============================================= || || 11th December 2016 || || 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. NNRs including RSPB and LWT Reserves 5. Bardney Limewoods NNR 6. Other Reserve Reports and Highlights 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 over 1000 people and we are keen to encourage even more readers to subscribe. If you know someone who might like to receive the Bulletin please use the "forward to a friend" link at the end of every Bulletin or send them this link so they can sign up for it: http://www.lnu.org/wildnews.php Text versions of past Wildnews Bulletins since Feb 2009 are available on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html 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, the Lincolnshire Bird Club and Lincolnshire Environmental Record Centre [LERC]. 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.... *** Welcome to this week's LNU Bulletin. Please click on our links. Each was chosen with particular readers in mind! If you have events or activities over the Christmas to New Year period that need a 'plug', please let me know. Donna Nook Seals: Remember - try to avoid weekend visits if possible. Useful links: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/donna-nook/weekly-update I have made my annual pilgrimage to Donna Nook, somewhat later than my usual visit dates. Plump seal pups were almost ready for the off. The sight of the huge seal colony is always mind-boggling - a wildlife spectacle on our doorstep. The breeding season is nearly over but you could squeeze in a last visit before Christmas. Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust staff and volunteers do a terrific job at Donna Nook and the 'indifference' with which visitors are treated by the seals is a tribute to the well-thought-out management of the site. You can be within a foot or two of a seal and it will not seem at all bothered by your presence. On behalf of the readers who visited Donna Nook this year, a huge thank you to all who make this wonderful LWT reserve so welcoming. The secret world of grey seals http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/video_and_audio/headlines/38221652 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-38160780 'Planet Earth II ' on BBC 1 - catch up on i-player http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02544td It was good to see the county featured on Countryfile this week, which included a tribute to Ted Smith and interviews with Barrie Wilkinson and Kev Wilson. If you missed it you can catch up on: BBC Countryfile Lincolnshire, includes Gibraltar Point http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0852dd9/countryfile-lincolnshire http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006t0bv/episodes/player I have put in a few links here, with more at the end of the Bulletin. Suggestions for links are always welcome. Christmas present? See a Lancaster Bomber on an original wartime airfield, and ride in it! http://traveleditions.telegraph.co.uk/Tour/The-story-of-the-lancaster Last winter's flooding 'most extreme ever' in UK http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38204334 Brussels sprouts under Christmas threat after summer moth invasion http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-38181048 Bird flu prevention zone imposed http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38231416 You can use the "forward to a friend" link at the end of each Bulletin to send a sample copy to someone who might enjoy it too. Please do. Roger rparsons@enterprise.net *** TWO Winter Forecast *** "Close to average temperatures are expected over the three month period as a whole. However, a very cold and potentially snowy spell during the middle of the winter is forecast to be sandwiched in between the mild spells....." http://www.theweatheroutlook.com/ *** LNU Events Diary *** For LNU meetings, see: http://www.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. Next meeting: Saturday, January 21, 2017 "Laughton Forest: a long term study of key bird and insect species" by Graham Catley Whisby Education Centre, 2pm LNU events and "Whisby Workshops 2017 " are listed below in section 11. *** GWCT Farmland Bird ID Days for Farmers *** Ahead of the 2017 Big Farmland Bird Count GWTC will be running a series of farmland bird identification days for farmers throughout January and February. http://www.gwct.org.uk/farming/big-farmland-bird-count/farmland-bird-id-days/? *** Field Studies Council courses 2017 *** The latest programme of the FSC lists an impressive range of interesting courses in some wonderful places. Note the partner organisations. Strongly recommended. http://www.field-studies-council.org/individuals-and-families/natural-history.aspx LNU Burseries: The LNU offers bursaries for natural history courses. The upper limit is £250. If you would like to apply for a