============================================= || || 19th 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..... ============================================ Reports here are open and are available to county recorders of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union, the Lincolnshire Bird Club and Lincolnshire Environmental Record Centre [LERC]. Text versions of past Wildnews Bulletins back to Feb 2009 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. The Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Bulletin is being read by over 1000 people and we are keen to encourage even more readers to subscribe. Please use the "forward to a friend" link at the end of every LNU Bulletin and invite new readers to give it a try. We will really appreciate your help with this. Please contact the Editor to contribute articles or reports. E-mail: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk ============================================ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. Readers' hints, tips and requests ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** The Editor writes... *** Donna Nook Grey Seal updates: note A1031 road closure information! Donna Nook seals count 11th Nov – bulls 452, cows 812, pups 527 http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/donna-nook/weekly-update Now pupping has started please try to avoid weekend visits if possible. Nick Tribe writes: A list of all the articles contained in Transactions (Transactions page) and a list of the Presidents (Officers page) is now available on the LNU website. "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: Our indoor meetings are held normally held in Lincoln in the Education building of Whisby Nature Park. ‘Shining light on the ‘geological darkness’ of Lincolnshire’ by Dr Jonathan Larwood of Natural England. 2pm start. Note: There will be a ‘Natural history book sale’ at this meeting. 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: Leucistic Wren and other wonderful photos. https://www.birdguides.com/articles/photo-of-the-week-1-7-november/ Lincoln Cathedral wins the Twitter 'world cup' final http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-41954194 Countdown to Christmas Market - will you be attending or avoiding? Thursday 7th December to Sunday 10th December 2017 http://www.lincoln-christmasmarket.co.uk/ Nettleham Woodland Trust - planting new "Cathedral Copse" on 26 Nov. http://www.nettlehamwoodlandtrust.co.uk/ Fly-tipping costs Lincolnshire councils £2.5m http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-41939697 Seahorses found living in River Thames in London http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-london-41936634/seahorses-found-living-in-river-thames-in-london 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 *** Find the Grid Reference - don't forget - it's important *** Grab a Grid Reference: http://www.bnhs.co.uk/focuson/grabagridref/html/index.htm UK Grid Reference Finder: http://www.gridreferencefinder.com/ *** Love Lincolnshire Plants - Updates *** Project Partners - when you add LLP information to your website, blog or Twitter- feed please tell me and I'll update that section. There will be lots of activities being planned, so please promote it here when you are ready. Thanks. Editor. "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 Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Twitter feed https://twitter.com/LincsNaturalist?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Flnu.org%2F Sir Joseph Banks Society http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk/news-events/lincolnshire-plants-project/ Natural History Museum Twitter feed https://twitter.com/nhm_botany?lang=en Lincoln University School of Life Sciences blog https://lifesciences.blogs.lincoln.ac.uk/2016/09/30/heritage-lottery-funding-to-safeguard-lincolnshire-plants/ Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Twitter feed https://twitter.com/lincswildlife?lang=en *** November Night Sky *** Paul Money's 'Monthly Night Sky' webpage will be found on: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html I managed to observe the Venus-Jupiter conjunction at 06.00-06.30GMT on Monday 13th November. Cloud did not allow me to see the Galilean Moons. