============================================= || || 6th November 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 over 1000 people and we are keen to encourage even more readers to subscribe. If you know someone who might like to receive the Bulletin please use the "forward to a friend" link at the end of every Bulletin or, if you prefer, send them this link so they can sign up for it: http://www.lnu.org/wildnews.php Compare Previous Years. Text versions of past Wildnews Bulletins since Feb 2009 are available on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Note: Each address contains the relevant date. Views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union or any associated organisations. Reports here are open and are available to county recorders of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union, the Lincolnshire Bird Club and Lincolnshire Environmental Record Centre [LERC]. 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.... *** If you plan to visit Donna Nook, why not drop in on Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Dunes too? See the report in section 4. http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/saltfleetby-theddlethorpe-dunes Donna Nook Seal News: Avoid weekend visits if possible. Useful links: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/nature-reserves/donna-nook/viewing-seals-donna-nook http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/donna-nook/weekly-update http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/donna-nook The most important natural history programme of the year? This Sunday 'Planet Earth II ' launches on BBC 1. Watch the Radio Times trailer: http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2016-10-10/watch-the-trailer-for-planet-earth-ii Watch on BBC i-Player: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02544td Don't skip these video clips! Bear Rescues A Crow From Drowning https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPFTVMZvWoA&feature=youtu.be Crow Smarter Than Some People https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UduqdQQ2ImA&feature=youtu.be How smart is a crow? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URZ_EciujrE&feature=youtu.be I was delighted by the RBA alert: "2 Waxwings on Berry Way, Skegness" Also see: Henry & the Waxwings - Fair Isle, Shetland. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zejz8uoq6jo Waxwings on a Stick - Fair Isle, Shetland. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbkIkKkmFD4 "We're being invaded - by ladybirds" http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-37821921 Harlequin Ladybird Survey: have you seen any? http://www.harlequin-survey.org/ The LNU Bulletin is FREE to anyone interested in identifying & recording wildlife in Lincolnshire in particular. Beginners or experts, Lincolnshire- based or farther afield, whatever your background, all are welcome to subscribe. Please tell others about it - new readers are always welcome. Please keep your contributions coming. Don't forget those roadkills! Roger rogerp@enterprise.net *** Find the Grid Reference - don't forget - it's important *** Grab a Grid Reference: http://www.bnhs.co.uk/focuson/grabagridref/html/index.htm UK Grid Reference Finder: http://www.gridreferencefinder.com/ *** LNU Events Diary *** For LNU meetings, see: http://www.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. Next meeting: 26th November 2016 Whisby Education Centre, 2pm “Riverflies” by Stuart Crofts Editor adds: There has been an increased interest in riverflies and their ecological importance. Don't miss this talk! *** Scunthorpe Museum Society Indood Meetings *** www.scunthorpemuseumsociety.btck.co.uk Keith Scarrott writes: The Natural History and Geology Section of the Scunthorpe Museum Society. Our last indoor meeting for this year, on Monday, 14th November, will include an illustrated talk on "Earthquakes" by David Galloway of the British Geological Survey Seismology Unit at Edinburgh. David tells us that his talk will be about earthquakes in general: what, why. how, when, where they occur (both globally and here in the UK and around Scunthorpe), the damage they do (with some impressive images of the