============================================= || || 24th September 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 Bulletin. 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... *** Thank you to all contributors this week. Your reports are much appreciated. If you have any Autumn events or activities that need publicity, please let me know. It's time to check your loose change and weed out any old round pound coins. Old £1 coins cease to be legal tender on October 15. The advice of the Royal Mint is to bank, donate or spend our round £1 coins before October 15. Don't forget to check the parking money and that "trolley pound". If you have a charity collection box it's a good time to empty it and pay in the cash. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/consumer-affairs/does-old-1-coin-go-circulation/ I am taking a new approach on Bulletin links. It takes considerable time to set these as "hotlinks" so you can click them. Any which get little use, say 1-2 a week, I shall reduce to text-only. You will need to copy-and-paste these. If any of my changes "hurt" and you would like me to reinstate some live links, I will be happy to do so. Please let me have your views. Feedback from readers is always very welcome. Lincoln LWT - Richard Davidson writes with a last-minute reminder: Area Group Talk: September 21st: Wildlife on your Doorstep Matt Cox, the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust warden for the North West of the county extols the rewards and pleasures of getting to know the wildlife on your 'local patch'. Talk at Whisby Nature Park in the Lafarge Education Building starting at 7.30 pm. Admission £2.50 which includes refreshments. We have had some interesting solar weather with alerts for sightings of the Aurora. If you have not yet signed up for alerts from AuroraWatch, why not do so now? http://aurorawatch.lancs.ac.uk/ The South Lincs Walking Festival takes place on Saturday 23rd September to Sunday 29th October - on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Boots ready? https://southlincswalking.com/ The next LNU Field Meeting will be at Bloxholm Wood LWT Reserve on 8th October. It will be the annual LNU Fungus Foray. Details further down the Bulletin. http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/bloxholm-wood As usual I have included a selection of topical links worth clicking. I hope you find these of interest. Most were sent in by readers, the rest were chosen by me with particular readers' interests in mind. Selection of links from readers: Owls hold secret to ageless ears http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-41325339 Why is it so hard to swat a fly? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-41284065 Dummy whales and dolphins 'rescued' from North Sea beach http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-41304796 Horsey seal injured by flying ring 'making recovery' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-norfolk-41313786/horsey-seal-injured-by-flying-ring-making-recovery 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/ Roger old.museum@yahoo.co.uk *** September Night Sky *** Paul Money's 'Monthly Night Sky' webpage will be found on: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html *** 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/ *** LNU Events Diary *** LNU events are listed below in section 11. For LNU meetings, see: http://lnu.org/ 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 Field Meeting: Sunday, October 08, 2017 Field Meeting to Bloxholm Wood LWT Reserve (Fungi Foray) Access courtesy of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. North of Sleaford. 12.00 for 13.00 start. The reserve entrance and parking spot is situated at the south end of the B1191 (southwest of Ashby de la Launde) close to the junction with the A15 at TF037533. NB. There is a 1km walk to the main woodland area. Some verge parking probably needed. Nearest public toilets in Sleaford town centre. Habitat: Broadleaved and mixed woodland habitats. Leader: Ray Halstead 07772 613640 ray.halstead@tiscali.co.uk *** Field meeting for the Royal Foresty Society, Notts and Lincs Division *** Bats in Trees and Woodland - Nocton Wood on 10 October 2017 Nigel Sardeson writes: 10 October, Royal Forestry Society evening meeting, Bats in trees and woodland, looking at signs and management of bats for woodland managers with bat expert Ian Nixon, as guests of Beeswax Dyson Farming Ltd. Open to non-members, no charge, stout footwear, meet for 6pm, access from Wasps Nest, Nocton, Lincolnshire, LN42AY. Non-members please telephone Nigel Sardeson 07376841580 before attending. *** Chalk Stream Volunteer Days *** Will Bartle writes: A couple of volunteer days coming up: Wednesday 11th October 10-2 – Waithe beck near Brookenby We’ll be doing a bit of bank maintenance Volunteers to bring pack lunch, drink