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-41956191 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. *** Scunthorpe Museum Society Natural History and Geology Section *** The Natural History and Geology Section of Scunthorpe Museum Society. http://scunthorpemuseumsociety.btck.co.uk/ *** Local RSPB links: *** Grimsby & District RSPB http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/grimsby S Lincs RSPB http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire Lincoln RSPB http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ 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 https://www.facebook.com/LWT-Alford-Mablethorpe-Area-Group-175413729474673/ *** Barton Area Group LWT *** https://www.facebook.com/LWT.Barton.Group *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** www.grimsbywildlifetrust.org.uk *** Louth LWT *** Ray Woodcock writes: Louth Area Group LWT The next meeting be at 1930hrs on Friday 24 November 2017 in the Methodist Church, Nichol Hill, Louth when Michael Leach, the world-renowned wildlife photographer will enthral us with his presentation entitled, ‘Poles Apart’. Entrance is £2.50 which includes refreshments. There is no charge for children who are most welcome. This meeting will be special as it will be the first of the annual Nancy Loft Memorial Lectures. Nancy had been a long serving member of the Louth Group and kindly made a bequest to the Trust in her will. To honour Nancy’s contribution to the Group over the years the committee has decided, with her husband John’s permission, to have a special speaker meeting in the November of each year entitled the Nancy Loft Memorial Lecture. *** 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 " * ". 9/11 Hawfinch, St Margaret's Primary School, Withern 5 Shorelards on seaward side of East Dunes, Hen Harrier male over Croft Marsh, possible Stone Curlew flew from saltmarsh near sleeper track, Gibraltar Point Snow Bunting male, Toft Newton reservoir 10/11 Richard's Pipit over salting south of Seacroft Lagoon, Gibraltar Point Long-eared Owl on island, Scaup ad drk, Deeping Lakes Slavonian Grebe on New Pit, Far Ings, Barton-upon-Humber Red-necked Phalarope, Covenham reservoir Red-necled Grebe River at Witham mouth, Cut End, SE of Boston. 11/11 Hawfinch flew over dunes, Short-eared Owl over saltmarsh, Rimac Little Stint, male hen Harrier, Frampton Marsh Black Brant ad with c500 Dark-bellied Brent Geese off Stomebridge car park, 5 Twite, Donna Nook 15 Snow Buntings on shore then flushed, New Holland Red-necked Phalarope, Covenham reservoir Hen Harrier ringtail, Saltfleet St Clements Pale-bellied Brent Goose flew west, Chowder Ness 5 Snow Buntings on shore between New Holland and goxhill Tilery 12/11 2 Snow Buntings, Goxhill Haven Great White Egret flew north over Frampton Marsh Red-necked Phalarope, Covenham reservoir Glaucous Gull flew past, 6 Pomarine Skuas, red-necked Grebe, Gibraltar Point 13/11 Long-tailed Dick flew past, Firecrest trapped and ringed, Gibraltar Point Slavonian Grebe, Ness Pit, Far Ings, 3 Bitterns*, Barton-upon-Humber 2 Little Stints, 2 Spotted Redshanks, 8 Lapland buntings, Snow Bunting by sea wall, Frampton Marsh 4 Little Stints, Alkborough Flats Slavonian Grebe, Red-necked Phalarope, Covenham reservoir Scaup ad drk, Long-eared Owl on island, Deeping Lakes Black Brant with c500 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, Donna Nook 2 Snow Buntings flew north over beach, Huttoft Car Terrace Scaup drk*, Baston & Langtoft gravel pits 14/11 2 Little Stints, Frampton Marsh Black brant or hybrid with Dark-bellied Brent Geese, near Shorebird Hut, Lapland Bunting flew south, siberian Chiffchaff in east Dunes, Gibraltar Point Common Scoter, Denton Reservoir Slavonian Grebe, 2 Snow Buntings, Covenhan Reservoir Bittern, Boulthan Mere, Lincoln Red-necked Phalarope, Covenham reservoir 15/11 Red-necked Phalarope, Covenham reservoir 2 Hawfinches [HEARD only] flew over Grantham Firecrest in West Dunes, Gibraltar Point 2 Snow Buntings at Crook Bank, Saltfleetby 4 Pale-bellied Brent Geese with 830 Dark-bellied Brent Geese between Stonebridge and Pye's Hall 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. It's an exceptional week for mollusc records! Charlie Barnes writes: A very unusual record, potentially a first for the species and the order Octopoda, unless anyone knows differently? TETNEY MARSH Chris Atkin 9/11/2017 Curled (or Lesser) Octopus, Eledone cirrhosa, dead on the beach. Photo at https://twitter.com/Nighthawk013/status/928702093376020481 Slugs brought to the Conservation Forum November 2017 A very pleasing total of 125 records of which all but 7 were within Greater Lincolnshire. Grid references given as precisely as possible. Postcode alone only allows 1km resolution, postcode and road/house number allows 100m resolution. OS grid references to 6 figures (100m) or even 8 figures (10m) are preferable. There is little point in giving grid reference to the nearest metre (10 figures) – even if your GPS system is that sensitive the slug will have moved by the time the information [is] computerised. The name of the place is very helpful in confirming that grid references are in the right area. Thanks to all of you who contributed to this excellent collection – the biggest number of records ever gathered at any slug event I have