Wishing all readers a Merry Christmas. ============================================= || || 20th December 2015 || || News of Lincolnshire Wildlife || LNU Website: || http://www.lnu.org/ || ============================================ 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. If you know someone who would like to receive the Bulletin please send them this link so they can sign up for it: http://www.lnu.org/wildnews.php Text versions of past 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.... *** This is the Bulletin where I wish you all a Merry Christmas. Waes Hael! At this stage there seems no prospect of snow, not even a hard frost. The effect of this is to keep many creatures active much longer than would usually be the case. Hefting my beehives last week I found that several were much lighter that I would have expected at this time of year. The bees have been eating into their food supplies. Starvation is a real possibility and so I have provided some supplementary feed. Annette Faulkner's warnings about bats and hedgehogs are part of the same problem, untimely activity combined with a lack of food. Lincs Bat Group's Helpline number: 01775 766286 The LWT have a useful webpage about Care of Sick or Injured Animals: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/sick-and-injured-animals Seal News Rob Lidstone-Scott wrote on 12/12/2015 The seal colony is emptying fast now, although still seals to be seen until Christmas. The total number of pups born this year counted at 1874 - a 4% increase on last year. Follow the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust posts of seal news on: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/donna-nook/weekly-update Try to avoid weekend visits and the consequent crowds. Thanks for the many interesting contributions this year. It is always good to hear from readers and it keeps the Bulletin an interesting read. Please keep the reports and news coming and keep on telling people about the Bulletin. Remind them that it's free and suggest they give it a try. Here is the URL of the easy-to-use sign-up page to send on: http://www.lnu.org/wildnews.php Roger p.s. Don't forget: 12. ...and finally... *** LNU Events - list in section 11 below - guests welcome *** To check on the details, especially if weather suggests a possible cancellation, visit: http://lnu.org/events.php 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. Saturday, January 16, 2016 Bird monitoring and windfarms John Clarkson, Lincolnshire Bird Club North Lincolnshire County Recorder *** Stretch your brain with a FutureLearn course *** I notice an interesting FutureLearn course coming up in February. 'Environmental Management: Social-ecological Systems' https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/environmental-management Quite a few reader have enjoyed these FREE on-line courses run by top universities and specialist organisations. See: https://www.futurelearn.com/ *** GWCT 2016 Farmland Bird ID Days announced *** “17 more dates across the country throughout January and February 2016. Places are very limited so you are advised to book online now - tickets are only £10 each.” http://www.gwct.org.uk/ *** The Peregrines of Louth – published last week *** Bob Sheppard writes: Would you be kind enough to mention Geoff Mullett's excellent book in your newsletter, please? I recommend this very inexpensive book which tells a tale of woe that ended in triumph? http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=23505 *** Be Bat-Aware! *** Annette Faulkner writes: If you find a grounded bat PLEASE don't leave it where it's found, thinking "nature will take its course". It will - but it'll take several days to do it, and meanwhile the bat can fall prey to predation, injuries become infected or other horrors overtake them. For all their tiny size they're tough little beasts and take a long time to die. Scoop them up in a cloth or wear gloves, put them in an escape-proof box and phone the Lincs Bat Group's Helpline. 