============================================= || || 28th February 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 1100 people and we are keen to encourage even more readers to subscribe. If you know someone who would like to receive the Bulletin please send them this link so they can sign up for it: http://www.lnu.org/wildnews.php Text versions of past Wildnews Bulletins since Feb 2009 are available on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Note: Each address contains the relevant date. Views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union or any associated organisations. Reports here are open and are available to county recorders of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. Please contact the Editor to contribute articles or reports. E-mail: rparsons@enterprise.net [A backup e-mail address you can use if ever you experience problems with my "Enterprise" address is: aintree2@yahoo.co.uk ] ============================================ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. Readers hints, tips and requests ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** From the Editor.... *** Thank you for your many interesting contributions this week. "March comes in like a lion..." begins the traditional saying. See: http://www.theweatheroutlook.com/twoother/twocontent.aspx?type=hpnews&id=3077&title=Spring+2016+news It is the LNU AGM on Saturday, March 05, and LNU Members will have received the AGM calling notice and papers. We hope many will be able to attend and enjoy Mark Schofield's Presidential Address: “Better Connected - Can our road networks serve as super-highways for wildlife?” An extra http tag messsed up the Water Shrew link last Bulletin. Here it is again for you - I hope: http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/feb/16/country-diary-blackwater-carr-norfolk-crome-water-shrew Sad to say, I overlooked 'World Pangolin Day' on 20 February. Beautiful creatures. I will try to remember to include it on time next year. http://www.discoverwildlife.com/news/standing-pangolins? It is worrying to read of snared otters being found in Tetford. See: 'Wildlife police puzzled by dead otter find in Tetford' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-35640200 Anyone with information that might help with this investigation can contact Nick Willey using the contact details in section 8. Paul Money's 'Monthly Night Sky' for February can be found on the link below and I expect it to mutate into the 'Monthly Night Sky for March' in a day or two: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html Please keep the reports and news coming and please tell others about the Bulletin. If you find a contribution especially interersting of useful, please let us know. [The 'forward to a friend' link is at the end of the Bulletin. Please do try it.] Roger *** LNU Events - list in section 11 below - guests welcome *** Section 11 now incluced the LNU Field Meetings for 2016. To check on the details, especially if weather suggests a possible cancellation, visit: http://lnu.org/events.php Unless otherwise stated, Indoor Meetings are held on Saturdays at the Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park, Moor Lane, Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln and start at 2pm. Saturday, March 05, 2016 AGM & Presidential Address AGM, Followed by the Presidential Address by Mark Schofield “Better Connected - Can our road networks serve as super- highways for wildlife?” *** Any Frogspawn Yet? *** Froglife's Frequently Asked Questions about frogspawn can be found here: http://www.froglife.org/info-advice/spawn-tadpoles-larvae/ Amphibian and Reptile reports may be sent to: Ashley Butterfield learningoutdoors@btinternet.com or tel 07864967057 or You can input reptile and amphibian data at: http://www.recordpool.org.uk/ Ashley adds: Please remember, common species are just as important as rarer species, so please give it a go. *** Wildlife in Trouble? A really useful LWT list of contacts. *** Care of Sick or Injured Animals - information on LWT website http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/sick-and-injured-animals ***On the inside of the stranded sperm whales *** Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme http://blog.nhm.ac.uk/2016/02/02/on-the-inside-of-the-stranded-sperm-whales-cetacean-strandings-investigation-programme/ *** Volunteers wanted for oil beetle survey *** Charlie Barnes writes: Last year a second population of oil beetles were found in Lincolnshire, on the sea banks of the Wash. Their presence on the banks suggests a relatively recent population and poses the question of how widely distributed they are in the area. To ascertain this I'm looking for volunteers to assist in an oil beetle hunt. Survey routes have been drawn up on public footpaths on the banks surrounding the Wash, ranging in length from 2 to 8 miles. Based on records from the only other Lincolnshire site, surveys will be best carried out in March and April. No previous experience is needed! Oil beetles are large, conspicuous and easy to recognize, and if there is any doubt a photo confirms the identification. There are some excellent photos and information on the Sherwood population in neighbouring Nottinghamshire at http://www.eakringbirds.com/eakringbirds4/meloeproscarabaeus.htm If you're interested in taking part - or regularly walk along the sea banks - get in touch for further details: charlie@cucaera.co.uk Charlie Barnes Lincolnshire recorder for beetles charlie@cucaera.co.uk *** Lincolnshire Environmental Awards 2016 *** The closing date for entries is 31st March 2016. It is an easy application process. For more information, see: http://www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk/ *** The Plastic Challenge. Could you do it? *** Giving up single use plastics, whilst raising money to fight plastic litter. A day, a week, a month - how long can you last? 1st - 30th June 2016 Wherever you are! Be part of the community @mcsuk and#plasticchallenge We have a vision of a world where plastics don't end up in our seas and on our beaches, where they persist and impact our marine