============================================= || || 3rd December 2017 || || News of Lincolnshire Wildlife || || LNU Website: || http://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..... ============================================ 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]. Text versions of past Wildnews Bulletins back to Feb 2009: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union or any associated organisations. The Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Bulletin is being read by over 1000 people and we are keen to encourage even more readers to subscribe. Please use the "forward to a friend" link at the end of every LNU Bulletin and invite new readers to give it a try. We will really appreciate your help with this. Please contact the Editor to contribute articles or reports. E-mail: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk ============================================ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. Readers' hints, tips and requests ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** The Editor writes... *** Donna Nook Grey Seal updates: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/donna-nook/weekly-update Please try to avoid weekend visits if possible. Dress for cold and windy conditions. 'Jet black' grey seal spotted at Donna Nook Nature Reserve http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-42151768 Dr Jonathan Larwood [Natural England] gave a cracking geology talk last Saturday to an appreciative audience of 31 LNU members. "Shining light on the ‘geological darkness’ of Lincolnshire", covered the early days of mapping the county's geology through to today's focus on the importance and protection of geological sites. We do not often have geology-related presentations and this was a fascinating and thought-provoking reminder that in every sense geology is the foundation of the natural world. It is good to see that Steven Heathcote is organising another Bryophyte hunt. See below. This time it is a search for Rusty Fork-moss at Linwood Warren. Saturday 9th December 2017. Meet 10am at reserve entrance (TF 133 877). As usual I have included a selection of topical links. Most were sent in by readers, a few were chosen by me with particular individuals in mind. Suggestions for interesting links are always welcome. See: The Epson panoramic photography awards 2017 – in pictures https://www.theguardian.com/travel/gallery/2017/nov/23/the-epson-panoramic-photography-awards-2017-in-pictures? Lobster found with Pepsi logo 'tattoo' fuels fears over ocean litter https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/29/lobster-pepsi-logo-ocean-new-brunswick-canada Lincolnshire mustard gas soil samples sent to Porton Down MoD base for tests http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-42159454 Three beavers released into the wild http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-scotland-42152765/three-beavers-released-into-the-wild How bats keep an ear on their prey http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-42116768 How we are losing the night http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-42072498/how-we-are-losing-the-night Catching fly-tippers in the act http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-42116278/catching-fly-tippers-in-the-act More topical links are below in "...and finally..." - don't forget to click. A full list of LNU Recorders is on the following link and in Communiqué. http://lnu.org/ They will advise on species identification within their field of expertise. Photos for identification are often helpful, but please ask before sending. A list of all the articles contained in Transactions (Transactions page) and a list of the Presidents (Officers page) is also available on the LNU website. Thank you for all your contributions this week - very welcome. Roger old.museum@yahoo.co.uk *** Occasional Bryophyte meeting - Linwood Warren *** Steven Heathcote writes: Bryophyte meeting - Hunt for Rusty Fork-moss at Linwood Warren. Saturday 9th December 2017. Meet 10am at reserve entrance (TF 133 877). We are planning to explore the reserve recording bryophytes. We hope to refind the last Midlands population of Rusty Fork-moss, an nationally rare species. There are lots of other uncommon species to be found too. All abilities welcome. Please wrap up warm and bring lunch! *** 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/ *** Love Lincs Plants - Updates *** Planning and implementation of the project continues with the recruitment and appointment for two Education and Community Officer jobs at Whisby Education Centre and Gibraltar Point. Details may be seen on: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/Jobs We will keep you informed via the Bulletin and Communiqué, and via our Twitter feed. Editor writes: Project Partners - when you add LLP information to your website, blog or Twitter-feed please tell me and I'll update this section. Thanks. Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Twitter feed https://twitter.com/LincsNaturalist? Sir Joseph Banks Society http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk/news-events/lincolnshire-plants-project/ Natural History Museum Twitter feed https://twitter.com/nhm_botany?lang=en Lincoln University School of Life Sciences blog https://lifesciences.blogs.lincoln.ac.uk/2016/09/30/heritage-lottery-funding-to-safeguard-lincolnshire-plants/ Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Twitter feed https://twitter.com/lincswildlife?lang=en *** December Night Sky *** Paul Money's 'Monthly Night Sky' webpage will be found on: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html Watch out for the Gemenid meteor shower - 6th to 19th Dec, peak 13th/14th. AuroraWatch UK: action possible..... http://aurorawatch.lancs.ac.uk NOAA forecasters say there is a 55% chance of G1-class geomagnetic storms on Nov. 29th when a CME is expected to sideswipe Earth's magnetic field. Also - A fissure in the sun's atmosphere is spewing solar wind into space, and the stream of gaseous material could reach Earth on Nov. 29th as well. See: http://www.spaceweather.com/ Worth being aware - we might get lucky one of these days. *** LNU Events Diary *** LNU events are listed below in section 11. For LNU meetings, see: https://lnu.org/meetings/indoor-meetings/ [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.] *** Volunteer day with the Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project *** Friday 15th December 2017 – Belleau – Great Eau Will Bartle writes: Practical day with the LCSP Volunteer Group and Aby Fly Fishers - The day will involve maintaining the in stream vegetation to help keep the headwaters of the beautiful chalk stream, the Great Eau, flowing. Wader sizes are needed in advance so please contact the Monitoring Officer for the Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project Will Bartle before the day: William.bartle@lincolnshire.gov.uk or 01522 555780. Full directions and details can be found in the 'Events and Shows' section on the website; www.lincolnshirechalkstreams.org *** Scunthorpe Museum Society Natural History and Geology Section *** http://scunthorpemuseumsociety.btck.co.uk/ *** Local RSPB links: *** Grimsby & District RSPB http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/grimsby S Lincs RSPB http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire Lincoln RSPB http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ *** Alford & Mablethorpe Branch LWT *** https://www.facebook.com/LWT-Alford-Mablethorpe-Area-Group-175413729474673/ *** Barton Area Group LWT *** https://www.facebook.com/LWT.Barton.Group *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** www.grimsbywildlifetrust.org.uk Carolyn Davis writes: On Saturday 2nd December 2017 local couple Ray and Helen Hume, together with their pupils will be performing an evening of songs and tunes with nature in mind. This will take place in St. Andrew's Methodist Church Hall, Cleethorpes and is to raise money for the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. The concert starts at 7.30 pm, admission £5 (school children free.) For further information contact Ray 01472 320878. *** More Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Events *** 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/ I have adapted RBA pager data/information for the Bulletin by eliminating or consolidating repeated messages. Note - I have been leaving out late reports to save myself going back to re-do entries. From now on I shall squeeze in important ones, indicating them with a " * ". 23/11 Great White Egret*, Fiskerton Fen Long-eared Owl*, Scaup ad drk*, Deeping Lakes 3 Water Pipits, 11 Twite, Donna Nook Red-necked Phalarope juv, Covenham reservoir 8 Lapland Buntings, Brickyard Lane, Theddlethorpe Slavonian Grebe, 3 Velvet Scoters, on sea south of Crook Bank, Theddlethorpe 24/11 Black-throated Diver*, 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese with 220 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, Hawfinch flew south, Pale-bellied Brent Goose on Tennyson's Sands, 2 Water Pipits*, Gibraltar Point 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese by visitor centre with 1200 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, Jack Snipe, 4 Snow Buntings over scrapes, Little Stint, Frampton Marsh 5 Little Stints, Pectoral Sandpipers, Alkborough Flats 2 Bitterns from Ness hide, Far Ings 5 Shorelarks on beach from Sea Lane, 50 Twite, Theddlethorpe Red-necked Phalarope juv, Covenham reservoir 25/11 2 Water Pipits at south end, Donna Nook 7 Shorelarks on beach near Brickyard Lane car park, Theddlethorpe St Helen Pale-bellied Brent Goose on Tennyson's Sands, Gibraltar Point Red-necked Phalarope juv, Covenham reservoir Great White Egret, Frampton Marsh 26/11 Pomarine Skua ad*, Great Northern Diver* flew past Gibraltar Point Short-eared Owl, Frampton Marsh Ringtail Hen Harrier, Freiston Shore 7 Shorelarks on beach near Brickyard Lane car park, 60 Twite, Theddlethorpe St Helen Smew redhead on River Witham, 2 Great White Egrets, at Chapel Hill SW of Coningsby Lapland Bunting, 2 Snow Buntings, 40 Twite at Rimac Great White Egret on scrape, Fiskerton Fen Red-necked Phalarope juv, Covenham reservoir Little Stint on shore, Barton-upon-Humber 27/11 Red-necked