01775 766286 *** Lincolnshire Environmental Awards 2016 *** The closing date for entries is 31st March 2016. If you know of any 'projects' which deserve recognition, please encourage them to submit an entry. It is an easy application process. For more information, see: http://www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk/ *** Barton LWT *** Adrian White writes: Barton Area Group of the LWT is now on Facebook; https://www.facebook.com/LWT.Barton.Group *** Lincoln LWT *** Richard Davidson Lincoln Area Group Talk December 17th: Birds of the 12 days of Christmas by Chris Du Feu A light hearted look at the festive period by one of our most popular speakers. Contributions of seasonal food welcome to add to the Christmas spirit. Talk at Whisby Nature Park in the Lafarge Education Building starting at 7.30 pm. Admission £2.50 which includes refreshments. *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Events 2015 *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/whats-on *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch *** http://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html UK butterflies in '40-year slump' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-35093468 *** Lincoln RSPB *** http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ *** South Lincs RSPB *** http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire *** Find the Grid Reference - always useful *** Chris Manning recommended the following websites to help find grid references. Grab a Grid Reference http://www.bnhs.co.uk/focuson/grabagridref/html/index.htm UK Grid Reference Finder: http://www.gridreferencefinder.com/ [Don't forget to scroll down to "And finally ....."] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2. Wildlife Highlights ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Bird News from Rare Bird 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/ 11/12 Hen Harrier adult male from Wash Viewpoint, Gibraltar Point 130 Twite, Short-eared Owl, 3 Whooper Swans on Flashes, Donna Nook 12/12 Scaup 1w drk, male Hen Harrier, Frampton Marsh Spotted Redshank on Tennyson's Sands, Tundra Bean Goose on Croft Marsh, Slavonian Grebe offshore, Gibraltar Point 28 Snow Buntings, Cleethorpes 13/12 20 Twite, Donna Nook Short-eared Owl in dunes, Cleethorpes Scaup 1w drk, Frampton Marsh Water Pipit flew from reedbed on Ness Pit, 3 Crossbills over, Far Ings Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point 14/12 Slavonian Grebe offshore, Black-throated Diver, Great Northern Diver, Gibraltar Point Great White Egret, Flew north along River Witham, Bardnet towards Fiskerton village Short-eared Owl south of Kirkstead Bridge, Woodhall Spa Scaup 1w drk, 3 Spotted Redshanks, 3 Hen Harriers, Slavonian Grebe off Tabb's Head, Frampton Marsh 15/12 2 Waxwings in hedge between lock and pipeline, Tetney Scaup 1w drk, Frampton Marsh Common Scoter, 2 Whooper Swans, Covenham reservoir Great Northern Diver, Freiston on sea [sic] 16/12 Scaup 1w drk, Frampton Marsh Hen Harrier ringtail from Wash Viewpoint, Spotted Redshank on Tennyson’s Sands, Gibraltar Point Scaup, Apex Pit, North Hykeham Common Scoter fem, Covenham reservoir 17/12 Jack Snipe, Donna Nook Scaup 1w drk, Frampton Marsh Hen Harrier ringtail from Wash Viewpoint, Gibraltar Point Note: I am adapting 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. Roadkills 11.12.2015 LAMBCROFT FARM (N of KELSTERN WAR MEMORIAL) TF 250935 Peter Crick Stoat Gorse locations *** County Wildlife Reports From Readers *** Please keep your reports coming. We rely on you to send in your observations and we welcome information from ALL readers, be they beginners or experts. Thanks. DON'T FORGET Please include the year in your reports in case they are copied and thus lose their context. CAISTOR Week beginning 10.12.15 Wendy Handford Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 Grey squirrel in trees by stream 14.12.15 Jay 10.12.15 Kestrel on greenhouse roof 16.12.15 Red-legged partridges 7 along hedgebank, noon 11.12.15 Robin singing ˜territorially!” 17.12.15 Stinking hellebore. First flowers 17.12.15 Fungi this week Contorted pipe club 2 on dead Alder Field mushrooms 3 under pear tree Jelly ear 10+ on cut Elder branch Yellow fieldcap 8 on verge CARLTON LE MOORLAMD Carlton le Moorland Jeremy Hutchinson 6/12/2015 Two firsts (for me) in December: 1) Small Tortoiseshell butterfly sunning itself conservatory roof around noon, made the occasional short flight, on one occasion chased by a large fly! 2) Small bat (not sure which, bigger than Pipistrelle) hunting 16.10 hrs. Another first at any time of year was a Wren which appeared to have been hit by a car. 3 weeks ago a female Sparrowhawk took a Collared Dove in our back garden, and flew away with it when I unwittingly disturbed it. DEEPINGS Venue: Deeping Lakes LWT Reserve Date: 07th December 