============================================= || || 12th November 2017 || || News of Lincolnshire Wildlife || LNU Website: || http://lnu.org/ || ============================================ In this issue..... 1. Readers' hints, tips and requests 2. Wildlife Highlights 3. Wildlife reports from around the county 4. NNRs including RSPB and LWT Reserves 5. Bardney Limewoods NNR 6. Other Reserve Reports and Highlights 7. Sending in Reports - contributors please read! 8. Contact information 9. Notes about these wildlife reports 10. Bulletin publicity policy 11. Events Diary 12. ...and finally..... ============================================ The Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Bulletin is being read by over 1000 people and we are keen to encourage even more readers to subscribe. Please use the "forward to a friend" link at the end of every LNU Bulletin and invite new readers to give it a try. We will really appreciate your help with this. 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: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk ============================================ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. Readers' hints, tips and requests ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** The Editor writes... *** Donna Nook Grey Seal updates: note A1031 road closure information! http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/donna-nook/weekly-update Now pupping has started please try to avoid weekend visits if possible. Donna Nook NNR Seal Count 3rd November 2017 Contributors: - Rob Scott & Matt Blissett Bulls 199, Cows 329, Pups 152 "VENUS-JUPITER CONJUNCTION: Set your alarm for dawn. Venus and Jupiter are about to have a spectacular conjunction in the early morning sky. On Nov. 13th, the two bright planets will converge just ahead of the rising sun only 0.3 degrees apart - so close that you can hide them together behind an outstretched ... finger. A small telescope will show both planetary disks in the field of view at the same time. That's worth waking up for." http://spaceweather.com/ Sending in your records: "If (an organism) is worth observing, it is worth recording." There are still many gaps in our knowledge and understanding of county species and their distribution. Your data will make a difference. You can send in records: 1. Directly to individual county recorders: https://lnu.org/specialists/ 2. To the Lincolnshire Environmental Records Centre: charlie.barnes@glnp.org.uk or 3. Via the Wildnews Bulletin: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk On the subject of recording, please support the Mammal Society's Annual Hedgehog Watch: http://www.mammal.org.uk/2016/10/annual-hedgehog-watch/ http://www.mammal.org.uk/2017/10/2017-hedgehog-watch-project-now-open/ LWT Conservation Forum: It was good to see so many Bulletin readers at Conservation Forum. I tried to chat with as many as I could, but missed quite a few in the crowd. An excellent day with interesting and important information. There was a useful update on "Love Lincolnshire Plants": the unique LNU Herbarium is at last safely housed in the Natural History Museum awaiting the care and use it deserves. Transfer of the LNU collection "primes the pump" for the project and it will fill an important gap in national botanical records. The Partnership, led by the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, is planning the active phase of the project to build the skills and collect plant specimens for the next phase of the project. More information will follow as the project develops. See links further down this section. LNU Transactions: "The Lincolnshire Naturalist" [Transactions] and "Communiqué" should be with LNU members shortly. You may even have received these at the Conservation Forum. Non-members can obtain "Transactions" on the following link. https://lnu.org/publications/transactions/ "Florilegium" Reminder: Sir Joseph Banks Society President's Lecture: 18th November. "Banks' Florilegium" See: http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk/presidents-lecture/ LNU Meeting The LNU programme of indoor meetings on 25th November 2017: ‘Shining light on the ‘geological darkness’ of Lincolnshire’ by Dr Jonathan Larwood of Natural England. 2pm start. Indoor meetings are held normally held in Lincoln in the Education building of Whisby Nature Park. Non-members are very welcome. 2017-2018 Flusurvey: Register with "Flusurvey" and help to monitor the spread of Flu-like symptoms in the UK this winter. It's a good project. Epidemiologists are Biological Recorders too! They need our support. http://flusurvey.org.uk As usual I have included a selection of topical links for you. Most were sent in by readers, a few were chosen by me with particular individuals in mind. Suggestions for interesting links are always welcome. See: The week in wildlife – in pictures - fabulous photos https://www.theguardian.com/environment/gallery/2017/nov/03/the-week-in-wildlife-in-pictures New national forest charter launched at Lincoln Castle http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-41887781 The Colour Science of Autumn Leaves http://thechromologist.com/colour-science-autumn-leaves/? Lincolnshire's coast and farms will sink with 3C of warming https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/nov/03/lincolnshires-coast-and-farms-will-sink-with-3c-of-warming? A last refuge for Europe's blighted killer whales http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-41864515 Cod and haddock 'may vanish' from Scotland's west coast