============================================ || || 12th January 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 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.... *** Big News - the campaign to "Save the Drift" has been a success. See the piece from Mark Schofield below. Thanks to all who put their names to the petition. It clearly made all the difference. The sun is very active at present and solar activity can bring on a display of the aurora borealis visible from the UK. I recommend the following websites for keeping track of when a display can be anticipated. Worth bookmarking one or two. AuroraWatch UK - with sign-up page for e-mail notifications: http://aurorawatch.lancs.ac.uk/ SOHO European website: http://soho.esac.esa.int/ Solar Terrestrial Dispatch http://spacew.com/ Hourly STD DMSP/POLAR Auroral Activity Report http://www.spacew.com/www/aurora.html We have had several incidents of hare coursing in our area and in one of these a lurcher was abandoned. We all ought to be supporting Operation Galileo, joining Farm and Country Business Watch and supporting the work of the police. See: http://www.lincs.police.uk/Advice/Wildlife-and-Rural-Crime/ Please keep your contributions coming, including Gorse and Lords & Ladies records. Also "And finally..." suggestions. Roger *** Feedback *** Thank you for your great ideas for 2014 - we got up early and went and did one of them this morning as my birthday treat! The prediction from the Environment Agency was that it would only be a one star event, but we've seen the Trent Aegir! So much so the we will revisit in August to try and catch a four star version! *** 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 This Saturday's meeting: Saturday, January 11, 2014 Talk by Richard Jefferson Conserving England’s high value grasslands: a health check and future prospects. Next Meeting: Saturday, February 15, 2014 Recorders’ Meeting Meet LNU recorders, hear news of species reported in 2013, get help with identification. 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 *** Saving The Drift *** Mark Schofield writes: I have some very good news to start the New Year regarding the stretch of the Viking Way known as The Drift SSSI between Denton and Skillington. The Lincolnshire County Council Planning and Regulations Committee met on December 4th to decide on the future of The Drift and the draft minutes have just been published. The Committee took the advice of the Wildlife Trust and Natural England and responded to the strength of public opinion by voting in favour of a permanent, year-round closure to all motor vehicles except farm vehicles. Five years of petitions, field meetings, media campaigns, painstaking botanical surveys from volunteers, habitat management, legal research and detailed report writing have finally led to the outcome we have been hoping for. The collated petition results from the two petitions which ran between 2012 and 2013 can be summarised as follows: 1,235 petitioners in total (duplicate signatures not counted) 831 petitioners confirmed from Lincolnshire 309 petitioners confirmed from within 10 miles of The Drift We believe that such a significant number of petition signatures over two years made a vital contribution to the campaign because it raised the awareness of our Councillors who have not only had to meet their statutory obligations to biodiversity conservation but have been reminded that in conserving the best of our local biodiversity they are defending a precious public asset and representing the majority of stakeholders in our local countryside. Following years of deterioration, there is now every opportunity to improve the wildlife habitat quality on The Drift. Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, Natural England, LCC and the local police will now be working closely to ensure that this environmental damage is not just halted but reversed over the coming years. On behalf of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, I would like to thank you for adding your voice to the Save the Drift campaign and for defending one of the special places in our landscape. The online version of the Committee Meeting minutes can be found here (see item 125): http://lincolnshire.moderngov.co.uk/documents/g195/Printed%20minutes%2004th-Dec-2013%2010.30%20Planning%20and%20Regulation%20Committee.pdf?T=1 With very best wishes for the New Year, Mark. *** Cold sales Calls *** Have you been getting cold sales calls about PPI and the like? I had a text and an attempted call on my Vodafone mobile this week. I did not recognise the number so did not reply - but it was 01616609092. You can find out about it on Google. Other dodgy numbers are listed there too with the prefix 01616609, and you can also check for legitimate Vodafone numbers. Advice is - don't respond to any call from such numbers unless you really want to risk being scammed! Beware of phoning them back, as you may find they charge premium rates. The best course of action is to register your number(s) with the free Telephone Preference Service. Easy. Then you will be in a position to make a complaint if the problem continues. http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/tps/index.html An encouraging story about this is available on: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-20068927 *** Coastal Reserve Closures *** Please refer to the relevant blogs or websites to make sure that coastal reserves are open for business. Most are, at least partly. Check the LWT website and blogs for updates on reserve restrictions: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/ Should there be any hint of further flooding problems on any reserve please stay away and allow the staff and volunteers to deal with any remedial work. *** White Fieldfare/Blackbird Beak Colour *** Garry Steele writes: Re White Blackbird/Fieldfare Further to your comments in this week's Bulletin, I understand the bills of our own, first-year native male blackbirds are supposed to be slightly darker in colour in addition to those of some ADULT continental male blackbirds which come across to GB to winter. Some of the male blackbirds feeding on windfall apples in my own garden at the moment also have darker looking bills. Garry has sent in a useful RSPB webpage on the subject: http://www.rspb.org.uk/advice/watchingbirds/identify/abnormal/albinism.aspx Via a Zoologist friend in Dorset, I received the following comment from a contact at Portland Bird Observatory, who writes: "I suspect this is most likely a Fieldfare just because that's what the other birds are although I do have a slight concern that the bill is wholly yellow (like a Blackbird) and not a little bit darker-tipped (like a Fieldfare); that said, the long wings look a lot more like Fieldfare (should be shorter in Blackbird). The thrush family does throw up albino/leucistic birds quite often but this is more arrestingly white than any that I personally have ever seen before - a very striking bird! John Badley adds: I'd agree it looks an excellent candidate for albino fieldfare. The first I've heard of. i-spot contributirs had concluded it was probably a white blackbird. Comments included: Blackbird: I'm as sure as I can be. Never seen it in fieldfares only in blackbirds so not sure. The bright yellow beak says albino blackbird. *** Pick up A Polecat *** Chris Manning writes: For the next two years the Vincent Wildlife Trust are repeating their polecat distribution surveys previously undertaken in the 1990s and early 2000s. Previously I have written on the occurrence of the feral polecat/fummard to use its colloquial name (Transactions Volume 27 Part 2) and copies of the article are available on request. See: http://www.lnu.org/transactions.php As always photographs of the animal are a great help in verification, but more importantly during this survey they are seeking the carcases for genetic and rodenticide analysis. Genetic analysis should enable us to confirm the status of this mammal within Lincolnshire. Further I am happy to coordinate carcase storage and packing. Chris.LincsDeer@gmail.com *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** Carolyn Lovely On Monday 13th January 2014 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust hold their evening meeting at Grimsby Town Hall where local herbalist Emma Warrener will talk about the historic, culinary and economic use of medicinal plants found in our local area. She will be telling us how to harvest them and use them for our