12015 Time: 1400 - 1600 Observer: Ian Gordon Weather: Sunny periods, mild, breezy Birds: Barnacle/Greylag Hybrid, Black-headed Gul, lBlackbird, Blue Tit, Bullfinch, Chaffinch, Coot, Cormorant, Fieldfare, Gadwall, Goldeneye, Goosander, Great Crested Grebe, Great Tit, Greenfinch, Green Wood- pecker, Grey Heron, Greylag goose, Herring Gull, Jackdaw, Kingfisher, Lapwing, Mallard, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Pheasant, Reed Bunting, Rook, Song Thrush, Starling, Woodpigeon, Tufted Duck, Wigeon, Large Corvid Roost (several thousand Rook + Jackdaw) Small Starling murmuration ( 3 - 500) Mammals: Grey Squirrel (4) EAST HALTON SKITTER TO GOXHILL HAVEN (Grid Ref TA1423 to TA1225) Date : 13/12/2015 Jon Drakes Pheasant 10 Magpie 2 Carrion Crow Woodpigeon Redshank 12 Stonechat 1 Wren 1 Snipe 1 Lapwing 387 Mute Swan 5 Curlew 80 Grey Heron 1 Dunlin 20 Black-Headed Gull Blackbird 6 Fieldfare 75 Starling 30 Little Egret 2 Great Black Backed Gull 21 Rook 100 Short Eared Owl 2 Herring Gull Redwing 2 Canada Goose 1 Marsh Harrier 1 Kestrel 2 Pink Footed Goose 550 Mallard 132 Wigeon 15 Reed Bunting 2 Bar Tailed Godwit 11 Turnstone 4 Longtail Tit 3 Blue Tit 1 Cetti's Warbler 1 Coot 2 Robin 1 Barn Owl 1 Also noted a single Roe Deer in one of the fields. HOLYWELL LAKE WeBS Holywell Lake 13th December 2015 Jon Drakes Wildfowl numbers have built up since my September count and the two Little Egrets and a Tawny Owl were new birds for my WeBS. 0855 -10.30 Some mist and drizzle. 3 degrees centigrade. Little Grebes 12 Little Egrets 2 Black Swan 1 Mute Swans 2 Greylag Geese 156 Canada Geese 65 Mallard 218 Gadwall 36 Teal 8 Wigeon 7 Tufted Duck 26 Coot 3 Moorhen 11 Black-headed Gulls 54 - another site record Tawny Owl 1 - hooting at 1010! Blackbirds 50+ Fieldfares 15 Redwings 2 Mistle Thrushes 1 Song Thrush Robins Dunnocks Wrens 2 Pied wagtails 6 Goldcrests Great Tits Blue Tits Pheasant Woodpigeons 2 Jays Rooks Carrion Crows Jackdaws Goldfinches Linnets Greenfinches Chaffinches HAMERINGHAM TF293674 14/12/15 Robert Walker Buzzard 1 Flew off from tree branch close to road verge, low so it presented good underside views. HORNCASTLE TF261691 My garden 15/12/15 Robert Walker Hedgehog 1 large adult With the continuing very mild weather the hedgehogs are still visiting late evening to feed. also 16/12/15 Frog heard calling from the pond. However, not many bird species are coming into the garden to feed at the moment, other than House Sparrows, some 33 on the 17/12/15 along with early morning Starlings 15 this morning, the 17th. HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF512763 (my garden unless) Date 10/12/2015 Collared doves 2 Woodpigeons 4 Date 12/12/2015 Blackbirds 12+ Collared doves 2 Magpies 2 Rabbit 1 Date 14/12/2015 Great tits 2 Date 15/12/2015 Chaffinches 2 Dunnock 1 Rabbit 1 Robins 2 Starling 1 SALTFLEET HAVEN Richard Fox 14th December 2015 Approx 1/2 mile north of the Haven on the salt marsh ponds c600 Brent Geese 60 Shoveller THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner& Paul Snow 05/12/15 Common Buzzard x 1 Fieldfare x 58 Grey Partridge x 12 Kestrel x 1 Lapwing x 5 Starling x 38 Leopard Slug x 2 07/12/15 Hedgehog x 1 fresh dead, not road kill SE808005 09/12/15 Common Buzzard x 1 SK814993 10/12/15 Blackbird x 3 Fieldfare x 58 Little Owl x 1 Magpie x 5 Mute Swan x 4 Starling x 29 Tree Sparrow x 15 THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 13/12/15 Blackbird x 5 Common Buzzard x 1 Fieldfare x 220 Golden Plover x 1 Robin x 1 (seen every night of week in back garden feeding by security light) Tree Sparrow x 28 Brown Rat x 1 (dead) Rabbit x 2 17/12/15 Blackbird x 5 Black Headed Gull x 15 Chaffinch x 8 Common Buzzard x 1 Coot x 2 Dunnock x 1 Fieldfare x 52 Goldfinch x 21 Grey Partridge x 8 Kestrel x 3 SK804998 Lesser Black Backed Gull x 2 Little Owl x 1 calling 23:15hrs Moorhen x 2 Mute Swan x 3 Rook x 21 Starling x 83 Tree Sparrow x 38 Leopard slug x 2 under timber WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 10/12/2015 Stock dove feeding under bird feeder. 16/12/2016 Queen bumblebee – probably B. lucorum, in flight. 17/12/2015 Tawny owls calling in garden at approx 7am. Winter moth on window. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. Lincolnshire Coast NNRs and S Lincs Highlights including RSPB Wash Reserves RSPB Reserves: http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/collections/thewash_northnorfolk.aspx http://www.rspb.org.uk www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh LWT Reserves: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/reserves Reports always welcome. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GIBRALTAR POINT NNR. See: Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog. http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ Reports always welcome. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE DUNES NNR. http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/38015?category=59026 and DONNA NOOK http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/nature-reserves/donna-nook/viewing-seals-donna-nook ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE NNR. WILDLIFE NEWS Week ending Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe NNR Notes December 9th-16th 2015 Contributors: Nigel Lound, Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison Yet another very mild, damp and cloudy week with a peak temperature of 14.5C on the 16th, matching the high of the previous week and encouraging a Peacock butterfly to emerge from hibernation. Whilst mild in Lincolnshire, there was a cold snap further north with heavy snow, which extended across into Scandinavia. Here on the reserve, Blackbird and Redwing numbers increased and a couple of Fieldfares were noted coming in off the sea on the 12th, with a single on the 16th, so presumably autumn thrush immigration has been continuing well into December. Cliff notes that whilst on MarineLife surveys, he has observed westward Blackbird passage across the North Sea late into December. Apart from the weather hazards of the crossing, tired thrushes are vulnerable to gulls as they approach the coast and other aerial predators as they cross it. Previously in the autumn, mention was made of Peregrine chasing incoming Woodcock , which only just made the protection of the sea buckthorn before being caught. The incoming Fieldfare on 16th was less fortunate and whilst it successfully avoided capture for a while, with nearly a kilometre of open beach to cross, it was eventually hit a speed by a Peregrine, when a large plume of feathers burst into the air. However, it still managed to continue on before being taken by the Peregrine on the next sortie. The Peregrine then circled and dropped the Fieldfare onto the beach, where another Peregrine was sitting, so presumably a pair. Initial attention to the Peregrine was alerted when a couple of flocks of Dunlin and Knot were seen scattering and flying out to sea, always a good sign that a predator is about. On a Wetland Bird Survey north of the reserve at Saltfleet on the 12th, what could be one of the same Peregrines scattered the waders mid count, completely messing up accuracy of data submitted to the BTO, although there is provision to comment on reasons for disturbed counts. Two Merlins were also observed on the same count, just 100 metres north of Saltfleet Haven. These birds weren't hunting, but gave an excellent display of arial acrobatics as they chased each other over the dunes. A brown Hen Harrier was hunting over the dunes at Rimac on the same day and during the week, Kestrels, Sparrow Hawks, Buzzard and 2 Short-eared Owls have also been noted. That the area supports good wintering numbers of predators points to a healthy population of waders and passerines to hunt. Two different male Blackcaps were noted at Sea View on the 13th and 14th, whilst a Cetti's Warbler was in song a little to the north on the bank of the R. Eau. 5 Stonechats were to be seen in the Rimac area, to 160 Linnets, a similar number of Twite, 40 Rock Pipits and 5 Snow Buntings were to be found on the beaches/marsh, along with Reed Buntings, Yellowhammers and Skylarks. The wintering Corvid flock has numbered over 300 birds together at any one time, with at least 180 Carrion Crows and 120 Jackdaws, but many Rooks have also been joining them as well. The monthly Wetland Bird Survey here over the weekend yielded good numbers of birds including 180 Common Scoter, the long staying Velvet Scoter, 140 dark bellied Brent Geese, 1 light bellied Brent Goose, 35 Teal, 51 Mallard, 2 Goosander, 23 Shelduck, 300 Curlew, 143 Redshank, 100 Dunlin, 74 Oystercatchers, 32 Cormorants and 11 Little Egrets. On the 14th and 16th up to 34 Red-throated Divers, a Goldeneye, 27 Wigeon, 3 drake Eiders, 3 Great-crested Grebes and 23 Shelduck flew north. 2 Gannets and 2 Auk species flew south on 16th. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. FAR INGS NNR See: Far Ings NNR on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-Of-Far-Ings-National-Nature-Reserve/186876774685595 Reports always welcome. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6. Bardney Limewoods NNR http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/publications/limewoods-walks/ Reports always welcome. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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) Adrian Royle's superb Flickr photo-site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/adiroyle/collections/72157624803742908/ Colin Green has produced the following video about visiting Southrey Wood in Oct 2012. Well worth a look. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1SpBvd9Ib0 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7. Sending in reports to Roger Parsons ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The purpose of the Bulletin is to encourage biological recording in Lincolnshire using modern Information and Communication Technology. We hope to increase the number of people reporting observations to LNU Recorders and improve the quality of reports, as well as the quantity and the geographical coverage. In return for this FREE service, we ask you to provide reports, questions, news or relevant articles from time to time. Descriptive pieces are welcome - you don't have to stick to lists! Mailing times vary, depending on what I am doing. The Bulletin usually 'goes to bed' on Fridays. Please e-mail in contributions as early as possible to ensure they are included, to: rparsons@enterprise.net [A backup e-mail address you can use if ever you experience problems with my "Enterprise" address is: aintree2@yahoo.co.uk ] When sending in reports please follow this layout to save re-editing: Place Name: IN CAPITALS with Grid Reference if you have it. Your Name: Real names please, not aliases. Put it in each time, for each location Date: Species list [Alphabetical?] & numbers [and observations?] e.g. Blackbird - 24 [And please, no home-grown abbreviations. Species Names in full.] *** Find the Grid Reference *** Chris Manning recommended the following websites to help find grid references. Grab a Grid Reference http://www.bnhs.co.uk/focuson/grabagridref/html/index.htm UK Grid Reference Finder: http://www.gridreferencefinder.com/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 or from the website: http://www.lnu.org/join.php 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 *** No hotlinks in this section, just copy and paste URLs, please. FIGHTING WILDLIFE CRIME *** Rural Crime Officer *** Pc 160 Nick Willey Force Wildlife, Rural Crime Officer Force Dog Training Establishment Lincolnshire Showground. Grange-De-Lings. Lincoln nicholas.willey@lincs.pnn.police.uk OFFICE: 01522-731897 MOBILE :07768-501895 PAGER : 07654-330877 Website: http://www.lincs.police.uk/Advice/Wildlife-and-Rural-Crime/ *** National Rural Crime Network *** Call for case studies as new website to tackle rural crime is launched. http://www.lincs.police.uk/Advice/Wildlife-and-Rural-Crime/National-Rural-Crime-Network.html See: http://www.nationalruralcrimenetwork.net/ STAYING SAFE No hotlinks in this section, just copy and paste URLs, please. *** EasyTide *** Check tide times on Admiralty EasyTide: http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx *** Local Tide Tables *** Here is a useful-looking website where you can order local tide tables. Well worth bookmarking. Everyone who uses the coast ought to have local tide tables handy. £1.50 + p&p. https://www.tidetimes.org.uk/ *** TWO - The Weather Outlook *** Check the weather forecast for the location or postcode: http://www.theweatheroutlook.com/ *** Met Office E-mail Service *** Be warned of the possibility of severe weather. The Met Office website now offers an e-mail notification service for severe weather and other matters which may interest readers. Worth having a look and signing up. See: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/guide-to-emails *** Environment Agency Flood Information/Floodline *** http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/default.aspx *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/ Care of Sick or Injured Animals - information on LWT website http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/sick-and-injured-animals SPECIES IDENTIFICATION AND