============================================= || || 9th 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... *** It is always very encouraging to see the "Opens" total rise to more than 50%. We would usually expect to average 20% in our sector. When putting together the Bulletin, I have certain objectives. Wildlife news and gathering in acceptable records is the main purpose. Keeping readers informed of coming events and issues is important. It is vital is to extend our network, so that all county natural history agencies are able to contribute. I take vicarious pleasure in discovering which links get the clicks. I get a tally of this and can see which topics catch your interest. I often choose these with the interests of particular readers in mind! You, perhaps? Keep on clicking. Nation's botanical treasure troves 'under huge threat' Helen Brigg's article reminds us of the work of past Lincolnshire botanists and the exciting possibilities being opened up by the "Love Lincs Plants" project. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-46374291 https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/what-we-do/love-lincs-plants Latest Seal update is: 557 bulls, 1298 cows, 1684 pups. Total of pups so far: 1874 https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/donna-nook/weekly-update If you are planning a visit to Donna Nook try to avoid weekends if you can and 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 As usual I have included a selection of local/topical links. Don't forget to click. Sign up and play a part in researching influenza. You don't have to have 'flu to help! Sign up to FluSurvey 2018/19 https://flusurvey.net/en/ Seal colony in Norfolk expects more than 2,700 pups https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-norfolk-46356376/ Boston boa constrictor on the loose in Lincolnshire https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-46382363 Sir Peter Scott Lighthouse in Sutton Bridge is up for sale https://www.spaldingtoday.co.uk/news/feature-iconic-sir-peter-scott-lighthouse-is-put-up-for-sale-9048181/ https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-68034340.html An interesting article by Helen Briggs. Extinction crisis: Five things you should know https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-46385691 Climate change: Where we are in seven charts and what you can do to help https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-46384067 Scottish GPs to begin prescribing rambling and birdwatching https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/oct/05/scottish-gps-nhs-begin-prescribing-rambling-birdwatching Nature-friendly farmers aid wildlife recoveries https://www.birdguides.com/news/nature-friendly-farmers-aid-wildlife-recoveries/ ....fly-tipped in Lincoln in the space of a year https://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/news/lincoln-news/disgusting-100-white-goods-49-2254756 ... video warning against hare coursing https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/video/news/sergeant-leanne-carr-of-lincolnshire-police-stars-in-video-warning-against-hare-coursing/ Badgers' digging in Copeland costs Cumbria Council thousands https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-46412009 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 *** December Night Sky *** Paul Money's 'Monthly Night Sky' webpage will be found on: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html Next big meteor shower - the Geminids: peak Thu 13 Dec – Fri 14 Dec 2018 https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/events/geminid-meteor-shower 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 *** Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project – Volunteer Day Reminder *** 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 *** Bryophyte Meeting *** Steven Heathcote writes: Bryophyte meeting – Snipe Dales, Lincolnshire – Saturday 15th December 2018 The next bryophyte meeting is a re-arranged visit from March. Hopefully there won't be snow this time as we try again to visit Snipe Dales, a semi-natural wet valley system. Parking and the meeting location is in the reserve car park which is signposted from B1195 Horncastle-Spilsby road (TF330682). Meeting time is 10AM. There is a small charge for the car park apparently. We are interested in rumours of Sphagnum and a 1972 record of Fountain Apple-moss (one of two post-1930 records for this species in Lincolnshire). We plan to stay out most of the day so please bring warm/dry clothes and a packed lunch. Anyone is welcome for part or all of the day. Please let me know if you plan to attend so I can make contact if there are any last-minute changes due to weather , Contact: steven.heathcote@gmail.com *** 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 Martin Francis writes: The next meeting of the RSPB Grimsby Local Group is at 7.30pm on Monday 17th December 2018 at Holy Trinity Parish Hall, (formerly known as Corpus Christi Community Centre), Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes, DN35 7LH Paul Hobson will give us an illustrated talk entitled "The Cairngorms". There will also be refreshments, includng mince pies, and a raffle. Entry is £4, payable at the door. All are welcome. You don't have to be a member of the RSPB. For more information, contact Martin Francis (Group Leader) at martin.francis2@ntlworld.com (preferred) or on (01472) 883436 *** 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: A win for Barnacle Geese https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/A_win_for_Barnacle_Geese.aspx 29/11 Ring-necked Duck drk, Woodhall Spa airfield Long-eared Owl on island, Deeping Lakes Hen Harrier ringtail, Crowland Common Long-tailed Duck at Baston/Langtoft Pits 6 Russian White-fronted Geese, Huttoft Bank pit 4 Bewick's Swans, Alderfen, Wroot Hooded Crow, 2 Velvet Scoters, Hen Harrier, Waxwing yesterday, Gibraltar Point 29/11 4 Bewick's Swans, Alderfen, Wroot 30/11 2 Hooded Crows, 14 Snow Buntings, ringtail Hen Harrier, 4 Velvet Scoters, Sooty Shearwater flew past, Red-necked Grebe, Slavonian Grebe, Long-tailed Duck, Great Northern Diver, Black-throated Diver, Gibraltar Point 2 Russian White-fronted Geese with c400 Pink-footed Geese, Alderfen, Wroot 6 Russian White-fronted Geese north of Huttoft Pit, Long-tailed Duck at Baston/Langtoft Pits 4 Bewick's Swans north of Anderby Creek 1/12 Ring-necked Duck drk, Great White Egret, Woodhall Spa airfield Long-tailed Duck at Baston/Langtoft Pits Great White Egret flew west over Willow Tree Fen 2/12 Ring-necked Duck drk, Great White Egret, Woodhall Spa airfield 4 Water Pipits, 3 Short-eared Owls, East Halton Skitter 6 Spotted Redshanks, Alkborough Flats Long-billed Dowitcher, ringtail Hen Harrier, Frampton Marsh Siberian Chiffchaff, Apex gravel pits, North Hykeham Water Pipit, 3 Hen Harriers, 11 Velvet Scoters, Hooded Crow, Gibraltar Point 3/12 Long-tailed Duck at Baston/Langtoft Pits 4 Velvet Scoters on sea, Trusthorpe Caspian Gull, Middlemarsh Wetlands, Skegness Lapland Bunting, Red-necked Grebe, Gibraltar Point 2 Hen Harriers, males, Frampton Marsh 4/12 Great White Egret, Hobhole Drain near Thorpe, Toynton Fenside 2 Long-eared Owls on island, Deeping Lakes Short-eared Owl, Frampton Marsh Long-tailed Duck at Baston/Langtoft Pits 11 Velvet Scoters flew past Gibraltar Point 2 Lapland Buntings, Saltfleet 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. KITES Avril Lord We saw 2 kites yesterday - I'm surprised no-one else has reported seeing them. My walking friends and I have seen them over N Lincs on several occasions between Tealby and Great Limber. This is the sighting for yesterday: Bully Hill on Caistor High Street 02.12.18, 12pm 2 kites gliding over the road and neighbouring fields HORKSTOW Jenny Haynes Sunday 2 December 2018 It’s 10.40pm and there’s a bird singing in my garden. I’m no good on birdsong but could it be a robin? I’ve never heard birdsong this late, especially in winter. See: https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/birdwatching/bird-behaviour/why-do-birds-sing-at-night/ ROAD KILLS? Every drive is a transect! Reports welcome. South Witham Roadside Nature Reserve Jane Ostler 25th November 2018 Rabbit Lianne Havell 9/11/2018 Louth via Kenwick - road in front of Kenwick Park Hotel, Louth, LN11 8NR. Several dead badgers and at least 3 dead foxes. *** 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 2/12/2018 Dunnock Regular visitors: Robin House sparrow 12 Starlings 20+ Collared Dove 6 Woodpigeon 6 GRANTHAM St Catherine's Road SK918356 2.12.18 From my 3rd floor window Heron flying above the River Witham Blackbirds and fieldfares competing for yew berries GRIMSBY TA 265095 Joyce Attia 4th December 201 05.30hrs 28th November. My garden - this crazy weather is doing strange things. I still have lots of summer flowers, roses, lobelia, yellow buddleia This morning I found some wild violets out at the bottom of the garden. It's nearly midnight now and I have just been out in the garden, it's really warm and the night scented stocks still smell glorious. Sunday 2nd December. Another warm day. A great tit on the bird feeder. The seed seems to be going down fast, but not seen any other birds on it. Two skeins of geese passed over going SE towards Cleethorpes - too high up for me to tell what they were - there were about 60 in the first skein and 50 in the second. I started to cut back the buddleia when I realised there was a bee on it, so I left it. On the river the mallards are mating. There were about 15 black headed gulls on the river and a few on the field with 2 juvenile herring gulls. Along the bank side a wood pigeon was enjoying the holly berries and there were a number of sparrows in the hedge along the path. Monday 3rd December. Two collared doves on the bird feeder, mystery solved. Also the great tit, I thought I heard a dunnock but didn't see it. There have been a couple of magpies recently, I wonder if that's why my birds have not come back. NOCTON, Wasps Nest Jerry Gunner Thursday November 29, 13:00hrs. As I drove up towards Wasps Nest, just short of the woods, I had tremendous views of a brown male ring-tail harrier cavorting in the estimated 40-40kt winds. He was struggling to fly at all and resembled a crisp packet being blown around in an alley way. Fortunately I had my binoculars with me so had about a minute to take him in. Beautiful thing to see. Friday November 30. I took the dogs along the Carr Dyke from Wasps Nest and saw at least a dozen redwings heading west from the Bardney direction. These are the first ones I’ve seen this year. Further along the path, out of the wind but in the very strong sunshine, I saw two darters/dragonflies. Smallish with reddish brown bodies with the thorax about