bursary for an FSC [or similar] course please contact Richard Chadd on: richard.chadd@environment-agency.gov.uk *** Scunthorpe Museum Society Indoor Meetings *** www.scunthorpemuseumsociety.btck.co.uk *** Barton Area Group LWT *** Barton Area Group of the LWT is now on Facebook; https://www.facebook.com/LWT.Barton.Group *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** Carolyn Davis writes: On Monday 12th December 2016 the Lincolnshire Trust invite you to join them at their next indoor meeting where Louth area naturalist Stewart West will give an illustrated talk: "OTTERS - THE HIDDEN COMEBACK" This will take place in Grimsby Town Hall and starts at 7.30pm. Admission £2, Trust goods, raffle and festive refreshments donated by our members will be enjoyed at the interval. For further details contact Jennie Redpath 01472 502858. *** Lincoln LWT *** Richard Davidson writes: Lincoln Area Group Talk December 15th: Owling Mad Annette MacKenzie will be sharing her enthusiasm for Owls and bringing a Barn Owl and a Little Owl along to help her. This meeting is our Christmas wildlife celebration so all contributions of festive fare would be welcome. Talk at Whisby Nature Park in the Lafarge Education Building starting at 7.30 pm. Admission £2.50 which includes refreshments. *** More Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Events 2016 *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/whats-on *** Grimsby RSPB *** The next meeting of the Grimsby RSPB Group is at 7.30pm on Monday 19th December at Corpus Christi Community Centre, corner of Machray Place, Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes DN35 7AE. Dr Michael Leach, Wildlife Photographer and Author, will give a talk entitled "The Galapagos Islands". Mike is an outstandingly experienced, knowledgeable and entertaining speaker. This talk is 'not-to-be-missed'! There will also be a sale of RSPB memorabilia, including Centenary Plate Collection, refreshments, and raffle. Entry is £3, payable at the door. All are welcome. You don't have to be a member of the RSPB. For more information, contact Martin Francis (Group Leader) via martin.francis2@ntlworld.com preferred) or on (01472) 883436 *** December Night Sky *** Paul Money's 'Monthly Night Sky' webpage for December will be found on: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html Heads up for the Geminid [may be spoiled by a Full moon] and Ursid meteor showers. Ursids peak on 22/23 December. Paul's December webpage advises when and where to look. Also see: http://meteorshowersonline.com/ If you use Stellarium you will find it gives radiants for meteor showers. *** Find the Grid Reference - don't forget - it's important *** Grab a Grid Reference: http://www.bnhs.co.uk/focuson/grabagridref/html/index.htm UK Grid Reference Finder: http://www.gridreferencefinder.com/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ 1/12 6 Bewick's Swans, Candy Farm East, Wroot Long-tailed Duck on Jackson's Marsh. Gibraltar Point Hen Harrier male over saltmarsh, Short-eared Owl, Frampton Marsh 5 Long-eared Owls, on island on main lake, Deeping Lakes Caspian Gull, Apex Pits, North Hykeham 2/12 Great White Egret, Kirkby-on-Bain gravel pits Long-tailed Duck on Jackson's Marsh, Gibraltar Point 3 Long-eared Owls, on island on main lake, Deeping Lakes Short-eared Owl, Tetney Lock 4 Long-tailed Ducks, 6 Velvet Scoters, 29 Snow Buntings, 130 Twite, Hen Harrier, Tetney Marshes 3/12 3 Long-eared Owls, on island on main lake, Deeping Lakes Long-tailed Duck on Jackson's Marsh, 2 Little Auks flew south past, Hen Harrier male over Mere, Lapland Bunting, Black-throated Diver flew south, Gibraltar Point Black-throated Diver, Witham Mouth, Scaup on reedbed, Hen Harrier male, Frampton Marsh Great White Egret, Kirkby-on-Bin gravel pits 4/12 Bean Goose, with Pink-footed Geese, Alder Fen, Wroot White-fronted Goose, 5 Long-eared Owls, on island on main lake, Deeping Lakes, Long-tailed Duck on Jackson's Marsh, Great Northern Diver, Scaup, Gibraltar Point Scaup, Frampton Marsh 2 Long-tailed Ducks, 6 Velvet Scoters, 100 Twite, Hen Harrier, 2 Short-eared Owls, Tetney Marshes 5/12 Scaup, Riverslea Pit, Kirkby-on-Bain gravel pits 2 Long-tailed Ducks on Jackson's Marsh, Gibraltar Point 6/12 Long-tailed Duck on Jackson's Marsh, Gibraltar Point 7/12 Long-tailed Duck on Jackson's Marsh, Gibraltar Point 3 Long-eared Owls, on island on main lake, Deeping Lakes Scaup, Frampton Marsh Note: I am adapting RBA pager information for the Bulletin by eliminating or summarising/consolidating repeated messages. Please visit the RBA website for updates/fuller details. Here you can register free to use the site and get free trials of their subscription services. Rare Bird Alert website: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ [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. TWYFORD WOOD SK92 Jane Ostler - November 2016 Every November I do