============================================= || || 8th January 2017 || || 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 send them this link so they can sign up for it: http://www.lnu.org/wildnews.php Text versions of past Wildnews Bulletins back to Feb 2009 are available on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html 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.... *** Waxwings: These have been reported from Gainsborough, Grimsby, Great Gonerby, Grantham, Gibraltar Point and Lincoln. [Lots of Gs!] Everyone loves to spot waxwings, but this week we have a special SOS on behalf of a U3A group. Please let them know if you are lucky enough to see any. Please send a report to the Bulletin too. Reader numbers - help needed please. Bulletin reader numbers stay remarkably constant at just over 1000. Resignations and recruitment are more or less in balance. I would like to increase our numbers by a few hundreds more. You can help achieve this ambition by: Telling others about the Bulletin [By far the best way.] Explain that it's free - you don't have to be an LNU member. Please do what you can to boost our readership in 2017. Give people the link to the LNU Bulletin-sign-up page: http://www.lnu.org/wildnews.php Or forward your Bulletin to a friend, using the link at the end of every Bulletin. A few links for you to click. More at the end of the Bulletin. Scorpion on London to Edinburgh train gives birth after rescue http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-38496024 Russian or Eurasian White-fronted Geese http://www.gobirding.eu/Photos/WhitefrontedGoose.php Lincsbirders - etwork of bird enthusiasts with great photos. http://www.lincsbirders.org/ Lincolnshire Bat Group - Bright new website, a very active group. http://www.lincsbatgroup.co.uk/ Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch Work parties, identification, events, talks, news..... much more. http://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html Law needed to limit Brexit's environmental impact, say MPs http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-38498077 If you know of any more good local wildlife websites, please tell me. Also, if you have any 2017 Events/activities that need a 'plug', please let me know. We move to Bardney on 12th - so I will do my best to get next week's Bulletin out by then. Roger rparsons@enterprise.net *** Where can I find waxwings? *** Martin Francis asks: Does anybody know where I have a realistic chance of finding waxwings within an hour's drive of Grimsby? I run a Birdwatching Group through the U3A in Grimsby which is made up of mature, but relatively inexperienced birders, some of whom have never seen waxwings. It would be wonderful if I could locate some for our trip on 9th January. If you know a current regular site, I would be very grateful if you would let me know at: martin.francis2@ntlworld.com or on (01472) 883436 Thanks in anticipation *** TWO Forecast - for your postcode *** http://www.theweatheroutlook.com/ Climate change: Fresh doubt over global warming 'pause' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-38513740 *** January Night Sky *** Paul Money's 'Monthly Night Sky' webpage will be found on: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html Stargazers spot glowing Venus and Moon http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38492551 *** LNU Events Diary *** LNU events and "Whisby Workshops 2017 " are listed below in section 11. For LNU meetings, see: http://www.lnu.org/events.php Unless otherwise stated, Indoor Meetings are held on Saturdays at the Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park, Moor Lane, Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln and start at 2pm. Next meeting: Saturday, January 21, 2017 "Laughton Forest: a long term study of key bird and insect species" by Graham Catley Whisby Education Centre, 2pm Editor adds: Graham Catley is well known and respected in birding circles and can be relied upon to provide us with food for thought. This is a joint meeting with the Lincolnshire Bird Club. *** 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 Bird Club *** The Bird Club has a close association with the LNU. Many of us are members of both organisations. The LBC does tremendous work and I consider its Website one of the most informative and useful bird sites on the Web - and it is also very attractive and easy to use. If you have not yet visited it, I recommend a look. Website: http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk/ 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 *** Scunthorpe Museum Society Indoor Meetings *** www.scunthorpemuseumsociety.btck.co.uk Keith Scarrott writes: The Natural History and Geology Section of the Scunthorpe Museum Society The first meeting for 2017 is on Monday, 9th January when our geology specialist member, Malcolm Fry, will be giving an illustrated talk entitled "The Geology of North West Scotland". He will be talking about the oldest rocks in the UK, two mountain building periods and over 3000 million years of Earth history, as well, of course, of showing us some of the most stunning scenery in the UK. We meet, as usual, in the St Bernadette's Church Parish Centre, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2RS, which is opposite the Priory Hotel on Ashby Road. The meeting starts at 7.15pm and ALL ARE WELCOME. There is no entry charge but a donation bowl is provided. Refreshments are available for a small charge at the mid-talk break. For further details contact Keith Scarrott on 01724 762098. *** Grimsby RSPB *** The next meeting of the Grimsby RSPB Group is at 7.30pm on Monday 16th January at Corpus Christi Community Centre, corner of Machray Place, Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes DN35 7AE. John Badley will give us an update on "Frampton Marsh" There will also be refreshments, a raffle, and a quiz. Entry is £3, payable at the door. All are welcome. You don't have to be a member of the RSPB. For more information, contact Martin Francis (Group Leader) via martin.francis2@ntlworld.com (preferred) or on (01472) 883436 We look forward to seeing you at the meeting. *** Barton Area Group LWT *** Barton Area Group of the LWT is now on Facebook; https://www.facebook.com/LWT.Barton.Group Adrian White writes: Wednesday 18th January "Field Sports and Conservation" A talk and discussion with Keith Mitchell about this controversial subject. Meet at Ness Farm, Far Ings, for a 7:30pm start. Contact Adrian White (01724 732152) for further details. Saturday 21st January Tetney Lock and Marshes A half-day visit for wintering birds. Meet at Ness Farm car park, Far Ings, for a 9am start. Contact Vernon Chapman ( 01652 660957) for details. Wear appropriate cold weather clothing. *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** Carolyn Davis writes On Monday 9th January the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them at their indoor meeting where Paul Day will give an illustrated talk "The Lincolnshire Collective" where he will be showing wildlife photography and talking about techniques he uses to obtain good photos. This will take place at Grimsby Town Hall and starts at 7.30pm. Admission £2, all are welcome. There will be a Trust goods stall, raffle and tea & coffee available. For further details contact Jennie Redpath - 01472 502858. *** More Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Events 2016 *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/whats-on *** Bryophyte Surveys - shortly to move down to section 11 *** Steven Heathcote writes: Bryophyte surveys around Lincolnshire. I have been carrying out some bryophyte surveys at a range of Lincolnshire sites as part of the British Bryological Society's Ecology Group project . See: http://rbg-web2.rbge.org.uk/bbs/activities/brecog/brecog.html The survey involves a series of small quadrats in different bryophyte habitats. I'm visiting a wide range of sites across the county. If anyone would like to join me in 2017 then please drop me an email and I will let you know when I plan a visit. steven.heathcote@gmail.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ 28/12 14 Waxwings, Corringham industrial estate, Gainsborough Great White Egret, Ashby de la Launde west of Digby Hen Harrier male, Alderfen, Wroot Hen Harrier, Frampton Marsh 29/12 15 Waxwings at Weelsby Road, Recto Avenue, Grimsby 6 Short-eared Owls, Hawthorpe 2 Twite, Hen Harrier, Donna Nook Tundra Bean Goose in field with Pink-footed Geese, Goxhill Haven Great White Egret by River Welland at Welland High Bank 3 Long-eared Owls on island on main lake, Deeping Lakes 30/12 6 Lapland Buntings on outer ridge, Water Pipit, Rimac Long-eared owl on island on main lake, Deeping Lakes Great White Egret by River Welland at Welland High Bank 31/12 24 Snow Buntings, in dunes near Boating Lake, Cleethorpes Mealy Redpoll, Waters' Edge Country Park, Barton-upon-Humber 3 Long-eared Owls on island on main lake, Deeping Lakes Black-necked Grebe, Toft Newton reservoir 1/1/2017 2 Hen Harriers. 