============================================= || || 22nd 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 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.... *** We are in for some wintery weather this weekend. Have a look at the current severe weather warnings on the Met Office website: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/ Will the winds bring us some waxwings? https://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/discoverandlearn/birdguide/name/w/waxwing/ As we approach the end of the year, the Recorders of the LNU will be thinking about organising data for 2015. It is a task most of us do not see, but it is where our contributions make a difference. If you are someone who prefers to send in your reports to individual recorders, as many people do, it is a good time to start making sure you have locations, grid references and the useful information we keep emphasising in the Bulletin. It does help if you get your records in promptly as it is approx seven weeks to 2016! Don't forget to include your name/contact details in case additional information is needed by a recorder. Recorders addresses can be found on the LNU website: http://www.lnu.org/recorders.php This is also a good time for Recorders to come back to us with their suggestions for winter observations. It is always good to have tips on 'things to investigate'. The Recorders' Meeting 2016 will take place on Saturday, February 13. This is where we learn about the trends and discoveries of the past year and get help with identification etc. It is an important learning experience for everyone and is one of the highlights of the LNU Meetings programme. Seal News Follow the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust posts of seal news on: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/donna-nook/weekly-update If possible, try to avoid weekend visits and the larger crowds. Starlings Speaking of Starling murmurations, I saw another cracking display at Kirkby on Bain pits this week. If you see one and wish to report it, go to: http://www.rsb.org.uk/get-involved/biologyweek/starling-survey Please tell people about the Bulletin and suggest they give it a try. It's free! 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... Your suggestions for interesting links are always very welcome. *** 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. *** RSPB Report on Climate Change *** This leaflet summarises a longer report that RSPB scientists have put together. https://www.rspb.org.uk/Images/natureofclimatechange_summary_tcm9-409729.pdf This leaflet summarises a longer report that RSPB scientists have put together. http://www.rspb.org.uk/news/409213-wildlife-impacts-climate-change More on the report, “The Nature of Climate Change,” on how climate change will affect wildlife can be found here: http://www.rspb.org.uk/news/409213-climate-change-a-hot-topic-for-the-uks-wildlife-and-public *** DWT Seedbank Project *** 150,000 tree seeds are being collected by the Trust for Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank. The seeds, from 15 native species across Derbyshire, will be frozen and banked in the underground vaults, forming the UK’s first national collection. The collection will play a vital role in conservation, protecting our woodlands from pests and diseases in the future. http://www.derbyshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/news/2015/10/26/catapults-and-150000-target *** American invaders in Lincolnshire *** Gulf wedge clam (Rangia cuneata) https://www.buglife.org.uk/news-&-events/news/american-invaders-in-lincolnshire *** Lincs Coast - Untapped Potential *** Lincolnshire coast has 'untapped potential', trust says http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-34825926 *** 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. For more information, see: http://www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk/ *** Bats: records and crises *** Annette Faulkner reminds us: If you find grounded bat scoop it up in a cloth or wear gloves, put it in an escape-proof box and phone the Lincs Bat Group's Helpline number. 01775 766286 *** Burkinshaw's Covert Local Wildlife Site *** Alan Jones writes: Burkinshaw's Covert is a large, broadleaved woodland ajoining Total Linsdey Oil Refinery which has been brought into management for wildlife in recent years by the refinery in conjunction with the Humber Nature Partnership. Open public access is not normally available but a new, limited-scale, permit-based access is being considered to enable local naturalists to help to monitor and record the site's wildlife. Home to woodland birds, deer, badgers and amphibians, the site is rich in butterflies and moths as well as grassland flora on the extensive glade and ride system. If you are interested in getting involved, please contact Alan at the Humber Nature Partnership on 01652 631 523 