devastation they cause) and also some information on the work done at the Seismology Unit. Clearly we can learn a lot from David's talk. ALL ARE WELCOME to our meetings which are held in St Bernadette's Church Parish Centre, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2RS, starting at 7.15pm. (Opposite the Priory Hotel on Ashby Road.) There is ample free parking at the Church. There is no entry charge but a donation bowl is provided. Light refreshments are provided at the mid-talk break for a small charge. For further information contact Keith Scarrott on 01724 762098. *** Barton Area Group LWT *** Barton Area Group of the LWT is now on Facebook; https://www.facebook.com/LWT.Barton.Group ***Alford & Mablethorpe Branch LWT*** George Rutter writes: Talk: A year in the life of a wildlife warden Monday 14th November - 7:30pm The Half Moon Hotel, West Street, Alford A talk by Kevin James, Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust warden for mid-Lincolnshire. Find out about the variety of tasks that he has to deal with from habitat management to dealing with awkward visitors. With the Alford & Mablethorpe Area Group *** Boston Area Group LWT *** Geof Lee writes: Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust - Boston Area Group THE WILDLIFE OF FLORIDA by Gill Walsh. Gill will show us the amazing array of wildlife she has seen on her many visits. The talk is in the schoolroom of the Centenary Methodist Church in Red Lion Street, Boston at 7.30 p.m. on Thursday, 10th November, 2016. Everyone welcome. For more info contact Brian Redman on 01205368475. *** More Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Events 2016 *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/whats-on *** November Night Sky *** Paul Money's 'Monthly Night Sky' webpage for November will be found on: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html Paul explains that two major meteor showers this month, the Northern Taurids [peak 12th] and the Leonids [peak 17th] are likely to be spoiled by moonlight. You might be lucky. Let us know if you are. I saw a terrific meteor on the 1st. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ 27/10 Western Purple Swamphen, Alkborough Flats Hen Harrier ringtail, Tetney Lock Glossy Ibis on wet grassland, Black-necked Grebe on reservoir by sea wall, them flew to saltmarsh, 5 Spotted Redshanks, Ring Ouzel in scrub towards Witham mouth, 2 male Hen Harriers, Frampton Marsh Long-eared Owl, Hen Harrier, 5 Bean Geese flew north over Gibraltar Point 9 Shorelarks on beach at south end, Redstart male at south end, Donna Nook 28/10 Hawfinch flew south over West Dunes, Gibraltar Point Western Purple Swamphen, Alkborough Flats Water Pipit, Pleasure Island, Cleethorpes 29/10 Long-billed Dowitcher, Glossy Ibis on saltmarsh, Black-necked Grebe on reservoir, 2 Spotted Redshanks, possible Rough-legged Buzzard, possible Great Grey Shrike, 2 Hen Harriers, Frampton Marsh 16 Shorelarks on saltmarsh by Brickyard Lane car park, Theddlethorpe 3 Waxwings flew south over, 2 Lapland Buntings flew south over, 2 Ring Ouzels, Water Pipit, Gibraltar Point Northern Bullfinch in buckthorn between Stonebridge car park and seal centre, 25 Shorelarks, Rough-legged Buzzard flew north over, 2 Waxwings, 3 Short-eared Owls, 2 Snow Buntings, 24 Twite, Donna Nook 2 Waxwings, Far Ings Western Purple Swamphen, 2 Hen Harriers, 1m, Alkborough Flats Black-necked Grebe, Deeping High Bank, River Welland Snow bunting, Huttoft Bank in dunes at car terrace 30/10 Long-billed Dowitcher, 9 Scaup, 2 Hen Harriers, Black-necked Grebe on reservoir, Glossy Inis on wet grassland, Frampton Marsh 2 Short-eared Owls, Saltfleetby St Clements Richard's Pipit in cattle field, Theddlethorpe All Saints 13 Shorelarks, Ring Ouzel, Yellow-browed warbler, 23 Twite, Short-eared Owl, Donna Nook Hen Harrier male, 3 Water Pipits, Tree Pipit, Gibraltar Point 2 Common Scoters, Target Pit, Far Ings Western Purple Swamphen, 2 Hen Harriers, 1 m, Alkborough Flats 2 Eurasian White-fronted Geese, Baston/Langtoft gravel pits 31/10 Long-billed Dowitcher juv, Glossy Ibis, Black-necked Grebe, Frampton Marsh Waxwing, Long-tailed duck, 5 Scaup, Red-crested Pochard, Tetney Marshes 2 Waxwings on Berry Way, Skegness, then