life. https://www.mcsuk.org/plasticchallenge/? *** Hedgehog Street petition *** Hedgehog Street writes: 'The hedgehog is currently listed on schedule 6 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act. Adding it to schedule 5 will confer more protection to hedgehog habitat. The most direct benefit of this will probably be that developers will have to consider hedgehogs when they build. We need 100 thousand signatures by August 11th to ensure this is discussed in Parliament. Thank you.' https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/121264 *** Political Decisions *** The LNU is not a lobbying organisation, and members probably hold a wide range of political views. However, we now know we shall be faced with a referendum on whether on not to remain in the EU. A question for us all, therefore, is which option will be best for the UK's wildlife and wild places? I am not going to try to host a debate in the Bulletin, but if you find a lucid, well-put article that might interest readers, do feel free to send it to me. *** Bat Reminder *** Annette Faulkner writes: Could I ask readers to keep their eyes open and let me know of any bats they see flying, either during the day or at dusk, between now and mid March (when they emerge from hibernation)? If you find a grounded one please phone 01775 766286 as soon as you have securely boxed up the bat (wear gloves or use a cloth to scoop it up), and we will take it into care. Also see: http://www.lincsbatgroup.co.uk/ *** Water Vole Book Launch *** Julia Smith writes: 'In The Water Vole, Christine Gregory, author of Brown Hares in the Derbyshire Dales and A River in Time, tells the story of the water vole, past, present and future, principally through its history in the waterways of Derbyshire.' Sample pages: https://issuu.com/vertebratepublishing/docs/the_water_vole_issuu See: http://www.derbyshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/shop/water-vole use the code DWT30 for 10% off - every time it’s used, Vertebrate Publishing will make a donation to Derbyshire Wildlife Trust. http://www.v-publishing.co.uk/books/categories/wildlife-photography-and-outdoors/the-water-vole.html [Editor adds: If anyone has bought this, you are welcome to do us a short review.] *** British Wildlife Quiz *** From BBC Wildlife Magazine's website: Spring-clean your brain with this quiz on our native wildlife http://www.discoverwildlife.com/quiz/british-wildlife-quiz *** Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project *** William Bartle writes: We've got 2 practical volunteer days coming up: Wednesday 9th March - 10am - 3pm - Owmby - Working on Owmby beck, clearing bankside vegetation to allow light into the stream. Thursday 24th March - 10am - 3pm - Brigsley - Working on a previous project on the Waithe beck, helping to maintain flow. Please contact: william.bartle@lincolnshire.gov.uk or call 01507 609740 for more information There's also information on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LincolnshireChalkStreams/events# *** Lincoln Freshwater Watch Volunteers needed - Can You Help? *** Marie Taylor writes: This is an opportunity to become those “eyes and ears” on the ground helping to protect and improve the water landscape of Lincoln as part of a worldwide project called Freshwater Watch, where you have an opportunity to submit your results into an online database. https://freshwaterwatch.thewaterhub.org/ What we need: · 15 volunteer groups based in Lincoln that have a connection to/or an interest in water quality to become better pollution incident reporters. · This support to be a part of the volunteer groups use or activities on or near the water. (e.g Canoe clubs, CRT boat operatives, walking clubs, boating groups, etc). If you interested or are aware of any groups that would be interested in this exciting addition to their use of the waterways in Lincoln please contact Marie. She would like to have this in place before the end of March. Marie Taylor Project Officer Lincolnshire Rivers Trust Email: marie.taylor@lincsrivers.org.uk Phone: 07895423983 [Please Note I only work on a part time basis (Mon-Weds). ] Website: http://lincsrivers.co.uk/ *** Scunthorpe Museum Society *** The Natural History and Geology Section of the Scunthorpe Museum Society. Monday, 14th March, is the date of the next meeting, starting at 7.15pm as usual. Allan and Susan Parker of ASPphoto Images of Nature will be giving us their illustrated talk "Shetlands Revisited". As well as birds and their habitats, the talk will include other wildlife and also scenery of the Shetlands. The talk will take place in the St. Bernadette's Parish Hall on Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN12 2RS. (Opposite the Priory Hotel.) 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. There is a large free car park in the Church grounds. For more information ring Keith Scarrott on 01724 762098 or visit the website www.scunthorpemuseumsociety.btck.co.uk *** Barton LWT *** Adrian White writes: Barton Area Group of the LWT is now on Facebook; https://www.facebook.com/LWT.Barton.Group *** More Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Events 2015 *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/whats-on *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch *** http://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html *** RSPB *** Lincoln RSPB http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ South Lincs RSPB http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire *** Find the Grid Reference - always useful *** Chris Manning recommended the following websites to help find grid references. Grab a Grid Reference http://www.bnhs.co.uk/focuson/grabagridref/html/index.htm UK Grid Reference Finder: http://www.gridreferencefinder.com/ Don't forget to scroll down to "And finally ....." There should be something for everyone. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ 19/2 Short-eared Owl, 6 Lapland Buntings in outer dunes, Rimac Bittern, Kirkby-on-Bain 15 Snow Buntings in dunce by Buck Beck, Cleethorpes. Pale-bellied Brent Goose ad with 1,651 Dark-bellied Brent Geese onTennyson's Sands, Gibraltar Point 3 Eurasian White-fronted Geese ads on Tennyson's Sands, Red-necked Grebe flew south past, then landed in The Wash, Gibraltar Point Scaup 1w drk, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh 2 Lapland Buntings at realignment, Water Pipit, Short-eared Owl, 17 Twite, Donna Nook 20/2 Short-eared Owl at South Common, Lincoln Scaup 1w drk, 3 Hen Harriers - 2 males, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Bittern, Frampton Marsh Great White Egret, in dyke near cycle path, Skellingthorpe, between Lincoln Road and Pywipe pub Slavonian Grebe, Cleethorpes Country Park Slavonian Grebe, Toft Newton reservoir. 21/2 20 Snow Buntings, between leisure centre and Buck Beck car park, Shorelark, Cleethorpes Slavonian Grebe, Cleethorpes Country Park Scaup 1w drk, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh Hen Harrier ringtail, Alkborough Flats 22/2 5 Lapland Buntings, 6 Water Pipits, Rimac 3 Eurasian White-fronted Geese ads on Croft Marsh with Pink- footed Geese, Gibraltar Point 23/2 Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point Probable Black Brant with Dark-bellied Brent Geese, Frampton Marsh 2 Short-eared Owls, South Common, Lincoln 24/2 Short-eared Owl between Aby and Ailby, NW of Alford Water Pipit, Donna Nook 25/2 Short-eared Owl from Wash Viewpoint, Gibraltar Point 2 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh Note: I am adapting RBA pager information for the Bulletin by eliminating or summarising/consolidating repeated messages. When there is a lot of information I will stick to highlights. Please visit the RBA website for updates or fuller details. Rare Bird Alert website: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ Here you can register free to use the site and get free trials of their subscription services. [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. NOCTON Jerry Gunner writes: Nocton Garden mid-February 2016 We've got some visitors and some returnees. For about six weeks, maybe more, the resident charm of goldfinches, around 24 in number, has been noticeable by its absence. This was good and bad. Bad because I missed their colourful twittering presence and good because it saved me a fortune in niger seed. But they are starting to come back and we usually have a dozen or so on or around the feeders. Our inept young male sparrowhawk hasn't caught my eye for a month or more but a much more successful female of the breed has made a couple of appearances. At the back of the house, away from the village as it were, the siskins that usually visit in the winter have made their temporary headquarters in a conifer. This year I have not seen them on the feeders which are in the front garden. Neither have I seen in the front garden any of the goldcrests which are always in evidence on the trees and shrubs lining the drive and in the back garden. In years past they have spent a lot of time in the jasmine by the TV room window, even tapping on it with their beaks on occasion. They are so close that a camera with a 50mm lens has to be held back from the window to get them all in! On Saturday February 20 I was astounded to see a male brambling on the feeder with the sunflower hearts in it. I think there were two pairs in the front garden. I'm certain there were two different males and at least one female. I was out all day on Sunday but there was a male on the feeder briefly yesterday (Monday 22) afternoon and I watched it or another spending a lot of time helping itself to pea- nuts from a squirrel-damaged feeder. I know they are a relatively common winter visitor but I don't remember seeing one in Lincolnshire in the last 20 years, and I usually walk at least five miles a day across well bird-populated farm land with the dogs. It's now 1545 on Tuesday and although I haven't been looking out all day I haven't seen one again, maybe they're off on their journey north. We have marsh tits in the bushes down by the beck at the end of the garden but I haven't seen one up by the house, just lots of blue, great, long-tailed and the much less common coal. Mallards are pairing up all along the beck in Wellhead Lane and we have several in the garden. For the last two years they have nested in the veg patch in our back garden which is a long waddle, about 150 yards, from the beck. Last night at dusk I saw a couple of hares chasing each other around the back garden. I have seen up to five 'playing trains' like this in the past - following each other in a chain. A tad early there I think. On our walks we've notice a lot more buzzards (they used to be very uncommon when we moved here 20 years ago) and a kingfisher is a regular on 'our' bit of the Carr Dyke. The woods at Potterhanworth seem to have a lot more nuthatches and marsh or willow tits than usual; I suspect the mild weather means more have survived the winter. Another advantage of the relative warmth is that the house doesn't seem to have been subject to the usual winter influx of mice and voles from the fields - which is good! p.s. Photographed a Brambling m on nyjer feeder just after report was completed! *** County Wildlife Reports From Readers *** Please keep your reports coming. We rely on you to send in your observations and we welcome information from ALL readers, be they beginners or experts. Thanks. DON'T FORGET Please include the year in your reports in case they are copied and thus lose their context. EAST HALTON SKITTER to GOXHILL HAVEN (and return) (Grid reference TA 1423 to TA1225) 21/2/2016 Jon Drakes The following species were recorded whilst undertaking the monthly WeBS count for the BTO on a rather wet and blustery morning: Black Tailed Godwit 10 Blackbird Black-Headed Gull Carrion Crow Chaffinch 1 Coot 1 Cormorant 1 Curlew 233 Dunlin 69 Great Blackback Gull 10 Grey Heron 1 Herring Gull Lapwing 533 Little Egret 4 Magpie Mallard 206 Marsh Harrier 1 Meadow Pipit 1 Mute Swan 4 Pheasant 4 Redshank 22 Reed Bunting 6 Ringed Plover 4 Shelduck 5 Skylark 1 Starling 50 Turnstone 20 Wigeon 51 Woodpigeon Wren 2 HORKSTOW Jenny Haynes 21 February 2016 I was woken the other day by the dulcet tones of a song thrush. It's been in my garden every day since then. Lovely