============================================= || || 9th October 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 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.... *** Thank you to everyone who had reports waiting for my return last week. It makes a big difference when these are ready to go without much editing. I gather a foreign bird report crept in last week to create some excitement. I missed spotting that in my haste to send the Bulletin out before my departure. Sorry if I raised adrenaline levels in the birding community. It would be good to expand our readership further. Can you help, please? The Bulletin's circulation data gives constant surprises. The last issue was read in Uganda, Kenya and South Africa, and also in Italy, France and Spain and North America. Mostly these hits are from expatriate Yellowbellies or readers on their travels, but not all. Some are readers with an active interest in biological recording in other countries, interested in what we are doing. It's a unique network. Please keep telling people about it. I am still in the chucking and packing stages of a house move. I have 3 boxes of past Mammal Society publications which will go for recycling if no one wants them. They go back to 1963, when I first joined the MSBI, so some of the material is useful historical stuff. Email me if interested. rogerp@enterprise.net The news of a grant for 'Lincolnshire Plants - Past and Future' has prompted me to introduce a slot in the Bulletin for news and progress reports on the project. I have put in two links to the first press release, the websites of 2 project partners, the Sir Joseph Banks Society and the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. As further news comes in from the partnership I will add links or articles. Don't forget to check the links in 12. ...and finally..... e.g. An interesting and worrying article about toads: Toad numbers fall by two-thirds in 30 years http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-37566337 Alslo: Hare coursing arrests: Four men held and dogs seized. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-37541248 Dial 101 to report coursing. Remember to request an incident number and a followup call to report on the outcome. For more information on preventing poaching, see: http://lincs.police.uk/get-help-advice/wildlife-and-rural-crime/ also see: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/issues/crime Please keep your reports coming. 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 - list in section 11 below - guests welcome *** Section 11 now includes the LNU Field Meetings for 2016. 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. Field Meetings generally start at 12 noon for 1.00pm, but please check the website details for each event. Sunday, October 09, 2016 LNU Annual Fungus Foray (National Fungus Day) (Access courtesy of the Forestry Commission) Temple Wood (Access courtesy of the Forestry Commission) North of Bourne 12.00 for 13.00 start. Park at TF058299 at northern entrance track to wood (nearest post code NG34 0HE). Take minor road west from Aslackby, off the A15. Nearest public toilets are in Bourne. Habitat: Broadleaved woodland. Leader: Ray Halstead 07772 613640 ray.halstead@tiscali.co.uk *** October Night Sky - Draconid and Taurid meteor showers *** Watch out for the Draconid [peaks 8th] and Southern Taurid [peaks 10th] meteor showers. The Orionid shower [peaks 21st] could be spoiled by moon light this year. Paul Money's 'Monthly Night Sky' webpage for to October can be found on: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html *** '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/ *** South Lincolnshire Walking Festival - to 30th October *** South Lincolnshire Walking Festival. Details from http://www.southlincswalking.com/ **** Rescheduled Diptera (Flies) Workshop - 12th November *** Richard Davidson 12th November Diptera (Flies) Workshop - Whisby Nature Park, in the Lafarge Education Building.12:30pm until 4:30pm. Free of charge, refreshments included. In conjunction with the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union. Limited to 20 participants. Booking essential via Richard Davidson on 01522 525725 or Email rel.davidson@btinternet.com