============================================= || || 22nd 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.... *** The house move has taken place. All that remains to do is unpack. That's the tricky bit, as you will understand. A lifetime's stuff. It is sad to leave a home of 30+ years and I will miss "Wildmore", its people, wildlife, farms, fenland waterways and wonderful skyscapes. I suspect the most difficult task will be to find a suitable location for the beehives. Moving a hive of bees is not as tricky as it sounds. The bees soon settle down in their new apiary. But colonies should not be relocated in winter time, that disrupts their heat-conserving 'cluster'. It's a bit like Robert Frost's poem 'Goodbye and Keep Cold.' https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems-and-poets/poems/detail/44265 It's not cold that is the problem, so much as unseasonable weather, which affects many species. Mild winter weather has already caused bee problems, such as food stores being depleted due to over-activity. Thank you to all who timed reports and contributions to tie in with the move. I think Bulletins will be back to the normal routine now, so please keep them flowing. We are still getting reports of waxwings, and news of sightings might enable readers to spot one if they have not yet done so. News, please. https://www.birdguides.com/sites/area.asp?a=21 If you have any events or activities that need a 'plug', please let me know. Thanks also to those who have done a bit of reader recruitment. That is very helpful and encouraging. A few interesting links are posted here - more at the end of the Bulletin. Storm surge: Clean-up starts on battered east coast http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-38622957 Bird flu found in 6,000 turkey flock at East Lindsey farm close to first outbreak http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-38648058 Warming world harming insects' reproduction, says study http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-38559336 Roger rparsons@enterprise.net *** Find the Grid Reference - don't forget - it's important *** Grab a Grid Reference: http://www.bnhs.co.uk/focuson/grabagridref/html/index.htm UK Grid Reference Finder: http://www.gridreferencefinder.com/ *** TWO Forecast - for your postcode *** http://www.theweatheroutlook.com/ 2016: one of the warmest two years on record http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/news/releases/2017/2016-record-breaking-year-for-global-temperature Re John Walker Rainfall request NETTLEHAM Brenda Edlington TF005756 Annual rainfall in our garden 2016 24.25in, 615.95mm (approx) (NB 2015 472.5mm 18.6in, 2014 670.4mm,26.4in) *** 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 *** Lincolnshire Environmental Awards *** Are you going to enter a project for the 2017 awards? The application process in not difficult. Visit: http://www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk/ *** Lincolnshire's Back Garden *** Charlie Barnes writes: The HLF want to encourage applications for funding from all champions of natural heritage, particularly small, local and community groups with projects that help raise awareness of the wildlife and nature to be found close to home. See: https://www.hlf.org.uk/about-us/news-features/lincolnshires-back-garden *** 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 Keith Scarrott writes: The Natural History and Geology Section of the Scunthorpe Museum Society. On Monday, 13th February, we have an illustrated talk linking horticulture and natural history to be given by Radio Lincolnshire "Plantsman" James Carter. His talk is entitled "Weird and Wonderful" and includes some very unfamiliar and also deadly plants. James will be telling us about the unusual structures of these plants and giving us details on how to grow them. He will encourage people to ask questions and make comments throughout his talk. Don't miss this most unusual talk with its accompanying exhibits and surprises. ALL ARE WELCOME. There is no entry charge but a donation bowl is provided. The meeting