to hear. HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden unless advised otherwise) 19/2/2016 Chaffinch 1 (female) Sparrowhawk 1 21/2/2016 Chaffinch 2 Woodmice 2 23/2/2016 Bluetits 2 (trying out boxes for size) Buzzard 1 (TF515767) Chaffinch 2 Great tits 2 Rabbit 1 Songthrush 2 (one seen and heard in garden; one heard TF531765) Squirrel 1 Starling 1 Wren 1 24/3/2016 Bluetits 2 Rabbit 1 Starling 2 KEELBY (Grid reference TA 1610) 18/2/2016 Jon Drakes A nice sighting made during my late afternoon drive home from work was a Barn Owl hunting and then perched on a gate post adjacent to the road from Little London to Keelby on the edge of Keelby village. KEELBY (Grid reference TA 1610) 20/2/2016 Jon Drakes The following species were noted whilst carrying out the weekly BTO Garden Birdwatch in our back garden: Collared Dove 2 Starling 20 Blackbird 3 Dunnock 3 House Sparrow 30 Chaffinch 1 Siskin 1 Wren 1 Long-tail Tit 1 Robin 1 Goldfinch 2 Greenfinch 2 The Siskin was a nice surprise and is the first example in 3 years to be recorded in our garden. SUTTON ST JAMES Jonathan Bye Sutton St James garden - TF40656 19695 I saw frogs active in my pond two weeks ago but 2016's first frogspawn was spotted today, 24th February. (Last year's first sighting was 14th March but similarly deposited in a water-filled "Mexican hat" pig feeder, rather than the pond.) TATTERSHALL THORPE LAKES TF212566 M&R Pocklington 19.02.2016 2 Avocets flying and calling THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 21/02/16 Barn Owl x 1 23/02/16 Blackbird x 4 Black Headed Gull x 38 Chaffinch x 2 Common Buzzard x 1 Dunnock x 2 Kestrel x 1 Little Owl x 2 calling 23:00hrs Mute Swan x 2 Red Legged Partridge x 2 Robin x 1 Rook x 18 24/02/16 Barn Owl x 2 Blackbird x 2 Black Headed Gull 152 Dunnock x 1 Jackdaw x 1 Mute Swan x 3 Robin x 1 Rook x 52 Stock Dove x 2 Tree Sparrow x 21 Wood Pigeon x 2 Rabbit x 2 fresh molehills at SK07992 Elder leaves well out WAINFLEET CONSERVATION PONDS 19/02/2016 Roy Pearson and Brian Shaw First record for the site of a single Long-eared Owl. WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 19/2 17.45hrs TF216539 Barn owl perched in hedge along Hurnbridge Road 20/2 Common Shrew adult - the second trapped in Apple shed - teeth in a raisin in a nipper trap. Tawny owl pellet collected near regular perch. Much mole activity in garden 22.2 Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming in garden. 23/2 12 Fieldfares still feeding in orchard. Buzzard flew over fen at approx 11am. 25/2 Tawny owl giving "warning hoots" in garden - 06.00hrs. 12+ Fieldfares on the last of the windfalls. WOOLSTHORPE BY COLSTERWORTH SK922224 Jane Ostler Wk Bgn 15/2/16 Garden Collared Doves -2 very scraggy looking squabs have hatched Song Thrush in full song Blue Tit has occupied bird box Blackbirds and house sparrows collecting nesting material Jackday courting another on roof ridge, then chasing off another male Buff-tailed bumble bee out feeding every sunny day between 11a.m. and 3p.m. (not prospecting for nest site yet. where is she sleeping?) Hairy footed flower fly (A.plumipes) A single male sunning and on winter honeysuckle. Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly - only out on warmest day. WRANGLE COMMON 23/02/2016 Roy and Kath Pearson A BTO BirdTrack count today yielded 27 species. Of especial interest were Gadwall (3), Snipe (5), Teal (11), Mallard (21), Skylark (3), Meadow Pipit (2) and singles of Goldcrest, Fieldfare and Buzzard. Curlew, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Green Woodpecker were heard, but not seen. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Donna Nook monthly Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) February 19th-21st Contributors, Steve Lorand and Cliff Morrison The Donna Nook NNR stretches from Pye's Hall (not the managed realignment) down to Saltfleet Haven and covers salt marsh, sands flat and the near sea, whilst for the Webs, the area is split into 3 sectors. A duck species not commonly recorded was Gadwall, where 17 were counted across the area. Good numbers were also recorded on the Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe NNR as well during this period. For this count, the majority of the 660 Brent Geese and 240 Shelduck were to be found at the south end on the saltmarsh to the north of Saltfleet, a quiet and relatively undisturbed area. Over 300 Lapwing were also to be found feeding in the same area, with a further 300 at Donna Nook. Out on the mudflats, the most common wader was Dunlin, with 530 at Donna Nook and 990 at Saltfleet, making this the most numerous species to be recorded on the Webs, followed by the 600 Lapwing, mentioned above, 400 Golden Plover, 300 Knot, again mainly towards Saltfleet, 200 Redshank, 270 Knot, 180 Curlew, 100 Oystercatchers and 61 Grey Plovers. 8 Ringed Plovers, 6 Sanderling and a single Turnstone were also counted along with only 7 Little Egrets. Most of the egrets seem to be feeding at Rimac this winter, where up to 60 are regularly counted. The sea and shore north of Saltfleet was particularly interesting this period, where a flock of 270 Cormorants could be seen standing in company with a couple of hundred Grey Seals. When viewed by telescope from a mile away, many of the 'Continental' adult birds were showing very brightly marked white breeding plumage necks and heads, whilst the immatures were showing white bellies and the sight brought a flash back a flash back to S. Georgia shorelines, where King Penguins could be seen standing in company with Elephant Seals. Slightly different size scale, but both impressive sight and one without the need to travel long distances. On the sea, in the same area, were 38 Great-crested Grebes, mostly in summer breeding plumage, along with 3 Slavonian Grebes, which were still in winter plumage. Clearly a movement of grebes underway over this period and it can be noted that 43 Great-crested Grebes were also seen further south off Crook Bank in the S-T NNR report. Were they the same birds? Also of note were 470 Skylarks counted across the area. This is a major wintering area for this species and the true number must be significantly higher, given that much of the saltmarsh is not counted. Kestrel, Peregrine and Buzzard were also noted. Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe NNR Notes 17th-24th February 2016: Contributors, Nige Lound, Janet and Peter Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison Despite the rather pleasant calm, cold and frosty sunny conditions towards the latter few days of the period, a high temperature of 14.5°C was still managed at the start of the period. The mild winter has meant that rabbits have managed to survive well and they are now more common than for several years at this time, so that an explosion in numbers can be anticipated come the spring. It's always possible to observe a few black rabbits, particularly between Churchill Lane and Crook Bank, these presumably being from the time when commercial warrens were managed along the coast. A very high north flying adult male Marsh Harrier was seen by chance at Brickyard Lane on the 24th, whilst there was a sub adult male over the marsh at Rimac on 21st with a couple of other birds in the area as well, so inward spring migration is underway now. To add to these birds, there were also 2 brown Hen Harriers and a grey adult male during the week, which will be wintering birds. With a Merlin, a Peregrine, Kestrels, Sparrow Hawks, 2 Short-eard Owls and resident Barn, Tawny and Little Owls, the birds of prey continue to be well represented. Up to 750 Pink-footed Geese, along with 52 Whooper Swans continue to feed in the local fields, coming into roost, often after dark, particularly during the moonlit nights this period. Gadwall have increased in the Rimac/Paradise pools areas during the period, with as many as 17 being counted, whilst up to 52 Shoveler, 60 each of Wigeon and Teal along with 2 Pintail are to be seen in the area as well, so it has been a good winter for wildfowl. Up to 250 Wigeon are also to be seen across the fields. Out to sea, ducks, grebes and divers have also been much in evidence, with as many as 388 Red-throated Divers, 48 Great-Crested Grebes, 4 Eider, 40 Common Scoter and 2 Velvet Scoters and 4 Guillemots. Over 50 Cormorants are based out from Rimac and can be seen making fishing sorties all along the coast. Whilst it' assumed that the divers are relocating northwards after the high tides, with such high counts of this species and of the grebes there must also be return migration involved as well. Around 90 Twite are still feeding on the beach, but are now roaming over wider areas and can be accompanied by a flock of 40 Linnets up to 15 Snow Buntings. 6 Lapland Buntings on the outer marsh at Rimac is an increase from the odd bird during most of the winter. Other passerines of note include a count of 40 Skylarks on the saltmarsh, 2 Stonechats at Rimac and a Grey Wagtail at the haven. Waders have included 2 Jack Snipe on the outer marsh, up to 400 wintering/roosting Curlew, 250 Dunlin, 30 Sanderling and 23 Knot, whilst 6 Ringed Plovers are the first noted for some time. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. BARDNEY LIMEWOODS NNR http://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/visit/woods-and-nature-reserves/127031.article http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/events/2014/07/07/visit-dormouse-project 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. 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 LWT Reserves: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/what-we-do/living-landscapes http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Reports always welcome. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 usually 'goes to bed' on Fridays. Please e-mail in contributions as early as possible to ensure they are included, to: rparsons@enterprise.net [A backup e-mail address you can use if ever you experience problems with my "Enterprise" address is: aintree2@yahoo.co.uk ] When sending in reports please follow this layout to save re-editing: Place Name: IN CAPITALS with Grid Reference if you have it. Your Name: Real names please, not aliases. Put it in each time, for each location Date: Species list [Alphabetical?] & numbers [and observations?] e.g. Blackbird - 24 [And please, no home-grown abbreviations. Species Names in full.] *** Find the Grid Reference *** Chris Manning recommended the following websites to help find grid references. Grab a Grid Reference http://www.bnhs.co.uk/focuson/grabagridref/html/index.htm UK Grid Reference Finder: http://www.gridreferencefinder.com/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 8. Contact Information & Useful Websites ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please let me know ASAP if any of these weblinks fail! *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Website *** A full list of LNU Country Recorders is given here. http://www.lnu.org/ LNU e-mail: info@lnu.org If you are not yet a member, the LNU needs good naturalists like you! Anyone interested can get membership application forms from Wilma Gammon at the Lincs Wildlife Trust office, e-mail wgammon@lincstrust.co.uk or from the website: http://www.lnu.org/join.php LNU publications [listed on LNU website] may be ordered via: Ian Macalpine-Leny http://lnu.org/publications.php ian@macalpine-leny.co.uk *** CONTACTS LIST *** *** 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 No hotlinks in this section, just copy and paste URLs, please. *** EasyTide *** Check tide times on Admiralty EasyTide: http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx *** Local Tide Tables *** Here is a useful-looking website where you can order local tide tables. Well worth bookmarking. Everyone who uses the coast ought to have local tide tables handy. £1.50 + p&p. https://www.tidetimes.org.uk/ *** TWO - The Weather Outlook *** Check the weather forecast for the location or postcode: http://www.theweatheroutlook.com/ *** Met Office E-mail Service *** Be warned of the possibility of severe weather. The Met Office website now offers an e-mail notification service for severe weather and other matters which may interest readers. Worth having a look and signing up. See: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/guide-to-emails *** Environment Agency Flood Information/Floodline *** http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/default.aspx SPECIES IDENTIFICATION AND RECORDING Copy and paste URLs as necessary, please. Not all are "live". *** Videos and photos - additions welcome *** Starlings at Kirkby on Bain - the excellent 2014 video by David Robinson. http://www.flickr.com/photos/poppops/11685708555/ David sent in another fine video of a starling murmuration in January [2016] at Kirkby on Bain gravel pits - LWT's Hide Pit. https://flic.kr/p/BT6HMp Adrian Royle's superb Flickr photo-site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/adiroyle/collections/72157624803742908/ Colin Green has produced the following video about visiting Southrey Wood in Oct 2012. Well worth a look. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1SpBvd9Ib0 *** Identifying Fungi *** http://www.rogersmushrooms.com/ *** What's That Butterfly? *** http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/index.php http://butterfly-conservation.org/ What's That Caterpillar? http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/species_family.php?name=all&stage=larva *** Identifying Dragonflies *** http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/content/uk-species http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/content/dragonfly-and-damselfly-identification-help *** How to Identify Bees *** BWARS - Bees Wasps & Ants Recording Society http://www.bwars.com/ Bumblebee Conservation Trust http://bumblebeeconservation.org/ *** iSpot Keys for computer or mobile *** If you are a beginner to identification of species, you might find the following link useful. http://www.ispot.org.uk/keys *** Mammal Records *** Mammal records can reported to Chris Manning E-mail: Chris.LincsDeer@gmail.com Mink/Otter reports are of interest and can be sent via the Bulletin. *** Spiders *** Imogen Wilde 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 details please contact: Ashley Butterfield learningoutdoors@btinternet.com or tel 07864967057 You can input reptile and amphibian data at: http://www.recordpool.org.uk/ Please remember, common species are just as important as rarer species, so please give it a go. Please contact Dr Angela Julian ARGUK with any specific questions. angela.digges@clara.co.uk *** Local Bat Helpline *** Grounded bats, bat problems, advice and information. Contact Annette and Colin Faulkner on 01775 766286 or e-mail: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com Lincolnshire Bat Group website: http://www.lincsbatgroup.co.uk/ *** Bat Recorder *** 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 (but bear in mind only a relative few of the 300+ species in the county are identifiable using photos). If in doubt please contact for advice: d.a.sheppard@btinternet.com *** Slug ID Help *** Chris du Feu will help with slug identification. You can telephone him on: 01427 848400 or e-mail: chris@chrisdufeu.force9.co.uk *** Identification of Non-Marine Molluscs *** John Redshaw is still available to identify specimens of non- marine shelled molluscs, including brackish marsh species. For larger and medium sized species (down to 1cm) a digital image will usually suffice. For smaller species it may be possible, in some cases, to ID specimens from digital images, but usually actual specimens will be required. If providing specimens, they may be enclosed in old film pots (which photographic shops are usually glad to get rid of). Details of location where specimen found, (with grid reference if known), date and finder's name should be provided. If specimen is provided this information should be noted on a label stuck to the outside of the pot. Please be aware that it is illegal to send live specimens through the post. For further details please contact John by e-mail on ejohnredshaw@gmail.com *** Mollusc Identification *** David Feld has also kindly offered to assist readers to identify molluscs, both terrestrial and aquatic. Please e-mail him a description and he will advise you whether and where to send a photograph or an actual specimen. Contact: drf@dfeld.freeserve.co.uk *** Lincolnshire Badger Group *** Ally Townsend of the Weirfield Wildlife Hospital, writes: If you would like to give people the Lincoln number 01522 530428 a member of staff will record the sighting or RTA. Or use the Weirfield website: http://www.weirfield.co.uk/ where a reporting page can be used to send in badger reports. Botanical Group in South Lincs Sarah Lambert writes: We'd be happy to welcome new people, whether experienced or not, particularly if they are located towards the northern part of the vice county! sarah.lambert7@ntlworld.com USEFUL WILDLIFE CONTACTS *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/ *** Lincs Environmental Records Centre *** Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership (of which LERC is a part) Contact: Charlie Barnes, charlie.barnes@glnp.org.uk or for more general queries: info@glnp.org.uk Website: http://www.gnlp.org.uk *** Life on the Verge and Wildflower Meadow Network Project *** Aidan Neary, Wildflower Meadow Project Officer, aneary@lincstrust.co.uk Mobile: 07825 970930, Switchboard: 01507 526667. To find out more and to become involved with the survey and management of Lincolnshire's limestone grassland on road verges see: See: http://www.lifeontheverge.org.uk/ *** Good sources of seeds of Bee-friendly Wild Flowers *** Mark Schofield writes: Always consider the provenance and sustainable sourcing of seed. Plantlife and Flora locale have defined protocols that can guide the conservation-minded shopper. Bee-friendly gardeners should refer to their A-Z suppliers list which can be found here: www.floralocale.org/Alphabetical+supplier+listing Advice: www.wildlifetrusts.org/Bees-needs/growmore bumblebeeconservation.org/get-involved/managing-your-land/wildflower-seed/ *** Lincs Bird Club *** LBC County Bird Recorders John Clarkson - Covering the north of the county recorder_north@lincsbirdclub.co.uk John Badley - Covering the south of the county recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Bird