============================================= || || 15th 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.... *** We move to Bardney this week, so this Bulletin comes to you early. Bardney stuff.... "Do you come from Bardney?" goes the local saying when someone leaves a door ajar. You probably know the story, but here is a link: http://aclerkofoxford.blogspot.co.uk/2010/10/do-you-come-from-bardney.html A few interesting links here. More at the end of the Bulletin. Urbanisation signal detected in evolution, study shows http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-38519299 Fossil fruit from 52 million years ago revealed http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-38511034 Huge Antarctic iceberg poised to break away http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-38522954 Hare coursers 'becoming increasingly violent' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-38530950 If you have any events or activities that need a 'plug', please let me know. Roger rparsons@enterprise.net *** TWO Forecast - for your postcode *** http://www.theweatheroutlook.com/ John Walker writes: Rainfall Is there anyone on or west of the Wolds with annual rainfall data for 2016? It would be interesting to see the variation over east to west of county. Email replies via: rparsons@enterprise.net *** January Night Sky *** Paul Money's 'Monthly Night Sky' webpage will be found on: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html *** 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. *** RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch - 28-30 January 2017 *** Why not support the RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch this month? https://ww2.rspb.org.uk/get-involved/activities/birdwatch *** 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/ *** Louth Navigation Trust Multi-user Path *** Paula Hunt writes: East Lindsey District Council has commissioned Sustrans to carry out the feasibility and business case development to support the delivery of a Multi-User Path (MUP) which extends from the East Lindsey coastline along the Louth Navigation Corridor and then connects with the Water Rail Way MUP (potentially via the disused GNR Louth to Bardney train line), providing access for pedestrian, cycle, equestrian and disabled users and would bring multiple economic, social and environmental benefits to local residents and visitors to the area. If interested, please would you take five minutes and complete the survey form if you have not already done so. (link below) https://www.snapsurveys.com/wh/s.asp?k=148067618384 *** Scunthorpe Museum Society Indoor Meetings *** www.scunthorpemuseumsociety.btck.co.uk *** 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. *** More Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Events 2016 *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/whats-on ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2. Wildlife Highlights ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Bird News from Rare Bird Alert *** Rare Bird Alert has kindly given permission to reproduce reports. A big thank you from us all. Interested readers should have a look at the RBA website: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ 5/1 Waxwing at Hotel Drive/Far Ings road junction, Barton-upon-Humber 17 Waxwings opposite entrance, Allenby Road industrial estate, Lincoln 21 Waxwings at Tower Drive/Monks Road junction, Lincoln Caspian Gull on beach from Mill hill, Gibraltar Point Great White Egret, by Deeping St Nicholas turning, Short-eared owl at north end of bank, Deeping High Bank Long-eared Owl on island, Deeping Lakes Hen Harrier male, Short-eared Owl, Frampton Marsh 6/1 12 Waxwings at Tower Drive/Monks Road junction, Allenby Road industrial estate junction, tho mobile, Lincoln Black-throated Diver flew south past Gibraltar Point 7/1 Glaucous Gull juv, Kirkby-on-Bain pits 7 Waxwings opposite entrance, Allenby Road