============================================= || || 2nd December 2018 || || 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: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union or any associated organisations. Please use the "forward to a friend" link at the end of every LNU Bulletin. We really need your help with this. ============================================ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. Readers' hints, tips and requests ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Editor writes... *** I followed the InSight landing on Mars with interest. What an achievement. See: Mars: Nasa lands InSight robot to study planet's interior https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-46351114 If you are planning a visit to Donna Nook to observe the annual pupping, try to avoid weekends if you can and to be prepared for traffic issues such as the one-way system and parking charges. The following link will tell you about it. https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/donna-nook The latest update is: Bulls: 639, Cows: 1590, Pups: 1611 See: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/donna-nook/weekly-update Sign up and play a part in researching influenza. You don't have to be sick to help! Sign up to FluSurvey 2018/19 https://flusurvey.net/en/ As usual I have included a selection of local/topical links. Don't forget to click. Lincolnshire Anglo-Saxon cemetery burials unearthed https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-46347307 The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2018 - Winning Photos https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-46302730 Amazing footage of humpback whales https://www.shetlandtimes.co.uk/2018/11/21/amazing-footage-of-humpback-whales Frosty weather: Photographers snap wintry scenes around England https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-46301629 Thieves steal horse stable and shelter in Lincolnshire https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-46330575 Some more links in "..and finally..." Don't forget to click. Thank you for all your contributions this week. Please keep them coming. Roger old.museum@yahoo.co.uk *** LNU Events Diary *** LNU events are listed below in section 11. For LNU meetings, see: https://lnu.org/meetings/ [Note: Unless otherwise stated, Indoor Meetings are held on Saturdays at the Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park, Moor Lane, Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln and start at 2pm.] Next Meeting ‘Bird Migration’ – 5th January 2019 Professor Ian Newton talks on bird migration. 2pm start. Joint talk with the Lincolnshire Bird Club *** Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project – Volunteer Day *** Will Bartle writes: Friday 7th December 2018 – Brigsley Practical day with the LCSP Volunteer Group – Improving this beautiful part of Waithe beck at one of our previous restoration sites. Day starts at 10.30 until about 2pm. No experience necessary just bring along a drink and a pack up. Contact the Monitoring Officer for the Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project Will Bartle before the day and for more details – William.bartle@lincolnshire.gov.uk or 01522 555780. Full directions and details can be found in the 'Events and Shows' section on the website – www.lincolnshirechalkstreams.org *** December Night Sky *** Paul Money's 'Monthly Night Sky' webpage will be found on: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html Paul writes: I'm very proud that Nightscenes 2019 is in fact the 20th edition. I could never have imagined that a simple little booklet produced to help my WEA classes could take on a life of it's own and 20 years later still be in demand. You can order direct from the Astrospace web shop via the link below. http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/shop/publications.html#NS2019 The violent solar storms that threaten Earth https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-46260959 *** Love Lincs Plants - Updates from the Partnership *** LoveLincsPlants Webpage: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/what-we-do/love-lincs-plants Love Lincs Plants Twitter feed https://twitter.com/LoveLincsPlants Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Twitter feed https://twitter.com/LincsNaturalist? The Flora of Lincolnshire by Joan Gibbons https://lincsnaturalist.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/the-flora-of-lincolnshire-e-joan-gibbons.pdf Natural History Museum Twitter feed https://twitter.com/nhm_botany?lang=en Sir Joseph Banks Society http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk/news-events/lincolnshire-plants-project/ Lincoln University School of Life Sciences blog https://lifesciences.blogs.lincoln.ac.uk/2016/09/30/heritage-lottery-funding-to-safeguard-lincolnshire-plants/ *** Scunthorpe Museum Society Natural History and Geology Section *** http://scunthorpemuseumsociety.btck.co.uk/ Keith Scarrott writes The Natural History and Geology Section of the Scunthorpe Museum Society. Breaking with tradition we have another "open to all" meeting for our December meeting instead of a social for members only.  