http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-41816878 Donald Trump face found in Jarrow dog's ears http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-41887891 More topical links are below in "...and finally..." - don't forget to click. A full list of LNU Recorders is on the following link and in Communiqué. They will advise on species identification within their field of expertise. Photos for identification are often helpful, but please ask before sending. http://lnu.org/ Thank you for all the contributions this week - very much appreciated. Roger old.museum@yahoo.co.uk *** Love Lincolnshire Plants - Updates *** Project Partners - when you add LLP information to your website, blog or Twitter- feed please let me know and I'll update this section. There will be lots of activity being planned, so feel free to promote it here when you are ready. Thanks. "Love Lincolnshire Plants: A plant archive for the next generation." http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/news/2017/10/05/love-lincolnshire-plants-plant-archive-next-generation Updates and partners' links on this exciting initiative as it develops: SJBS: http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk/news-events/lincolnshire-plants-project/ NHM Twitter feed https://twitter.com/nhm_botany?lang=en LWT Twitter feed https://twitter.com/lincswildlife?lang=en LNU Twitter feed https://twitter.com/LincsNaturalist?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Flnu.org%2F Lincoln University School of Life Sciences blog https://lifesciences.blogs.lincoln.ac.uk/2016/09/30/heritage-lottery-funding-to-safeguard-lincolnshire-plants/ *** November Night Sky *** Paul Money's 'Monthly Night Sky' webpage will be found on: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html AuroraWatch UK: action possible..... http://aurorawatch.lancs.ac.uk *** LNU Events Diary *** LNU events are listed below in section 11. For LNU meetings, see: https://lnu.org/meetings/indoor-meetings/ Unless otherwise stated, Indoor Meetings are held on Saturdays at the Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park, Moor Lane, Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln and start at 2pm. 25th November 2017: ‘Shining light on the ‘geological darkness’ of Lincolnshire’ by Dr Jonathan Larwood of Natural England. 2pm start. Our indoor meetings are held normally held in Lincoln in the Education building of Whisby Nature Park. *** 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/ *** Butterfly Conservation Work Day *** Richard Davidson writes: Sunday the 12th of November at Chambers Farm Wood between Wragby and Bardney. Ring Richard on 01522 525725 or 078 144 14285 for further directions or details. [Editor adds: the Remembrance Day ceremony at Bardney will close the road by the War Memorial for duration of the the ceremony.] The work is continuing with the coppicing of overgrown Blackthorn bushes along the Minting Park ride to create fresh regrowth next year for Brown Hairstreak butterflies to lay their eggs on. Tools and gloves provided but wear suitable clothes and work boots. Bring a packed lunch if staying all day but refreshments provided. Meet in the car park at 10.00am and we will be working through to approx 3.30pm. *** Chalk Stream Volunteer Days *** Will Bartle writes: Volunteer day coming up: Tuesday 14th November 10-1.30 – Waithe beck, Brigsley We’ll be trimming vegetation back to let light into the stream. Volunteers to bring pack lunch, drink and suitable footwear (wellies or walking boots). Parking is at Brigsley down the track next to the Brigsley Ice Cream place just over the river – bottom of the track near the caravan. Grid Reference TF19468 94585 Please get in contact if you're interested, we like to know who's coming. Full details can be downloaded on our website http://www.lincswolds.org.uk/chalk-streams/upcomingevents or Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/LincolnshireChalkStreams/ *** Scunthorpe Museum Society Natural History and Geology Section *** The Natural History and Geology Section of Scunthorpe Museum Society. http://scunthorpemuseumsociety.btck.co.uk/ The Natural History and Geology Section of the Scunthorpe Museum Society. Following the main Society AGM on Monday, 13th November we shall be given an illustrated talk on "Insects" by Dr David Sheppard, Invertebrate Ecologist, LNU Sawflies and Aculeates (Bees, Wasps and Ants) Recorder and Deputy Chairman of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. David has given us fascinating talks in the past. Don't miss this exceptional opportunity to learn more about this class of animals that is more numerous than any other and forms such an important part of food chains. ALL ARE WELCOME TO OUR MEETINGS which take place in the St Bernadette's Church Hall, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2RS, starting at 7.15pm. There is a large free car park at the Church. There is no entry charge to the meeting but a donation bowl is provided. Refreshments are provided for a small charge at the mid-talk break. Contact Keith Scarrott for more information on 01724 762098. *** Local RSPB links: *** Grimsby & District RSPB http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/grimsby S Lincs RSPB http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire Lincoln RSPB http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ Grimsby RSPB Group Martin Francis writes: The next meeting of the Grimsby RSPB Group is at 7.30pm on Monday 20th November, at Corpus Christi Community Centre, corner of Machray Place, Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes DN35 7AE. Dr Mike Leach will give us an illustrated talk entitled "A Fish with Feathers!!" (Penguins to you and me.) Dr Leach is a vastly experienced and knowledgeable wildlife photographer and author. He is also a wonderfully entertaining speaker who has visited us 5 times before. That speaks for itself! This talk is not to be missed! There will also be refreshments and a raffle. Entry is £4, payable at the door. The Group's next trip is to Carsington Water in Derbyshire on Sunday 26th November, leaving Millman's Coach Depot in Wilton Road, Humberston at 7.30am. This trip is suitable for walkers as well as birders as there is a lovely 7-mile walk r ound the lake with diversions into local villages. The cost of the coach trip is £20 per person. Booking is essential All are welcome. You don't have to be a member of the RSPB for either event. For more information, contact Martin Francis (Group Leader) at martin.francis2@ntlworld.com (preferred) or on (01472) 883436 We look forward to seeing you at the meeting, or on the trip, or both! *** Alford & Mablethorpe Branch LWT *** Alford & Mablethorpe Area Group Find us on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/LWT-Alford-Mablethorpe-Area-Group-175413729474673/ George Rutter writes: Talk: Nature reserves - An aerial perspective Half Moon Hotel, West Street, Alford, LN13 9DG Monday 13th November 7:30pm An illustrated talk by Head of Reserves, Dave Bromwich Aerial photographs always show up points of interest providing a view that shows up things not visible from ground level. Dave has developed an interest in flying using a microlight to observe reserves. With the Alford and Mablethorpe Area Group *** Barton Area Group LWT *** Barton Area Group of the LWT is now on Facebook; https://www.facebook.com/LWT.Barton.Group *** Boston LWT *** Geof Lee writes: Boston Branch, Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Thursday, 9th November at 7.30 P.M. " Wildlife in the West Midlands" by Gill Walsh Gill will take us on a tour of some of the best nature reserves in the West Midlands illustrated by her own photographs of the wildlife found there. The meeting will be held in the Centenary Methodist church hall in Red Lion Street, Boston - all welcome. Refreshments and a leaving collection. More info from Brian Redman 01205 351406. *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT www.grimsbywildlifetrust.org.uk Carolyn Davis writes: On Monday 13th November 2017 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them at their next indoor meeting where the very excellent wildlife photo- grapher Geoff Trinder will give an illustrated presentation on the natural history of the beautiful Yellowstone National Park. This will take place in Grimsby Town Hall and starts at 7.30pm. Admission £3, all are welcome. There will be a Trust goods stall with Trust Christmas cards, calendars and bird food for sale, raffle and tea and coffee will be available. For further details contact Jennie Redpath 01472 502858 *** Lincoln LWT *** Lincoln Area Group Talk November 16th: Otters: The Hidden Comeback Richard Davidson writes: An illustrated talk by Louth based naturalist Stewart West about the welcome return of Otters to Lincolnshire's rivers and waterways. Talk at Whisby Nature Park in the Lafarge Education Building  starting at 7.30 pm.  Admission £2.50 which includes refreshments. *** Louth LWT *** Ray Woodcock writes: LWT Louth Area Group "Information Coffee Morning" At the ConocoPhillips Room Louth Library between 1000hrs and noon on Saturday 11 November 2017 This year’s theme is ‘Moths, Butterflies and Insects’. Colin Smith the Lincolnshire County Moth Recorder, will set up a display of specimens. He will be prepared to answer your questions and you can take part in an insect based quiz. The Wildlife Watch members will provide an activity for children. All ages are welcome to have the chance meet LAG members whilst enjoying a cup of coffee and buying LWT Christmas cards, calendars, note pads and stocking fillers. There will be a raffle. Admission will be £1.50 whilst children are admitted without charge. We shall observe the two minutes silence at 1100hrs. *** More Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Events *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/whats-on ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2. Wildlife Highlights ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Bird News from Rare Bird Alert *** Rare Bird Alert has kindly given permission to reproduce reports. A big thank you from us all. Interested readers should have a look at the RBA website: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ I have adapted RBA pager data/information for the Bulletin by eliminating or consolidating repeated messages. Note - I have been leaving out late reports to save myself going back to re-do entries. From now on I shall squeeze in important ones, indicating them with a " * ". 