and suitable footwear (wellies or walking boots). Parking is at Suttons Estates Orford – bottom of the track near the barns Grid Reference TF19468 94585 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 J Full details can be downloaded on our website http://www.lincswolds.org.uk/chalk-streams/upcomingevents or Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/LincolnshireChalkStreams/ Many thanks, Will Bartle Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Monitoring Officer – Community and Education *** RHS Honey Fungus Survey - help needed please *** Dr Jassy Drakulic writes: I am a pathologist at the RHS researching Armillaria, and want to get a better picture of how ubiquitous it is and in which contexts mushrooms appear. Submission involves uploading photographs showing the necessary features for the mushroom ID to be verified (above cap, under cap and stipe-side views) plus asks for information on the growth pattern including any plant host and its health. The survey and all relevant background information can be found on the website: www.rhs.org.uk/honey-fungus-hunt There are new resources available on the website for how to identify honey fungus including how make a spore print, plus more detailed advice on the management of honey fungus infected beds. While the RHS is researching honey fungus to address it as a garden disease, any cases of honey fungus are welcomed for submission in this survey. I would be immensely grateful if you would be willing to share this among your fellow enthusiasts and even broader spheres of influence. If you have any questions about the project please do get in touch. Dr Jassy Drakulic Plant Pathologist jassydrakulic@rhs.org.uk *** Scunthorpe Museum Society Natural History and Geology Section - 2017/8 *** Keith Scarrott writes: The Natural History and Geology Section of Scunthorpe Museum Society. Our next meeting is on Monday, 9th October starting at 7.15pm as usual. Paul Hildreth, local Geologist, former Teacher and Secretary of the Yorkshire Geology Group will be giving an illustrated talk entitled "Fracking, a Geologist's Impartial View". Paul is also a member of the Panel of the Lincolnshire Biodiversity Group. His talk covers the Geology and Procedures used in Fracking. The meeting will be held in the St Bernadette's Church Parish Centre, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2RS, which is opposite the Priory Hotel. ALL ARE WELCOME. There is no charge for entry to our meetings but a donation bowl is provided. There is a large free car park at the Church. Light refreshments are available for a small charge at the mid-talk break. ALL ARE WELCOME TO OUR MEETINGS which take place in St Bernadette's Church Hall, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2RS. (Opposite the Priory Hotel.) Parking is free in the large Church car park. There is no entry charge but a donation bowl is provided. For a small charge light refreshments are provided at the mid-talk break. Contacts via Website: 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/ *** Alford & Mablethorpe Branch LWT *** Alford & Mablethorpe Area Group Find us on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/LWT-Alford-Mablethorpe-Area-Group-175413729474673/ *** Barton Area Group LWT *** Barton Area Group of the LWT is now on Facebook; https://www.facebook.com/LWT.Barton.Group *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT www.grimsbywildlifetrust.org.uk *** 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/ 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 " * ". Note: 15/9 2 Cattle Egrets in sheep field south of church, Saltfleetby St Clements Sabine's Gull flew past, + Long-tailed Skua, Black tern, Sooty Shearwater, Gibraltar Point Great White Egret, 3 Little Stints, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Spoonbills, ringtail Hen Harrier, 2 Short-eared Owls, Frampton Marsh Scaup drk, Deeping Lakes 16/9 2 Great Northern Divers flew south past*, Scaup flew north*, Mablethorpe Osprey, Little Stint* on Jackson's Marsh, Gibraltar Point 4 Spoonbills, 6 Spotted Redshanks, Wood Sandpiper, 12 Little Stints, 7 Curlew Sandpipers, ringtail Hen Harrier, 2 Short-eared Owls, Great White Egret, Frampton Marsh Little Stint off Quad 1, Purple Sandpiper, Donna Nook 17/9 2 Yellow-browed Warblers, Pied Flycatcher, Gibraltar Point Long-billed Dowitcher, Paradise Pools south of Saltfleet Haven 2 Cattle Egrets in sheep field, Saltfleetby St Clement 2 Cattle Egrets in fields by A1031/B1200 Saltfleetby All Saints 4 Spoonbills, 14 Little Stints, 4 Spotted Redshanks, Great White Egret, 6 Curlew Sandpipers, Frampton Marsh Turnstone ad, Whisby Nature Park 18/9 Long-tailed Skua juv + ad Pomarine Skua flew past Crook Bank, Saltfleetby Long-billed Dowitcher, Paradise Pools south of Saltfleet Haven 2 Cattle Egrets on saltmarsh near Sea View Farm, Saltfleetby 3 Yellow-browed