============================================= || || 24th 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.... *** Can you ID a Mealy Redpoll? See: http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/discoverandlearn/birdguide/name/m/mealyredpoll/ Don't forget the RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch which will be taking place on the ] weekend of January 30th/31st. More information in Section 2 below. This January is a good month for observing the planets. Paul Money writes that the 31st January is: "A good night to attempt an all-night "Planet-thon"! See: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html I see that Paul Money is giving a talk to the The Natural History and Geology Section, Scunthorpe Museum Society on Monday 8th February. Paul's energy, enthusiasm and breadth of knowledge are always a pleasure to experience. More information below. On Saturday, February 13, the Recorders' Meeting & Annual Exhibition takes place at Whisby Education Centre. Informal discussions and viewing of exhibits start at noon, with presentations starting at 2pm. This is the meeting where we hear about records and wildlife trends of 2015 . All welcome - don't miss it. Details in Section 2 below. The Lincolnshire Environmental Awards 2016 closing date for entries is 31st March. You will need to be thinking about possible applications soon. Details below. Please keep the reports and news coming. Roger *** 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, 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. Non-members are very welcome to come along too. Brian Hedley writes: LNU/LBC indoor meeting on 16th January. 22 people attended a very informative LBC/LNU talk on bird survey work for wind farms given by John Clarkson, who has obviously gained extensive survey experience on land and sea. This was followed by a shorter piece by Andy Chick on bat surveys for wind farms on land. A good Q&A session followed with several people interested in when (and how detailed) these surveys are required during planning process. *** Coastal zones: UK's protected 'blue belt' expanded *** http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-35328286 *** Countdown to Lincolnshire Environmental Awards 2016 *** 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 - New Horizons Mission to Pluto *** The Natural History and Geology Section, Scunthorpe Museum Society. Keith Scarrott writes: Next month, on Monday, 8th February, Paul Money visits us again to give his latest illustrated talk on the New Horizons Mission to Pluto. He has called his talk "Into the Darkness but Shining the Light" and will be showing the latest stunning images. The meeting will be held in the St Bernadette's Church Parish Centre, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN12 2RS, opposite the Priory Hotel, starting at 7.15pm. 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. Contact Keith Scarrott on 01724 762098 for further details. Website to see our future programme - http://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 *** Lincoln RSPB *** http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ *** South Lincs RSPB *** http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire *** Join RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch! *** More than half a million people in the UK are getting ready for the Big Garden Birdwatch which will be taking place on the weekend of January 30th/31st. https://ww2.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/discoverandlearn/birdwatch Peckish Birdfood Bird Guide: http://www.peckishbirdfood.com/bird-guide *** 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 ....." e.g. A fascinating close-up look at animal eyes http://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/indepth/eyes-wide-open-national-geographic-takes-a-fascinating-close-up-look-at-animal-eyes/ss-BBosYSc ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ 15/1 Short-eared Owl, Manby Flashes 15 Snow Buntings, c120 Twite, Theddlethorpe Bittern flew from freshmarsh, Hen Harrier, Snow Bunting, Rimac Great Northern Diver, Gibraltar Point 2 Slavonian Grebes, 3 Great Northern Divers, Freiston Shore Red-necked Grebe, Bittern, Cleethorpes Country Park Scaup 1w drk, Water Pipit, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh 16/1 Scaup 1w drk, Water Pipit, 2 Hen Harriers 1m, Frampton Marsh Red-necked Grebe, Cleethorpes Country Park Bonxie and Little Auk flew past Gibraltar Point Red-breasted Merganser on West Lake, Whisby NP Smew redhead on lagoon, Black Redstart on bunker south of car park, 25 Eurasian White-fronted Geese on wet grasslend, Freiston Shore Mealy Redpoll in setaside field north of Trent car park, Knaith 2 Eurasian White-fronted Geese with Pink-Footed Geese, Goxhill Haven 2 Short-eared Owls between East Halton and Goxhill Haven 121 Twite at South end, Water Pipit, Short-eared Owl, Donna Nook 2 Slavonian Grebes at River Witham mouth SE of Boston Greenland White-fronted Goose 1w with Pink-footed Geese and 4 ad Eurasian White-fronted Geese, north