============================================= || || 25th 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.... *** 'Waes Hael' We wish all readers a Happy Christmas. Warmest thanks to all who have sent in reports, comments, suggestions and news over the year. 2017 Events/activities: If you have any 2017 that need a 'plug', please let me know in good time. This is important with regard to the next week or two, as there may well be an interruption to Bulletins for 8th and 15th. We hope to be moving house at last! Now that Bird Flu has been confirmed in Lincolnshire, why not sign up to "Flu Survey" and play a part in epidemiological research. It is simple to do. http://flusurvey.org.uk/ The data will be used by researchers at Public Health England and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine to monitor flu trends in the UK. This gives me an opportunity to tell you the unofficial motto of the LSHTM. Uniquely unpleasant. "Diarrhoea is our bread and butter." The Woodland Trust's "Tree of the Year" 2017 has been announced. See: https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/tree-of-the-year/ https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/tree-of-the-year/england/ Aidan Neary has send me a link to a film about the LWT's work up at Red Hill Coronation Meadow which aims to encourage land owners and the general public to give meadow-creation a go. http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/meadows I have put in a few more links here, with still more at the end of the Bulletin. Please click. Suggestions for links are always welcome. Bird flu found in turkeys at Louth farm, Defra says http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-38342006 Poultry ban at bird shows and auctions after turkey bird flu outbreak http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38376394 Wildlife worry over animal hospital closure in Lincolnshire http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-38327365 Dorset Wildlife Trust Winter wildlife images http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-15939882 NHM winter gallery features past and present competition finalists. See more at: http://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit/exhibitions/wildlife-photographer-of-the-year-52.html Winning photographs of this year's 2016 National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year competition http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-38288359 New spider species resembles Harry Potter 'Sorting Hat' - Yes, it does! http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-38325099 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 *** Donna Nook Seals *** Rob Scott writes: For interest, the seals at Donna Nook have increased by about 3% this year, with 1956 pups being born. Beach now emptying fast with only a couple of dozen adults and a hundred pups on view from the viewing area at Stonebridge. Beach access and dog restrictions will stay in place until at least the end of first week in January to allow the last few pups to wean without undue disturbance. *** TWO Forecast *** Christmas storm risk? http://www.theweatheroutlook.com/ Storm Barbara is on the way: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/news/releases/2016/storm-barbara-is-on-the-horizon *** 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. *** Bryophyte Surveys *** Steven Heathcote writes: Bryophyte surveys around Lincolnshire. I have been carrying out some bryophyte surveys at a range of Lincolnshire sites as part of the British Bryological Society's Ecology Group project . See: http://rbg-web2.rbge.org.uk/bbs/activities/brecog/brecog.html). The survey involves a series of small quadrats in different bryophyte habitats. I'm visiting a wide range of sites across the county. I would be delighted to have company on any of these forays, for all or part of the day - no prior knowledge required and I have all the necessary equipment, so warm clothes and a hand lens are all you would need to bring. Plans are deliberately kept flexible, mainly because of the weather, but if people would like to join me in the new year then please drop me an email and I will let you know when I plan a visit. steven.heathcote@gmail.com p.s. As an additional plea, arable fields are very under-sampled in the survey across the whole country. If you know of any fields with over-wintering stubble (and a known owner) where access might be arranged for a few hours of survey please do let me know! A species list and short report can be provided to the land owner" *** Scunthorpe Museum Society Indoor Meetings *** www.scunthorpemuseumsociety.btck.co.uk Keith Scarrott writes: The Natural History and Geology Section of the Scunthorpe Museum Society The first meeting for 2017 is on Monday, 9th January when our geology specialist member, Malcolm Fry, will be giving an illustrated talk entitled "The Geology of North West Scotland". He will be talking about the oldest rocks in the UK, two mountain building periods