============================================= || || 31st 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 am sending this out early as I have several projects on the go this weekend. Thanks to all who sent in information and all those who took the trouble to 'forward to a friend", one of the best ways to interest new readers. You can find the link to do that at the end of every Bulletin. Please give it a try. 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. Paul Money writes that the 31st January is: A good night to attempt an all-night "Planet-thon"! Clear skies permitting, of course. See: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html Paul Money is giving a talk to the The Natural History and Geology Section, Scunthorpe Museum Society on Monday 8th February. 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. 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. *** Dodgy Links corrected from last week *** A few Links failed last week as an extra http:// crept in. Sorry about that. Here they are again: Mealy Redpoll? See: http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/discoverandlearn/birdguide/name/m/mealyredpoll/ Far Ings NNR on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-Of-Far-Ings-National-Nature-Reserve/186876774685595 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 Seagrass meadows around British Isles in 'perilous state' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-35199046 How are Britain’s sea mammals faring? https://theconversation.com/ten-years-after-the-thames-whale-how-are-britains-sea-mammals-faring-53337 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? *** 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 *** Bat update *** Annette Faulkner writes: As everyone will have realised the months before Christmas broke all records temperature-wise, and caused both bats and hedgehogs to delay going into hibernation. We get a few bat calls in November and December most years, though sometimes none at all across the winter. This year we have had 12 before Christmas and 2 since, both from south of the county boundary in Cambs (one taken in, one referred on), plus a record of a bat seen flying on Monday evening, one of a number of other flight records. All the bats we had in (8) were underweight, two died and one had to be euthanased because the cat had had it. Could I ask readers to keep their eyes open and let me know of any bats they see flying, either during the day or at dusk, between now and mid March (when they emerge from hibernation)? Of course, if you find a grounded one please phone 01775 766286 as soon as you have securely boxed up the bat (wear gloves or use a cloth to scoop it up), and we will take it into care. *** 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, DN16 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 *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** Carolyn Lovely writes: On Monday 8th February 2016 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them at their next indoor meeting when excellent photographer Mike Pickwell will give an illustrated presentation - "A Journey through the Highlands & Islands of Scotland" showing the wildlife and the landscape. This takes place in Grimsby Town Hall and starts at 7.30pm. Admission £2 all are welcome. There will be a Trust goods stall and raffle. Tea & coffee available. For further information ring Jennie Redpath 01472 502858. *** 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 *** 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/ 21/1 Short-eared Owl, Trent Port, Marton 28 Snow Buntings, c150 Twite, end of Brickyard Lane, Saltfleetby Red-breasted Merganser ad drk, West Lake, Whisby NP 22/1 Smew redhead, Toft Newton reservoir Scaup 1w drk, male Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owl, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh Scaup 1w female, Teal Lake, Whisby Nature Park Short-eared Owl in rough pasture near pumping station, Trent Port, Marton Greenland White-fronted Goose 1w in field off Back Lane, with Pink-footed Geese and 5 ad Eurasian White-fronted Geese, Saltfleet 23/1 White-fronted Goose with Pink-footed Geese, Croft Marsh, 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, Gibraltar Point Red-necked Grebe, Cleethorpes Country Park Short-eared Owl in rough pasture east of pumping station, Trent Port, Marton Long-eared Owl east of Wispington/Gautby crossroads, SW of Baumber 2 Scaup at River Witham mouth, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh 24/1 3 Sperm Whales, on beach, Skegness 2 