At the meeting, on Monday, 10th, Professor Ian Rotherham, Professor of Ecology and Geography at the Sheffield Hallam University, will be giving us an illustrated talk which he has entitled "Lost Fens - England's Greatest Ecological Disaster". Professor Rotherham is an authority on cultural and historical aspects of landscapes, especially peat bogs and fenlands. This lecture will be of great interest to all who like archaeology and history as well as natural history and geology. ALL ARE WELCOME TO OUR MEETING which takes place in the St Bernadette's Church Hall, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2RS, which is opposite the Priory Hotel on Ashby Road, 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. Light refreshments are provided at the mid-talk break for a small charge. For further details please contact Keith Scarrott on 01724 762098. *** Local RSPB links: *** https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/ https://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore/ http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh/ Grimsby & District RSPB http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/grimsby Lincoln RSPB http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ *** South Lincs RSPB Group *** Jeremy Eyeons writes: The South Lincs RSPB Group has released the dates of their 2019 BIRDWATCHING AND SEAL CRUISES aboard The Boston Belle, into The Wash. Details can be found at: https://ww2.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire/ *** LWT Reserves *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/reserves *** LWT Get Involved page *** https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** www.grimsbywildlifetrust.org.uk On Sunday 9th December 2018 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them on a morning bird walk at Pyewipe, Grimsby with Ray Hume. Please meet Ray at the junction of Gilbey Road and Pyewipe Road. Grid ref. TA259111, nearby postcode DN31 2SJ at 8am. Please wear suitable outdoor clothing and wear stout footwear and bring binoculars if you have them. This is a free event but donations will be welcomed for the Trust. For further details contact Ray Hume 07814 840682. On Monday 10th December 2018 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to their next indoor meeting where speaker Chris du Feu will give a festive wildlife presentation entitled "12 Days of Christmas." This will take place in Grimsby Town Hall and starts at 7.30pm. There will be festive refreshments donated by members so please bring your contribution. Trust goods stall, raffle, tea & coffee available. Admission £3, all are welcome. NB Chris requests we bring slugs to the meeting in a non returnable plastic container marked with grid reference or postcode of where found. For further details visit our website www.grimsbywildlifetrust.org.uk or ring Jennie Redpath 01472 502858. *** Scunthorpe and Brigg LWT *** Keith Scarrott writes: The Scunthorpe and Brigg Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Local Group meeting. The next meeting is on Thursday, 13th December. We have a welcome return of Geoff Trinder who will be giving his illustrated talk "Animal Magic". Geoff is our well-known wildlife photographer whose exceptional photographs are often seen in the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust's "Lapwings" magazine. This talk is guaranteed to show us many superb images of animal behaviour. The meeting takes place in the St Hugh's Church Hall, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2AG, which is next to Brumby crossroads, starting at 7.30pm.  There is a £2 entry charge which includes light refreshments at the mid-talk break. For further details please contact Keith Scarrott on 01724 762098. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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: 21/11 Hen Harrier male, Frampton Marsh Bittern, Grebe Lake, Whisby Nature Park 6 Russian White-fronted Geese, north of Huttoft Pit Caspian Gull, Jack Snipe, 3 Snow Buntings, Gibraltar Point Hen Harrier, 2 Short-eared Owls, Donna Nook 22/11 Long-tailed Duck, Baston/Langtoft Fen 2 Bitterns, Grebe Lake, Whisby Nature Park Great White Egret flew over Crowland towards River Welland Hooded Crow, Gibraltar Point Water Pipit, Middlemarsh Wetlands, Skegness 23/11 Long-tailed Duck fem, Baston/Langtoft Fen Ring-necked Duck ad drk. Woodhall Spa Airfield Hen Harrier male, Water Pipit, Frampton Marsh Black-throated Diver, redhead Smew, Black-necked Grebe, Covenham reservoir Hooded Crow, 2 Water Pipit, ringtail Hen Harrier, Crossbill, Gibraltar Point