and over 3000 million years of Earth history, as well, of course, of showing us some of the most stunning scenery in the UK. We meet, as usual, in the St Bernadette's Church Parish Centre, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2RS, which is opposite the Priory Hotel on Ashby Road. The meeting starts at 7.15pm and ALL ARE WELCOME. There is no entry charge but a donation bowl is provided. Refreshments are available for a small charge at the mid-talk break. For further details contact Keith Scarrott on 01724 762098. *** 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 Sunday 1st January 2017 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them on a morning bird walk in Cleethorpes. Meet leader Ray Hume at Cleethorpes Discovery Centre at 9am. Please wear suitable outdoor clothing and stout boots and bring binoculars if you have them. This is a free event but donations will be welcomed for the Trust. For further details contact Ray Hume - 01472 320878. *** More Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Events 2016 *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/whats-on *** December Night Sky *** "The Winter Solstice occurs on December 21st at 10:44 UT. Winter officially begins in the Northern Hemisphere...." Paul Money's 'Monthly Night Sky' webpage for December will be found on: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html This link will transmogrify into January 2107 data as we enter the New Year. *** 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/ 16/12 4 Water Pipits flew over Jackson's Marsh, Gibraltar Point 6 Shorelarks near Briskyard Lane car park, 40 Twite, Theddlethorpe St Helen 2 Hen Harriers, 178 Twite, Donna Nook Scaup 1w drk, hen Harrier, Frampton Marsh 2 Snow Buntings, Pywipe 17/12 31 White-fronted Geese on Tennyson's Sands, 2 Lapland Buntings, Snow Bunting, Gibraltar Point 3 Long-eared Owls on island opposite main hide, Deeping Lakes Great White Egret, Deeping High Bank, in field opposite Deeping St Nicholas Black-necked Grebe, Toft Newton Reservoir Long-tailed Duck on River Witham, Woodhall Spa, then flew south 5 Short-eared Owls at midday, Hawthorpe 2 Hen Harriers, 6 Short-eared Owls, 14 Scaup, 2 Long-tailed Ducks, Tetney Marshes 18/12 Scaup 1w drk, 2 Short-eared Owls, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh 4 Short-eared Owls over fields near wood attop of hill, Hawthorpe 94 Twite, Tetney Marshes Snow Bunting, Hen Harrier, 20 Eurasian White-fronted Geese, Gibraltar Point 33 Eurasian White-fronted Geese flew west past Barton-upon-Humber 18 Eurasian White-fronted Geese, Barton-upon-Humber Long-eared Owl on island opposite main hide, Deeping Lakes Bewick's Swans between Wroot and Westwoodside 2 Lapland Buntings between Stonebridge and Pye's Hall, 106 Twite, Short-eared Owl, Donna Nook 19/12 8 Velvet Scoters offshore, Long-tailed Duck flew east, Saltfleetby 19 Eurasian White-fronted Geese, 4 Long-tailed Ducks flew past, f Scaup, Velvet Scoter, Gibraltar Point Iceland Gull in Grimsby Docks briefly imm Iceland Gulls on north side, Cleethorpes 2 Velvet Scoters, Riover Witham mouth near Boston 20/12 Lapland Bunting, 6 Eurasian White-fronted Geese, Long-tailed Duck, 5 Velvet Scoters, Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owl, 90 Twite, Tetney Marshes 2 Bewick's Swans at Alderfen, Wroot 21/12 Snow Bunting at Greenshanks Creek, Great Northern Diver, male Hen Harrier, Gibraltar Point 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. WOOLSTHORPE SK 92/24 Jane Ostler 17th December 2016 A number of people reported unusual activities in their gardens on this exceptionaly mild day MAMMALS A stoat crossed from Woolsthorpe Line into a garden, thought to be chasing a rabbit out in daytime. A young hedgehog was fed and found a place to hibernate before nightfall. Fox heard calling during night. BIRDS One householder awoken by the clamour of hundreds of jackdaws, circling weaving and diving towards the garden pond. Not distracted by her presence she found two locked in battle, eyes being pecked, necks all bloodied, claws grasping each other's bodies, with the other jackdws circling and diving towards them as if egging them on. Shoed off (one with an injured wing) other jackdaws following them. A battle for dominance? Tawny owl heard from Line after some time of it seeming silent. Greater Spotted Woodpeckers regular visitors to gardens. Several birds in full song reported - mainly song thrush and blackbird. INVERTEBRATES A cluster of commmon wasps discovered in woodpile after one flew out from a bucket of logs brought into house. 