flew south Waxwing at beach car park, 2 Water Pipits on mere, Lapland Bunting flew over Millennium Ridge, Snow Bunting male on Millennium Ridge, Gibraltar Point 5 Shorelarks, Donna Nook 1/11 Waxwing, Gibraltar Point Short-eared Owl, Deeping High Bank Shorelark, Donna Nook Black-throated Diver past, Common Scoter fem on Jackson's Marsh, Pomarine Skua past, 3 Tundra Bean Geese flew south, Gibraltar Point Waxwing flew south over, Purple Sandpiper, American Wigeon, Covenham reservoir 2/11 4 Little Auks past, Waxwing over, Huttoft Bank Waxwing flew over Barton-upon-Humber 6 Common Cranes over Knaith Hall Slavonian Grebe, 3 Waxwings over, Purple Sandpiper, Covenham reservoir American Wigeon drk reported at Covenham reservoir is a hybrid Glossy Ibis, male Hen Harrier, Twite, 2 Short-eared Owls over Cut End, Frampton Marsh Black-throated Diver flew south past Freiston Shore 2 Tundra Bean Geese, Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Snow Buntings, Gibraltar Point 2 Eurasian White-fronted GHeese, ads, Baston/Langtoft gravel pits 2 Bean Geese flew west over Candy Corner, Wroot 3/11 Lapland Bunting south over, Hawfinch over Visitor centre car park then flew south, Pomarine Skua flew south past, 3 Little Auks, Shorelark, 2 Lapland Buntings, 2 Twite, Gibraltar Point 1+ Little Auks, Barton-upon-Humber Western Purple Swamphen, Alkborough Flats Note: I am adapting RBA pager information for the Bulletin by eliminating or summarising/consolidating repeated messages. When there is a lot of information I will stick to highlights. Please visit the RBA website for updates or fuller details. Rare Bird Alert website: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ Here you can register free to use the site and get free trials of the 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. TORTOISESHELL WOOD SK96/19 Jane Ostler 31 October 2016 The sun shone on the day of Angela Bates funeral. She has been the Hon Reserve Manager there for many years. In evidence were some of the plants and animals which make this LWT Reserve so special. The wild service trees at their best with brown berries and brilliantly coloured leaves. Yellow leaves of coppiced hazel which nowadays because of careful management, survive the predations of mammals, particularly deer. Under them the leaves of wood anemone and herb paris are long gone, but an occasional ramsons leaf can be found. Branches of fallen oak, covered with witches butter (for halloween?) Spectacular brackets like dryads saddle and turkey oak fungi. Bees feeding on some late flowers A speckled wood butterfly enjoying the dappled sunlight Brief glimpses of a nuthatch' The loud yaffle of a green woodpecker The robins mournful autumn song. HARLEQUIN LADYBIRDS Are Harlequin Ladybirds marching into your house? Why not record them? If you look at their distribution map there are quite a few Linconshire gaps. http://www.harlequin-survey.org/ ROADKILLS SUTTON ON SEA A52 Grid ref: TF 5237280424 Bill Simpson 27th October 16 0730 Road kill Adult Muntjac Deer *** 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. DEEPING LAKES Correction from Ian Gordon: I have found I made an error in my Deeping Lakes report. I managed to include Great Crested Tit as well as Great Tit!!!! Never heard of one. Should have read Great Crested Grebe. Operator error, despite reading through the text I missed it. Apologies. FAR INGS LINCOLNSHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST FAR INGS NR (Grid reference TA0123) 30/10/2016 Jon Drakes A sunday morning walk around the reserve found thirty four species of bird present: Blackbird Black-Headed Gull Blue Tit Carrion Crow Chaffinch Coot Cormorant Dunnock Feral Pigeon Fieldfare Gadwall Goldcrest Goldfinch Great Crested Grebe Great Tit Grey Heron Herring Gull House Sparrow Magpie Mallard Moorhen Mute Swan Pheasant Pink-footed Goose Redshank Redwing Robin Shoveler Starling Teal Tufted Duck Turnstone Wigeon Woodpigeon Grey Squirrel FRAMPTON MARSH RSPB Frampton Marsh (Grid reference TF3538) 25/10/2016 Jon Drakes A brief visit to this reserve whilst returning home from a bird watching weekend in Norfolk found the following species present: Bar Tailed Godwit Black Neck Grebe this bird was present on the