============================================= || || 23rd 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 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.... *** Thanks for the response to the Water Vole course advertised in recent Bulletins. Very encouraging. There are still spaces on the Chalk Streams Project volunteer days. Will Bartle says "Give me a ring" if you are interested." william.bartle@lincolnshire.gov.uk or phone 01522 555783. More info below. The following link should raise a smile or two: 2016 Finalists - Wildlife Photography Awards - "Conservation through Competition" http://www.comedywildlifephoto.com/gallery/2016_finalists.php Readers exasperated by 'fly planting' of garden varities in the wild may find the following article of interest: Thousands of daffodils and bluebells being planted to 'save spring blooms' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-37674872 Ring Ouzels continue to be seen across the county. If this striking bird is unfamiliar to you, see: https://rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/discoverandlearn/birdguide/name/r/ringouzel/index.aspx https://www.bto.org/about-birds/bird-id/bto-bird-id-ring-ouzel-and-blackbird https://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=130275 An evening check at Kirkby Pits this week revealed some starling activity to the north west side of the road, not far from where David Robinson took his excellent 2014 video - but somewhat further off. Enjoy again: https://www.flickr.com/photos/poppops/11685708555/ 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. All we ask in return is the occasional contribution from time to time to keep it interesting. 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/ *** Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project volunteer days *** Will Bartle writes: We've got a couple of volunteer days coming up - space on each. Please give me a ring if you are interested. 26th October - Moorhouse Farm, Ashby cum Fenby Practical day with the LCSP Volunteer Group - The day will involve maintaining the vegetation on the banks of the beautiful Waithe beck, to allow light to reach the stream. There may also be a little light raking of the stream bed to loosen and wash some of the unwanted silt away. 9th November - Welton le Wold Practical day with the LCSP Volunteer Group The group will be joining the community of the picturesque Lincolnshire Wolds' village of Welton le Wold to help manage the in-stream vegetation of their beautiful little chalk stream. The day will also include a 'stream dip' to look at the important invertebrates that form such an important part of the delicate ecosystem. Full details can be found on the LCSP webpage and Facebook pages: http://www.lincswolds.org.uk/chalk-streams/volunteering https://www.facebook.com/#!/LincolnshireChalkStreams Please contact Will Bartle (Monitoring officer) for more details: william.bartle@lincolnshire.gov.uk or phone 01522 555783. *** South Lincolnshire Walking Festival - to 30th October *** South Lincolnshire Walking Festival. Details from http://www.southlincswalking.com/ New Halloween event and South Lincolnshire Walking Festival walk. Join us in a spoooooky tower from 11am - 4pm on Sunday 30th October - just before Halloween! Explore and discover the Secrets of the Symbols and dive into some medieval- themed crafts for free while Temple Bruer Knights Templar tower holds you under its spell! Tour the tower with site manager Beverley at 2pm (and see if you come across any of the tower's 19 ghosts...) followed by a 2.5 mile walk around the Knights Templar estate as part of South Lincolnshire Walking Festival. The tower is an extremely rare example of a standing Knights Templar building and is filled with mysterious symbols. Its story is fascinating, packed with twists and turns and tales of religion, chivalry, wealth and