7-spot ladybirds crawled out of bush into sunshine. Report of a 'yellow butterfly' might have been a floating leaf rather than a Brimstone. Eristalsis tenax, hoverfly on a window ledge. PLANTS Everywhere there is comment on the number of flowers still surviving into the winter. In addition one report of snowdrops out and the Oregon grapes have spectacular candles of flowers which the blue tits and sparrows are so far leaving alone. A holly bush, much admired for its numerous berries was stripped during the day by fieldfares. FUNGI No reports of Velvet Shank yet which seeem to require frost before the yellow mushrooms appear on tree stumps, but several lots of peel fungi. One from own garden identified as Bleach Cup (Disciotes venosa) which usually appears here in the spring. *** 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. BOSTON 20/12/2016 Kath Pearson A Red Necked Grebe was seen in the river near Boston. EAST HALTON SKITTER to GOXHILL HAVEN (and return) (Grid reference TA1423 to TA1225) 18/12/16 Jon Drakes, Tracey Smith and Mike Wilson Noted whilst carrying out the monthly WeBS count were: Bar-headed Goose 2 - feeding with Pink-fotted Geese in a filed of winter wheta Blackbird Black-Headed Gull Blue Tit Carrion Crow Curlew 161 Dunlin 420 Dunnock Fieldfare Goldeneye 24 Great Blackback Gull 4 Great Tit Grey Heron 1 Grey Plover 1 Herring Gull Kestrel 1 Lapwing 351 Little Egret 1 Little Grebe 1 Longtail Tit Magpie Mallard 24 Marsh Harrier 2 Meadow Pipit 1 Mute Swan 3 Pheasant Pink-footed Goose 2000 (approx) - feeding in field of winter wheat. Redshank 12 Redwing 7 Reed Bunting 4 Rock Pipit 1 Shelduck 4 Snipe 4 Starling Turnstone 29 White-fronted Goose 9 - feeding in field of winter wheat. Wigeon 9 Woodpigeon Yellowhammer Roe Deer 3 HOLYWELL LAKE Ian Misselbrook Holywell Lake 19th December 2016 1120 -1230 Little Grebe 10 Black swan 1 Greylag Geese 22 Canada Geese 36 Mallard 145 Gadwall 25 Wigeon 33 Teal 2 Tufted Duck 16 Coot 11 Moorhen 21 Black-headed Gulls 34 Red Kite 1 Grey Wagtail 1 Pied wagtail 1 Dunnocks Wren Robin Blackbird Song Thrush Fieldfares C 30 Redwings 18 Wood pigeons Great Tits Blue Tits Coal Tits Long-tailed Tits Starlings Jackdaws Rook Carrion Crow Chaffinches Goldfinches Siskins 12 Grey Squirrels 2 KEELBY (Grid reference TA1610) 17/12/2016 Jon Drakes Species recorded whilst carrying out the weekly Garden Birdwatch for the BTO in our back garden were: Blackbird 1 Collared Dove 4 Robin 1 House Sparrow 20 Starling 4 Jackdaw 1 Greenfinh 2 Great Tit 1 Goldfinch 1 Tree Sparrow 3 Dunnock 4 Chaffinch 1 Wren 1 Woodpigeon 1 A skein of 30 Pink-footed Geese was also seen flying over in a North Easterly direction. KIRKBY-ON-BAIN pits - starling murmurations Hide pit - viewed from footpath opposite road to landfill site. R & A Parsons 18 Dec 2016 15.40 to 16.10hrs - good views of large starling murmuration. 20 Dec 2016 15.40 to 16.10hrs - even better views of large starling murmuration. See: Starlings at Kirkby on Bain - the excellent 2014 video by David Robinson. https://www.flickr.com/photos/poppops/11685708555/ THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 12/12/16 Barn Owl x 1 01:35hrs Blackbird x 2 Black-headed Gull x 2 Common Buzzard x 1 being mobbed by Kestrel Fieldfare x 52 Redwing x 7 Starling x 35 Tree Sparrow x 27 Wood Pigeon x 12 Wood Mouse x 1 Stag Beetle x 1 female, 1 Larvae in rotting log pile. 14/12/16 Common Buzzard x 1 Kestrel x 1 Moorhen x 5 Mute Swan x 11 Stoat x 1 SK795977 WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 15/12/2016 Buzzard in orchard 15.00hrs for about 15 minutes. 17/12 f Sparrowhawk by entrance to our car park - 9am. 20-25 fieldfares in orchard Winter moth m, Operophtera brumata, 2 on kitchen window - 8pm. 20/12/2016 Barn Owl hunting along Hurnbridge Road 4.30pm. 21/12 50+ Fieldfares feeding in orchard. WILLOW TREE FEN TF181213 Phil Huggins 21 December 2015 12 Bewick's Swans ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 National Nature Reserve Wildlife News Week ending 21st December 2016 Nige Lounds, Cliff Morrison, Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker & Rob Lidstone-Scott 14th - Lapwing 70+ and a single golden plover flying high SW over Paradise lagoon on which were another flock of lapwing 49, shoveler 15, curlew 3, shelduck 1, teal 90, black-headed gull 110 & common gull 30. Little egret 40 on the saltmarsh. Common scoter 150, velvet scoter 12 and red-throated diver 2 were on the sea. Golden plover 190 flew south and pink-feet 42 flew north. A pair of stonechat were south of CB and twite 40 were between CB and BYL. Tree sparrow 2 and a goldcrest were also seen 16th - Little egret 40 on saltmarsh and on nearby pasture at Elm House Farm were pink-feet 205, short-eared owl 3, stonechat 2, teal 12, heron 1 and curlew 22 flying east. 17th - WeBS section Theddlethorpe to Saltfleetby interesting observations black-tailed godwit 5, curlew 53, dunlin 202, hen harrier 1, knot 330, lapwing 2, little egret 41, oystercatcher 66, pink-footed goose 210, redshank 120, short-eared owl 1, shoveler 25, snipe 4, teal 110, twite 14, whooper Swan 9 & wigeon 220. WeBs section Theddlethorpe to Mablethorpe: curlew 378, pink-foot geese 84, dunlin c.380, red-breasted merganser 2, re-throated diver 8, lapwing 8, skylark c.30, sanderling 53, cormorant 33, hen harrier 1 male, barn owl 1 & short-eared owl 1. 