attended. Arion ater agg. Large Black Slug group: 4 records, specimens too small to be positively identified as A. ater seg. or A. rufus. Arion ater seg. Large Black Slug: 3 records. Arion rufus. Large Red Slug: 4 records Arion flagellus, Green-soled Slug: 2 records (including one out-of-county). Widespread but scattered distribution, spreading from the west of Britain over the last two decades. Arion subfuscus, Dusky Slug: 3 records only. A common, native species in many places but Lincolnshire seems to have only a scattered distribution. Arion circumscriptus, Spotted False-keeled Slug: 2 records only. Not surprising as most slugs collected were from gardens. This is a widespread species which is typically found on poorer soils. Arion distinctus, Brown Soil Slug: 14 records. The commonest of the small, pestilential soil slugs. Arion hortensis, Blue-black Soil Slug: 2 records. The much less common soil slug. More strikingly coloured than A. distinctus but still a pest. Arion owenii, Tawny Soil Slug: 1 record. This species has been spreading slowly from the west, almost certainly aided by gardeners moving eggs or adults with plant pots from garden to garden. A very handsome little beast but, like the other soil slugs, a pest. This is the second record for Lincolnshire. Limax maximus, the Tiger/leopard/Great Grey Slug; 7 records of this large, handsome predator of smaller slugs and snails. Limax cinereoniger, The Ash-black Slug: 1 record. This species is an indicator of ancient woodland or else of land with a continuous wooded history – it can be found thriving in modern plantations which were previously ancient woodland. There are two Lincolnshire records, near Brigg, dating back to 1901 & 1905. Since then there has been only one record, in 2015 also in Chambers Farm Wood. It could be widespread there but, as usual with the species, not abundant. Limacus maculatus, Green Cellar Slug: 19 records. A large species which is common around human habitation, the most likely species to be seen at night inside the house. In spite of this proximity to humanity it is under-recorded. This is an excellent crop. Perhaps of greater interest is that all specimens were of this species rather than its sibling species L. flavus, the Yellow Cellar Slug. Over the last 20 years the green species has become very common at the expense of the yellow one. It is possible they cross-breed with the yellow species but are dominant so offspring resemble the green parent and, after several generations, the yellow species is effectively lost. Why have they spread so suddenly? Who knows? Lehmannia marginata, the Tree Slug: 7 records (of which 4 from various parts of Chambers Farm Wood). All, as is to be expected in this largely agricultural eastern county, from woodland. Ambigolimax valentianus, the Three-band Iberian Slug: 11 records including two away from gardens. This relatively new introduction is well established in gardens (and still grossly under-recorded) but is spreading into the wild. Two records well away from garden habitat. Deroceras reticulatum, the Reticulated Slug: 13 records of this native pest species. Deroceras invadens, the Tramp Slug: 17 records of this introduced pest species. Present in the country for about 80 years but until around 1980 had barely reached north of the Wash/Severn transect. Since then it has spread through the country and is often the most numerous species in gardens. It seems to have found its own pest niche as it has not displaced the closely related D. reticulatum. Tandonia budapestensis, The Budapest Slug: 10 records of this major pest of potatoes. It has been present for about 100 years and is now present as far north as the Shetlands. Its spread northwards has been very slow indeed and its distribution is almost exclusively limited to areas of human agricultural or horticultural activity. Milax gagates, The Smooth Jet Slug: 1 record. The least common of the widespread keeled slug species. Probably native and would be a pest if present in larger numbers. The distribution is very scattered and it is rarely found in large numbers. Boettgerilla pallens, the Worm Slug: 2 records. A fine little species which first appeared in Britain 40 years ago. It is widespread but infrequently recorded because it is small, often subterranean, probably partly carnivorous so not present in large numbers and can be mistaken for a pale-coloured worm. Although spread thanks to human agency it is now present in all habitats – these two were from garden and woodland. Snails – two individuals Cornu aspersum, the Garden Snail and Cepaea hortensis, the White-lipped Snail. If collectors would like their individual location data please email the editor on: old.museum@yahoo.cu.uk 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/ A46 at Dunholme TF 02345 78921 5 