takes place in the St Bernadette's Parish Church Hall, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2RS, almost opposite the Priory Hotel on Ashby Road, 7.15pm start. Light refreshments are served for a small charge at the mid-talk break. For further details contact Keith Scarrott on 01724 762098. *** Barton Area Group LWT *** Barton Area Group of the LWT is now on Facebook; https://www.facebook.com/LWT.Barton.Group Adrian White writes: 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. *** Louth Area Group LWT *** Ray Woodcock writes: The Louth Group begins the year at 7.30 pm on Friday 27 January 2017 when Dave Miller the LWT Warden for the Coast and the Wash will tell us about "The Living Seas of Lincolnshire". Please be aware of the new meeting venue. The indoor meetings are now held in the Methodist Church Hall at Nichol Hill, Louth. There are no stairs to climb, wheelchair access is good, so is the audio- visual system. All the chairs are comfortable and the hire cost is within the LAG budget. The meetings commerce at 7.30 pm with a break for refreshments, the cost for entry is £2.50 for adults. This covers the room hire cost and the speaker's fee. Children are most welcome and are not charged. For more information about the wide activities of the group contact Ray on lag2014rww@aol.com *** 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/ 10/1 34 Waxwings in garden, Burton upon Stather south of Alkborough Waxwing near Marsh Farm. Frampton Marsh 2 Scaup, both 1w drks, at Cove Farm gravel pits, Westwoodside Great White Egret, near Works entrance, Glaucous Gull on pit north of landfill, Kirkby-on-Bain gravel pits 11/1 Great White Egret at Deeping High Bank, near fishing pond Glaucous Gull at Hide Pit, fem Scaup on adjacent pit, Kirkby-on-Bain gravel pits 4 Long-eared Owls on island, Deeping Lakes 12/1 2 Iceland Gulls 2w + juv, Manby Flashes 2 Long-eared Owls on island, Deeping Lakes Great Northern Diver flew south, Gibraltar Point Great White Egret, Ring-necked Duck, fem Scaup, Kirkby-on-Bain gravel pits Glaucous Gull juv between Stonebridge and Pye's Hall, ringtail Hen Harrier, Donna Nook Great White Egret, Deeping High Bank Probable Coues' Arctic Redpoll, with 4 Mealy Redpolls, Barton-upon-Humber Glaucous Gull juv, Mamby Flashes 13/1 Ring-necked Duck, Glaucous Gull, Great White Egret, Kirkby-on-Bain gravel pits Hen Harrier male, Great Northern Diver flew south, Gibraltar Point Great White Egret, Deeping High Bank 2 Iceland Gulls 2w + juv, Manby Flashes 2 Scaup drks at Cove Farm gravel pits, Westwoodside Probable Coues' Arctic Redpoll, with 4 Mealy Redpolls, Barton-upon-Humber 14/1 4 Waxwings in garden, then flew towards Police Station, Nettleham 2 Scaup, 1drk, Glaucous Gull juv, 2 Great White Egrets flew west over road to lagoon, Kirkby-on-Bain gravel pits Short-eared Owl, ringtail Hen Harrier, Frampton Marsh 5 Long-eared Owls on island, Deeping Lakes 3 Iceland Gulls 2w + 2juv, Manby Flashes 2 Scaup drks at Cove Farm gravel pits, Westwoodside 40+ Russian White-fronted Geese, Bean Goose on Croft Marsh, Gibraltar Point Great White Egret, Deeping High Bank Ring-necked Duck, Glaucous Gull, Great White Egret, Scaup, Kirkby-on-Bain gravel pits Water Pipit, Black-throated Diver offshore flew south then north, Freiston Shore 15/1 2 Bewick's Swans with 66 Whooper Swans on reedbed, Short-eared Owl, Frampton Marsh Scaup 1w drk, Apex Pits, North Hykeham 16/1 Waxwing on Raymond Way at roundabout to Elsea Park, Bourne Ring-necked Duck, juv Glaucous Gull, Great White Egret, Kirkby-on-Bain gravel pits Glaucous Gull juv, Crook Bank, Saltfleetby 2 Iceland Gull 2w/juvs, Manby Flashes 2 Bewick's Swans on reedbed with 69 Whooper Swans, Hen Harrier male, Short-eared Owl, Frampton Marsh Tundra Bean Goose on Tennyson's Sands, Gibraltar Point 3 Short-eared Owls, Elm House Farm, Glaucous Gull at Crook Bank, Saltfleetby 17/1 11 Waxwings on Ryhall Road, between hospital and Currys car park, Stamford Ring-necked Duck drk, juv Glaucous Gull, Great White Egret flew south, Kirkby-on-Bain gravel pits Great Grey Shrike, ENE of Skendleby, S of