============================================= || || 3rd January 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. News from the Lincolnshire Coast 5. News from Far Ings NNR 6. News from Bardney Limewoods NNR 7. Sending in Reports - contributors please read! 8. Contact information 9. Notes about these wildlife reports 10. Bulletin publicity policy 11. Events Diary 12. ...and finally..... ============================================ The Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Bulletin is being read by 1100 people and we are keen to encourage even more readers to subscribe. If you know someone who would like to receive the Bulletin please send them this link so they can sign up for it: http://www.lnu.org/wildnews.php Text versions of past Wildnews Bulletins are available on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Note: Each address contains the relevant date. Views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union or any associated organisations. Reports here are open and are available to county recorders of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. Please contact the Editor to contribute articles or reports. E-mail: rparsons@enterprise.net [A backup e-mail address you can use if ever you experience problems with my "Enterprise" address is: aintree2@yahoo.co.uk ] ============================================ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. Readers hints, tips and requests ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** From the Editor.... *** Happy New Year. Heads up for the Quadrantid Meteor shower on 3rd/4th January. Seeing conditions should be good - cloud permitting. See: http://www.popastro.com/news/newsdetail.php?id_nw=427 To quote Paul Money, the 31st January, is "A good night to attempt an all-night "Planet-thon"! See BBC's Starguide for January 2016: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03d6psj http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006mk7h On behalf of all readers who made an annual pilgrimage to Donna Nook to pay their respects to the seals, a big thank you to LWT staff and volunteers who do such an outstanding job to keep the operation running smoothly and safely. See: Donna Nook Nature Reserve enjoys record year http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-35186202 More readers wanted! Please keep the reports and news coming and please keep on telling people about the Bulletin. Remind them that it's free and suggest they give it a try. You can "forward to a friend" using the link at the end of this Bulletin. Roger p.s. Don't forget: 12. ...and finally... w *** LNU Events - list in section 11 below - guests welcome *** To check on the details, especially if weather suggests a possible cancellation, visit: http://lnu.org/events.php Unless otherwise stated, Indoor Meetings are held on Saturdays at the Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park, Moor Lane, Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln and start at 2pm. Saturday, January 16, 2016 Bird monitoring and windfarms John Clarkson, Lincolnshire Bird Club North Lincolnshire County Recorder *** El Nino weather *** Worries grow over humanitarian impact http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-35159826 *** A science preview of the year 2016 *** http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-35158891 *** Be Bat-Aware! *** Annette Faulkner reminds us: If you find a grounded bat PLEASE don't leave it where it's found. Scoop them up in a cloth or wear gloves, put them in an escape- proof box and phone the Lincs Bat Group's Helpline. 01775 766286 *** Lincolnshire Environmental Awards 2016 *** Plerase remind your contacts.... The closing date for entries is 31st March 2016. If you know of any 'projects' which deserve recognition, please encourage them to submit an entry. It is an easy application process. For more information, see: http://www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk/ ***Alford & Mablethorpe Branch LWT*** George Rutter writes: Friday 15th January 7:30pm Half Moon Hotel, West Street, Alford Talk: Orchids Les Binns is a very good photographer and will bring British orchids to life in this illustrated talk, a bright interlude in deepest winter! *** Barton LWT *** Adrian White writes: Barton Area Group of the LWT is now on Facebook; https://www.facebook.com/LWT.Barton.Group *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** Carolyn Lovely writes: On Saturday 2nd January 2016 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them on a winter bird walk starting from the Humberston Fitties car park near the Yacht Club. Meet leader Ray Hume at 9.00am and please bring binoculars and wear suitable outdoor clothing and