19th - Pink-feet 59 south, lapwing 200 + 80 flying high southeast and 34 northeast plus 9 on Paradise lagoon; mistle thrush 2, song thrush 1, redwing 1, blackbird 15+, plus dunnock, wren and robin in sub-song all in the Sea View area. Pink-feet and whoopers heard calling and flying over after dusk at SV. On the sea were common scoter 150, velvet scoter 8, great-crested grebe 3, a drake eider and red-throated diver 4. A short-eared owl was around the Haven. A long-tailed duck and pink-feet 290 flew south and red-throated diver 28 flew north. A peregrine, a common buzzard, tree sparrow 4 and shore lark 2 were also seen. There was a lot of activity at dusk on the 19th December in the Brickyard Lane area, with over 200 pink-footed geese constantly calling as they came over to roost on the outer sand flats, closely followed by loudly calling whooper swans, but by this time it was too dark to see them. At the same time, a pair of little owls were calling in the dunes and adjacent grass field, whilst a tawny owl began calling from the mature hawthorns and 3 woodcock could just be made out as they left the shelter of the ground below the buckthorn to begin their nightly forays, so a very lively few minutes. Whilst it's good to have tawny owls on the coast, and this bird had been around for a week or so, it's always preferable to hear them calling a kilometre away from the village stronghold, because barn owls occupy a box in a building backing onto the reserve and the heavier tawny don't tolerate the more delicate barn owls. 20th - Pink-feet 23 flying northeast. Water rail in ditch at SV. A pair of stonechat at Rimac. Whilst the geese come into roost just after dusk, or even later on moonlit nights, they don't usually leave so early in the morning and on the 20th at around 0830hrs, the pink- feets were leaving the beach in small groups to feed in the local fields. Curlews flew southwards along the beach at dawn, from their roost in the Rimac area and settled for a short while before also departing for the fields. This morning, there were over 250 birds on the beach, when they began calling together in separate groups of up to 30 or so birds as they prepared to fly off low over the dunes. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 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 *** 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 *** 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 *** 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 Bursaries: 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails This Week *** If you recognise the owner of a 'part-address' below, please let them know that their their Bulletin has 'bounced' this week. A collection of "hard bounces" this week - addresses "cleaned": bernard fox - This user doesn't have a btinternet.com account car thwaite - This user doesn't have a btinternet.com account g annibal - This user doesn't have a talk21.com account graham weaver - recipient's mailbox is full and can't accept messages now ian mollart - This user doesn't have a talk21.com account knot a redshank - This user doesn't have a btinternet.com account l phillips - This user doesn't have a btinternet.com account margaret fyfe - This user doesn't have a btinternet.com account martin england - This user doesn't have a btinternet.com account norfolk hawker - This user doesn't have a btinternet.com account wild homes - This user doesn't have a btinternet.com account 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: Boston town centre Christmas lights branded 'dismal' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-38313588 Sir Joseph Banks glasshouse rebuilt at Woodside Wildlife Park http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-38339672 Light pollution dampens urban robins' song http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-38317255 Community group buys historic Loch Arkaig Forest http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-38383461 Top 10 group walks for winter in the UK - walk off that Christmas Dinner. https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2016/dec/14/top-10-group-walks-guided-walking-festivals-uk? The Guardian on Science + Christmas https://www.theguardian.com/science/science+lifeandstyle/christmas £1.8bn earmarked for Thames Estuary flood defences http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-38343063 Mostly global/international: First pots for plant cooking found http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-38366109 Australian woman finds snake curled up in Christmas tree http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-38337823 Road-free areas need better protection, study says http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-38319637 World's hottest borehole nearly complete http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-38296251 New marine life found in deep sea vents http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-38305989 Earth’s driest desert once had lakes http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-38330526 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/