of Station Road, Theddlethorpe 17/1 Short-eared Owl, Trent Port, over grass east of pumping station, Marton Hen Harrier ringtail over saltmarsh, Water Pipit, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Scaup 1w drk on reedbed, Slavonian Grebe at Tabb's Head, Frampton Marsh Red-breasted Merganser on West Lake, Whisby NP 18 Eurasian White-fronted Geese with Canada Geese, Freiston Shore Mealy Redpoll in cover north of small car park by River Trent, Knaith Red-necked Grebe, Cleethorpes Country Park Great Northern Diver flewsouth east, Ingoldmells Black-necked Grebe on Sailing Pit, Barton-upon-Humber Hen Harrier ringtail, Gibraltar Point Greenland White-fronted Goose 1w with Pink-footed Geese, plus 3 adult Eurasian White-fronted Geese between Prussian Queen and Elm House farm, Saltfleet 14 Snow Buntings, 200 Twite, Brickyard Lane, Saltfleetby Black Brant between Stonebridge and Pye's Hall, Short-eared Owl, 90 Twite, Donna Nook 18/1 30+ Snow buntings north of Brickyard Lane, 100+ Twite, Theddlethorpe Red-necked Grebe, Cleethorpes Country Park 2 Water Pipits,drk Scaup, 3 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh 19/1 Black Brant between Stonebridge and Pye's Hall,with Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 25 Twite, Donna Nook Bittern flew over first pit, Deeping Lakes 6 Snow buntings north of Brickyard Lane, 150 Twite, Theddlethorpe Red-necked Grebe, Cleethorpes Country Park Smew redhead, Toft Newton reservoir 2 Water Pipits, Gibraltar Point 32 Eurasian White=fronted Geese, Freiston Shore 20/1 Water Pipit on Jackson's Marsh, ringtail Hen Harrier over saltmarsh by visitor centre, Gibraltar Point Red-necked Grebe, Cleethorpes Country Park Red-breasted Merganser on West Lake, Whisby NP Water Pipit on outmarsh, 35 Twite, Short-eared Owl, 3 Eurasian White- fronted Geese ads in field over River Steeping, Gibraltar Point Water Pipit on outmarsh, 37 Twite, Short-eared Owl, Hen Harrier, Tetney Short-eared Owl in rough pasture near River Trent at Marton 8 Snow Buntings by sea wall behind Blundell Park, Cleethorpes 21/1 Eurasian White-fronted Goose ads with Pink-footed Geese in field over River Steeping, 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. Gorse locations WALESBY gorse records Walesby village TF 135 925 Recorder - Jackie Freeman 19/01/16 Large area of mature bushes on south-facing slope of a field of unimproved grassland adjoining Walesby Hill. 40+ bushes with many flowers. Buds on many of the other bushes. STAR GAZING 15 January 2016 Su Colman and Mark Townsend Greetwell lane, Nettleham *TF006737* 06.45 A very clear dawn - excellent views of Venus, Saturn and Antares in a group with Mars slightly west *** 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. BOSTON (South by A16) 17/01/2016 Roy and Kath Pearson Two skeins of approx 300 Pink- feet in total, flew north-west at 08:15 today. They were flying quite high. HOLYWELL LAKE WeBS Holywell Lake Ian Misselbrook 16/1/2016 0930 -1100 Little Grebes 14 Cormorant 1 Black Swan 1 Greylag Geese 75 Canada Geese 34 Mallard 128 Gadwall 24 Teal 4 Wigeon 4 Tufted Duck 22 Coot 6 Moorhen 17 Kingfisher 1 Black-headed Gull 1 Common Gull 1 Grey Wagtails 2 Pied Wagtails 2 Red Kites 2 Pheasants Wood pigeons Stock Doves Rooks Carrion crows Jackdaws Jays 2 Starlings © 50 Mistle Thrush 1 Fieldfares © 30 Redwings 4 Blackbirds Robin Dunnocks Wren Goldcrest Great Tits Coal Tits Blue Tits Marsh Tits 2 Lesser redplolls 2 Goldfinches Chaffinch Bullfinch 1 HORKSTOW Jenny Haynes Thursday 14 January 2016 Snowdrops in flower at Horkstow Church. HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden unless advised otherwise) 15/1/16 Dunnock 1 Field mouse 1 Wood pigeons 8 17/1/16 Collared doves 2 Deer 4 (looked like roe from a distance TF534777) Longtailed tits 2 Swans 6 (beautiful sight of them landing in a field at TF532782) 18/1/16 Great spotted woodpecker 1 19/1/16 Great spotted woodpecker 1 Tawny owls 2 (call/screech 8.30pm) Wood pigeons 6 Wren1 20/1/16 Rabbit 1 Robins 2 (on bird table together - spring is on the way!) 21/1/16 Great tits 2 Robins 2 (together) Wren 1 Also, vinca major in flower today. RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF309847 (unless otherwise stated) Silvia Fowler 18.01.2016 Mistle Thrush x 2; one seen defending Cotoneaster berries; successfully, as this is the only cotoneaster in my garden with about 15 % of berries left on Stock Dove x 2 19.01.2016 Pair of Collared Doves mating on power cable. 