Interested in Invertebrates and would like to know more in particular about Flies? Come along and find out more from local experts Phil Porter and David Denman. *** Scunthorpe Museum Society Indood Meetings *** www.scunthorpemuseumsociety.btck.co.uk The Natural History and Geology Section of the Scunthorpe Museum Society. As always our October meeting, Monday 10th this year, starts with the AGM. It will be followed by an illustrated talk by our member Keith Parker entitled "Ethiopia. The Birds and Mammals of the roof of Africa." Keith, who is an expert birder, will be telling us about his encounters in his visit to Ethiopia. Starting at 7.15pm, we meet as usual in the St Bernadette's Parish Centre, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2RS, which is almost opposite the Priory Hotel on Ashby Road. ALL ARE WELCOME. There is no entry charge but a donation bowl is provided. Refreshments are provided for a small charge at the break in the meeting. For further details 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 Saturday 15th October An all day visit to SPURN POINT Leader; Simon Wellock Contact; Adrian White 01724 732152 for details Car share available Warm clothing, suitable footwear should be worn Take a packed lunch or buy food at the cafe. Wednesday 19th October ASTRONOMY NIGHT with members of North Lincs Astronomy Society Meet at Ness Farm for a 7:30pm start' Contact; Adrian White for details 01724 732152 *** Grantham Area Group LWT *** Marion Ellis writes: Friday 14th October 7.30pm Barkston & Syston Village Hall NG32 2NH On the A607 north of Grantham "Understanding the Weather" by recently retired RAF weatherman Tim Newberry refreshments, sales stall. *** Louth Area Group LWT *** Ray Woodcock writes: Illustrated Talk 14 October 2016 "Global Tree Conservation" by Chris Reynolds, Curator of the Botanical Collection at the Forestry Commission. On Friday 14 October at 7.30 pm in the ConocoPhillips Room, Louth Library. Admission £2.50, including refreshments. There is no admittance charge for children. For more information about the wide varieties of the Louth area wildlife group contact Ray Woodcock at lag2014rww@aol.com Saturday Event for Younger Folks between 1000 am and noon on Saturday 29 October Children are requested to bring their parents, grandparents and friends AND examples of autumn fruits together with seed heads to the ConocoPhillips Room at Louth library between 1000 am and noon on Saturday 29 October. They will have the opportunity to discover how seeds are dispersed and to talk to local experts about wild flowers, bats, seals and otters. Everyone will have the chance to purchase Trust goods including Christmas cards whilst having a coffee and a chat. Children are not charged but adults have to pay £1.50. For more information about the wide varieties of your local wildlife group contact Ray at lag2014rww@aol.com *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** Carolyn Davis writes: On Monday 10th October 2016 at our indoor meeting Lionel Grooby former warden of Far Ings National Nature Reserve, Barton will give an illustrated presentation - " Humber Nature 25 years of Change & Progress." This will take place at Grimsby Town Hall and starts at 7.30pm. Admission £2, all are welcome. Raffle, Trust goods stall, tea & coffee available. For further details contact Jennie Redpath 01472 502858 On Sunday 16th October 2016 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them on a group visit to Chambers Farm Wood near Wragby TF 158743 where they are hoping to see Dormice Boxes opened. Meet at the Wood Centre at 9.30am. Please wear suitable outdoor clothing and stout footwear. This is a free event but donations will be welcomed for the Trust. For further details contact Jennie Redpath 01472 502858. *** More Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Events 2016 *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/whats-on ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ 1/10 Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, Wood Sandpiper, Frampton Marsh Honey Buzzard flew SW over Donna Nook 2/10 Lapland Bunting, on path to yacht club, then flew to beach, Tetney Marshes Yellow-browed Warbler, 4 Curlew Sandpipers