industrial estate, Lincoln Lapland Bunting, Frampton Marsh 5 Long-eared Owls on island, Deeping Lakes Scaup opposite pumping station, 5 White-fronted Geese flew north, Torksey Lock 8/1 4 Waxwings, Europarc, Genesis Way, 10 Waxwings on Origin Way/ Lakeside, Iceland Gull on pond behind Wonderland, Grimsby 24 Waxwings at top of Tower Drive/Allenby Road 18 Waxwings by bridge into marina from Fossdyke, Burton Waters 5 Long-eared Owl on island, Deeping Lakes 3 Hen Harriers, Frampton Marsh Snow Bunting flew south over Greenshank Creek, Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Water Pipit, Gibraltar Point Black-throated Diver offshore, Red-necked Grebe, 2 Velvet Scoters, 2 Long-tailed Ducks, Donna Nook 2 Scaup, 1x drk + 1f, Apex, Pits, North Hykeham 6 Russian White-fronted Geese with Pink-footed Geese, west of Winteringham Road, Winteringham Garganey drk and Willow Tree Fen 3 Scaup drks, Cove Farm gravel pits, Westwoodside 9/1 Waxwing in hedge near Marsh Farm, Frampton Marsh Great White Egret north of Tattershall Bridge, then flew south 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. ROADKILLS - "Dead, but worth recording!" Every drive is a transect! Roadkill Records always welcome. CHAMBERS FARM WOOD Brenda Edlington 6/1/2017 See report below in: 5. BARDNEY LIMEWOODS NNR HAGNABY LOCK FEN E.A. Wetland Reserve Garry Steele Nov and Dec 2016 See report below: 6. OTHER RESERVE REPORTS AND HIGHLIGHTS - LNRs etc. Garry comments: December was a noticeably 'poor' month for Haganby, with precious few ducks about or much else come to that. Not quite sure why this should be the case. LINCOLNSHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST - FAR INGS NR Jon Drakes and Mike Wilson (Grid reference TA0023 and TA0123) 2/1/2017 FAR INGS A visit to Far Ings Nature Reserve on a cold but sunny morning See FAR INGS report below in: 4. NNRs including RSPB and LWT Reserves *** 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. BARTON upon HUMBER - WATER'S EDGE COUNTRY PARK (Grid reference TA0323) 2/1/2017 Jon Drakes and Mike Wilson A brief visit to the Country Park found the following recorded: Blackbird Black-Headed Gull Coot Cormorant Dunlin Dunnock Gadwall Goldfinch Herring Gull Magpie Mallard Redshank Tufted Duck Roe Deer KEELBY (Grid reference TA1610) 31/12/2016 Jon Drakes Species recorded whilst carrying out the last Garden Bird Watch of 2016 for the BTO in our back garden : Collared Dove 9 House Sparrow 20 Dunnock 4 Robin 1 Blackbird 3 Goldfinch 3 Tree Sparrow 1 Starling 4 Chaffinch 3 Greenfinch 1 Magpie 1 KEELBY (Grid reference TA1610) 1/1/2017 Jon Drakes Species noted in our Keelby garden during New Years day were: Collared Dove House Sparrow Black-Headed Gull Blackbird Woodpigeon Starling Robin Long-tailed Tit Greenfinch Goldfinch Chaffinch Tree Sparrow Dunnock KEELBY (Grid reference TA1610) 7/1/2017 Jon Drakes Recorded whilst carrying out the first weekly Garden Bird Watch for the BTO of 2017 in our back garden were: House Sparrow 30 Dunnock 6 Robin 2 Collared Dove 4 Tree Sparrow 3 Blackbird 3 Starling 4 Chaffinch 4 Goldfinch 1 Woodpigeon 1 Greenfinch 1 KEELBY (Grid reference TA1610) 8/1/2017 Jon Drakes A walk around the fields and woods to the North of the village found the following species present: Blackbird Black-Headed Gull Blue Tit Bullfinch 2 females Carrion Crow Chaffinch Coal Tit Collared Dove Common Gull Dunnock Fieldfare approx 200 in large flock Goldcrest Goldfinch Great Tit Herring Gull House Sparrow Kestrel 1 Long-tailed Tit three large groups noted as I walked around the rea Magpie Mistle Thrush 1 Nuthatch 2 Reed Bunting 1 Robin Rook Starling Tree Sparrow Woodpigeon Yellowhammer NETTLEHAM TF005756 Brenda Edlington 27/12/2016 First siskin of the winter on sunflower seeds. Almost daily visits by a male sparrowhawk. One day he landed on the edge of a semi-evergreen viburnum burkwoodii where two blackbirds were sheltering. The shrub is quite twiggy and the blackbirds