Waxwing at Seacroft, north of Gibraltar Point 2 Hen Harriers, 1 male, Frampton Marsh Iceland Gull 2w, on beach, Theddlethorpe 24/11 3 Water Pipits, East Halton, Skitter 12 Shorelarks on beach, 1 Hooded Crow, 26 Whooper Swans, Short-eared Owl, Donna Nook Short-eared Owl, 2 Hen Harriers 1 male, Frampton Marsh Short-eared Owl, 2 Hen Harriers, 6 Velvet Scoters flew past Gibraltar Point 25/11 Waxwing, Kingsway NR, Scunthorpe 8 Velvet Scoters flew past , Little Auk north past, Snow Bunting, Hooded Crow, Gibraltar Point Black Brant ad with Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Shorelarks, Hooded Crow, Hen Harrier, Snow Bunting, Donna Nook 2 Bitterns, Whisby Nature Park 3 Long-eared Owls on island, redhead Smew, Deeping Lakes Black Redstart, Cleethorpes garden Ring-necked Duck, Woodhall Spa airfield Long-tailed Duck, Baston/Langtoft Pits Smew f, Goxhill American Wigeon reported, Hen Harrier ringtail, Frampton Marsh 26/11 Long-billed Dowitcher, Hen Harrier, Frampton Marsh Great White Egret, Freiston Shore Black-throated Diver flew past tower hide Anderby 2 Taiga Bean Geese with 17 Pink-footed Geese, 5 Bewick's Swans, between Anderby Creek and Marsh Farm 16 Russian White-fronted Geese north of Huttoft Pit Long-tailed Duck, Baston/Langtoft Pits Ring-necked Duck drk, Woodhall Spa airfield Long-eared Owl on island, Smew redhead, Deeping Lakes Hooded Crow, Water Pipit, 8 Little Gulls flew north, Slavonian Grebe, Long-tailed Duck, 2 Velvet Scoters, Great Northern Diver Gibraltar Point 27/11 3 Waxwings, Buck Beck, Cleethorpes Long-tailed Duck, Baston/Langtoft Pits Long-tailed Duck, Little Auk, Freiston Shorelarks 2 Long-eared Owl on island, Deeping Lakes Short-eared Owl, Deeping High Bank 2 Taiga Bean Geese, 6 Russian White-fronted Geese, Huttoft Bank Pit 2 Common Scoters, Toft Newton reservoir 2 Hooded Crows, Gibraltar Point Ring-necked Duck drk, Woodhall Spa airfield 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Find the Grid Reference - don't forget - it's important *** Grab a Grid Reference: https://www.bnhs.co.uk/focuson/grabagridref/html/index.htm UK Grid Reference Finder: http://www.gridreferencefinder.com/ *** The Roger Goy Column *** Remembering Roger Goy's wildlife information work. WALESBY Stuart Britton writes on 21/11/2018 Readers may be interested that in the last three weeks to date I have caught and ringed 147 Lesser Redpolls and 5 Common (Mealy) Redpolls at my Forestry Commission site at Occupation Lane, Walesby. More surprisingly I did not re-trap one single bird so they were obviously moving through. ROAD KILLS? Every drive is a transect! Reports welcome. *** County Wildlife Reports From Readers *** Thanks to our regular contributors across the county. Much appreciated. We rely on readers to send in their observations and we welcome records from everyone, experts or beginners. Please keep your reports coming. DON'T FORGET - TIME FLIES! Please include the year in your reports in case they are copied and thus lose their context. BARDNEY The Green TF119694 R.&A Parsons Regular visitors: Local Black-headed Gulls 0 12+ Starling flock c30 birds Regular Robin, Blackbirds 2m 1f, House Sparrows 16+ 23/11 Flock of long-tailed tits in sycamore tree in churchyard next door. Muntjac deer reported in garden next door - The Old School. HARROWBY SETTLEMENTS SK940344 Jane Ostler 18th -25th November 2018 PLANTS IN FLOWER After 18th there was a change and die back in the unusual variety of garden plants still out, the exception being the pot marigolds. The wild plants continue as before with large patches of speedwells, groundsels, red deadnettle , herb robert and may- weed in gravelled areas and the dirt path to paddock. There are also occasional plants of nipplewort and sowthistles. FUNGI Smoky Bracket (Bjerkanderas adusta) New growths covering the surface of two poplar tree stumps Ivory Bonnet (Mycena flavoalba) In lawn. Identified by field characteristics including yellow spores, smell like radish Horse Mushroom (Agaricus arvensis) Appears every year but in September. Not frequent as in some years. AMPHIBIANS Adult toad in green house.Young frogs in fernery. BIRDS Regulars at feeders are blue, great and coal tit. Blackbird numbers are down. House sparrows have had three broods this year. Only a single chaffinch. Great spotted Woodpecker occasionally. Up to six magpies always about in hedge along lane and nests in poplar trees. Barn Owl seen at night. Rooks and gulls feeding on stubbles. Fieldfares in flocks and settling in hedges. No redwing seen yet. INVERTEBRATES The 18th saw Red Admiral and Peacock Butterflies (A single Peacock sunning on wall on 25th November) No Small Tortoiseshells seen. Marmalade hoverfly also on 18th On 25th noted worm casts of Allobophora longa earthworm all over lawn and along edge of shrubbery one or twodistinctive casts of the earthworm Lumbricus terrestris HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden) 21/11/2018 Bluetits 2 22/11/2018 Robins 2 Magpie 1 Woodpigeons 6 24/11/2018 Large white caterpillar 1 on nasturtium  Red admiral 1 26/11/2018 Blue tits 2 Chaffinch 4 Great tits 2 Long tailed tits 8 LACEBY Road into Laceby from Ayelsby 19/11.201810pm Avril Lord Barn owl flying low over the ditch at the edge of the field and over the roundabout and fields at the approach to houses. I stopped the car to watch this beautiful bird. NAVENBY J. Playford We have an albino squirrel regularly seen here in the grounds of The Old Rectory at Navenby. It’s busy eating yew berries - photo taken. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/far-ings ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GIBRALTAR POINT NNR https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/gibraltar-point 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 https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/donna-nook http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/38015?category=59026 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR Report 21st – 27th November 2018 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Matt Blissett and Ruth Taylor. Daily news and wildlife sightings: 211118 – Short-eared owl hunting over the Rimac fields 221118 - Single woodcock near Sea View, tawny owl calling 231118 - Barn owl hunting over the dunes at Sea View, single coal tit and 10 whooper swans on Paradise lagoon 241118 - Single peregrine and merlin hunting over saltmarsh and foreshore, 12 shoveler on Rimac lagoon, 1 albino starling in with a flock of around 400, 9 little egrets on the saltmarsh and a flock of 68 lapwing flying south, high over Sea View. Single great spotted woodpecker and 2 woodcock nearby 251118 - Short-eared owl hunting along edge of saltmarsh and dunes near Paradise 261118 - 2 brown hen harriers, c 1100 pink foot geese leaving roost, 2 stonechats near Rimac 271118 - On Paradise lagoon were 27 lapwing, 26 shoveler, 130 teal and singles of heron and greylag goose. Little egrets increasing to 14 birds feeding on the saltmarsh and noticeable flocks of wood pigeon in the area. Note: The whooper swan seen near Saltfleet on 12th November, BSS on yellow darvic, was ringed at Kalfborgararvatn, Iceland on 8th August 2013 DONNA NOOK 231118 – Bulls: 639, Cows: 1590, Pups: 1611 Brent geese, flocks of goldfinches, starlings and redwings seen and heard daily. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/visit/woods-and-nature-reserves/127031.article https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/get-involved/ Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch https://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html The Hazel Dormouse https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/cy/node/35 Lincolnshire Dormouse Group The group still meets over winter to carry out essential coppice management of the wood and maintenance activities and anyone is welcome to come along and help. Just get in touch via lincsdormousegroup@gmail.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Reports welcome..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. Examples: SNIPE DALES https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/snipe-dales WHISBY https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/whisby WILLOW TREE FEN https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/willow-tree-fen ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Readers are invited to send in their reports and "reviews" of favourite nature reserves and public wildlife sites. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 usually 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/as necessary. *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Website *** A full list of LNU Country Recorders is given here. http://lnu.org/ LNU e-mail: info@lnu.org A list of all the articles contained in Transactions (Transactions page) and a list of the Presidents (Officers page) is also available on the LNU website. 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/as necessary. *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/ *** Lincs Bird Club Website *** http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk 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 *** 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 Webpages: Hare coursing https://www.lincs.police.uk/reporting-advice/wildlife-and-rural-crime/hare-coursing/ STAYING SAFE Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. *** Check for road works and hold-ups: *** https://roadworks.org/ *** EasyTide *** http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx *** 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/as 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 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 *** British Bryological Society *** http://www.britishbryologicalsociety.org.uk/ *** 