stout footwear. This is a free event but donations will be welcomed for the Trust. For further information ring Ray Hume 01472 320878. On Monday 11th January 2016 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them at their next indoor meeting where local Western Medicinal Herbalist Emma Warrener will give an illustrated talk - "Kitchen Herbs supporting your Health." This will take place in Grimsby Town Hall and starts at 7.30pm. Admission £2, all are welcome. There will be Trust goods stall, raffle and tea/coffee available. For further details contact Jennie Redpath - 01472 502858, *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Events 2015 *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/whats-on *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch *** http://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html *** Lincoln RSPB *** http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ *** South Lincs RSPB *** http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire *** Find the Grid Reference - always useful *** Chris Manning recommended the following websites to help find grid references. Grab a Grid Reference http://www.bnhs.co.uk/focuson/grabagridref/html/index.htm UK Grid Reference Finder: http://www.gridreferencefinder.com/ [Don't forget to scroll down to "And finally ....."] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2. Wildlife Highlights ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Bird News from Rare Bird Alert *** Rare Bird Alert has kindly given permission to reproduce reports. A big thank you from us all. Interested readers should have a look at the RBA website: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ 25/12 Short-eared Owl, Gooseman's Fields, Grimsby Hen Harrier male from Wash Viewpoint, Gibraltar Point 26/12 Short-eared Owl, Gooseman's Fields, Grimsby Grey Phalarope behind scrapes on grassland viewable from old car park, Water Pipit, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh Scaup fem, Teal Lake, Whisby 27/12 Short-eared Owl, Bonby Carrs Grey Phalarope behind scrapes on grassland viewable from old car park, Scaup 1w drk, Water Pipit, 4 Spotted Redshanks, 2+ Hen Harriers, Frampton Marsh 3 Lapland Buntings, 2 Velvet Scoters, Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owl, Water Pipit, 24 Twite, Tetney Marshes 2 Waxwings, Saltfleet St Peter Waxwing at Stonebridge, Donna Nook 4 Bewick's Swans flew west over Saltfleetby St Peter Water Pipit, Gibraltar Point Great White Egret flew up River Witham and landed north of Beet factory, Bardney 28/12 7-14 Scaup fem, Teal Lake, Whisby Scaup 1w drk, Grey Phalarope, male Hen Harrier, 4 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh Great White Egret flew north over Beet factory, Bardney Hen Harrier ringtail, Branston Booths Short-eared Owl, 120+ Twite, Donna Nook 29/12 1-6 Water Pipit, Gibraltar Point Grey Phalarope by sea bank car park, 5 White-fronted Geese, Frampton Marsh 3 Short-eared Owls, Worlaby Carrs Hen Harrier ringtail, Marston sewage works Great White Egret again on Nocton Delph, Bardney, flew towards River Witham 30/12/2015 5 White-fronted Geese, Frampton Marsh 31/12/2015 Great White Egret still on Nocton Delph, Bardney Hen Harrier ringtail over Fenland lagoon, Water Pipit on Jackson's Marsh, Gibraltar Point Note: I am adapting RBA pager information for the Bulletin by eliminating or summarising/consolidating repeated messages. When there is a lot of information I will stick to highlights. Please visit the RBA website for updates or fuller details. Bird Alert website: 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. Honeybees - editor writes: I am still noticing bumblebees on the wing and in warm spells you may have noticed honeybees about too. I went down to my apiary on 29th to check on the beehives ahead of Storm Frank. The temperature was 11.5°C and one hive had bees flying. Previously when I had hefted the hives 3 were light, having eaten most of their winter stores. These are now on supplementary feeding. Oil seed rape, their main forage crop here, is remarkably tall for this time of year. Driving back I noticed hazel catkins in the hedges. Advice to beekeepers who have not yet checked their hives - heft them now. Be ready to take action or you could lose colonies. For further information: http://www.nationalbeeunit.com/ STICKFORD TF357602 Garry Steele 29/12/2015 A lamping check of my garden wildlife after having just returned home following a week-long Christmas break away revealed the following:- 2 Great Crested Newts (both male) 3 Smooth Newts ( 2 males & 1 female) This is my earliest ever date for newts having left their terrestrial overwintering refuges and returning to water to begin their annual courtship