Alford Black-necked Grebe, Toft Newton reservoir 18/1 3 Waxwings still by Post Office, Stamford 4 Waxwings in 'ringing hollow', 2 Slavonian Grebes offshore, Gibraltar Point 2 Bewick's Swans roosted on reedbed, Frampton Marsh 3+ Long-eared Owls on island, Deeping Lakes Common Scoter, Culverhorpe Lake Slavonian Grebe SE of Boston at River Witham mouth 4 Scaup, Great White Egret, Deeping High Bank 10 Tundra Bean Geese, Barton-upon-Humber Wolds Ring-necked Duck, f Scaup, Kirkby-on-Bain gravel pits 8 Russian White-fronted Geese on wetland, Freiston Shore 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. Road Kill B1204 Horkstow Jenny Haynes 12 January 2016 SE9871 Dead male fox, very good condition. *** 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 The Green TF120694 R & A Parsons Week ending 15/1/2017 Blue tit - 6 Blackbird - 6 Starling - 10 Jackdaw 8 Magpie 2 Black-headed Gull - 12 18/1/2017 Chaffinch Robin Bullfinch - m and f [18th at 1pm] over fence in churchyard. COLSTERWORTH SK 92 Jane Ostler 5-14 January 2017 MAMMALS Fallow Deer: Remains (little more than head) found on Woolsthorpe Road on edge of village Long-tailed fieldmice and field voles: Dissection of 3 barn owl pellets from Woolsthorpe Manor found remains of these two species. Estimate 6 field voles (Microtus) in 2 pellets and 2 long-tailed mice in l pellet. This shows that there is plenty of their preferred prey in neighbouring grassland and hedgerows. BIRDS 4 Little egrets seen regularly along River Witham. One report of six seen. Heron on roadside verge, opposite Twyford Wood. Standing or walking a few paces on three consecutive days. Unable to fly? Fieldfares on apples in garden. Song thrushes heard in full song on sunny days (e.g.8 and 10 Jan). Jackdaws in pairs, preening each other. Also one pair regularly pecking at road surface, probably after salt left by gritters. Parties of long tailed tits and bullfinches visiting gardens. Siskin at one bird table A pair of greater spotted woodpeckers regular visitors in one garden alongside Woolsthorpe Line. PLANTS Wintersweet in flower roadside. Hazel catkins shedding pollen. FUNGI Collared Earth Star at a new site on eastern end of Woolsthorpe Line. Still puffing out clouds of spores. EAST HALTON SKITTER to GOXHILL HAVEN (and return) (Grid reference TA1423 to TA1225) 15/1/2017 Jon Drakes with Tracey Smith and Mike Wilson Species noted whilst carrying out the monthly WeBS count along this stretch of the River Humber were: Barn Owl 1 hunting over Goxhill marsh Bean Goose 10 in amongst a flock of approximately 1500 Pink-footed Gesse Black Tailed Godwit 21 Blackbird Black-Headed Gull Carrion Crow Common Gull Curlew 70 Dunlin 185 Goldeneye 12 Goldfinch Great Blackback Gull 15 Grey Heron 1 Grey Plover 1 Herring Gull Kestrel 1 Lapwing 488 Little Egret 1 Magpie Mallard 7 Marsh Harrier 2 Mute Swan 4 Pheasant 6 Pink-footed Goose 1500 (approx) Redshank 20 Reed Bunting 2 Scaup 40 flock drifting on River Humber Shelduck 1 Short Eared Owl 1 hunting over East Halton marsh Snipe 1 Sparrowhawk 1 Starling Stonechat 1 Teal 100 Turnstone 42 White-fronted Goose 2 in flock of 1500 Pink-footed Geese Wigeon 152 Woodpigeon Roe Deer 6 Brown Hare 1 DEEPINGS Venue: Deeping Lakes LWT Reserve Date: 03/01/17 and 05/01/17 Time: am and pm Observer: Ian Gordon Weather: Cloudy and cold Birds: Blackbird Black-headed Gull Blue Tit Bullfinch Buzzard Cananda Goose Carrion Crow Chaffinch Common Gull Coot Cormorant Gadwall Goldeneye Goldfinch Goosander Great Tit Green Woodpecker Grey heron Greylag Goose Herring Gull Jackdaw Kingfisher Lapwing Little Egret Little Grebe Long-eared Owl Long-tailed Tit Mallard Magpie Mistle Thrush Moorhen Pochard Re-crested Pochard Redwing Red Kite Robin Rook Shoveler Teal Tufted Duck Wigeon Woodpigeon Yellowhammer Mammals: Grey Squirrel Deeping High Bank Date: 05/01/17 Time: pm Weather: Cloudy, mild Observer: Ian Gordon Birds: Barn owl Great White Egret Goosander Short-eared Owl Great Crested Grebe HARROWBY SK9335 Jane Ostler 5-14 January 2017 In areas bordering Spitalgate curlew heard regularly and barn owl hunting in