one and a half inches. Back home in Nocton the female sparrowhawk which has had some success at our feeder lately perched on it twice in an hour. Amazing to see it so close. At about 14:45hrs, with the sun waning in strength, a wasp was batting its head against the window trying to get in. THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 25/11/18 Blackbird x 4 Blue Tit x 2 Dunnock x 1 Fieldfare x 52 Goldfinch x 2 Lesser Redpoll x 12 Pink-footed Goose x 85 NW over Thurnholmes Redwing x 29 Robin x 1 Siskin x 1 Starling x 32 Tree Sparrow x 6 Wood Pigeon x 4 Wren x 1 Yellowhammer x 2 04/12/18 Blackbird x 9 Blue Tit x 2 Brambling x 2 Chaffinch x 8 Common Buzzard x 1 Fieldfare x 38 Goldfinch x 12 Pink-footed Goose x 320 East over Thurnholmes Redwing x 12 Wood Mouse x 1 WOOLSTHORPE-BY-COLSTERWORTH SK92/22 Jane Ostler 18th-30th November 2018 MAMMALS ROE DEER seen for first time on boundary Woolsthorpe and Colsterworth. A MUNTJAK still seen regularly on western edge of parish. Dog FOX out in fields to south. GREY SQUIRREL still burying hazel nuts in a garden at end of month. No RABBITS or recent evidence of them seen either along Old Post Lane or Nature Trail where they have been frequent in past. BIRDS A Heron is now taking a more northerly route (along the Woolsthorpe Road) to and from the River Witham. It may have been moved down river by the three Little Egrets which are regularly on the banks upstream. Red Kite produced spectacular flight displays in the high winds. Buzzard landed briefly in a garden hedge, looking vulture like. Barn Owl seen in evening west of village. There have been no reports of Sparrowhawks in gardens in November but Kestrels regularly patrol roads on edges of parish. Fieldfares in flocks along the Nature trail were feeding in the trees but ignoring the abundant fallen apples. A Mistle thrush singing high in an Ash Tree on windy days lived up to its nickname of 'storm cock'. A Song Thrush on Nature Trail feeding amongst the leaf litter. Newly fledged Collared Dove pair in a garden on 30th November. Jackdaws have taken up winter residence in a chimney.The bare branches of an ash tree have revealed the number of Rooks nests blown down earlier in the year,the Rooks have now moved on. The number of passerines in the gardens is still down - particularly the finches. Bullfinches have been seen feeding in Rowan at roadsides. A Coal Tit is a regular visitor at fat balls but has to wait its turn until first t he Great tits and then the Blue Tits have left. PLANTS IN FLOWER In hedgerows and verges occassional perennials like Sowthistle, Daisy, Ragwort, and Yarrow. The most frequent of the annuals in flower were Herb Robert and Groundsel. Other plants in flower included Red Valerian, Musk Mallow and Canadian Fleabane. Two of the Gorse bushes at the western end of the Nature Trail are in full flower. FUNGI Grey Funnel Cap (Clitocybe nebularis) in rings round trees Fragrant Funnel Cap(Clitocybe fragrans) In grassland Yellow Stainer (Agaricus xanth.) Nature Trail under trees Wood Blewit (Lepista nuda) Nature Trail under trees Omphalina pyxidata  No common name Tiny orange gill fungi in grass Common Jelly Spot (Dacrymyces stillatus) On fencing Tar Spot on sycamore Seven 'witches' brooms' on one small Silver Birch tree. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 28th November 2018 – 4th December 2018 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Matt Blissett and Ruth Taylor. Daily news and wildlife sightings: 301118 - On Paradise lagoon there was a single female gadwall with 17 mallard, 75 teal, 1 shelduck, 5 redshank, 1 curlew, 7 common gulls and 29 black-headed gulls 011218 - Of note there were 120 teal on Paradise lagoon and 50 lapwing with 250 Brent geese nearby. A short-eared owl was seen hunting along the edge of the saltmarsh and 3 fieldfare nearby. 021218 - C1500 pink foot geese leaving roost from NNR foreshore, also 2 hen harriers, 2 barn owls and 1 short eared owl. 15 mute and 14 whooper swans on rape field near Saltfleet plus at least 600 lapwing on plough land nearby. On adjacent marshland near Elm House Farm were 310 wigeon, 7 shoveler and 9 mallard. Single marsh harrier over saltmarsh and female bullfinch at Sea View 031218 - c180 thrushes mostly blackbirds and redwings with a few song thrush and fieldfare, also 7 snow buntings flying over foredunes and 5 bullfinches flying over dune scrub. 041218 – A pair of tawny owls and 2 water rails calling,3 sparrowhawks seen, little owl perched on nearby bale stack, 9 pied wagtails feeding on adjacent ploughed field. DONNA NOOK 301118 – 557 bulls, 1298 cows, 1684 pups. Total number of pups so far: 1874 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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.... Denzel: The sniffer dog that detects water leaks https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-46372111/ Protecting against allergies https://www.mygreenpod.com/articles/protecting-against-allergies/ Puppies rescued in Willingham travellers' site raid https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-46398597 Satellites warn African farmers of pest infestations https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-46370601 New Zealand beached whales: Why are so many getting stranded? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-46400957 ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/