wickedness. Join us on the 30th to find out more! Don't have 'knight'mares! More details at https://www.heritagelincolnshire.org/news/spine-tingling-spookiness Beverley Gormley Cultural Events Officer, Heritage Open Days and South Lincolnshire Walking Festival Co-ordinator Tel: 01529 461499 *** 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. ***Alford & Mablethorpe Branch LWT*** George Rutter writes: *** Barton Area Group LWT *** Barton Area Group of the LWT is now on Facebook; https://www.facebook.com/LWT.Barton.Group *** Lincoln area Group LWT *** Richard Davidson writes: Lincoln Area Group Talk *** Louth Area Group LWT *** Ray Woodcock writes: Saturday 29th - 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 Area Group LWT *** Carolyn Davis writes: *** Woodhall Spa Area Group LWT *** Les Binns writes: Fungus Spotting Walk (no collection of species unless for identification) 30th October, 10:00 - 12:00 Organised by the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Woodhall Spa Area Group, Foray leader: Colin Faulkner Venue: Woodhall Country Park, Stixwould Road, Woodhall Spa LN10 6UJ Grid Ref TF18925 64272 *** More Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Events 2016 *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/whats-on *** October Night Sky *** The Orionid shower [peaks 21st] could be spoiled by moonlight 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ 13/10 Red-flanked Bluetail fm/1w m west of Stonebridge Cottages, Rose-coloured Starling juv, Locustella warbler spp, 4 Eurasian White-fronted Geese, Donna Nook 9 Ring Ouzels,Red-flanked Bluetail in West Dunes, Spoonbill, Yellow-browed Warbler, Hawfinch flew over Fenland Lagoon, Gibraltar Point Western Purple Swamphen, Alkborough Flats Ring Ouzel of wetland track, Freiston Shore Unconfirmed report of a Roller in flight, Gibraltar Point 14/10 Hen Harrier male, Curlew Sandpiper, 9 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh 2 Ring Ouzels, 3 Yellow-browed Warblers, Red-flanked Bluetail fm/1w m 5 Eurasian White-fronted Geese on Jackson's Marsh, Gibraltar Point Red-flanked Bluetail fm/1w m west of Stonebridge Cottages, 6 Ring Ouzels, Siberian Stonechat 1w m, 2 Pallas's Warblers, 2 Shorelarks, Firecrest, Yellow-browed Warbler, 63 Eurasian White-fronted Geese flew south over, 4 Bean Geese flew south over, Black Redstart, Whinchat, 8 Mealy Redpolls, 2 Hen Harriers, Donna Nook Ring Ouzel at Peaks Tunnel farm, Scartho 2 Ring Ouzels at allotments, Cleethorpes 75 White-fronted Geese flew south, Ring Ouzel at Crook Bank, Saltfleetby 15/10 Ring Ouzel, Redstart, Theddlethorpe Dunes Ring Ouzel, Yellow-browed Warbler, Crook Bank car park Hen Harrier ringtail, Frampton Marsh 2 Taiga Bean Geese in stubble field, Marsh Lane, Donna Nook Ring Ouzel, 2 Shorelarks, 2 Mealy Redpolsl, 42 White-fronted Geese, Red-flanked Bluetail fem/1wm, Donna Nook 16/10 Western Purple Swamphen, Alkborough Flats 2 Ring Ouzels, Yellow-browed Warbler at top of Peak's Lane, Grimsby Ring Ouzel in field by Weelsby Avenue, Grimsby Ring ouzel near Paradise Pool, Slatfleetby 5 Ring Ouzels, Donna Nook 3 Ring Ouzels, Yellow-browed Warbler, Hen Harrier male, Richard's Pipit, 4 Bearded Tits, Gibraltar Point Ring Ouzel, Siberian Stonechat 1w m, Red-flanked Bluetail f /1w m, Yellow-browed Warbler, Firecrest, Donna Nook Caspian Gull on lagoon, Saltfleet Haven Firecrest, Crook Bank, Theddlethorpe 17/10 Western Purple Swamphen, Alkborough Flats Long-billed Dowitcher juv, Frampton Marsh Great White Egret, Boultham Mere 5 Ring Ouzels, Dusky Warbler, 2 Bearded Tits, 3 Yellow-browed Warblers at Sykes Farm, Crossbill south over beach car park, Gibraltar Point Grey Plover, Yellow-browed Warbler in plantation, Deeping Lakes Yellow-browed Warbler, Alkborough Flats Hen Harier, Broughton Bridge Nightjar in garden, Baston 18/10 6 Bean Geese flew south over Tetney Caspian Gull, Teal