============================================= || || 1st November 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 webpage link so they can sign up for it: http://www.lnu.org/wildnews.php Text versions of 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.... *** Two November meteor showers are worth watching for, the Northern Taurids [peak 12th] and the Leonids [peak 17/18th]. This is 'cloud permitting', of course! Paul Money's excellent 'Night Scenes 2015' warns that to enjoy the Leonids you may have to wait for moonset. Don't forget 'Night Scenes 2016' is available via Paul's website shop pages: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Home2.htm The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust has helpful information and regular seal updates on their Donna Nook webpage. See: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/donna-nook For weekly updates see: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/donna-nook/weekly-update Guidelines for visitors: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/nature-reserves/donna-nook/viewing-seals-donna-nook Holding a Wildlife event? Please tell people about the Bulletin and suggest they give it a try. Here is the URL of the sign-up page: http://www.lnu.org/wildnews.php Thanks for the many interesting contributions this week. It is always good to hear from readers. Please keep the reports coming. Roger p.s. Don't forget: 12. ...and finally... links to local, national and international stories, most with an environmental/wildlife spin. Your suggestions for interesting links are always very welcome. *** LNU Events - updated 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. *** Four UK bird species including puffins 'face extinction' *** 'Erosion of wildlife' Martin Harper, conservation director with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), said the "global wave of extinction is now lapping at our shores". http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-34664385 *** Bats: records and crises *** Annette Faulkner reminds us: 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, they can become fly-struck, 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 01775 766286, the Lincs Bat Group's Helpline number. *** Joint BTO and Lincolnshire Bird Club Conference *** 'Monitoring Birds' Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park LN6 9BW Saturday 28th November 2015 From 9.30 - 15.15 Conference Fee: £14 Includes coffee, tea and lunch Everyone is Welcome! More details at http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=23067 Download booking form at http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk/information/Booking_Form_Conf_2015.doc *** Derbyshire & Nottinghamshire Entomological Society *** Richard Davidson sent in the following: DaNES INSECT SHOW. Brackenhurst Campus - Nottingham Trent University. On A612 just south of Southwell NG25 0QF. November 21st, 11am-4.30pm DaNES' main annual event, with a large number of exhibits by both organisations and individuals - informative displays, demonstrations, hands-on activities, live insects and sales stalls. There will also be a series of interesting talks throughout the day. Plenty to see, do and buy, and a café for refreshments. Access and WC is suitable for wheelchairs. There is free parking for those with cars and, for those without, the Nottm-Southwell bus stops outside. ENTRANCE IS FREE Depending on weather, there may be a moth watch afterwards. Contact Dave Budworth on 01283 215188 *** Can you contribute towards a book on ancient woodland? *** Derek Niemann wrote to Chris Manning: You may well know that during the decades after WW2, Britain managed to destroy more than a third of its ancient woodlands. But do you have any direct memories from this period? Did you know a wood that was grubbed up for farming, or cut down and replanted with conifers? Were you a farmer or forester? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, I would love to hear from you. You can reach me at derek@niemann.plus.com or ring me on 01767 692603. [Derek is a writer and editor, doing a fortnightly nature diary column for the Guardian and features for BBC Wildlife.] *** Natural History & Geology Section of Scunthorpe Museum Society *** Keith Scarrott writes: At the next meeting of the Natural History and Geology Section of the Scunthorpe Museum Society, on Monday, 9th November, Alison Foyster of the Weirfield Wildlife Hospital, Lincoln, will be giving a talk about Badgers. Alison's talk will include the natural history and care of badgers in the wild and in the hospital. Starting at 7.15pm, the meeting will be held in St. Bernadette's Parish Centre, opposite the Priory Hotel on Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2RS. There is free parking in the Church grounds. ALL ARE WELCOME. There is no entry charge but a donation bowl is provided. Refreshments will be available at the mid-talk break for a small charge. For further details please contact Keith Scarrott on 01724 762098. ***Alford & Mablethorpe Branch LWT*** George Rutter writes: Monday 9th November 7:30pm Half Moon Hotel, West Street, Alford Talk: Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project Chalk streams are a rare habitat and the project is trying to enhance them. Project Officer, Ruth Craig, will give and illustrated talk on these very important habitats and features of the landscape. *** Barton LWT *** Adrian White writes: Barton Area Group of the LWT is now on Facebook; https://www.facebook.com/LWT.Barton.Group *** Lincoln LWT *** Lincoln Area Group Talk November 19th: Ancient Woodland - History, Industry and Crafts by Professor Ian Rotherham (Sheffield Hallam University) Looking at the history of our ancient woodlands and how their management in the past has shaped what they are today. Talk at Whisby Nature Park in the Lafarge Education Building starting at 7.30 pm. Admission £2.50 which includes refreshments. *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** Carolyn Lovely writes: Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT On Monday 9th November 2015 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them at their next indoor meeting when the Trust's chairman Geoff Trinder will be giving an illustrated talk about winter wildlife in Japan. This will take place in Grimsby Town Hall and starts at 7.30 pm. Admission £2, all are welcome. There will be a Trust goods stall, raffle and tea & coffee available. For further details contact Jennie Redpath - 01472 502858. *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Events 2015 *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/whats-on *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch *** http://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html *** 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/ 23/10 Spotted Redshank, fem Hen Harrier, Alkborough Flats Firecrest, 2 Serins flew south over Gibraltar Point Short-eared Owl, 30 Twite, Tetney Marsons Scaup, Spotted Redshank, Frampton marsh Lapland Bunting in south dunes, Donna Nook 24/10 Lapland Bunting between Stonebridge and Pye's Hall, Ring Ouzel, 25 Twite, Donna Nook 25/10 Spoonbill, ringtail Hen Harrier, Hen Harrier m over saltmarsh, Spotted Redshank on wet grassland, Short-eared Owl, Frampton Marsh 2 Short-eared Owls, 9 Twite, Tetney Marshes 21 Whooper Swans over boating lake, Cleethorpes Hen Harrier, Snow Bunting, Gibraltar Point 26/10 3 Whooper Swans flew over Freshney Bog, Grimsby Ring Ouzel, Black Redstart, Firecrest, Donna Nook Tundra Bean Goose in off sea over Rimac Bridge, 2 juv Hen Harriers over saltmarsh, 11 Whooper Swans over Haven, Water Pipit, Rimac Water Pipit on Jackson's Marsh, 2 Spotted Redshanks, on Tennyson's Sands, Gibraltar Point Yellow-browed Warbler by European Innovation Centre, Grimsby 2 Scaup, Swanholme Lakes, Hartsholme Country Park, Spotted Redshank juv, Frampton Marsh Bittern flew over and landed behind raft, Boultham Mere Hen Harrier ringtail, Short-eared Owl, 8 Twite, Holbeach Marsh 2 Black Redstarts, Gibratar Point 27/10 Pallid Harrier juv on realignment, Little Bunting, Pallas's Warbler trapped and ringed, Ring Ouzel, Donna Nook Ring Ouzel, Pallas's Warbler at Sea View Farm, Saltfleetby Black Redstart, Sloothby 28/10 Pallid Harrier juv on fence near Stonebridge car park, Donna Nook 29/10 Pallid Harrier juv flew south past Wash Viewpoint, 2 Hen Harriers, Black-throated Diver flew south past, Gibraltar Point Pallid Harrier juv, then flew north, Butterwick 2 Hen Harriers, Short-eared Owl, Rimac 10 Twite, Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owl, Saltfleet St Peter Hen Harrier m, flew over road, Deeping St James Lapland Bunting, Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Black Brant, Donna Nook Short-eared Owl, Twite, Frampton Marsh Note: I am adapting my RBA pager information for the Bulletin by eliminating or summarising/consolidating repeated messages. When there is a lot of information I will stick to highlights. Please visit the RBA website for updates or fuller details. Bird Alert website: Here you can register free to use the site and get free trials of their subscription services. Strongly recommended. [Please mention the Bulletin if you decide to subscribe.