============================================= || || 30th November 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.... *** I am looking forward to two meteor showers in December, the Geminids peaking on 14th, [best before moonrise says Paul Money,] and the Ursids which will be at their best on 22nd December. If you need to find out more, go to the meteor links on my "Cosmic" webpage. http://www.rogerparsons.info/cosmic.html It seems a rather thin Bulletin this week - perhaps not surprising in the misty grey days we have been having. If you can find something to report in the coming week, that would be good. Thanks to all who did remember to send in something. 100 people attended the 'President's Lecture' of the Sir Joseph Banks Society at Lincoln University on Thursday, given this year by Dr Mark Spencer FLS, senior curator of the British & Irish Herbarium NHM and Hon. Curator of the Linnaean Society of London. A number of Bulletin readers were able to attend one of Mark's excellent Herbarium training days in the summer. Earlier in the day Mark attended a meeting with the Steering Group of the '21st Century Herbarium partnership' (LNU, LWT & JBS), planning the future care and development of the Lincolnshire herbarium. Mark was able to show a few examples of specimens from the training days, now beautifully prepared and part of the vast collections of the Natural History Museum. Most exciting were two examples of Sir Joseph's own Lincolnshire herbarium specimens. Please mention the Bulletin to anyone who might find it useful and give them this special sign-up address to use. http://eepurl.com/zmFMT Thanks. Roger *** 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 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 *** The latest numbers for the past week from Rob Scott are as follows: Bulls 516, cows 1314, pups 1220 If you plan to make a visit, do please check the LWT website first. If you can avoid weekends you should find Donna Nook less crowded. There may be important updates as the season progresses or weather changes. See: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/ http://lincstrust.org.uk/donna-nook http://lincstrust.org.uk/donna-nook/about-grey-seals Note the LWT guidelines - stay behind fence, no dogs etc. as listed on the web page. If we don't set a good example, who will? You also need to take weather conditions into account, especially if there should be early ice or snowfalls. The local roads can be hazardous. This seems unlikely in this warm autumn, but conditions can change very quickly. "Constant vigilance!" *** Antisocial Activities at Hagnaby Lock and sale of Bycroft Ponds *** Katie Murphy - Fisheries and Biodiversity Technical Officer - writes: As a result of anti-social behaviour, we (the Environment Agency) have reluctantly decided to remove the bird hide at Hagnaby Fen Nature Area, near Boston (Grid Ref. TF3424659483). This is with immediate effect. We are also beginning a process of trying to sell our land at Wainfleet All Saints, Bycroft Conservation Ponds. If any of your readers may be interested in this opportunity, they could contact our agents, Fisher German on 01777 860755. Katie Murphy Fisheries and Biodiversity Technical Officer Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire Area Environment Agency Editor adds: The lovely little wetland reserve of Hagnaby Fen is a delight, or at least it would have been had it not been so abused by a group of selfish and antisocial spoilers who by their activities had turned it into a place to be avoided. I am sad to hear that the Conservation Ponds at Wainfleet have an uncertain future - they have often featured in the Bulletin and seem to be a useful wildlife site. *** 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 Editor adds: We had a very successful Mistletoe recording campaign a couple of years back. If you decide to help Charlie research this new campaign please cc your botanical information to Paul Kirby, so he can pick up on any new mistletoe locations. Two records for the price of one! Don't forget to mention the host tree species too! *** Scunthorpe Museum Society. *** Keith Scarrott writes: The Natural History and Geology Section of Scunthorpe Museum Society. Our "Fracking" meeting was attended by 50 people. This was in spite of our Society AGM beforehand. The "Fracking" talk was really outstanding and