farm reservoir Black Tailed Godwit Blackbird Black-Headed Gull Brambling present in bushes along public footpath to the farm reservoir Brent Goose Chaffinch Goldcrest at least six examples in a single large bush adjacent to the public footpath that leads to the farm reservoir Goldfinch Great Tit Grey Heron House Sparrow Lapwing Little Egret Little Grebe Long Billed Dowitcher seen with a flock of Black Tailed Godwit showing well on the scrapes on the opposite side of the lane from the visitor centre. Longtail Tit Magpie Mallard Moorhen Mute Swan Peregrin Falcon seen hunting over scrapes opposite the visitor centre Pochard Red Legged Partridge a group of three birds seen in field behind farm reservoir Redshank Shelduck Snipe Starling Teal Tree Sparrow Whooper Swan Wigeon Woodpigeon Wren Yellowhammer HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden) 28/10/2016 Dunnock 1 Robins 2 30/10/2016 Dunnock 1 Great spotted woodpecker 1 Wren 1 31/10/2016 Blackbirds 4 (1 with leucism - white cap on head) Great tits 2 Tawny owl 1 (heard 5.45 a.m.) 1/11/2016 Great spotted woodpecker 1 Robins 2 KEELBY (Grid reference TA1710) 26/10/2016 Jon Drakes Noted whilst walking around fields to the East of Keelby village were: Blackbird Black-Headed Gull Blue Tit Carrion Crow Chaffinch Common Gull Fieldfare Goldcrest Goldfinch Herring Gull House Sparrow Kestrel Little Egret First example seen around the village Magpie Peregrin Falcon First example seen around the village. The bird was observed perched on top of an electricity pylon before flying to the South East of the village. Pheasant Pied Wagtail Skylark Starling Woodpigeon Wren Yellowhammer KEELBY (Grid reference TA1610) 29/10/2016 Jon Drakes Species recorded whilst carrying out the weekly Garden Bird Watch for the BTO in our back garden were: Collared Dove 10 House Sparrow 30 Blackbird 2 Chaffinch 2 Dunnock 3 Tree Sparrow 2 Robin 1 Goldfinch 1 Coal Tit 1 Blue Tit 4 Starling 1 Greenfinch 1 Red Admiral butterfly 1 Comma butterfly 1 LOUTH OS 3486 C Byatt 27 October 2016 Long Tailed Tit - 4 STEWTON LANE, LOUTH Clare Brady 2/11/2016 6 Whooper Swans flew over head at 6.30 this morning while we were out walking the dogs. MESSINGHAM SAND QUARRY SE91450370 Su Colman & Mark Townsend 29/10/16 4x whooper swans Black headed gull Blackbird Buzzard x 2 Canada goose Coot Cormorant x 6 Flock of >100 lapwings Gadwall Greylag geese >500 Little Egret Mute swan Pochard Robin Tufted duck Widgeon Grey squirrels Plants in flower - Blackberry Red campion Field scabious Ragwort White dead nettle Fungi - Fly agaric (amanita muscaria) Puffball (lycoperdon perlatum) Yellow stagshorn (calocera viscose) Shaggy ink cap (Coprinus comatus) RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF309847 unless otherwise stated Silvia Fowler 24.10.2016 Wren Grey Wagtail briefly near garden pond Common Newt under loose paving slab Today the solitary Common Gull was joined by a single Herring Gull treading the ground for worms.  The two gulls remained about 10-15 metres apart and their size difference was very noticeable. 25.10.2016  (calm and sunny) Red Admiral 1 Harlequin Ladybird 1 on plank in garage – the only one I’ve seen so far this autumn. Noticeable absence of hoverflies and drone flies which I had in great numbers in similar conditions this time last year. On the other hand, there are still quite a few wasps active. 26.10.2016 Harlequin Ladybird on upstairs window Green Shieldbug 27.10.2016 7 juv. Pheasants with 2 adult females (judging by the length of their tails) foraging along edge of pasture; 2 adult males seen later in a protracted stand-off 28.10.2016 Red Admiral 2, Brimstone 1 on the wing in calm, mild and briefly sunny conditions 29.10.2016 2 Red Admiral, quite a few Bumblebees incl. Red-tailed and Buff-tailed, a few Drone Flies on the wing, 3 Wasp queens attempting to hibernate in folds of bedroom curtains Several Harlequin Ladybirds near windows Pied Wagtail on roof top Large Common Frog hopping around on top of pond netting (to keep leaves out) – reminded me to create more access points 31.10.2016 Red Admiral 2 Pied Wagtail on rooftop Brown Rat, juv. - cat kill 01.11.2016 October Rainfall = 63mm 02.11.2016 Red Admiral 1 A few Lacewings now appearing indoors. THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 14/10/16 Cormorant x 1 Robin x 2 Rabbit x 3 15/10/16 Barn Owl x 1 Blackbird x 5 Common Buzzard x 1 Golden Plover x 2 Lapwing x 2 SE828015 21/10/16 Blue Tit x 2 Fieldfare x 36 Golden Plover x 35 Little Owl x 1 calling 23:45hrs Robin x 1 22/10/16 Kestrel x 1 young one still calling for food 27/10/16 Blackbird 1 Chaffinch x 2 Fieldfare x 42 Kestrel x 1 Redwing x 12 Robin x 1 Starling x 52 WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 28/10/2016 5 Little Egrets on Glebe Farm, Hurnbridge Road 100+ Pink-footed geese over with 'accompanying' flock of lapwings. 