Phalarope juv, fem Common Scoter, Covenham reservoir 28/11 Scaup ad drk, 2 long-eared Owls, Deeping Lakes 2 Water Pipits at south end, Donna Nook 5 Shorelarks on beach near Brickyard Lane car park, Theddlethorpe St Helen Smew redhead on River Witham, north of Chapel Hill SW of Coningsby Red-necked Phalarope juv, fem Common Scoter, Covenham reservoir Rough-legged buzzard* flew north over Sturton-by-Stow 29/11 7 Shorelarks on beach near Brickyard Lane car park, Theddlethorpe St Helen Tundra Bean Goose with Pink-footed Geese and Greenland White-fronted Goose in fields between Crowle and Eastoft Red-necked Phalarope juv, fem Common Scoter, Covenham reservoir 2 Little Gull ads flew flew north past Saltfleet NNR Glaucous Gull flew north past, Short-eared Owl in off sea, Saltfleetby Long-eared Owl on island, Deeping Lakes Please visit the RBA website for updates/fuller details. Here you can register free to use the site and get free trials of their subscription services. Rare Bird Alert website: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ [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. ROAD KILLS? Every drive is a transect! Reports welcome. ROADKILL Silvia Fowler 28.11.2017 Brown Rat on local lane TF306848 CAT KILLS? Extend our small mammal knowledge by reporting cat-assisted records! *** County Wildlife Reports From Readers *** "If it is worth observing, it is worth recording." 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 - TIME FLIES! Please include the year in your reports in case they are copied and thus lose their context. BARDNEY The Green TF119694 R & A Parsons 24/11/2017 Coal tit on feeder - first sighting here. Walk - Bardney Bridge to Bardney Lock 10.30 - 11.30hrs Bullfinch f 2 Kingfishers at bridge and at lock [seen twice] 2 Little Egrets at haldway point Redwings and fieldfares over HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden) 17/11/2017 Blue tit 1 Mistlethrush 1 18/11/2017 Chaffinch 2 24/11/2017 Mistlethrush 1 Sparrowhawk 1 - 7.30am 25/11/2017 Barn owl 1 TF524768 27/11/2017 Blue tits 2 Chaffinch 2 Great tits 2 Mistlethrush 2 - both on rowan eating berries alongside about 9 blackbirds 28/11/2017 Mistlethrush 2 29/11/2017 Great spotted woodpecker 1 Mistlethrush 2 KEELBY (Grid reference TA1610) 25/11/2017 Jon Drakes Species recorded whilst carrying out the weekly Garden Bird Watch for the BTO in our back garden were: Blackbird 2 Collared Dove 8 Dunnock 5 House Sparrow 20 Jackdaw 1 Carrion Crow 2 Robin 1 Starling 15 Chaffinch 1 Black-headed Gull 1 Woodpigeon 1 Magpie 1 Blue Tit 1 LINCOLN SK972738 W/E 02/12/2017 Jayne Knight 24/11 Large raptor flying directly towards the kitchen window, so East to West, long wingspan, pale colouration,flap, flap, flap, glide. Didn’t fly directly overhead as resident pair of Carrion Crow escorted it from their airspace. Get Buzzard over regularly and this wasn’t recognisable as one of those. Want to say Osprey as seen plenty of those close up in Wales, but wrong time of year. Any ideas, please? 28/11 Rescued spider Clubiona corticalis from kitchen sink and released it into nice pile of leaves just outside back door as it was very frosty and felt a bit mean! NETTLEHAM SK 99889 75019 28 November 2017 09:36 Su Colman By the beck, I put up a grey heron then a little egret. RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF309847 unless otherwise stated Silvia Fowler 23.11.2017 Little Egret 1 (TF310848) 24.11.2017 (sunny, light breeze, 6°C) Redwing 10-12, including at least 1 Fieldfare (TF309848) Songthrush singing (TF308847) Peacock butterfly on the wing (TF298853) Little Egret 1 (TF301852) 25.11.2017 Little Egret 2 (TF310848) 28.11.2017 Blackbirds starting to feed on pyracantha berries Grey Wagtail 29.11.2017 Little Egret 1 (TF309848 / TF310848) STALLINGBOROUGH – HOBSON WAY (Grid reference TA2213) Jon Drakes Species noted during the week whilst at work included: 20/11/2017 Carrion Crow Common Gull Kestrel Mistle Thrush WOOLSTHORPE LINE SK92/24 N.B. This has been renamed Colsterworth Nature Trail Jane Ostler 22-29 November 2017 Fungi: In the last ten days fungi have begun to appear again after a barren period. Clouded and Trooping Funnel Caps(Clitocybe nebularis and C.geotropa) Rootlet and Pale Brittle Stems (Psathyrella microhiza and P.candeolleana) Pleated and 'Horse dung' Ink Caps (Coprinus plicatilis and C. macrocephalus) C.macrocephalus has no official common name.  Identified previously but in Spring. Collared Earth Star  Geastrum triplex.  This has spread to new areas. Bitter Bracket, Turkey Tail and Southern Bracket.  these three common species all sporing. Velvet Shank  (Flammulina velutipes) On ash stump. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. NNRs including RSPB and LWT Reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RSPB Reserves: http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/collections/thewash_northnorfolk.aspx LWT Reserves: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FAR INGS NNR https://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-Of-Far-Ings-National-Nature-Reserve/186876774685595 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GIBRALTAR POINT NNR See: Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog. http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE DUNES NNR including DONNA NOOK http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/saltfleetby-theddlethorpe-dunes http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/donna-nook-nnr http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/38015?category=59026 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Donna Nook seal updates: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/donna-nook/weekly-update [Please try to avoid weekend visits if possible.] Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Report 15th-28th November Cliff Morrison During the period, there have been regular arrivals of blackbirds from the Continent, long with small numbers of woodcocks, and up to 8 Lapland buntings along 7 Shore Larks, 2 of which are still to be seen out on the saltings from Brickyard Lane. 15/11/17 Calm conditions were ideal for counting the Common Scoter flock of CB where there were 432 with a lone adult Velvet Scoter. 2 Snow Bunting were on CB beach and a Green Sandpiper was on a drain at CB. 8 Black-tailed Godwit were at Paradise and 622 Common Gull were at the Haven point. In the Rimac area were 12 Snipe, 2 Gold- crest, a Fieldfare and a Stonechat. A Woodcock was flushed on Rimac outer ridge and 4 Great-crested Grebe were on the sea here. A single White-fronted Goose was with 452 Pinkfeet at Elm House Farm. 16/11/17 On Paradise lagoon were 2 little grebe, 69 teal, 7 shoveler, 3 gadwall, 11 mallard and 50+ redshank, a tawny owl was calling in the nearby wood, 2 kingfishers flew along the Eau near Sea View. 17/11/17 3 woodcock flew from dunes near Sea View and a merlin hunting over the saltmarsh plus singles of bullfinch, song thrush, redwing, 9 reed buntings and 11 blackbirds between Sea View and Paradise. Pinkfeet Geese were much in evidence today with 250 on Joe House’s field south of Crook Bank, 800 Elm House Farm west of Sea View and another 400 flying south. 2 Stonechat and singles of Woodcock and Goldcrest at Rimac. 18/11/17 At least 110 pink-footed geese flying, in several skeins, over Sea View from their roost on the foreshore near Theddlethorpe; 2 gadwall, 5 whooper swans, 50 wigeon, 2 little grebe and 50+ redshank on Paradise lagoon. 19/11/17 Party of 8 long-tailed tits near Paradise wood, male great spotted woodpecker at Sea View 21/11/17 Marsh harrier hunting over the saltmarsh, male sparrowhawk trying in vain to reduce the resident goldfinch flock of around 60 birds near Sea View but failed and little egret numbers increasing to 20 on the saltmarsh. Generally quiet in the scrub and surrounding dunes and woodland between SV and Paradise with occasional great, blue tits and reed buntings plus several blackbirds, robins, chaffinches and Dunnocks but the house sparrows are at least 25 in number around Sea View. 19th 404 curlew roosting on Theddlethorpe foreshore. 20/11/17 1 little owl calling near Churchill Lane. 21/11/17 400+ Common Scoter and single Red-throated Diver on the sea and a Turnstone flew south at Crook Bank (CB). A Peregrine flew north along the beach at CB whilst 2 Woodcock came off the sea and a single Snow Bunting was on the beach out from BYL. On the saltings were 14 Pied Wagtail, 19 Meadow Pipit and around 70 Linnet. 3 water rails heard 1 barn owl and 3 sparrowhawks in Churchill Lane area 23/11/17 Offshore south of Crook Bank (CB) were 400 Common Scoter, 3 Velvet Scoter and a Slavonian Grebe. 5 Fieldfare came off sea with Blackbirds. On the Haven lagoon were 231 adult Brent Geese with 6 juveniles and an adult Pale-bellied Brent amongst them.  Singles of kestrel, marsh harrier and peregrine falcon hunting over saltmarsh mid-afternoon 24/11/17 A lone Velvet Scoter and 4 Red-throated Diver were offshore and 3 Red-breasted Merganser flew south at sea. A male Stonechat was south of CB. Raptors seen today were Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and Hen Harrier. 25/11/17 A single woodcock near Sea View, 900 pink-footed geese flew off from Rimac lagoon 26/11/17 About 1000 pink foot goose leaving foreshore roost. 9 Whooper Swans flew south over the sea. 2 barn owls, 3 woodcock, 2 sparrowhawks . 27/11/17 In the Rimac area were 2 Lapland Bunting, 40 Twite and 4 Stonechat. In scrub near Sea View pair of bullfinches, singles of greenfinch, chaffinch, song thrush, 10 blackbirds, 3 reed buntings, 2 robins, 4 blue tits, single great tit and 2 goldcrests Raptors were much in evidence today with Buzzard, Hen Harrier, Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Barn Owl and 2 Merlin being seen (one was a fine looking blue male). 466 Brent Geese were around the Haven. The sea was predictably quiet with just 2 Red-throated Diver and a single Guillemot seen. Been out and about this week so not much to report. 2 tawny owls and 1 little owl calling and 3 water rails screaming at  dawn in Churchill Lane area. 28/11/17 Single siskin and great spotted woodpecker at Sea View and  a chiffchaff to the south. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. BARDNEY LIMEWOODS NNR 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. http://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/visit/woods-and-nature-reserves/127031.article Also see: Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch http://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html LWT Lincolnshire Limewoods http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/what-we-do/living-landscapes/lincolnshire-limewoods ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lincolnshire Dormouse Group The Lincolnshire Dormouse Group meet monthly at Chambers Farm Woods. We always welcome visitors and new members. Dormice are legally protected and sensitive to disturbance; attending the group's meetings provides the opportunity to see dormice legally with licenced surveyors. If you are interested please email lincsdormousegroup@gmail.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The NNR includes the following sites: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Chambers Farm Woods (comprises 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) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6. OTHER RESERVE REPORTS AND HIGHLIGHTS - LNRs, private reserves etc. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Reports welcome. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7. Sending in reports to Roger Parsons ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The purpose of the Bulletin is to encourage biological recording in Lincolnshire. We hope to increase the number of people reporting observations to LNU Recorders and improve the quality of reports, as well as the quantity and the geographical coverage. In return for this FREE service, we ask you to provide reports, questions, news or relevant articles from time to time. Descriptive pieces are welcome - you don't have to stick to lists! Mailing times vary, depending on what I am doing. The Bulletin goes out on Thursdays or Fridays in time for the weekend. Please e-mail in contributions as early as possible, to: old.museum@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.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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://lnu.org/ LNU e-mail: info@lnu.org LNU Bursaries: The LNU offers bursaries for natural history courses. The upper limit is £250. If you would like to apply for a bursary for an FSC [or similar] course please contact Richard Chadd on: richard.chadd@environment-agency.gov.uk *** 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 *** Bird Club Website *** http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk *** The Sir Joseph Banks Society *** http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk *** Lincolnshire Bat Group website *** http://www.lincsbatgroup.co.uk/ *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch *** http://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html *** Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service *** http://www.lincswolds.org.uk *** Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project *** http://www.lincswolds.org.uk/chalk-streams/lincolnshire-chalk-streams *** Lincsbirders *** http://www.lincsbirders.org/ 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://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/issues/crime STAYING SAFE Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. *** EasyTide *** http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx *** Weather Underground *** https://www.wunderground.com/ *** Met Office Severe Weather E-mail Service *** 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. *** Botany *** Botanical Group in South Lincs Contact: Sarah Lambert, who writes: We'd be happy to welcome new people, experienced or not, particularly if they are located towards the northern part of the vice county! sarah.lambert7@ntlworld.com Also see: http://bsbi.org/south-lincolnshire-v-c-53 *** Identifying Fungi *** App: http://rogersmushroomsapp.com/ BMS Checklist of names: http://www.fieldmycology.net/GBCHKLST/gbchklst.htm BMS Keys for Macrofungi http://www.britmycolsoc.org.uk/library/keys/ *** What's That Butterfly? *** http://butterfly-conservation.org/ http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/index.php *** Identifying Dragonflies *** http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/content/uk-species *** How to Identify Bees *** http://www.bwars.com/ http://bumblebeeconservation.org/ LNU Sawflies, Bees, Wasps and Ants Recorder Dr. David Sheppard Willing to examine specimens or check photos (bear in mind only a relative few of the 300+ species in the county are identifiable using photos). d.a.sheppard@btinternet.com *** Lincolnshire Mammals *** 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. http://www.glnp.org.uk/our-publications/biodiversity/projects-and-reports.php *** 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. *** Local Bat Helpline *** Grounded bats, bat problems, advice and information. Contact Annette and Colin Faulkner on 01775 766286 or e-mail: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** Confidential Bat Records *** You may send confidential bat records direct to Annette Faulkner on: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** Slug