============================================= || || 30th 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... *** The very best for the coming year. If you have any outstanding 2018 reports for recorders please make sure they have them in good time. Contacts: https://lnu.org/specialists/ See below: Ultima Thule flyby - New Year's Day; Bird Walk at Humberston 5th Jan; ‘Bird Migration’ - Whisby - 5th January 2019. You will see that Waxwing sightings are being reported. Please let us know if you are lucky enough to spot any. Some great photos on: https://twitter.com/WaxwingsUK As usual I have included a selection of local/topical links, some chosen with particular readers in mind. It could be you. Don't forget to click any that interest you. England's Big Picture: 24 - 30 December https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-46608243 River Witham: Omex told to repair damage from pollution https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-46646751 South Witham company fined for river pollution https://www.granthamjournal.co.uk/news/south-witham-company-fined-for-river-pollution-9057795/ Lincolnshire Police staff plan to foster seized dogs https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-46566950 Lincoln fisherman fined £25,000 over illegal whelk catch https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-isle-of-man-46621711 Christmas market in West Torrington bus shelter https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-46633686 Donna Nook Seal update - the end of year wind-down: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/donna-nook/weekly-update Seal pup found in Terrington St Clement back garden https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-46659658 Sea Palling: Dead porpoise washes up on beach https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-46672473 The secret life of plants: Ten new species found this year https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-46621092 Botanical artist brings rare plants back to life https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/science-environment-46651872/ Backpack bees give farmers a weather buzz and other news https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/technology-46432640/ Latest issue of The Biologist...a taster - Cephalopods https://thebiologist.rsb.org.uk/biologist Are you ready for BigGardenBirdWatch 26-28 January 2019? https://www.rspb.org.uk/get-involved/activities/birdwatch/ Sawbill photo ID guide https://www.birdguides.com/articles/identification/sawbill-photo-id-guide/ Common Cranes enjoy record breaking 2018 https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/Common_Crane_enjoys_record_breaking2018.aspx Scotland's wildcats 'functionally extinct' in the wild https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-46617965 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 - shortly to change to January 2019 *** Paul Money's 'Monthly Night Sky' webpage will be found on: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html Editor adds: Ultima Thule flyby... New Year's Day "Nasa's New Horizons probe on course for historic flyby" - New Year's Day https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-46610812 Follow news on NASA television website: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/newhorizons/main/index.html *** Joint BTO and Lincolnshire Bird Club Conference *** Celebrating 40 years of Lincolnshire Bird Club with a focus on Water and Farmland Birds. Everyone is welcome! Saturday, January 26, 2019 - 09:30 to 16:00 https://www.facebook.com/464978593554672/posts/2189603697758811/ *** Bryophyte Meeting *** Bryophyte meeting – Rose's Plantation, Scotter, Lincolnshire Saturday 20th January 2019 Steven Heathcote writes: The next Lincolnshire bryophyte meeting will take place at Rose's Plantation, a Forestry Commission site between Gainsborough and Scunthorpe. Parking is on a forestry track off the A159 at SK873997. Meeting time is 10AM but I will be there from 9:40AM to open the gate. Please take extreme care when turning off the A159, particularly if coming from the south, because if the barrier is shut it isn't possible to get completely off the road. Hopefully this won't be a problem. We are interested in taking a look at the ponds which have recently been cleared and many of which now have Floating Crystalwort, Riccia fluitans. We will also look at the woodland and heathland habitats. 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. It is very important that you let me know if you plan to attend so I can make contact if there are any last-minute changes due to weather. ( 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? 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.sites.lincoln.ac.uk/2016/09/30/heritage-lottery-funding-to-safeguard-lincolnshire-plants/ Editor adds related links: *** The Flora of Lincolnshire by Joan Gibbons *** https://lincsnaturalist.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/the-flora-of-lincolnshire-e-joan-gibbons.pdf *** Collections Dataset - LNU "historic specimens" Chris Manning writes: Project Officer Kath Castillo at NHM has improved the accessibility of the LNU historic specimens; creating a collections ‘dataset’ on the NHM Data Portal. All of of the specimens that have been processed and digitised to date can now be viewed here: http://data.nhm.ac.uk/dataset/lincs-plants The digital herbarium sheet image data for the LNU historic specimens, plus associated images i.e. the newspaper packets, together with images for the contemporary Lincs specimens will all be pulled into the dataset as and when these are integrated into the museum’s EMu collections management system. It’s a fantastic online resource so please take the time to have a look through it. If you have any questions on this please get in touch with Kath at k.castillo@nhm.ac.uk or Fred Rumsey at f.rumsey@nhm.ac.uk *** VC54 North Lincolnshire Plant List *** Editor adds: Paul Kirby has produced a list which details all the vascular plant and stonewort taxa with records on the MapMate botanical database for VC54, North Lincolnshire, at the end of January 2017. You can download this on: https://lnu.org/specialists/vascular-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. Our first meeting for the New Year