2/11 Scaup as drk, Deeping Lakes Hen Harrier male, Frampton Marsh 3/11 Snow Bunting on saltmarsh side of sea bank, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, male Hen Harrier, Frampton Marsh Long-tailed Duck behind Paradise Pool, Long-billed Dowitcher, just south of Saltfleet Haven Hawfinch flew over Hubbards Hills, Louth Bittern flew over Boultham Mere Hawfinch flew south over West Dunes, Gibraltar Point Common Scoter*, Ness Pit, Far Ings, Barton-upon-Humber 4/11 3 Snow Buntings at north end, Gibraltar Point 5+ Hawfinches near Normanby Semipalmated Sandpiper, Whitton Sands Long-billed Dowitcher, Paradise Pool, just south of Saltfleet Haven Cattle Egret in field at Elm House Farm, Saltfleetby St Clement 5/11 4 Snow Buntings at bottom car park, Frampton Marsh Cattle Egret in field at Elm House Farm, Saltfleetby St Clement Hooded Crow on tideline, Donna Nook 5 Snow Buntings, Siberian Chiffchaff, Lapland Bunting* West over, Gibraltar Point Hawfinch flew west over Swanpool 2 Hawfinches on beech east of entrance, Hubbards Hills, Louth Long-billed Dowitcher, Paradise Pool, just south of Saltfleet Haven 3 Hawfinches, Snipe Dales Country Park 6/11 Long-billed Dowitcher, Paradise Pool, just south of Saltfleet Haven Slavonian Grebe* on Ness Pit, Far Ings, Barton-upon-Humber 7/11 Black-throated Diver, 7 Twite, Freiston Shore 3 Little Stints, Great Grey Shrike at River Witham mouth, Spotted Redshank, Grey Phalarope, 2 Red-necked Grebes, Frampton Marsh 3 Shorelarks on saltmarsh at Mill Hill, 2 Shorelarks on saltmarsh near East Dunes, 5 Snow Buntings, Gibraltar Point Shorelark on beach, Saltfleet Slavonian Grebe on Ness Pit, Bittern, 2 Hawfinches flew over Ness End car park, Far Ings, Barton-upon-Humber Water Pipit* at realignment, Donna Nook 8/11 3 Snow Buntings by sea wall, Little Stint, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh 3 Shorelarks on saltmarsh by Mill Hill, Gibraltar Point Bittern, Alkborough Flats Black-throated Diver, 3 Slavonian Grebes, Great Northern Diver, Long-tailed Duck, Freiston Shore Slavonian Grebe on Ness Pit, Far Ings. Barton-upon-Humber Please visit the RBA website for updates/fuller details. Here you can register free to use the site and get free trials of their subscription services. Rare Bird Alert website: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ [Please mention the Bulletin if you decide to subscribe.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3. Wildlife news from around the county ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** The Roger Goy Column *** Remembering Roger Goy's wildlife information work. ROAD KILLS? Every drive is a transect! Reports welcome. Hedgehog, brown hare, brown rat, fox, badger, otter, stoat, deer spp.... https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/trees-woods-and-wildlife/animals/mammals/ CAT KILLS? Extend our small mammal knowledge by reporting cat-assisted records! Shrews, voles, mice, rats, rabbits, moles, weasels, bat spp.... https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/blog/2017/07/types-of-uk-mice/ *** 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 TF119694 R & A Parsons 3/11/2017 2+ species of slug collected for Conservation Forum. Small black species 3. Large spotty-striped species 1. 12 Garden Snails in winter cluster under a rock. 4/11 Buzzard over pm. Carlton le Moorland SK909 580 Jeremy Hutchinson 2nd November 2017 Young Hedgehog wandering around garden after dark. When weighed it was only 293g, barely half that needed to survive hibernation. After seeking advice we decided to try to fatten it up over winter for release next Spring. 6th November Still several Red Admirals active in garden while the sun was shining. Large White larvae still actively destroying our Nasturtiums. 8th November, 08.45 Pair Ravens flying northwards. Sparrowhawk flying 300ft + with two Crow 'escorts'. GRANTHAM HOSPITAL CAR PARK 03.11.17 9.45am M. Ellis Ten minutes wait Robin x 2 Blackbird x 2 Dunnock x 1 HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden) 2/11/2017 Great tits 8 3/11/2017 Tawny owl 1 - heard 5.30am 5/11/2017 Wood mouse 1 - dead outside my door. I'm accusing local cats. 6/11/2017 Dunnocks 2 Large white caterpillars - many on nasturtium, didn't expect to see any in November Red admiral 1 - on sunny gate post Wren 1 8/11/2017 Chaffinch 2 KEELBY (Grid reference TA1610) 4/11/2017 Jon Drakes Species recorded whilst carrying out the weekly Garden Bird Watch for the BTO in our back garden were: Blackbird 2 Black-headed Gull 1 Collared Dove 12 Dunnock 3 Greenfinch 1 Herring Gull 1 House Sparrow 30 Jackdaw 1 Magpie 2 Robin 1 Sparrowhawk 1 Starling 2 Woodpigeon 1 KEELBY (Grid reference TA1610) 5/11/2017 Jon Drakes with Tracey Smith and Mike Wilson. An early morning walk around fields and woodland to the North of the village found the following species present: Blackbird Black-Headed Gull Bullfinch 4 (2 male and 2 female birds) Carrion Crow Chaffinch Coal Tit Collared Dove Dunnock Feral Pigeon Goldfinch Great Tit Herring Gull House Sparrow Jay 2 Kestrel 1 Magpie Pheasant Pied Wagtail Pink-footed Goose 160 (all birds seen flying in Southerly direction) Robin Rook Sparrowhawk 1 Starling Tree Sparrow Woodcock 1 (flushed in woodland – my first record around the village) Woodpigeon Wren Yellowhammer 2 Roe Deer 1 KEELBY (Grid reference TA1609) 5/11/2017 Jon Drakes with Tracey Smith and Mike Wilson A walk around the fields to the South East of the village found the following species present: Blackbird Black-Headed Gull Blue Tit Carrion Crow Collared Dove Dunnock Goldfinch Great Tit Grey Wagtail 1 (my first record of this species around the village) House Sparrow Little Egret 1 Long-tailed Tit Magpie Pied Wagtail Starling Woodpigeon Wren MORKERY WOOD SK953190 Jane Ostler 3rd November 2017 1hrs walk. Main paths and track through partly felled area. 12C, cloudy. Plants in flower At this time of the year always interesting to record anything still in flower. Of the fourteen species found there were single plants only of Common Vetch, Canadian Fleabane and Bristly Oxtongue. Flowers of Herb Robert, Red Clover and Autumnal Hawkbit were frequent. Fungi. Still very dry and found little as on all fungal forays in last ten