============================================= || || 10th 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. 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 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.... *** I have a great admiration for Short-eared Owls, and there are several around this week. Why not read up on these and look out for them in likely places. Round here that means an old river embankment, dyke sides and rough corners of fields, often during the day. Reports please. https://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/discoverandlearn/birdguide/name/s/shortearedowl/ http://www.bto.org/national-offices/scotland/short-eared-owls-mysteries-revealed http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/life/Short-eared_Owl David Robinson sent in a cracking video link for a starling murmuration this month at Kirkby on Bain gravel pits - LWT's Hide Pit. Have a look! https://flic.kr/p/BT6HMp You may want to go and have a look. The activity takes place in the run up to dusk. Dave Bromwich's advice is: ....that people view the murmuration from the public footpath between the lakes (park in the layby opposite the Landfill site entrance) and discreetly tuck themselves under the birch trees to keep themselves hidden, as the roost site is only 150 - 200 metres from the path. The Met Office says: Further heavy rain before it turns colder next week. http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/news/releases/archive/2016/rain-then-cold Quoting Paul Money, the 31st January, is "A good night to attempt an all- night "Planet-thon"! See BBC's excellent Starguide for January 2016: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03d6psj http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006mk7h I have made a couple of adjustments to the following Bulletin sections: 4. Coastal NNRs including RSPB and LWT Reserves 5. Bardney Limewoods NNR 6. Other Reserve Reports and "Highlights" Hopefully these will allow volunteeers or staff from these reserves to send in site-specific reports and news, as distinct to to the individual wildlife reports in section 3. In part this is because there is a growing trend towards social media. However, I should point out that a Bulletin link to such a website only receives a few clicks per week, whereas a report could be noticed by several hundred enthusiastic subscribers. Thanks to readers who used the "forward to a friend" button at the end of the Bulletin. Several people have signed up already. Please keep the reports and news coming. 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 *** 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/ *** Scunthorpe Museum Society *** The Natural History and Geology Section, Scunthorpe Museum Society. Our first meeting for 2016 is on Monday, 11th January, starting at 7.15pm. Scunthorpe-born Dr. Robert Armstrong, now a Researcher and Lecturer (Inorganic Chemistry) at St Andrews University visits to give us an illustrated talk about the fascinating, varied and often unique wildlife he saw on a recent trip to Tasmania. Entitled "Pademelons, Pardalotes, Petrels and Platypi".his talk includes some very unusual species. As usual we meet in St. Bernadette's Church Hall, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN12 2RS, which is opposite the Priory Hotel on Ashby Road. There is ample free parking in the Church grounds. There is no entry charge to the meeting but a donation bowl is provided. Refreshments are available for a small charge at the mid-talk break. Contact Keith Scarrott on 01724 762098 for further details. Website to see our future programme - http://www.scunthorpemuseumsociety. ***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 *** Boston LWT *** Thursday, 14th January, 2016 at 7.30 P.M. BRITISH NATIVE TREES - a talk by Geof Lee on the identification, life cycles, diseases and uses of Britain's native trees. Meeting in the schoolroom of the Centenary Methodist Church . Free -all welcome - refreshments - there will be a leaving