Warblers, 1 at north car park, 2 trapped and ringed as Bird Observatory, Gibraltar Point 19/9 Ruddy Shelduck, Baston + Langtoft Pits Curlew Sandpiper, 3 Little Stints, Red-necked Phalarope, Covenham reservoir Red-necked Grebe juv at Marsh Farm reservoir, Curlew Sandpiper, 9 Little Stints, Great White Egret, Frampton Marsh 20/9 Red-backed Shrike at north end, Yellow-browed Warbler near Aylmer Avenue, 5 Spoonbills, Gibraltar Point 3 Little Stints, 3 Curlew Sandpipers, 3 Yellow-browed Warblers - 1 by coastguards, 2 at south end, Donna Nook Long-billed Dowitcher, Paradise Pools south of Saltfleet Haven Red-necked Grebe juv at Marsh Farm reservoir, 11 Spotted Redshanks on Roads Farm grassland,Great White Egret on middle scrape, 16 Little Stints, 4 Curlew Sandpipers, 3 Wood Sandpipers at Marsh Farm reservoir, Frampton Marsh Red-necked Phalarope at north end, 7 Little Stints, Covenham reservoir 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. *** 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. HOLYWELL LAKE WeBS Holywell Lake Ian Misselbrook 11th September 2017 1300 -1400 Little Grebes 10 Black Swan 1 Greylag Geese 14 Canada Goose 1 Mallard 88 Gadwall 2 (a pair) Tufted Duck 3 Coot 8 Moorhen 13 Kingfisher 1Rooks 40 Jackdaws 20 Carrion Crow 8 House Martins 6 Swallows 2 Wren 1 Dunnocks 2 Robin 1 Wood Pigeons 4 Chaffinhes 6 Goldfinches 10 Stoat - 1 large presumably male. HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden) 14/9/2017 Red admiral 2 16/9/2017 Blackbirds 6 - hurray, they're back! 17/9/2017 Chaffinch 2 - male and female Hawthorn shieldbug 1 Ladybird 7-spot 2 Ladybird Harlequin 1 Red admiral 1 Squirrel 1 - rare for me Wren 1 19/9/2017 Great tits 2 Squirrels 2 20/9/2017 Chaffinch 1 - male Ladybird 7-spot 2 Little owl 1 - heard 4 am. WOODHALL SPA Woodhall Spa Airfield nature reserve Peter Childs with John Walker 17/9/2017 A couple of hours during which the early morning mist was replaced by sunshine giving pleasant conditions. Highlight of the morning was at least 200 (very conservative minimum) Common Darters of which only 10 appeared to be tenerals were ALL in tandem and ovipositing on the newly formed shallow pools with a particular concentration close to the car park. The only other odonata present were 2 Migrant Hawkers Wildfowl diversity was also noted as follows Grey lag Goose-very minimum est -500 Pink foot Goose Skein of C 100 calling overhead and breaking up as if coming down not far south of the reserve Mute Swan 10+ Little Grebe-17 counted but more suspected Cormorant Less than 10 Egyptian Goose -40+ Pochard-7 Tufted Duck c.5 Mallard c 20 Teal- 5+ Gadwall-surrprisingly few amd probably not more than 10 Coot-40+ Wigeon 2 Black tern-single bird Common Tern around 10 noted but moving through Waders only 1 Ruff but c.100 lapwing over around 1200 Butterflies only 2 Small White recorded Misc birds Buzzard -2 Black headed Gull 20 Greater black backed Gull 3 kestrel 1 Little Egret 3 Meadow Pipit -flock of c.20 over green woodpecker calling So although numbers not huge diversity good ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR Report 14th September – 20th September 2017 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, Cliff Morrison, John Walker and Nige Lound. Daily Notes and Wildlife Sightings 15th Early morning, 2 curlew sandpipers on beach at BYL. Most of the action was over the sea during the afternoon in the force 4 N/NW wind. Notable counts were 642 gannet, 230 pink-feet, 72 teal, 156 common scoter, 30 red-throated diver, 27 Arctic skua, 37 great skua, 1 long-tailed skua, 2 black tern, 12 manx and 2 sooty shearwater, 11 fulmar, 15 kittiwake, 14 guillemot, 47 auk sp, 3 pomarine skuas south and 2 great-crested grebes on sea. A merlin was around CB car park as were 2 goldcrest. Singles of common whitethroat, lesser whitethroat, redstart, blackcap and reed bunting plus noticeable increase in great tits (30+) near Sea View and on Paradise lagoon 3 common snipe and 165 redshank 16th A long-billed dowitcher was seen feeding and preening amongst a group of redshank, 8 dunlin and 2 common snipe at Paradise lagoon mid-morning plus 2 bar-tailed godwits were feeding on the edge of the Eau and 2 kingfishers flew along the river at Black Bridge. The colour ringed little egret orange L // green Z has been seen in the Paradise/saltmarsh area and is the bird ringed by the North Notts Ringing Group on May 30th 2015 at Besthorpe Gravel Pits, Newark. There were pink-footed geese in the area with 39 over Paradise and at least 80 in the Elm House Farm area with 37 wigeon. 300 linnet on the beach at BYL. 2 great-crested grebe on sea, 1 great northern diver, 1 red-throated diver, 23 gannet north, 7 wigeon north, 29 common scoter, 50 pink-footed goose south, 5 guillemot, buzzard, sparrow- hawk and ring ouzel. 