============================================= || || 18th 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. Thank you to all who sent in reports, comments, suggestions and wildlife news this week. Fantastic support. I note that sparrows and tits have been fussing at our nest boxes, hanging at the entrances, coming and going and being possessive. Could the mild weather be making them feel it is nearly spring? If you have events or activities over the Christmas to New Year period that need a 'plug', please let me know. I have put in a few links here, with several more at the end of the Bulletin. Please click. Each was chosen with particular readers in mind! You, maybe? Suggestions for links are always welcome. Donna Nook Nature Reserve sees record seal births - BBC http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-38300659 LWT Donna Nook Seals update: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/donna-nook/weekly-update Planet Earth II: Nine things we learned from the series http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-37606747 'Planet Earth II ' on BBC 1 - catch up on i-player http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02544td YWT - special tour of Spurn and the lighthouse. Travel in comfort along Spurn in our Unimog and get to the top of the lighthouse. http://www.ywt.org.uk/reserves/spurn-nature-reserve Sparkling starscapes caught on camera http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-38188057 How toxic is the fish we eat? http://www.bbc.co.uk/guides/zs3882p Squid may become favourite UK meal as seas become warmer http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-38265395 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 Forecast *** Will we have snow? Not yet. 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. *** 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 *** 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 Ursid meteor shower, peaking on 22/23 December. Paul's December webpage advises when and where to look. *** 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/ *** 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ 8/12 Great White Egret near fishing pond, Deeping High Bank Long-tailed Duck on Jackson's Marsh, Gibraltar Point Long-eared Owl on island, Deeping Lakes 9/12 Slavonian Grebe at River Witham mouth, 2 Shags, pale-bellied Brent Goose, ringtail Hen Harrier, Frampton Marsh Waxwing, Far Ings Long-eared Owl on island, Deeping Lakes Long-tailed Duck on Jackson's Marsh, Gibraltar Point 10/12 Scaup, 2 Hen Harriers, Frampton Marsh 2 Lapland Buntings, 2 Long-tailed Ducks, 4 Velvet Scoters, 120 Twite, Hen Harrier, 5 Short-eared Owls, Tetney Marshes 2 Long-eared Owls on island, Deeping Lakes Black-necked Grebe, Toft Newton reservoir 8 Water Pipits, Scaup, Gibraltar Point 2 Waxwings, Great Carlton 11/12 3 Long-eared Owls on island, Deeping Lakes 2 Hen Harriers, 1 male, Gibraltar Point Jack Snipe, Woodhall Spa country park Scaup 1w drk, Hen Harrier, Frampton Marsh 12/12 Long-tailed Duck on Jackson's Marsh, Gibraltar Point Scaup 1w drk, Frampton Marsh Scaup on Riveslea pit, Kirkby-on-Bain 13/12 Lapland Bunting, Long-tailed duck, 5 Velvet Scoters, 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, 35 Twite, 2 Hen Harriers, 5 Short-eared Owls, Tetney Marshes Bittern, Baston Fen 14/12 17 Bewick's Swans in field, Wroot Great White Egret near fishing pond, Deeping High Bank 7 Twite, 2 Hen Harriers, Whimbrel, Holbeach Marsh 14/12 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. ROADKILLS *** 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: 04/12/16 Time: 1220 - 1540 Observer: Ian Gordon Weather: Sunny and cold Birds: Blackbird Black-headed Gull Bullfinch Buzzard Carrion Crow Chaffinch Cormorant Coot Egyptian Goose Fielfare Gadwall Goldeneye Goldcrest Goosander Great Tit Herring Gull Jackdaw Lapwing Little Egret Long-eared Owl Mallard Mediterranean Gull Moorhen Mute Swan Pink-footed Goose Pintail Redshank Redwing Sparrowhawk Teal Tufted Duck Woodpigeon Wigeon GRANTHAM M. Ellis Grantham SK918356 10.12.16 Water vole swimming across the Witham about 100 yds north of the Avenue Road bridge. EAST HALTON SKITTER to GOXHILL HAVEN (and return) (Grid reference TA1423 to TA1225) 11/12/2016 Jon Drakes Species noted during a walk along the bank of the River Humber from East Halton Skitter to Goxhill Haven which covered low water and commencement of the flooding tide were : Black Tailed Godwit 7 Blackbird Black-Headed Gull Blue Tit Carrion Crow Chaffinch Cormorant 1 Curlew 133 Dunlin 20 Fieldfare 50 Goldfinch Great Blackback Gull 11 Grey Heron 2 Herring 1 Lapwing 611 Little Egret 2 Magpie Mallard 6 Marsh Harrier 2 Mute Swan 2 Pheasant Pink-footed Goose 2500 (approx) feeding in a harvested Sugar Beet field - a very impressive sight and sound! Redshank 19 Redwing 10 Reed Bunting 4 Robin Snipe 6 Sparrowhawk 1 Starling Turnstone 31 Twite 2 Wigeon 102 Woodpigeon Wren Yellowhammer 3 GRIMSTHORPE Chris Howes Park Ranger 05/12/2016 Woodlands Farm TF 010239 Raven flying over wood. Six Bullfinches seen in hedges near the yard. Seven snipe on field pond. 07/122016 Black