a survey of FUNGI along the same routes, with the help of others including adult education groups, Institute of Biology Members and the very observant North Kesteven Watch group. This year there has been above average for the number of species and with the addition of some very fine photographs, where it has been possible to identify of the more 'glamorous' species. A few examples:- THE MAGPIE a striking black and white inkcap. LILAC BONNET large specimens of this speciality of beechwoods. BLEWITS, both field and wood. OYSTER FUNGUS another edible species. PLUMS AND CUSTARD one of the few speccies associated with conifers which has survived in numbers after their felling. TROOPING FUNNEL CAP - new areas for this, always found in the car park area. EYELASH FUNGUS and SCARLET ELF CUP, more typicallyfound in May and still coming through at the end of November. STINKHORN very late specimens T there were more milk caps and chalk caps seen that in recent years. Over the last 35 years the number of species which are symbiotic (mutually helpful) with trees has declined. *** Parrot Sighting *** John Hiscox writes: Sighting by a friend at Newton by Toft. For the last two weeks or longer, daily, around the middle of the day, including today, flying from North to South, quite high. Large greyish blue bird with long tail. Perched briefly nearby on Monday. Appears to be a Parrot/Macaw. He'd like to know if anyone else has seen it. Editor adds: My guess is it may have come from The National Parrot Sanctuary at the Lincolnshire Wildlife Park near Friskney. Seems possible. http://www.lincswildlife.com/the-sanctuary/ ROADKILLS Louth Road A153 TF268781 R&A Parsons 2/12/2016 Dead adult badger - east side of A153 *** County Wildlife Reports From Readers *** "If it is worth observing, it is worth recording." 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. DEEPINGS Venue: Deeping Lakes LWT Reserve Date: 24/11/16 Time: 1320 - 1606 Observer: Ian Gordon Weather: Mainly cloudy, cool and breezy Birds: Blackbird Black-headed Gull Bullfinch Carrion Crow Chaffinch Cormorant Fielfare Gadwall Goldeneye Great Crested Grebe Great Tit Grey Heron Greylag Goose Jackdaw Lapwing Little Egret Little Grebe Long-eared Owl Magpie Mallard Moorhen Mute Swan Pheasant Pink-footed Goose Pintail Redwing Rook Shovelor Starling Teal Tufted Duck Wigeon Woodpigeon Mammals: Grey Squirrel Deeping High Bank 24/11/16 1320-1345 Cormorant Jackdaw Kestrel Little Egret Little Grebe Magpie Mallard Moorhen Rook Starling Stonechat Whooper Swan 01/12/16 Carrion Crow Coot Golden Plover Goosander Jackdaw Kestrel Little Egret Little Grebe Mallard Merlin Rook Tufted Duck Whooper Swan Crowland - North Bank 29/11 and 01/12/16 Little Owl GRANTHAM Grantham SK918356 1.12.16 Corner of Dudley Road St. Catherine's Road Song Thrush feeding of yew berries Also seen on 24.11.16 On Witham between St. Catherine's road & Avenue Road A pair of swans. Too dark to identify which type. HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden) Blackbirds 12 Dunnocks 2 Great spotted woodpecker 1 Pheasants 4 (all male) Starlings 2 3/12/2016 Great tits 2 Long tailed tits 2 4/12/2016 Long tailed tits 2 5/12/2016 Blue tit 1 Chaffinches 2 (on corncockle stems) Great tits 2 Goldfinch 4 (on teasels and docks) Mistle thrush 1 (long time no see but no rowan berries left for it) Starlings 3 Wren 1 6/12/2016 Goldfinch 2 Mistle thrush 1 Starlings 4 Wren 1 7/12/2016 Pheasant 1 LOUTH OS 3486 C Byatt 5 December 2016 Song Thrush - 1 NETTLEHAM TF01358 75493 Su Colman & Mark Townsend 1 December 2016 9:30-10:00 We had a very exciting half hour watching birds in our garden this morning. We had just ID-ed two mistle thrushes that were sitting in our whitebeam, and suddenly all kinds of birds were pouring into the (small) garden... Robin x2 Wren Great tit x3 Dunnock Blackbird x8 Chaffinch 1x male 1 x female Mistle thrush x2 Song thrush X1 Starling x12 Blue tit Long tailed tit x6 Greenfinch SEACROFT MARSH SSSI 02/12/16 Dave Miller Blackbird 12 Black-headed Gull 311 Blue Tit 2 Crow 30 Common Gull 25 Common Scoter 50 Cormorant 4 Curlew 42 Dunnock 8 Goldfinch 2 Great Black-backed Gull 1 Greenfinch 1 Herring gull 69 Jackdaw 2 Linnet 32 Long-tailed tit 8 Magpie 9 Oystercatcher 94 Pheasant 2 Redshank 30 Robin 2 Rock Pipit 6 Sanderling 10 Skylark 1 Woodpigeon 8 Wren 1 SLEAFORD 3 December 2016 Dave Hebblethwaite A Grey Wagtail is a regular visitor to the flat roof of our extension. It is plainly finding worthwhile food in the puddle which is semi-permanent on the roof. I also saw it last winter, presumably the same one. SNITTERBY CARR River Ancholme, Snitterby Carr. TF020944 Patty Phillips 28/11/16 to 30/11/16 8.30am Between 8 and 12 Wigeon Just north of Harlam Lock ThURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 19/11/16 Common Gull x 7 Golden Plover x 132 Pink-footed Goose x 250 North east over Thurnholmes Robin x 1 20/11/16 