Glaucous gulls ad + imm, Tata Steel Quarry Tip 2 Short-eared Owls in Wetlands, viewable from pumping station, Trent Port, Marton 12 Snow Buntings, north end, Cleethorpes Short-eared Owl in rough pasture east of pumping station, Trent Port, Marton 26 Eurasian White-fronted Geese, Freiston Shore Scaup 1w drk, 3 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh 25/1 Slavonian Grebe, Toft Newton reservoir Mealy Redpoll, by River Trent, Knaith Red-necked Grebe, Cleethorpes Country Park Black-necked Grebe, Covenham reservoir 26/1 3 White-fronted Geese ads on Croft Marsh, Gibraltar Point Scaup 1w drk, Frampton Marsh Red-breasted Merganser ad drk, West Lake, 1w Scaup fem on Teal Lake, Whisby NP 27/1 Iceland Gull juv reported on Novartis Sports field at Pywipe, near Grimsby Hen Harrier ringtail, Bittern, 3 Spotted Redshanks, Alkborough Flats Slavonian Grebe, Smew redhead, Scaup fem, Toft Newton reservoir Red-breasted Merganser ad drk, West Lake, Whisby NP 28/1 Slavonian Grebe, Smew redhead, fem Scaup, Toft Newton reservoir Red-necked Grebe, 2 Slavonian Grebes, Cleethorpes Country Park Red-necked Grebe flew past Frieston Shore Red-breasted Merganser ad drk, West Lake, Whisby NP 3 Eurasian White-fronted Geese ads with c700 Pink-footed Geese on Croft Marsh, Gibraltar Point Scaup 1w drk, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh Note: I am adapting RBA pager information for the Bulletin by eliminating or summarising/consolidating repeated messages. When there is a lot of information I will stick to highlights. Please visit the RBA website for updates or fuller details. 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. Editor writes: I was very sorry to read about the stranding of Sperm Whales at Skegness and Hunstanton. A sad if impressive sight, no doubt. Here are some related links: Stranded east coast whale tests halted over safety concerns http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-35409741 Sperm whales taken from Skegness beach to landfill http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-35422380 Time-lapse of beached whales being removed from Skegness http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-35425997 How many whales are found dead on UK beaches? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-35401335 *** 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 Two weeks beginning 15.1.16 Wendy Handford Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 Feral cat prowling along hedgebank 16.1.16 Grey squirrel in Hawthorn hedge 17.1.16 Blackbirds 8 feeding on fallen apples, temp -1C 15.1.16 Bluetit investigating nestbox 16.1.16 Fieldfare in orchard 17.1.17 Long-tailed tits, a small flock, in Silver birches 28.1.16 Sparrowhawk kills Woodpigeon in meadow 15.1.16 Woodpigeons 99 on lawn and under trees 26.1.16 First flowers Celandines 25.1.16 Daffodil 27.1.16 Snowdrops 19.1.16 Fungi this fortnight Glistening inkcaps 13 on fallen Ash Sulphur tuft 21 on dead Elder J Foster Brigg Road garden TA 113 020 First flowers on Blackthorn DEEPINGS Venue: Deeping Lakes LWT Reserve Date: 19/01/16 Time: 1400 - 1645 Observer: Ian Gordon Weather: Sunny periods, very cold. Birds: Barn Owl Bittern Blackbird Black-headed Gull Carrion Crow Caspian Gull Chaffinch Coot Cormorant Dunlin Gadwall Goldeneye Great Crested Grebe Great Tit Green Woodpecker Grey Heron Greylag Goose Jackdaw Lapwing Magpie Mallard Mute Swan Pheasant Pintail Pochard Red-crested Pochard Robin Snipe Redshank Reed Bunting Teal Tufted Duck Wigeon Wren Deeping High Bank (Crowland Bridge to Deeping Lakes) Date: 19/01/2016 Time: 1400 - 1415 Weather: Sunny, very cold Observer: Ian Gordon Birds: Cormorant Goldeneye Great Crested Grebe Greylag Goose Mallard Mute Swan Tufted Duck HORKSTOW Saturday 23 January Nuthatch on seed feeder in garden. This is a first. Jenny Haynes HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden unless advised otherwise) 22/1/2016 Blackbirds 8 Dunnock 1 Pheasant 1 Rabbit 1 Robins 2 24/1/2016 Whooper swans 2 (TF535783) 25/1/2016 Fieldmouse 1 Magpies 2 (in pond) Sparrowhawk 1 (flying through garden) 27/1/2016 Sparrowhawk 1 (sitting briefly in rowan tree) KEELBY (Grid Ref : TA1610) 23/1/2016 Jon Drakes Noted whilst carrying out the weekly BTO Garden Birdwatch in my back garden were: Collared Dove 20 Blackbird 4 Starling 9 House Sparrow 40 Dunnock 6 Robin 2 Tree Sparrow 4 Chaffinch 2 Wood Pigeon 2 Wren 1 Greenfinch 1 KEELBY (Grid Ref TA1610) 24/1/2016 Jon Drakes A walk around a circular route to the North of Keelby produced the following species: Collared Dove Blackbird Starling House Sparrow Wood