ID Help *** Chris du Feu will help with slug identification. Tel: 01427 848400 or e-mail: chris@chrisdufeu.force9.co.uk *** Non-Marine Molluscs *** Alex Pickwell is the LNU Recorder for Non-marine Molluscs Email: alex.pickwell@environment-agency.gov.uk USEFUL WILDLIFE CONTACTS Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. *** Lincs Environmental Records Centre *** Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership http://www.glnp.org.uk/ (of which LERC is a part) Contact: charlie.barnes@glnp.org.uk or for more general queries: info@glnp.org.uk *** Life on the Verge and Wildflower Meadow Network Project *** http://www.lifeontheverge.org.uk/ *** Good sources of seeds of Bee-friendly Wild Flowers *** Plantlife and Flora locale have defined protocols that can guide the conservation-minded shopper. See: www.floralocale.org/Alphabetical+supplier+listing *** Lincs Bird Club *** LBC County Bird Recorders John Clarkson - Covering the north of the county recorder_north@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Phil Hyde - Covering the south of the county recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk *** The Sir Joseph Banks Society *** http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk Contact 01507 528223 enquiries@joseph-banks.org.uk *** Natural England *** http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ *** Lincolnshire Environmental Awards *** http://www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk/ *** RSPB local webpages *** https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/find-a-reserve/reserves-a-z/reserves-by-name/t/tetneymarshes/ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 contact: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk 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 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. Interest in wildlife is not a licence to act irresponsibly or thoughtlessly to landowners, who may well be partners in important conservation work. For good advice for ALL nature-watchers see the RSPB's birdwatchers' code https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/read-and-learn/watching-birds/code/ and BTO's pdf: https://www.bto.org/sites/default/files/u10/downloads/taking-part/health/bwc.pdf [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://lnu.org/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. Indoor Meetings 2017/8 Indoor meeting – 20th January 2018 Joint talk with the Lincolnshire Bird Club – Topic to be confirmed Recorders’ Meeting – 10th February 2018 Annual General Meeting – 3rd March 2018 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails This Week *** If you recognise the owner of a 'part-address' below, please let them know that their their Bulletin has 'bounced' this week. inthu_22 - soft bounce - Requested mail action aborted quasarxxx9 - soft bounce - Requested mail action aborted If ever your Bulletin does not arrive, please let me know. Text copies of current and past Bulletins can be found on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html ....and finally.....: Have you seen this Honda in the South Holland area? https://www.lincs.police.uk/news-campaigns/news/2017/have-you-seen-this-honda-in-the-south-holland-area/ Further victims in Police Officer Impostor Scam https://www.lincs.police.uk/news-campaigns/news/2017/further-victims-in-police-officer-impostor-scam/ Landing site for Julius Caesar's invasion of Britain discovered for first time https://uk.yahoo.com/news/landing-site-julius-caesars-invasion-britain-discovered-first-time-104901176.html Light pollution: Night being lost in many countries http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-42059551 Flies more germ-laden than suspected http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-42113217 Country diary: the wood pigeons are on the move https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/nov/19/country-diary-wood-pigeons-migrations Country diary: a feast for birdwatchers – and some of the best views in the Peak District https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/nov/17/country-diary-birds-peak-district-views Country diary: pines that went to Passchendaele https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/nov/18/country-diary-pines-that-went-to-passchendaele Country diary: the much misunderstood kingfisher https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/nov/21/country-diary-kingfisher-myths-holme-norfolk Country diary: the remains of harlequin ladybirds suggest predation by a rodent https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/nov/24/country-diary-cavenham-heath-suffolk-the-remains-of-harlequin-ladybirds-suggest-predation-by-a-rodent Country diary: a couple of calls announce a whole flock of redwings https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/nov/23/country-diary-sandy-bedfordshire-redwing-migration-may-be-a-flood Country diary: ringing the changes in the bird population https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/nov/28/country-diary-bedgebury-pinetum-kent-bird-ringing ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/