Lake, Whisby Nature Park American Wigeon drk, Covenham Reservoir 6 Bean Geese flew north over, 39 White-fronted Geese, Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Ring Ouzels, Twite, Donna Nook 19/10 Lapland Bunting flew south, Ring Ouzel, 2 Yellow-browed Warblers at Sykes Farm, male Hen Harrier at Old saltmarsh, Jack Snipe, Gibraltar Point Note: I am adapting RBA pager information for the Bulletin by eliminating or summarising/consolidating repeated messages. When there is a lot of information I will stick to highlights. Please visit the RBA website for updates or fuller details. 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. TEMPLE WOOD, NR BOURNE TF057295 9th October 2016 Brian Hedley writes: Annual LNU Fungus Foray to this mixed woodland site courtesy of the Forestry Commission. Attended by 18 people and led by Ray Halstead on a relatively mild afternoon with sunshine with showers. A restricted range of fungi were discovered with highlights being various cup fungi (including green elf cap) and coral fungi. Various ink-caps, puff- balls, funnel-caps and milk-caps were also noted. Various fungi specimens were taken for identification. Thirty bird species were seen/heard including red kite, raven, tawny owl, marsh tit, nuthatch, treecreeper, siskin and redwing. Six mammal species included common shrew and both fallow and muntjac deer. Common frogs were frequent. Insects were fairly sparse but included migrant hawker, common darter, comma, speckled wood, hornet, dark bush-cricket, marmalade hoverfly, pale tussock moth caterpillars and the rather smart looking micro-moth Ypsolopha sequella. Awaiting any notable beetle records from Charlie Barnes. Over 130 plant species were recorded including thin-spiked wood-sedge, bugle, betony, hard shield-fern and large clumps of small teasel. RIVER WITHAM Walk along the Witham Jerry Gunner writes on 14 October 2016: Because of all the sheep around Nocton and Wasps Nest it's not appropriate to allow the dobermann off the lead along the Carr Dyke so we hied away to Stixwould for a wander up to Woodhall Spa and back. There were lots of long-tailed tits along the side of the track between the ditch and paved footpath. There were also lots of pippits and finches but these were usually silhouetted and beyond my identification skills. I did see a kingfisher, which was lovely. It surprised me because it's the first time I've seen any along there and there don't seem to be any fish in the ditch. There were increasing numbers of redwings with one or two fieldfares in amongst them. It was nice to see swallows and these winter visitors in the same airspace - albeit only two south-bound swallows. Sad to think they may be the last ones I'll see this year. The last time we did this walk, about two weeks ago it was noticeable that there were lots of butterflies - today I only saw one, a red admiral. The mud showed the slots of numerous deer but I only saw one muntjac in the distance. The walk back along the Witham revealed lots of mallard and a pair of mute swans on the river along with a pair of juvenile great crested grebes. Several yellowhammers and a small charm of goldfinches provided the colour. Many more redwings were coming from the west until they suddenly stopped coming and I saw no more for the last half mile to the car. In the fields alongside the causeway to Bardney from Potter there were lots of lapwings. ROADKILL *** 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. COCKERINGTON Peter White Great Grey Shrike today (14th October 2016) near Cockerington on telephone wires with a flock of Chaffinch. Also 100 plus Redwing in a stubble field near Saltfleet. EAST HALTON to GOXHILL HAVEN (Grid reference TA1423 to TA1225) 16/10/2016 Jon Drakes The monthly WeBS count for the BTO was started with good intention, but was abandoned part way through due to the weather turning particularly