days. Brackets included some new specimens of Ganoderma australe on birch logs which had been left inside wood. This makes me hopeful that some may be found galled by flies next year. They were on this bracket on birch nearby previously but this wood has been removed.There was a very photogenic Ink Cap int he Car Park area - the Magpie - but only one other gill fungi Inocybe sp. Unable to identify this by spore print and field characteristics alone. Plant Galls: On oak seedlings: Oak Marble Galls - Gall Wasp. All those examined had exit holes for gall wasp but none for inquilines and none eaten. On an oak sapling: Oak Apple - Gall wasp. The dried remains only On leaves of mature oaks: both the Common Spangle Gall and the Silk Button Gall - Gall Wasps On Meadowsweet leaves: Dasineura ulmaria (no common name?) Gall fly Mammals; Evidence of deer, mole and badger. A grey squirrel out and a stoat crossing road on edge of path. RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF309847 unless otherwise stated Silvia Fowler 25.10.2017 An abundance of insects on a sunny autumn day, including Common Wasp 100+ on Ivy flowers (more wasps than I’ve seen all year!) Peacock 1, Red Admiral 2, Small Tortoiseshell 1 Day-flying moth, probably Silver-Y, 1 Tree Bumblebee on chrysanthemums Pheasant, 6 m (TF303852) Yellowhammer 3 (TF297855) 26.10.2017 Bird species seen regularly at/below the popular sunflower hearts feeder: Bluetit, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, House Sparrow, Tree Sparrow, Dunnock, Robin, Woodpigeon Long-tailed Tits 6-8 along hedgerow (TF305849) 27.10.2017 (sunny again, though cooler than on 25th) Again wasps, hoverflies, flies and bumblebees in great numbers, but only 1 Red Admiral 7-Spot Ladybird 1 Harlequin Ladybird 2 Pied Wagtail Long-tailed tits along hedgerow (TF302845 approx.) 01.11.2017 October Rainfall only 21 mm – quite a dry month overall. RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF309847 unless otherwise stated Silvia Fowler 03.11.2017 2-3 Blackbirds in hawthorn tree (few berries this year, now all gone) Robin Wren 05.11.2017 (cool, but sunny) Red Admiral 1 on the wing 06.11.2017 (First frost of the season followed by a sunny, fairly calm day) 08:30 hrs. Pair of Little Egrets first seen preening at TF309850, then flying south over our house, so I was able to make a positive ID from shape, bill and leg colours.  Returned ca. 30 minutes later and circled over pasture (TF309848) heading west.  My third sighting this year, though they may well be regular visitors at the local beck and lake to the north, out of my view. Pied Wagtail STALLINGBOROUGH – HOBSON WAY (Grid reference TA2213) Jon Drakes Species noted during the week whilst at work included: 31/10/2017 Blackbird Carrion Crow Herring Gull Mistle Thrush Pied Wagtail Robin Starling 2/11/17 Carrion Crow Cormorant Magpie Pheasant 3/11/17 Blackbird Carrion Crow Herring Gull Magpie Mallard Pied Wagtail Starling Teal THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 02/11/17 Pink Footed Goose x 175 east over Thurnholmes 04/11/17 Ring Necked Parakeet x 1 SE801001 Pied Wagtail rung 10/03/14 in Nieuwpoort, West Vlaanderen, Belgium, re caught Owston Ferry SE8000 16/06/17 1194 days, 355km NW. 05/11/17 Blue Tit x 2 Dunnock x 2 Fieldfare x 18 Goldfinch x 9 Kestrel x 1 Pink Footed Goose x 185 NE over Thurnholmes Redwing x 37 Robin x 1 Starling x 520 over Thurnholmes 07/11/17 Blackbird x 9 Black headed Gull x 18 Common Buzzard x 2 Fieldfare x 15 Redwing x 32 Rook x 32 Wren x 1 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. NNRs including RSPB and LWT Reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RSPB Reserves: http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/collections/thewash_northnorfolk.aspx LWT Reserves: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FAR INGS NNR See: Far Ings NNR on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-Of-Far-Ings-National-Nature-Reserve/186876774685595 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GIBRALTAR POINT NNR See: Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog. http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE DUNES NNR including DONNA NOOK http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/saltfleetby-theddlethorpe-dunes http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/donna-nook-nnr http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/38015?category=59026 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Donna Nook seal updates: note road closure information! http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/donna-nook/weekly-update Once the pupping starts please try to avoid weekend visits if possible. Donna Nook NNR Seal Count 3rd November 2017 Contributors: - Rob Scott & Matt Blissett Bulls 199, Cows 329, Pups 152 Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR Report 2nd November – 8st November 2017 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker & Matt Blissett Daily Notes and Wildlife Sightings Rainfall this month now totals 23 mm so water levels on the NNR now rising. 2nd – 2 snow buntings flushed from out dunes off Rimac. 3rd – Still a scattering of blackbirds of 28+ birds between Sea View and Paradise plus 2 fieldfare and a single redwing. A long-tailed duck was seen in the Great Eau from Black Bridge plus 2 little grebes, over the saltmarsh a peregrine falcon and hen harrier (ringtail) were seen and 3 fieldfares at Rimac. 4th – A small influx of thrushes and finches today. 