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 *** Spiders *** Imogen Wilde Regional Co-ordinator (RC) and Mentor for Lincolnshire for the British Arachnological Society (BAS). Imogen@imogenwilde.co.uk *** Lincs Amphibian and Reptile Group *** The Lincolnshire ARG (Amphibian & Reptile Group) For further information and to submit records contact: Ashley Butterfield learningoutdoors@btinternet.com *** 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 *** Lincolnshire Environmental Awards *** https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/lincs-environmental-awards *** Natural England *** http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ *** Field Studies Council *** Bringing Environmental Understanding to All https://www.field-studies-council.org/ *** NHBS *** Should you need natural history equipment or books, a good place to start is: https://www.nhbs.com/ *** 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 *** InsideEcology *** Online Magazine for Ecologists, Conservationists and Wildlife Professionals https://insideecology.com/ For the geologists... *** UKGE - Geological Supplies *** https://www.ukge.com/ *** British geology maps - now free to explore on web *** http://www.bgs.ac.uk/opengeoscience/ The Geology of Lincolnshire https://lincsnaturalist.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/the-geology-of-lincolnshire-h-h-swinnerton-and-p-e-kent.pdf A Building Stone Atlas of Lincolnshire - British Geological Survey pdf https://www.bgs.ac.uk/downloads/start.cfm?id=2885 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. Our indoor meetings are normally held in Lincoln at the Whisby Education Centre at Whisby Nature Park. Indoor meetings start at 2pm, with both members and non- members welcome to attend. There is an annual recorders’ meeting, where we review the wildlife highlights of the previous year and to leaven the Annual General Meeting the honorary president gives a presentation on his or her particular interest in wildlife and this is reproduced in full in ‘The Lincolnshire Naturalist‘. This too starts at 2pm but attendees gather from noon to socialise. Next Meetings: https://lnu.org/meetings/indoor-meetings/ ‘Bird Migration’ – 5th January 2019 Professor Ian Newton talks on Bird Migration. Whisby Education Centre, 2pm start. Joint talk with the Lincolnshire Bird Club Recorders’ Meeting – 9th February 2019 Whisby Education Centre, 12 noon Overview and highlights of the past years recording provided by the county recorders. Arrive at 12 noon for a chance to catch up with recorders; the overview starts at 2pm as in previous years. Annual General Meeting – 2nd March 2019 Whisby Education Centre, 2pm Followed by the Presidential Address by David Sheppard ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails This Week *** Mail fails: 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.... Whale stranding in New Zealand leaves 145 dead https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-46339763 Why is there a row over seaweed harvesting in Scotland? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-46289449 Tossing dead salmon is good for plants https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-46305004 Researchers identify worst year to be alive on Earth https://news.sky.com/story/researchers-identify-worst-year-to-be-alive-on-earth-11559911 NovaSAR: UK radar satellite returns first images https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-46312874 Climate change: Warming gas concentrations at new record high https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-46289829 Climate change: UK summers could be over 5C warmer by 2070 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-46343103 Millipede so rare 'it doesn't even have a name' discovered https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-46290108 Ash dieback: Seed orchards could help species recover sooner https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-45959914 And finally: Country diary: red kites shoot the breeze https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/nov/22/country-diary-red-kites-shoot-the-breeze-sandy-bedfordshire Country diary: when does winter start? Each tree may give a different answer https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/nov/24/country-diary-when-does-winter-start-each-tree-may-give-a-different-answer Country diary: the raven's call sounds oddly out of place https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/nov/27/country-diary-ravens-nest-east-england-rutland Includes a link to the government’s online countryside mapping system, which some might find interesting. Country diary: dinosaur poo on the banks of the Severn https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/nov/28/country-diary-dinosaur-poo-banks-severn-aust-cliff-south-gloucestershire#comment-123078831 ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/