nasty. Species observed before the onset of driving rain and poor visibility were: Black Tailed Godwit 51 Blackbird Black-Headed Gull Carrion Crow Cormorant 1 Curlew 17 Dunlin 46 Grey Plover 3 Herring Gull Lapwing 1 Linnet 11 Little Grebe 3 Magpie Mallard 1 Mute Swan 1 Pheasant 9 Reed Bunting 10 Wigeon 1 Woodpigeon DEEPINGS Venue: Deeping Lakes LWT Reserve Date: 17/10/16 Time: 0940 - 1220 Observer: Ian Gordon Weather: Sunny, cool, becoming mild and breezy Birds: Bearded Tit (another observer) Blackbird Black-headed Gull Blue Tit Buzzard CarrionCrow Cetti's Warbler Chaffinch Coot Cormorant Gadwall Goldcrest Great Crested Grebe Great Tit Green Woodpecker Grey Heron Grey Plover Greylag Goose Jackdaw Kestrel Lapwing Little Egret Little Grebe Long-tailed Tit Magpie Mallard Moorhen Mute Swan Osprey (probable) Pintail Reed Bunting Robin Rook Shovelor Siskin Starling Teal Tufted Duck Water Rail (another observer) Wigeon Wren Yellow-browed Warbler Butterfly: Comma Dragonfly: Common Darter HEALING TA 230106 Peter Crick 16.10.2016 Red Admiral X 1 flying across open farmland HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden) 13/10/2016 Magpie 1 Robins 2 Woodpigeons 4 19/10/2016 Pheasant 1 KEELBY (Grid reference TA1610) 15/10/2016 Jon Drakes Noted whilst carrying out the weekly Garden Bird Watch for the BTO in our back garden: House Sparrow 40 Blackbird 1 Starling 2 Goldfinch 2 Dunnock 2 Collared Dove 8 Tree Sparrow 3 Robin 1 Jackdaw 2 Greenfinch 2 Chaffinch 1 MILL HILL QUARRY 12th October 2016 Dave Miller Robin 8 Wren 5 Blackbird 11 Redwing 47 Fieldfare 7 Chaffinch 4 Sparrowhawk 1 Pied Wagtail 2 Goldcrest 1 Bullfinch 4 Buzzard 1 Frog Toad Red Admiral 2 Angle shades 2 NEW WALTHAM TA 285046 Peter Crick 17.10.2016 The last remaining flower on Buddlia attracted:- 1 X Red Admiral 1 X Painted Lady, both enjoying the afternoon sunshine RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF309847 unless otherwise stated Silvia Fowler 01.10.2016 Wren seen frequently in garden Large Hedgehog droppings still found regularly 04.10.2016 Long-tailed Tit family 05.10.2016 (sunny spells, but very windy) Pied Wagtail Few butterflies: Brimstone 1, Small Tortoiseshell 1 Still a few undeveloped frog tadpoles in pond 07.10.2016 Common Toad Green Shieldbug Long-tailed Tit family 08.10.2016 Green Woodpecker (heard) 11.10.2016 A (the?) solitary Common Gull has resumed daily visits to the pasture behind our house, treading the ground for hours to feed on worms, as in the previous two years. 12.10.2016 Rain and wind has been keeping down the butterflies, just 1 Red Admiral today. 14.10.2016 Brimstone 1 17.10.2016 Buzzard Long-tailed Tits Lots of House Sparrows – they seem to have had a fairly good breeding season. Blackbirds still largely absent from garden SLEAFORD Richard Dawson w/e 14/10/16 TF078462 and thereabouts A few of the more interesting sightings down by the Slea side this week: Young adult stoat lying dead on the track unmarked. A chance to observe the beauty of these creatures close up, although in sad circumstances Group of herons gaggled together on grassland comprising three herons and two white egrets. I've not seen co-mingling like this before Definite signs of badger activity by the railway - grubbing in the earth for worms and such Goodly rabbit population with no signs of myxomatosis. I've only found one rabbit suffering so far this year and that was down by the A17 at Bonemill farm Flowering jerusalem artichokes - these are neither artichokes nor from the middle east I was told many years ago, but are a relative of the sunflower as the latin name Helianthus confirms. They only flower when we have a long mild autumn and have sprays of pretty yellow flowers atop eight foot high spikes. STALLINGBOROUGH - HOBSON WAY (Grid reference TA2113) Jon Drakes Noted during the week whilst at work were the following species: 10/10/2016 Carrion