Fieldfare x 215 Mute Swan x 6 adults 3 young, Owston Ferry Warping Drain Robin x 1 Starling x 130 at dusk Rabbit x 2 23/11/16 Short-eared Owl x 1 Owston Ferry Warping Drain Brown Rat x 1 (dead) Rabbit x 2 25/11/16 Barn Owl x 1 Lapwing x 32 26/11/16 Blackbird x 5 Goldcrest x 1 Goldfinch x 4 Mute Swan x 4 adults 3 young, Owston Ferry Warping Drain Starling x 112 at dusk Tawny Owl x 2 calling 01:40hrs Wood Pigeon x 2 02/12/16 Brown Rat x 1 (dead) SK807971 Mole, fresh molehills SK811993 & SK773986 Comma x 1 in Holly hedge SK77396 03/12/16 Blackbird x 5 Black-headed Gull x 17 Fieldfare x 112 Golden Plover x 23 Robin x 1 07/12/16 Greylag Goose x 31 north over Thurnholmes Robin x 1 WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 01 Dec 2016 12 Fieldfares in orchard - feeding on windfalls 03 Dec 2016 Kestrel on power line across garden. pm. Late flush of Agaricus silvaticus under pines. Jay on lawn. pm. Tawny Owl calling in garden. pm. 04 Dec 2016 f Sparrowhawk in orchard. 05 Dec 2016 6 Fieldfares feeding on apples in orchard Barn own on hurnbridge road 16.45 [AP] And muntjac reported in adjacent field. WOODHALL SPA John Hodgson Home GR 201 629 1/12/2016 Little Egret x 1 Beside the beck at Home GR 24/11/2016 STIXWOULD GR 175 654 Fieldfare - A flock of around 40 or 50 around ploughed fields and hedgerows. 1/12/2016 Nr Horncastle Fieldfare - A large flock (perhap 70 - 100) feeding on Hawthorn berries on both sides of the SpaTrail at GR 255 688. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. NNRs including RSPB and LWT Reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RSPB Reserves: http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/collections/thewash_northnorfolk.aspx https://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore/ http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh/ LWT Reserves: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/what-we-do/living-landscapes http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/reserves Reports always welcome. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GIBRALTAR POINT NNR http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/gibraltar-point See: Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog. http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ Reports always welcome. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE DUNES NNR including DONNA NOOK http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/38015?category=59026 http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/saltfleetby-theddlethorpe-dunes http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/donna-nook-nnr ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR Report 30th November - 7th December 2016 Contributors: Peter and Janet Roworth, John Walker, Nige Lound & Cliff Morrison General Notes and Weather Observations for the end of November The weather for November was extremely variable. During the first week a low pressure to the east of the UK gave cold winds with rain most days. As this low moved further east there then followed a series of low pressure systems which gave further unsettled weather. There were extremes in temperatures for example an unseasonal daytime high of 14.75°C on the 15th (ground 9.5°C) but days following were raw with frosts. Rainfall all day on the 21st gave 15.2mm of ppt. The lows moved on and were replaced by a high pressure which centred over the UK and the weather became settled with dry, sunny days but cold and night time frosts. A sharp ground temperature of -8.5° (air -4.0°) was recorded on the 29th. During the month winds were at times fresh to moderate and of notes very strong near gale force from 5th - 7th and 16th - 21st. Total rainfall was 53.3mm (2.10 inches). Daily Notes and Bird Sightings 30th There has been a flock of up to 28 redwing and 3 song thrushes in the Brickyard Lane, along with 10 fieldfares There was a waxwing that briefly dropped into the garden, before flying north along the dunes 14 Velvet Scoter were with 350 Common Scoter on the sea south of Crook Bank and there were 17 Shoveler on Paradise. 28 Twite were on the beach out from Churchill Lane Car Park and a lone Water Pipit was in the flooded field between Churchill Lane Car Park and Rimac. A Water Rail was heard from Churchill Lane Car Park. 2nd Today saw 16 Velvet Scoter offshore with 350 Common Scoter on the sea south of Crook Bank. 7 Red-throated Diver, a Great-crested Grebe and a Goosander flew north at sea. There were 15 Shoveler and a female type Goldeneye on Paradise. A male Stonechat was at Rimac and 3 Goldcrest were around Crook Bank. Single Hen Harrier (Ringtail) over saltmarsh and 1 Brambling at Sea View 4th 600+ dunlin, 30+ bar-tailed godwits, 90+ Sanderling and 250+ roosting curlews. 