on reservoir, 8 Spotted Redshanks, Pomarine Skua past, Freiston Shore Western Purple Swamphen, Alkborough Flats Long-billed Dowitcher, 14 Spotted Redshanks, 2 Ring Ouzels in bushes by River Witham mouth, Ring Ouzel flew to north bank of River Witham, Wood Sandpiper, Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Frampton Marsh Gray Phalarope flew north offshore, Leach's Petrel flew north, 40+ Sooty Shearwaters past, 2 Yellow-browed Warblers in garden near St Margaret's churchyard, Huttoft Bank Short-eared Owl in off sea, 10 Pomarine Skuas juvs reported, 50+ Sooty Shearwaters, 2 1w Litttle Gulls, Great Northern Diver, Huttoft car terrace Ring Ouzel over Weelsby Avenue, Grimsby 22 Yellow-browed Warblers, 2 Lapland Buntings, Spoonbill, 3 juv Long-tailed Skuas flew north, juv Pomarine Skua, Puffin, 36 Sooty Shearwaters, Curlew Sandpiper, 4 Arctic Terns, 2 Ring Ouzel, Gibraltar Point 2 Yellow-browed Warblers, Seacroft Ring Ouzel, Deeping Lakes 3 Pomarine Skuas past, 10 Sooty Shearwaters, Whinchat, 6 Yellow-browed Warblers, Donna Nook Pectoral Sandpiper on lagoon, Bardney Pits Arctic Skua juv over Theddlethorpe St Helen's Yellow-browed Warbler betweren Rimac and Churchill Lane Great White Egret flew over Woodhall Spa towards RAF Woodhall Velvet Scoter past, 37 Sooty Shearwaters north, Great Northern Diver, Mablethorpe Dunes 3/10 Yellow-browed Warbler in garden, Theddlethorpe 17 Yellow-browed Warblers, 4 Ring Ouzels, Lapland Bunting flew south, Gibraltar Point 2 Yellow-browed Warblers, Donna Nook Possible Greenish Warbler, Marston sewage works Curlew Sandpiper, Freiston Shore Yellow-browed Warbler between Chapel Point and village Water Pipit on Anderby Marsh field, Anderby Creek 2 Yellow-browed Warblers, Tetney Marshes Yellow-browed Warbler in sycamores north of Buck Beck car park, Cleethorpes 4/10 Western Purple Swamphen, Alkborough Flats Long-billed Dowitcher, 9 Spotted Redshanks, Grey Phalarope north of Sea Bank car park, Black Tern, Frampton Marsh 2 Ring Ouzles, Sooty Shearwater flew past, 4 Yellow-browed Warblers in plantation, Gibraltar Point 2 Yellow-browed Warblers, Little Bunting north of Stonebridge car park, 3 Yellow-browed Warblers between Stonebridge and Pye's Hall, 4 Ring Ouzels, Hawfinch, Donna Nook 2 Yellow-browed Warblers in sycamores south of Sea Lane, 9 Yellow-browed Warblers behind Thorpe Park golf course, Cleethorpes 3 Snow Buntings flew south over Sutton on sea 5/10 Long-billed Dowitcher, 2 Little Stints, Curlew Sandpiper, 14 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh Yellow-browed Warbler, Ring Ouzel, Freiston Shore Yellow-browed Warbler behind Seal Sanctuary, Mablethorpe 4 Ring Ouzels near Cut End, 2 Bearded Tits 1m, Firercrest, Sooty Shearwater, Boston 7 Yellow-browed Warblers, 15 Ring Ouzels, 2 Jack Snipe, 10 Spotted Redshanks on Tennyson's Sands, Gibraltar Point Western Purple Swamphen, Alkborough Flats 3 Long-tailed Skuas flew past, Leach's Petrel flew past, Pomarine Skua, North Killingholme Haven Pits Ring Ouzel near Boultham Mere Yellow-browed Warbler, Huttoft Pit Red-necked Grebe flew past, 2 Velvet Scoter flew north, Short-eared Owl flew south, Huttoft car terrace Red-breasted Flycatcher, 4 Yellow-browed Warblers, 3 Ring Ouzels, 2 Sooty Shearwaters, Donna Nook 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. LINCOLN SK972738 W/E 08/10/2016 Jayne Knight Early morning yesterday was fascinated by very long strand of web shining in the sunlight. A spider must have geronimoed from a branch of next door's Cedar tree right down to the ground as could see it for a good 18ft or so. *** 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) September 2016 Kathleen Pearson I was able to do the BTO GardenBirdwatch on all 30 days in September. species were recorded, with the maximum of 14 on the 7th and 29th and the minimum of 4 on the 28th. The species are listed below with the number of days seen (max 30) and the highest count at any one time in the month in brackets. Blue Tit 23(4), Collared Dove 26(4), Chaffinch 24(2), Woodpigeon 26(4), Robin 29(2), Blackbird 24(8), Dunnock 28(3), Long-tailed Tit 19(5), Starling 6(4), Great Tit 25(3), Wren 4(1), Goldfinch 29(14), Greenfinch 22(5), Common Gull 1(1), Herring Gull 1(1), Lesser Black-backed Gull 