RECORDING No hotlinks in this section, just copy and paste URLs, please. Enjoy the Starlings at Kirkby on Bain - the excellent 2014 video by David Robinson. http://www.flickr.com/photos/poppops/11685708555/ Why not join in the RSB survey of Starling murmurations: http://www.rsb.org.uk/get-involved/biologyweek/starling-survey Identifying the Fungi: http://www.rogersmushrooms.com/ *** 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 *** How to Identify Bees *** BWARS - Bees Wasps & Ants Recording Society http://www.bwars.com/ Bumblebee Conservation Trust http://bumblebeeconservation.org/ *** iSpot Keys for computer or mobile *** If you are a beginner to identification of species, you might find the following link useful. http://www.ispot.org.uk/keys The LNU is now represented on the popular iSpot website. A full list of the organisations, recording schemes and societies represented is here: http://www.ispot.org.uk/representatives *** 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. *** 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: Ashley Butterfield learningoutdoors@btinternet.com or tel 07864967057 Ashley Butterfield, LNU Reptile and Amphibian Recorder, adds: The recordpool is a joint ARGUK and ARC Trust project that aims to collect herpetofauna data from the uk that might not otherwise be recorded and make it available for conservation purposes. As such you will have access to your own records at full resolution and other records at a lower resolution. You can input reptile and amphibian data at: http://www.recordpool.org.uk/ Please remember, common species are just as important as rarer species, so please give it a go. Please contact Dr Angela Julian ARGUK with any specific questions. angela.digges@clara.co.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 *** 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 *** 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 ejohnredshaw@gmail.com *** 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. 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! sarah.lambert7@ntlworld.com USEFUL WILDLIFE CONTACTS *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust *** http://www.lincstrust.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 Website: http://www.gnlp.org.uk *** Life on the Verge and Wildflower Meadow Network Project *** Aidan Neary, Wildflower Meadow Project Officer, aneary@lincstrust.co.uk Mobile: 07825 970930, 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/ *** Good sources of seeds of Bee-friendly Wild Flowers *** Mark Schofield writes: Always consider the provenance and sustainable sourcing of seed. Plantlife and Flora locale have defined protocols that can guide the conservation-minded shopper. Bee-friendly gardeners should refer to their A-Z suppliers list which can be found here: www.floralocale.org/Alphabetical+supplier+listing Advice: www.wildlifetrusts.org/Bees-needs/growmore bumblebeeconservation.org/get-involved/managing-your-land/wildflower-seed/ *** Lincs Bird Club *** LBC County Bird Recorders John Clarkson - Covering the north of the county recorder_north@lincsbirdclub.co.uk John Badley - Covering the south of the county recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Bird Club Website: http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk *** The Sir Joseph Banks Society *** Contact 01507 528223 or by e-mail: enquiries@joseph-banks.org.uk. http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk *** Other Useful Websites/contacts *** No hotlinks in this section, just copy and paste URLs, please. Suggestions for other useful Websites are welcome. *** Natural England *** http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ *** Lincolnshire Environmental Awards *** http://www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk/ *** The Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes Project (LCGMP) *** The Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes project produced two films of the Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes. They are based on Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) which measures topography accurately. The films reveal many historical and geomorphological features that are not always obvious to the eye. Note that the vertical perspective is exaggerated to enhance the features. Narrated by Jim Broadbent. Watch them here: Southern marshes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwhVamd4j6E Northern marshes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZjqzcMFXi8 *** Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service *** A dedicated service to protect and enhance the Lincolnshire Wolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). 