2-4 Snow Buntings on the beach with a small influx of blackbirds Up to 25 yellow hammers, 4 green- finches, 2 goldcrests, 2 siskins and 2 kestrels also present 5th A Buzzard was around Crook Bank all day. 2 Great-crested Grebe, 150 Common and 5 Velvet Scoter were offshore, 3 Red-throated Diver flew north and a Stonechat was south of Crook Bank in the dunes. There were 5 Tree Sparrow and 4 Bullfinch between Crook Bank and Brick Yard Lane. Mallard 3, Dark-bellied Brent 9, Black-headed Gull 55, Common Gull 9, Shoveler 20, Teal 14 all on Paradise lagoon and Little Grebe 2 on Great Eau plus 8 Curlew feeding in adjacent pasture, single Great Spotted Woodpecker over Sea View 6th Freezing fog all day, single Stonechat at Rimac, Siskin heard flying over Sea View possibly 6 birds seen ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FAR INGS NNR http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/far-ings See: Far Ings NNR on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-Of-Far-Ings-National-Nature-Reserve/186876774685595 Reports always welcome. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. BARDNEY LIMEWOODS NNR http://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/visit/woods-and-nature-reserves/127031.article These cover a huge area, and records from them and records from volunteer recorders are one of the main inputs to management planning and the protection of rare/scarce and critical species. Reports always welcome. The NNR includes the following sites: Chambers Farm Woods (which comprise Ivy Wood, Little and Great Scrubbs Woods, Minting Wood, Hatton Wood, Hatton Plantation and Minting Park, and also three areas of grassland: Little Scrubbs Meadow (and extension), Small Meadow and Big Meadow. Since all have their own management plans, please give the actual location when reporting); College Wood, Cocklode & Great West Woods, Hardy Gang Wood, Newball Wood, Rand Wood, Scotgrove Wood, Southrey Wood and Wickenby Wood. Many of these include both areas of ancient woodland or important grassland, which are designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest, and non-designated areas. Since managing the SSSI areas carries particular responsibilities to Natural England, records which provide a six-figure grid reference are of particular value to the Forestry Commission. Other woods included in the NNR but without public access: Stainfield Wood; Stainton & Fulnetby Woods (access by public bridle way only) Also see: Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch http://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6. OTHER RESERVE REPORTS AND HIGHLIGHTS - LNRs etc. Reports welcomed. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7. Sending in reports to Roger Parsons ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The purpose of the Bulletin is to encourage biological recording in Lincolnshire. 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 goes out on Thursdays or Fridays in time for the weekend. Please e-mail in contributions as early as possible, 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 *** 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 copy and paste URLs if necessary. *** 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! You can get membership application forms from Wilma Gammon at the Lincs Wildlife Trust office, e-mail wgammon@lincstrust.co.uk or from the LNU website: http://www.lnu.org/join.php LNU publications [listed on LNU website] may be ordered via: Ian Macalpine-Leny. ian@macalpine-leny.co.uk http://lnu.org/publications.php LNU Mammal Atlas You can download and print off a hard copy or view it online. https://goo.gl/XIqRZg *** CONTACTS LIST *** Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. *** 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 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 Related Website: http://lincs.police.uk/get-help-advice/wildlife-and-rural-crime/ also see: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/issues/crime STAYING SAFE Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. *** EasyTide *** Check tide times on Admiralty EasyTide: http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx *** TWO - The Weather Outlook *** Check the weather forecast for the location or postcode: http://www.theweatheroutlook.com/ *** Met Office E-mail Service *** E-mail notification service for severe weather and other matters which may interest readers. See: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/guide-to-emails *** Environment Agency Flood Information/Floodline *** http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/default.aspx SPECIES IDENTIFICATION AND RECORDING Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. When asking for help: Please give the the very best information you can provide. If you are not sure, ask what is needed from you to confirm identification. Photographs are helpful but not every species can be identified from a photograph. When asked for further details, get back to them promptly. Don't