November 2017 11:02 Su Colman Roadkill - fox 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. ASHING LANE NATURE RESERVE Ashing Lane Nature Reserve TF 04215 79066 2 November 2017 10:00 Susie Mendel Two roe deer (female) in Monks Wood, startled by mower. Evidence of roe deer is increasing in ALNR, from sightings to fraying on trees. BARDNEY The Green TF119694 R & A Parsons 9 November 2017 Blue Tit 2+ Great Tit 2+ Blackbird Robin Chaffinch 2 Starling flock of 30+ Sparrow flock of 20+ Dunnock Jackdaw 2+ Black headed gull 8+ Collared Dove 2 Woodpigeon 1 and squab St Lawrence, Bardney TF119693 Mole activity noted in the churchyard. BARTON ON HUMBER Jenny Haynes TA047195 7 November 2017 Barn owl spotted flying across the road. COLSTERWORTH SK92/24 Jane Ostler November 1st - 15th 2017 Mammals: Roe Deer seen in Twyford Wood. Muntjak, both in wood and two road casualties outside wood. Also seen on Nature Trail. Although Fallow Deer seem absent from wood in day they have been seen here after sunset. Evidence of badger activity and one dead alongside A1. Hedgehog found apparently killed and part eaten by badger. Another young one a road casualty. A camcorder filmed a family over several weeks using a purchased 'hedgehog house, including mother removing feeding dish (to make more room?). Fox finding pheasants released from pens, easy pickings. Barn Owl pellet contained 3 young rat skulls' Birds: Mixed groups of redwings and fieldfares working their way east to west along Nature Trail. A large flock of rooks feeding on a field recently sprayed with slurry. Black-headed gulls which fly south west to roost on Rlutland Water before sunset and return about 8a.m. heading north have also fed on these fields. Starling murmurations this year seem to involve smaller numbers. Garden birds noted more by their absence, possibly because of plenty of food in surrounding areas at present. Invertebrates: In spite of first overnight frost on 4-5 November, Vanessid butterflies still reported in ones and twos in gardens. On 14th November a Small Tortoiseshell rescued from a spider's web, taking some time to remove all webbing so that it could fly again. Red Admiral feeding on fermenting apples on November 13th. Plants: In waysides and gardens plants continue to flower late in the season or before their usual time. Stinking Hellebore, Petasites hybridus and true primrose (Primula vulgaris) all now out in hedgerows. In gardens outdoor tomatoes and autumn raspberries were still being picked in first week of November. DEEPING LAKES Venue: Deeping Lakes LWT Date: 13/11/2017 Time: 0915 - 1245 Observer: Ian Gordon Weather: Sunny and cold Birds: Blackbird Blue Tit Bullfinch Canada Goose Cetti's Warbler Chaffinch Common Gull Coot Cormorant fieldfare Gadwall Goldcrest Goldeneye Goldfinch Great Crested Grebe Great Tit Green Woodpecker Grey Heron Herring Gull Jay Moorhen Lesser Redpoll Long-eared Owl Long-tailed Tit Mute Swan Pied Wagtail Reed Bunting Scaup Snipe Teal Tufted Duck Widgeon Wren Mammals: Grey Squirrel HORKSTOW Jenny Haynes 9 November 2017 When I opened my greenhouse today a red admiral butterfly flew out. HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden) 12/11/2017 Dunnocks 2 13/11/2017 Blue tit 1 Robins 2 14/11/2017 Chaffinch 1 female 15/11/2017 Blackbirds 20 Chaffinch 1 female Dunnocks 2 Great spotted woodpecker 1 Great tits 2 Goldfinch 2 Ladybird 1 7-spot walking across the living room floor Wren 1 KEELBY (Grid reference TA1610) 11/11/2017 Jon Drakes Species recorded whilst carrying out the weekly Garden Bird Watch for the BTO in our back garden were: Blackbird 2 Collared Dove 25 Dunnock 4 House Sparrow 25 Jackdaw 2 Carrion Crow 2 Robin 1 Starling 5 KEELBY (Grid reference TA1610) 11/11/2017 Jon Drakes A late afternoon walk around fields and woodland to the North of the village found the following species present: Blackbird large number of this species in hedges around the village Black-Headed Gull Blue Tit Buzzard 2 Carrion Crow Chaffinch Coal Tit Creat Tit Dunnock Goldfinch Herring Gull House Sparrow Jackdaw Jay 6 Kestrel 1 Linnet Long-tailed Tit Magpie Nuthatch 2 Pheasant Pied Wagtail Starling Woodcock 1 Woodpigeon LINCOLN SK972738 W/E 18/11/2017 Jayne Knight 13/11/17 Goldcrest seen and heard foraging in neighbour’s Cedar tree, not come down to feed on suet block yet, but as one was a regular visitor last Winter expect it to appear when the temperature drops. 