collection. *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** Carolyn Lovely writes: 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/ 31/12/2015 Little Stint, 1w drk Scaup, Frampton Marsh Great White Egret on Nocton Delph, Bardney, then flew towards Metheringham Fen 2 Hen Harriers, Gibraltar Point 1/1/2016 Short-eared Owl, Great White Egret in field near barns, Nocton Fen Hen Harrier, Grainthorpe Fen 2 Great Northern Divers flew past south end, Bonxie, Short-eared Owl, 48 Twite, Donna Nook Short-eared Owl on saltmarsh, 1w drk Scaup, Water Pipit at Marsh Farm on reservoir bank, 3 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, 4 ad Little Gulls, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh Short-eared Owl, Black Brant, 2 Lapland Buntings, Water Pipit, Hen Harrier, Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Tetney 2 Greenland White-fronted Geese ad and juv with Pink-footed Geese north of Station Road, Theddlethorpe Short-eared Owl, Tongue Ends by Counter Drain, NE of Baston Scaup fem, Teal Lake, Whisby NP 2/1 9-14 4 Little Gulls flew west over Humber Bridge, Slavonian Grebe, Barton-upon-Humber Water Pipit on Tennyson's Sands, Little Gull south past, Gibraltar Point 4 ad Little Gulls, 5 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Slavonian Grebes at River Witham mouth, Frampton Marsh 12 Snow Buntings, Cleethorpes Scaup fem, Teal Lake, Red-breasted Merganser ad drk on West Lake, Whisby NP 11 Little Gulls - 9ads + 2 1w, flew south past Pye's Hall, Donna Nook Great White Egret at Deeping High Bank the flew towards Crowland 3/1 Short-eared Owl, Barton-upon-Humber Short-eared Owl, 2 Little Gulls past, Donna Nook Slavonian Grebe at Cut End, 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, Frampton Marsh Hen Harrier ringtail flew over causeway, Potterhanworth Fen Great White Egret at Deeping High Bank near Crowland Eurasian White-fronted Goose flew over River Steeping with Pinkfooted Geese, Gibraltar Point Snow Bunting, 2 Greenland White-fronted Geese a + juv with Pink-footed Geese north of Station Road, Theddlethorpe 5 Bewick's Swans in field by Idle Bank, Wroot 4/1 Short-eared Owl 2/3 ml south of Kirkstead Bridge, Woodhall Spa 7 Little Gulls all ads flew south past, Slavonian Grebe on sea, Hen Harrier from visitor centre car park, Eurasian White- fronted Goose by River Steeping from hump, Gibraltar Point Siberian Chiffchaff in reedbed, Marston sewage works Lapland Bunting, 35 Snow Buntings, Cleethorpes c12 Snow Buntings, c30 Twite, Theddlethorpe Red-necked Grebe at Tab's Head, Scaup 1w drk, 3 Spotted Redshanks, Hen Harrier, Frampton Marsh Great White Egret at Tongue end, north of Market Deeping 5/1 Short-eared Owl, Scaup 1w drk, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh Hobby, Siberian Chiffchaff, Marston sewage works 27+ Snow Buntings on beach south of Humberston, Cleethorpes LNR Black Brant with 3 Pale-bellied and 800 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, Tetney Marshes 3 Bewick's Swans, Alder Fen, Wroot Great White Egret, Nocton Fen 4 Common Scoters 3 drks, 1w fem Scaup on Teal Lake, ad Yellow-legged Gull, Apex Pit, North Hykeham Red-breasted Merganser ad drk on West Lake, Whisby NR 6/1 Short-eared Owl, Crowland Washes 4 Waxwings at top of willow, Deeping High Bank Bittern flew to reeds from hide, Boultham Mere Bittern in reeds, Deeping Lakes Great White Egret, in ditch by road NE of Wasp's Nest, Nocton Fen 5 Bewick's Swans, Alderfen, Wroot 30 Twite, Donna Nook Scaup fem on Teal Lake, Red-breasted Merganser ad drk, Whisby Nature Park Slavonian Grebe, River Witham mouth, Scaup 1w drk, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh 7/1 Spotted Redshank on Tennyson's Sands, Gibraltar Point 4 ad Little Gulls at Middlemarsh Wetlands, Skegness 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. Gorse in flower: MESSINGHAM Messingham Sand Pits LWT reserve SE908032 Jacquie Harrison 27/12/15 Less than 10% of gorse bushes had flowers near tops - lots of closed buds. Noticeable that the ones