well being. The talk will start at 7.30pm. Admission £2 - all are welcome. Trust goods stall, raffle and tea/coffee available. For further details contact Jennie Redpath - 01472 502858 *** Anyone able to help? *** LINCOLN SK972738 Jayne Knight Please could anyone offer help with (or failing that, advice on an appropriate organisation to contact regarding), cleaning up the spilled seed and husks from my bird feeders. I am finding the job too much, being confined to a wheelchair, and am relying on the goodwill of friends at the moment to keep the area clean and fresh, but would like a permanent, weekly arrangement if possible. The job should only take 20-30 minutes per week and I am willing to pay expenses, travel costs, etc. Editor will be happy to pass on emails: rparsons@enterprise.net *** Scunthorpe Museum Society Natural History and Geology Section. *** Keith Scarrott writes: First meeting for 2014 on Monday, 13th January, starting at 7.15pm. Reverend Dr Tim Astin will be giving an illustrated talk entitled "When the fishes first came onto the land". A Geologist, Reverend Astin will talk about the missing link between fish and land animals. The talk will take place in the upper room of the North Lincolnshire Museum on Oswald Road in Scunthorpe. ALL ARE WELCOME. There is no admission charge but a donation bowl is provided. There is free parking behind the museum and on Oswald Road. For further details please contact Keith Scarrott on 01724 762098. *** 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. ILLUSTRATED TALK at Boston's Sam Newsom Music Centre February 20th at 7-30pm "Trinidad and Tobago" by Steve Keightley, featuring the wildlife of these Caribbean Islands RSPB members £2 non-members £3-50. ILLUSTRATED TALK at Boston's Sam Newsom Music Centre March 20th at 7-30pm "Puffin around Shetland" by Richard Ashby, highlighting Spring migrants RSPB members £2 non-members £3-50 FREE GUIDED WALK at Boston Cemetary (meet in Crematorium car park) April 5th at 10am Looking for Spring migrants and wild flowers ILLUSTRATED TALK at Boston's Sam Newsom Music Centre April 24th at 7-30pm "Montana USA" by Alan Knight, featuring the wildlife of The Rockies,prairies and Yellowstone Park RSPB members £2 non-members £3-50 *** S Lincs RSPB *** http://www.southlincsrspb.org.uk *** For Professional Readers *** "NETWORK TOOLS IN BIOSCIENCES" http://www.transmittingscience.org/courses/syst-bio/networks/ "Many features and processes of biological systems can be well represented by networks of interacting elements. In the last decades, network analysis has provided new insights into the organization and functioning of complex biological systems such s brain wiring, genetic regulation, or ecological dynamics. A basic knowledge on network modelling and network analysis will provide biologists a better understanding of cutting-edge research in their fields. This course will introduce participants into the analysis of complex biological systems using network models. Students will learn the basics of network analysis: gathering information, building network models, and interpret the outcomes of their analysis." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ 03/01/2014 Glossy Ibis, Deeping Lakes Black-throated Diver, Cleethorpes Country Park Black-throated Diver, Covenham Reservoir 6 Shorelarks, Millennium Ridge, Gibraltar Point] 04/01/2014 Glossy Ibis, Deeping Lakes Black-throated Diver, Cleethorpes Country Park Ad Caspian Gull east of Elsham, NW of A15 Iceland Gull, Grimsby Fish Docks Bewick's Swan with 140 Whooper Swans, west of Haxey by B1396 crossroads 05/01/2014 2 Bewick's Swans with 80 Whooper Swans west of Westwoodside by B1396 3ast of spring Road junction 10 Shorelarks, 30 Twite, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Dunes off Brickyard Lane car park Long-tailed Duck, Covenham Reservoir Glossy Ibis, Deeping Lakes Scaup drk, 7 Snow Buntings, Hen Harrier, Frampton Marsh 6 Shorelarks on Millennium Ridge, 4 Velvet Scoters flew south, Hen Harrier, 2 Short-eared Owls, Great Northern Diver offshore, 3 Lapland Buntings over Wash viewpoint, Pomarine Skua flew north, Red-necked Grebe flew south, Gibraltar Point Iceland Gull, Grimsby Fish Docks Long-tailed Duck, Barton-upon-Humber Glaucous Gull, Thurlby