Springs Farm, near Swayfield. Brimstone reported by R. Harris 08/12/2016 Jubilee Wood Grimsthorpe TF 046204 Brimstone. Unsurprisingly the latest ever recorded sighting on the Grimsthorpe Estate HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden unless otherwise stated) 8/12/2016 Woodpigeons 22 (in trees) 10/12/2016 Ladybird 7-spot 1 Wren 1 11/12/2016 Great tits 2 Magpies 2 Pheasants 3 Starlings 3 12/12/2016 Great tits 2 Goldfinch 1 Long tailed tits 2 13/12/2016 Blue tit 1 14/12/2016 Long tailed tits 6 (TF526781) Woodpigeons 67 actually counted in trees and about 20 more that flew off before I counted them! Never had so many in the garden before! KEELBY (Grid reference TA1610) 5/12/2016 Jon Drakes An afternoon walk around the fields and woods to the North of the village found the following species present: Blackbird Black-Headed Gull Blue Tit Buzzard Carrion Crow Chaffinch Collared Dove Dunnock Goldcrest Great Tit House Sparrow Jackdaw Jay 1 Kestrel 1 Magpie Pied Wagtail 8 Reed Bunting 1 Robin Rook Song Thrush 1 Starling Tree Sparrow Woodpigeon Yellowhammer 5 Grey Squirrel 1 KEELBY (Grid reference TA1610) 10/12/2016 Jon Drakes Species recorded whilst carrying out the weekly BTO Garden Bird Watch in our back garden were: Dunnock 5 House Sparrow 20 Starling 2 Chaffinch 2 Tree Sparrow 2 Goldfinch 1 Robin 2 Collared Dove 6 Blackbird 1 Woodpigeon 1 Black-headed Gull 1 Greenfinch 2 Wren 1 NETTLEHAM TF005753 Brenda Edlington December 2016 Grey wagtail on Nettleham Beck between the church and ford. Seen several times since mid-November. Have seen one on the beck every year since 2012. TF005756 Max counts of some birds in the garden in the last month Blackbird 4 Black headed gull 7 Chaffinch 6 Collared dove 4 Goldfinch 14 Greenfinch 4 House sparrow 18 Long tailed tit 3 Magpie 3 Sparrowhawk 1m Wood pigeon 4 Alerted to the sparrowhawk after a bird flew into a window. The sparrowhawk missed but sat on the bird feeder for several minutes, a splendid sight. WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 9/12/2016 2 Barn owls in hedge along Hurnbridge Road. TF216542 and TF216538 10/12/2016 Tawny owl calling in garden - noon. 11/12/2016 Marsh Harrier, Buzzard and Little Egret in area. Tawny owl calling in garden - 11am. 12/12 2 Little Egrets on Glebe Farm, Hurnbridge Road. Buzzard in garden - in apple tree in orchard. 13/12 Flock of 100+ Fieldfares on Hurnbridge Road 25+ Fieldfares in garden - in orchard. WOOLSTHORPE LINE SK917242 to SK922224 Jane Ostler Week beginning 4th December See below: 6. OTHER RESERVE REPORTS AND HIGHLIGHTS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 7th December - 14th December 2016 Contributors: Peter and Janet Roworth, Nige Lound & Cliff Morrison General Notes and Weather Observations Very mild south-westerly's gave exceptional mild weather from the 7th - 10th when daytime temperatures reached 14.0°C on the 8th and the air minimum was 9.5°C (ground 8.0°C). Pink-footed Goose- up to 130 in area most days. Daily Notes and Wildlife Sightings 7th Along beach at Brick Yard Lane, Peregrine 1, this put up 70+ Redshank, 300+ Dunlin, 23 Twite and 40+ Linnets. Hen Harrier at Sea View 9th Ringtail Hen Harrier hunting over saltmarsh early am, Pink-feet 14 flying N over dunes, Little Egret 14 feeding on saltmarsh and single Mistle Thrush and Great Spotted Woodpecker plus singles of Blackbirds in the Sea View area. Single Short- eared Owl hunting near Sea View and 180 Wigeon flying over from grasslands to roost near Saltfleet Haven late afternoon 5 Velvet Scoter were with 400 Common Scoter south of Crook Bank. 5 adult Whooper Swan flew south at sea. A male Stonechat was in Rimac car park and a Weasel was also seen at Rimac. 20 Shoveler were on Paradise and 24 Fieldfare were in the area. 10th Female Blackcap and 2 Siskin at Sea View, Pink-feet skeins over were 14 NW and 168 + 14 SE, at Brick Yard Lane Knot 100, Twite 26, 11th Shoveler 20, Whooper Swan 10 both on Paradise lagoon, Pink-feet a skein of 75 flew high SE over Sea View early am and Fieldfare 8. Late afternoon Mute Swan 14, Whooper Swan 5 feeding in nearby winter rape field and Fieldfare 50+ flew over in a westerly direction. Single ringtail Hen Harrier hunting over saltmarsh 12th 25 Pinkfeet and a Marsh Harrier flew south and a lone Velvet Scoter was on the sea with 80 Common Scoter Singles of Stonechat and Brambling near Sea View and up to 8 Blackbirds remain in the area generally foraging on fallen apples. Twelve Shoveler on Paradise lagoon and Kingfisher 1 plus Little Grebe 2 on the Great Eau Whooper Swan 4 south, Marsh Harrier 1 south 13th Pink-feet 21 flying high, NW, over Sea View; Little Egret 36 on saltmarsh, Stonechat 1 Rimac, Snow Bunting a single bird flushed from outer dunes off Rimac and Shelduck 180+ on Saltfleet Haven, Twite 32 at Brick Yard Lane,? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. WOOLSTHORPE LINE SK917242 to SK922224 Jane Ostler Week beginning 4th December A series of short walks in the mild weather (to 13C) BIRDS The biggest surprise was 6 Little Egrets seen beside the River Witham below the line at the Eastern end where there is a culvert. Song Thrush and Blackbird - two individuals in full song. Fieldfare and Redwing - large flocks of both species travelling west along the line of bushes and trees, apparently ignoring the fallen apples and feeding on berries. Buzzard and Kite Circling overhead. The latter are down in numbers. Seen last year up to a dozen at a time, now in twos or threes. Changes in management of adjacent tip? Woodcock. One flying over to north where woodcock have bred in woodland this year. Pheasant. Oner cockbird is a regular Woodpigeon. Always with us. Yellowhammers. Don't see tham so often now. Once a feature of the line all year. Robin, but no song heard. Dunnock and Wren. These favour an area where trees form a tunnel over the path, with scrub behind. Chaffinch and Blue Tit Very few of either Blackbirds, most notable for their absence. House Sparrows, in areas adjacent to buildings only. Bullfinch. Two seen regularly Greater Spotted Woodpecker. These have nesting holes in a tree on line. Tawny Owl - this is heard regularly on western end of line and was seen one evening from a neighbouring house. Barn Owl - again, seen one evening along line, known to inhabit a purpose built nest box. Jackdaws, Rooks and Crows, mainly inn adjacent fieldsas are mixed flocks of gulls. FLOWERING PLANTS Of note, seedheads of Ploughman's Spikenard and a single flower of Devil's Bit Scabious FERNS As surrounding vegetation clears' but the remains of the distinctive spore capsules remain, this is a good time to check these. Male fern is found throughout and hard fern (Polygonum vulgare) and Harts Tongue fern are found on the walls of Cow Pass Bridge FUNGI Additions to the list this year are Tawny Grisette and Deer Shield - both past their best. LICHENS Ramilina sp. A ball of this fruticose lichen some 8cms across was found rolling about the path. It appears different to R. farinacea found here previously and more resembles a pollution tolerant type which hangs, strap-like from trees.  Awaits identification Peltigera membranacea. This dog lichen once covered a large area of bare ground but is much depleted in recent years. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. Trevorlee - hard bounce - recipient rejected (mailbox locked) bad-mailbox - Address Cleaned. 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..... Mostly local/national: Fly-tipping Christmas crackdown by councils http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38273531 Rescued Cambridgeshire deer discovered to be pregnant http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-38234853 Judge 'right' to jail Twyford ravers over violence http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-38238068 Nottinghamshire pilot who found Bismarck is remembered http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-38262347 Rare tiny creatures found in loch near Kinross http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-38263611 The number of kittiwake gulls on St Kilda has plummeted to the lowest level ever. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-38225653 Video: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-38251686 Make your garden more wildlife and bird friendly through the year: http://www.wildaboutgardens.org.uk/thingstodo/december.aspx? And finally: Skylarks change their tune for frosty dogfight https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/dec/08/sky-larks A time for dinky birds and winter-kings https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/dec/12/praise-wren-resilient-winter-king-country-diary At sundown, the Sussex skies come alive https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/dec/13/sundown-sussex-skies-come-alive-country-diary Mostly global/international: 'Curvy' squirrel Olivio rescued from Munich manhole http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-38252257 Trailer for documentary The Eagle Huntress http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/08/teenage-eagle-huntress-movie-trailer-director-interview/ 'Beautiful' dinosaur tail found preserved in amber http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-38224564 Fossil footprints tell story of human origins http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-38289960 World's oldest known seabird lays and egg at age of 66. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/dec/10/worlds-oldest-known-seabird-lays-an-egg-at-age-of-66 'Smart boulders' record huge underwater avalanche http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-38310108 Methane surge needs 'urgent attention' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-38285300 Ice loss spreads up Antarctic glaciers http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-38256932 Spy satellites reveal Himalayan melt http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-38307176 World's largest reindeer herd plummets http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-38297464 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. ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next month!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/