or email alan.jones@humbernature.co.uk . He says: "You can also roll your sleeves up with Humber Conservation Volunteeers who help to manage the site if you fancy!" *** Barton LWT *** Adrian White writes: Barton Area Group of the LWT is now on Facebook; https://www.facebook.com/LWT.Barton.Group Next event: Saturday 21st November "A walk between New Holland and Barrow" A half-day walk to view the winter waders and wildfowl. Contact; Alex Cawley (07722 555302) for details Ness Farm at 9am. Everybody welcome to come along. *** Lincoln LWT *** Lincoln Area Group Talk *** 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/ The Chesterfield Crag Martin http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/Finders_in_the_field_Crag_Martin_Chesterfield_Derbyshire_Nov_2015.aspx?s_id=576396455 13/11 2 Eurasian White-fronted Geese as + juv in field by River Steeping with 400 Pink-footed Geese, 7 Bewick's Swans flew south past, 40 Whooper Swans, Gibraltar Point Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh Short-eared Owl at Middlemarsh Wetlands, House martin flew south, west of Skegness Bittern, Boultham Mere Black Redstart, Market Rasen 14/11 2 Tundra Bean Geese flew south over Sykes Farm, 5 Pibk-footed Geese, 2 Hen Harriers, males, Short-eared owl over Wainfleet Marsh, Gibraltar Point Short-eared Owl, Donna Nook 3 Lapland Buntings, 2 ringtail Hen Harriers, Short-eared Owl, 135 Twite, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe 15/11 3 Hen Harriers, 1 ad male, over Wainfleet Marsh, 1 Bewick's Swan, Water Pipit at Mere, Spotted Redshank on Tennyson's Sands, Gibraltar Point 6 Spotted Redshanks, Alkborough Flats Black Redstart, Market Rasen Water Pipit on realignment, 28 Twite, Donna Nook Hobby reported, Fiskerton scrapes 16/11 Spotted Redshank on Tennyson's Sands, 2 ringtail Hen Harriers over Wainfleet Marsh, 2 Tundra Bean Geese with 600 Pink-footed Geeese and 4 White-fronted Geese at Clough House, Gibraltar Point Spotted Redshank, Twite, Scaup, Bittern, Frampton Marsh Hen Harrier, Wasps Nest, Nocton Fen Caspian Gull ad, Norton Disney quarry Hen Harrier fem, Conisholme 17/11 Spotted Redshank, Snow Bunting, Water Pipit, Gibraltar Point 5 Spotted Redshanks, Jack Snipe, Hen Harrier male, Frampton Marsh 5 Snow buntings, Cleethorpes Hen Harrier male, Saltfleetby St Clement Hen Harrier ringtail, Potterhanworth Fen, flew over Branston Fen towards Nocton Fen water Pipit, 3 Short-eared Owls, Dawson City clay pits, Goxhill Haven 18/11 2 Great Northern Divers flew south past Gibraltar Point 2 probable Caspian Gulls, along Idle Bank, Alderfen, Wroot Little Stint, 5 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh 19/11 Bittern, Boultham Mere 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: 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 in flower: Gorse location A46 Swallow TF 184 040 (first reported last year) Wendy Handford 16.11.15 Open roadside verge. Two plants, with many flowers ROADKILLS - don't forget your name and date! Roadkills BIGBY Wendy Handford Bigby, Main Street, TA 059 076 12.11.15 Fox juvenile LUDFORD Wendy Handford Near Ludford TF 220 893 18.11.15 Fox juvenile MARTON Brian Hedley SK842819 16 Nov 2015 Freshly dead hedgehog alongside A1500 *** 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 5.11.15 Wendy Handford Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 Blackbirds 6 (some could have migrated) feeding on fallen apples. 16.11.15 Kestrel and Jay perched in Beech at same time 14.11.15 Sparrowhawk f chasing Blackbird 14.11.15 Honeybee on Ragwort 15.11.15 Mouse moth on window. Temp 11C. 15.11.16 Fallen star, Nostoc commune, blue-green alga between paving slabs 18.11.15 Fungi this week Common cavalier 4 under Horse chestnuts and Alders Cushion brackets on Victoria plum tree and Wild cherry Giant puffballs now brown, detached and moving in wind so shedding spores Jelly ears 10+ on dead Elder branches Shaggy inkcap in rough grass Stump puffball near conifer stum Sulphur tuft 100+ on Alder stump White rot on Bay trunk Yellow fieldcap in mown grass Wendy Handford Caistor Town Hall car park TA 118 015 14.11.15 House sparrows 25+ in trees and shrubs Ben Jacob Nettleton Lodge Game Farm TA 090 012 Fungi this week Common inkcap Mossbell (Galerina from last week) DEEPINGS Venue: Deeping Lakes LWT Reserve Date: 16th November 12015 Time: 1315 - 1530 Observer: Ian Gordon Weather: Cloudy, breezy, cool. Birds: BlackbirdBlack-headed Gull Blue Tit Buzzard Canada Goose Carrion Crow Chaffinch Coot Cormorant Gadwall Goldcrest Goldeneye Goldfinch Great Crested Grebe Great Spotted Woodpecker Great Tit Green Woodpecker Grey Heron Greylag Goose Herring Gull Kestrel Little Egret Little Grebe Long-tailed Tit Magpie Mallard Moorhen Mute Swan Pheasant Pochard Red-crested Pochard Redwing Reed Bunting Robin Shovelor Teal Tufted Duck Wigeon Woodpigeon Mammals: Grey Squirrel (6) HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF512763 (my garden unless otherwise stated) Date 14/11/15 Lapwing 1 (flying across farmer's field and making its peewit call TF517765) Date 15/11/15 (Whooper) swans 40-50 (Never seen anything like it before! They were flying in a V formation right over the field next to my boundary ditch towards the east and calling) Date 16/11/15 Dunnock 1 Rabbit 1 Wood pigeons 4 Wren 1 Date 17/11/15 Crows 5 (eating acorns in oak) Date 18/11/15 Long tailed tits 4 Robins 2 Date 19/11/15 Blackbird 1 Frog 1 Mistlethrush 2 (Briefly eating berries on pyrocantha) Robins 2 KIRKBY ON BAIN R & A Parsons 13/11/2015 Starling murmuration, thousands, 15.40 to 16.10hrs Tried again on 15th and the timing was very different, with smaller flocks dropping into the reedbed instead of taking time to join a murmuration. It was dull and windy which might explain this haste to seek shelter. MARTON SK843821 Brian Hedley 16 Nov 2015 Speckled bush-cricket attracted to lighted window. NEW WALTHAM. TA 287046 Garden sightings Peter Crick 12 - 18. 11. 2015 Wasps seen each day coming to Ivy. (Temp. on 13th, 8C gale blowing. 17th, 8C and raining) 13.11.2015 Ladybird - 7 spot, 13.00hrs, enjoying the sun on the shed door bolt despite gale force winds. Temp. 8C 16.11.2015 Ladybird - 7 spot, 14.00hrs, on side of shed, in shade, temp 12C (Presume same one as 13th) Near SALTFLEET Paul Learoyd Location: South of Saltfleet on A1031 16th November 2015 at 19:25 Otter Crossing west to east. SYSTON SK93 l7th November Jane Ostler A phone call to tell me that, on the same day our fruitful peach tree was split in half by the storms, the champion copper beech in Syston Park had come down. Planted at the time of Waterlooo, the largest of its kind in U.K., it will be much missed. THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 15/11/15 Black Headed Gull x 57 Common Buzzard x 1 Common Gull x 23 Fieldfare x 38 Golden Plover x 175 Grey Partridge x 15 Kestrel x 2 Lapwing x 210 Pied wagtail x 2 16/11/15 Common Buzzard x 1 17/11/15 Barn Owl x 1 Blackbird x 5 Common Buzzard x 1 Brown Rat (dead) x 1 18/11/15 Mallard x 12 Mute Swan x 4 Red Legged Partridge x 12 Tree Sparrow x 31 19/11/15 Common Crane x 5 flew north over Thurnholmes (09:00hrs) last seen heading towards Keadby Little Owl x 1 calling 23:30hrs Tawny Owl x 1 calling 23:30hrs TOFT HILL [South B248632ridge] near HALTHAM TF R Parsons 16/11/2015 @ 8am. Little Egret flying across road East to West. TWYFORD WOOD SK945235 15th November,2015 Jane Ostler A Fungus Foray on a mild but windy day resulted in over 70 species identified . The range of species has altered in the last three decades. The removal of most of the conifer stands now means that many colourful species, like the false chantrelle, plums and custard and boletes and brittle gills associated with them are gradually disapppearing. The other trend I have noticed in woods generally. There are less species which, associated with particular trees help them to grow. Many of these come from the colourful amanitas, milk caps boletes and brittle gills. To pick out just a few which were of interest. Roooting Shank which was gathered carefully with a long radish-like 'root'. The False Saffron Milkcap, the green staining separates it out from its delicious close neighbour Both white and orange coloured waxcaps. A whole range of funnel caps and tough shanks Wood Blewit, handsome in mauve but rather past its best for eating. Brown birch bolete and red cracked bolete The parasites of birch polypore, root fomes and blushing bracket Stump puffballs Grey Coral, 'Yellow stagshorn and beech jelly disc. Most intriguing of all ,a careful searcher found the brightly coloured clubs of the fungus which lives on caterpillars, hidden among the leaves. WAINFLEET CONSERVATION PONDS 16/11/2015 Roy and Kath Pearson This year has seen a huge reduction in duck numbers at the site and this morning not one water bird was recorded. The hedgerows held Greenfinches, Chaffinches, Blue and Great Tits and two Redwings were flushed as we arrived. The reed beds contain small numbers of Reed Buntings and the usual winter Wrens, but there was no evidence today of Water Rails. WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 13/11/2015, 14.00hrs Flock of Lapwing at approx. TF218542 14/11/2015 2 Little Egrets in area. See: http://www.bto.org/about-birds/bird-of-month/little-egret 17/11/2015 Flock of Fieldfares at aprox. TF215540 18/11/2015 Bombus lapidarius queen working. See: http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/species/red-tailed-bumblebee 19/11/2015 Bombus lucorum queen working. See: http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/species/white-tailed-bumblebee WRANGLE COMMON 16/11/2015 Roy and Kath Pearson We hadn't sufficient time for a count today and had to satisfy ourselves with a brief look around. Having commented last week on the lack of Blackbirds, it was noticeable that things had changed and they seemed to be everywhere. As the winds for the past week don't seem to have been suitable to bring in numbers from the continent, I wonder if they were birds that arrived on the coast earlier and are now dispersing inland to feed. Once again we encountered two Roe Deer, which have become quite tame and they are doing significant damage, the browse-line in the copse allowing a clear view from one side to the other. Maybe this accounts for a decline in the number of Woodcock in the copse recently. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 12-18th November 2015: Contributors, Nigel Lound, Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison A good selection of bird species noted during yet another wet, windy and mild period, which allowed some insect species to survive/remain flying in mid November. The centre of attention during the period again focussed on the coastal side of the reserve, with a good selection of finches, buntings and wildfowl: Pink-footed Geese peaked at 1116 birds coming off the roost at Rimac on the 14th. On the previous evening, 300+ Pink-feet were flying high south after dusk and were assumed to be migrating on, whilst a similar number were seen flying south over the sea on the 14th., so it is assumed that about half of the peak numbers were birds that had stopped off overnight before moving on towards Norfolk wintering grounds. There were also 120 Pink-feets flying south on 18th, but part the local group are feeding southwest of the reserve, so trying to differentiate local as opposed to migrating birds becomes difficult. Whooper Swans have been moving south/southwest on several days over the period, with the peak days being the 14th, with a flock of 11, 16th, when about 100 birds were noted in 7 groups flying south, some as single family parties of 2 adults and 3-6 young birds, 17th with 28 birds and 18th with 6 birds. Whooper Swans, along with 3 Bewick Swans and groups of Mutes Swans are also to be seen feeding on rape fields in the vicinity. Brent Goose numbers are well down this year, due to a poor breeding season, since there are very few young birds within the flocks. The main feeding area remains north of the reserve in the Saltfleet area, but there were 428 present at Rimac pools on 16th. Ducks have included the wintering flock of Teal in the Rimac area, between 20-50 Common Scoter on the sea, 3 Eider on 18th on the 17th. The birds of note have include an adult Arctic Skua south on 17th, 2 Red-throated Divers, Guillemots and unidentified auks. In addition to the mixed flock of 400+ Twite and Linnet on the samphire beds at the Brickyard Lane area, a further 135 Twite were noted in the Rimac area as well. 10 Snow Buntings were also to be seen on the beach at the southern end of the reserve. A Peregrine continues to hunt across the beach and can be seen stooping on crows from time to time, which are forced to land, but are then put up again as the Peregrine flies low across the ground at them to continue the stooping once again. It doesn't seem to want to catch crows, but just to 'have a bit of fun', but in reality, probably practicing its hunting technique. Up to 3 Hen Harriers and 3 Short-eared Owls and a Barn Owl have also been seen. On the landward side of the reserve, not surprisingly, given the strong winds all week, thrush numbers have been low, but there has been a steady southerly movement of finches on some days with Siskins on several days, including 18 on 14th and 4 on18th. Other birds of note have included a Kingfisher at Brickyard Lane, presumably the same bird being seen at the southern end of the reserve later, 2 Stonechats in the Rimac area, singles of Redpoll and Grey Wagtail and small numbers of Goldcrests. On 15th, a Red Admiral, Comma and 3 Common Darter Dragonflies were noted along with a few wasps and bees. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 15th January 2016 To be announced. Keep an eye on the LNU Website. 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. derek crunkhorn - Hard Bounce - Recipient overquota. Address cleaned. gandd - Soft Bounce - delivery failed - mailbox unavailable. joe.blissett - Hard Bounce - email address couldn't be found. Contributions to "And finally......" are always welcome. 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, as reported on Autumnwatch? http://www.rsb.org.uk/get-involved/biologyweek/starling-survey And finally: Climate shift ushers in subtropical butterfly http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/nov/11/butterfly-watch-barkham-subtropical-long-tailed-blue-england- Prehistoric farmers were first beekeepers http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-34749846 Couple get engaged swimming with sharks http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-34833818 ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/