gravel pits Great Northern Diver, NW of Boston, River Witham east of Langrick 5 Black-headed Divers River Witham, Short-eared Owl, SE of Boston at Cut End Black-throated Diver, Cleethorpes Country Park 2 Tundra Bean Geese with Pink-footed Geese, 25 Twite, Hen Harrier, Little Auk offshore, Donna Nook 06/01/2014 Black-throated Diver, Cleethorpes Country Park Great Northern Diver, SE of Boston at Cut End Iceland Gull juv, Stallingborough, field south of power station Glaucous Gull, Whisby Nature Park, Willow Lake 07/01/14 Iceland Gull, Grimsby Fish Docks Long-tailed Duck, Barton-upon-Humber Black-throated Diver, Cleethorpes Country Park Glossy Ibis, Deeping Lakes 10 Shorelarks, 25 Twite, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Dunes off Brickyard Lane car park 08/01/14 10 Shorelarks, Snow Bunting, c 54 Twite, Saltfleetby/ Theddlethorpe Dunes off Brickyard Lane car park Black-throated Diver, Cleethorpes Country Park 09/01/14 Hen Harrier, Saltfleet, Howden's Pullover Great Northern Diver, Ringtail Hen Harrier over, 2 Jack Snipe, Black-throated Diver, Freiston Shore 10 Shorelarks, 2 Snow Buntings, c 50 Twite, Saltfleetby/ Theddlethorpe Dunes off Brickyard Lane car park Black-throated Diver, Cleethorpes Country Park 10/01/14 Hen Harrier m over saltmarsh, Humberston Fitties Great Grey Shrike, Culverthorpe NE of West Ashby Great Northern Diver on lagoon, Freiston Shore 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 please. 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 from Jane Ostler I have found six sites for gorse in South Kesteven (SK83,91,92,93) and one in North Kesteven (TF04.) All are near enough for me to visit regularly. Many of them are on roadside verges. As well as noting each month to what extent they are flowering I shall be looking for insect visitors. I have always found gorse a good place for insects particularly in the early spring. It will be interesting if I can note whether or not pollination very early in the year results in seed set. Some studies have shown that this is often not the case. Below I list details of the seven sites, with their grid references, but in future will give only summaries of findings in Bulletin. 1. South Witham Verges NR SK945197 S-facing bank. Older bushes becoming shaded out by hawthorn and one bush standing alone. A single flower on one of shaded bushes. 2. Woolsthorpe Verges RVNR SK908243 At entrance to landfill ponds. Two bushes, one old bush and one "in its prime", well grown with plenty of small leaves still. Five flowers on older bush only. 3. Colsterworth Verges RVNR SK930250 On new limestone banks created by roadworks. Just colonising. Only two plants can be called bushes yet. No flowers 4. Hall's Hill Grantham SK930362. By public path 3 bushes . A few flowers on each bush. 5. Harrowby SK941364 Slopes behind housing estate. A number of bushes (six or seven?) A few flowers on four of them. 6. Gonerby Moor SK88/39 Al verges. Exact position and numbers of bushes to be determined. No flowers in evidence as seen from car. 7. Rauceby Warren Verges TF035443 At Sleaford end of the Nature Reserve Only two of a number of bushes 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. DON'T FORGET Please include the year in your reports in case they are copied and thus lose their context. BRACEBY TF015353 M. Ellis See & hear buzzards daily above Braceby 03.01.14 Young hedgehog outside our back door at 1.00pm. Fed it hedgehog pellets & took to carer Janet Peto at Foston. A girl weighing 330gms, will be wintering with her. Overnight it increased it's weight by 24gms after a good feed! It's the 3rd undersized hedgehog out in the daylight we have found since September. BUCKNELL TF166703 Robert Walker 4/1/14 Kestrel 1 Near derelict farm building on roadside cables BURGH - LE - MARSH TF508653 Robert Walker 29/12/13 Kestrel 1 A158 near roadside, Burgh by-pass CADWELL TF295819 Robert Walker 26/12/13 Kestrel 1 along roadside verge CAISTOR Wendy Handford (WH) Reports from contributors to Caistor records Week beginning 3.1.14 Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 WH Bank vole in hedgerow 2nd Jan Fieldmouse in garage 2nd Jan Buzzard circling 2nd Jan Great spotted woodpecker m 2nd Jan Pheasants 6m 5f 6th Jan Sparrowhawk 7th Jan