stayed put up against the trunk instead of flying off. Eventually the sparrowhawk gave up and flew off frustrated. He has succeeded sometimes though as shown by the feathers of a goldfinch on the patio. TF007750 17/12/2016 Small tortoiseshell along the field edge on a sunny day. STALLINGBOROUGH - HOBSON WAY (Grid reference TA2113) Jon Drakes Species noted during the first week back at work following the Christmas/ New Year break included: 3/1/2017 Blackbird Black-Headed Gull Carrion Crow Chaffinch Dunnock Feral Pigeon Kestrel Long-tailed Tit Mistle Thrush Robin 4/1/2017 Blackbird Black-Headed Gull Long-tailed Tit Woodpigeon 5/1/2017 Carrion Crow Magpie WILDMORE FEN November 1984 - January 2017. From now on records will relate to Canada Lane and Canada Farm unless otherwise stated. TF223538 9/1 3 Buzzards and 5 Kestrels along Hurnbridge Road. Many fieldfares in local hedgerows. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 follows next week. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. LINCOLNSHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST - FAR INGS NR (Grid reference TA0023 and TA0123) 2/1/2017 Jon Drakes and Mike Wilson A visit to Far Ings Nature Reserve on a cold but sunny morning found the following species present: Blackbird Black-Headed Gull Blue Tit Bullfinch Carrion Crow Chaffinch Common Gull Coot Cormorant Dunlin Feral Pigeon Fieldfare Gadwall Goldeneye Great Crested Grebe Herring Gull House Sparrow Jackdaw Kestrel Lapwing Little Grebe Long-tailed Tit Magpie Mallard Moorhen Mute Swan Pochard Redshank Reed Bunting Robin Teal Tufted Duck Wigeon Woodpigeon ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CHAMBERS FARM WOOD Brenda Edlington 6/1/2017 Chambers Farm Wood TF148739 Red route Very quiet in the woods, passed nobody. Not many birds around. Blackbird Blue tit Coal tit Crow Goldcrest Great tit Long tailed tit Robin Song thrush Treecreeper Wren ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ HAGNABY LOCK FEN E.A. Wetland Reserve Garry Steele TF 331595 Noteworthy ornithological sightings and Monthly maximums - November 2016 Black-headed Gull - c10 Common Snipe - 1 Cormorant - 4 Curlew - 1 Fieldfare - 370+ Gadwall - 6 Grey Heron - 1 Greylag Goose - 6 Goldfinch - c30 Jackdaw - 60+ Mallard - 24 Mute Swan - 3 Redwing - c20 Rook - 40+ Shoveler - 4 Teal - 82 Whooper Swan - 7 (family group) Wigeon - 14 HAGNABY LOCK FEN E.A. Wetland Reserve TF 331595 Noteworthy ornithological sightings and Monthly maximums - December 2016 Black-headed Gull - c40 Cormorant - 3 Golden Plover - c10 Greylag Goose - 2 Lapwing - c250 Little Egret - 2 Mallard - 15+ Mute Swan - 2 Red-legged Partridge - 13 Woodpigeon - 260+ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 *** Bryophyte Surveys *** 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. paul day - hard bounce - The email account that you tried to reach does not exist - address cleaned penates - hard bounce - User unknown 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: Twitter of waxwings... for the Tweeters.... https://twitter.com/waxwingsuk?lang=en-gb Centuries-old Haxey Hood game held http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-38530953 Seal found in Blakeney garden 2km away from the sea http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-38519449 Orphaned baby otter in roadside rescue http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-38467791 Plans are being made for fracking to take place under Sherwood Forest http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/12/31/robin-hood-oak-frackers-sights/ FOE Petition https://act.foe.co.uk/act/save-sherwood-forest-fracking Drill or Drop on the Campaign https://drillordrop.com/2017/01/01/campaigners-vow-to-defend-robin-hoods-sherwood-forest-from-fracking/ Pioneer Cabin Tree in California felled by storms http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-38561877 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/