29/10/2016 9 Little Egrets on Glebe Farm, plus 1 in flight, Hurnbridge Road. Good slzed local starling flock 'murmirating'. Large number of Harlequin ladybirds about, on walls and in flight. Flush of Verdigris Agaric - Stropharia aeruginosa - near heap of rotted chippings WOODHALL SPA Woodhall Spa John Hodgson Home GR 201 629. Monday 24/10/16 1 x Tawny Owl calling from oak tree at home GR just before daylight. Tuesday 25/10/16 1 x Tawny Owl again calling from the oak tree just before daylight. 1 x Common Lizard on sitting room carpet! The previous evening I had brought in a basket of logs from the log store and it is likely to have come in with the logs. The lizard was put outside under the hedge in the hope that it will be able to find new winter quarters. Tuesday 25/10/16 4 x Buzzards soaring and calling overhead near home GR Wednesday 26/10/16 1x Brimstone flitting around the garden Thursday 26/10/16 50 plus Greylag overhead at home GR flying toward NW. Saturday 29/10/16 10 plus Shoveler overhead near home GR flying toward SE ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 Report 26th October – 2nd November 2016 Contributors: Peter and Janet Roworth, John Walker & Cliff Morrison Weather notes for October. The high pressure system centred over the UK during the first week of the month which gave the cold easterly winds gradually drifted north-east by the 14th allowing the weather to be influenced by winds from a S/SW sector. During this change there were continual days of low cloud and rain, of note 23.4mm of ppt was recorded from the 16th - 18th. High pressure began to build again from the 24th which gave a spell of dry days, south-westerly winds and sunshine providing unseasonal daytime temp- eratures reaching a maximum of 17.0°C on the 28th. By the end of the month low pressure from the west began to push back the high pressure towards the NE and the weather was becoming more autumnal. Dense fog which was slow to clear was observed on the 31st. Total rainfall for the month was 52.9mm (2.08 inches). 26th Typically, Twite arrives to feed on the samphire at this time, but a group of 13 on the 26 soon departed. Starlings have been noted arriving on most mornings, with a peak count of 600 on the 26th. Lapwing 4 flying south over Sea View, Goldcrest 2, Tree Sparrow 1 and Song Thrush near Sea View but obvious lack of tits and winter thrushes. Marsh Harrier (cream crown) and Peregrine Falcon hunting out on the far edge of the saltmarsh late afternoon causing general mayhem amongst roosting gulls, Curlew and wildfowl at Saltfleet Haven. The Pink feet are both moving and local, with the Rimac roost having re-established this winter with at least 120 birds, so many of the movements are local, with the birds heading southwards each morning, but also a maximum counts of moving birds of 140 south at dusk on 26th and 350 on 29th October. 27th Blackbirds, Redwings Fieldfares and a few Song thrushes were arriving from the 27th through to 1st November Up to 7 Siskins are present in the Brickyard Lane area, along with a Blackcap. Whooper swans noted moving south, with 9 on 27th and 13 on 29th. 28th Tree Sparrow 3 and Stonechat 2 near Sea View, Kingfisher 2 and Grey Plover 2 at the Great Eau Outfall near Paradise lagoon and 120 Pink-feet over the dunes 29th The Shore lark numbers have been variable during the week, from nil to a peak count of 19 on 29th. The samphire beds, which are typically wet and muddy have now progressed towards primary dune, with extensive saltmarsh grass growth, which is a less favourable habitat for feeding finches. This, linked with the last spring tide sequence, which brought in much blanket weed, smothering the samphire and rendering the seeds inaccessible to finches, saw the departure of the 200 feeding Linnets. Only the Shore larks and up to 5 Rock pipits are now to be found on this previous excellent autumn/winter feeding area. Goldcrest 2 at Sea View, Pink-footed Goose three skeins of 40, 50 and 50 over and 14 Shore larks at Brickyard and a single Snow Bunting. A Marsh Harrier was hunting over the saltmarsh late afternoon. 