1 male, Frampton Marsh 2 Water Pipits, Gibraltar Point Black-necked Grebe, drk Scaup, Toft Newton reservoir 2/1 7 Waxwings in garden, Great Gonerby 5 Long-eared Owls on island on main lake, Deeping Lakes 3 Lapland Buntings on outer ridge, Rimac Iceland Gull juv, Manby Flashes 4 Velvet Scoters, Cleethorpes Coast LNR 34 Velvet Scoters, off Crook Bank, Saltfleetby 5 Bewick's Swans at Candy Corner, Wroot 9 Short-eared Owls, Hawthorpe Hen harrier male, 2 Short-eared Owls SW of reserve, Frampton Marsh Tundra Bean Goose, 10 Russian White-fronted Geese, Alkborough Flats 5 Russian White-fronted Geese, South Ferriby Scaup fem, Cleethorpes boating lake Long-tailed Duck, Iceland Gull flew south past Gibraltar Point 3/1 20 Waxwings at Croft Street, Lincoln 21 Waxwings in Rowan, off Bagholme Road, Lincoln 3 Waxwings at entrance to Sykes Farm, 2 Hen Harriers, 1 male, Gibraltar Point Hen Harrier male west of village, Saltfleet 5 Long-eared Owls on island on main lake, Deeping Lakes 2 Scaup drks, Cove Farm gravel pits, Westwoodside Iceland Gull over Manby Flashes 4/1 2 Waxwings opposite Spar shop on Grantham Road, Sleaford 20+ Waxwings at Allenby Road Industrial Estate opposite entrance, Lincoln 21 Waxwings at Tower Road/Monks Road junction, Lincoln 21 Waxwings in car park on Bassingham Road, Lincoln Waxwing on St Hugh Street, Lincoln Tundra Bean Goose, 2 Russian White-fronted Geese both adults, With Greylag Geese, Baston/Langtoft gravel pits 21 Russian White-fronted Geese, in field south of Huttont Bank pit 2 Scaup drks, Cove Farm gravel pits, Westwoodside Glaucous Gull juv by cinema. then flew north, Mablethorpe 2 Long-eared Owls on island on main lake, Deeping Lakes Twite on Old saltmarsh, Gibraltar Point Slavonian Grebe off Crook Bank, 40 Velvet Scoters, Saltfleetby 2 Iceland Gulls, 1w and juv, Manby Flashes 3 Iceland Gulls, ad + 2 juvs, juv Glaucous Gull, between Manby and Saltfleetby c140 Russian White-fronted Geese between Saltfleetby All Saints and east end of Great Carlton. Note: I am adapting RBA pager information for the Bulletin by eliminating or summarising/consolidating repeated messages. 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. GORSE SOUTH WITHAM VERGES NR SK943193 Jane Ostler 2017 8 SHRUBS IN TOTAL 1 Jan 17: 4 in flower 20% 4 not in flower 1 Jan 16: 3 fully out, 2 25% out 3 not in flower 1 Jan 15: 4 50% out 4 not in flower GORSE HUTTOFT PULLOVER TF542786 Jane Ostler 2nd January 2017 One bush fully out RAUCEBY WARREN NR 5 bushes 20% out ROADKILLS - "Dead, but worth recording!" Every drive is a transect! Records always welcome. *** 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 Please include the year in your reports in case they are copied and thus lose their context. BARDNEY CAUSEWAY TF 075680 24/12/16 Mary and Phil Porter (ring tail) Hen harrier flying across the road BARDNEY village TF 119694 25/12/16 Mary and Phil Porter Christmas Day walk in very mild weather - peacock butterfly fluttering over ivy hedge. BARDNEY GARDEN TF 117700 Mary and Phil Porter 26/12/16 Flock of about 12 long tailed tits descended on the feeders around my head while I was filling them up with sunflower hearts. 2 tree sparrows on bird table Two or three field fares feeding on apples with blackbirds. Four or five blackbirds feeding on cotoneaster. Two robins fighting on the ground while another was singing from the branch above. (A robin has been singing from 5.30am every day during the mild December weather) Chaffinches, goldfinches and house sparrows in abundance. A few greenfinches House sparrows have completely demolished all the flowers and buds off the Viburnum bodnantense. Local black cat, who regularly destroyed robin and blackbird nests with young etc in the spring, showed it's hunting prowess by killing two rats within a few seconds of each other. They had been under the bird feeders. It came out of nowhere, pounced on one, killing it outright. The other shot up the nearby evergreen honey- suckle. The cat launched a direct leap, like an Exocet missile, of about six feet, knocking the rat to the ground. BOSTON (South by A16) December 2016 Kath Pearson The BTO Garden Birdwatch was done on all 31 days in December. Total number of species in the garden was 22. The highest daily species count was 16 (5th and 6th Dec) and the lowest was 7 (21st Dec). The species recorded are listed below with the number of days recorded in the garden given after the