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3. Wildlife news from around the county ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** The Roger Goy Column *** Remembering Roger Goy's wildlife information work. ROADKILLS - don't forget your name and date! BRACEBY TF015353 19.10. 2015 Roadkill 1 hedgehog It is on the roadside just beyond our property. Probably somebody speeding through the village at night. KELSTERN - east of War Memorial. TF 255922 Peter Crick 23.10.2015 Roadkill Large Harel TORKSEY SK 8387 7929 Peter Morrell 29.10.15 Badger road kill on A156. *** 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. BARTON UPON HUMBER Waters Edge Country Park, Barton upon Humber (Grid ref: TA0323) Jon Drakes 27/10/2015 (afternoon) The following were noted over a period of approximately 1.5 hours: Black Tailed Godwit - several feeding on the Humber mudflats Blackbird Black-Headed Gull Blue Tit Brent Goose - a solitary bird was present on the Humber mudflats Canada Goose Carrion Crow Coot Cormorant Curlew - several feeding on the Humber mudflats Feral Pigeon Gadwall Goldcrest Goldfinch Great Blackback Gull Grey Heron - two were seen on the Humber mudflats Greylag Goose Herring Gull House Sparrow Longtail Tit Magpie Mallard Moorhen Mute Swan Redshank - a group of five birds seen feeding on the Humber mudflats Robin Shoveller Starling Tufted Duck Woodpigeon Chaffinch Great Tit Also noted several Grey Squirrels foraging amongst the areas of woodland on the country park. BISCATHORPE TF 241848 26.10.2015 Peter Crick Barn Owl being mobbed by crows. 12.30pm Fieldfares, small flock 30+ feeding along hedgerow BOSTON 24.10.15 Mick Todd I have just had a couple of mallard type ducklings brought to me from Westwood lakes. They were abandoned and only a few days old, so a really late brood! Also last night I found a couple of female smooth newts in my garden, presumably taking advantage of the mild weather. CAISTOR Week beginning 15.10.15 Wendy Handford Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 Fox taking fallen pears 24.10.15. Trailcam Rabbits 2 gnawing stump in coniferous wood 22.10.15. Trailcam Woodmice in coniferous wood every night. Trailcam Stash of eaten Cherry stones under fern 25.10.15 Buzzards 2 circling 25.10.15 Grey heron flying over 26.10.15 Jays 4 in Oak 25.10.15 Pheasants 1m and 2f in orchard 24.10.15 Common toad in greenhouse 27.10.15 Buff-tailed bumblebee on late-flowering Foxglove 22.10.15 Small tortoiseshell in utility room 28.10.15 7 spot ladybirds 5 in base of fern 25.10.15 Fungi this week Stinking dapperlings 4 in flowerbed Wendy Collins Shieling farm TA 106 027 First Fieldfare on roof 22.10.15 Ben Jacob Nettleton Lodge Game Farm TA 090 012 Noticeably little Beech mast this year Ben Jacob Rothwell TF 153 998 Swallow 26.10.15 EAST RAVENDALE TF 240980 23.10.2015 Peter Crick Jay FRAMPTON RSPB Frampton Marsh (Grid ref : TF3539)_ Jon Drakes 27/10/2015 A quick stop off at this fantastic reserve whilst en route home from a short break in North Norfolk found the following species on the scrapes: Canada Goose Greylag Goose Wigeon Mallard Chaffinch Lapwing Golden Plover Tree Sparrow Starling Woodpigeon Mute Swan Greenfinch Ring Plover Linnet Teal Gadwall Brent Goose Bar Tailed Godwit Little Egret Curlew Magpie Goldfinch Avocet HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF512763 (my garden unless otherwise stated) Date 24/10/2015 Dunnock 1 Date 25/10/2015 Pheasant 1 Rabbit 1 Roe deer 4 (3 at TF523781 and 1 at TF528781) Date 26/10/2015 Red tailed bumble bee 1 Date 27/10/2015 Fieldmouse 1 Rabbit 1 Wren 1 Date 28/10/2015 Blackbirds 3 (eating mountain ash berries) Dunnock 1 Fieldmouse 1 (in porch) Robins 1 Date 29/10/2015 Fieldmouse 1 (caught and put outside) Fieldmouse 1 (in porch and now becoming an issue) KEELBY Keelby (Grid ref: TA1610)_ Jon Drakes 27/10/2015 A walk around my local patch to the North of Keelby village on a still, misty morning found