Winter moth 7th Jan 7-spot ladybirds 6 in Hogweed stem 3rd Jan Yew shoots nibbled 3rd Jan Caistor bypass farmland TA 114 005 J Wright Kestrel hovering 3rd Jan DEEPINGS Venue: Deeping Lakes LWT Reserve TF187083 Date: 2013 (full year summary) Observer: Ian Gordon Birds: 103 species Butterflies: 17 species Damsels & dragons: 5 species Animals: 2 species DEEPINGS Venue: Deeping Lakes LWT Reserve TF187083 Date: 02/01//2014 Observer: Ian Gordon Time: 1315 - 1540 Weather: Sunny, cold, light wind Birds: BlackbirdBlack-headed Gull Blue Tit Carrion Crow Collared Dove Common Gull Coot Cormorant Gadwall Glossy Ibis Goldeneye Goldfinch Great Crested Grebe Great Tit Green Woodpecker Greylag Goose Herring Gull Kestrel Lapwing Little Egret Little Grebe Long Eared Owl Long-tailed Tit Magpie Mallard Moorhen Mute Swan Pheasant Pink-footed Goose Pochard Reed Bunting Siskin Sparrowhawk Teal Tufted Duck Wigeon Woodpigeon Animals: Grey Squirrel (4) DEEPINGS Venue: Deeping Lakes LWT Reserve TF187083 Date: 05/01//2014 Observer: Ian Gordon Time: 0940 - 1100 Weather: Sunny, cold. Birds: Blackbird Black-headed Gull Blue Tit Bullfinch Carrion Crow Chaffinch Collared Dove Coot Corn Bunting Gadwall Glossy Ibis Goldeneye Great Tit Greylag Goose Grey Heron Long-tailed Tit Mallard Magpie Moorhen Mute Swan Pheasant Pink-footed Goose Pochard Reed Bunting Robin Siskin Starling Teal Wigeon Woodpigeon Animals: Grey Squirrel Saturday 04/01/2014: Great Northern Diver (Mike Weedon) Tuesday 08/01/14: Glossy Ibis Great Northern Diver (Dave Vandome) DUNHOLME TF026792 Phil Busby Week ending 10 January 2014 Rear Gardens As last year (2013) all small birds disserted the gardens at the end of the summer. The bird feeder was in constant use and then stopped abruptly when families had been reared I suspect. I have noticed that a nesting box that I had installed on my neighbours garage wall facing my house is being occupied by sparrow sized birds that I have not been able to identify yet. I think we forget that birds need a sheltered position at night in winter and with low maintenance gardens, the usual privet hedge is not available. Perhaps we should be putting up bird roosting boxes instead of just nesting boxes, any comments? Dunholme Pond The Dunholme pond saw the rearing of a family of Moorhens with 7 offspring at one point. Now there is only one left who remains to be seen feeding every morning on the grassed surround. It may be one of the original mating pair who has sadly lost his/her partner. Also there is a single Grey Heron that is paying regular attention to the pond and is often perched on the roof of one of the surrounding houses. I'm not sure I know why there is only one as I thought they also paired for life and maybe even migrated during the winter. FAR INGS A Buckle and S Smith Creeping Comfrey in flower, 5-1-14, Far Ings entrance TA 01136-22951 Snowdrops in flower, 5-1-14, Far Ings entrance TA 01136-22951 Female flowers on Hazel, 5-1-14, Far Ings entrance TA 01136-22951 FOTHERBY/A16 Peter White Sunday 5th January @ 15-30 2 Red Kites on the A16 (opposite Fotherby) being mobbed by a large flock of crows. GRANTHAM David George Belton Park - Boat House Lake Sunday 5th January 2014. 11 a.m Ten Tufted duck on the lake . Six Goosander, three male and three female. Third year in a row that Goosander have been seen on the Belton Park lakes. First time I have seen males. GUNBY TF472667 Robert Walker 22/12/13 Buzzards 3 South of Gunby Park near woods along bridle track HORNCASTLE TF250669 Robert Walker 1/1/14 Grey Squirrel 1 On trees near old sewage farm also TF250667 Grey Heron 1 flying over fields near canal HORSINGTON TF195696 Robert Walker 4/1/14 Brown Hare 1 on arable field HUTTOFT TF512 763 (my garden) Jane Pennington Date : 4/1/2014 Chaffinch 3 (2 female, 1 male) Pheasants 2 (pair) Date : 5/1/2014 Mistlethrush 2 (keeping the mountain ash berries to themselves) Date : 7/1/2014 Sparrowhawk 1 Date : 10/1/2014 Chaffinch 1 Collared doves 2 Mistlethrush 2 PARTNEY TF418681 Robert Walker 29/12/13 Kestrel 1 A158 near roadside, Partney by-pass RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF 309 847 (unless otherwise stated) Silvia Fowler 28.12.13 Black-headed Gull (5-8) and Common Gull (up to 40) feeding in pasture together with numerous Rooks, Jackdaws, Woodpigeons and 15-20 Feral or Racing Pigeons (inc. some white ones). Also a few Collared Doves and Pheasants. 