name, with the highest number of individuals present at any one time in the month listed in brackets. Woodpigeon 30 (13), Blackbird 31 (4), Collared Dove 27 (3), House Sparrow 6 (3), Magpie 19 (6), Black-headed Gull 7 (6), Herring Gull 3 (1), Great Tit 30 (2), Robin 31 (2), Dunnock 26 (2), Blue Tit 30 (3), Greenfinch 29 (4), Starling 20 (9), Long-tailed Tit 22 (6), Goldfinch 29 (7), Chaffinch 23 (3), Wren 14 (2), Goldcrest 2 (2), Jay 1 (1), Coal Tit 3 (1), Common Gull 2 (1), Sparrowhawk 1 (1). It was interesting to record only two species that occurred on everyone of 31 days in the month - Blackbird and Robin. FULNETBY HALL TF098795 03.01.2017 Richard Fox Badger HOLYWELL LAKES TF006160 Jane Ostler 31 December 2016 Waterfowl seen from bridge Greylag and Canada Geese. Mallard Ducks and Hybrids. (One of latter seemed to be a cross with a wigeon). Coot and Moorhen. Little Grebe. The last named difficult to count but there seemed to be more than seen at the same time as last year. (4 or 5?) At the same time last year also saw tufted duck , an egret and a pair of mute swans. Asked local resident about black swan which I haven't seen for some time. Apparently it is still about. Originally there were two here. HUTTOFT PULLOVER TF542786 Jane Ostler 2nd January 2017 Sandy beach, sunny day, after hard frost Recent storms had blown sand into a ridge above which sand covered a storm strandline. As tide receded (11a.m.) small shells and pebbles revealed making up another strandline. There was evidence of a recent storm in the numbers of broken razor shells and in compacted mud dredged up. Few oyster shells , one or two with barnacles, but no slipper shells as previously. Otherwise same species as found previously with none dominant. Only fragments of Flustra foliaccea and l or two pieces of egg wrack. Little in fact for the blackheaded gulls, common gulls and solitary crow which were foraging on upper shore. Amongst them was a single bird, too small for a dotterel - a sanderling? One bush of sea buckthorn was covered in webbing - like that of sawflies. Anyone know what that might be? HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden) 27/12/2016 Goldfinch 2 (on dead foxgloves) 29/12/2016 Dunnocks 2 Magpies 2 Mistlethrush 1 30/12/2016 Blue tits 2 Mistlethrush 1 Sparrowhawk 1 (flew to bottom of garden and perched on woodpile) 1/1/2017 Great spotted woodpecker 1 4/1/2017 Great spotted woodpecker 1 Starlings 3 KIRTON (TF 351358) 31/12/2016 Roy and Kath Pearson We did our last count of the year at KIRTON MARSH today, where we have been bird-watching during the Christmas period. Very few people use this area seemingly to prefer the RSPB area at nearby Frampton, but counts from the area close to the marsh side car park have been very good over this period. Fieldfares numbered 450 around Christmas, feeding on the hawthorn hedges, but have now dropped to 100 as the berries are in decline. The small landside ponds carried small numbers of Mallard, Teal, Wigeon and Shoveller, plus a few Redshank. Nearby fields carried several hundred Lapwing, plus quite a large flock of Golden Plover. Two small flocks - one inland one out on the marsh - numbered 160 Curlew. Large numbers of Brent Geese were close to the sea wall a quarter of a mile east of the car park. MIDDLE RASEN east side of Caistor Road TF105903 01.01.2017 Richard Fox Little Egret on bank of the Brimmer Beck Kestrel hovering in close proximity. MIDDLE RASEN Skinners Lane TF096906 01.01.2017 Richard Fox Bullfinch pair WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 29/12/2016 Tawny owls calling from Witham bank at 7am. Many fieldfares and blackbirds feeding in orchard. 31/12 3 Little Egrets and 5 Buzzards in area. 7 Mute Swans over 9.30am. 4/1/2017 Windfall apples mostly eaten/Fieldfares have moved on. WOOLSTHORPE--BY-COLSTERWORTH SK922224 Jane Ostler 1 January 17 'Stock take' of all plants in flower - garden and weeds 25 species including strawberry tree, winter - flowering cherry, stinking hellebore, witch hazel winter honeysuckle, primroses 1st January 35 species in flower - an exceptional year 1st January 2015 18 species (snow just melted and temp. reached 11C) Previous years the number have been below 18. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 28th December 2016 – 4th January 2017 Contributors: Peter and Janet Roworth, Nige Lound & John Walker General Notes and Weather Observations Weather notes for December 2016 at Sea View - The high pressure which gave settled but cold weather during the first week of December gradually drifted eastwards and was replaced by a series of lows and fronts causing south westerly winds from southern Europe and beyond to give unsettled conditions. Days were exceptionally mild with weak sunshine and showers. There was however an occasional cold day giving at times quite dramatic changes in temperature from day to day, most noticeable at ground minimum temperatures. For example, 6th -5.0°C and 7th 4.0°C, 12th -1.0°C and 13th 6.5°C. Daytime highs of 14.0°C were recorded on the 8th and 25th. A high pressure system developed during the last week of the month giving a spell of more seasonal cold and sunny weather with keen frosts. A ground temperature of -8.0°C was recorded on the 28th (air -3.0°C). This high pressure gradually drifted south with a weak cold front moving in from the north on a NE breeze which gave a moderate amount of rain during the late evening of the 31st. Winds were generally light to moderate for the month but the influence of the trailing edge of 'storm Barbara' (where winds of gale force plus in the N/NW region of the UK) gave strong south westerly breezes on the 25th and 26th (a gust of 41.7 mph recorded on the 25th). Fog observed on the 6th (dense and freezing), 12th and 16th. On the 28th the day began very cold with clear skies but by mid-morning fog had formed from the west which was dense and freezing, persisting all day. Total rainfall for the month 19.5mm (0.77 inches) and total rainfall for 2016 was 553.00mm (21.79 inches). Interesting weather facts for 2016 Lowest minimum ground temperature was -8.5°C on 29th November Lowest air minimum temperature was -4.0°C on 29th November (note: an unusually high night temperature of 18.0°C on 20thJuly brought about by very warm, humid conditions) A late ground frost of -0.25°C was recorded on 17th May The highest daytime temperature was 29.0°C on 20t July (nb: unseasonal 14.75°C on 15th November and 14.0°C on 8th and 25th December) The most continuous rain days was from 30th December 2015 – 15th January (17 days) The most rainfall recorded during a 24hr period was 24.2mm on 15th April (nb a thunder storm on 16thJune gave 4.2mm of rain in 20 minutes) The wettest month was January 71.3mm (2.81 inches) The total rainfall for 2016 was 553.0 mm (21.79 inches) compared with 2015 523.9mm (20.64 inches), 2014: 670.4mm, 2013: 437.9mm and 2012 728.3mm. The longest period without rain was from 23rd – 29th October (7 days) The driest month was May with 30.6mm (1.21 inches) A south westerly gust of 60.0mph was recorded on 1st February Snowfall was recorded on 14th January as flurries with some settling but thawed by late afternoon and a very brief spell of snowfall on 7th March gave <25mm in depth but all had thawed by the end of the day. Dense fog observed on 19th May, 14th – 15th September, 31st October, 6th December [freezing and lingered all day], 9th December and 28th when this day began clear with a keen frost but dense freezing fog soon developed from the west and persisted all day. Daily Notes and Wildlife Sightings 29th Lapwing 45, Golden Plover 8 and Wigeon 60+ all in pasture field next to Rimac. Stonechat 3 and singles Reed Bunting, Woodcock at Rimac, Hen Harrier (ringtail) hunting over salt marsh and Fieldfare 6 flying south over Sea View 30th Common Snipe 2 flying west and high and Greylag Geese 20 flying southwest both over Paradise. 19 Velvet Scoter again with Common Scoter flock on the sea south of Crook Bank and a Green Sandpiper was on a drain near Crook Bank car park. 50 Shoveler were on Paradise whilst at Rimac were 6 Lapland Bunting and a Water Pipit. 2nd January 2017 Little Egret 20 feeding on salt marsh, single Mistle Thrush over Sea View; late afternoon Hen Harrier (Ringtail) hunting over salt marsh causing flight to flock of 30 Linnets and 110+ Teal flushed out from the creeks. On a pasture field near to the NNR at Sea View were Lapwing 111, Golden Plover 134, Curlew 66 and Pink-footed Goose 4. A total of 34 Velvet Scoter were seen south of Crook Bank with the Common Scoter flock. Flying north at sea were 15 Red-throated Diver, 9 Gannet, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, 19 Brent Geese and a Bonxie. A drake Goldeneye was also on the sea. A pair of Stonechat and 3 Lapland Bunting were seen at Rimac. 1Tawny owl and 2 Little owl , calling, Churchill Lane area , 1 barn owl over salt marsh 3rd 2 water rail screaming, and 2 woodcock in flight, Churchill Lane area , 3 siskin over Rimac area Annual rainfall at Coastguard cottage 554 mm so almost identical to Sea view 3 kms distance? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. Also see: Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch http://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html Reports always welcome. The NNR includes the following sites: Chambers Farm Woods (which comprise Ivy Wood, Little and Great Scrubbs Woods, Minting Wood, Hatton Wood, Hatton Plantation and Minting Park, and also three areas of grassland: Little Scrubbs Meadow (and extension), Small Meadow and Big Meadow. Since all have their own management plans, please give the actual location when reporting); College Wood, Cocklode & Great West Woods, Hardy Gang Wood, Newball Wood, Rand Wood, Scotgrove Wood, Southrey Wood and Wickenby Wood. Many of these include both areas of ancient woodland or important grassland, which are designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest, and non-designated areas. Since managing the SSSI areas carries particular responsibilities to Natural England, records which provide a six-figure grid reference are of particular value to the Forestry Commission. Other woods included in the NNR but without public access: Stainfield Wood; Stainton & Fulnetby Woods (access by public bridle way only) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6. OTHER RESERVE REPORTS AND HIGHLIGHTS - LNRs etc. Reports always welcome. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7. Sending in reports to Roger Parsons ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The purpose of the Bulletin is to encourage biological recording in Lincolnshire. We hope to increase the number of people reporting observations to LNU Recorders and improve the quality of reports, as well as the quantity and the geographical coverage. In return for this FREE service, we ask you to provide reports, questions, news or relevant articles from time to time. Descriptive pieces are welcome - you don't have to stick to lists! Mailing times vary, depending on what I am doing. The Bulletin goes out on Thursdays or Fridays in time for the weekend. Please e-mail in contributions as early as possible, 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 LNU 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 LNU Burseries: 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 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 *** 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. *** 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/ *** Confidential Bat Records *** 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 (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. 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 *** 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 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 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/ Contact: Aidan Neary, aneary@lincstrust.co.uk Mobile: 07825 970930, Switchboard: 01507 526667. *** 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 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 *** http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk Contact 01507 528223 enquiries@joseph-banks.org.uk *** 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 *** http://www.lincswolds.org.uk Contact: 01522 555780 [New Number} *** Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project *** http://www.lincswolds.org.uk/chalk-streams/lincolnshire-chalk-streams Contact: Ruth Craig Ruth.Craig@lincolnshire.gov.uk *** 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 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 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. [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. 2017 Indoor Meetings Saturday, January 21, 2017 "Laughton Forest: a long term study of key bird and insect species" by Graham Catley Whisby Education Centre, 2pm Saturday, February 11, 2017 Recorders’ Meeting & Annual Exhibition Whisby Education Centre, 12 noon Overview and highlights of the past years recording provided by the county recorders. Arrive at 12 noon for a chance to catch up with recorders; the overview starts at 2pm as in previous years. Saturday, March 04, 2017 AGM & Presidential Address by Annette Faulkner “The Fens revisited. An update” Whisby Education Centre, 2pm *** The Whisby Workshops 2017 *** Richard Davidson - Programme Secretary - writes: The workshops are free to participants