Crow Kestrel 12/10/2016 Chaffinch Magpie Woodpigeon 15/10/2016 (morning) Carrion Crow Dunnock Fieldfare First one seen this Autumn Goldfinch Grey Heron Longtail Tit Magpie Pheasant Pied Wagtail Robin Woodpigeon Yellowhammer THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow A Lesser Redpoll rung by Paul in Owston Ferry SE8000 on 25/03/16 was re trapped at Damshead Farm, Carluke, S. Lanarkshire NS9051 on 13/08/16, a distance of 314km North West. 02/10/16 Common Buzzard x 1 Golden Plover x 2 Little Owl x 1 flying round inside stables 23:55hrs Robin x 1 08/10/16 Tawny Owl x 1 calling 23:35hrs Autumnal Moth x 1 round security light 10/10/16 Common Buzzard x 1 Kestrel x 5 along road from Owston Ferry to Epworth Tawny Owl x 1 11/10/16 Rabbit x 4 SE804000 Grey Squirrel x 1 SE804003 12/10/16 Common Buzzard x 1 feeding on earth worms Rabbit x 2 Great Crested Newt x 1 under patio slabs White Campion still in flower WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 14/10/2016 flush of Agaricus silvaticus in garden under pines. 14/15th - Painted Lady and many active Red Admirals 16th 2x Painted Lady butterflies. WOODHALL SPA John Hodgson Home GR 201 629 9 October 2016 1 x Grey Heron on standing beside the beck at Home GR 12 October 2016 3 x Shoveler duck on newly ploughed field at GR 258686 close to old Horncastle canal 15 October 2016 1x Slow-worm making its way across the grass towards the beech hedge at Home GR WOLLA BANK PIT 11th October 2016 Dave Miller Swallow 1 Fieldfare 5 Migrant Hawker Common Darter Toad Frog ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 12th -19th October 2016 Contributors: Peter and Janet Roworth, Nige Lound, Cliff Morrison & Birklands Ringing Group 12th Fewer crests and thrushes were around today though more birds were still arriving during the afternoon. In the Rimac area were a Stonechat, a Marsh Harrier, a Water Rail, 2 Woodcock and a brief Arctic Redpoll. 8 Brambling and 11 Redpoll flew south whilst 350 Golden Plover flew east. Over 200 Meadow Pipit were in the brassica field near the MOD track. Pink-footed Geese 85 over Sea View flying NE, single Peregrine Falcon and Marsh Harrier hunting over saltmarsh Chiffchaff with plumage character- istics of Siberian form seen and Birklands Ringing Group report that several of the birds they have caught during the week as having paler plumages typical of Scandin- avian birds. Sparrow Hawk-1, Siskin 2, Swallow 5>S, Bramblings c20, Goldcrests numerous, but few thrushes than earlier in the week. Linnet flock on the beach numbering over 200 and 250+ Herring Gulls on the tide edge. 13th Around Sea View during day several hundred thrushes predominately Redwing with much fewer numbers of Blackbirds and Fieldfare, Goldcrest 20+, Reed Bunting 12+, Siskin 4, Redpoll 1 and Brambling 2 Quieter day, with many birds moving on. A single Fieldfare amongst the thrushes. 14th Blackcap 2, Goldcrest 2, Blackbird 9, Reed Bunting 30+ all nr Sea View, Pink-footed Geese 320 over flying SE. Several small parties of White-fronted Geese noted flying south throughout the day, totalling over 100 birds. Pintail 1 on the beach, where there were 28 Skylarks and 3 Rock Pipits with the Linnets. A good influx of thrushes, starlings and finches, with many 100s Redwings, scores of Song Thrushes and Blackbirds, along with over 100 Chaffinches and Bramblings. 