displays since the pond was created approximately 20 years ago, and clearly is a reflection of the extremely mild December which has occurred this year. My previous earliest ever returning date was 31 December for a single male Great Crested (with the males of this species always arriving ahead of the females). From past observations both sexes of the Smooth Newt tend to return to the pond at around the same time, but usually not until towards the end of January at the earliest. So, to have 3 members of this species already present was exceptionally early, and I suspect that with more than just single newts of both species already present, if I had not been away from home for the last week I may well have recorded an even earlier first returning date. *** County Wildlife Reports From Readers *** Please keep your reports coming. We rely on you to send in your observations and we welcome information from ALL readers, be they beginners or experts. Thanks. DON'T FORGET Please include the year in your reports in case they are copied and thus lose their context. CAISTOR Week beginning 24.12.15 Wendy Handford Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 Woodmouse at logpile 2am 25.12.15. Trailcam Blackbirds 2 eating Cotoneaster berries 30.12.15 Fieldfares 30+ on Hawthorn hedgerow 30.12.15 Red-legged partridges 4 running into bramble patch 25.12.15 Rooks starting to build nest in Alder 25.12.15 Songthrush singing every evening Tawny owl calling 24.12.15 Hazel, first catkins 31.12.15 Red dead-nettle in flower White dead-nettle in flower NEW WALTHAM TA 285046 27.12.2015 Peter Crick Queen Wasp - flew into kitchen through open window just after lunch 29.12.2015 Campanula - showing lots of flowers Summer Honeysuckle - still showing flowers Daisies still showing well Leopard Slugs X 7 under lid of compost bin Great Tit - calling most of morning. Pairs chasing each other on several occasions. TWYFORD WOOD SK945225 Jane Ostler 31/12/15 Birds included a charm of goldfinches, blue tits, jay, blackbird and robin. No song in spite of unseasonally mild weather and sunshine. Hazel shedding pollen, a few flowers out on cherry plum (Prunus cerasifera). Rosettes of Commmon spotted orchids. Only fungus seen Tubaria furfuracea ( Scurfy Twiglet) amongs bright green mosses. No deer seen. Evidence of bank voles (characteristic gnawing on hazel nuts) The ant hills in the butterfly reserve are always of interest. Rabbit and green woodpecker droppings on these. Remains of cones left by squirrels. In addition something I hadn't noted before: On the south facing slope of almost all of them something which looked like thrushes anvils except the clusters of banded snail shells were all intact and empty. Anyone know an explanation for this? WAINFLEET CONSERVATION PONDS 26/12/2015 Roy and Kath Pearson Very little about today. The hedgerows have been stripped of berries and only one Blackbird was present. Four Fieldfares flew over but did not drop in. The Lapwing flock numbers between fifty and sixty, but no Golden Plover were present today. A single Sparrowhawk was around. There was only a single Canada Goose on the river. Water levels are now rising slowly, but are still below what is usual at this time of year. WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 25/12/2015 Hazel catkins on coppiced hazel in garden. 1 Redwing in with flock of 20+ Fieldfare feeding in orchard. 27/12/2015 2 adult moles - dead 29/12/2015 Little Egret seen at: Glebe Farm, Hurnbridge Road, TF 215545 at approx 2pm. Haven Bank TF236515 at approx 11am. WRANGLE COMMON 26/12/2015 Roy and Kath Pearson A BirdTrack count produced only twenty species and these only in small numbers. Twenty Blackbirds were counted, but no winter thrushes were present. Water levels on the wet grassland are rising, but are still quite low, though eleven Teal were present. No waders were counted. Raptors were singles of Buzzard and Kestrel. Five Meadow Pipits and a Skylark were on the wet grassland, plus a Heron. WRANGLE COMMON 31/12/2015 Roy and Kath Pearson A BirdTrack count today produced 21 species. Water levels are rising on the wet grassland and Teal numbers have increased to 19. A few Curlew have returned, but 4 was a very low number for this time of year. Up to 11 Long-tailed Tits were working the hedgerows accompanied by a Few Blue and Great Tits and a Goldcrest. No raptors were recorded and the only winter thrush was a single Redwing. Blackbirds numbered 13. Only a single Skylark was counted and no Meadow Pipits were present, which is very unusual at this time of year. In addition, no buntings were present. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. Lincolnshire Coast NNRs and S Lincs Highlights including RSPB Wash Reserves RSPB Reserves: http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/collections/thewash_northnorfolk.aspx http://www.rspb.org.uk www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh LWT Reserves: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/reserves Reports always welcome. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GIBRALTAR POINT NNR. See: Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog. http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE DUNES NNR. http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/38015?category=59026 and DONNA NOOK http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/nature-reserves/donna-nook/viewing-seals-donna-nook ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE NNR. Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe NNR Report 16-30/12/15 Contributors: Nigel Lound, John Walker, Janet and Peter Roworth, Cliff Morrison Two weeks of incredibly mild weather, with day time high of 16°C on 18th and night time 13°C on 19th, often with very windy weather, has encouraged a number of plants into early emergence/flower over the period and a number of bird species into song, including Mistle and Song Thrushes, Great Tit, Dunnock, even a Cettis Warbler north of SeaView on and of course Robin, which sings throughout to maintain territory. A circuitous walk across the salt marsh on 20th yielded over 130 Rock Pipits, 3 Meadow Pipits, nearly 70 Skylarks, 13 Reed Buntings, a Lapland Bunting, 45 Goldfinches, 27 Linnets and a number of Wrens, indicating just how important this area is for these wintering species. Of equal importance are the samphire saltings further south, which are supporting a further 100+ Linnets, an equal number of Twite and 35 Snow Buntings, whilst up to 20 of each of Yellow Hammers and Reed Buntings are to be found feeding on Marram Grass seeds along the foredunes. Over 100 Blackbirds, 30 Redwings, 10+ Song Thrushes and a couple of Fieldfares have now begun to feed on the Buckthorn berries, where 40+ Chaffinches, 30+ GreenFinches, 45+ Goldfinches, 6 Bullfinches and and up to 10 Brambling can be seen as well. Other species have included over 20 Long-tailed Tits, 5 Goldcrests, Stonechat, Green and Great-spotted Woodpecker and small numbers of Siskins moving south prior to 24th. Male Blackcaps have been recorded at SeaView, Brickyard Lane and Crook Bank during the period. These are not long staying British birds, but are considered to be immigrants from central Europe that now winter in the UK. 2 Chiffchaffs were also present in the Brickyard Lane area on 27th. Birds of prey have included a single adult males of Marsh Harrier and Hen Harrier flying south within 20 minutes of each other on 21st, with at least 1 long staying brown Hen Harrier is to be found hunting over the salt-marsh/adjoining dunes. Peregrine, Kestrel, Sparrow Hawk Buzzard, Barn Owl and Little Owl. Up to 29 Little Egrets are feeding on the salt-marsh in the Rimac/SeaView area, with others to be seen in the field drains further south. 35 Shelduck are feeding along the edge of the marsh, where up to 70 Redshank are to be found. Other duck species have included over 70 Teal, 30 Wigeon, 24 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall in the Rimac/Paradise areas, with over 200 Common Scoters on the sea further south. 3 Great-crested Grebes and 5 Red-throated Divers were on the sea on 27th, whilst a further 73 Red-throated Divers and 8 Great-crested Grebes flew north, which were presumably repositioning after the spring tide. Over 600 Pink-footed Geese can be heard coming into roost on the sand flats beyond Rimac, but with the short days, are now both leaving before dawn and arriving back after dark to maximise feeding opportunities in the local grass fields. Water Rail and Kingfisher are to be found in the Rimac area. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. FAR INGS NNR See: Far Ings NNR on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-Of-Far-Ings-National-Nature-Reserve/186876774685595 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6. Bardney Limewoods NNR http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/publications/limewoods-walks/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Note: The NNR includes the following sites: Chambers Farm Wood (please detail specific area when reporting e.g. Ivy Wood, Little Scrubbs Meadow etc.); College Wood, Cocklode & Great West Woods, Hardy Gang Wood, Newball Wood, Scotgrove Wood, Southrey Wood, Wickenby Wood. Other woods included in the NNR but without public access: Stainfield Wood; Stainton & Fulnetby Woods (access by public bridle way only) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7. Sending in reports to Roger Parsons ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The purpose of the Bulletin is to encourage biological recording in Lincolnshire using modern Information and Communication Technology. We hope to increase the number of people reporting observations to LNU Recorders and improve the quality of reports, as well as the quantity and the geographical coverage. In return for this FREE service, we ask you to provide reports, questions, news or relevant articles from time to time. Descriptive pieces are welcome - you don't have to stick to lists! Mailing times vary, depending on what I am doing. The Bulletin usually 'goes to bed' on Fridays. Please e-mail in contributions as early as possible to ensure they are included, to: rparsons@enterprise.net [A backup e-mail address you can use if ever you experience problems with my "Enterprise" address is: aintree2@yahoo.co.uk ] When sending in reports please follow this layout to save re-editing: Place Name: IN CAPITALS with Grid Reference if you have it. Your Name: Real names please, not aliases. Put it in each time, for each location Date: Species list [Alphabetical?] & numbers [and observations?] e.g. Blackbird - 24 [And please, no home-grown abbreviations. Species Names in full.] *** Find the Grid Reference *** Chris Manning recommended the following websites to help find grid references. Grab a Grid Reference http://www.bnhs.co.uk/focuson/grabagridref/html/index.htm UK Grid Reference Finder: http://www.gridreferencefinder.com/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 8. Contact Information & Useful Websites ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please let me know ASAP if any of these weblinks fail! *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Website *** A full list of LNU Country Recorders is given here. http://www.lnu.org/ LNU e-mail: info@lnu.org If you are not yet a member, the LNU needs good naturalists like you! Anyone interested can get membership application forms from Wilma Gammon at the Lincs Wildlife Trust office, e-mail wgammon@lincstrust.co.uk 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 *** No hotlinks in this section, just copy and paste URLs, please. *** 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 Website: http://www.lincs.police.uk/Advice/Wildlife-and-Rural-Crime/ *** National Rural Crime Network *** Call for case studies as new website to tackle rural crime is launched. http://www.lincs.police.uk/Advice/Wildlife-and-Rural-Crime/National-Rural-Crime-Network.html See: http://www.nationalruralcrimenetwork.net/ STAYING SAFE No hotlinks in this section, just copy and paste URLs, please. *** EasyTide *** Check tide times on Admiralty EasyTide: http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx *** Local Tide Tables *** Here is a useful-looking website where you can order local tide tables. Well worth bookmarking. Everyone who uses the coast ought to have local tide tables handy. £1.50 + p&p. https://www.tidetimes.org.uk/ *** TWO - The Weather Outlook *** Check the weather forecast for the location or postcode: http://www.theweatheroutlook.com/ *** Met Office E-mail Service *** Be warned of the possibility of severe weather. The Met Office website now offers an e-mail notification service for severe weather and other matters which may interest readers. Worth having a look and signing up. See: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/guide-to-emails *** Environment Agency Flood Information/Floodline *** http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/default.aspx SPECIES IDENTIFICATION AND RECORDING No hotlinks in this section, just copy and paste URLs, please. Videos Starlings at Kirkby on Bain - the excellent 2014 video by David Robinson. http://www.flickr.com/photos/poppops/11685708555/ 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 writes: 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 *** Bat Recorder *** You may send confidential bat records direct to Annette Faulkner on: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** LNU Bees, Wasps and Ants Recorder *** Alan Phillips Willing to examine specimens or check photos (but bear in mind only a relative few of the 300+ species in the county are identifiable using photos). Aculeates only please, no parasitic wasps such as Ichneumons. If in doubt please contact for advice: aculeates@gmail.com *** Slug ID Help *** Chris du Feu will help with slug identification. You can telephone him on: 01427 848400 or e-mail: chris@chrisdufeu.force9.co.uk *** Identification of Non-Marine Molluscs *** John Redshaw is still available to identify specimens of non- marine shelled molluscs, including brackish marsh species. For larger and medium sized species (down to 1cm) a digital image will