01507 609740 http://www.lincswolds.org.uk *** Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project *** Project Officer: Ruth Craig http://www.lincswolds.org.uk/chalk-streams/volunteering or contact the project officer ruth.craig@lincolnshire.gov.uk *** The South Lincolnshire Fenlands Partnership *** http://www.lincsfenlands.org.uk/ Contact: slincsfens@lincstrust.co.uk Amanda Jenkins - South Lincolnshire Fenlands Project Officer *** RSPB local webpages *** 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/ *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire link *** http://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html *** Lincsbirders *** Lincolnshire's Alternative Birding Group http://www.lincsbirders.org/ Lincolnshire Limewoods Project Bardney Limewoods NNR http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/Limewoods/ limewoods@lincolnshire.gov.uk ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 some 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 Recorders at Lincolnshire Environmental Records Centre [GNLP] , 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 sometimes withhold precise details 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. Please respect the interests of wildlife and site owners if you report on national networks. 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. 2016 Indoor meetings Saturday, January 16, 2016 Bird monitoring and windfarms John Clarkson, Lincolnshire Bird Club North Lincolnshire County Recorder Saturday, February 13, 2016 Recorders' Meeting & Annual Exhibition Overview and highlights of the past years recording provided by the county recorders. Arrive at 12 noon for a chance to catch up with recorders and view exhibits including a demonstration of online recording software ‘Living Record’ and a discussion on online recording starting at 12.30; the overview starts at 2pm as in previous years. Saturday, March 05, 2016 AGM & Presidential Address AGM, Followed by the Presidential Address by Mark Schofield “Better Connected - Can our road networks serve as super- highways for wildlife?” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails This Week *** If your Bulletin did not arrive, text copies of past Bulletins can be found on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Latest Mailfails. sue cfga - Soft Bounce - delivery failed - Access denied. gandd - Soft Bounce - delivery failed - mailbox unavailable. jandjgill - Soft Bounce - retry timeout exceeded And finally: Footage shows 'illegal' drone flight over Lincoln http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-35050426 Roman skeletons found in Lincoln are 'most significant in years' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-35071632 Louth panda onesie raid suspects arrested http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-35113343 Wounded Norfolk seal faces wait for treatment on neck http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-35072226 Enceladus: Does this moon hold a second genesis of life? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-34963515 Cricket's chirp may have 'predatory roots' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-35064827 State of Britain's wildlife 'increasingly fragile' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-35039662 MPs back new fracking regulations http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-35107203 UK 'scores well' on climate, for now http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-35044423 How eating insects could help climate change http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-35061609 The dogs that protect little penguins http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-35039105 Dambuster's medal expected to fetch thousands http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-35087201 Why we should celebrate winter woodland – not just the Christmas tree http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/dec/12/why-we-should-celebrate-winter-woodland-not-just-the-christmas-tree Contributions to "And finally......" are always welcome. ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/