takes place on Monday, 14th January when our specialist geology member Paul Hildreth will be giving us his talk entitled "Women in Geology". Following a talk he gave to the Yorkshire Geological Society, Paul realised that none of the individuals he mentioned were female. A little research revealed that women had made an outstanding contribution to our present understanding of Geology. As always, the meeting will be held in the St. Bernadette's Church Parish Centre, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2RS, starting at 7.15pm. There is a large free car park at the Church. ALL ARE WELCOME TO OUR MEETINGS. There is no entry charge but a donation bowl is provided. Light refreshments are available at the mid-talk break for a small charge. Contact Keith Scarrott on 01724 762098 for any further details. *** 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 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 *** Boston LWT *** Geof Lee writes: EVERY PIXEL TELLS A STORY - Thursday, 10th January at 7.30 P.M. A talk by well known wildlife photographer, Neil Smith, who will talk about what he looks for in an image and the methods he uses to achieve them. The meeting will be held in the Centenary Methodist Church in Red Lion Street, Boston. For more info phone Heather James on 01205366923 *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** www.grimsbywildlifetrust.org.uk New Year Bird Walk at Humberston Carolyn Davis writes: On Saturday 5th January 2019 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them on a New Year bird walk starting from Anthony's Bank, Humberston. Grid ref. TA061331, nearby postcode DN35 0PW. Meet leader Ray Hume at 8am in the car parking area. Please wear suitable outdoor clothing and stout foot wear 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. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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: 20/12 3 Hooded Crows on beach at Mill Hill, Waxwing. Great Northern Diver flew south, Hen Harrier, Water Pipit, 8 Velvet Scoters, Gibraltar Point Hen Harrier ad male, Alderfen, Wroot 2 Water Pipits, Alkborough Flats 21/12 5 Bewick's Swans, 2 ads 3 juvs, Slavonian Grebe, Great Northern Diver, 11 Velvet Scoters,Gibraltar Point Long-billed Dowitcher, Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owl, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh Hen Harrier male, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh 2 Short-eared Owls, Bonby Carrs 22/12 Great Northern Diver offshore, Waxwing by road near plantation, 14 Velvet Scoters, Lapland Bunting flew west over, Hooded Crow, 5 Bewick's Swans, 2 ads, Gibraltar Point 4+ Water Pipits at freshwater pools, East Halton Skitter Waxwing over Garden, Sturton-by-Stow Hooded Crow, Marston Great White Egret, Boultham Mere, Lincoln 11 Bewick's Swans, 4 juvs, with 49 Whooper Swans, Torne Valley - Westwoodside Hen Harrier, Frampton Marsh 23/12 4 Brent Geese, Deeping Lakes Shorelark, Cleethorpes Water Pipit, Baston + Langtoft pits 24/12 Long-eared Owl on island, Deeping Lakes Waxwing, Hen Harrier male, Short-eared Owl, Spoonbill, Frampton Marsh Short-eared Owl, Huttoft Bank Hen Harrier male Gayton le Marsh west of Mablethorpe 5 Bewick's Swans, 2 ads, Gibraltar Point 25/12 Long-eared Owl on island, Deeping Lakes Hen Harrier, Gibraltar Point 2 Waxwings, Birchwood, Lincoln 26/12 Long-tailed Duck ad fem, Water Pipit, Baston + Langtoft pits Siberian Chiffchaff. Apex Pit, North Hykeham 3 Hen Harriers, 1 male, Short-eared Owl, Frampton Marsh 27/12 Slavonian Grebe offshore, 2 ringtail Hen Harriers, Great White Egret flew south over lagoon, Freiston Shore Great White Egret, Woodhall Spa Airfield Iceland Gull at Middlemarsh Wetlands west of Skegness 2 Short-eared Owls, Scaup fem, Frampton Marsh Long-tailed Duck ad fem, Baston + Langtoft pits 2 Great White Egrets, Thorpe drain at Hobhole Drain 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. ROAD KILLS? Every drive is a transect! Reports welcome. SCUNTHORPE Hazel Allen 22Dec2018 Otter I had noticed on a number of occasions over the last week what appeared to be a dead animal at the edge of the road, and finally decided to park up and see what it was, at dusk on Saturday. An intact Otter carcass! As far as I could determine, the animal appears to have died in good condition from apparent vehicle impact. The deceased Otter was left where it was found, should anyone have an interest in examining the body. Images attached, including Grid Ref. LOUTH A16/A631 roundabout Richard Fox 19th December 2018 also Roe Buck on grass verge just Louth side on A631 9.40pm. *** 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 22/12/2018 Harlequin Ladybirds - 2 - H. axyridis var succinea Regular flocks of: Starlings - 12 - 24 House Sparrows 12+ Black-headed Gulls - 12+ - occasional raids plus 2 Robins Blackbirds 2 m, 1f Chaffinch - 2m, 1f Blue tit 1+ Collared Dove 2-6 Woodpigeon - 2-8 Jackdaw 2-3 Pied Wagtail Wren 26/12/2018 Mistle Thrush reported heard on Church Road. BOSTON 27/12/2018 Kathleen Pearson Green Woodpecker in garden today. LOUTH Derrick Haywood 22/12/2018. 11-30 am. 8 waxwings - High Holme road. Louth. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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: 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.... Ten big science stories of 2018 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-46388260 Japan whale hunting: Commercial whaling to restart in July https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-46682976 Chestnut-killing wasp threatens major harvest https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-43377056 Tornadoes form from the ground up https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/tornadoes-form-ground-up-523/ Mars: Pictures reveal 'winter wonderland' on the red planet https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-46645321 Third of rare Scotch whiskies tested found to be fake https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-46566703 Warning against 'volcano tourism' risks https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-46621304 Indonesia tsunami: How a volcano can be the trigger https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-46666633 ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/