starting flowers tended to be on the extremities if in a row of gorse bushes. MAMMAL ROADKILLS Garry Steele Having just submitted all my 2015 Lincolnshire mammal records to the county recorder Chris Manning and having made a concerted effort to record every road kill victim I spotted while out in county either driving for work or leisure or out cycling, below are my total numbers per species (excluding Brown Rat, Grey Squirrel & Rabbit) which met their end on Lincolnshire's roads last year:- Badger - 27 Brown Hare - 3 Fallow Deer - 1 Fox - 2 Hedgehog - 17 Muntjac - 3 Polecat/Polecat Ferret - 1 Roe Deer - 1 Stoat - 1 For comparison, my totals for 2014 were:- Badger - 23 Brown Hare - 2 Fallow Deer - 0 Fox - 2 Hedgehog - 37 Muntjac - 1 Polecat/Polecat Ferret - 1 Roe Deer - 2 Stoat - 3 So, if my figures alone are anything to go by, the death rate through ending up as road traffic accidents for Lincolnshire's Badgers and Hedgehogs in particular is not insignificant. Moreover, out of the overall total 54 road kill Hedgehogs I recorded during 2014 & 2015, sadly 8 of them alone were run over in my home village here in Stickford. *** 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. BARNOLDBY le BECK TA 239032 04.01.2016 Peter Crick Daffodils - in beautiful flower on roadside verge BRIGSLEY Waithe Lane TA 270015 06.01.2016 Peter Crick Elephants Ear - along roadside verge, flowers on good long stalks just about to open (ID'd by fellow Rambler) Short Eared Owl - scanning low over roadside ditch and field CAISTOR Week beginning 1.1.16 Wendy Handford Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 Grey squirrel in orchard 5.1.16 Grey herons 2 flying over 1.1.16 Moorhens 2 by stream 3.1.16 Pheasants 2m, 2f, 5.1.16. Trailcam Primrose, 1st flower 5.1.16 Honeysuckle leafbuds bursting Wild arum shoots Fungi this week Bay polypore on Crack willow Rosey crust on Alder Silverleaf on Alder Turkeytail 10s on Alder Wood blewit 2 on pine needles DEEPING LAKES 1.1.2016 Dave Vandome Blackthorn in flower Otter, swimming/catching fish, near boathouse, around 12.30 pm EAST HALTON SKITTER to GOXHILL HAVEN (and return) TA1422 to TA1225 Curlew x96 Turnstone x55 Woodpigeon Little Egret x1 Redshank x24 Grey Heron x1 Mute Swan x2 Lapwing x668 Linnet x5 Marsh Harrier x1 Great Black Backed Gull x3 Carrion Crow Song Thrush x1 Reed Bunting x7 Magpie x6 Short Eared Owl x1 Starling x100 Wren x2 Grey Partridge x12 Fieldfare x30 Blackbird x6 Kestrel x1 Pink-foot Goose x400 Longtail Tit x7 Mallard x70 Teal x50 Shelduck x7 Pochard x5 Pheasant x1 Coot x4 Black-headed Gull Snipe x2 A15 near ELSHAM WOLD TA0413 Jon Drakes 01/01/2016 Kestrel x1 HOLYWELL LAKES TF006160 Jane Ostler 2nd January 2016 Comparisons with last year on the same day. Viewed from road. Pair of mute swans but no black swan as last year. Many more unhybridised mallards in fine feather. No wigeon but tufted duck. Large flock of grazing grey lag geese, but few Canada geese. Moorhen. 2 little grebe. For the first time we saw two little egrets on banks. Rooks were building /rebuilding nests. Buzzard circling in area. Herb Robert was in flower on bridge base and winter aconites on verge near landing stage. HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden unless advised otherwise) 25/12/2015 Great spotted woodpecker 1 26/12/2015 Barn owl 1 (In field TF517777) Kestrel 1 (edge of field TF517766) 31/12/2015 Mistle thrush 2 Wren 1 (eating green caterpillar on terrace) 4/1/2015 Sparrowhawk 1 (pruning itself in birch) 6/1/2015 Bombus terrestris 1 (foraging in mahonia flowers) Great tits 2 Magpie 1 (bathing in pond) Robins 2 KEELBY TA1610 Jon Drakes 01/01/2016 The following species were noted during a walk around Keelby village: House Sparrow x20 Starling x15 Collared Dove x2 Robin x1 Dunnock x4 Magpie x1 Blue Tit x1 Rook x1 Goldfinch x1 Blackbird x3 Wren x2 Black-Headed Gull Woodpigeon x1 Brown Rat x1 KEELBY TA1610 Jon Drakes 02/01/2016 Seen whilst carrying out the weekly BTO Garden Birdwatch survey in my back garden : Collared Dove x7 