usually suffice. For smaller species it may be possible, in some cases, to ID specimens from digital images, but usually actual specimens will be required. If providing specimens, they may be enclosed in old film pots (which photographic shops are usually glad to get rid of). Details of location where specimen found, (with grid reference if known), date and finder's name should be provided. If specimen is provided this information should be noted on a label stuck to the outside of the pot. Please be aware that it is illegal to send live specimens through the post. For further details please contact John by e-mail on ejohnredshaw@gmail.com *** Mollusc Identification *** David Feld has also kindly offered to assist readers to identify molluscs, both terrestrial and aquatic. Please e-mail him a description and he will advise you whether and where to send a photograph or an actual specimen. Contact: drf@dfeld.freeserve.co.uk *** Lincolnshire Badger Group *** Ally Townsend of the Weirfield Wildlife Hospital, writes: If you would like to give people the Lincoln number 01522 530428 a member of staff will record the sighting or RTA. Or use the Weirfield website: http://www.weirfield.co.uk/ where a reporting page can be used to send in badger reports. Botanical Group in South Lincs Sarah Lambert writes: We'd be happy to welcome new people, whether experienced or not, particularly if they are located towards the northern part of the vice county! sarah.lambert7@ntlworld.com USEFUL WILDLIFE CONTACTS *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/ *** Lincs Environmental Records Centre *** Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership (of which LERC is a part) Contact: Charlie Barnes, charlie.barnes@glnp.org.uk or for more general queries: info@glnp.org.uk Website: http://www.gnlp.org.uk *** Life on the Verge and Wildflower Meadow Network Project *** Aidan Neary, Wildflower Meadow Project Officer, aneary@lincstrust.co.uk Mobile: 07825 970930, Switchboard: 01507 526667. To find out more and to become involved with the survey and management of Lincolnshire's limestone grassland on road verges see: See: http://www.lifeontheverge.org.uk/ *** Good sources of seeds of Bee-friendly Wild Flowers *** Mark Schofield writes: Always consider the provenance and sustainable sourcing of seed. Plantlife and Flora locale have defined protocols that can guide the conservation-minded shopper. Bee-friendly gardeners should refer to their A-Z suppliers list which can be found here: www.floralocale.org/Alphabetical+supplier+listing Advice: www.wildlifetrusts.org/Bees-needs/growmore bumblebeeconservation.org/get-involved/managing-your-land/wildflower-seed/ *** Lincs Bird Club *** LBC County Bird Recorders John Clarkson - Covering the north of the county recorder_north@lincsbirdclub.co.uk John Badley - Covering the south of the county recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Bird Club Website: http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk *** The Sir Joseph Banks Society *** Contact 01507 528223 or by e-mail: enquiries@joseph-banks.org.uk. http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk *** Other Useful Websites/contacts *** No hotlinks in this section, just copy and paste URLs, please. Suggestions for other useful Websites are welcome. *** Natural England *** http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ *** Lincolnshire Environmental Awards *** http://www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk/ *** The Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes Project (LCGMP) *** The Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes project produced two films of the Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes. They are based on Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) which measures topography accurately. The films reveal many historical and geomorphological features that are not always obvious to the eye. Note that the vertical perspective is exaggerated to enhance the features. Narrated by Jim Broadbent. Watch them here: Southern marshes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwhVamd4j6E Northern marshes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZjqzcMFXi8 *** Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service *** A dedicated service to protect and enhance the Lincolnshire Wolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). 