Pigeon Carrion Crow Yellowhammer - a flock of 21 birds noted in a hedge row at the end of Roxton Avenue Robin Greater Spotted Woodpecker - heard drumming in Roxton Woods Coal Tit Great Tit Magpie Fieldfare Goldfinch Dunnock Redwing Blue Tit Pied Wagtail - 20 birds counted in a harvested beet field off Cissplatt Lane Chaffinch Jackdaw A Wasp was noted flying at the edge of Roxton Woods, no doubt awakened by the increase in temperature over prvious days. A large patch of Gorse consisting of several bushes is located in a rough pasture to the North of the village (Grid Ref TA 165105 - 100m square). The patch was in flower and is also a popular perching spot for Yellowhammers. KEELBY (Grid Ref TA1609) 24/1/2016 Jon Drakes Seen in the Southern part of the village was a flock of approx 50 Starlings feeding on a road side verge, whilst a single Kestrel was seen hunting over the verge on the A18. NETTLEHAM Brenda Edlington TF 005756 22/1/2016 Female siskin on sunflower hearts 23/1/2116 Male Siskin on sunflower hearts Great spotted woodpecker in tree Max numbers of goldfinches on and around feeders at any one time 21 Max number of chaffinches 15 Nothing is taking nyjer seed, birds all prefer sunflower hearts (and who can blame them) Pair of blue tits investigating inside a next box already. Many unseasonal flowers in bloom - pink, dandelion, hardy geraniums, hebe etc counted 17 earlier in the month. Had to pick purple sprouting broccoli which was ready 2 months earlier than usual. Nettleham Beck between the Church and Watermill Lane grey wagtail seen on several occasions. SPALDING TF2422 Annette Faulkner 28/1/16 Walking back from town along the River Welland this afternoon I recorded cow parsley in flower, the first lesser celandine, the first dandelions and plentiful daisies. And the grass needs cutting! TATTERSHALL THORPE 25.01.16 at 12.20 M & R Pocklington 2 Buzzards flying THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 15/01/16 Blackbird x 3 Goosander x 1 male SK798988 Lapwing x 150 Lesser Black Backed Gull x 4 Robin x 1 16/01/16 Barn Owl x 1 SK782983 Blackbird x 4 Coot x 1 SK784977 Goosander x 3males 1 female SK784977 & 1male 1 female SK799989 Kestrel x 1 Mute Swan x 2 SK784977 17/01/16 Blackbird x 2 Kestrel x 1 Lesser Black Backed Gull x 4 Little Owl x 1 calling 16:00hrs Magpie x 2 Mute Swan x 4 SK805994 Robin x 1 Rook x 12 Tree Sparrow x 7 Wood Pigeon x 2 Wren x 2 18/01/16 Cormorant x 1 Goosander x 2 SK8099 Long Eared Owl x 3 at roost SK8099 19/01/16 Tawny Owl x 1 calling 23:00hrs 20/01/16 Lapwing x 2 calling in arable fields 23:15hrs Tawny Owl x 1 calling 23:30hrs 22/01/16 Blackbird x 4 Kestrel x 1 Wood Pigeon x 2 WAINFLEET CONSERVATION PONDS 23/01/2016 Roy and Kath Pearson A brief visit yielded few birds, but Roe Deer have moved onto the site. WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 27/1/2016 Bombus lucorum queen landed on a warm car tyre for a short rest. 11.30am. http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/species/white-tailed-bumblebee WRANGLE COMMON 23/01/2106 Roy and Kath Pearson A BirdTrack count today recorded 28 species, though the total number of birds counted was surprisingly low at 150. The wet grassland produced Canada (11) and Greylag (19) geese, Mallard (13) Teal (14), Heron (3), Snipe (5) and Curlew (3). Also on the wet grassland were Skylark (1) and Meadow Pipit (2). No finches or sparrows were seen and only one Reed Bunting was present. Most numerous passerine was Blackbird (13), mainly concentrated in a small plantation. Five Roe Deer were present. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. NNRs including RSPB and LWT Reserves RSPB Reserves: http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/collections/thewash_northnorfolk.aspx https://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore/ http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh/ LWT Reserves: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/what-we-do/living-landscapes http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/reserves Reports always welcome. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GIBRALTAR POINT NNR. http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/gibraltar-point See: Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog. http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ Reports always welcome. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE DUNES NNR including DONNA NOOK. http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/38015?category=59026 http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/saltfleetby-theddlethorpe-dunes http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/donna-nook-nnr ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE DUNES NNR 21-27/01/16 Contributors: Nigel Lound, Janet and Peter Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison It has certainly been a variable week weather wise, beginning with a calm, but dull and frosty day on 19th, becoming very windy mid period, with gusts of up to 51mph and a temperature of 13.8°C on 26th, only to be topped at 15.25°C on the 27th. In the cold period of the previous week, there were plenty of Blackbirds and Redwings feeding on the buckthorn berries the previous week, but most of those have been stripped now and so the thrushes have moved on. Signs of the coming spring can be seen and heard, with Reed Bunting males beginning to show their breeding plumage black heads and Skylarks and Great Tits are in song. The Cetti's Warbler at Rimac was in song, but the overwintering Chiffchaff that's occasionally seen at Brickyard Lane has yet to be heard singing. The local wintering flocks of Pink-footed Geese and Whooper Swans can be seen coming into roost at dusk or a little later at Rimac, but can be found feeding in the local fields, where about 1,000 Pink-feet, 5 White-fronted Geese and 49 Whooper Swans have been counted. 19th South of Crook Bank - Common Scoter 100 on sea, Brambling 1, Sparrow Hawk 1, Yellow Hammer 21, Reed Bunting 6 21st - Brickyard Lane, Marsh Harrier 1 male south over sea, Wigeon 30 on sea, Sanderling 30, Dunlin 10, Bar-tailed Godwit 10, Curlew 300+ off roost, Snow Bunting 24, Twite 70, Linnet 1, Brambling 4, Yellow Hammer 21, Reed Bunting 8, Shoveler 32, 7 Teal and 140+ Black-headed Gulls on Paradise, Fieldfare 6 flew over 31 Little Egrets on saltmarsh one colour ringed as Red J // Yellow P which was last observed on 28th Sept 2015 on the saltmarsh 22nd 39 Shoveler were on Paradise Pool as was a Black-tailed Godwit. 10 Little Grebe today with 5 on the Eau at Rimac, 4 on the Haven and 1 on Paradise. 4 Tufted Duck were on the Eau from Rimac Bridge and 2 Gadwall were on Saltfleet Lagoon. 23rd - Brickyard Lane outer beach, Grey Plover 50, Bar-tailed Godwit 25, Curlew 250, Sanderling 6, Oystercatcher 5, Red-throated Diver 1, Goldeneye 1, Chiffchaff in garden by dunes 24th - Rimac Freshwater Marsh was quite productive first thing with at least 2 Water Rail, a Woodcock, a Water Pipit and a Cetti's Warbler all recorded, as well as a Brown Hare. An adult Peregrine was sat out on the beach from Rimac and there were a minimum of 38 Little Egret on the saltmarsh. 48 Shoveler were on Rimac Pool but only 26 Snipe on the Freshwater marsh and saltmarsh. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. geoff.copley - Soft Bounce - A problem occurred during the delivery of this message. And finally: Fly-tippers dump 6.5 tonnes of rubbish on Caistor bridleway http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-35408400 Boston in Lincolnshire is the most murderous place in England http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/boston-in-lincolnshire-is-the-most-murderous-place-in-england-and-wales-home-office-figures-reveal-a6828571.html Major leak at gas field off Lincolnshire coast 'could have caused deadly explosion' http://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/Major-leak-gas-field-Lincolnshire-coast-caused/story-28586280-detail/story.html#ixzz3y6Jkjcmr Importance of birds to south Lincolnshire farmers http://www.spaldingtoday.co.uk/news/community/environment/importance-of-birds-to-south-lincolnshire-farmers-1-7173712 Funds for farmers who fight flooding http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-35375338 Tags give insight into basking shark behaviour http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-35380327 Earwigs’ beauty forever in a dark cavity http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jan/21/country-diary-weardale-durham-gates-earwig-human-virtues-insect-care-wings - Read the comments to see earwig wings. Sri Lanka destroys huge illegal ivory haul http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jan/26/sri-lanka-destroys-illegal-ivory-haul Every tiny wren counts as Birdwatch begins http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jan/28/country-diary-sandy-bedfordshire-niemann-rspb-birdwatch-wrens-winter-sighting How plants rely on friendly fungal bodyguards https://theconversation.com/how-plants-rely-on-friendly-fungal-bodyguards-49923 Contributions to "And finally......" are always welcome. ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/