Robin x2 Dunnock x5 Blue Tit x2 Wren x1 Blacbird x4 House Sparrow x20 Goldcrest x1 First time seen in the garden. Chaffinch x2 Starling x5 Tree Sparrow x1 Goldfinch x1 A18 near MELTON ROSS TA0710 Jon Drakes 01/01/2016 Fieldfare x3 MESSINGHAM Messingham Sand Pits LWT reserve SE908032 Jacquie Harrison and John Margetts 27/12/15 Blackbirds Blue tits Bullfinch Chaffinches Coal Tits Coot Cormorants - seem to be more than usual Gadwall Goldeneyes Great Tit Greylag Geese Kestrel Lesser Redpoll - excellent views as feeding on flower heads rather than up a tree. I think it may be from further north as large for a lesser but nothing like a "mealy" Long tailed tits Mallards Marsh Tit - used suggested ID info from recent BTO/Lincs Bird Club conference, this also matched-up with my first impression so hopefully accurate. Pochard -12 males, 7 females Reed bunting Robins Sparrowhawk Teal Tufted ducks Wigeon. NEW WALTHAM TA 285046 02.01.2016 Peter Crick Rhubarb - all crowns now showing large red heads 06.01.2016 Cotoneaster - several flowers showing, lots of buds about to break. Hedgehog - taking food again after short break. STICKFORD TF 357602 Garry Steele 06/01/2016 Bumblebee - observed briefly visiting flowering Mahonia in garden. Flew off strongly before I could make any attempt at an I.D. THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 19/12/15 Kestrel x 2 21/12/15 Common Buzzard x 1; Dunnock 2; Stock Dove x 2 26/12/15 Grey Squirrel x 1 SE809003 27/12/15 Blackbird x 7; Blue Tit x 2; Common Buzzard x 1; Dunnock x 2, Robin x 1 Common Shrew x 1 under refugia 31/12/15 Blackbird x 3; Blue Tit x 2; Common Buzzard x 1; Dunnock x 2; Kestrel x 1; Mute Swan x 6 Owston Ferry Warping Drain Robin x 1; Wood Pigeon x 6 Wood Mouse x 1 THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 01/01/16 Blackbird x 5, Black Headed Gull x 25, Blue Tit x 2, Common Buzzard x 1, Dunnock x 2, Fieldfare x 59, Golden Plover x 1, Kestrel x 1, Linnet x 2 Mute Swan x 6 Owston Ferry Warping Drain Robin x 1, Stock Dove x 2, 03/01/16 Blackbird x 4, Fieldfare x 69, Stock Dove x 2, Tawny Owl x 1 SK789988 Brown Rat x 1 (dead), Rabbit x 1 Red and White Campion still in flower (all winter so far) Catkins on Hazelbud burst on one of my Hawthorns 04/01/16 Peacock butterfly flying around my Kitchen 06/01/16 Barn Owl x 1 hunting 15:15hrs SK803998 Grey Squirrel x 1 SE804003 WALTHAM TA 263039 06.01.2016 Peter Crick Rhubarb - four crowns showing good leaves 150 - 200mm tall WAINFLEET CONSERVATION PONDS 06/01/2016 Roy and Kath Pearson A very good total of birds present today. A large flock was working the hedges, with minima of:- Chaffinch (21), Greenfinch (15), Reed Bunting (14), Great Tit (4), Blue Tit (10), Robin (2), Tree Sparrow (8), Yellowhammer (2), Woodpigeon (6) and Wren (1). In the reed-beds were some very vocal Pheasants and Wrens and at least two Water Rails. Two Little Egrets were on a drain at the side of the site. The Lapwing flock is down to thirty birds and, whilst twenty- five Golsen Plover were seen, many more were heard. Muntjac Deer are now at the site. WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 2/1/2016 Short-eared Owl on Hurnbridge Road at TF 216543, 9am. Unperturbed by us - moved ahead of us, staying in area. Brown hare adult caught on trail camera overnight 1/2. Little Egret, Glebe Farm, Hurnbridge Road TF216546 3/1/2016 Little Egret, Great Beats Farm, Hurnbridge Road TF219530 WOOLSTHORPE BY COLSTERWORTH SK92/22 Jane Ostler 1st January 2016 Garden Annual "stocktake" of plants in flower. Last year the snow had melted overnight and the temperature reached 10c. There were fifteen plants in flower. This year following a long mild, wet spell there were 45. Some like marigolds and button chyrsanthemums are the usual hangers on. Some like the snowdrops, aconites, squills and fern leaved clematis are simply weeks early, but others like daffodils, anemones and grape hyacinths are exceptional. Waysides Last year there were 7 species in flower. This year I found 21. Nearly half are perennial composites but there is a wide selection of annuals like bitter cress and one hazel had catkins shedding pollen. N.B White tailed bumble bee out in garden. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 NNR 31st December to 6th January 2016: Contributors: Nigel Lound, Peter and Janet Roworth, Cliff Morrison Following weather facts have been collated by Peter for 2015: Lowest minimum ground temperature was -8.75°C on 30th January Lowest air minimum temperature was -5.0°C on 30th January A late ground frost of -0.75°C was recorded on 30th June The highest daytime temperature was 27.0°C on 4th July (nb: unseasonal 16.0°C on 19th December) The most continuous rain days was from 20th November - 3rd December The most rainfall recorded during a 24hr period was 16.9mm on 29th May The wettest month was July with 85.3mm (3.36 inches) The total rainfall for 2015 was 523.9mm (20.64 inches) compared with 2014: 670.4mm, 2013: 437.9mm and 2012 728.3mm. Some places in the NW had more rain in December than here for the whole year here! The longest period without rain was from 22nd September - 4th October The driest month was April with 15.6mm (0.61 inches) A south westerly gust of 65.4mph was recorded on 5th December (nb: 13 days in December with SW winds of f5+ at time of observation [0830 - 0900hrs]) Snowfall was recorded on 29th January as flurries, 30thJanuary as light showers in sleet, 2nd March as flurries and 21st November as snow grains Dense fog observed on 2nd and 4th of November December was unseasonably mild with an average maximum air temperature of 12.61°C compared with 2014: 8.66°C, 2013: 9.35°C, 2012: 7.80°C and 2011 but only for twenty days of records [station set up on the 12th] it was 9.0°C. December will be remembered for its exceptional mild weather when daytime temperatures were regularly in the teens (only four days were in single figures). A maximum of 16.0°C was recorded on the 19th. Also minimum temperatures recorded were high, the highest being 11.25°C air on the 19th and 10.25°C ground on the 6th. Only three ground frosts and two air frosts were observed. The mild weather was influenced by continual low pressure systems driven by strong south westerly winds which on 13 occasions were at force 5+ at the time of observation [between 0830 and 9000hrs]. A gust of 65.4mph was recorded during the afternoon near to the weather station on the 5th. Many days were damp and any rainfall fell generally as showers but prolonged rainfall was observed on the 12th and 22nd. Total rainfall for the month was 48.00mm (1.89 inches). Total for 2015 was 523.9mm (20.64 inches. Clear, fresh sunny days were noted on the 2nd, 4th, 9th, 21st, 23rd and 31st. On 31st. December, there was a frog hopping around the garden at Brickyard Lane bordering the dunes and the dog came back from his walk on the dunes with a tick on his head, a common problem to deal with in the spring and early autumn, but never normally in the winter. Be aware this coming spring that one local person walking the dunes each day with her dog contracted Lyme disease during last summer from a tick bite. The doctors recognised the red "bullseye" infection ring and were able to effectively treat her with antibiotics. See NHS Choices Lyme Disease page: http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Lyme-disease/Pages/Introduction.aspx The Pink-footed Goose flock, to be seen flighting to roost on the sands at Rimac, was counted on the fields locally on 1st January and comprised 772 birds along with 2 White- fronted Geese. Other wildfowl included13 Shoveler on Paradise Pools, 13 Wigeon on the sea and 4 Pintail north on 3rd. Wader numbers have been low, although there were 376 Dunlin on the shore atTheddle- thorpe and unusually, 3 Black-tailed Godwits at Saltfleet Haven on the 3rd. There seems to have been an arrival of Woodcock, because 1 was seen in the day on 1st, up to 4 have been flying at dusk in the Brickyard-Churchill area and have been noted at SeaView as well. The Twite/Linnet flock is now more