ought to be heard by many more. There was a good discussion afterwards. Our next talk is in the new year on Monday, 12th January, 2015, when well known local Professional Ornithologist and Photographer, Graham Catley visits us again to give his talk entitled "Snow Birding". Graham says that his illustrated talk is on birds of the ice and snow of Northern Europe and North America. ALL ARE WELCOME. We meet in St Bernadette's Parish Centre which is opposite the Priory Hotel on Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, 7.15pm. start. There is no entry charge but a donation bowl is provided. Light refreshments are available at the interval for a small charge. For any further details please contact Keith Scarrott on 01724 762098. *** Barton Group LWT *** Adrian White writes: Saturday 6th December "Donna Nook Seals" A half day visit to the colony with more to see than seals. Leader; Adrian White (01724 732152) for details. Meet at Ness Farm for 9am start. Everybody welcome, membership not required. *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** Carolyn Lovely writes: On Monday 8th December 2014 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them at their indoor meeting where local member Julie Harrison will be giving an illustrated presentation "Wild about Mull and Iona." This will be held at Grimsby Town Hall and starts at 7.30pm. Admission £2, all are welcome. Those attending the meeting are asked to contribute to festive refreshments which will be enjoyed at the interval. Raffle and Trust goods stall, tea/coffee available. For further details contact Jennie Redpath - 01472 502858. *** Identification Trainers for the Future - astounding opportunity! *** Sent in by Charlie Barnes. The NHM, in partnership with the Field Studies Council and National Biodiversity Network, have received funding from the HLF's Skills for the Future programme to offer 15 early-career biological recorders or ecologists the opportunity to take part in a 12-month work-based training programme in UK wildlife identification, scientific communication and training delivery over the next 3 years. Applications are being accepted until the 12th December for the first cohort of 5 trainees who will start with us in March 2015. The challenge There has never been a greater need to document, monitor and understand changes in the UK's wildlife. Yet the number of people with the skills to survey and accurately identify species, handle and preserve reference specimens, and share their skills with others is declining. Be part of the solution. Identification Trainers for the Future is a new work-based training programme for individuals who would like to develop a career in the UK biodiversity sector. It aims to address the critical and growing shortage of wildlife identification and recording skills. The programme is led by the Museum in partnership with the Field Studies Council and National Biodiversity Network Trust. What we offer: - Fifteen 12-month traineeships, delivered over the next three years. - A work-based training programme that will provide you with the knowledge, confidence and skills to understand and communicate the value of biological recording; survey and identify a wide range of UK species groups and train others, so that you can help reverse the decline in biological recording. - A tax-free bursary of £16,500 for each trainee, to cover living costs. The scheme is generously supported by the Heritage Lottery Funds Skills for the Future programme. For further information see http://www.nhm.ac.uk/nature-online/british-natural-history/uk-biodiversity-portal/identification-trainers/index.html *** Lincoln RSPB *** http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ *** 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/ 21/11 2 Hen Harriers, 2 Snow Buntings, 3 Velvet Scoters flew south, Gibraltar Point Great White Egret, Alkborough Flats 22/11 2 Velvet Scoters, Toft Newton reservoir 2 Velvet Scoters, south past Donna Nook Siberian Chiffchaff trapped and ringed, 2 Short-eared owls, Gibraltar Point Short-eared Owl, Dunsby Fen Hen Harrier ringtail, Freiston Shore Rough-legged Buzzard, Frampton Marsh Long-tailed Duck, Covenham Reservoir 23/11 Black Redstart, Huttoft 2 Velvet Scoters, Toft Newton reservoir Rough-legged Buzzard, Frampton Marsh House Martin, 6 Hen Harriers, 2 Short-eared Owls, Gibraltar Point Long-tailed