30th Singles of Stonechat, Common Snipe, Goldcrest, Reed Bunting and Chiffchaff near Sea View, plus Siskin 6 Two skeins of Pink-feet over 70 + 15 31st Lingering fog all morning with a small influx of thrushes with at least 132 Fieldfare, 71 Blackbirds, 9 Redwing and 2 Song Thrushes between SV and Paradise An influx of Thrushes mostly Blackbird and Fieldfares on 31st also 5 Whooper swans with another 5 Whoopers 1st All thrushes from the previous day now moved on with just the occasional Blackbird seen, single Sparrow hawk hunting over the dunes and Great Spotted Woodpecker near Sea View, 5 Whooper Swans were seen on Rimac lagoon late afternoon. Skeins of 40 to 180 Pink Foot Geese through most days All sighting Rimac to Brickyard Lane. 2nd Male Blackcap and 2 Goldcrests near SV, 11 Whoopers flying south and 20 Little Egrets with 100+ Starlings on saltmarsh early morning Insects and Other Sightings The unseasonably warm weather over the weekend resulted in good catches of moths in the Brickyard Lane area, along with a fresh Angle-barred Pug, which typified the warm weather during the mid and late summer. This is a Sea Buckthorn speciality species, that typically has a single early summer hatch, with an occasional late summer second generation, but the view is that this moth must have been from a third generation capitalising on the warm conditions. The unseasonal daytime high of 16.0°C gave the opportunity of a peacock butterfly to be on the wing near Sea View. Many insects were on the wing on sunny afternoons 28/29 Oct with common darters seen ovipositing ruddy darter and migrant hawkers seen lots of various fly species 2 bumblebee species and wasps on ivy flower. A Harbour Porpoise was noted off the Brickyard Lane area on 27th. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 Reports always welcome. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. BARDNEY LIMEWOODS NNR http://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/visit/woods-and-nature-reserves/127031.article 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. Reports always welcome. 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 welcomed. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 *** 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 copy and paste URLs if necessary. *** 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! You 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. ian@macalpine-leny.co.uk http://lnu.org/publications.php LNU Mammal Atlas You can download and print off a hard copy or view it online. https://goo.gl/XIqRZg *** 'Lincolnshire Plants - Past and Future' - latest *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/news/2016/09/29/lincolnshire%E2%80%99s-botanical-heritage-sees-flowering-funds-national-lottery-grant http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk/news-events/lincolnshire-plants-project/ *** CONTACTS LIST *** Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/ Care of Sick or Injured Animals - information on LWT website http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/sick-and-injured-animals FIGHTING WILDLIFE CRIME *** Rural Crime Officer *** Pc 160 Nick Willey Force Wildlife, Rural Crime Officer Force Dog Training Establishment Lincolnshire Showground. Grange-De-Lings. Lincoln nicholas.willey@lincs.pnn.police.uk OFFICE: 01522-731897 MOBILE :07768-501895 PAGER : 07654-330877 Related Website: http://lincs.police.uk/get-help-advice/wildlife-and-rural-crime/ also see: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/issues/crime STAYING SAFE Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. *** EasyTide *** Check tide times on Admiralty EasyTide: http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx *** TWO - The Weather Outlook *** Check the weather forecast for the location or postcode: http://www.theweatheroutlook.com/ *** Met Office E-mail Service *** The Met Office website now offers an e-mail notification service for severe weather and other matters which may interest readers. 