Club Website: http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk *** The Sir Joseph Banks Society *** Contact 01507 528223 or by e-mail: enquiries@joseph-banks.org.uk. http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk *** Other Useful Websites/contacts *** No hotlinks in this section, just copy and paste URLs, please. Suggestions for other useful Websites are welcome. *** Natural England *** http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ *** Lincolnshire Environmental Awards *** http://www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk/ *** The Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes Project (LCGMP) *** The Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes project produced two films of the Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes. They are based on Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) which measures topography accurately. The films reveal many historical and geomorphological features that are not always obvious to the eye. Note that the vertical perspective is exaggerated to enhance the features. Narrated by Jim Broadbent. Watch them here: Southern marshes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwhVamd4j6E Northern marshes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZjqzcMFXi8 *** Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service *** A dedicated service to protect and enhance the Lincolnshire Wolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). 01507 609740 http://www.lincswolds.org.uk *** Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project *** Project Officer: Jonathan Gahan http://www.lincswolds.org.uk/chalk-streams/volunteering or contact the project officer jonathan.gahan@lincolnshire.gov.uk *** The South Lincolnshire Fenlands Partnership *** http://www.lincsfenlands.org.uk/ Contact: slincsfens@lincstrust.co.uk Amanda Jenkins - South Lincolnshire Fenlands Project Officer *** RSPB local webpages *** 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/ *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire link *** http://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html *** Lincsbirders *** Lincolnshire's Alternative Birding Group http://www.lincsbirders.org/ *** Lincolnshire Limewoods Project Bardney Limewoods NNR *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/what-we-do/living-landscapes/lincolnshire-limewoods http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/Limewoods/ limewoods@lincolnshire.gov.uk ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9. Notes about these wildlife reports ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We do our best to ensure accuracy in our reporting but these records are sent in by a variety of reporters, from complete beginners to professionals. They therefore vary in reliability and in some cases they are impossible to verify. If further information is needed on locations or reporters, or if you wish to question/confirm any of these records, contact: rparsons@enterprise.net Bulletins are sent to Recorders at Lincolnshire Environmental Records Centre [GNLP] , Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. [Note: Where plants are reported, this is usually because they have been seen and identified in flower.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10. The Bulletin's publicity policy ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We sometimes withhold precise details of rare or endangered species. Please point out any sensitive or "tricky" reports of this kind. Sensitive data should go directly to county recorders, please. Please respect the interests of wildlife and site owners if you report on national networks. An interest in wildlife is not a licence to act irresponsibly/thoughtlessly to landowners, who may well be partners in important conservation work. [Remember - views expressed in the Bulletin do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions on the LNU or associated organisations. In particular this applies to such agencies, especially charities, taking a political stance.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11. LNU Events Diary For LNU meetings also see http://www.lnu.org/events.php ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Field Meetings generally start at 12 noon for 1.00pm, but please check the website details for each event. Unless otherwise stated, Indoor Meetings are held on Saturdays at the Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park, Moor Lane, Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln and start at 2pm. 2016 Indoor meetings Saturday, March 05, 2016 AGM & Presidential Address AGM, Followed by the Presidential Address by Mark Schofield “Better Connected - Can our road networks serve as super- highways for wildlife?” 2016 Field meetings Saturday, April 23, 2016 Potterhanworth Wood SSSI Joint meeting with BSBI (South Lincs Flora Group) (A private woodland site with access courtesy of F.G Battle & Sons Ltd) Southeast of Lincoln 12.00 for 13.00 start. Park at TF07306621 which is a hard-standing area next to a barn. Follow minor road east from Potterhanworth through wood and then take track immediately on right where road bends. NB. As a private woodland no exploring before the set time please and we have been asked to stick to the rides due to nesting birds. The South Lincs Flora Group intend to be recording in the general area on both Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th April. Habitats: Broadleaved Woodland. Leader (LNU): Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Leader (BSBI): Sarah Lambert sarah.lambert7@ntlworld.com Saturday, May 21, 2016 Wharton Wood (afternoon and evening moth/bat session) (A private site with access courtesy of Thonock and Somerby Estates) Northeast of Gainsborough - 12.00 for 13.00 start. Meet and park at SK 8421 9192 which is at end of track off A159 (east side), found about halfway between Gainsborough and Blyton. The track may be unsuitable for low vehicles on the day, therefore best to park alongside it where possible and walk to meeting spot at end. Evening session from 20.30 until late. No mains available for moth traps. NB. As a private woodland no exploring before the set time please. Nearest toilets are in Gainsborough town centre or in local village pubs (Blyton, Corringham or Morton). Habitats: Broadleaved and mixed woodland, ponds, grassland and scrub. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Saturday, June 04, 2016 BioBlitz Event - Cleethorpes Country Park and Cleethorpes Boating Lake Grounds All Day with evening moth/bat recording session (Courtesy of North East Lincolnshire Council) Cleethorpes Country Park and Cleethorpes Boating Lake Grounds. 10.00 start with evening session starting at 21.00. Meeting point and parking at TA308066 in Country Park carpark which is free (nearest post code DN32 0PB). People can come and go as they wish. The Discovery Centre at Cleethorpes Boating Lake will be the data collection point, which is just over the road from the eastern end of the Country Park. NB. There is a parking charge in the Boating Lake grounds/Discovery Centre. Possibility of mains available for moth traps at Discovery Centre. Toilets and cafe available at the Discovery Centre. Habitats: Lake, dunes, shore, grassland and scrub. Leader: Rachel Graham Rachel.Graham@nelincs.gov.uk LNU Contact: Charlie Barnes 01507 526667 charlie@cucaera.co.uk Sunday, July 17, 2016 Stanton’s Pit LWT Reserve Field meeting to Stanton's Pit LWT Reserve (joint meeting with British Dragonfly Society  Southwest of Bourne 12.00 for 13.00 start. Use car park at TF034173 (nearest postcode PE10 0JN) which is about half-way off minor road between Little Bytham and Witham-on-the-Hill. Nearest facilities in village pubs. Habitats: Former sandpit with lake, marsh, acid grassland and scrub. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Saturday, August 13, 2016 Tetney Blow Wells LWT Reserve With evening moth/bat recording session (Courtesy of LWT and Anglian Water) South of Cleethorpes 12.00 for 13.00 start. Evening session starting at 20.15. Park alongside Church Lane in Tetney village in vicinity of church or nearby. There is a footpath which leads to the reserve just to the east. NB. No mains available for moth traps. Facilities available in local village pubs in Tetney or Tetney Lock. Stiles present. Habitats: Blow wells, marsh, woodland, grassland, streams and scrub. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Sunday, September 04, 2016 Burkinshaw’s Covert (A private site with access courtesy of Total Lindsey Oil Refinery) North Killingholme, North Lincolnshire 12.00 for 13.00 start. Meet at the main car park (by Gate No.7), Rosper Road, North Killingholme (grid ref TA16701754 and post code DN40 3DZ will get you nearby). Assemble at security gatehouse to meet Alan Jones from Humber Nature Partnership. Alan’s mobile no. is 07905 491647 if there are any problems finding the location. NB. Gate 7 is on Rosper Road, to the east of the refinery, not on Eastfield Road which is to the west. We will all need to drive to site (under escort by security staff to unlock gates) and will all need to leave at the same time (just after 16.00). May need to car share depending on numbers. Toilets available at security gatehouse. Habitats: Broadleaved woodland, scrub, grassland and pond. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Site Contact: Alan Jones 07905 491647 alan.jones@humbernature.co.uk Sunday, October 09, 2016 LNU Annual Fungus Foray (National Fungus Day) (Access courtesy of the Forestry Commission) North of Bourne 12.00 for 13.00 start. Park at TF058299 at northern entrance track to wood (nearest post code NG34 0HE). Take minor road west from Aslackby, off the A15. Nearest public toilets are in Bourne. Habitat: Broadleaved woodland. Leader: Ray Halstead 07772 613640 ray.halstead@tiscali.co.uk ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails This Week *** If ever your Bulletin does not arrive, text copies of past Bulletins can be found on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Latest Mailfails. If you recognise any of these part-addresses, please let the owners know. geoff.copley - Soft Bounce - Hop count exceeded - possible mail loop k.skingle - Soft Bounce - addresses had permanent fatal errors And finally: Monstrous fossils 'were armadillos', says DNA evidence http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/35630712 Bronze Age wheel at 'British Pompeii' - an 'unprecedented find' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-35598578 Axed RAF air show could return - but to RAF Scampton? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-35612784 Britain's Atlantis destroyed by storms http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-35549952 Yosemite 'firefall' has hikers transfixed - astounding sight! http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-35617262 El Niño passes its peak while La Niña is possible this year http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-35612558 Climate stirring change beneath the waves http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-35631223 Tiny sea snail 'swims like a bee' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-35586935 Large space rock burns up over Atlantic http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-35645854 Watching for a bird of kings http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/feb/19/bird-of-kings-white-gyrfalcon-south-uist British power stations are burning wood from US forests – to meet renewables targets https://theconversation.com/british-power-stations-are-burning-wood-from-us-forests-to-meet-renewables-targets-54969 Benjamin Zephaniah's poem for Britain's woodlands http://www.theguardian.com/tree-charter/2016/jan/29/trees-please-benjamin-zephaniahs-poem-for-britains-woodlands Give beavers permanent residence – we’d be dam stupid not to https://theconversation.com/give-beavers-permanent-residence-wed-be-dam-stupid-not-to-55256 How Northern European waters soak up carbon dioxide http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-35654938 ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/ p.s. Don't forget - the LNU welcomes the support of new members. See: http://www.lnu.org/join.php