31.12.13 Another dry year, only 18 inches (457 mm) of rain this year against 30 inches (770 mm) in 2012 and 16 inches (400 mm) in 2011, (both extreme years). 06.01.14 TF 297 858 Kestrel hovering into 20-25mph wind, 15.45 hrs TF 305 850 Kestrel being carried off by the wind, about 15.55 hrs (same bird as seen earlier?) 10.01.14 2 Stock Doves in garden, a few Winter Aconites in flower. SKEGNESS TF559594 Robert Walker 29/12/13 Barn Owl 1 Just off Gibraltar Point road, edge of golf course, hunting low at dusk. TATTERSHALL CLINTON PARK Clare Brady 2/1/2014 3 Little Egrets flew over my garden at 9.45am. A good garden tick I think. THORPE - LE - FALLOWS SK914808 Robert Walker 25/12/13 Yellowhammers 6+ On mature hedgerows along bridle track THURNHOLMES (79767 98400) and surrounding area Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 29/12/13 Barn Owl x 1 Goosander x 1 male C Buzzard x 1 Tawny Owl x 1 calling Owston Ferry Warping Drain Roe Deer x 5 Low Melwood Claypits Fox x 1 Short Tailed Field Vole x 3 01/01/14 Kestrel x 1 Sparrowhawk x 1 female Starling x 7 Tree Sparrow x 27 02/01/14 Low Melwood Claypits Blackbird x 1 Coot x 20 Gadwall x 8 Mallard x 3 Mute Swan x 1 Moorhen x 2 Tufted Duck x 10 05/01/14 Golden Plover x 5 Redpoll sp. x 6 THURNHOLMES (SK79767 98400) and surrounding area Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 04/01/14 Goosander x 2 Owston Ferry Warping Drain 05/01/14 Little Egret x 2 Gunthorpe 08/01/14 Blackbird x 3 Black Headed Gull x 17 Blue Tit x 2 Dunnock x 2 Heron x 1 Kestrel x 1 female Long Tailed Tit x 1 Magpie x 2 Moorhen x 2 Mute Swan x 2 Robin x 1 Rook x 39 Starling x 1 Tree Sparrow x 25 Wren x 1 Low Melwood Claypits Coot x 25 Gadwall x 4 Mallard x 2 Moorhen x 2 Tufted Duck x 12 TUPHOLME TF156702 Robert Walker 21/12/13 Buzzard 1 Near 'High Cell Farm' on low hedgerow also Brown Hare 1 Near same location on arable field WEST ASHBY TF265717 Robert Walker 26/12/13 Kestrel 1 along roadside verge WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 3/1/2014 and again on 5/1/2014 Redwing in orchard with substantial fieldfare flock. WRAGBY TF144776 Robert Walker 25/12/13 Kestrel 1 A158 south side of Wragby WRANGLE COMMON 05/01/2014 Roy and Kath Pearson Today we did the Winter Thrush Survey on our usual patch, but could only muster 43 Blackbirds. There were few other birds around, the most interesting being 20+ Curlews, 2 Green Sandpipers and 4 Woodcocks. A single Roe Deer was seen. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. Lincolnshire Coast NNRs including RSPB Wash Reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GIBRALTAR POINT NNR. http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designations/nnr/1006059.aspx Reserve partly open 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: 4th January 2014 John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Peter & Janet Roworth December weather summary - the near storm force south westerly winds on 5th, plus a tidal surge of at least 1.5m above an expected high of 7.3m, was the notable weather feature for the month. A gust of 74mph was recorded on a high dune near Sea View car park at 14.50hrs on the same day. Although there was an incredible amount of organic matter and non-organic debris washed up on the tide line, minor breaching, and surface erosion to the foredunes between Saltfleet Haven and Mablethorpe North End, damage was minimal compared to the major impact at Far Ings, Donna Nook and Gibraltar Point NNRs. If the winds had veered around to the N/NE then damage to the Lincolnshire coastline would have been far greater. A south westerly air flow continued for the rest of the month bringing many days of unsettled weather with only the occasional clear, sunny spell. Blustery SWs were recorded from the 16th - 28th; of note 51.7mph at Crook Bank near Mablethorpe on the 27th. Twenty two ground frosts (4 air min) observed, falling to -5.25°C on the 1st. Dense freezing fog noted on the 2nd and on the 3rd, and on 11th-12th conditions were very raw with fog. A mild day on the 15th with a high of 13.75°C, and a ground minimum at 10.0°C and a day time maximum of 