21.01.2016 Pied Wagtail Winter Aconites and Primroses in flower; Snowdrops coming into flower. STIXWOULD - Water Rail Way Winter Wildlife Walk along River Witham Stixwould towards Southrey Coningsby Wildlife Watch 17th January 2016 Coningsby Swans 3 adults and 1 juvenile Mallard 12+ Tufted Duck 6 Grey Heron Kestrels 3 1 Buzzard with prey on "The River" sculpture [Seen ejecting a pellet] Many "eaten" Swan mussel shells on bank Shoveler Coot also: Robins, Blackbirds, Chaffinches, Great Tits Carrion Crows, Magpie, Woodpigeons Active Badger sett with paths, holes and spoil terraces. Badger tracks noted. Maize cob 'cores' left by badgers. Scent of fox noted in several places. Feathers found - probably pheasant. Mole hills and runs. Unidentified fungus and bracket. WAINFLEET CONSERVATION PONDS 18/01/2016 Roy and Kath Pearson The only bird of interest recorded on a short visit today was a Kingfisher. THE WASH Lincolnshire/Norfolk border at the Wash Su Colman and Mark Townsend *TF543270* 10.00 Hundreds of dark bellied Brent geese and Shelduck at the waters edge. Not rare, but a spectacle. Five little egrets (max seen at one time) Barn owl quartering the sea bank 2 Cormorants flying up the Nene WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 15/1/2016 25+ Blackbirds and c50 Fieldfares feeding on windfall apples. 20+ Chaffinches feeding in orchard. 20+ Goldfinches on Nyger feeders/ground beneath. Good numbers of Tree and House sparrows, Blue and Great Tits. Great-spotted Woodpecker juv. M & F also visit. Est 6+ Robins. Wrens - numbers not known. 16/1/2016 c 200 Fieldfares in orchard. 17/1/2016 Redwing in with the c 200 Fieldfare flock. 15.30 hours. 18/1/2016 Redwing in with the c 200 Fieldfare flock. 19/1/2016 at 6pm approx. Tawny owl "crooning warning" in garden. 19 and 20/1/2016 Regular passes by m Sparrowhawk, alerting and disturbing fieidfare flock. It has now adopted a dead apple branch [stump] as a perch which it is using several times a day - but that has not fooled any fieldfares yet. RIVER WITHAM D & C Robinson 18/1/2016 On a river bank walk from Bardney to Short Ferry, we caught up with several pairs of Goosander, probably 6 or more pairs. WRANGLE COMMON 18/01/2016 Roy and Kath Pearson A walk across the wet grassland revealed twenty-eight Curlew, seven Snipe and - unusually at this time of year - a Greenshank. Two Herons were on an adjacent field and a Green Woodpecker flew out of the wood as we were leaving. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ DONNA NOOK Donna Nook NNR Monthly Wetland Bird Survey January 15-17th Contributors: Steve Lorand, Cliff Morrison Steve and I have undertaken the monthly WeBS counts across the 10km of the NRR, stretching 10km from Somercotes' Haven in the north to Saltfleet Haven in the south now during the last 5 decades. The area includes, dunes, slacks, vast intertidal sands and extensive saltmarsh and so has to be counted over 2-3 days. Species concentrations vary considerably across the area, reflecting the different habitats types. Going forward, we thought that it would be interesting to highlight the key species and counts for this important area for wetland birds and passerines associated with the coast: Over 1,100 Dark Bellied Brent Geese, including 1 Black Brant Goose were counted, with 700 in the northern sector and 400 southern sector, whilst 670 Shelduck were equally spread in both sectors. 121 Teal were exclusively to be found in the northern sectors, as were 54 Mallard. 2 Pintail, 1 Shoveler, 2 Tufted Ducks and 6 Wigeon were other duck species noted. Cormorants have been much in evidence recently, with almost 100 birds gathering on the tide edge and feeding off-shore. Dunlin numbered 1,800, the most numerous species by far, followed by 850 Oystercatchers, which are typically found at the northern end of the reserve, being forced southwards from their feeding areas at Grainthorpe by the high tides. Knot closely followed at 800, along with an impressive 670 Redshanks and 400 Curlew, 200 Grey Plovers, 200 Sanderling and 40 Bar-tailed Godwits. 600 Golden Plovers and almost 1,000 Lapwings were to be found both on the upper marshes, but mostly on the coastal fields, whilst 40 Snipe, 2 Jack Snipe and a Ruff were to be found on the wet saltmarsh. Passerines included almost 200 Skylarks, 70 Rock Pipits, 14 Meadow Pipits, 1 Water Pipit, a Lapland Bunting, 90 Twite and 130 Linnets. Not surprisingly, with so many birds present, a Peregrine, 2 Merlins and 2 Short-eared Owls were all recorded hunting the area. Most of the Grey Seals have now departed, but about 12 Common Harbour Seals can still be seen. SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE DUNES NNR Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe NNR Observations 13-20 January 2016: Contributors: Nigel Lound, Peter and Janet Roworth, John Walker Cliff Morrison, The 16th was the first day since the 13th December that no precipitation was recorded in the rain gauges! Not only that, but several cold, frosty sunny days in the week have made for a more pleasant period. The monthly Wetland Bird Survey over the weekend yielded good numbers of wildfowl, with a record 53 Shoveler at Paradise ponds being the most notable, no doubt being cold weather arrivals. A similar number of Mallard and Wigeon, along with 115 Teal, whilst the long staying 100+ Common Scoter,single Velvet Scoter, 6 Eider and also 2 Goldeneye were on the sea. Over 1,200 Pink-footed Geese, 6 White-fronted and 2 Barnacle are using the Rimac sands for roost, along with 40 Whooper Swans. 