01507 609740 http://www.lincswolds.org.uk *** Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project *** Project Officer: Ruth Craig http://www.lincswolds.org.uk/chalk-streams/volunteering or contact the project officer ruth.craig@lincolnshire.gov.uk *** The South Lincolnshire Fenlands Partnership *** http://www.lincsfenlands.org.uk/ Contact: slincsfens@lincstrust.co.uk Amanda Jenkins - South Lincolnshire Fenlands Project Officer *** RSPB local webpages *** http://www.rspb.org.uk www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh John Badley, Site Manager for RSPB Lincolnshire Wash reserves e-mail: john.badley@rspb.org.uk S Lincs RSPB http://www.southlincsrspb.org.uk Lincoln RSPB http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire link *** http://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html *** Lincsbirders *** Lincolnshire's Alternative Birding Group http://www.lincsbirders.org/ Lincolnshire Limewoods Project Bardney Limewoods NNR http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/Limewoods/ limewoods@lincolnshire.gov.uk ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9. Notes about these wildlife reports ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We do our best to ensure accuracy in our reporting but these records are sent in by a variety of reporters, from complete beginners to professionals. They therefore vary in reliability and in some cases they are impossible to verify. If further information is needed on locations or reporters, or if you wish to question/confirm any of these records, contact: rparsons@enterprise.net Bulletins are sent to Recorders at Lincolnshire Environmental Records Centre [GNLP] , Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. [Note: Where plants are reported, this is usually because they have been seen and identified in flower.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10. The Bulletin's publicity policy ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We sometimes withhold precise details of rare or endangered species. Please point out any sensitive or "tricky" reports of this kind. Sensitive data should go directly to county recorders, please. Please respect the interests of wildlife and site owners if you report on national networks. An interest in wildlife is not a licence to act irresponsibly/thoughtlessly to landowners, who may well be partners in important conservation work. [Remember - views expressed in the Bulletin do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions on the LNU or associated organisations. In particular this applies to such agencies, especially charities, taking a political stance.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11. LNU Events Diary For LNU meetings also see http://www.lnu.org/events.php ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Field Meetings generally start at 12 noon for 1.00pm, but please check the website details for each event. Unless otherwise stated, Indoor Meetings are held on Saturdays at the Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park, Moor Lane, Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln and start at 2pm. 2016 Indoor meetings Saturday, January 16, 2016 Bird monitoring and windfarms John Clarkson, Lincolnshire Bird Club North Lincolnshire County Recorder Saturday, February 13, 2016 Recorders' Meeting & Annual Exhibition Overview and highlights of the past years recording provided by the county recorders. Arrive at 12 noon for a chance to catch up with recorders and view exhibits including a demonstration of online recording software ‘Living Record’ and a discussion on online recording starting at 12.30; the overview starts at 2pm as in previous years. Saturday, March 05, 2016 AGM & Presidential Address AGM, Followed by the Presidential Address by Mark Schofield “Better Connected - Can our road networks serve as super- highways for wildlife?” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails This Week *** If ever your Bulletin does not arrive, text copies of past Bulletins can be found on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Latest Mailfails. gandd - Soft Bounce - Requested action not taken: mailbox unavailable sue cfga - Soft Bounce - Sender address rejected: Access denied And finally: Skegness RNLI coxswain gets MBE http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-35198634 Lincoln County Hospital hit by norovirus http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-35193039 Why we kiss under the Mistletoe..decorate with Holly..make Ivy garlands http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20151215-why-we-kiss-under-mistletoe Beautiful X-ray images of animals http://www.bbc.co.uk/earth/story/20140904-life-in-x-ray 'Underwater Christmas trees' help restore key habitat http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-35126133 Tree-top turbulence helps flapping vultures soar http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-35159830 Contributions to "And finally......" are always welcome. ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/