seventeen bird species including my first Fieldfare and Redwing sightings of this autumn: House Sparrow x20 Starling x12 Collard Dove x2 Blackbird x6 Kestrel x1 Yellowhammer x10 Woodpigeon Carrion Crow Fieldfare x25 Blue Tit x2 Great Tit x1 Chaffinch x11 Dunnock x1 Magpie x2 Redwing x1 Goldfinch x2 Pheasant x2 (counts show maximum numbers seen together at any time) Also noted several Grey Squirrels foraging in local woodland. Keelby (Grid ref: TA1610) Jon Drakes 29/10/2015 The following species were noted during a brief walk around my local patch to the North of Keelby village. Unfortunately, my walk was cut short when torrential rain stopped play! House Sparrow Collared Dove Magpie Goldfinch Woodpigeon Yellowhammer Fieldfare Kestrel Longtail Tit Carrion Crow Rook Jackdaw Blackbird Blue Tit A solitary Red Admiral butterfly was found sun bathing on a farm track. A single Hornet was also noted flying around at the edge of a section of local woodland. NEW WALTHAM TA 287046 Garden sightings Peter Crick 21.10.2015 Wrens X 2 Sparrowhawk 25.10.2015 Goldcrest Bumblebee - common carder 26/27.10.2015 Bumblebee - common carder 27.10.2015 Wasps seen daily from the 21st RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF309847 (unless otherwise stated) Silvia Fowler 23.10.2015 7-Spot Ladybird Grey Wagtail Small flock of Chaffinches and Greenfinches briefly feeding on ground and on cotoneaster berries Long-tailed Tits (family; heard regularly) 24.10.2015 Little Egret (TF310849) 26.10.2015 Harlequin Ladybird Red Admiral 27.10.2015 15 Collared Doves feeding in muddy pasture. Lots of fresh Mole hills emerging since the cattle have been removed from pasture. 28.10.2015 Lots of Lacewings sheltering in summerhouse. Pied Wagtail 29.10.2015 A solitary Common Gull has again started to feed for hours in the pasture behind our garden. I have repeatedly seen it chasing away one or two other gulls attempting to join it, and sometimes it is the only bird feeding in this 1.5 acre patch. I am wondering whether this is the same individual that displayed this behaviour for a good three months during last winter. When 100+ rooks and jackdaws descended, they had to be tolerated, but only as long as individual birds didn't come closer than about 5 feet. Two jackdaws seemed really interested in the gull's ground-treading behaviour (or maybe the worms that it produced), but made no attempt to imitate it. SCOPWICK Peter Wilson [Waddington] 23rd October 2015 Spotted a clutch of newly hatched ducklings on the beckside at Scopwick last Friday THEDDLETHORPE Theddlethorpe Dunes John Cowell 29.10.2015 at 10 am. My Labradors startled a Barn Owl in a bush just 3 feet away from me on the Dunes just south of Brickyard Lane Car Park. The closest I have ever been to one! THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated Steve Hiner & Paul Snow On the recently emerged wheat fields surrounding Thurnholmes from 23/10/15 - 29/10/15 there has been, every day; Black Headed Gull (max 225 on 24th), Common Buzzard (up to 3, appear to be feeding on earth worms), Golden Plover (max 530 on 26th), Lapwing (max 312 on 28th) and Starling (max 250 on 25th). 23/10/15 Dunnock x 1 Goldfinch x 5 Kestrel x 1 Magpie x 2 Moorhen x 4 Pied Wagtail x 1 Robin x 1 Rook x 16 Sparrowhawk x 1 female being mobbed by Pied Wagtail Hedgehog x 1 (dead) SE808003 Leopard slug x 1 24/10/15 Fieldfare x 36 Kestrel x 1 Siskin x 5 25/10/15 Pied Wagtail x 2 Rook x 37 Tree Sparrow x 12 26//15 Carrion crow x 2 Magpie x 2 Rook x 31 27/10/15 Barn Owl x 1 Little Egret x 1 SK784988 28/10/15 Cormorant x 1 flying over SK8199 Stock dove x 1 fledged from nest box 29/10/15 Blackbird x 2 Kestrel x 1 Pied Wagtail x 2 Robin x 1 Tree Sparrow x 39 Rabbit x 2 WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 25/10/2105 Small Tortoiseshell 26/10 Speckled Wood 28&28/10/2015 White-tailed Bumblebee - Bombus lucorum Several queen bumblebees working, even on the grey, damp days. http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/species/white-tailed-bumblebee WILLOUGHTON SK 9313 9319 Peter Morrell 29.10.15 3 great crested newts and a smooth newt foraging in the garden during light drizzle at night. WRANGLE COMMON 25/10/2015 Roy and Kath Pearson Very little about today except both Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers and the first Short-eared Owl of the winter. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 22nd-28th October 2015 Observers: Nige Lound, Peter Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison. Large scale thrush arrivals have yet to feature this autumn, but the number of blackbird and Redwing have steadily increased during the week with peak days being 26/27th. Small flocks of Redwings, accompanied by 5 Fieldfares were coming in off the sea on 26th and there were 200 Redwings, 150 Blackbirds and a Ring Ousel in the Brickyard/Churchill Lane area on the early morning of 27th. Woodcock were also seen arriving as single birds on the same days. Small flocks of Greenfinches, Linnets and Goldfinches have been moving south most days along with the odd Bramblings and Siskins, with peaks of Siskins at 17 on 23rd and 7 on 28th. The coastal flock of feeding Linnets has increased to more than 150 birds, but Twite have been late arriving with the first ones this week, building to 13 on 27th. A single Snow Bunting was also seen on 26th and 27th. There are now only low double figures of Goldcrests across the area, but there were 6 at Sea View along with a Firecrest, a Pallas Warbler and a Chiffchaff on 27th. Odd Chiffchaffs are still present across the reserve. Other passerines of note have included 2 Stonechats at the north and 1 at the south of the reserve, a Coal tit at Sea View and Pied wagtails along the shore and coastal fields. The Pied Wagtail numbers have fluctuated daily, with up to a dozen and are no doubt migratory parties. Single Grey Wagtails were seen flying south on 23rd, 26th and 27th. High spring tides in the late afternoon enabled a good count of Little Egrets across the marsh, with a maximum count of 44 on 27th, one of which was colour ringed in the Newark area as a nestling in 2013. Also across the marsh areas were a second winter male Hen Harrier on 22nd, a female on 27th and a Peregrine on 24th. Other birds of prey have include Buzzard, Sparrow Hawk, Barn Owl, Tawny Owl and a Short-eared Owl on 26th/27th. An evening roost count on the high tide at Brickyard Lane area on 27th yielded 106 Great Black-backed Gulls, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 80 Herring Gulls, 800 Common Gulls and 500 Black-headed Gulls, along with a dark phase Arctic Skua and 240 Curlews. 10 Whooper Swans were flying south west on 23rd and 3 on 25th. 11 grey geese flying over Brickyard Lane on 25th were identified as Bean Geese on call, but were not viewed through binoculars. The flock of 500+ Pink-footed Geese continues to roost on the sands at Rimac and fly westwards at dawn. Other wildfowl records included 11 Eider, 6 Goldeneye, a male Scaup south off Crook Bank on 26th, where a Guillemot was also seen. Warm weather on 26th encouraged flying insects to feed on the last of the flowering ivy, including 3 species of bumblebees, Red Admiral, Small Tortoise- shell, Comma, a White and 2 Migrant Hawker Dragonflies. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 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. 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, 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. dandd zen - soft bounce - Quota exceeded. mhoneil - hard bounce - delevery failed - Address cleaned. Contributions to "And finally......" are always welcome. Venus, Jupiter and Mars line up for skyline spectacle http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-34638603 Counting seals on the County Down coastline http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-34620527 Owl airlifted after North Sea platform landing http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-34659186 Conkers under threat from moths eating horse-chestnut trees http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-34645541 The place that has wiped out grey squirrels http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-34603394 Volunteers map UK coastline for industrial damage http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-34590510 Big monkey voice 'means less sperm' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-34607031 What shapes do you see in starling murmurations? http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20151019-the-shapes-we-see-in-starling-murmurations We went hunting for trolls... http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20151021-we-went-hunting-for-trolls-and-found-a-deeper-truth ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/