17th The long-billed dowitcher was seen on the bank of the Eau with 2 bar-tailed godwits. At BYL 1 lesser whitethroat, 1 blackcap, 1 chiffchaff and 2 bullfinch. At low tide edge in 1 hour, 121 teal north, 109 gannet north, 61 common scoter, 1 kittiwake north, 11 red- throated diver south, 1 black-throated diver on sea and1 guillemot. 18th The long-billed dowitcher was again on Paradise Pool. Two cattle egrets feeding on the saltmarsh with little egrets near Sea View and 65 pinkfeet flew south early on. Again most of the action was over the sea. Sightings included 372 auk sp (guillemots and razorbills), 2 puffin, 237 gannet, 4 fulmar, 5 Arctic skua, 8 great skua, 1 pomarine skua, 1 long-tailed skua, 13 red-throated diver, a great-crested grebe, 290 common scoter, 107 wigeon, 152 teal, 2 gadwall, 17 pintail and singles of eider and brent goose. Goldcrest and great-spotted woodpecker daily in area also yellow wagtail. 1 purple sandpiper on beach at Churchill with 19 dunlin. Meadow brown butterfly recently emerged was very late and first seen for several weeks. 19th A steady passage of pink footed geese south yesterday with a total of 211 over and another 120 feeding on Elm House farm with c 70 wigeon. Skeins of 70, 30, 15 and 80 pink feet flew over with 111 on the beach at Rimac. On Paradise lagoon were 2 greenshanks, 1 common snipe, 1 black-tailed godwit, 6 teal, 38 black-headed gulls and the long-billed dowitcher. 2 willow warblers were seen in sycamores nearby. From Rimac 7 red-throated diver south and 1 adult black-throated diver 1adult on the sea. Over a calmer sea today were 40 Sandwich tern, 129 gannet, 5 great and 2 Arctic skua, 290 common scoter, 39 teal, 40 wigeon, 5 pintail, an eider, a shoveler and 71 auk sp. Also seen were 32 red-throated and 1 black-throated Diver. Between MNE and CLCP birds of note were a redstart, a reed warbler and a late adult cuckoo. Evening high tide, 1 merlin hunting linnets on the beach. 70 ringed plover, 60 dunlin, 30 curlew, 8 oystercatcher, 3 bar-tailed godwit and 57 shelduck north. At Sea View 2 lesser whitethroats and later in the day 4 common buzzards drifted high heading south, a single goldcrest plus 3 chiffchaffs and 15+ house sparrows. 7 green veined white were the commonest butterfly on the transect, with a fresh comma at Coastguard Cottage. Speckled woods, with occasional red admirals, small tortoiseshells, green-veined whites, large whites and 1 peacock on the wing during mid-day warm sunshine along with 15 migrant hawkers. A humming bird hawk moth was on the wing near Sea View. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Reserve 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: 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/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. 2017 Field Meetings Sunday, October 08, 2017 Field Meeting to Bloxholm Wood LWT Reserve (Fungi Foray) Access courtesy of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. North of Sleaford. 12.00 for 13.00 start. The reserve entrance and parking spot is situated at the south end of the B1191 (southwest of Ashby de la Launde) close to the junction with the A15 at TF037533. NB. There is a 1km walk to the main woodland area. Some verge parking probably needed. Nearest public toilets in Sleaford town centre. Habitat: Broadleaved and mixed woodland habitats. Leader: Ray Halstead 07772 613640 ray.halstead@tiscali.co.uk 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. Again - none this week. Well done! 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.....: Mimicry at its finest — or why this is not a snake http://www.zmescience.com/other/great-pics/mimicry-larvae-snakes/ There are hardly any old fish left in the ocean https://www.newscientist.com/article/2147585-there-are-hardly-any-old-fish-left-in-the-ocean-and-thats-bad/ Biodiversity: How to bring your garden to life http://www.nerc.ac.uk/latest/publications/planetearth/sprsum17-garden/ The man trying to save bats' lives http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-london-41304319/the-man-trying-to-save-bats-lives Exodus begins as swifts muster for migration https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/sep/14/exodus-begins-as-swifts-muster-for-migration Out for the count: an evening vigil with bat conservationists https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/sep/16/bat-conservationists-marbury-pipistrelle-country-diary Meet the latest recruit to the UK flood defence team: the beaver https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/sep/16/beavers-uk-flood-defences-forest-of-dean The night heron: at home on the Somerset Levels https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/sep/17/night-heron-somerset-levels-birdwatch Spider and bee battle offers a moral dilemma https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/sep/19/spider-bee-battle-moral-dilemma-country-diary ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/