14.0°C on 16th were very unseasonal. Interesting weather observations from 2013: * Lowest minimum was on 17th January with a ground temperature of -12.0°C and air temperature of -8.75°C. * A late ground frost of -1.0°C occurred on 4th June. * The highest daytime temperature was 26.75°C on 1st August. * The longest spell of rain was from 5th - 19th March (15 days). * The most rainfall recorded during a 24hr period was 15.9mm on 12th October. * The wettest month was October with 74.1mm rainfall recorded. * The total rainfall for 2013 was 437.9mm (17.25”), well below the average of 585mm. * The longest spell without rain was from 3rd - 21st July (19 days). * The driest month was April with 8.6mm rainfall recorded. * A storm force gust of wind at 74mph was recorded on 5th December. * Snow fell on the 14th, 15th and 26th January accumulating to at least 68mm on a concrete surface. Light snow flurries fell on 2nd February and during 5th - 19th March. Bird records for the week have included up to 20 Yellowhammers and 15 Reed Buntings feeding on the dunes/outer buckthorn ridge between Crook Bank and Churchill and an additional 12+ Reed Buntings N of Rimac during the week. A Chiffchaff gave a brief appearance on the 28th; a Song Thrush was heard singing on the 1st with Collared Dove and Dunnock calling. The Shore Larks seem to have moved on but 3 Snow Buntings were seen on the 1st. Three Fieldfares flew over Sea View on the 28th and a further 6 over Churchill on the 30th. A Green Woodpecker was heard calling near Sea View on the 29th and 5+ Bull- finches in the same area feeding amongst sea buckthorn. Two Sparrowhawks have been frequenting the reserve most days, a Merlin on the 28th, Peregrine on the 1st and up to three Hen Harriers. JW had good views of 3 very bright shooting stars/meteors from 1940hrs - 2000hrs on the 31st. Week ending: 10th January 2014 John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Peter & Janet Roworth The amount of rainfall recorded during January is 31.6mm and we are seeing a welcome rise in water levels of ditches and ponds on the reserve. Although there was only a very minor influx of sea water into part of the freshwater marsh at Rimac during the tidal surge this rainfall will help to dilute any salinity incurred. Bird sightings of note for the week have been few. The saltmarsh has attracted up to 9 Little Egrets and only the occasional Meadow Pipit or Skylark. On the sea buckthorn there are still plentiful supplies of berries but only a few Blackbirds and Starlings feeding on them. A Woodcock was seen and a Great Spotted Woodpecker was heard calling, both near Sea View on the 9th. Thirty eight Lapwing flew south on the 5th. Shore Larks (10) have been seen, with around 45 Twite and 60 Snow Buntings observed on the 8th. Notable birds from a sea watch near Crook Bank on the 8th were 11 Red-throated Divers on the sea and 3 Pintails flying south. The patches of mosses and lichens on the short turf areas of the mature dunes are looking particularly good with their different range of colours, and some buds of willow in the more sheltered areas are beginning to burst. RSPB RESERVES http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/collections/thewash_northnorfolk.aspx SOUTH LINCS HIGHLIGHTS South Lincolnshire Monthly Bird Highlights Reports for December 2013 John Badley Recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Assisted by Colin Jennings RSPB Frampton Marsh Numbers of wildfowl remained high, with up to 20 Whooper Swans roosting overnight throughout, 2000 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 350 Pink-footed Geese and 2000 Wigeon. Waders were also numerous with up to 1500 Golden Plovers and 700 Lapwings, accompanied by up to 20 Ruff (14th). Regularly seen were two Scaup and up to 10 Snow Buntings, but fly-overs included Lapland Bunting (11th) and Glossy Ibis (17th). Mediterranean Gull (9th), Water Pipit (13th) and Woodcock (23rd) were only seen on single dates with Jack Snipe (8th & 10th) on two. Disappointingly Twite was also only seen on one date (13th). Gibraltar Point NNR The highlight at the end of a very good autumn was a Hume’s Warbler (1st- 3rd) but the last migrant was a swallow (15th). A Crane flew over (1st), but didn’t linger. Wildfowl