Duck, Covenham Reservoir Glossy Ibis, Hen Harrier, 6 Twite, Frampton Marsh Great White Egret, Alkborough Flats 24/11 Great White Egret reidentified from photo as Little Egret, Teal Lake, Whisby Nature Park, North Hykeham 54 Snow Buntings, Cleethorpes 2 Velvet Scoters, Toft Newton reservoir Rough-legged Buzzard, Frampton Marsh Tundra Bean Goose, between Howden's Pullover and Saltfleet Haven, Short-eared Owl and 261 Twite, Saltfleet Water Pipit, Lapland Bunting south over, Eurasian White-fronted Goose with 3000 Pink-footed Geese, 3 Barnacle Geese flew south with 58 Pink-footed Geese, 21 Snow Bunting, Gibraltar Point 25/11 Glossy Ibis, 2 Lapland Buntings, Jack Snipe, 2 Hen Harriers, Frampton Marsh Eurasian White-fronted Goose with 3000 Pink-footed Geese, Gibraltar Point 26/11 Rough-legged Buzzard, 2 Snow Buntings on sea wall, Frampton Marsh 27/11 Rough-legged Buzzard, Glossy Ibis, Hen Harrier male, 18 Twite, Snow Bunting, Black Brant or hybridwith Dark-bellied Brent Geese, Bittern, Frampton Marsh Rough-legged Buzzard, Hen Harrier, 6 Twite, Gibraltar Point 28/11 Rough-legged Buzzard, Frampton Marsh Cattle Egret, Willow tree Fen Lopng-tailed Duck, 2 While-fronted Geese in field, Covenham Reservoir 3 juv Pomarine Skuas south past, Hen Harrier, 50 Twite, Gibraltar Point 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 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: A46 junction with A18 TA 206 058 Wendy Handford 24.11.14 Roadside verge by hedge. One plant, first flowers A46 Holton le Moor railway crossing TF 092 474 Wendy Handford 22.11.14 Disturbed ground next to railway track. One plant with first flowers A46 junction with A631 CHECK Wendy Handford 22.11.14 Roadside verge shaded by conifers. Four plants, 1 with abundant flowers C road between Ludborough and Fulstow Wendy Handford 26.11.14 Roadside verge. Three plants, one with abundant flowers Kirkby on Bain Gravel Pits TF236609 R & A Parsons 24/11/2014 Along east side of footpath, north ofLWT reserve car park Several gorse plants with between 2 and 12 flowers each. *** Nightingale record *** Repeating from last week with the critical missing date, without which the record is without form and void! Roger FISKERTON Bill Ball Late record. 2 May - Nightingale heard in Fiskerton Rectory garden, but it did not stay long. [While in Lincs Archives for another purpose entirely, found this record - from 1896] *** 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. Water Rail Way Cycle Path TF 015 709 Just at Footbridge End Ferry Lane. John Nickson Date 19th Nov 2015 Kingfisher - flew under bridge as I cycled over it. CAISTOR Wendy Handford (WH) Reports from contributors to Caistor records Week beginning 21.11.14 Brigg Road garden TA 113 020 J Foster Blue roundheads 4 on lawn 27.11.14 Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 WH Blackbird singing 21.11.14 Sparrowhawk f fails to catch Chaffinch on feeder 21.11.14 Occasional flowers 21.11.14 Common cat's-ear, Daisy, Feverfew, Field scabious, Green alkanet, Groundsel, Harebell, Herb Robert, Hogweed, Honeysuckle, Ivy, Petty spurge, Red campion, Red dead-nettle, Rough chervil, Water avens, white campion, Whitedead-nettle, Wild margoram Variable oysterling on Silver birch 24.11.14 Wood blewit on Spruce needles 24.11.14 Nettleton Lodge Game Farm TA 090 012 B Jacob Wood blewits on compost heap North Street garden TA 118 015 WH Shaggy scalycaps 12 on base of Flowering cherry 27.11.14 HUTTOFT Jane Pennington Huttoft TF512763 14/11/2014 Long tailed tits 8 Self heal in flower 20/11/2014 Harlequin ladybirds 10 Longtailed tits 6 Wren 1 26/11/2014 Collared dove 1 Wood pigeons 12 (roosting in the trees) 27/11/2014 Collared dove 1 Wren 1 LACEBY BECK Mick Binnion 22 Nov 2014 Laceby Beck TA2107 0701 Fieldfare - the first have arrived about 40. Busy digging breeding pits for mosquito and gnat. Plan ahead - we have bats and Spotted Flycatcher to feed in the spring. REVESBY DEER PARK GR correction Revesby Park = TF 315626 Garry Steele 06 09 2014 Mistletoe Single large and well established clump on a specimen parkland Hawthorn tree THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 22/11/14 Kestrel x 1 male Peregrine Falcon x 1 female 23/11/14 Blackbird x 4 Blue Tit x 2 Common Buzzard x 1 Fieldfare x 35 Little Owl x 1 calling 1.15am Wren x 1 26/11/14 Brown Rat x 2 Owston Ferry (SE808009 & SK813999) WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons Fieldfares in upper branches of apple trees in orchard but no action on the ground yet. 27/11/2014 Adult Fox photographed on trail camera at 04.42 - eating 2 dead woodmice we had put out as a snack. WILLOUGHBY HILLS, NORTH EAST OF BOSTON GR correction Willoughby Hills = TF 352451 Garry Steele 21 02 2013 Mistletoe Small developing clump on a roadside tree, north side of A52. Seen while driving past and tree not in leaf, so host not identified to species. Need to return to check tree I.D. at some point. NOTE: The Willoughby Hills record relates to 2013, NOT 2014. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. Lincolnshire Coast NNRs and S Lincs Highlights including RSPB Wash Reserves South Lincolnshire bird sightings October 2014 RSPB Frampton Marsh The Glossy Ibis, present since June, remained all month. A single Spoonbill was seen on one date (4th). The first Whooper Swans began arriving, with a peak of 31 (16th). Pink-footed Geese were also coming in, with a maximum count of 101 (1st). eal increased to 1063, and with them was a late Garganey (12th). A Rough-legged Buzzard took up at least temporary residence (22nd onwards). A Pomarine Skua was an unexpected visitor to the scrapes (9th). Wader numbers generally declined, but there were peak counts of six Little Stints (11th), four Curlew Sandpipers (10th) and 50 Ruff (3rd). A Jack Snipe was also present (18th). Up to two Ring Ouzels were seen at the same time as Great Grey Shrike (14th & 15th). Finally a Snow Bunting was reported passing through (17th) and Yellow-browed Warbler on several dates at the end of the month. RSPB Freiston Shore A Grey Phalarope spent several days on the reservoir (6th – 12th). Single Curlew Sandpiper (8th-9th) and Jack Snipe (13th) were also seen. Offshore, Slavonian Grebes were seen on two dates, with a peak of three (13th), four Manx Shearwaters were seen (13th), Pomarine Skuas were recorded on three dates with a peak of five (13th), along with 15 Great Skuas and up to three Little Gulls (13th). Gibraltar Point NNR A busy month for migration with up to 47 Whooper Swans (11th) and 1200 Pink-footed Geese (27th) passing through. On the sea the highlights were Sooty Shearwater (13th) Balearic Shearwater (27th) an amazing peak of up to 15 Grey Phalaropes (18th – 25th), with birds seen on at least five dates, all four Skuas, including two Long-tailed (13th) and Red-necked Grebe (18th). Up to two Spoon- bills were present (from 6th). A Rough-legged Buzzard was seen daily (from 15th), with two on one date (19th). A Pectoral Sandpiper was on the beach briefly (18th). 20 Parakeets passing rapidly south (30th) would undoubtedly be a record county total if they were all Ring-necked. A Great Grey Shrike (14th-17th) was joined by a second bird (15th). Other passerines included Richard’s Pipit and Woodlark (10th), up to six Yellow-browed Warblers (11th – 29th), up to 40 Ring Ouzels (13th – 22nd), Radde’s Warbler (14th), Olive-backed Pipit and Shorelark (15th), Cetti’s Warbler (16th) and Firecrest (24th). Other sites Three Grey Phalaropes were at Witham Mouth (16th) with one at Nene Mouth (21st). A Red-necked Grebe at Witham Mouth (15th), while a Slavonian Grebe was at Kirkby/Tattershall Pits (27th). A Rough-legged Buzzard was at Welland Marsh (16th). Up to 15 Pomarine Skuas were at Nene Mouth (13th and 21st). A Great Grey Shrike was at Nocton Fen (15th) and Firecrest at Witham Mouth (15th). Yellow-browed Warblers were at Butterwick Marsh (16th) and Horncastle (17th) and a Ring Ouzel was at Baston Fen (18th). John Badley Assisted by Colin Jennings ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GIBRALTAR POINT NNR. http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designations/nnr/1006059.aspx ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog. http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE DUNES NNR. http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designatedareas/nnr/1006128.aspx Question from John Cowell I saw a pair of what I thought were Snow Buntings on the beach at Brickyard, Theddlethorpe at 9.30 am today Friday. Just two of them. I got close but they were not as white on the head as I thought they should be and wondered if they could have been Lapland buntings? Distinct markings on the body looked like snow buntings. When they flew away there was a lot of white on each wing and white on the tail. Does that suggest they might have been female snow bunting? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RSPB RESERVES http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/collections/thewash_northnorfolk.aspx ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. News from Far Ings NNR http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designations/nnr/1083404.aspx ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Far Ings News 28.11.14 Birds Max numbers: Bearded tit 2 bittern 2 blackbird 26 black-headed gull 100+ blue tit 12 bullfinch 2 canada goose 200+ carrion crow 6 Cetti's warbler 2 chaffinch 7 common gull 20 coot 155 cormorant 7 curlew 10 dunlin 2 dunnock 6fieldfare 4 gadwall 37 goldeneye 4 goldfinch 6 GBB gull great crested grebe 2 great spotted woodpecker 2 great tit 6greenfinch 2 grey heron greylag goose 100+ herring gull 10 house sparrow 12jay kestrel kingfisher lapwing 140 LBB gull 4 linnet 2 little grebe 5 long tailed tit 8 magpie 4 mallard 12marsh harrier meadow pipit mistle thrush 2 moorhen 6 mute swan 21 pheasant 2 pied wagtail 2 pochard 8 redshank 27 redwing 36 reed bunting 4 robin 10 shoveler 26 snipe song thrush 3 sparrowhawk starling 2000+ tawny owl teal 38 tufted duck 43 water rail 2whooper swan 20 wigeon 37 willow tit 2 wood pigeon 6 wren 8 See: Far Ings NNR on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-Of-Far-Ings-National-Nature-Reserve/186876774685595 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6. 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 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 *** 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 *** 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 *** Care of Sick or Injured Animals - information on LWT website *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/sick-and-injured-animals SPECIES IDENTIFICATION *** 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: 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 *** 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 *** 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 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. *** 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 *** Grow-your-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 badger reports. *** 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 *** 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 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 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 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 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 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/ 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 Helen Mark did an excellent "Open Country" on 25th January with a good interview of LWT's Dave Bromwich. You can hear this on: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03qflhk *** 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 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 bythe 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. dawnwilson - soft bounce - delivery failed db.goddard - soft bounce - delivery failed Geoff Cool - soft bounce - delivery failed ian.wilson - soft bounce - delivery failed peter.wood - soft bounce - delivery failed Roger Briggs - soft bounce - delivery failed uniomystic - soft bounce - delivery failed victor.andams - soft bounce - delivery failed rattyphiljs - soft bounce - delivery failed *** And finally...... Contributions to "And finally......" are always welcome. Grey squirrels in UK 'should be culled' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-30241900 Fish and chips 'harming' eider ducks http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-30166120 Tickly kiss turns on hairy-mouthed spiders http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn26602-zoologger-tickly-kiss-turns-on-hairymouthed-spiders.html#.VHRPqmeVHSh Tagged fish make an easy meal for eavesdropping seals http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn26588-tagged-fish-make-an-easy-meal-for-eavesdropping-seals.html#.VHRQDmeVHSg Snowshoe hares vs global warming http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg22429961.500-total-white-out-snowshoe-hares-vs-global-warming.html ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/