5 redwing, 20+ blackbirds and 45+ goldfinch in hawthorn hedge near Sea View. 5th – 24 little egrets on saltmarsh, long-billed dowitcher on the bank of the Eau, single redwing and song thrush and again more blackbirds in the Sea View area plus a ringtail hen harrier over the saltmarsh [same bird as on the 3rd with a noticeable dark brown plumage and prominent white area on the rump]. Single red admiral and small tortoiseshell at Coastguard Cottage. 6th – c 900 pink foot and 26 whooper swans seen leaving CHL foreshore at dawn. At Rimac early evening, 1 ringtail hen harrier hunting over saltmarsh and single barn owl mobbed by kestrel. 7th – On Paradise lagoon were 75 teal, 23 mallard, 11 shoveler, 9 wigeon and 75 redshank, over the outer beach a peregrine falcon was harassing 2 marsh harriers whilst at the same time trying to stun a wigeon out of the air but failed and between Rimac and Paradise were 11 fieldfare and at least 40 blackbirds plus single goldcrest, chiff/willow and brambling at Sea View. 194 curlew seen roosting on Theddlethorpe foreshore Other sighting over recent days include 1 barn owl 2 marsh harriers, 2 sparrowhawks 1 merlin, 4 woodcock, 2 water rail, c 20 twite, ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. BARDNEY LIMEWOODS NNR These cover a huge area, and records from them and records from volunteer recorders are one of the main inputs to management planning and the protection of rare/scarce and critical species. Reports always welcome. http://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/visit/woods-and-nature-reserves/127031.article Also see: Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch http://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html LWT Lincolnshire Limewoods http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/what-we-do/living-landscapes/lincolnshire-limewoods ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lincolnshire Dormouse Group The Lincolnshire Dormouse Group meet monthly at Chambers Farm Woods. We always welcome visitors and new members. Dormice are legally protected and sensitive to disturbance; attending the group's meetings provides the opportunity to see dormice legally with licenced surveyors. If you are interested please email lincsdormousegroup@gmail.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The NNR includes the following sites: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Chambers Farm Woods (comprises Ivy Wood, Little and Great Scrubbs Woods, Minting Wood, Hatton Wood, Hatton Plantation and Minting Park, and also three areas of grassland: Little Scrubbs Meadow (and extension), Small Meadow and Big Meadow. Since all have their own management plans, please give the actual location when reporting); College Wood, Cocklode & Great West Woods, Hardy Gang Wood, Newball Wood, Rand Wood, Scotgrove Wood, Southrey Wood and Wickenby Wood. Many of these include both areas of ancient woodland or important grassland, which are designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest, and non-designated areas. Since managing the SSSI areas carries particular responsibilities to Natural England, records which provide a six-figure grid reference are of particular value to the Forestry Commission. Other woods included in the NNR but without public access: Stainfield Wood; Stainton & Fulnetby Woods (access by public bridle way only) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6. OTHER RESERVE REPORTS AND HIGHLIGHTS - LNRs, private reserves etc. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Reports welcome. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7. Sending in reports to Roger Parsons ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The purpose of the Bulletin is to encourage biological recording in Lincolnshire. We hope to increase the number of people reporting observations to LNU Recorders and improve the quality of reports, as well as the quantity and the geographical coverage. In return for this FREE service, we ask you to provide reports, questions, news or relevant articles from time to time. Descriptive pieces are welcome - you don't have to stick to lists! Mailing times vary, depending on what I am doing. The Bulletin goes out on Thursdays or Fridays in time for the weekend. Please e-mail in contributions as early as possible, to: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk When sending in reports please follow this layout to save re-editing: Place Name: IN CAPITALS with Grid Reference if you have it. Your Name: Real names please, not aliases. Put it in each time, for each location Date: Species list [Alphabetical?] & numbers [and observations?] e.g. Blackbird - 24 [And please, no home-grown abbreviations. Species Names in full.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 8. Contact Information & Useful Websites ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Website *** A full list of LNU Country Recorders is given here. http://lnu.org/ LNU e-mail: info@lnu.org LNU Mammal Atlas You can download and print off a hard copy or view it online. http://www.glnp.org.uk/our-publications/biodiversity/projects-and-reports.php LNU Bursaries: The LNU offers bursaries for natural history courses. The upper limit is £250. If you would like to apply for a bursary for an FSC [or similar] course please contact Richard Chadd on: richard.chadd@environment-agency.gov.uk *** CONTACTS LIST *** Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/ Care of Sick or Injured Animals - information on LWT website http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/sick-and-injured-animals *** Bird Club Website *** http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk *** The Sir Joseph Banks Society *** http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk *** Lincolnshire Bat Group website *** http://www.lincsbatgroup.co.uk/ *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch *** http://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html *** Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service *** http://www.lincswolds.org.uk *** Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project *** http://www.lincswolds.org.uk/chalk-streams/lincolnshire-chalk-streams *** Lincsbirders *** http://www.lincsbirders.org/ FIGHTING WILDLIFE CRIME *** Rural Crime Officer *** Pc 160 Nick Willey Force Wildlife, Rural Crime Officer Force Dog Training Establishment Lincolnshire Showground. Grange-De-Lings. Lincoln nicholas.willey@lincs.pnn.police.uk OFFICE: 01522-731897 MOBILE :07768-501895 PAGER : 07654-330877 Related Website: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/issues/crime STAYING SAFE Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. *** EasyTide *** http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx *** Weather Underground *** https://www.wunderground.com/ *** Met Office Severe Weather E-mail Service *** http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/guide-to-emails *** Environment Agency Flood Information/Floodline *** http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/default.aspx SPECIES IDENTIFICATION AND RECORDING Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. When asking for help: Please give the the very best information you can provide. If you are not sure, ask what is needed from you to confirm identification. Photographs are helpful but not every species can be identified from a photograph. When asked for further details, get back to them promptly. Don't forget a thank you for the help. That is always welcome. *** Botany *** Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland http://bsbi.org/ Botanical Group in South Lincs Contact: Sarah Lambert, who writes: We'd be happy to welcome new people, experienced or not, particularly if they are located towards the northern part of the vice county! sarah.lambert7@ntlworld.com Also see: http://bsbi.org/south-lincolnshire-v-c-53 *** Identifying Fungi *** App: http://rogersmushroomsapp.com/ BMS Checklist of names: http://www.fieldmycology.net/GBCHKLST/gbchklst.htm BMS Keys for Macrofungi http://www.britmycolsoc.org.uk/library/keys/ *** What's That Butterfly? *** http://butterfly-conservation.org/ http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/index.php *** Identifying Dragonflies *** http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/content/uk-species *** How to Identify Bees *** http://www.bwars.com/ http://bumblebeeconservation.org/ LNU Sawflies, Bees, Wasps and Ants Recorder Dr. David Sheppard Willing to examine specimens or check photos (bear in mind only a relative few of the 300+ species in the county are identifiable using photos). d.a.sheppard@btinternet.com *** Lincolnshire Mammals *** Chris Manning, Chris.LincsDeer@gmail.com Mink/Otter reports are of interest and can be sent via the Bulletin. Mammal Atlas You can download and print off a hard copy or view it online. http://www.glnp.org.uk/our-publications/biodiversity/projects-and-reports.php Mammal Society http://www.mammal.org.uk/ *** Spiders *** Imogen Wilde Regional Co-ordinator (RC) and Mentor for Lincolnshire for the British Arachnological Society (BAS). Imogen@imogenwilde.co.uk BAS Spider identification: http://britishspiders.org.uk/wiki2015/index.php?title=Main_Page *** Lincs Amphibian and Reptile Group *** The Lincolnshire ARG (Amphibian & Reptile Group) For further information and to submit records contact: Ashley Butterfield learningoutdoors@btinternet.com You can input reptile and amphibian data at: http://www.recordpool.org.uk/ Please remember, common species are just as important as rarer species. *** Local Bat Helpline *** Grounded bats, bat problems, advice and information. Contact Annette and Colin Faulkner on 01775 766286 or e-mail: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** Confidential Bat Records *** You may send confidential bat records direct to Annette Faulkner on: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** Slug ID Help *** Chris du Feu will help with slug identification. Tel: 01427 848400 or e-mail: chris@chrisdufeu.force9.co.uk *** Non-Marine Molluscs *** Alex Pickwell is the LNU Recorder for Non-marine Molluscs Email: alex.pickwell@environment-agency.gov.uk USEFUL WILDLIFE CONTACTS Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. *** Lincs Environmental Records Centre *** Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership http://www.glnp.org.uk/ (of which LERC is a part) Contact: charlie.barnes@glnp.org.uk or for more general queries: info@glnp.org.uk *** Life on the Verge and Wildflower Meadow Network Project *** http://www.lifeontheverge.org.uk/ *** Good sources of seeds of Bee-friendly Wild Flowers *** Plantlife and Flora locale have defined protocols that can guide the conservation-minded shopper. See: www.floralocale.org/Alphabetical+supplier+listing *** Lincs Bird Club *** LBC County Bird Recorders John Clarkson - Covering the north of the county recorder_north@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Phil Hyde - Covering the south of the county recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk *** The Sir Joseph Banks Society *** http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk Contact 01507 528223 enquiries@joseph-banks.org.uk *** Natural England *** http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ *** Lincolnshire Environmental Awards *** http://www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk/ *** RSPB local webpages *** https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/find-a-reserve/reserves-a-z/reserves-by-name/t/tetneymarshes/ https://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore/ http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh/ John Badley, Site Manager for RSPB Lincolnshire Wash reserves e-mail: john.badley@rspb.org.uk ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9. Notes about these wildlife reports ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We do our best to ensure accuracy in our reporting but these records are sent in by a variety of reporters, from complete beginners to professionals. They therefore vary in reliability and in a few cases may be difficult or impossible to verify. If further information is needed contact: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk Bulletins are sent to Recorders at Lincolnshire Environmental Records Centre [GNLP] , Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. [Note: Where plants are reported, this is usually because they have been seen and identified in flower.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10. The Bulletin's publicity policy ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We sometimes withhold details of rare or endangered species. Please point out any sensitive or "tricky" reports of this kind. Sensitive data should go directly to county recorders, please. Please respect the interests of wildlife and site owners if you report on national networks. Interest in wildlife is not a licence to act irresponsibly or thoughtlessly to landowners, who may well be partners in important conservation work. For good advice for all nature-watchers see the RSPB's birdwatchers' code https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/read-and-learn/watching-birds/code/ and BTO's pdf: https://www.bto.org/sites/default/files/u10/downloads/taking-part/health/bwc.pdf [Remember - views expressed in the Bulletin do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions on the LNU or associated organisations. In particular this applies to such agencies, especially charities, taking a political stance.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11. LNU Events Diary For LNU meetings also see http://lnu.org/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Field Meetings generally start at 12 noon for 1.00pm, but please check the website details for each event. Unless otherwise stated, Indoor Meetings are held on Saturdays at the Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park, Moor Lane, Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln and start at 2pm. Indoor Meetings 2017/8 Indoor meeting ‘Shining light on the ‘geological darkness’ of Lincolnshire’ – 25th November 2017 Indoor meeting – 20th January 2018 Recorders’ Meeting – 10th February 2018 Annual General Meeting – 3rd March 2018 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails This Week *** If you recognise the owner of a 'part-address' below, please let them know that their their Bulletin has 'bounced' this week. None this week. If ever your Bulletin does not arrive, please let me know. Text copies of current and past Bulletins can be found on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html ....and finally.....: Last Dambuster George 'Johnny' Johnson collects MBE http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-41903492 Beak performance: cable-chomping birds https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/nov/03/beak-performance-cable-chomping-birds-add-to-nbn-headaches Fossil of 'our earliest ancestors' found in Dorset www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-41889633 "...at this stage the TWO view is the chance of a colder winter is significantly higher than in recent years." https://www.theweatheroutlook.com/ 2017 'very likely' in top three warmest years on record http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-41859288 Trump's golf resort in Scotland 'could face severe flooding' due to climate change, study warns http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/donald-trump-golf-course-aberdeenshire-sea-levels-climate-change-coastal-erosion-a8038591.html Theresa May must act before Brexit to turn the tide towards living seas for Britain http://www.theecologist.org/blogs_and_comments/commentators/2989410/theresa_may_must_act_before_brexit_to_turn_the_tide_towards_living_seas_for_britain.html Country diary: one spider to make a song and dance about https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/oct/31/country-diary-tarantula-spider-song-and-dance-spain Country diary: mighty oaks and many, many, doomed acorns https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/nov/02/country-diary-mighty-oaks-and-many-many-doomed-acorns Lincolnshire's coast and farms will sink with 3C of warming https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/nov/03/lincolnshires-coast-and-farms-will-sink-with-3c-of-warming Country diary: insects still find sanctuary in the priory ruins https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/nov/06/country-diary-insects-still-find-sanctuary-in-the-priory-ruins Country diary: angling spot regular with a taste for unwanted catch https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/nov/07/country-diary-angling-spot-regular-with-a-taste-for-unwanted-catch ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/