included a count of 1600 Pink-footed Geese (1st) and Black-throated Diver (15th), while waders were represented by 3300 Golden Plovers (1st) and Woodcock (22nd). Water Pipits were seen on two dates (7th & 13th) with six Snow Bunting on one date (1st). Other sites Herds of Bewick’s and Whooper Swans were seen at both Branston Fen and Nocton Fen, with Whooper Swans also seen at Pinchbeck Slipe (Spalding) and Willow Tree Fen. The usual two Red-crested Pochards remained at Swanholme Lakes. A nice duo of Long-tailed Duck (7th & 14th ) and Scaup (11th) visited Kirkby Pits. Brief encounters included a Ring-necked Parakeet at Lincoln (4th) and Glaucous Gull at Deeping High Bank (5th). Great Grey Shrikes were at Bassingham Fen (7th-15th) and Culverthorpe Lakes (21st). Two Cetti’s Warblers were wintering at Marston STW (12th). A Glossy Ibis at Deeping Lakes (31st) was a fine end to the year. 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 - no report this week 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 *** Contacts List *** 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 http://www.lincs.police.uk/Advice/Wildlife-and-Rural-Crime/ *** Report Ash Dieback in Lincolnshire *** Link for Chalara fraxinea reports: http://www.forestry.gov.uk/chalara STAYING SAFE *** 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/ *** 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 SPECIES IDENTIFICATION *** 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. *** 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 *** 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 *** 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/ *** 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/ Hedgehog Street survey Not yet sure if this will extend the next year. Have a look. http://www.hedgehogstreet.org/pages/hibernation-survey.html 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 Readers websites and videos: 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 Starlings at Kirkby on Bain - 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 *** 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, 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. No mailfails this week. Roger *** And finally...... Contributions to "And finally......" are always welcome. Another reason why you should not click on that dodgy email: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-25506020 *** Help us save "The Sanctuary" *** Julia Smith sent in the following DWT information. In the light of the successful campaign to save "The Drift" some readers may wish to express support. See: http://www.derbyshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/what-we-do/sanctuary-local-nature-reserve Derby City Council has now submitted its planning application to build a Closed Circuit Cycle Track on The Sanctuary Local Nature Reserve (LNR) at Pride Park. The pay-to-race track would impact on 40-50% of the reserve's habitats which provide nesting and resting habitats for birds including skylark, ring ouzel, lapwing and snipe. The legally protected little ringed plover breeds here and the reserve has even played host to the rare Dartford warbler. No acceptable mitigation has been proposed by the council. The council designated the reserve an LNR in 2006 and we believe this application sets a dangerous precedent. LNRs in other areas may become fair game for inappropriate development. The Trust is now part of a coalition of county wildlife organ- isations campaigning to save The Sanctuary. You can help by objecting to the application which you can do online via: http://derbyshirewildlifetrust.cmail1.com/t/r-l-pmuye-tilttduihi-i/ [Julia has send me some guidelines for doing this - please ask for a copy if you would like one.] The closing date for objecting online is midnight on 16th January, so there's not much time left. You may also like to take a look at the Facebook and Twitter campaigns that have been set up. http://derbyshirewildlifetrust.cmail1.com/t/r-l-pmuye-tilttduihi-d/ http://derbyshirewildlifetrust.cmail1.com/t/r-l-pmuye-tilttduihi-h/ You can email thesanctuarylnr@gmail.com for more advice on how to comment on the planning application. ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/