forget a thank you for the help. That is always welcome. *** Identifying Fungi *** http://www.rogersmushrooms.com/ *** What's That Butterfly? *** http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/index.php http://butterfly-conservation.org/ *** 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 *** http://www.bwars.com/ 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 *** Mammal Recorder *** Chris Manning, Chris.LincsDeer@gmail.com Mink/Otter reports are of interest and can be sent via the Bulletin. Mammal Atlas You can download and print off a hard copy or view it online. https://goo.gl/XIqRZg *** Spiders *** Imogen Wilde Regional Co-ordinator (RC) and Mentor for Lincolnshire for the British Arachnological Society (BAS). Imogen@imogenwilde.co.uk *** Lincs Amphibian and Reptile Group *** The Lincolnshire ARG (Amphibian & Reptile Group) For further information and to submit records contact: Ashley Butterfield learningoutdoors@btinternet.com You can input reptile and amphibian data at: http://www.recordpool.org.uk/ Please remember, common species are just as important as rarer species. *** Local Bat Helpline *** Grounded bats, bat problems, advice and information. Contact Annette and Colin Faulkner on 01775 766286 or e-mail: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com Lincolnshire Bat Group website: http://www.lincsbatgroup.co.uk/ *** Confidential Bat Records *** You may send confidential bat records direct to Annette Faulkner on: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** LNU Sawflies, Bees, Wasps and Ants Recorder *** Dr. David Sheppard Willing to examine specimens or check photos (bear in mind only a relative few of the 300+ species in the county are identifiable using photos). d.a.sheppard@btinternet.com *** Slug ID Help *** Chris du Feu will help with slug identification. Tel: 01427 848400 or e-mail: chris@chrisdufeu.force9.co.uk *** Non-Marine Molluscs *** Alex Pickwell is the LNU Recorder for Non-marine Molluscs Email: alex.pickwell@environment-agency.gov.uk *** Lincolnshire Badger Group *** of the Weirfield Wildlife Hospital:, writes: Contact 01522 530428 a member of staff will record the sighting or RTA. On the Weirfield website a reporting page can be used to send in badger reports. http://www.weirfield.co.uk/ *** Botanical Group in South Lincs *** Contact: Sarah Lambert, who writes: We'd be happy to welcome new people, experienced or not, particularly if they are located towards the northern part of the vice county! sarah.lambert7@ntlworld.com USEFUL WILDLIFE CONTACTS Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/ *** Lincs Environmental Records Centre *** Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership http://www.glnp.org.uk/ (of which LERC is a part) Contact: charlie.barnes@glnp.org.uk or for more general queries: info@glnp.org.uk *** Life on the Verge and Wildflower Meadow Network Project *** http://www.lifeontheverge.org.uk/ Contact: Aidan Neary, aneary@lincstrust.co.uk Mobile: 07825 970930, Switchboard: 01507 526667. *** Good sources of seeds of Bee-friendly Wild Flowers *** Plantlife and Flora locale have defined protocols that can guide the conservation-minded shopper. See: www.floralocale.org/Alphabetical+supplier+listing *** 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 *** http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk Contact 01507 528223 enquiries@joseph-banks.org.uk *** Other Useful Websites/contacts *** Suggestions for other useful Websites are welcome. Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. *** Natural England *** http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ *** Lincolnshire Environmental Awards *** http://www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk/ *** Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service *** http://www.lincswolds.org.uk Contact: 01507 609740 *** Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project *** http://www.lincswolds.org.uk/chalk-streams/lincolnshire-chalk-streams Contact: Ruth Craig Ruth.Craig@lincolnshire.gov.uk *** RSPB local webpages *** https://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore/ http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/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/ Grimsby & District RSPB http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/grimsby *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire link *** http://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html *** Lincsbirders *** http://www.lincsbirders.org/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 a few cases may be difficult or impossible to verify. If further information is needed 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 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. Interest in wildlife is not a licence to act irresponsibly or 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. 