1(2), House Sparrow 1(1), Green Woodpecker 1(1), Magpie 3(1) and Sparrowhawk 1(1). Non-avian species:- squirrel, frog, hedgehog, Common Darter, Southern Hawker, Comma, Speckled Wood, Small Tortoiseshell, Large White, Small White, Green- veined White and Red Admiral. DEEPINGS Venue: Deeping Lakes LWT Reserve Date: 04/10/16 Time: 0910 - 1140 Observer: Ian Gordon Weather: Sunny, mild, becoming breezy Birds: Black-headed Gull Blue Tit Buzzard Carrion Crow Cetti's Warbler Chaffinch Coot Cormorant Gadwall Great Crested Grebe Great Tit Green Woodpecker Grey Heron Greylag Goose Herring Gull House Martin Jackdaw Kestrel Lapwing Lesser Black-backed Gull Little Egret Little Grebe Magpie Mallard Moorhen Mute Swan Pochard Red Kite Reed Bunting Robin Rook Shovelor Snipe Starling Stock Dove Teal Tufted Duck Wigeon WoodPigeon Butterfly: Peacock Dragonfly: Common Hawker Ruddy Darter Willow Emerald Damselfly LINCOLN SK972738 W/E 08/10/2016 Jayne Knight Back in the middle of August, (apologies for no date, didn't make a note!) went past house on junction of Beaumont Fee and Park Street which I had reported in 2015 and pleased to see Bombus hypnorum still using their nest under the roof tiles. 02/10 Two Buzzards caught my attention, calling loudly and circling quite low, drifted Eastwards. SPILSBY A16 just a few 100 yds south of Spilsby 5.30pm 5/10/2016 John Cowell A Red Kite disturbing a load of crows above the treetops. WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 3&4/10/2016 Comma on ice plant. 5/10 Hummingbird Hawl Moth Shaggy parasols, Lepiota rhacodes, in quantity. Brown Rat - first seen this year. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 28th September - 5th October 2016 Contributors: Peter and Janet Roworth, John Walker, Nige Lound, Cliff Morrison The weather for September will be remembered for its unseasonal high temperatures which were recorded from the 5th - 9th when the daily maximum reached 27.25°C on the 6th. Humidity too was high at times and the minimum temperatures again were unseasonably high. Of note the ground minimum for the 7th was 16.5°C (air 18.5°C). On two days the minima did sharply dip to single figures on the 11th the ground was 4°C (air 8°C) and 23rd ground 1.25°C (air 6.25°). After this time weather systems moved easterly across the country giving fresher days of sunshine and some showers. Hours of rainfall were infrequent but those on the 3rd gave 6.7mm precipitation, on the 10th 10.7mm and 16th 7mm. A strong north-easterly f6 was observed on the 17th and fog noted on the 14th and 15th which was slow to clear and lingered most of the two days. Total rainfall for the month was 37.7mm (1.49 inches). 29th September 1 Whinchat near Conoco and 165 Pinkfeet south. Bushes very quiet in the strong wind but 200 Meadow Pipit and 150 Linnets flew south. 1st October A roost foreshore count included 216 Curlews and c.2600 Black Headed Gulls. 2nd October Early morning seawatch sightings included: Sooty Shearwater 37, Manx Shearwater 2, Great Skua 9 , Pomarine Skua 8, Arctic Skua 4, Gannet c.1000, Common Scoter c.200, Velvet Scoter 1, Guillemot c.120, Great Northern Diver 1, Red Throated Diver 14, Little Gull 2, Leach's Petrel 1. 3rd October Yellow-browed warbler at Churchill Lane and 1 at Brickyard Lane. 4th October Influx of continental birds in the morning. Brambling 2, Chaffinch few south, Ring Ousel 2, Blackbird 5, Redwing 4, Song thrush 40+. Other birds included Yellow-browed Warbler 1, Chiffchaff 3, Reed Bunting 5, Bullfinch 1, Long-tailed Tit 10, Marsh Harrier 2 immature birds north, Curlew 70 in local coastal fields along with about 200 Canada Geese and a few Greylag Geese. Over the sea in early morning were 27 Wigeon and 17 Gannets. Also, 3 Yellow Browed Warblers in Churchill Lane - Brickyard Lane area. Insects A count of butterflies on flowering ivy in the Churchill lane to Brickyard Lane section on 4th October revealed Red Admiral 27, Comma 6, Small White 2, Painted Lady 2. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. The NNR includes the following sites: Chambers Farm Woods (which comprise Ivy Wood, Little and Great Scrubbs Woods, Minting Wood, Hatton Wood, Hatton Plantation and Minting Park, and also three areas of grassland: Little Scrubbs Meadow (and extension), Small Meadow and Big Meadow. Since all have their own management plans, please give the actual location when reporting); College Wood, Cocklode & Great West Woods, Hardy Gang Wood, Newball Wood, Rand Wood, Scotgrove Wood, Southrey Wood and Wickenby Wood. Many of these include both areas of ancient woodland or important grassland, which are designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest, and non-designated areas. Since managing the SSSI areas carries particular responsibilities to Natural England, records which provide a six-figure grid reference are of particular value to the Forestry Commission. Other woods included in the NNR but without public access: Stainfield Wood; Stainton & Fulnetby Woods (access by public bridle way only) Also see: Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch http://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6. OTHER RESERVE REPORTS AND HIGHLIGHTS LWT Reserves: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/what-we-do/living-landscapes http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ HAGNABY LOCK FEN E.A. WETLAND RESERVE TF 331595 Garry Steele Noteworthy ornithological sightings and monthly maximums - September 2016:- Cormorant - 2 Greylag Goose - 309 Mallard - 9 Rook - 60+ Starling - 40+ Teal - 32 Wigeon - 2 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 *** 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 Field meetings Sunday, October 09, 2016 LNU Annual Fungus Foray (National Fungus Day) (Access courtesy of the Forestry Commission) Temple Wood (Access courtesy of the Forestry Commission) North of Bourne 12.00 for 13.00 start. Park at TF058299 at northern entrance track to wood (nearest post code NG34 0HE). Take minor road west from Aslackby, off the A15. Nearest public toilets are in Bourne. Habitat: Broadleaved woodland. Leader: Ray Halstead 07772 613640 ray.halstead@tiscali.co.uk *** October 2016 Apple Day Diary Dates *** Woolsthorpe's annual Apple Day will be on Sunday 9th October. See: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/woolsthorpe-manor ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. angiejohnson - hard bounce - delivery failed; will not continue trying - address cleaned hendrina - hard bounce - undeliverable hratcliff - hard bounce - delivery failed; will not continue trying - address cleaned patwspa - hard bounce - delivery failed; will not continue trying - address cleaned 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. Toad numbers fall by two-thirds in 30 years http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-37566337 Hare coursing arrests: Four men held and dogs seized. See: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-37541248 Council to drop financial support for Lincolnshire heritage attractions http://lincolnshirereporter.co.uk/2016/09/council-drop-financial-support-lincolnshire-heritage-attractions/ Red Arrows on 60-day 'Best of British' tour http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-37503866 Work starts on Lincoln's Bomber Command visitor centre http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-37540107 Beads of water stream from an osprey's wings in a photograph taken a split second after the bird swooped to snatch a fish from the Onga river in Fukuoka prefecture https://media.guim.co.uk/40218e23c6baf4eab06415e197a8f1fbd5528b2c/0_0_2500_1663/500.jpg Farm subsidies: Payment to billionaire prince sparks anger http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-37493956 Eel migration study tells 'romantic' tale http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-37563100 UK's chatty fish to be recorded http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-37556523 Protect dolphins, UK government urged http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-37497203 EU Commission sues UK over harbour porpoise protection http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-37511263 'Colossal' wasp nest found in Corby attic http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-37471529 Hawaiian bees are first on US endangered species list http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-37530284 ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/