as all overhead costs are split between the Lincoln Area Group and the LNU. [Refreshments are also provided.] The aim is not to turn people into experts in an afternoon, but to cascade knowledge and enthusiasm for particular subjects so that participants can go away better equipped to follow them up on their own and also to encourage interest in a broader range of subjects both entomological and botanical. On most of them there has been time inside learning generally about the subject and looking at specimens followed by time outside in the field following this up. The workshops lined up for 2017 are Bees, Flies/ Diptera, Pond Dipping and Odonata. We're very grateful to the various experts who've fronted the workshops for being willing to give up their time and share their knowledge. We couldn't do all this without them. Also to the LNU for being willing to enter into this partnership. In the future we could broaden things to include mammals, birds and many other natural history topics. The dates of the workshops for next year are now finalized. Bees (David Sheppard) on the 3rd of June, Flies/ Diptera on the 15th of July, Pond Dipping on the 22nd of July (Richard Chadd) Odonata (Nick Tribe and Richard Chadd) on the 29th of July. Contact Richard Davidson on: rel.davidson@btinternet.com *** Field Studies Council courses 2017 *** The latest programme of the FSC lists an impressive range of interesting courses in some wonderful places. Note the partner organisations. Strongly recommended. http://www.field-studies-council.org/individuals-and-families/natural-history.aspx 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. imogen wilde - hard bounce - over quota - address cleaned gclayton - hard bounce - delivery failed; will not continue trying If ever your Bulletin does not arrive, please let me know. Text copies of past Bulletins can be found on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html ....and finally..... Mostly local/national: New 4,000 home 'garden village' to be created near Grantham http://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/new-4-000-home-garden-village-to-be-created-near-grantham/story-30024561-detail/story.html National Parks in England 'have lost millions in government funding' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38462686 Rhea still at large in Cambridgeshire http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-38454589 Dogs abandoned as police investigate hare coursing http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-38454588 Birds migrating earlier as temperatures rise http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-38450228 Census find sheds new light on St Kilda's history http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-38450471 Big digs: The year 2016 in archaeology http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-38381878 UK City of Culture 2017 aims to win over sceptics http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-38358407 Scientists' work recognised in New Year Honours http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-38469451 A science news preview of 2017 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-37788443 Drone photography: on top of the world http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-38390897 Lincolnshire - Away from roads, the winter river slinks https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/dec/26/away-from-roads-winter-river-slinks-lincolnshire-welland Nothing sings quite like a robin https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/dec/29/country-diary-sandy-bedfordshire-winter-robin-bird-song-pair-bonds Beyond the penumbra of fear https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jan/03/beyond-penumbra-fear-birdwatching-blackbirds-country-diary#comment-90391513 Toadstools in a Shrewsbury graveyard https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jan/04/toadstools-in-a-shrewsbury-graveyard Four 'green lines' for Brexit negotiators looking to protect the environment https://theconversation.com/four-green-lines-for-brexit-negotiators-looking-to-protect-the-environment-70839 Horse 'boards' London bus after man collapses http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-38506752 Note: If a link below does not work, please look at the URL. See if an extra http:// has crept in, and make the correction. ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week! Hopefully!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/