15th Sea View to Paradise am Goldcrest 5, Blackcap 1, Brambling 2, Tree Sparrow 6 (one flock), Redwing 250+, Fieldfare 40, Blackbird 30, Ring Ouzel 1, Starling 500+, Swallow 1, Grey Wagtail 2, Sparrowhawk 1 and Kestrel 1. Sea View to Churchill pm Ring Ouzel 1 imm, Stonechat 2, Willow/Chiff 1, Redwing 100+, Blackbird 75+, Song Thrush 11 and Starling 900+ (included a single bird which was aberrant with an overall cream/pale brown colour) An evening high tide wader count in the Churchill/Crook Bank area yielded over 1,000 Black-headed and Common Gulls, Herring Gulls 100, Great-black Backed Gulls 41, Brent Goose 49, Knot 300, Oystercatcher 42, Curlew 210, Sanderling 45, Knot 300, Dunlin 250+ A report from Birlands Ringing Group showed a number of Blackcaps in the area, with a Lesser Whitethroat and Northern Treecreeper being trapped, the latter species having its origins in Scandinavia. A Yellow-browed Warbler was at Crook Bank. A Kingfisher was ringed in the dunes, this being the second one in the past 9 days. Good arrivals of many species throughout the day, with over 500 Redwings moving SW, accompanied by Song Thrushes, Blackbirds and 20 Fieldfares. Good numbers of Chaffinches and Bramblings passing through, along with over 70 Siskins in small flocks. Also noted were Pink-footed Geese, 300>south, Pintail 4, Sparrow Hawk and Wheatear. Female Hen Harrier 1. 16th 2 Red-breasted Merganser and a Black-throated Diver flew south at sea. A single Yellow- browed Warbler and a male Firecrest were at Crook Bank. 2 Brambling and 100 Pinkfeet flew south. A 1st winter Caspian Gull was on the lagoon at Saltfleet Haven. Sea View to Paradise am Blackcap 3, Redwing 4, Blackbird 20+, Ring Ouzel 1, Reed Bunting 6 Yellow- browed Warbler ringed. 18th Single Wheatear on the 17th Linnet flock on the beach still numbering around 200 birds along with 3 Rock Pipits and 6 Shorelarks. Over 140 Shelduck could be seen on the beach out from Rimac. Influx and movement of winter thrushes now moved on with only the occasional Redwing and Blackbird seen, Stonechat 1 at Rimac and Golden Plover 16 flying over. Saltmarsh fairly quiet with Little Egret 12, Curlew 9, Skylark 8 and Meadow Pipit 3, Teal 70+ and Redshank 17 off Rimac lagoon. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 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. **** Diptera (Flies) Workshop - postponed again. *** Richard Davidson writes: We are having to cancel the Diptera Workshop again due to circumstances beyond our control. Lack of microscopes at Whisby is the issue. We may try again next year once this microscope problem has been resolved. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. gogc larkey - hard bounce - delivery failed; will not continue trying - address cleaned hendrina - hard bounce - delivery failed; will not continue trying - address cleaned hornbeam fairy - hard bounce - delivery failed; will not continue trying - address cleaned tracy whitfield - hard bounce - delivery failed; will not continue trying - address cleaned wrangle childminding - 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. Ceremony to mark start of Attenborough polar ship construction http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-37648915 Baby rhino steals show in BBC interview http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-37599793 A further £1.2m Funding boost for Opal citizen science project http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-37631624 Bird tracking could provide flu early warning system http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-37643894 Fossil sheds light on evolution of birdsong http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-37618314 Dolphin pictured killing porpoise by flipping it into air http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-37616961 Comet impact 'linked' to rise of mammals http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-37647049 Ape's fig challenge wins photo award [One disturbing photo at end!] http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-37693214 Shambling fox is caught out https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/oct/13/shambling-fox-is-caught-out-country-diary Why we should bother saving Britain's only venomous snake https://theconversation.com/why-we-should-bother-saving-britains-only-venomous-snake-66154 ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/