150+ geese flew over, heading East. Sounded like Pink-foot. 14/11/17 Evicted Zygiella x-notata spider from the kitchen window. Has lived in corner of the frame for some time but dropped down to the sink for a drink. LOUTH Stewton Lane, Louth Clare Brady Sunday 12th November A small flock of about 8 Whooper Swans flew over the house, gently calling to each other. Looked like they were heading for the coast. Also later in the day flock of Fieldfares over the new wheat fields down the old railway line, Stewton Lane. Heading inland. SOUTHERY WOOD - Lincolnshire Limewoods NNR R & A Parsons 14th November 2017 Fungi: Sulphur Tuft, Dryad's Saddle, Wood Blewit. Mammals: Badger latrine - recently used. 2+ Goldcrests in hedge along B1190 at approx TF133684 STALLINGBOROUGH – HOBSON WAY (Grid reference TA2213) Jon Drakes Species noted during the week whilst at work included: 6/11/2017 Carrion Crow Herring Gull Magpie Pheasant Pied Wagtail Robin Woodpigeon 8/11/17 Black-Headed Gull Carrion Crow Woodpigeon 9/11/17 Black-Headed Gull Carrion Crow Pied Wagtail Starling Woodpigeon 10/11/17 Carrion Crow Herring Gull Kestrel Woodpigeon ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 seals count 11th Nov – bulls 452, cows 812, pups 527 Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe NNR Report 9th to 14th November 2017 9th November On Paradise lagoon were 150+ redshank, 30+ teal, mallard 10, shoveler 3 and little egret 1 plus 9 lapwing over Sea View and a single great-spotted woodpecker nearby. 10th November In the Rimac area,1 short eared owl 2 marsh harriers, 2 sparrowhawks, about 1100 pink foot geese 17 whooper swans, 2 water rails, 3 woodcock, 2 stonechat. 11th November 5 whooper swans over Sea View and singles of bullfinch, woodcock and a fine male blackcap nearby, 235 shelduck were counted on the Haven Outfall late afternoon. 12th November Male sparrowhawk frequenting the Sea View area, skeins of pink-footed geese flying W-NW totalling 1000+ to the marshland and beyond, between Sea View and Paradise there are still at least 40+ blackbirds all foraging on hawthorns where there still remains a food source, starling numbers are 1000+ over the saltmarsh and a great- spotted woodpecker has frequented Sea View. Early morning a single swallow was seen flying high over Sea View. 13th November 5 whooper swans on Paradise lagoon.Female/immature Blackcap at Brickyard Lane. On the sea south of CB were 500 common scoter, 2 goldeneye and a great-crested Grebe. 2 snow bunting came on the beach and in the dunes were 2 Stonechat, a Fieldfare, 3 Bullfinch and 2 Goldcrest. 7 Yellowhammer were in a nearby Stubble field. 14th November 6 fieldfare with 10 blackbirds in hawthorn hedge near Sea View, with many blackbirds along the length of dunes. Sparrowhawk in the Brickyard Lane area. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SOUTHERY WOOD - Lincolnshire Limewoods NNR R & A Parsons 14th November 2017 Fungi: Sulphur Tuft, Dryad's Saddle, Wood Blewit. Mammals: Badger latrine - recently used. 2+ Goldcrests in hedge along B1190 at approx TF133684. 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. gizmojay - hard bounce - Recipient address rejected inthu_22 - soft bounce - Requested mail action aborted lynncorrigan - soft bounce - permanent error mglasspool - hard bounce - Recipient address rejected quasarxxx9 - soft bounce - Requested mail action aborted If ever your Bulletin does not arrive, please let me know. Text copies of current and past Bulletins can be found on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html ....and finally.....: Blue Planet II: Eel suffers toxic shock in underwater lake http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/science-environment-41922498/blue-planet-ii-eel-suffers-toxic-shock-in-underwater-lake First CO2 rise in four years puts pressure on Paris targets http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-41941265 Scale of 'nitrate timebomb' revealed http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-41945650 Skelly Monpierre: Chilli powder people smuggler jailed http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-41928988 Brexit: Environment watchdog planned says Gove http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-41958801 Extinct wolf-sized otter had powerful bite http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-41932937 Facebook founding president sounds alarm “God only knows what it’s doing to our children’s brains.” http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-41936791 Self-driving shuttle bus in crash on first day http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-41923814 'World's oldest wine' found in 8,000-year-old jars in Georgia http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-41977709 Country diary: The frogs disappear to the bottom of the pond for winter https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/nov/09/country-diary-the-frogs-disappear-to-the-bottom-of-the-pond-for-winter Country diary: millions of birds arrive on their autumn migration https://www.theguardian.com/science/2017/nov/10/country-diary-millions-of-birds-arrive-on-their-autumn-migration ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/