dispersed and down to around 100 birds, being mainly Twite, but includes 12 Snow Buntings. Separate flocks of up to a dozen Yellow Hammers and Reed Buntings can be seen. The busiest areas of the dunes now are those where there are still Buckthorn berries, where over 100 Blackbirds, 50 Redwing and 10 Song Thrushes can be counted, along with good numbers of Chaffinches, Greenfinches, upto 7 Bullfinches and 3 Siskins. About 60 Magpies gather in the Brickyard Lane area each evening to roost in the bushes, whilst over 100 Jackdaws and 200 Carrion Crows gather on the Beach at Crook Bank before flying across to the gas plant bushes to roost. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FAR INGS NR TA0123 Jon Drakes 01/01/2016 Carrion Crow Magpie Feral Pigeon Blackbird Robin Chaffinch Cormorant Mute Swan Coot Great Tit Redwing Fieldfare Longtail Tit Teal Tufted Duck Mallard Lesser Redpoll Blue Tit Gadwall Wigeon Great Crested Grebe Pochard Pink-footed Goose ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 Reports always welcome. 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ HAGNABY LOCK FEN E.A. WETLAND RESERVE TF 331595 Garry Steele Monthly maximums and noteworthy Ornithological sightings - December 2015:- Cormorant - 4 Curlew - 39 Fieldfare - 107 Greylag Goose - 174 Jackdaw - c40 Lapwing - c40 Little Egret - 2 Mallard - 22 Redshank - 6 Redwing - c60 Rook - c80 Shoveler - 2 Starling - c60 Teal - 79 WATERS EDGE COUNTRY PARK - BARTON upon HUMBER TA0323 Jon Drakes 01/01/2016 Blackbird Mallard Black-Headed Gull Canada Goose Greylag Goose Tufted Duck Coot Moorhen Dunnock Mute Swan Great Blackback Gull Feral Pigeon ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 *** 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 and photos - suggestions welcome *** 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: 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, 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 And finally: Snowy owl spotted soaring by Montreal traffic camera http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/snowy-owl-flying-transport-quebec-traffic-camera-1.3393343 Centuries-old Haxey Hood game held http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-35241839 Clearing ditches and streams 'may increase flood risk to towns' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-35246752 Swan rescued from Lincoln city centre shop roof http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-35226310 Norovirus crisis continues at Lincoln County Hospital http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-35223038 Blakeney seal pup drop is 'good news' for reserve http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-35202065 Attenborough Nature Reserve ranger finds more than 1,000 species http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-35114118 Four elements added to periodic table http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-35220823 Screeching alarm, silent attack http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jan/03/country-diary-alarm-wren-weasel-attack Nature skips a season http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jan/01/nature-skips-season The real-life origins of the legendary Kraken https://theconversation.com/the-real-life-origins-of-the-legendary-kraken-52058 Roman penis carving to go on display in Lincoln http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-35091568 Ascension Island to become marine reserve http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-35216313 El Nino weather 'could be as bad as 1998', says Nasa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-35197887 Michael Aw has been named the 2015 wildlife photographer of the year, underwater category, for his photograph of a Bryde’s whale. http://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit/wpy/gallery/2015/images/under-water/5005/a-whale-of-a-mouthful.html Contributions to "And finally......" are always welcome. ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/