2 Great-crested Grebes, a Great Northern Diver south on 18th and up to 11 Red- throated Divers were also noted. Wader numbers included over 700 Dunlin, 400 Curlew, 150 Redshank, 42 Bar-tailed Godwits, 30 Snipe, 22 Grey Plover and 8 Ringed Plovers. Good numbers of gulls have been present, with over 1,000 Herring Gulls, over 130 Great Blacked-backed, a Yellow-legged Gull and Little Gull being counted, along with a roost flock of 600+ Common and Black-headed Gulls. As well as the significant Shoveler numbers, a Bittern on Rimac freshwater marsh on the 15th was the other highlight of the period, With the cold weather, passerines have been concentrating on the remaining buckthorn berries, where 40+ Redwings, 50+ Blackbirds and 5 Fieldfare were recorded, along with at least 6 Song Thrushes, several of which were in song. Also in song now are a number of Great Tits. Other birds of not have included 2 Stonechats, over 30 Yellow Hammers and Reed Buntings. A Hen Harrier, Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Sparrow Hawk, Tawny, Barn and Little Owl have all been noted. Despite the fact that it has been a much drier week, many of the pasture and agricultural field areas in the proximity of Rimac have proved to be very interesting. This is following previous rains and to 3,000 Golden Plover, 1,400 Lapwing, 500 Starlings, 180 Teal, 250 Wigeon along the geese, reported above, have been counted. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 Reports always welcome. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 *** 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/ 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 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, 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 - Hard Bounce - Requested action not taken: mailbox unavailable geoff.copley - Soft Bounce - A problem occurred during the delivery of this message. And finally: Heritage lottery cash 'to tell Bomber Command stories' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-35365532 A16 to get average-speed checks after eight deaths http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-35325445 Red Arrows runway photographers 'risking lives' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-35350567 The best places in England for unearthing lost treasure http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-34930450 Human bones discovered in Lincolnshire garden http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-35351991 Starlings on Christmas Eve https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cv6ZqFLwQqY Sanderling & Bar Tailed Godwit birds Holme Norfolk UK 2Jan16 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjy3TIoj5MI A snowy owl, beached whales and a majestic fan throated lizard are among this week’s pick of images from the natural world http://www.theguardian.com/environment/gallery/2016/jan/15/the-week-in-wildlife-in-pictures St Abb's Seals http://www.nts.org.uk/Nature-Channel/View/St-Abbs-Seals/ Plashy utopia of the rain inspectors http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jan/13/country-diary-wenlock-shropshire-evans-snipe-rain-flood-meadows-geese-severn How are Britain’s sea mammals faring? https://theconversation.com/ten-years-after-the-thames-whale-how-are-britains-sea-mammals-faring-53337 Nonpatented, blight-resistant American chestnut tree. https://theconversation.com/new-genetically-engineered-american-chestnut-will-help-restore-the-decimated-iconic-tree-52191 In the hollow of a fallen branch is a bees’ nest that has met with disaster. http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jan/16/new-forest-bees-nest-storm-damage Plan to save England's Hen Harriers http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jan/14/long-awaited-plan-to-save-englands-hen-harrier-gets-green-light? Seagrass meadows around British Isles in 'perilous state' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-35199046 Snow-diving squirrel caught on camera in Estonia https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XU87z2YiPyY Snow Birds Ontario - January 2016 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aAElFqom7o PCB chemical threat to Europe's killer whales and dolphins http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-35302957 Mammoth kill linked to earliest Arctic settlers http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-35320938 Carbon emissions 'postpone ice age' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-35307800 China's craze for 'aquatic cocaine' http://www.theguardian.com/environment/radical-conservation/2016/jan/11/china-aquatic-cocaine-vaquita-totoaba-mexico-endangered-extinct Oil spilled in the world's 2nd 'Best Place for Wildlife' http://www.theguardian.com/environment/andes-to-the-amazon/2016/jan/14/look-at-the-oil-spilled-in-the-worlds-2nd-best-place-for-wildlife Fairy tale origins thousands of years old, researchers say. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-35358487 Are beards good for your health? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-35350886 Contributions to "And finally......" are always welcome. ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/