2017 Indoor Meetings Saturday, January 21, 2017 "Laughton Forest: a long term study of key bird and insect species" by Graham Catley Whisby Education Centre, 2pm Saturday, February 11, 2017 Recorders’ Meeting & Annual Exhibition Whisby Education Centre, 12 noon 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; the overview starts at 2pm as in previous years. Saturday, March 04, 2017 AGM & Presidential Address by Annette Binding “The Fens revisited. An update” Whisby Education Centre, 2pm *** The Whisby Workshops 2017 *** Richard Davidson - Programme Secretary - writes: The workshops are free to participants as all overhead costs are split between the Lincoln Area Group and the LNU. [Refreshments are also provided.] The aim is not to turn people into experts in an afternoon, but to cascade knowledge and enthusiasm for particular subjects so that participants can go away better equipped to follow them up on their own and also to encourage interest in a broader range of subjects both entomological and botanical. On most of them there has been time inside learning generally about the subject and looking at specimens followed by time outside in the field following this up. The workshops lined up for 2017 are Bees, Flies/ Diptera, Pond Dipping and Odonata. We're very grateful to the various experts who've fronted the workshops for being willing to give up their time and share their knowledge. We couldn't do all this without them. Also to the LNU for being willing to enter into this partnership. In the future we could broaden things to include mammals, birds and many other natural history topics. The dates of the workshops for next year are now finalized. Bees (David Sheppard) on the 3rd of June, Flies/ Diptera on the 15th of July, Pond Dipping on the 22nd of July (Richard Chadd) Odonata (Nick Tribe and Richard Chadd) on the 29th of July. Contact Richard Davidson on: rel.davidson@btinternet.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails This Week *** If you recognise the owner of a 'part-address', please let them know their Bulletin has 'bounced' this week. birdmanhayes generated from Russ@birdman - soft bounce - Message rejected, Your message looks like SPAM... Wendy.Stanley is over quota - soft bounce - delivery failed; will not continue trying If ever your Bulletin does not arrive, please let me know. Text copies of past Bulletins can be found on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html ....and finally..... Note: If a link below does not work, please look at the URL. See if an extra http:// has crept in, and make the correction. Court dates for three men after hare coursing in Pode Hole http://www.spaldingtoday.co.uk/news/court-dates-for-three-men-after-hare-coursing-in-pode-hole-1-7710234 Red Arrows complete 'Best of British' world tour http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-38155220 Farage campaigns in front of misspelt constituency poster http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-38214716 'Predator of the deep' or gentle giant? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-38145938 Trump's environment plans could spark opposition http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-38163639 Scottish fossils tell story of first life on land http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-38186397 The first ale was drunk thousands of years ago http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20161130-why-the-stone-age-could-be-when-brits-first-brewed-beer Sutton Hoo bitumen links Syria with Anglo-Saxon England http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-38171657 Beckery Chapel near Glastonbury 'earliest known UK monastic life' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-38187299 Frosted sloes escape both bottle and beak https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/dec/01/frosted-sloes-blackthorn-winter-crop-berries-birds Tasmanian tiger sightings: 'I represent 3,000 people who have been told they're nuts' https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/dec/01/tasmanian-tiger-sightings-i-represent-3000-people-who-have-been-told-theyre-nuts Hogweed magic mocks the cold snap https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/dec/02/hogweed-magic-mocks-cold-snap-country-diary#comment-88646417 England may be in deforestation state due to lack of tree planting https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/dec/06/england-deforestation-state-lack-tree-planting Keeping time with geese in flight https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/dec/06/keeping-time-geese-flight-country-diary Seals sing a siren song beyond the land's edge https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/dec/07/seals-sing-siren-song-beyond-lands-edge-scotland-country-diary ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next month!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/