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 Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. When asking for help, please give the the very best information you can provide. If you are not sure, ask what is needed from you to confirm identification. Photographs are helpful but not every species can be identified from a photograph. When asked for further details, get back to them promptly. Don't forget a thank you for the help. That is always welcome. *** Identifying Fungi *** http://www.rogersmushrooms.com/ *** What's That Butterfly? *** http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/index.php http://butterfly-conservation.org/ *** 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 *** http://www.bwars.com/ 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 Recorder *** Chris Manning, Chris.LincsDeer@gmail.com Mink/Otter reports are of interest and can be sent via the Bulletin. Mammal Atlas You can download and print off a hard copy or view it online. https://goo.gl/XIqRZg *** Spiders *** Imogen Wilde Regional Co-ordinator (RC) and Mentor for Lincolnshire for the British Arachnological Society (BAS). Imogen@imogenwilde.co.uk *** Lincs Amphibian and Reptile Group *** The Lincolnshire ARG (Amphibian & Reptile Group) For further information and to submit records contact: Ashley Butterfield learningoutdoors@btinternet.com 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. *** Local Bat Helpline *** Grounded bats, bat problems, advice and information. Contact Annette and Colin Faulkner on 01775 766286 or e-mail: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com Lincolnshire Bat Group website: http://www.lincsbatgroup.co.uk/ *** Bat Recorder *** You may send confidential bat records direct to Annette Faulkner on: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** LNU Sawflies, Bees, Wasps and Ants Recorder *** Dr. David Sheppard Willing to examine specimens or check photos (but bear in mind only a relative few of the 300+ species in the county are identifiable using photos). d.a.sheppard@btinternet.com *** Slug ID Help *** Chris du Feu will help with slug identification. You can telephone him on: 01427 848400 or e-mail: chris@chrisdufeu.force9.co.uk *** Non-Marine Molluscs *** Alex Pickwell is the LNU Recorder for Non-marine Molluscs and I am sure he would welcome some data from us. As ever, distribution of common species is as important as the exciting discovery of rare or new county species. Email: alex.pickwell@environment-agency.gov.uk *** Lincolnshire Badger Group *** Ally Townsend of the Weirfield Wildlife Hospital:, writes: Contact us on 01522 530428 a member of staff will record the sighting or RTA. Or use the Weirfield website where a reporting page can be used to send in badger reports. http://www.weirfield.co.uk/ *** Botanical Group in South Lincs *** Contact: Sarah Lambert, who 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 Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. *** 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.glnp.org.uk/ *** Life on the Verge and Wildflower Meadow Network Project *** Contact: Aidan Neary, Wildflower Meadow Project Officer, aneary@lincstrust.co.uk Mobile: 07825 970930, Switchboard: 01507 526667. 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. See: 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 *** School of Life Sciences - University of Lincoln *** http://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/lifesciences/ *** Natural History Museum *** http://www.nhm.ac.uk/ *** Lincoln - The Collection *** https://www.thecollectionmuseum.com/ *** Other Useful Websites/contacts *** Suggestions for other useful Websites are welcome. Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. *** Natural England *** http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ *** Lincolnshire Environmental Awards *** http://www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk/ *** Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service *** 01507 609740 http://www.lincswolds.org.uk Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service are now producing an e-bulletin. To subscribe go to http://www.lincswolds.org.uk/ *** Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project *** Project Officer: Jonathan Gahan: jonathan.gahan@lincolnshire.gov.uk http://www.lincswolds.org.uk/chalk-streams/volunteering *** 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/ Grimsby & District RSPB http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/grimsby *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire link *** http://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html *** Lincsbirders *** http://www.lincsbirders.org/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 a few cases may be difficult or 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. 2016/17 Indoor Meetings - in preparation. Next meeting: 26th November 2016 Whisby Education Centre, 2pm “Riverflies” by Stuart Crofts Editor adds: There has been an increased interest in riverflies and their ecological importance. Don't miss this talk! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails This Week *** If you recognise the owner of a 'part-address', please let them know their Bulletin has 'bounced' this week. They may wish to register another address. johnth@ckery - soft bounce - SMTP error from remote mail server: Spam content found If ever your Bulletin does not arrive, text copies of past Bulletins can be found on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html ....and finally..... Note: If a link does not work, please look at the URL. See if an extra http:// has crept in. Long https addresses seem to cause occasional problems, so I have started posting these as "hotlinks" and also as text that you can copy and paste into your browser should you need to. I hope this helps. Lincolnshire operations cancelled after network attack http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-37822084 Fin whale washed up on beach in Norfolk http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-37725921 Growth of city trees can cut air pollution, says report http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-37813709 Wetland archaeological sites at risk http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-37826894 Further fall in corncrake numbers in Scotland http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-37773840 King's favourite fish to make comeback in River Severn project http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-37779585 £131m RAF Sentinel aircraft deal secures 160 jobs http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-37785303 Dangerous' grass stops post deliveries in Pontypool http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-37785628 Flying squirrel numbers soar in Helsinki http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-news-from-elsewhere-37787648 Drone captures rare whale footage http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-37739040 Climate Robots - ‘robomussels’ http://www.mygreenpod.com/articles/climate-robots/ Tour England's countryside in one London garden https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/oct/27/tour-of-the-uk-in-a-hidden-london-garden-country-diary How overfishing and shark-finning could increase the pace of climate change https://theconversation.com/how-overfishing-and-shark-finning-could-increase-the-pace-of-climate-change-67664 Toadstools shine like cat's eyes in the wood https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/oct/28/toadstools-cats-eye-woods-country-diary Return of the mandarin ducks https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/oct/29/return-of-the-mandarin-ducks Nature is not a vague abstraction; ask Robbie's friend https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/nov/01/nature-conservation-development-protest-logh-beg-lodge-hill-country-diary The harlequin ladybird is a clever little devil https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/nov/02/voracious-harlequin-ladybird-clever-little-devil-country-diary ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/