the same area Rooks visiting rookery where, after storm, many old nests have blown away. An extra deep (even for this bird) magpie's nest high in a poplar tree is still intact, presumably because of the greater amount of mud used in lining. HORKSTOW Jenny Haynes 15 January 2017 A moorhen appears to have set up residence in my garden. It first appeared about a week ago and has been a regular visitor since. A first for me! HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden) 5/1/2017 Goldfinch 1 (on lavender seed heads) Magpie 1 (hiding a large lump of bread from somewhere else - see next) Starlings 6 6/1/2017 Blackbird 1 (this bird 'found' the bread the magpie had hidden, and promptly devoured it) Chaffinch 2 7/1/2017 Great spotted woodpecker 1 Great tits 2 15/1/2017 Wood pigeons 60+ (in trees) Wren 1 KEELBY (Grid reference TA1610) 14/1/2017 Jon Drakes Species recorded whilst carrying out the weekly BTO Garden Birdwatch in our back garden were: Blackbird 4 Starling 5 Tree Sparrow 2 House Sparrow 20 Greenfinch 1 Dunnock 4 Chaffinch 3 Collared Dove 1 Blue Tit 1 Woodpigeon 2 Jackdaw 2 Goldfinch 1 LOW HAMERINHAM TF308659 Robert Walker 7/1/17 Tree Sparrow 4 On hedgerow by roadside. Whilst there appears to be good numbers of House Sparrows around Horncastle,very few Tree Sparrows are noted. NETTLEHAM Brenda Edlington TF005756 10/01/2017 Goldcrests 2 NETTLEHAM Brenda Edlington TF007753 09/01/2017 Vicar's Wood (next to church) Goldcrest Having seen 4 goldcrests at Chambers Farm Wood on 6/1/2017 has there been an influx from the continent? PARTNEY TF419681 A158 Robert Walker 15/1/17 Buzzard 1 On fence post up embankment by side of bypass. also Kestrel 1 On electric cables beside road within 400m of above Buzzard. SCRIVELSBY TF272654 Robert Walker 8/1/17 Kestrel 1 Near roadside. SEACROFT TF570622 Robert Walker 15/1/17 Snow Bunting 1 On foreshore. THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 01/01/17 Chaffinch x 7 Dunnock x 2 House Mouse x 1 02/01/17 Blackbird x 4 Black-headed Gull x 12 Chaffinch x 12 Common Buzzard x 1 Dunnock x 2 Fieldfare x 57 Golden Plover x 2 Goldfinch x 6 Great Tit x 1 Grey Partridge x 9 Kestrel x 1 Lesser Redpoll x 9 Moorhen x 4 Mute Swan x 4 adults, 4 juv. Pied Wagtail x 1 Robin x 1 Starling x 112 Wren x 1 04/01/17 Little Egret x 2 SK812993 08/01/17 Goosander x 9 males 3 females Kestrel x 1 Little Owl x 1 calling 23:30hrs Tree Sparrow x 25 09/01/17 Goosander x 1 SK813993 13/01/17 Barn Owl x 1 SK799995 Blackbird x 3 Black-headed Gull x 5 Common Buzzard x 1 Golden Plover x 9 Little Egret x 1 SK803997 WADDINGTON village 11th January 2017. 2-15pm Peter Wilson. One solitary Waxwing eating berries in my front garden. Also have aconites in flower in my garden. WALESBY, LINCOLNSHIRE Grid Ref TF133 924 Records from our garden for the week ended Sunday 08 January 17 Carol Massen (We have a rural garden of just under a quarter of an acre. There are 2 log piles - one with a camera, a pond, several bird boxes - 3 with cameras and a 'small mammal box' with camera.) Numbers indicate maximum sightings of a species at any one time Blackbird 2 Blue Tit 5 Bullfinch - 2 (one male, one female) Chaffinch 5 Coal Tit 1 Collared Dove 2 Dunnock 2 Goldfinch 7 Great Tit 1 Greenfinch 5 House Sparrow 3 Jackdaw 4 Long Tailed Tit 9 - one group Pheasant 7 (2 male, 5 female) Robin 1 Tree Sparrow 2 Wood Pigeon 3 Wren 1 Grey Squirrel 3 Bank Vole 2 Wood Mouse 1 Shrew 3 - we have seen 3 shrews that look different from each other but I can't say with confidence that we have 3 different types 3 bird boxes have roosting blue tits The goldfinches are starting to feed on the teasels WALESBY, LINCOLNSHIRE Grid Ref TF133 924 Records from our garden for the week ended Sunday 15 January 17 Carol Massen Numbers indicate maximum sightings of a species at any one time Blackbird 3 Blue Tit 3 Bullfinch - 2 (one male, one female) Chaffinch 10 Coal Tit 1 Collared Dove 2 Dunnock 2 Goldfinch 9 Great Tit 1 Greenfinch 5 House Sparrow 4 Jackdaw 4 Long Tailed Tit 9 - one group Pheasant 9 Robin 2 Song Thrush 1 Tree Sparrow 1 Wood Pigeon 2 Wren 1 Grey Squirrel 2 Bank Vole 1 Wood Mouse 1 Rat 1 After seeing much shrew activity last week there has been nothing at all this week - perhaps because of the appearance of a rat 3 bird boxes have roosting blue tits WEST ASHBY TF268728 A153 Robert Walker 3/1/17 Kestrel 1 Just north of village on tree branch. WILDMORE FEN November 1984 - January 2017. R Parsons From now on reports will be for Canada Lane and Canada Farm area, TF120694, unless otherwise stated. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 4th January -18th January 2017 Contributors: Peter and Janet Roworth & John Walker General Notes and Weather Observations First, a correction - the driest month during 2016 was December with 19.5mm (0.77 inches) and not May as indicated On the 11th very strong WSW winds all day gusting to 43.9mph during the morning and 34.5mph in the afternoon near Sea View. The 13th Jan saw the season's first snowfall during morning, settled to less than 10mm and soon thawed Daily Notes and Wildlife Sightings 4th Tufted Duck 9 on Great Eau near Sea View 5th Single Song Thrush nr Sea View, Short-eared owl hunting over the dunes and male Sparrowhawk and Kestrel over the saltmarsh 6th Pink-footed Goose 80 flying north east, Mute Swan 2 on Rimac lagoon 7th On adjacent ponds near Saltfleet Haven were Grey Lag Goose 12, dark-bellied Brent Goose 117, Barnacle Goose 2, Canada Goose 60, Gadwall ??, Teal 4, Black- headed Gull 33, Common Gull 5 and Curlew 3. Lapwing 337 were feeding in a pasture field near Sea View together with Curlew 23, Starling 120, Jackdaw 13, Rook 36, Redshank 2 and Stock Dove 5 8th The relatively mild weather has encouraged some snatches of bird song and territory activity for Robin, Dunnock, Great Tit, Blue Tit and Mistle Thrush around Sea View ; Shoveler 35+ on Paradise lagoon 10th Single Kingfisher flying along a saltmarsh creek towards Saltfleet Haven 11th Single Hen Harrier ringtail over saltmarsh late afternoon 13th A fine male Hen Harrier was hunting over the saltmarsh late afternoon 14th Mallard 42, Teal 54, Shoveler 44, Whooper Swan 5 and a female Goldeneye on Paradise lagoon 16th Pink-feet 230 flying high, north-west over Sea View, single Kingfisher and Little Grebe on the Great Eau and among the usual Mallard, Teal and Shoveler on Paradise lagoon were 5 pairs of Gadwall. Theddlethorpe foreshore, Dunlin 664, Herring Gull 578, Glaucous Gull 1, Great Black Gull 57,Twite 42, Pink Foot Goose 368,Curlew 398, Red Throat Diver 7, Scaup 2. 17th Skeins of Pink-feet over during the morning were 110, 58, 170, 100 On the nearby Elm House pasture land were Curlew 46, Redshank 7, Common Buzzard 1, Kestrel, Stonechat 3, Short-eared Owl 2, Rook 4, Jackdaw 48 and Starling 60 Saltmarsh Barn Owl 1, Hen Harrier 1 grey 1 brown ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 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 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: Squirrel 'threat' to critical infrastructure http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-38650436 Mysterious fossils find place on the tree of life http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-38585325 Bug resistant to all antibiotics kills woman http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-38609553 New candidate for 'missing element' in Earth's core http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-38561076 Photos show Japanese whaling off Antarctica, group says http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-38606557 Africa's most toxic lakes are a paradise for fearless flamingos https://theconversation.com/africas-most-toxic-lakes-are-a-paradise-for-fearless-flamingos-70817 Andrea Leadsom is wrong about the history of farming - and here's why it matters https://theconversation.com/andrea-leadsom-is-wrong-about-the-history-of-farming-and-heres-why-it-matters-70923 How to flat-pack a dinosaur https://theconversation.com/how-to-flat-pack-a-dinosaur-70966 An object lesson in thrush hunger https://www.theguard 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!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/