@N07/ Youtube videos by Colin Green. Little Scrubbs Meadow in July 2012 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inqCJLrTQmg&feature=relmfu Greetwell Hollow in May 2012 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QmzLFrbjFU&feature=plcp Rimac in June 2012 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s02O5JJoilQ&feature=plcp Starlings at Kirkby on Bain - January 2014 - excellent video by David Robinson http://www.flickr.com/photos/poppops/11685708555/ BBC Radio 4 Tweet of the day: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01s6xyk *** Other Useful E-mail Addresses *** New Botanical Group in South Lincs Sarah Lambert writes: We'd be happy to welcome new people, whether experienced or not, particularly if they are located towards the northern part of the vice county! If anybody would like to join us, please get in touch with me at sarah.lambert7@ntlworld.com 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 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. 2014 Indoor meetings: Saturday, January 17th, 2015 Phil Espin, Chairman of the Lincolnshire Bird Club, will be speaking about' 'Rare Breeding Birds in Lincolnshire and the Rare Breeding Birds Panel." 2015 Indoor meetings: Saturday, February 14, 2015 Recorders’ meeting - overview and highlights in the past year's recording provided by the county recorders. Arrive at 12 noon fpr a chance to catch up with recorders and view exhibits including a demonstration of online recording software, 'Living Record' and a discussion of online recording starting at 12.30. The Overview starts at 2pm. Saturday, March 07, 2015 AGM Followed by the Presidential address by Nick Tribe: "Aspects of Dragonfly Recording in Lincolnshire". ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 text copy. http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html If you are having difficulties with spam folders et. please make sure you "Whitelist" my address as given in the Bulletin. A "hard bounce" usually results in you being automatically deleted from the mailing list. Latest Mailfails - see notes above. Bulletin bouncing from: john.bland - delivery failed; will not continue trying Roger.Briggs - soft bounce - delivery failed victor.adams - delivery failed; will not continue trying *** And finally...... Contributions to "And finally......" are always welcome. Some vintage holiday viewing: "Boston Looks Back" DVD highlights from Primetime Video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAdQXQDp3oY The Lincolnshire Film Archive https://www.youtube.com/user/lincsfilmarchive British Pathe's Lincolnshire life films http://www.lincolnshireecho.co.uk/British-Pathe-s-Lincolnshire-life-films-available/story-20960069-detail/story.html ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/